Search Results (7)

The family Apiaceae, distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere, is the largest family of angiosperms. However, little is known about the conservation status, diversity, and distribution of Apiaceae species in Mongolia. This study had two main aims: (1) to assess the national status of Apiaceae species under IUCN Red List Criterion B; (2) to evaluate the species diversity and richness of Apiaceae across Mongolia. We utilized ConR packages to assess the national Red List status of all known Mongolian Apiaceae species by analyzing their most comprehensive occurrence records. The results indicated that 27 species were classified as threatened, including 4 Critically Endangered (CR), 9 Endangered (EN), and 14 Vulnerable (VU) species. Meanwhile, 39 species were assessed as non-threatened, with 2 Near Threatened (NT) species and 37 species of Least Concern (LC). Furthermore, detailed distribution maps for 66 Apiaceae species in Mongolia were presented. We assessed the species diversity and Shannon and Simpson diversity indices of Apiaceae by analyzing all occurrence records using the iNext package. Overall, the Hill diversity estimates indicate that the sampling conducted in Mongolia adequately captured species occurrences. For species pattern analysis, we examined the species richness, weighted endemism, and the corrected weighted endemism index using Biodiverse v.4.1 software. Mongolia was portioned into 715 grid cells based on 0.5° × 0.5° grid sizes (equivalent to approximately 50 × 50 km²). There was a total of 3062 unique occurrences of all Apiaceae species across Mongolia. In the species richness analysis, we identified 10 grids that exhibited high species richness (18–29 species) and 36 grids with 11–17 species. For genus richness, we observed seven grids that exhibited a high genus richness of 16–22 genera. Furthermore, we analyzed species richness with a specific focus on threatened species, encompassing CR, EN, and VU species throughout Mongolia. A total of 92 grids contained at least one threatened species. There were six grids that had two to five threatened species, which were adequately covered by protected areas in western Mongolia. Overall, our results on species richness and conservation status will serve as important foundational research for future conservation and land management efforts in Mongolia. Full article

This study was designed to determine the fragmentation of sub-lakes in winter and its effects on wintering waterbirds in Poyang Lake. Poyang Lake becomes fragmented in winter, which forms many seasonal sub-lakes every year, and have different environmental characteristics. These sub-lakes significantly impact winter bird habitats and result in susceptibility to various changes, because birds have different distribution responses. A total of 24 sub-lakes were surveyed from one to five vantage points using point count methods in each sub-lake with binoculars, monocular, and a spotting scope for four consecutive winter seasons. The multi-site dissimilarity Sorensen index measures overlapped between two populations, and the R software “iNEXT” package was used to evaluate the sample coverage test of the study area. We observed 58 wintering waterbird species belonging to 9 orders and 15 families from 2016 to 2020. Spearman correlation analysis showed that the species richness of wintering waterbirds was significantly positively correlated with the sub-lake areas and associated with the richness of habitat type. The WNODF analyses were considerably correlated for sites of waterbirds, mainly with the abundance of forage and conservation of habitat form. The outcomes of this study showed that Maying Lake has the highest local beta diversity, whereas Dacha Lake has the lowest local beta diversity contribution (0.007). This study’s findings demonstrate Poyang Lake’s role in waterbird the habitat suitability of waterbirds, especially for foraging and conservation. Full article

The El Guájaro reservoir, situated in northern Colombia, holds significant economic and ecological importance. It is categorized as eutrophic due to factors such as wastewater discharges, agricultural practices, and the dragging of limestone material. These factors create favorable conditions for cyanobacterial proliferation. This study evaluates the diversity and abundance of cyanobacteria, with special attention to the genera identified as toxin producers, and bloom formers within the reservoir. Sampling was conducted in the photic zone at seven stations during both rainy and dry seasons between 2015 and 2019. Abundance and diversity were quantified using the iNEXT program, while a beta diversity analysis assessed community differentiation in relation to environmental parameters. A total of 86 species from 12 orders and 42 genera were identified, with 44% of these species noted as potentially toxic. A significant predominance of filamentous species was identified. Pseudanabaena and Phormidium were the most frequent and abundant genera. The results reveal distinct distribution and abundance patterns influenced by seasonal fluctuations. A notable bloom, co-dominated by Microcystis and Dolichospermum, occurred during the 2019 dry season, leading to the mortality of livestock and other animals. Urgent governance measures and control strategies are imperative to mitigate the health impact of such blooms. Full article

