Energy requirement for foliage formation is not constant along canopy light gradients in temperate deciduous trees

Foliage construction cost (glucose requirement for formation of a unit foliar biomass, G , kg glu kg⁻¹), chemical composition and morphology were examined along a light gradient across the canopies in five deciduous species, which ranked according to increasing shade-tolerance as Populus tremula < Fraxinus excelsior < Tilia cordata = Corylus avellana < Fagus sylvatica . Light conditions in the canopy were estimated by a hemispheric photographic technique, allowing ranking of sample locations according to long-term light input incident to the sampled leaves (relative irradiance). G and foliage carbon concentration increased with increasing relative irradiance in F. excelsior , T. cordata and C. avellana , but wereindependent of irradiance in F. sylvatica and P. tremula . However, if G of non-structural-carbohydrate-free dry mass was considered, it also increased with increasing relative irradiance in P. tremula . A positive correlation between the concentration of carbon-rich lignin and irradiance, probably a result of the acclimation to greater water stress at higher light, was the major reason for the light-dependence of G . Lignin concentrations were highest in more shade-tolerant species, resulting in greatest carbon concentrations in these species. Since carbon concentration and G are directly linked, the leaves of shade-tolerant species were also more expensive to construct. As the result of these effects, G increased faster with increasing leaf dry mass per area which was mainly determined by relative irradiance, in shade-tolerators. Given that shade-tolerant species had lower leaf dry mass per area at common irradiance and that this saturated at lower relative irradiance than leaf dry mass per area in the intolerant species, it was concluded that enhanced energy requirements for foliage construction might constrain species morphological plasticity and the upper limit of leaf dry mass per area attainable at high light.     

Mineralogical composition of sediment determines the preference for smooth particles by caddisfly larvae during case construction

1. The mineralogical/petrological composition of the substratum influences aquatic organisms in several ways. However, the actual mechanisms are often unclear. Some caddisfly larvae actively concentrate smooth quartz particles in their portable cases thus producing a smooth inner surface of the case wall. 2. The particle surface‐roughness preference of Perissoneura paradoxa (Odontoceridae) McLachlan inhabiting granite areas in relation to the mineral composition and surface roughness of sediment particles was examined. 3. Field surveys revealed that quartz was consistently smoother than other minerals but that it became rougher in larger size fractions, and the relative abundance of quartz decreased in larger size fractions. Consequently, smooth particles were less abundant in larger size fractions of the sediment. When larval cases were compared with sediment, quartz was actively concentrated in smaller cases of early instar larvae but was gradually less abundant in larger cases of well‐grown larvae. Because larvae use larger particles as they grow, late instar larvae develop an unselective choice of mineral types. 4. Subsequently, we experimentally forced the larvae to choose from a mixture of equal amounts of two artificial particles that had different textures (rough and smooth). The proportion of smooth particles chosen by larvae gradually decreased as they grew larger. 5. These results indicate that the larvae varied in their degree of preference according to particle availability in the surrounding sediment, which is governed by mineral composition and weatherability. We suggest that case‐bearing caddisfly can adapt to the local sediment environments by varying their standard and/or criteria for material choice. In this study, the possible mechanism for the variation is discussed.     

Laboratory study of conspecific avoidance by host-colonizingDendroctonus frontalis Zimm. (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Bark/phloem disk sandwiches (100 cm²) were colonized with one to six mating pairs of the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm., to observe gallery construction and evaluate if avoidance behavior occurs between beetles. Frequencies of turn aways, touches, and crosses (three characteristics used to describe conspecific interaction) all increased significantly with beetle density. A threshold of three mating pairs within the 100- cm² phloem area was the density at which avoidance behavior became evident. At a threshold of five mating pairs the number of gallery crossings was significantly greater than at lower densities. Single and paired female beetles introduced into artificial galleries crossed empty neighboring galleries significantly more often than when neighboring galleries were occupied with other D. frontalis. The data suggest that D. frontalis females can regulate gallery spacing within the host through their ability to detect nearby beetles and their galleries. Possible spacing mechanisms are discussed.     

