Target regions for silvoarable agroforestry in Europe

Silvoarable agroforestry (SAF) has recently been proposed as an alternative land-use system for Europe. Data on soil, climate, topography, and land cover were integrated in a geographic information system (GIS) to identify agroforestry target regions where (i) productive growth of trees (Juglans spp., Prunus avium, Populus spp., Pinus pinea, and Quercus ilex) in SAF systems could be expected and where (ii) SAF systems could potentially reduce the risk of soil erosion, nitrate leaching and increase landscape diversity.The analysis shows that the investigated tree species could grow productively in SAF systems on 56% of the arable land throughout Europe (potential productive tree growth area). 80% of the European arable land was classified as potential risk area for soil erosion, nitrate leaching, and/or landscape diversity. Overlaying potential productive tree growth areas with the arable land that was considered as environmental risk area yielded target regions. They were found to make up about 40% of the European arable land and thus SAF could contribute to soil protection on 4%, to mitigate nitrate leaching on 18% and to increase landscape diversity on 32% of European arable land.Although limited by constrained data availability, the study shows that SAF could be implemented in a productive way throughout Europe and that it could help resolve some of the major land-use problems. The environmental benefits could justify the support of SAF by subsidies.     

Production ecology of agroforestry systems: a minimal mechanistic model and analytical derivation of the land equivalent ratio

In this paper, the yield and the land equivalent ratio (LER) of a silvo-arable agroforestry (SAF) system, containing one tree and one crop species, is analyzed analytically using a minimal mechanistic model describing the system dynamics. Light competition between tree and crop is considered using light extinction functions. The tree leaf area is driven by annual increase in the number of leaf-bearing shoots with a seasonal cycle of bud burst, leaf expansion and senescence. The crop leaf area dynamics is driven by the solar radiation, heat sum and the dry matter allocation to the leaves. As a consequence of this, the model consists of six state equations expressing the temporal dynamics of: (1) tree biomass; (2) tree leaf area; (3) number of shoots per tree; (4) crop biomass; (5) crop leaf area index, and (6) heat sum. The main outputs of the model are the growth dynamics and final yields of trees and crops. Daily inputs are temperature and radiation. Planting densities, initial biomass of tree and crop species and growth parameters must be specified. The main parameters are those describing light interception, conversion to dry matter and leaf area. Given the crop cover and the tree parameters, it is shown that under potential growing conditions the land equivalent ratio can be explicitly expressed in terms of these parameters.     

Methodological approach for the assessment of environmental effects of agroforestry at the landscape scale

Silvoarable agroforestry, the deliberate combined use of trees and arable crops on the same area of land, has been proposed in order to improve the environmental performance of agricultural systems in Europe. Based on existing models and algorithms, we developed a method to predict the environmental effects of SAF at a farm and landscape scale. The method is comprised of an assessment of soil erosion, nitrogen leaching, carbon sequestration, and landscape diversity and allowed the comparison of the environmental performance of SAF with arable systems using these four indicators.The method was applied to three landscape test sites of 4 km × 4 km each in Spain, France, and The Netherlands, and compared different levels of agroforestry adoption on farmland of different potential productivity. Silvoarable agroforestry was predicted to reduce soil erosion by up to 70%, to reduce N leaching by 20–30%, to increase C sequestration over 60 years by up to 140 tonnes C ha⁻¹, and to increase landscape diversity up to four times. The method developed was executed with widely available landscape and farm structural data and can therefore be applied to other regions in order to obtain a broader assessment of the environmental performance of silvoarable agroforestry systems.     

Divergence in morphometric and life history traits in two thermally contrasting Andean populations of Rhinella spinulosa (Anura: Bufonidae)

(1) We studied the variation in characters of two Andean populations of Rhinella spinulosa with different larval thermal regimes as a function of geographic origin and temperature.

(2) In both populations, survival and growth rate were greater at the higher temperature. Size at metamorphosis was only determined by locality, while there was a divergence in growth rate and age at metamorphosis as a function of locality and temperature.

(3) Variation was found in seven of the 12 morphological characters evaluated in post-metamorphic toadlets, which was determined only by their locality of origin.

