Climate conditions significantly affect vegetation growth in terrestrial ecosystems. Due to the spatial heterogeneity of ecosystems, the vegetation responses to climate vary considerably with the ...diverse spatial patterns and the time‐lag effects, which are the most important mechanism of climate–vegetation interactive effects. Extensive studies focused on large‐scale vegetation–climate interactions use the simultaneous meteorological and vegetation indicators to develop models; however, the time‐lag effects are less considered, which tends to increase uncertainty. In this study, we aim to quantitatively determine the time‐lag effects of global vegetation responses to different climatic factors using the GIMMS3g NDVI time series and the CRU temperature, precipitation, and solar radiation datasets. First, this study analyzed the time‐lag effects of global vegetation responses to different climatic factors. Then, a multiple linear regression model and partial correlation model were established to statistically analyze the roles of different climatic factors on vegetation responses, from which the primary climate‐driving factors for different vegetation types were determined. The results showed that (i) both the time‐lag effects of the vegetation responses and the major climate‐driving factors that significantly affect vegetation growth varied significantly at the global scale, which was related to the diverse vegetation and climate characteristics; (ii) regarding the time‐lag effects, the climatic factors explained 64% variation of the global vegetation growth, which was 11% relatively higher than the model ignoring the time‐lag effects; (iii) for the area with a significant change trend (for the period 1982–2008) in the global GIMMS3g NDVI (P < 0.05), the primary driving factor was temperature; and (iv) at the regional scale, the variation in vegetation growth was also related to human activities and natural disturbances. Considering the time‐lag effects is quite important for better predicting and evaluating the vegetation dynamics under the background of global climate change.
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Ginkgo biloba L. seeds are used for food and medicinal purposes in China, but excessive consumption of them can cause acute toxicity. Ginkgotoxin (MPN) and its-5’-glucoside (MPNG) are the main toxic ...substances in ginkgo seeds. Ginkgo biloba L. trees are widely cultivated in China, and there are fewer studies on total ginkgotoxin (TMPN, MPN and MPNG) in ginkgo from different regions, which is the main motivation for this work. We determined the levels of TMPN in ginkgo seed samples from different regions of China (24.44–41.19 °N, 98.68–124.43 °E), which ranged from 140.96 ± 4.19 μg/g to 537.14 ± 10.78 μg/g. We found that all 131 ginkgo seed samples contained TMPN. Pearson's correlation was performed to analyze the correlation between the TMPN, tree age, geographical location, and climatic factors. The study showed that for geographical factors, longitude was significantly positively correlated with TMPN, and altitude was significantly negatively correlated with TMPN. Regarding climatic factors, mean annual temperature (MAT) and mean warmest month temperature (MWMT) were significantly and positively correlated with TMPN. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the distribution of TMPN in ginkgo seeds in China and lay a scientific foundation for improving low toxicity and safe ginkgo food ingredients.
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•Each Ginkgo biloba seed sample contained a certain amount of total ginkgotoxin (TMPN).•Longitude was significantly and positively correlated with TMPN.•Altitude was significantly and negatively correlated with TMPN.•The mean annual temperature and the mean warmest month temperature were both significantly and positively correlated with TMPN.
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Anthropogenic activity significantly disrupts the composition and quantity of greenhouse gases in the environment. The increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, as a result ...of industrial activity, contributes to the strengthening of the greenhouse effect, and finally, the additional warming of the atmosphere takes place. The amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is determined by the difference between greenhouse gas emissions and sequestration. Photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, stomatal conductance, assimilation, etc. can be used in the plant breeding process, with the aim of identifying plant genotypes with an increased potential for capturing CO2 from the atmosphere. In carrying out the study, grapevine genotypes of intraspecific origin Vitis vinifera L. and genotypes of interspecific origin (Vitis vinifera L. x Muscadinia rotundifolia Michx.) were used. Measurements were made during the period up to flowering, berry formation (growth) and mature berry (formed) period. Phytomonitoring was carried out by using the PTM-48A monitor, which is an automatic CO2 exchange monitoring system. It was found that the interspecific grapevine genotypes have a much higher performance than the intraspecific genotypes in relation to the change of climatic factors. The respective methodology can be applied in the breeding process of other plant crops.
