Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Precipitation pulses enhance respiration of Mediterranean ecosystems: the balance between organic and inorganic components of increased soil CO2 efflux

In regions characterized by arid seasons, such as the Mediterranean basin, soil moisture is a major driver of ecosystem CO2 efflux during periods of drought stress. Here, a rain event can induce a disproportional respiratory pulse, releasing an amount of CO2 to the atmosphere that may significantly contribute to the annual ecosystem carbon balance. The mechanisms behind this pulse are unclear, and it is still unknown whether it is due to the stimulation of autotrophic, heterotrophic and/or inorganic CO2 fluxes. On the Mediterranean island of Pianosa, eddy flux measurements showed respiratory pulses after rain events following prolonged drought periods, which occurred in the summer of 2003 and 2006. To investigate the mechanisms of this observed enhanced respiration fluxes and partition of the soil CO2 sources, two water manipulation experiments were performed. The first was designed to estimate the effect of soil rewetting on soil CO2 efflux, in the different ecosystem types existing on the island (i.e. woodland, ex‐agricultural and Mediterranean shrubland). The second was a soil CO2 partitioning experiment to investigate the relative contribution of inorganic and organic CO2 sources to soil respiration, under dry and wet soil conditions. Our results suggest that the pulse in the CO2 efflux is primarily due to the enhancement of heterotrophic respiration, likely caused by the degradation of easily decomposable substrates, accumulated in soils during the dry period. In fact, the vegetation at the site was senescent and did not play any significant role in CO2 exchange, as suggested by the absence of diurnal CO2 uptake in eddy covariance measurements. In addition, soil rewetting did not significantly enhance inorganic CO2 efflux.
Beetle diversity in a matrix of old-growth boreal forest: influence of habitat heterogeneity at multiple scales.

The relative contribution of compositional and structural heterogeneity on biodiversity is currently ambiguous because field studies generally integrate these two sources of habitat heterogeneity into a single index. We established the relationship between species richness of ground-dwelling and flying beetles and compositional and structural attributes of forest heterogeneity. The relationship was evaluated at two spatial scales: the scale of forest stand, corresponding to an 11.3 m radius, and the scale of landscape, corresponding to either a 400 or 800 m radius. Seventy stands were sampled in the matrix of old-growth boreal forest of the North Shore region of Quebec, Canada, during the summers of 2004 and 2005. A total of 133 ground-dwelling beetle species (range: 4–42 species per site) were captured in the pitfall traps and 251 flying species (range 16–58 species per site) in flight-interception traps. We found that the most relevant type of heterogeneity to explain variations in species richness and the significance of landscape scale information varied between groups of beetles. Compositional heterogeneity (i.e. the number of species of forest trees and shrubs) at the stand scale best predicted species richness in ground-dwelling beetles. On the other hand, it was the combined influence of structural and compositional habitat heterogeneity at stand and landscape scales that best explained richness patterns in flying beetles. Our study outlines the significance of considering multiple types and spatial scales of habitat heterogeneity when describing patterns of species richness.
Winter microhabitat selection of a threatened pond amphibian in constructed urban wetlands

Mitigating the threat of habitat loss requires actions such as restoring and creating new habitat. In order to effectively achieve this, species habitat requirements and use patterns need to be understood. While many studies have been conducted on the habitat choice of species, these generally focused on habitat use during periods of high activity and detection probability without considering seasonal shifts in habitat use. Understanding habitat selection by frogs during the winter season of low activity may be crucial since it may differ from that used during the summer and may be overlooked as important for population success. We describe the microhabitat use of the threatened green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea) using radio tracking methods during winter when detection is low and knowledge is limited. We followed 26 individuals between May and July, 2011 to determine whether they selected specific overwintering microhabitats and related this to levels of individual exposure to predators, distance from the edge of the water and temperature of microhabitats. We found that overwintering bell frogs inhabited reeds and rock gabions more frequently than expected and that females used a reduced subset of microhabitats compared to males. Additionally, microhabitats used were more likely to conceal an individual from view, and the majority of overwintering sites were located within 5m of the edge of the water which may be important for reducing the risk of predation and desiccation. Rock gabions had significantly warmer (1.2 degrees C-1.8 degrees C) mean temperatures than the other microhabitats used. The information presented here can be used in habitat creation and reintroduction programmes to provide habitat which is suitable during both the breeding and non-breeding season for the conservation of other populations.
Characterization of the plant community in an association of improved grasses and Leucaena leucocephala cv.: Cunningham