The crosscutting concepts (CCCs) are a collection of ideas that span the science and engineering disciplines. While various standards documents have identified similar sets of ideas in the past, calls for their explicit inclusion into science and engineering instruction began in earnest only about a decade ago. When these calls began, the research base on the teaching and learning of the CCCs was limited; in the intervening years, educators have debated whether and how the CCCs are useful for supporting science and engineering learners. In this article, we summarize a recent scholarship that has clarified the role of CCCs in supporting science and engineering learning. Then, we highlight two exemplary curricular units (one elementary and one secondary) that showcase CCC-informed instruction. Based upon these research and development efforts, we identify three core messages: (1) CCCs provide learners with a set of complementary lenses on phenomena, (2) CCCs are powerful tools for broadening access to science and engineering, and (3) practitioner innovations play an especially important role in the time-sensitive work of establishing a more robust research base for how CCCs can strengthen science and engineering teaching and learning. Full article

Reefs fishes are sensitive to environmental changes, particularly in areas such as the Mexican Central Pacific (MCP), which has a high environmental variability favored by currents. This study assesses the temporal variation in ecological indicators of fishes in Marietas (MI) and Isabel islands (II) in the MCP during 2010–2017. Overall, 118 species were recorded at MI and 95 in II. The highest abundance was recorded in 2013 at MI, and in 2015 at II, with an observed sample coverage > 0.79 for all years. MI showed higher annual taxonomic distinctness and richness than II. Annual biomass and assemblages were different between years and islands. The changes in both islands’ community structure were influenced by ENSO events. A high proportion of the dissimilarity among years is represented in 10 species, and the difference among years for each island is given by rare species. Annually, community indicators (Δ⁺, q = 1, and q = 2) and physicochemical factors were not related except for q = 0 and the chlorophyll concentration; this is due to the inter-annual variation within the area. The variation in fish communities on both islands results from mesoscale phenomena that have a different effect on each island due to the characteristics of their shelf and oceanography. Full article

Meeting the worldwide energy demand for the present and future transportation systems with the least impact on the environment is a big challenge. In the i-NEXT (Innovation for greeN Energy and eXchange in Transportation) project a Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicle (FCHEV) minibus for people transportation has been implemented. This paper reports some preliminary test drive. The vehicle architecture has been developed considering that, both recharge time and autonomy of a purely electric vehicle are operational limits, and the fuel cell technology is able to enhance these parameters. An electric engine with lithium ion batteries and a 20 kW Fuel Cell System characterize the vehicle. The test drive has been carried out in Capo d’Orlando municipality (Sicily) allowing the acquisition of key data. Full article

Within European cities, where 68% of the EU population lives using 70% of the energy, an integrated and sustainable urban approach is needed. In order to meet the increasingly complex challenges of urban areas new, efficient, and user-friendly technologies and services, in particular in areas of energy, transport, and ICT are required. In the transport sector electric urban mobility and synergy between different transport systems (ITS) and infrastructures must be supported strongly in order to improve life conditions of citizens in terms of i) emissions, ii) services, iii) traffic congestion (an ambitious challenge is reduction of journey times). With the aim of improving the city logistic more efficient peopletransport and freight-distribution systems have to be used, so electro-mobility for transport in the “last mile” must be supported. In the i-NEXT (Innovation for greeN Energy and eXchange in Transportation) project, in which CNR ITAE is directly involved as coordinator, activities are addressed to implementation of new concept modular electric vehicles having different upper-bodies able to be used both for people (public transport) and freight in urban areas. The project aims to develop a not commercial vehicle characterized by new design in which the challenge is to reach the lowest ratio between total weight and load capacity (europallet for freight and seats for people). Other important aspects are to define specific mission of use, range of autonomy, recharge times and cost in terms of batteries and recharge systems technologies. In conclusion synergy of electro-mobility with renewable energy plants and smart grids is essential for sustainability of smart city concept. Full article