Trade-off between energy budget, thermogenesis and behavior in Swiss mice under stochastic food deprivation

(1) The role of metabolic rate, thermogenesis and behavior in trade-off strategy was examined in Swiss mice under stochastic food deprivation (FD).

(2) For the mice under severe FD, food intake on feeding days increased, and basal metabolic rate (BMR) and nonshivering thermogenesis decreased significantly. The duration of activity decreased but resting behavior increased significantly on feeding days.

(3) It suggested that a trade-off between increased food intake and decreased energy expenditure related to lower BMR, thermogenesis and activity might be employed to meet reduced calorie intake caused by unpredictable FD.

From Forest to Farmland: Species Richness Patterns of Trees and Understorey Plants along a Gradient of Forest Conversion in Southwestern Cameroon

Vegetation surveys were carried out at 24 sampling stations distributed over four land use types, namely near-primary forest, secondary forest, agroforestry systems and annual crop lands in the northeastern part of the Korup region, Cameroon, to assess the impact of forest conversion on trees and understorey plants. Tree species richness decreased significantly with increasing level of habitat modification, being highest and almost equal in secondary and near-primary forests. Understorey plant species richness was significantly higher in annual crop lands than in other land use types. The four land use types differed in tree and understorey plant species composition, the difference being smaller among natural forests. Tree and understorey plant density differed significantly between habitat types. Density was strongly correlated with species richness, both for trees and understorey plants. Five tree and 15 understorey plant species showed significant responses to habitat. A 90% average drop in tree basal area from forest to farmland was registered. Our findings support the view that agroforestry systems with natural shade trees can serve to protect many forest species, but that especially annual crop lands could be redesigned to improve biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes of tropical rainforest regions.     

Effect of gestational and postnatal environmental temperature on metabolic rate in the altricial rodent, Phyllotis darwini

1. In the altricial rodent, Phyllotis darwini, we found higher body temperatures and faster developmental rates of the thermoregulatory capacity in neonates born from cold- than warm-acclimated mothers.

2. This difference could be explained by maternal effects on the litter, such as high levels of catecholamines and thyroxin levels, high concentration of the uncoupled protein and larger quantity of brown adipose tissue as a consequence of cold acclimation.

3. The exposition of mothers and the maintenance of cold condition during the early development might be responsible of the high metabolism and better thermoregulatory capacity of newborns.

Development and application of bio-economic modelling to compare silvoarable, arable, and forestry systems in three European countries

Silvoarable agroforestry could promote use of trees on farms in Europe, but its likely effect on production, farm profitability, and environmental services is poorly understood. Hence, from 2001 to 2005, the Silvoarable Agroforestry for Europe project developed a systematic process to evaluate the biophysical and economic performance of arable, forestry, and silvoarable systems in Spain, France, and The Netherlands. A biophysical model called “Yield-SAFE” was developed to predict long-term yields for the different systems and local statistics and expert opinion were used to derive their revenue, costs, and pre- and post-2005 grant regimes. These data were then used in an economic model called “Farm-SAFE” to predict plot- and farm-scale profitability. Land equivalent ratios were greater than one, showing Yield-SAFE predicted that growing trees and crops in silvoarable systems was more productive than growing them separately. Pre-2005 grants in Spain and The Netherlands penalised silvoarable systems, but post-2005 grants were more equitable. In France, walnut and poplar silvoarable systems were consistently the most profitable system under both grant regimes. In Spain, holm oak and stone pine silvoarable systems were the least profitable system under pre-2005 grants, but only marginally less profitable than arable systems under post-2005 grants. In The Netherlands, low timber values and the opportunity cost of losing arable land for slurry manure application made silvoarable and forestry systems uncompetitive with arable systems under both grant regimes.     

Acute effect of a single whole-body cryostimulation on prooxidant–antioxidant balance in blood of healthy, young men

1. We have examined the prooxidative–antioxidative reaction to extremely low temperatures (−130 °C) during a one-time cryostimulation in 15 young, clinically healthy individuals.