Agriculture is very sensitive to climate change, and correct forecasting of climate change is a great help to accurate allocation of irrigation water. The use of irrigation water is influenced by ...crop water demand and precipitation. Potential evapotranspiration (ET0) is a measure of the ability of the atmosphere to remove water from the surface through the processes of evaporation and transpiration, assuming no control on water supply. It plays an important role in assessing crop water requirements, regional dry–wet conditions, and other factors of water resource management. This study analyzed the spatial and temporal evolution processes and characteristics of major meteorological parameters at 10 stations in the Loess Plateau of northern Shaanxi (LPNS). By using the Mann–Kendall trend test with trend–free pre–whitening and the ArcGIS platform, the potential evapotranspiration of each station was quantified by using the Penman–Monteith equation, and the effects of climatic factors on potential evapotranspiration were assessed by analyzing the contribution rate and sensitivity of the climatic factors. The results showed that the climate in LPNS has become warmer and drier. In terms of the sensitivity of ET0 to the variation of each climatic factor in LPNS, relative humidity (0.65) had the highest sensitivity, followed by daily maximum temperature, wind speed, sunshine hours, and daily minimum temperature (−0.05). In terms of the contribution rate of each factor to ET0, daily maximum temperature (5.16%) had the highest value, followed by daily minimum temperature, sunshine hours, relative humidity, and wind speed (1.14%). This study provides a reference for the management of agricultural water resources and for countermeasures to climate change. According to the climate change and the characteristics of the study area, farmers in the region should increase irrigation to guarantee crop water demand.
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•The Loess Plateau of northern Shaanxi (LPNS) experienced a warmer and drier period.•Sensitivity and contribution rate analysis were used to explore the driving factor of ET0.•ET0 showed a significant upward trend in the northern part of LPNS.•ET0 was most sensitive to the variation of relative humidity in LPNS。•Maximum temperature had a higher contribution rate to the variation of ET0 in LPNS
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Dryland ecosystems in the Great Lakes Region of Central Asia (GLRCA) are highly sensitive to climate change due to the climate of spring precipitation. Although shifts in vegetation phenology have ...been widely attributed to rising temperature, the effects of solar radiation and drought on phenology remain largely unknown. Understanding the mechanisms of vegetation phenology response to climatic factors is essential for assessing the impact of climate change on dryland ecosystems. In this study, we investigated the spatial and temporal variations of vegetation phenology across the GLRCA using a long-term series of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and then examined the response of vegetation phenology to climate change within different climate zones by combining with climate data (surface temperature, soil moisture, short-wave radiation, and standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI)). The results suggested that the start of growing season (SGS) and the end of growing season (EGS) were significantly earlier regionally by −0.143 days/year and −0.363 days/year, respectively. Because of changes in SGS and EGS, length of growing season (LGS) across the GLRCA was shortened at a rate of −0.442 days/yr, which was mainly attributed to advanced EGS. Additionally, SGS of vegetation was negatively correlated with surface temperature but positively correlated with soil moisture and SPEI. These results indicated that surface temperature was a major determinant of advanced spring phenology, while increased soil moisture and mitigated drought would delay spring phenology. The response of autumn phenology to surface temperature and short-wave radiation varied across different climate zones. In arid climate zone, autumn phenology was obviously advanced with the increase of surface temperature and short-wave radiation. In cold climate zone, higher surface temperature and short-wave radiation postponed autumn phenology. Meanwhile, the thermal growing season did not accurately characterize the actual vegetation growing season because GLRCA phenology was different from most of Northern Hemisphere.