包头市半干旱型森林公园土壤细菌多样性与功能

土壤微生物是城市公园生态系统中物质循环的主要驱动者, 但目前对于半干旱型城市公园森林土壤细菌群落结构和功能研究较少。本研究以包头市为例, 选取奥林匹克公园(AL)、劳动公园(LD)和阿尔丁植物园(ZW) 3个典型的森林公园, 利用Illumina高通量测序的方法对细菌16S rRNA V4-V5片段进行测序, 分析城市森林公园土壤细菌的多样性、群落构成以及背后的生态学构建机制, 并使用Tax4Fun对细菌群落代谢功能进行分析。结果表明, 土壤细菌丰富度指数为LD (2,443.00 ± 9.37) > ZW (2,392.90 ± 8.23) > AL (2,305.57 ± 17.48); 细菌群落以放线菌门、变形菌门、酸杆菌门、绿弯菌门和芽单胞菌门为优势门。细菌群落组成在三个公园间存在显著差异, 同时线性判别分析效应大小(LEfSe)结果表明, 所有公园都具有多度显著差异的细菌可操作分类单元(OTUs); 中性群落模型(NCM)、标准化随机率(NST)和基于系统发育结合的零模型推断群落组装机制(iCAMP)分析显示, 城市森林土壤细菌群落的构建是由随机性过程和确定性过程共同驱动, 其中漂变和同质化选择占主导作用。Tax4Fun功能预测结果表明涉及膜运输、碳水化合物代谢、氨基酸代谢、能量代谢和信号转导的代谢是该城市公园林下土壤微生物的主要代谢功能, 进一步分析表明微生物群落的代谢功能在不同公园之间存在很大差异。本研究初步探究了半干旱型城市公园细菌的多样性、群落构建机制及其功能, 为城市公园绿地建设以及生态改善等提供一定的科学依据和实践指导。     

Non-aqueous Electrode Processing and Construction of Lithium-ion Coin Cells

Research into new and improved materials to be utilized in lithium-ion batteries (LIB) necessitates an experimental counterpart to any computational analysis. Testing of lithium-ion batteries in an academic setting has taken on several forms, but at the most basic level lies the coin cell construction. In traditional LIB electrode preparation, a multi-phase slurry composed of active material, binder, and conductive additive is cast out onto a substrate. An electrode disc can then be punched from the dried sheet and used in the construction of a coin cell for electrochemical evaluation. Utilization of the potential of the active material in a battery is critically dependent on the microstructure of the electrode, as an appropriate distribution of the primary components are crucial to ensuring optimal electrical conductivity, porosity, and tortuosity, such that electrochemical and transport interaction is optimized. Processing steps ranging from the combination of dry powder, wet mixing, and drying can all critically affect multi-phase interactions that influence the microstructure formation. Electrochemical probing necessitates the construction of electrodes and coin cells with the utmost care and precision. This paper aims at providing a step-by-step guide of non-aqueous electrode processing and coin cell construction for lithium-ion batteries within an academic setting and with emphasis on deciphering the influence of drying and calendaring.     

Tracking Construction Material over Space and Time: Prospective and Geo‐referenced Modeling of Building Stocks and Construction Material Flows

Construction material plays an increasingly important role in the environmental impacts of buildings. In order to investigate impacts of materials on a building level, we present a bottom‐up building stock model that uses three‐dimensional and geo‐referenced building data to determine volumetric information of material stocks in Swiss residential buildings. We used a probabilistic modeling approach to calculate future material flows for the individual buildings. We investigated six scenarios with different assumptions concerning per‐capita floor area, building stock turnover, and construction material. The Swiss building stock will undergo important structural changes by 2035. While this will lead to a reduced number in new constructions, material flows will increase. Total material inflow decreases by almost half while outflows double. In 2055, the total amount of material in‐ and outflows are almost equal, which represents an important opportunity to close construction material cycles. Total environmental impacts due to production and disposal of construction material remain relatively stable over time. The cumulated impact is slightly reduced for the wood‐based scenario. The scenario with more insulation material leads to slightly higher material‐related emissions. An increase in per‐capita floor area or material turnover will lead to a considerable increase in impacts. The new modeling approach overcomes the limitations of previous bottom‐up building models and allows for investigating building material flows and stocks in space and time. This supports the development of tailored strategies to reduce the material footprint and environmental impacts of buildings and settlements.     

