A conceptual framework for damage compensation schemes

Damage compensation schemes are widely used to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts. Despite the growing relevance of such conflicts, a theoretical framework to analyze the cost-effectiveness of damage compensation schemes is still missing. The article aims to fill this gap by proposing a conceptual framework by categorizing cost categories, which can be used to compare different types of compensation schemes. To demonstrate the value of the framework, we present an example that compares ex-post compensation and compensation in advance in the European otter (Lutra lutra) in the Upper Lusatia, Germany. We find that the two types of schemes differ widely in their transaction costs. Transaction costs themselves are closely related to the temporal and spatial distribution of damages. Therefore, the choice between the two types of compensation schemes depends on the distribution of damages, which itself depends on the species under concern. Based on this, we recommend a compensation-in-advance type of damage compensation scheme for the otter in the Upper Lusatia, Germany.     

An integrative approach of organic matter stabilization in temperate soils: Linking chemistry,physics, and biology

With this topical issue, we present the work of the Priority Program 1090 of the German Research Foundation (“Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG”): “Soils as a source and sink for CO₂ – mechanisms and regulation of organic matter stabilisation in soils”. This introduction gives an overview on the sites investigated and the major research approaches, including a glossary of major terms used in the field of soil organic matter research. We point out the advantages of integration of data from a broad field of different soil‐science disciplines and the progress achieved by application and combination of new analytical methods describing the quality and turnover of soil organic matter.     

欧洲农机市场的开发

德国机械及制造商协会(简称VDMA)是欧洲最大的行业协会之一。VDMA成立于1892年，至今已有110多年的历史。协会的支撑是三个：网络、服务和代表会员利益，它在机械及制造行业非常活跃。VDMA是一个非赢利性的协会，拥有公司会员单位3000个，协会的工作人员达460名。VDMA作为连接会员公司与政府机构之间的桥梁，是一个自愿参加的组织，并且不接受政府     

Santorini eruption radiocarbon dated to 1627-1600 B.C

Precise and direct dating of the Minoan eruption of Santorini (Thera) in Greece, a global Bronze Age time marker, has been made possible by the unique find of an olive tree, buried alive in life position by the tephra (pumice and ashes) on Santorini. We applied so-called radiocarbon wiggle-matching to a carbon-14 sequence of tree-ring segments to constrain the eruption date to the range 1627-1600 B.C. with 95.4% probability. Our result is in the range of previous, less precise, and less direct results of several scientific dating methods, but it is a century earlier than the date derived from traditional Egyptian chronologies.     

BKCa-Cav channel complexes mediate rapid and localized Ca2+-activated K+ signaling

Large-conductance calcium- and voltage-activated potassium channels (BKCa) are dually activated by membrane depolarization and elevation of cytosolic calcium ions (Ca2+). Under normal cellular conditions, BKCa channel activation requires Ca2+ concentrations that typically occur in close proximity to Ca2+ sources. We show that BKCa channels affinity-purified from rat brain are assembled into macromolecular complexes with the voltage-gated calcium channels Cav1.2 (L-type), Cav2.1 (P/Q-type), and Cav2.2 (N-type). Heterologously expressed BKCa-Cav complexes reconstitute a functional "Ca2+ nanodomain" where Ca2+ influx through the Cav channel activates BKCa in the physiological voltage range with submillisecond kinetics. Complex formation with distinct Cav channels enables BKCa-mediated membrane hyperpolarization that controls neuronal firing pattern and release of hormones and transmitters in the central nervous system.     

Tree girdling increases soil N mineralisation in two spruce stands

Tree girdling is a common practice in forestry whenever trees are to be killed without felling. The effect of tree girdling on soil nitrogen (N) mineralisation was estimated in both an old and a young spruce forest. The dynamics of mineral N (NO₃⁻–N and NH₄⁺–N) and soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and N (MBN) were determined for different seasons. The in situ net N mineralisation was measured by incubating soil samples in stainless steel cylinders and the gross N mineralisation rates were measured by ¹⁵N pool dilution method. Mineral N concentrations increased significantly in the girdled plots in both old and young spruce forests and showed variations between soil horizons and between sampling times. Tree girdling significantly increased net N mineralisation in both spruce forests. Annual net N mineralisation was 64 and 39 kg N ha⁻¹ in O horizon of the girdled plots in old and young forest plots, respectively, compared to 25 and 21 kg N ha⁻¹ in the control plots. Annual N mineralisation in A horizon was similar between girdled and control plots (31 kg N ha⁻¹) in the old forest whereas in the young forest A horizon N mineralisation was about 2.5 times higher in the girdled plots. As a result, the annual carbon budget was significantly more positive in the girdled plots than in the control plots in both old and young forests. However, we found significantly higher gross N mineralisation rates in both horizons in the control plots than the girdled plots in the old forest, but no differences between the treatments in the young forest. The MBC and MBN contents only showed significant changes during the first three months of the experiment and were similar later on. They first decreased as girdling removed the root carbohydrate, amino and organic acid exudation from the C sources for microorganisms then increased two months after the treatment root dieback acted as a new source of C. Mineralising microorganisms enhanced the mineral N concentrations in girdled plots as a result of greater activity rather than larger population size.     

