Search results for "Nature conservation"
showing 10 items of 105 documents
Understanding properly the `potential natural vegetation' concept
2010
This is a response to critical comments concerning the inappropriate use of the potential natural vegetation (PNV) concept made in a recent contribution to the Commentary section of this journal. We consider that the PNV concept has been misinterpreted. PNV has been used extensively in several European countries since the mid-1950s and was never intended to be used to make a prediction of what vegetation would dominate in an area if human influence were removed. PNV maps express hypothetical assumptions of what corresponds to dominant or natural vegetation in each area. Remnants of the vegetation of the past provided by palaeopalynology and other disciplines provide valuable information for…
PESI - a taxonomic backbone for Europe
2015
Reliable taxonomy underpins communication in all of biology, not least nature conservation and sustainable use of ecosystem resources. The flexibility of taxonomic interpretations, however, presents a serious challenge for end-users of taxonomic concepts. Users need standardised and continuously harmonised taxonomic reference systems, as well as highquality and complete taxonomic data sets, but these are generally lacking for nonspecialists. The solution is in dynamic, expertly curated web-based taxonomic tools. The Pan-European Species-directories Infrastructure (PESI) worked to solve this key issue by providing a taxonomic e-infrastructure for Europe. It strengthened the relevant social (…
Systemic silviculture and Mediterranean forest complexity: the need for a new paradigm in forestry
2011
La crescente minaccia di riduzione, semplificazione e scomparsa dei fondamentali caratteri di diversita biologica che caratterizza l’ambiente mediterraneo, e segnatamente le sue formazioni forestali, rende necessario rivedere le strategie di intervento colturale e gestione. In passato hanno prevalso, in specie nei boschi pubblici, forme di gestione e di applicazione della selvicoltura alquanto semplificate e volte a massimizzare soprattutto la funzione produttiva e a “normalizzare “ le formazioni forestali. Viceversa emerge sempre piu chiaramente la complessita dei sistemi mediterranei. Pertanto e necessario uscire dagli schemi preordinati e adottare un approccio che comprenda e rispetti ta…
Pheromones inBlattella germanica andBlaberus craniifer (Blaberoidea): Glandular source, morphology and analyses of pheromonally released behaviours
1993
Females ofBlattella germanica andBlaberus craniifer produce a volatile sex pheromone attractive at a distance for conspecific males. During the emission of the pheromone, females ofB. craniifer adopt a typical calling posture; we never observe such a stance inB. germanica females. For both species, the glandular structures responsible for pheromonal production are located on the female pygidium. InB. germanica, the thickness of the glandular epithelium is clearly correlated with the attractiveness of females, being maximum for 13 day old females. The functions of the pygidial glands are discussed in both species.
Corrigendum: ILTER – The International Long-Term Ecological Research Network as a Platform for Global Coastal and Ocean Observation
2020
CORRECTION ARTICLEA Corrigendum on ILTER – The International Long-Term Ecological Research Network as a Platform for Global Coastal and Ocean Observation. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2019.00527
Shallow Sea Gas Manifestations in the Aegean Sea (Greece) as Natural Analogs to Study Ocean Acidification: First Catalog and Geochemical Characteriza…
2022
The concepts of CO2 emission, global warming, climate change, and their environmental impacts are of utmost importance for the understanding and protection of the ecosystems. Among the natural sources of gases into the atmosphere, the contribution of geogenic sources plays a crucial role. However, while subaerial emissions are widely studied, submarine outgassing is not yet well understood. In this study, we review and catalog 122 literature and unpublished data of submarine emissions distributed in ten coastal areas of the Aegean Sea. This catalog includes descriptions of the degassing vents through in situ observations, their chemical and isotopic compositions, and flux estimations. Tempe…
Spatial Distribution and Abundance of Mesopelagic Fish Biomass in the Mediterranean Sea
2020
Mesopelagic fish, being in the middle of the trophic web, are important key species for the marine environment; yet limited knowledge exists about their biology and abundance. This is particularly true in the Mediterranean Sea where no regional assessment is currently undertaken regarding their biomass and/or distribution. This study evaluates spatial and temporal patterns of mesopelagic fish biomass in the 1994–2011 period. We do that for the whole Mediterranean Sea using two well-established statistical models, the Generalized Additive Model (GAM) and Random Forest (RF). Results indicate that the bathymetry played an important role in the estimation of mesopelagic fish biomass and in its …
The possible influence of sea level rise on the precarious dunes of Devesa del Saler Beach, Valencia, Spain
1991
The Saler Beach dune field in Spain was partially destroyed between 1970 and 1973 due to building development. Presently great efforts to restore some dunes has begun. The possible consequence of a sea level rise for the Saler dune field is discussed according to different scenarios.
Unveiling the Relationship Between Sea Surface Hydrographic Patterns and Tuna Larval Distribution in the Central Mediterranean Sea
2021
Thunnus thynnus (Atlantic bluefin tuna, ABT) and other tuna species reproduce in the Mediterranean Sea during the summer period. Despite the Central Mediterranean Sea, the Strait of Sicily in particular, being a key spawning site for many tuna species, little is known on the effects of oceanographic variability on their larval distribution in this area. The abundance and presence-absence of larval specimens for three tuna species (ABT, bullet tuna and albacore) were modeled in order to examine their relationships with environmental factors, by analysing historical in situ information collected during seven annual surveys (2010–2016). The results revealed that most tuna larvae for the three …
Comparative Chemical Characterisation of Soils at Cypripedium Calceolus Sites in Latvia
2017
Abstract The main aim of the study was to evaluate the soil chemical characteristics of Cypripedium calceolus sites in Latvia for understanding of the species ecology, and its conservation problems and possibilities. Soil for 27 C. calceolus sites in Latvia was analysed during 2007-2015. The concentration of plant available essential nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo, B), soil pH, electrical conductivity and concentration of organic matter were determined. Nutrient concentration of C. calceolus leaf samples from six sites were determined. The results demonstrated high heterogeneity in soil chemical composition with high variation for Ca, Mg, and Mn. The results suggest some …