2. The total lipid peroxides as the total oxidative status (TOS) and the total antioxidative status (TAS) were measured in blood plasma collected in the morning of the day of cryostimulation, 30 min after the cryostimulation, and on the following morning.

3. The level of stress expressed by total oxidative status in plasma, resulting from exposure to extremely low temperatures, was statistically significantly lowered 30 min after leaving the cryochamber than prior to the exposure. The next day, the TOS level still remained lower than the initial values. The TAS level decreased after leaving the cryochamber and remained elevated the following day.

Bioenergetic responses of sub-adult sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) to temperature with special discussion regarding its southernmost distribution limit in China

1. This paper investigated the bioenergetic responses of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (wet weights of 36.5±1.2 g) to different water temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 °C) in the laboratory.

2. Results showed that theoretically the optimal temperatures for energy intake and scope for growth (SFG) of sub-adult A. japonicus was at 15.6 and 16.0 °C, respectively. The aestivation threshold temperature for this life-stage sea cucumber could be 29.0 °C by taking feeding cessation as the indication of aestivation.

3. Our data suggests that A. japonicus is thermo-sensitive to higher temperature, which prevents it from colonising sub-tropical coastal zones. Therefore, water temperature plays an important role in its southernmost distribution limit in China.

4. The potential impact of global ocean warming on A. japonicus might be a northward shift in the geographical distribution.

Adaptation to oxidative stress and impact of chronic oxidative stress on immunity in heat-stressed broilers

1. Glutathione peroxidase activity and serum malondialdehyde of heat-stressed broilers were increased in the early period of heat exposure, and then these parameters decreased.

2. The lesion scores of bursa of Fabricius in heat-stressed broilers were increased and decreased in accordance with the activity of glutathione peroxidase and serum malondialdehyde.

3. High environmental temperature had not affected relative bursa of Fabricius weight and NDV-HI titer of heat-stressed broilers.

4. We concluded that heat-stressed broilers could adapt to oxidative stress, and environmental temperature set at 38±2 °C had not affected humoral immunity.

Agroforestry systems for the production of woody biomass for energy transformation purposes

In the temperate zone, agroforestry systems come increasingly into focus as they offer an approach for the production of fuelwood, thus matching the increasing demand for a self-supply with bioenergy in rural decentralized areas. Because of the large area potential of marginal land, research activities aimed at a reliable estimation of the minimum productivity of fast–growing tree species under most unfavourable site conditions.Two agroforestry systems were established on reclaimed mine sites in NE-Germany (Lusatia) and Central Germany (Helmstedt). The yield potential and the sustainability of yields were studied for different clones of poplar (Populus spp.), willow (Salix viminalis L.), and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), considering different rotation periods (3-, 6-, and 9-year-rotation) and approaches of soil amelioration (mineral fertiliser, compost).On both sites the highest yields of woody biomass were found for R. pseudoacacia L. regardless of rotation period and amelioration measures. On loamy substrates in the Helmstedt mining district, all tree species and clones responded positively to soil amelioration measures.In the agroforestry system in Lusatia, special emphasis was given to the interaction between trees (R. pseudoacacia) and crops (Medicago sativa L.). Considering the land equivalent ratio (LER), R. pseudoacacia hedgerows have practically no negative influence on yields of M. sativa. Hence, with regard to an increasing demand for woody biomass, alley cropping with R. pseudoacacia and crops such as M. sativa may provide a promising alternative for future land use in the temperate zone.     

From Forest to Ffarmland: Butterfly Diversity and Habitat Associations Along a Gradient of Forest Conversion in Southwestern Cameroon

Worldwide, tropical landscapes are increasingly dominated by human land use systems and natural forest cover is decreasing rapidly. We studied frugivorous butterflies and several vegetation parameters in 24 sampling stations distributed over near-primary forest (NF), secondary forest (SF), agroforestry and annual culture sites in the Northeastern part of the Korup region, SW Cameroon. As in other studies, both butterfly species richness and abundance were significantly affected by habitat modification. Butterfly richness and abundance were highest in SF and agroforestry sites and significantly lower in NF and annual crop sites. Butterfly species richness increased significantly with increasing tree density, but seemed to decrease with increasing herb diversity and density in annual crop farms. A significant negative correlation was found between butterfly geographic range and their preference for NF sites. Our results also showed that agroforestry systems, containing remnants of natural forest, can help to sustain high site richness, but appear to have low complementarity through loss of endemic species confined to more undisturbed habitats. Our study also indicated that the abundance of selected restricted-range butterflies, particularly in the family Nymphalidae, appears to be a good indicator to assess and monitor forest disturbance.     

