Concept and feasibility study for the integrated evaluation of environmental monitoring data in forests

In the 1970s unexpected forest damages, called “new type of forest damage” or “forest decline”, were observed in Germany and other European countries. The Federal Republic of Germany and the German Federal States implemented a forest monitoring system in the early 1980s, in order to monitor and assess the forest condition. Due to the growing public awareness of possible adverse effects of air pollution on forests, in 1985 the ICP Forests was launched under the convention on long-range transboundary air pollution (CLRTAP) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN-ECE). The German experience in forest monitoring was a base for the implementation of the European monitoring system. In 2001 the interdisciplinary case study “concept and feasibility study for the integrated evaluation of environmental monitoring data in forests”, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, concentrated on in-depths evaluations of the German data of forest monitoring. The objectives of the study were: (a) a reliable assessment of the vitality and functioning of forest ecosystems, (b) the identification and quantification of factors influencing forest vitality, and (c) the clarification of cause-effect-relationships leading to leaf/needle loss. For these purposes additional data from external sources were acquired: climate and deposition, for selected level I plots tree growth data, as well as data on groundwater quality. The results show that in particular time series analysis (crown condition, tree growth, and tree ring analysis), in combination with climate and deposition are valuable and informative, as well as integrated evaluation of soil, tree nutrition and crown condition data. Methods to combine information from the extensive and the intensive monitoring, and to transfer process information to the large scale should be elaborated in future.

Recent developments in the epidemiology of virus diseases

There is continual variation in viral epidemics regarding clinical symptoms, duration and disappearance, and the emergence of new diseases. This can be observed in both human and animal diseases. This evolution of virus diseases is mainly related to three factors: aetiological agent, host and environment. As far as genetic alterations of the virus are concerned, two major mechanisms are involved: mutations such as recombination and reassortment; and selection for resistance or susceptibility. This review focuses on the epidemiology of newly emerged virus diseases in man and animals, such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, haemorraghic fevers, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, canine haemorraghic disease and respiratory syndrome in horses.     

Prevalence of antibodies to four bovine rotavirus strains in different age groups of cattle

Neutralizing antibody titers to four bovine rotavirus strains, representing three serotypes, were measured in 160 sera from cattle of different age groups. Age-specific seroprevalence analysis revealed serotype 6, represented by bovine rotavirus (BRV) NCDV, as the predominant rotavirus serotype infecting German cattle and serotype 10, represented by BRV V1005, as the least prominent. Infections with serotype 8, represented by BRV 678, occurred with intermediate frequency. Antibodies of young calves distinguished between NCDV and UK virus, two serotype 6 BRV strains differing in VP4 antigen.     

Über einige Nutzholzborkenkäfer und ihre Feinde

Summary Studies of some shot-hole borer species and their natural enemies The biology of some shot-hole borer species is not yet fully elucidated especially with regard to voltinism. Development ofTrypodendron domesticum L. is protracted and thus multivoltism simulated. This species is, however, generally univoltine although occasionally a partial second generation may be found. The same applies forXyleborinus saxeseni Ratz. Two parasite species have been found:Perniphora robusta Ruschka (Pteromalidae) andIpideurytoma spessivtsevi Boucek & Novicky (Eurytomidae). All investigators agree that the former is a specific primary ectoparasite of ambriosa beetles whereas the status of the latter is still disputed. The problem is discussed and phenological-, morphological-, parasitological- and geographical criteria are provided which suggest thatI. spessivtsevi is also a primary ectoparasite of shot-hole borers. The effect of both the Chalcididae is low. Rate of parasitism is in most cases below 10 per cent and on average even below 3 per cent. Other natural enemies (predacious beetles and mites) and diseases (bacteriosis) may increase the total effect to over 50 per cent.

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Herrn E. Hüttinger, Delémont, danken wir für die Anfertigung der Abbildungen.     

Neue Untersuchungen zur biologischen Bekämpfung verschleppter Forstinsekten

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Anobien-Larven als Zapfenschädlinge an Weißtanne

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Die Forstlichen Verh?ltnisse Badens

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Imaging nucleophilic substitution dynamics

Anion-molecule nucleophilic substitution (S(N)2) reactions are known for their rich reaction dynamics, caused by a complex potential energy surface with a submerged barrier and by weak coupling of the relevant rotational-vibrational quantum states. The dynamics of the S(N)2 reaction of Cl- + CH3I were uncovered in detail by using crossed molecular beam imaging. As a function of the collision energy, the transition from a complex-mediated reaction mechanism to direct backward scattering of the I- product was observed experimentally. Chemical dynamics calculations were performed that explain the observed energy transfer and reveal an indirect roundabout reaction mechanism involving CH3 rotation.     

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