In a dairy of the Genetic Enterprise of Matanzas, a work was carried out for five years, with the objective of characterizing the performance of the plant community in an association of improved grasses and Leucaena leucocephala cv Cunningham under commercial conditions. The botanical composition of the pastureland, tree density, dry matter availability and DM, CP, Ca and P contents of the species present in the system were determined. The botanical composition of the pastureland was characterized by a percentage of improved pastures higher than 50%, with predominance of Cynodon nlemfuensis cv. Jamaicano and Panicum maximum cv. Likoni; while leucaena maintained plant density, as an adaptation to the conditions of the system. The total dry matter availability was higher than 3 t/ha/rotation during the experimental stage. It is concluded that in the association of improved grasses and L. leucocephala cv. Cunningham there was high dry matter availability and persistence of the grassland during the five years of evaluation, with values of CP in the improved grasses of 9,6-9,8% and in leucaena of 25%, applying neither irrigation nor chemical fertilizers, which allowed to attenuate the differences between the rainy and dry seasons.
Taxonomic and phylogenetic distinctiveness in regional conservation assessments: a case study based on extant South African Chiroptera and Carnivora

The current study investigates whether a simple measure of taxonomic diversity (Taxonomic Distinctiveness (TD)) can be used as a proxy for different measures of phylogenetic diversity (Phylogenetic Distinctiveness (PD)) in determining species of regional conservation priority, and uses extant South African Chiroptera and Carnivora as a case study. Published phylogenies for the two mammalian Orders allowed the quantification of a node‐based measure that was considered to represent phylogenetic diversity (PDNODE), as well as a branch length‐based measure that was considered to represent the amount of evolutionary change over time (PDBRANCH). Both the PDNODE and PDBRANCH, together with TD were included in our regional conservation priority assessment. Although no statistically significant differences were detected between the PDNODE, PDBRANCH and the TD for both the Chiroptera and Carnivora, these measures were also shown to be correlated with each other. More importantly, inclusion of either the PDNODE, PDBRANCH, or TD in our analysis did not significantly alter the species that were identified as being of regional conservation priority. Both regional priority scores for the South African Chiroptera and Carnivora and their respective rankings were broadly consistent across the three potential indicators of conservation status utilised. These results suggest that the inclusion of either the PDNODE and/or PDBRANCH in conservation prioritisation exercises may not add value to that currently provided by the TD. Consequently, this implies that in the absence of relevant PD data, the utilisation of the TD in regional conservation priority settings may provide the appropriate information on evolutionary diversity.
Transport of Cross-pollen by Bumblebees in a Rabbiteye Blueberry

Rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) is a bee-pollinated small fruit crop that often exhibits poor fruit set. Mixed cultivar plantings are recommended because cross- pollination is required for optimum yields, and bees are expected to transfer pollen from one cultivar to another. The objective of this study was to assess transport of cross-pollen by bumblebees in a rabbiteye blueberry planting. Experiments were conducted in 2003 and 2004 in a plot composed of 'Brightwell' and 'Climax' plants arranged in alternating rows. The proportion of 'Brightwell' and 'Climax' pollen carried on the bodies of bumblebees was estimated based on frequency distributions of pollen diameter, measured with a particle counter. About 75% of bumblebees collected in 2003 carried 30% on any sampling day of 2004. The results from this study emphasize the need to select more self-fertile rabbiteye blueberry cultivars and to maximize bloom overlap in blueberry plantings.
Forest elephant group composition, frugivory and coastal use in the Réserve de Faune du Petit Loango, Gabon