三峡库区移民安置区生态农业发展模式的研究

就三峡库区农用土地的分布、开发方式、存在问题、生态农业发展模式等方面进行了初步的探讨．在分析三峡库区现已开发的农用土地存在着地力衰退、生产力低、自然灾害频繁及生态环境恶化等问题的基础上,从人与自然相协调的角度,提出了建立农林复合生态系统、木本粮油型、农林牧复合型、农林牧渔复合型的发展模式的思路和建议．     

Low-temperature tolerance of false codling moth Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in South Africa

(1) The low-temperature tolerance of false codling moth (FCM) Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a significant aspect of this pest's population dynamics and has implications for post-harvest control and sterile insect technique programs.

(2) Here, we report results of experiments examining the effects of time, temperature and their interactions on low-temperature tolerance in adult FCM. In addition, using a variety of thermal pre-treatments, we examine the potential for hardening responses over several hours to improve low-temperature tolerance in FCM.

(3) Lower lethal temperature assays showed significant effects of time, temperature and significant interactions between time and temperature on survival (p<0.0001 in all cases). The temperature at which the probability of survival of 50% of the FCM population after 2 h of exposure was −4.5 °C, which varied significantly to −0.5 °C in 10 h. Gender and early adult age did not affect low-temperature tolerance of FCM.

(4) Using a range of non-lethal, low- and high-temperature pre-treatments, FCM survival could not be increased (p>0.84) and thus limited evidence for rapid cold hardening was found. These results are discussed with respect to microclimate temperatures in typical FCM environments and have implications for understanding population dynamics in this species and the diversity of low-temperature responses of insects.

Adaptation of global land use and management intensity to changes in climate and atmospheric carbon dioxide

Land use contributes to environmental change, but is also influenced by such changes. Climate and atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels’ changes alter agricultural crop productivity, plant water requirements and irrigation water availability. The global food system needs to respond and adapt to these changes, for example, by altering agricultural practices, including the crop types or intensity of management, or shifting cultivated areas within and between countries. As impacts and associated adaptation responses are spatially specific, understanding the land use adaptation to environmental changes requires crop productivity representations that capture spatial variations. The impact of variation in management practices, including fertiliser and irrigation rates, also needs to be considered. To date, models of global land use have selected agricultural expansion or intensification levels using relatively aggregate spatial representations, typically at a regional level, that are not able to characterise the details of these spatially differentiated responses. Here, we show results from a novel global modelling approach using more detailed biophysically derived yield responses to inputs with greater spatial specificity than previously possible. The approach couples a dynamic global vegetative model (LPJ‐GUESS) with a new land use and food system model (PLUMv2), with results benchmarked against historical land use change from 1970. Land use outcomes to 2100 were explored, suggesting that increased intensity of climate forcing reduces the inputs required for food production, due to the fertilisation and enhanced water use efficiency effects of elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentrations, but requiring substantial shifts in the global and local patterns of production. The results suggest that adaptation in the global agriculture and food system has substantial capacity to diminish the negative impacts and gain greater benefits from positive outcomes of climate change. Consequently, agricultural expansion and intensification may be lower than found in previous studies where spatial details and processes consideration were more constrained.     