The breeding biology of Grallaria and Grallaricula antpittas

ABSTRACT Grallaria and Grallaricula antpittas are poorly known ground antbirds (Formicariidae), which reach their center of diversity in the tropical Andes region. Here we review published literature on the reproductive ecology of these two genera, summarizing and synthesizing the information. Nests have been described for 13 of the 31 species of Grallaria and four of the eight species of Grallaricula. For both genera, nests are open cups placed either against a strong support (e.g., tree trunks; Grallaria) or with multiple small supports (e.g., vine tangles; both genera). Nest lining is generally sparse, with nest cup composition ranging from humid material (e.g., moss) to primarily sticks and leaf material, depending on the species. Grallaria typically lay two bluish‐green to turquoise eggs, sometimes with spotting, whereas Grallaricula lay 1–2 eggs with heavy markings and pale brown or buffy (rarely light green) background coloration. For the few species where information is available, both male and female parents are believed to participate in building, incubation, and nestling provisioning, with high incubation attentiveness (often >90%, especially later in incubation), and incubation periods of 17–21 d (Grallaria) and 15–20 d (Grallaricula). Grallaria nestlings are frequently fed earthworms (Oligochaeta) in addition to a variety of arthropods. Nestlings have pale skin (Grallaria) or dark skin (both genera), with pale or dark down (Grallaria) or red‐brown down (Grallaricula). Nestlings in both genera usually have brilliant orange mouth linings and cloacas, and usually fledge 15–19 d post hatching. Rapid probing, where adults rapidly thrust their bills into the nest and lining, is commonly observed across species during incubation and nestling periods, but its function remains unknown. Overall, our knowledge of the breeding biology of antpittas has improved significantly in recent years. However, much remains to be learned for most species.     

Do yeasts and Drosophila interact just by chance?

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and the baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae are classic research model organisms that are also associated in nature, at least around vineyards. Sharing the same ephemeral fruit niche, winged Drosophila feed on immotile yeasts. That a yeast diet is essential for larval development, and that saprophagous fruit flies are attracted to a suite of yeast volatiles, has been well established over the last century. Recently, research has focussed on the potential mutual benefit of this interaction hypothesising yeasts also benefit via dispersal from ephemeral fruits. It now appears that the concept of a co-evolved mutualism between yeasts and Drosophila has permeated the literature. However, until robust evidence regarding the evolution and maintenance of this yeast-fly association has been provided, we suggest there is no compelling evidence to reject the more simplistic null hypothesis that these interactions are due to exaptation, and not a mutualism driven by natural selection.     

Coal Tar‐Containing Asphalt Resource or Hazardous Waste?

Abstract: Coal tar was used in Sweden for the production of asphalt and for the drenching of stabilization gravel until 1973. The tar has high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), some of which may be strongly carcinogenic. Approximately 20 million tonnes of tar-containing asphalt is present in the public roads in Sweden. Used asphalt from rebuilding can be classified as hazardous waste according to the Swedish Waste Act. The cost of treating the material removed as hazardous waste can be very high due to the large amount that has to be treated, and the total environmental benefit is unclear. The transport of used asphalt to landfill or combustion will affect other environmental targets. The present project, based on three case studies of road projects in Sweden, evaluates the consequences of four scenarios for handling the material: reuse, landfill, biological treatment, and incineration. The results show that reuse of the coal tar-containing materials in new road construction is the most favorable alternative in terms of cost, material use, land use, energy consumption, and air emissions.