In this study, we investigated the influence of different weather aspects on breeding performance, food supply and nest-space use in hoopoe offspring (
Upupa epops
). Camera recordings of 88 nests ...were used to examine how ambient environmental conditions influence food supply, offspring nest-space use and the trade-off nestlings face regarding the two mainly used locations in the nest. Therefore, we provide a comprehensive analysis involving different factors including weather parameters together with food provisioned to nestlings on different temporal scales to identify the factors having the most influence on nest-space use. We found that different breeding conditions significantly influenced how nestlings used the nest. During excessively humid weather, nestlings spent more time under the entrance hole when small food was delivered. However, nestlings supplied with large prey more often remained hidden in the distant area, despite the adverse weather situation. In all three aspects and temporal scales, our analysis confirmed that prey was the most important factor influencing offspring nest-space use, suggesting a crucial role of large insects for hoopoes. Finally, we found that long-term effects of weather affect overall food provisioned to nestlings and thus offspring behaviour. We provide evidence that parental feeding location and prey size, which are in turn influenced by weather conditions, are the most influential factors for nest-space use. This study expands our knowledge of parent–offspring communication and how environmental factors may lead to differential nest-space use, which may be regarded as the earliest form of habitat preference in birds.
Significance statement
Nests are usually constrained in space but designed to protect offspring from the environment while giving them limited possibilities to express behavioural diversity. This is particularly true for bird nests, where nestlings are usually packed in close contact with one another and without much space for movement, except begging. Here we demonstrate that nest features, such as available nest space together with environmental conditions surrounding a nest, influence nestling strategies and behaviours, including social interactions between nest mates, which further leads to fitness consequences. Our results seem to be of great importance for habitat selection theory in birds, in particular regarding the early development of habitat preferences (imprinting) and use. On the other hand, the result may also have important implications for conservation issues given that nestling behaviour may be used as a determinant of environmental quality.
N
-Alkylanilines X–NH–Ph (Ph = substituted phenyl ring) with two different types of alkyl substituent X X = C
2
H
5
–CO–CH
2
CH(Ph), X = CH
3
, C
2
H
5
, CH(CH
3
)
2
, CH
2
C
6
H
5
were oxidized ...using different agents. While oxidation with 3-chloroperbenzoic acid leads to production of the corresponding aminoxyl radicals X–NO
•
–Ph, it was confirmed that application of PbO
2
resulted in the formation of aminyl radicals X–N
•
–Ph, as indirectly proved by the spin-trapping method. Contrary to those transformations, with employment of either Pb(OAc)
4
or
t
-BuO
2
•
radical, reactions taking place on the alkyl substituent were also observed.
Graphical abstract
In last decades, intensive research of the forest trees biomass increment changes has realized in the context of the presumed global change because forest stands have shown crucial share on the ...carbon storage in the global scale. Relationships between tree dendrometric parameters and forest tree biomass using allometric equations or expansion factors are still solved insufficiently. Changes of the structure of the adult highland spruce stand at the study site of Rájec (the Drahanská vrchovina Highland) in 2009 - 2012 and allometric equations and expansion factors determined for an aboveground biomass of the studied stand (and its single fractions) are described in the present study. Belowground biomass of the studied stand was estimated using known allometric relationship. Diameter at the tree breast height was suitable parameter for the estimation of the stem biomass volume (with and without bark) and it was the suitable input parameter for most allometric equations for the estimation of the aboveground biomass or its single fractions. Significance of tree competition to estimate tree biomass was established. Thus, using competition parameters in allometric equations is appropriate in some cases. There was calculated expansion factor for the aboveground biomass 1,30 and for the belowground biomass 1,18 in the studied adult spruce stand.
•Forest managers see the need for climate-smart forestry (CSF) but require greater guidance.•CSF that focusses on regional level adapting to local culture and conditions is needed.•Considering ...small-scale forest owners and ownership types should be included in CSF development.•Structural and financial support will be important from both the state and knowledge brokers.