基于GIS的黄土丘陵沟壑区作物生产潜力模拟研究

从YIELD模型的来源、输入文件及基本参数,模型中作物生产力计算各个子模型以及计算流程4个方面作了简单的叙述,以黄土丘陵沟壑区典型小流域晋西狼窝沟为例,在地理信息系统（GIS）技术十,应用YILD模型对该流域的作物生产潜力进行了模拟,并从作物类型,地类,耕作措施及气候条件4个方面对影响该流域作物产量的因素进行了分析。结果表明,该模型对不同作物的模拟产量在总体上与实体产量基本相符合,表明模型可以应用于黄土丘陵沟壑区的作物产量模拟之中,对于不同地类来说,坝地的土壤水分和以力条件明显高于梯田和坡耕地,因而坝地的模拟产量地高于梯田和坡地,但三者之间的差距没有实测产量显著,耕作措施是提高作物生产力的有效途径,对地膜覆盖,梯田以及施肥等耕作措施的模拟产量表明,这3种耕作措施均能有效的物生产力;其产量提高率均平均在85％以上,其中以施肥对作物的增产作用最大,增产率高达95％,,这与实测产量资料基本一致;气候条件是影响作物生产的直接因素,模拟结果表明模型对降水量和温度等气候条件十分敏感,不同年份降水量和温度的差异将直接导致作物生产力的显著不同。对YIELD模型的模拟结果分析表明,该模型可以有效地应用于黄土丘陵沟壑区的作物生产潜力研究。     

Polarity proteins regulate mammalian cell–cell junctions and cancer pathogenesis

Polarity pathways regulate important functions during the formation and maintenance of cell–cell junctions and during morphogenesis. In addition, cell polarity pathways are emerging as critical regulators of initiation and progression of carcinoma by functioning as tumor suppressors, downstream of oncogenes, or promoters of the metastatic process (Figure 2). It is highly likely that further analysis of cell polarity proteins and the pathways they control will identify novel biomarkers and potential drug targets for managing and treating patients with carcinoma.

References and recommended reading

Papers of particular interest, published within the period of review, have been highlighted as:

• of special interest

•• of outstanding interest

The invasive Yellow Crazy Ant and the decline of forest ant diversity in Indonesian cacao agroforests

Throughout the tropics, agroforests are often the only remaining habitat with a considerable tree cover. Agroforestry systems can support high numbers of species and are therefore frequently heralded as the future for tropical biodiversity conservation. However, anthropogenic habitat modification can facilitate species invasions that may suppress native fauna. We compared the ant fauna of lower canopy trees in natural rainforest sites with that of cacao trees in agroforests in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia in order to assess the effects of agroforestry on occurrence of the Yellow Crazy Ant Anoplolepis gracilipes, a common invasive species in the area, and its effects on overall ant richness. The agroforests differed in the type of shade-tree composition, tree density, canopy cover, and distance to the village. On average, 43% of the species in agroforests also occurred in the lower canopy of nearby primary forest and the number of forest ant species that occurred on cacao trees was not related to agroforestry characteristics. However, A. gracilipes was the most common non-forest ant species, and forest ant richness decreased significantly with the presence of this species. Our results indicate that agroforestry may have promoted the occurrence of A. gracilipes, possibly because tree management in agroforests negatively affects ant species that depend on trees for nesting and foraging, whereas A. gracilipes is a generalist when it comes to nesting sites and food preference. Thus, agroforestry management that includes the thinning of tree stands can facilitate ant invasions, thereby threatening the potential of cultivated land for the conservation of tropical ant diversity.     

Antioxidative defense organization in retroperitoneal white adipose tissue during acclimation to cold—The involvement of l-arginine/NO pathway

1. Retroperitoneal white adipose tissue (RpWAT) antioxidative defense was investigated in untreated, l-arginine-treated and N^ω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME)-treated rats kept at 4±1 °C (1, 3, 7, 12, 21 and 45 days) and compared to control rats at 22±1 °C.

2. Cold-acclimation-induced RpWAT weight decrease was accompanied by a decline in glutathione level and increased activity of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase at different time-points.

3. l-arginine accelerated RpWAT weight decrease, the increase in MnSOD and GST activities and the prolonged increase of catalase, MnSOD and GST activities. l-NAME delayed cold-induced catalase activity increase and tissue weight decrease. Prolonged l-NAME-treatment had a similar effect on RpWAT as l-arginine.

4. Results suggest the involvement of l-arginine/NO pathway in RpWAT oxidative metabolic augmentation induced by cold-acclimation.