Abstract Results of a 16-month study of forest elephant (Loxodontaafricana cyclotis Matschie) group size and composition,coastal use and frugivory are presented from the Re´servede Faune du Petit Loango, Gabon (now the Parc Nationalde Loango). Mean forest elephant group size was 2.2 (n ¼140) including solitary animals, and 3.1 excluding solit-aries. Elephants consumed fruits of at least 49 species, andof the 220 elephant dungpiles examined, 185 (84.1%)contained seeds and 203 (92.3%) contained the remains offruits (seeds and/or pulp). The mean number of seed spe-cies per dungpile (±SD) was 2.01 ± 1.49, and the meannumber of fruit species was 2.28 ± 1.43. Elephants usedthe coastal habitat more during warmer months, andduring the afternoon than the morning. It is hypothesizedthat coastal habitat use is related to sodium intake throughconsumption of salt-coated vegetation.Key words: elephant, forest, frugivory, Gabon, Loango, rainforest Re´sume´ Cet article pre´sente les re´sultats d’une e´tude de 16 moisportant sur la taille et la composition des groupes d’e´le´-phant de foreˆt(Loxodonta africana cyclotis Matschie), surleur fre´quentation de la coˆte et leur consommation defruits dans la Re´serve de Faune du Petit Loango(aujourd’hui Parc National de Loango) au Gabon. La taillemoyenne du groupe d’e´le´phants de foreˆte´tait de 2.2individus (n ¼ 140), y compris les animaux solitaires,et de 3.1, solitaires non compris. Les e´le´phants consom-maient des fruits d’au moins 49 espe`ces diffe´rentes et, surles 220 tas de crottes d’e´le´phant examine´s, 185 (84.1%)contenaient des graines et 203 (92.3%) contenaient desrestes de fruits (semences et/ou pulpe). Le nombre moyend’espe`ces de graines par tas de crottes (±SD) e´tait de2.01 ± 1.49, et le nombre moyen d’espe`ces de fruits e´taitde 2.28 ± 1.43. Les e´le´phants fre´quentaient plus leshabitats coˆtiers pendant les mois plus chauds, et plus l’apre`s-midi que le matin. On e´met l’hypothe`se que la fre´quentationde l’habitat coˆtier est lie´ea` l’absorption de sodium, par laconsommation de la ve´ge´tation couverte de sel.
Reproduction in the Common Shrew (Sorex araneus Linnaeus). II. Seasonal Changes in the Reproductive Organs of the Male

The male Common Shrews obtained at the same time and in the same way as the females provide material which throws further light on the duration of life and of the breeding season in this species. This paper deals with the body-weights, weights of the reproductive organs and the occurrence of spermatozoa in the testes. The duration of fertility in the male and in the female are compared. The anatomy of the male reproductive organs is described by Arnback-Christie-Linde (1907) and requires only brief consideration here.
Identification of Okra (Abelmoschus spp.) Accessions Resistant to Aphid (Aphis gossypii Glover) in Cameroon

Okra germplasm collected from different locations around the world were screened at AVRDC(The World Vegetable Center) in 2011 and 2012 to identify germplasm resistant to the melon aphid (Aphis gossypii) for use in sub-Saharan Africa. A total of 260 okra accessions and varieties were screened (150 at AVRDC Taiwan and 110 at AVRDC Cameroon), which included four varieties commercially available in Cameroon. The experiments were conducted under natural infestation in Shanhua, Taiwan, and at Yaoundé, Cameroon. Since the preliminary screening trials were conducted in Taiwan and Cameroon, the aphid populations in these two countries were compared. A total of 60 insects was used for cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The nucleotide sequences of all the populations showed 100 % similarity and the phylogenetic analysis confirmed the genetic similarity of A. gossypii in Taiwan and Cameroon. Results of the screening trials showed that three accessions (VI033805, VI036213 and VI051114) were resistant to A. gossypii. The basis of resistance of the three okra accessions was elucidated by studying their biochemical and biophysical properties. There was no significant difference between the susceptible and resistant okra accessions in terms of leaf tannins, free amino acids, total sugars and total phenols. Only total nitrogen was significantly different between the susceptible and the two resistant okra accessions with the lowest aphid infestation (VI033805 and VI036213). Thus, higher leaf nitrogen content seems to favour the aphid infestation on okra. For physical parameters, there was no significant difference among the accessions in trichome density of bottom and middle leaves, and leaf toughness. However, trichome density in the younger leaves of resistant VI033805 was significantly higher than susceptible VI057245. Studies on settling behaviour showed that aphids did not discriminate between the susceptible and resistant okra accessions for oviposition and feeding 72 h after release.
Local Interactions in Pitcher Plant Communities Scale-Up to Regional Patterns in Distribution and Abundance