Climate change impacts are an increasing threat to forests and current approaches to management. In 2020, Climate-smart Forestry (CSF) definition and set of indicators was published. This study further developed this work by testing the definition and indicators through a forest manager survey across fifteen member European countries. The survey covered topic areas of demographics, climate change impacts, definition and indicators assessment, as well as knowledge and communication. Overall, forest managers considered the threat of climate change to their forests as high or critical and 62% found the CSF definition clear and concise; however, the minority suggested greater simplification or nuance. Indicators were viewed as comprehensive but too numerous to integrate into management activities. Two highest ranking indicators were ‘Trees species composition’, and ‘Erosion protection and maintenance of soil condition’. Many managers were aware of suitable alternative species, but also stressed that greater resources should focus on exploring adaptable provenances. Demonstration sites and interactive guides were ranked highest for communication and dissemination; however, online multimedia tools and workshops were also ranked highly. Local perspectives on providing more relevant CSF ranged from silviculture systems, finance and funding, education and training, and social awareness, to tree species mixes and development of protective functions. In summary, forest managers were generally open to CSF, but required greater guidance and proof of application.
Abstract
We report here the crystal and electronic structure of a new spiro-derivative, namely methyl (2R,4S)- 4-(benzothiazol-2-ylamino)-8,8´-dimethoxyspirochroman-2,2´-chromene-3´-carboxylate (I), ...C
28
H
24
N
2
O
6
S, which crystallizes as racemate in the space group C2/c. In this compound, the chromanone moiety consists of a benzene ring fused with a six-membered heterocyclic ring which adopts a distorted half-chair conformation. The molecules are linked by a combination of N-H∙∙∙N hydrogen bonds and weak C-H∙∙∙O, C-H∙∙∙S, C-H∙∙∙ π, inter- and intra-molecular interactions resulting in a two-dimensional network in the crystal structure.
Edge populations are of conservation importance because they typically suffer an elevated risk of extinction, possess low genetic variation and can be genetically distinct from core populations. ...Peripheral populations are generally characterized as being less abundant and more vulnerable to habitat change. In this study, we investigated the current distribution and microhabitat requirements of the Keeled Plump Bush-cricket (
Isophya costata
), a threatened species, at the north-western periphery of its range (Austrian-Slovak trans-border area, Central Europe). To clarify the current distribution pattern in relation to microhabitat requirements, we employed a comprehensive combination of microhabitat assessment and microrelief topography in a flood-plain area, which was supplemented by photo documentation created using a drone. We found that the distribution of the bush-cricket follows isolated occurrences with low densities. Regarding microhabitat requirements, we discovered a link between the distribution pattern of the bush-cricket and micro-elevations connected to dicotyledonous broadleaf plants. We assume that the novel information on species ecology found in this study could be a first step in obtaining sufficient data for further systematic monitoring. To set these findings for species conservation, it is necessary to mitigate the most serious threats, which are represented by early mowing and habitat degradation. Therefore, further detailed analysis of major threats and determination of the genetic structure of the species will be crucial to ensure appropriate conservation measures for the threatened peripheral bush-cricket metapopulation.
Implications for Insect Conservation
This research provides the novel information about microhabitat requirements of the threatened bush-cricket at the north-western edge of its range. Current distribution data together with detailed knowledge of the microhabitat requirements provide important ecological information, which could have significant implications for the further systematic monitoring and species conservation.
Abstract
We report here the structure of new spiro-derivative, namely methyl (2R,4R)-4-(5-methylthiazol- 2-ylamino)spirochroman-2,2’-chromene-3’-carboxylate, C
23
H
20
N
2
O
4
S, which crystallizes ...as racemate in the space group P-1. In this compound, the chromanone moiety consists of a benzene ring fused with a sixmembered heterocyclic ring which adopts a distorted half-chair conformation. The molecules are linked by a combination of N–H⋯N hydrogen bonds and weak C–H⋯O, C-H⋯S, C-H⋯π, inter- and intramolecular interactions resulting in a two-dimensional network in the crystal structure.