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•Shortened LGS in the GLRCA was mainly attributed to advanced autumn phenology.•SGS negatively correlated with temperature but positively with soil moisture, SPEI.•Increased temperature and solar radiation advanced EGS in arid climate zone.•Higher temperature and solar radiation postponed EGS in cold climate zone.•Thermal growing season did not accurately characterize the actual growing season.
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Terrestrial carbon stock mapping is important for the successful implementation of climate change mitigation policies. Its accuracy depends on the availability of reliable allometric models to infer ...oven‐dry aboveground biomass of trees from census data. The degree of uncertainty associated with previously published pantropical aboveground biomass allometries is large. We analyzed a global database of directly harvested trees at 58 sites, spanning a wide range of climatic conditions and vegetation types (4004 trees ≥ 5 cm trunk diameter). When trunk diameter, total tree height, and wood specific gravity were included in the aboveground biomass model as covariates, a single model was found to hold across tropical vegetation types, with no detectable effect of region or environmental factors. The mean percent bias and variance of this model was only slightly higher than that of locally fitted models. Wood specific gravity was an important predictor of aboveground biomass, especially when including a much broader range of vegetation types than previous studies. The generic tree diameter–height relationship depended linearly on a bioclimatic stress variable E, which compounds indices of temperature variability, precipitation variability, and drought intensity. For cases in which total tree height is unavailable for aboveground biomass estimation, a pantropical model incorporating wood density, trunk diameter, and the variable E outperformed previously published models without height. However, to minimize bias, the development of locally derived diameter–height relationships is advised whenever possible. Both new allometric models should contribute to improve the accuracy of biomass assessment protocols in tropical vegetation types, and to advancing our understanding of architectural and evolutionary constraints on woody plant development.
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The energy delivery of a solar-energy system is generally associated with the sun's available irradiance and spectral content, as well as a variety of environmental and climatic factors and inherent ...system and component performances. However, other external factors relating to geographical location and conditions can have even greater impacts on system performance. Among these, soiling is a commonly overlooked or underestimated issue that can be a showstopper for the viability of a solar installation. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of soiling problems, primarily those associated with “dust” (sand) and combined dust–moisture conditions that are inherent to many of the most solar-rich geographic locations worldwide. We review and evaluate key contributions to the understanding, performance effects, and mitigation of these problems. These contributions span a technical history of almost seven decades. We also present an inclusive literature survey/assessment. The focus is on both transmissive surfaces (e.g., those used for flat-plate photovoltaics or for concentrating lenses) and reflective surfaces (e.g., mirrors or heliostats for concentrating power systems).
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Considered an essential conservation tool, plant reintroductions have been conducted for many of the world's rarest plant species. The expertise and knowledge gained through these efforts constitute ...an essential storehouse of information for conservationists faced with a rapidly changing global climate.This volume presents a comprehensive review of reintroduction projects and practices, the circumstances of their successes or failures, lessons learned, and the potential role for reintroductions in preserving species threatened by climate change. Contributors examine current plant reintroduction practices, from selecting appropriate source material and recipient sites to assessing population demography.The findings culminate in a set of Best Reintroduction Practice Guidelines, included in an appendix. These guidelines cover stages from planning and implementation to long-term monitoring, and offer not only recommended actions but also checklists of questions to consider that are applicable to projects around the world.Traditional reintroduction practice can inform managed relocation-the deliberate movement of species outside their native range-which may be the only hope for some species to persist in a natural environment. Included in the book are discussions of the history, fears, and controversy regarding managed relocation, along with protocols for evaluating invasive risk and proposals for conducting managed relocation of rare plants.Plant Reintroduction in a Changing Climate is a comprehensive and accessible reference for practitioners to use in planning and executing rare plant reintroductions.
