Search results for " CONSERVATION"

Uses of weeds as an economical alternative to processed wood biomass and fossil fuels

2016

Abstract The use of fossil fuels as a main source of energy is directly linked to global climate change (due to CO2 emission), so there is a necessity to find new, cheap and easily available energy sources for the earth’s inhabitants. Nowadays renewable energy sources are forced also for the mitigation of the effects of climate change as a result of greenhouse gases emission control. Decentralized sources of low-cost renewable fuels that may be used, in particular, in those households where there is no possibility of using gas or heat delivered from other sources should be of special interest. This paper describes the possibility of using untreated plants such as Canadian goldenrod (Solidag…

Surface Characterization of Organic Films for the Conservation of Bronze Archaeological Artefacts

2009

Avian brood parasitism in a Mediterranean region. hosts and habitat preferences of Common Cuckoos Cuculus canorus

2009

Capsule Cuckoos in Italy support the ‘host preference’ hypothesis. Aims To identify the species parasitized in a Mediterranean area, in Italy; to quantify the frequency of parasitism on each host species; and to determine whether some species and/or habitat types are parasitized more than expected from a homogeneous distribution. Methods Nest records dating from 1865 were compiled from literature, nest card programmes, and personal communication with ornithologists working in the region. Comparisons of parasitism frequencies were made among and within habitats for all cuckoo hosts. Results The most frequently parasitized hosts were Great Reed Warbler, European Robin, Marsh Warbler, Redstart…

The role of plant volatiles in prediction of floral resource suitability: chemical ecology to enhance conservation biological control.

2015

Plants emit substantial amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which represent a decisive communication channel, governing essential decisions insect have to make, such as choice of food. Understanding these interactions is critically important in Habitat Management and in a broader view in Conservation Biological Control. Suitable flower species must enhance the survival and fecundity of natural enemies but in addition they also need to be highly attractive and thus frequently visited. To date few examples exist that have considered both criteria. In this study we tested the effects of the flowering plants alyssum (Lobularia maritima), buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), French marigol…

Detection of protection benefits for predatory fishes depends on census methodology

2021

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are used as fisheries management and conservation tools. Well-enforced no-take zones allow the rebuilding of natural populations of exploited species; however, there is still controversy on the role of buffer zones. The effectiveness of MPAs could be underestimated, as fish population assessments depend largely on traditional methodologies that have difficulties in detecting predatory fish because of their low abundances, their patchy distribution, and their reaction to the presence of divers. The performance of different census methods was compared in assessing the protection benefits for large predatory fishes under different protection levels (i.e. no-take a…

Economic impact of BACS and TBM systems on residential buildings

2013

The paper presents the results of a study on the economic impact of building automation control systems and technical building management systems on residential buildings. The different functions considered by European Standard EN 15232 and having impact on the energy performance of buildings are applied to a test house, varying its energy efficiency class. The economic impact due to the introduction of each BACS or TBM function is evaluated using the BAC factors method, considering the real costs for the purchase and the installation of the components that implement the specific functions and the yearly energy costs of the building before and after their installation.

Incidental catch of marine turtles by Spanish bottom trawlers in the western Mediterranean

2014

A questionnaire-based survey of fishermen was conducted in the Valencia region (eastern Spain) to assess the levels of marine turtle bycatch. Interviews covered 41.3% of the bottom trawling fleet in the region and included 111 fishermen (one per boat). Results were combined with those from previous studies conducted in neighbouring regions using the same methodology to assess the global impact of bottom trawling on the western Mediterranean stock of the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta). Estimated turtle catch per unit effort (CPUE) is 0.09 turtles per vessel per month, according to the information reported by fishermen. As a consequence, the whole fleet of bottom trawlers operating off t…

Circulating cathepsin K and cystatin C in patients with cancer related bone disease: clinical and therapeutic implications.

2007

Abstract The clinical significance of serum cathepsin K and cystatin C was assessed in patients with breast cancer (BCa) or prostate cancer (PCa) with confined disease (M0) or bone metastasis (BM). Cathepsin K and cystatin C circulating levels were determined by ELISAs in 63 cancer patients, in 35 patients with nonmalignant diseases and in 42 healthy blood donors (control group). In BCa patients, cathepsin K serum levels were significantly lower than in sex matched control group (HS; p  = 0.0008) or in patients with primary osteoporosis (OP; p  = 0.0009). On the contrary, cystatin C levels were significantly higher in BCa patients than in HS ( p  = 0.0001) or OP ( p  = 0.017). In PCa patien…

CITES and Cycads, a user's guide

2013

Regulating Internet Trade in CITES Species

2013

International trade in species that are or may be endangered by collection from the wild is regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES) for 176 member States (Parties). Internet commerce is a relatively new route for such trade. In 2007, the CITES Secretariat asked Parties to collect information on internet wildlife trade and report problems and implemented regulations. The reports indicated it was difficult to even approximate the influence of e-commerce on CITES-listed species (CITES Secretariat 2009). We report a case study in which we quantified international transactions over an internet auction site of CITES-listed cacti …