Abstract We used the aquatic communities living in the purple pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea L., Sarraceniaceae) to determine if patterns produced by trophic interactions at the local scale can be detected at larger spatial scales. Mosquitoes (Wyeomyia smithii Coq., Diptera: Culicidae) are known to have a negative effect on the aquatic microfauna within leaves. We compared the abundance of two microfaunal taxa, Bodo (Kinetoplastea: Bodonidae) and Habrotrocha rosa Donner (Rotifera: Bdelloidea), in bogs with and without pitcher plant mosquitoes. Bogs containing pitcher plant mosquitoes had lower densities of bacteria through the study period. However, within these bogs, leaves with mosquitoes did not have lower bacterial densities. We found that the pattern for Bodo was similar at the leaf and bog spatial scales. Abundance of Bodo was closely linked to bacterial densities and the presence of mosquitoes strengthened that relationship, because of greater predator impacts when bacteria were scarce. In contrast, different patterns emerged at the two scales for H. rosa. At the leaf scale, a predator effect was seen only for low bacterial densities (as for Bodo), but at the bog scale, H. rosa was less abundant in mosquito bogs, and abundance was not associated with bacterial levels. We suggest that differences in life history characteristics (population growth rate and average abundance) may influence the relative influence of local interactions and regional processes such as colonization.
Development of an assessment approach for remnant lake salmonin populations: The Crean Lake example

This research investigates a status assessment approach for remnant lake salmonin populations, using the lake charr (Salvelinus namaycush Walbaum) of Crean Lake (105 km 2 ) as an example. A mark-recapture program was implemented employing small-mesh gill nets to ensnare charr by the teeth at spawning. Prior to sampling, potential spawning sites were designated primary or secondary based on habitat. Most charr were caught on three primary reefs, with some spawners moving between reefs. The spawning period peaked at day 2, enhancing spawning synchrony, and lasted up to 10 days. Results produced very low sampling mortality (5.7%), consistent estimates of the number of spawning charr (∼60 y −1 )a nd av ery low (<2000) estimate of the total number of mature charr in Crean Lake. The approach offers an effective means of assessing remnant salmonins with minimal impact on their populations.
Transformational Leadership and Pro-Environmental Behavior of Employees: Mediating Role of Intrinsic Motivation

Current research study attempts to investigate the impact of transformational leadership on pro-environmental behaviors along with the mediation of intrinsic motivation. This model is tested on 150 professionals that include lecturers from four different universities of Pakistan. We find that transformational leader enhances the intrinsic motivation, which consecutively related to pro-environmental behaviors positively. Further, there is also a direct positive relationship of transformational leadership with pro-environmental behaviors. Precisely, our findings advocate that transformational leadership and intrinsic motivation is important in prompting pro-environmental behaviors of employees.
Are trait‐based species rankings consistent across data sets and spatial scales?

Questions: One central assumption of trait screening approaches in comparative plant ecology, i.e. simultaneous measurement of traits on a large number of species or populations, is that the species level captures a major part of trait variation. The current development of large databases has led to a new screening approach that relies on the extraction of trait values from databases, rather than on measurement of traits in the field. We tested this assumption with the following questions: (1) is the magnitude of intra-specific variability of co-occurring species lower than inter-specific variability for a given trait, in comparisons at different spatial scales; (2) is species hierarchy based on trait values conserved across different spatial scales and data sets (stable species hierarchy hypothesis); and (3) when we compare different traits, what is the more stable trait that is conserved across different spatial scales and data sets? Methods: We combined approaches commonly used in functional ecology, i.e. experimental data, field observations and extraction of data from a global database, and analysed the magnitude of intra-specific and inter-specific trait variations for a large number of traits across contrasting environmental conditions for 18-39 (mostly) herbaceous species, according to the data set used. Results: For most traits, inter-specific variability was higher than intra-specific variability, and species ranking was conserved across different data sets and spatial scales. However, we also detected important differential responses in terms of intra-specific trait variability, depending on the trait examined: SLA, LDMC, SM, seed N concentration and onset of flowering were more stable, whereas leaf chemical traits and RH were more flexible traits. Conclusions: Our study validated, for the species studied, the stable species hierarchy hypothesis in the case of several, but not all, widely used traits. The main conclusion is that the strength of the species signal is strong enough for some traits to allow values to be used from different data sets (experiments, databases) to characterize local populations of species: for SM, seed N concentration, RH, SLA and LDMC.
THE CITIZEN’S PERSPECTIVE ON EMERGENCY MEASURES IN TIMES OF NATURAL DISASTERS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT

This research analyzed the disaster management and response of three cities in the Isabela province, namely Cauayan, Ilagan and Santiago, Philippines. To collect quantitative and qualitative data from the City Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) and the population at risk, a questionnaire survey was conducted. The survey involved a total of three Barangays per City. The survey findings are used to illustrate the views of the public on the emergency acts of local governments in times of natural disasters. Key informant interview and record analysis were performed to evaluate the compliance of local governments with RA 10121, better known as the 2010 DRRM Act. This study hopes to provide significant contribution to improving local government disaster management by providing information based on the perspectives of the resident.