Altitudinal terrestrial isopod diversity

We have assessed the diversity of terrestrial isopods across an elevational and habitat gradient on Mt. Panachaiko (NW Peloponnisos, Greece). Previous knowledge on the biodiversity of this mountain was restricted to very few records of individual species, and no systematic sampling had ever been applied for any animal taxon. We selected the most representative habitat types within an altitudinal range from 750 to 1700 m a.s.l., where we applied qualitative and quantitative monthly sampling using hand collecting and pitfall traps for 6 months during the snow-free period (June–November). We sampled three sites with maquis vegetation, one site with fir forest, one with sparse hawthorn vegetation and two at a highland meadow, and we compared the distribution and abundance patterns of isopod species among these habitat types. Overall, 13 isopod species were found, seven of which were also captured in pitfall traps. One species, Armadillidium lobocurvum, was extremely abundant at the most elevated sites, resulting in very uneven patterns of abundance. The habitat types with higher diversity of isopod species were the sparse hawthorns and the open maquis, and the richest month was July. We also discuss the phenology of the most abundant species at the highland meadows.     

Comparison of analytical methodologies based on 1h and 31p NMR spectroscopy with conventional methods of analysis for the determination of some olive oil constituents

The present study was designed to assess the agreement between analytical methodologies based on 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopy and conventional analytical methods (titration, gas chromatography, and high performance liquid chromatography) for measuring certain minor and major constituents (free acidity, fatty acids, iodine value, and phenolic compounds) of olive oil. The standard deviations of the NMR method were comparable to those of the conventional methods, except perhaps those of the total hydroxytyrosol and total tyrosol. Linear regression analyses showed strong correlations between NMR and conventional methods for free acidity, total hydroxytyrosol, total tyrosol, total diacylglycerols, (+)-pinoresinol, (+)-1-acetoxypinoresinol, and apigenin; good correlations for linoleic acid, free hydroxytyrosol, and free tyrosol; and weak correlations for oleic acid, linolenic acid, saturated fatty acids, and luteolin. Furthermore, a method comparison study was conducted and the agreement between NMR and conventional methods was evaluated by using the Bland and Altman statistical analysis. The distribution of the data points in the bias plot showed that 96.4% and 100% of the measurements of free acidity and iodine value, respectively, were within the limits of agreement of the two methods. For the remaining constituents of olive oil, the percentage of measurements, located within the limits of agreement, ranged from 94% to 98.5%.     

Evaluation of the use of LIDAR laser scanner to map pruning wood in vineyards and its potential for management zones delineation

Vine vigour assessment has been a major concern of precision viticulture studies in order to identify areas of uniform vine performance within vineyards. Moreover, the counting and weighing of winter dormant canes is considered as the most informative measurement to indicate vine balance and is commonly performed manually by grape growers for management purposes. The main concern of this measurement is that it is time consuming and laborious and it cannot accommodate detailed sampling density. In the present study, the potential of using laser scanner technology as an automated, easy and rapid way to perform mapping of the winter pruning wood across the vineyard was investigated. The study was conducted during 2010 and 2011, in a one hectare commercial vineyard in central Greece, planted with cv. Agiorgitiko, a traditional Greek variety for the production of red wine. Parameters of topography, soil depth, soil texture, canopy properties (NDVI), yield, and grape quality were mapped and analysed in conjunction to winter canes weighing at pruning time. The mapping of the dormant canes was carried out using a 2D laser scanner sensor prior to pruning and manually measuring the pruning weight on a 10 × 20 m grid. Laser scanner measurements showed significant relationship in both 2010 and 2011 with pruning weight (r = 0.809 and r = 0.829 respectively, p < 0.001), yield and early season NDVI, showing the potential of using laser scanner measurements to assess variability in vine vigour within vineyards. These results suggest that laser scanners offer great promise to characterize within field variability in vine performance.