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With accumulation of carbon cycle observations and model developments over the past decades, exploring interannual variation (IAV) of terrestrial carbon cycle offers the opportunity to better ...understand climate–carbon cycle relationships. However, despite growing research interest, uncertainties remain on some fundamental issues, such as the contributions of different regions, constituent fluxes and climatic factors to carbon cycle IAV. Here we overviewed the literature on carbon cycle IAV about current understanding of these issues. Observations and models of the carbon cycle unanimously show the dominance of tropical land ecosystems to the signal of global carbon cycle IAV, where tropical semiarid ecosystems contribute as much as the combination of all other tropical ecosystems. Vegetation photosynthesis contributes more than ecosystem respiration to IAV of the global net land carbon flux, but large uncertainties remain on the contribution of fires and other disturbance fluxes. Climatic variations are the major drivers to the IAV of net land carbon flux. Although debate remains on whether the dominant driver is temperature or moisture variability, their interaction,that is, the dependence of carbon cycle sensitivity to temperature on moisture conditions, is emerging as key regulators of the carbon cycle IAV. On timescales from the interannual to the centennial, global carbon cycle variability will be increasingly contributed by northern land ecosystems and oceans. Therefore, both improving Earth system models (ESMs) with the progressive understanding on the fast processes manifested at interannual timescale and expanding carbon cycle observations at broader spatial and longer temporal scales are critical to better prediction on evolution of the carbon–climate system.
Interannual variation (IAV) of global carbon cycle is dominated by terrestrial ecosystems, in particular the tropics. Thus, understanding IAV of carbon cycle improves our knowledge on how tropical land ecosystems respond to climatic variations. However, global carbon cycle variability will be increasingly contributed by northern land ecosystems and oceans on timescales from the interannual to the centennial. This highlights the research need to integrate knowledge on “fast” carbon cycle processes, which can be learned from IAV, and those on “slow” carbon processes over both land and ocean, in order to better predict evolution of the carbon–climate system.
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‘Cities are playing an increasingly large role in environmental policy making. Urbanization and Climate Co-benefits comprehensively lays out how cities can use the co-benefits approach to plan for ...environmentally responsible cities, which meets the needs of both people and the planet. The innovative structure of the book, combining theory and planning as well as on-the-ground experiences makes it highly relevant to both scholars and practitioners at a time when the future of cities is recognized as crucial for global sustainability.’
Kazuhiko Takemoto, Director, United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability, Japan
‘Urbanization and Climate Co-Benefits provides much needed insights through examination of both the technical and non-technical aspects of co-benefits. The book stimulates the reader to think about how such an approach may be implemented across the urban sectors. This book is a very timely contribution as discussions on co-benefits are becoming increasingly prominent at all levels of policymaking.’
Shobhakar Dhakal, Associate Professor, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand
‘This book offers a framework to understand climate co-benefits in cities based on in-depth empirical research carried out by an interdisciplinary team of researchers. It offers an important guide to advance our knowledge on how to develop sustainable cities and to design a road map for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and implementing the New Urban Agenda adopted at the 2016 Habitat III Conference in Quito.’
Govindan Parayil, Mark and Melody Teppola Presidential Distinguished Professor, Willamette University, Salem, Oregon, USA, Former Vice-Rector, United Nations University, Tokyo, Japan and Professor, University of Oslo, Norway
Urban areas are increasingly contributing to climate change while also suffering many of its impacts. Moreover, many cities, particularly in developing countries, continue to struggle to provide services, infrastructure and socio-economic opportunities. How do we achieve the global goals on climate change and also make room for allowing global urban development? Increasing levels of awareness and engagement on climate change at the local level, coupled with recent global agreements on climate and development goals, as well as the New Urban Agenda emerging from Habitat III, present an unprecedented opportunity to radically rethink how we develop and manage our cities.
Urbanization and Climate Co-Benefits examines the main opportunities and challenges to the implementation of a co-benefits approach in urban areas. Drawing on the results of empirical research carried out in Brazil, China, Indonesia, South Africa, India and Japan, the book is divided into two parts. The first uses a common framework to analyse co-benefits across the urban sectors. The second part examines the tools and legal and governance perspectives at the local and international level that can help planning for co-benefits.
This book will be of great interest to students, practitioners and scholars of urban studies, climate/development policy and environmental studies.
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