Evaluation of real-time RT-PCR assay for the routine intra vitam diagnosis of classical swine fever

The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic quality of the real-time RT-PCR assay described by Hoffmann et al. [Hoffmann, B., Beer, M., Schelp, C., Schirrmeier, H., Depner, K., 2005. Validation of a real-time RT-PCR assay for sensitive and specific detection of classical swine fever. J. Virol. Methods 130, 36-44] for the routine intra vitam diagnosis of classical swine fever (CSF). We compared the assay with conventional diagnostic methods by using defined diagnostic material from an animal experiment with pigs showing different clinical forms of CSF. Compared to virus isolation and antigen ELISA an enhanced sensitivity of the real-time RT-PCR could be shown. We were able to detect all infected pigs regardless of the clinical course of CSF. CSF infection was detected already during the incubation period, during the entire clinical phase as well as at the beginning of convalescence when the first antibodies were detected and no virus could be isolated any more. In most cases, positive PCR results were obtained 2 days earlier than with virus isolation and 2-4 days earlier than with the antigen ELISA.     

Kinetics of the release of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from air‐dried and pre‐moistened soil material

In this study, the kinetics of soil organic matter (SOM) dissolution from soil samples in different states of moisture was investigated, using a continuous extraction method. The investigation distinguished three processes of SOM dissolution. They include an initial, fast process (probably hydrophilic dissolved organic matter) and two slow, rate limited processes, which probably correspond to hydrophobic dissolved organic matter (DOM). The second process indicates a slow, continuous release of DOM, whereas the third process is determined by a power law. The rate of the third process strongly depends on temperature and state of moisture. It is diffusion limited, with the diffusion control probably being located in the solid soil organic matter. This was explained by a gel structure, which slowly forms in the hydrating SOM and allows diffusion of mobile particles of SOM. The results show the importance of considering the moisture state of SOM for the kinetics of DOM dissolution.     

Averting the baiji syndrome: conserving habitat for critically endangered dolphins in Eastern Taiwan Strait

• 1. Numbering no more than 100 individuals and facing many threats, the geographically isolated Eastern Taiwan Strait population of Indo‐Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) is in peril. The estuarine and coastal waters of central‐western Taiwan have historically provided prime habitat for these dolphins, but environmental conditions today bear little resemblance to what they were in the past.
• 2. The humpback dolphins must share their habitat with thousands of fishing vessels and numerous factories built upon thousands of hectares of reclaimed land.
• 3. They are exposed to chemicals and sewage released from adjacent terrestrial activities. Noise and disturbance associated with construction, vessel traffic and military activities are features of everyday life for these animals.
• 4. Measures to slow the pace of habitat deterioration and reduce the many risks to the dolphins are urgently needed. As one practical step in this direction, this paper describes the habitat needs of these small cetaceans so that decision makers will be better equipped to define ‘priority habitat’ and implement much needed protection measures under the terms of local legislation.
• 5. The preferred habitat of these dolphins in Taiwan consists of shallow (<30 m), near‐shore marine waters with regular freshwater inputs.
• 6. For such a small, isolated and threatened population, ‘priority habitat’ should not be limited to areas of particularly intensive dolphin use or high dolphin density, but rather it should encompass the entire area where the animals have been observed (their current ‘habitat’), as well as additional coastal areas with similar bio‐physical features (‘suitable habitat’). Such a precautionary approach is warranted because the loss of only a few individuals could have serious population‐level consequences.
• 7. While conventional socio‐economic analysis might suggest that implementing protection measures over an area stretching ～350 km north–south along Taiwan's west coast and ～3 km out to sea would be too ‘costly’, the loss of this charismatic species from Taiwan's waters would send a troubling message regarding our collective ability to reconcile human activities with environmental sustainability. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

     

Measurement and simulation of herbicide transport in macroporous soils

Lysimeter experiments were carried out to study pesticide transport through macroporous soils. In order to differentiate between the effects of soil structure and chemical behaviour, the leaching experiments were conducted using disturbed and undisturbed soil samples. Two herbicides with different sorption behaviours, and bromide as tracer were applied. The results were used to validate a dynamic simulation model which considers bypass flow in macropores. The simulation results show that the model is able to reproduce the soil suction within the soil as well as the spatial distribution of bromide and the herbicides. The continuity of the macropores is most important for the efficiency of bypass flow. The results indicate that cultivation practices like ploughing significantly influence the temporal and spatial distribution of the macropores. © 1998 SCI.