Energy partitioning influenced by tree spacing

An energy partitioning experiment was set-up within an experimental agroforest site at Cloich forest, near Edinburgh. Measurements of turbulent heat fluxes were made – during non stress conditions – both directly by eddy-covariance techniques and in the case of latent heat flux indirectly through closure of the energy budget equation. These measurements were made simultaneously in the thinned plots (one plot at a time) and a reference plot to eliminate differences due to external atmospheric conditions. Observed values of Bowen ratio ranged from 1 to 3.5, with significantly lower values in the thinned plots compared with those measured in the reference plot. On separation of the Bowen ratio into its two components, it was found that sensible heat flux remained constant between plots. The latent heat flux, however, increased as the tree density was reduced. A simple model of the evaporation from the forest plots based on the Penman-Monteith equation and incorporating an under-storey component was developed and was able to accurately replicate the observed results. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Measurements of the equation of state of deuterium at the fluid insulator-metal transition

A high-intensity laser was used to shock-compress liquid deuterium to pressures from 22 to 340 gigapascals. In this regime deuterium is predicted to transform from an insulating molecular fluid to an atomic metallic fluid. Shock densities and pressures, determined by radiography, revealed an increase in compressibility near 100 gigapascals indicative of such a transition. Velocity interferometry measurements, obtained by reflecting a laser probe directly off the shock front in flight, demonstrated that deuterium shocked above 55 gigapascals has an electrical conductivity characteristic of a liquid metal and independently confirmed the radiography.     

Effects of alternative management practices on the economics,energy and GHG emissions of a wheat–pea cropping system in the Canadian prairies

In recent years alternative farming practices have received considerable attention from Canadian producers as a means to improve their net return from grain and oilseed production. Enhancing the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer use, including a pulse crop in the rotation, reducing tillage and pesticide use are seen as viable options to reduce reliance on fossil fuel, lower input costs and decrease the risk of soil, air and water degradation. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of 16 alternative management practices for a 2-year spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–field pea (Pisum sativum L.) rotation on economic returns, non-renewable energy use efficiency, and greenhouse gas emissions. The alternative management methods for wheat consisted of a factorial combination of high vs. low soil disturbance one pass seeding, four nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates (20 kg N ha^?1, 40 kg N ha^?1, 60 kg N ha^?1 and 80 kg N ha^?1), and recommended vs. reduced rates of in-crop herbicide application. Alternative management practices for field pea were high vs. low soil disturbance one pass seeding. The resulting 16 cropping systems were evaluated at the whole farm level based on 4 years (two rotation cycles) of data from field experiments conducted on two Orthic Black Chernozem soils (clay loam and loam textures) in Manitoba, Canada. The highest net returns on the clay loam soil were for the high disturbance system with 60 kg N ha^?1 applied to wheat and the recommended rates of in-crop herbicides. The lowest application rate of N, together with low disturbance seeding, provided the highest economic returns on the loam soil. Energy use efficiency was highest for the lowest rate of N application for both tillage systems. The highest rate of N fertilizer and recommended rates of in-crop herbicide produced little additional yield response, lower net returns, and higher GHG emissions. An increase in N fertilizer application from 20 kg ha^?1 to 80 kg ha^?1 increased whole farm energy requirements by about 40%, while reducing herbicide rates had negligible effects on grain yields and total energy input. Overall, as N fertilizer rate increased, the associated GHG emissions were not offset by an increase in carbon retained in the above-ground crop biomass. Moderate to high soil test NO₃-N levels at experimental sites reduced the potential for positive yield responses to N fertilizer in this study, thus minimizing the economic benefits derived from N fertilizer application.     

The relationship between migration speed and release date for chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta fry exiting a 110-km northern Japanese river

The relationship between release date and migration speed was examined for hatchery chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta fry exiting the Nishibetsu River in eastern Hokkaido, northern Japan so that future releases might be scheduled so that fry arrive at the ocean during periods favoring high survival. Separate marked groups of chum salmon released in early April, mid-April, and early May in 2008, late March and mid-April in 2009, and mid-April in 2010 were recaptured with a rotary screw trap 12 km above the river mouth. Chum salmon in later release groups tended to migrate downstream faster than fish in earlier release groups. Those released after mid-April arrived in the lower river on average 9 days after release, while those released before mid-April arrived on average 26–28 days after release. Most marked fish arrived in the lower river during late April to mid-May. These results suggest that chum salmon are adapted to adjust their migratory speed so as to arrive at the ocean during a relatively discrete period, presumably during a time of high productivity favoring good survival.     

Prevalence of Cysticercus bovis in Australian cattle

Objective The first national abattoir survey of Cysticercus bovis (‘beef measles’) in cattle was conducted in February 2008. Methods During the data collection period, 493,316 cattle were subjected to standard postmortem procedures, including incision of the masseter and heart muscles. On-site veterinarians were asked to record the location of any C. bovis cysts, as well as the National Livestock Identification System ear tag numbers of infected animals. Veterinarians were asked to submit samples for laboratory confirmation by histology and polymerase chain reaction testing. Results Of the 23 samples submitted, none was positive for C. bovis by either diagnostic method. Conclusions Occasional, isolated diagnoses of beef measles are still made in most states of Australia, but since the last regional surveys were conducted 30 years ago, when the estimated prevalence was 50 to 200 per 100,000 cattle slaughtered, the parasite has become extremely rare.     

Linking ecology with social development for tropical aquatic conservation

1. Tropical aquatic ecosystems are species rich, with high numbers of endemics. Increasing pressure from human activities, including demands for food and energy, growing human population, and economic aspirations, highlights the need for a more concerted effort towards aquatic conservation. 2. Understanding of tropical aquatic ecosystems has developed largely from a northern temperate perspective that might not be always appropriate. Applying classic models of how water bodies function can hinder effective conservation strategies. This is coupled with very incomplete knowledge of species distributions and their ecology. 3. Better understanding of tropical aquatic ecology to guide conservation needs a research agenda that connects more strongly with the social‐ecological realities of tropical ecosystems. 4. Although approaches to conservation may be contested, a fundamental challenge to protection of aquatic habitats is a lack of capacity at the individual and institutional level. Without this, the development of improved techniques and approaches for tropical aquatic conservation will fail to reverse current trends of degradation. Research outputs on tropical aquatic ecosystems remain dominated by institutions based outside the tropics. 5. Building awareness and practice to conserve the aquatic ecosystems of the tropics can be supported through extending the dialogue across sectors and by connecting tiers of governance. An ecosystem services framework that identifies the benefits that humans derive from ecosystems provides a powerful tool, often linked with estimates of economic value. However, this can neglect important regulating services or distract from more fundamental existence value. 6. The preservation of tropical aquatic diversity will only be achieved if recognized as important at all levels, from local to global. Targeted external support can build awareness and capacity, but conserving aquatic ecosystems requires local commitment. Developing community monitoring that provides straightforward information on ecosystem health presents opportunities to connect citizens with the ecosystems that, ultimately, they depend on. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Metal levels in street sediment from an industrial city: spatial trends, chemical fractionation, and management implications

Background, aim and scope  Street sediment samples were collected at 50 locations in a mixed land use area of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and metal levels were analyzed using a sequential extraction procedure for different particle size classes to provide an estimate of potential toxicity as well as the potential for treatment through best management practices (BMPs). Methodology  The street sediment samples were dry sieved into four different particle size categories and a sequential extraction procedure was done on each size category following the methodology proposed by Tessier et al. 1979 using a Hitachi 180-80 Polarized Zeeman Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Results and discussion  Analysis of variance, post hoc least-significant difference tests, and kriging analysis showed that spatially Mn and Fe levels were associated with a well-defined heavy industrial area that includes large iron- and steel-making operations; Cu and Pb were associated with both the industrial and high-volume traffic areas, while Zn tended to be more associated with high-volume traffic areas. The potential bioavailability of the metals, based on the sum of chemical fractions 1 (exchangeable) and 2 (carbonate-bound), decreased in order: Zn > Cd > Mn > Pb > Cu > Fe. Based on aquatic sediment quality guidelines, there is some concern regarding the potential impact of the street sediment when runoff reaches receiving waters. Conclusions  It is possible that a combination of BMPs, including street sweeping and constructed wetlands, could help to reduce street sediment impact on environmental quality in the Hamilton region. The data presented here would be important in developing and optimizing the design of these BMPs.