As the topic of my diploma work I chose the issue of integration of operation centers in the jurisdiction of the Directory of Czech Police of the South Bohemian Region. This topic was chosen with ...regard to my job in the police of the Czech Republic and also with the assumption to assess the current state of the operation management in the jurisdiction of the Directory of Czech Police of the South Bohemian Region and compare it with the newly proposed integrated centre which should be created within the framework of integration of existing regional operation centres, evaluation of communication of operations centres within the framework of the integrated rescue system and within the framework of the police of the Czech Republic itself at different levels of operation management. The aim of my thesis is to describe the current state of workplaces of operation centers of the police of the Czech Republic and to assess their integration into a single operation center in the teritory of the South Bohemian region. I analyze the situation from the viewpoint of conduct, management and personal security and I assess material-technical security. Last but not least it's about confirming or refuting the hypothesis that was formulated before i started the thesis. This thesis stems particularly from internal act of conduct of the police of the Czech Republic and from the current legislation. Aims of my work are summarized in the capter Discussion which was preceded by description of the current state of operation centers and their function in the framework of operation conduct. Comparing the current and the suggested solution from the viewpoint of conduct, management, personal security, economic and material-technical security and physical integration. The formulation given by the hypothesis was confirmed based on the comparison carried out in the study of the current state and the prepared state, and seems to be effective. Because of the introduced measures that are realized by integration of the current operation centers into one, the effectivity will be increased.
Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) has increased substantially since the industrial revolution began, and physiological responses to elevated atmospheric CO.sub.2 concentrations reportedly alter ...the biometry and wood structure of trees. Additionally, soil nutrient availability may play an important role in regulating these responses. Therefore, in this study, we grew 288 two-year-old saplings of sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) in lamellar glass domes for three years to evaluate the effects of CO.sub.2 concentrations and nutrient supply on above- and belowground biomass, wood density, and wood structure. Elevated CO.sub.2 increased above- and belowground biomass by 44.3% and 46.9%, respectively. However, under elevated CO.sub.2 treatment, sapling wood density was markedly lower (approximately 1.7%), and notably wider growth rings-and larger, more efficient conduits leading to increased hydraulic conductance-were observed. Moreover, despite the vessels being larger in saplings under elevated CO.sub.2, the vessels were significantly fewer (p = 0.023). No direct effects of nutrient supply were observed on biomass growth, wood density, or wood structure, except for a notable decrease in specific leaf area. These results suggest that, although fewer and larger conduits may render the xylem more vulnerable to embolism formation under drought conditions, the high growth rate in sessile oak saplings under elevated CO.sub.2 is supported by an efficient vascular system and may increase biomass production in this tree species. Nevertheless, the decreased mechanical strength, indicated by low density and xylem vulnerability to drought, may lead to earlier mortality, offsetting the positive effects of elevated CO.sub.2 levels in the future.
Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) has increased substantially since the industrial revolution began, and physiological responses to elevated atmospheric CO.sub.2 concentrations reportedly alter ...the biometry and wood structure of trees. Additionally, soil nutrient availability may play an important role in regulating these responses. Therefore, in this study, we grew 288 two-year-old saplings of sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) in lamellar glass domes for three years to evaluate the effects of CO.sub.2 concentrations and nutrient supply on above- and belowground biomass, wood density, and wood structure. Elevated CO.sub.2 increased above- and belowground biomass by 44.3% and 46.9%, respectively. However, under elevated CO.sub.2 treatment, sapling wood density was markedly lower (approximately 1.7%), and notably wider growth rings-and larger, more efficient conduits leading to increased hydraulic conductance-were observed. Moreover, despite the vessels being larger in saplings under elevated CO.sub.2, the vessels were significantly fewer (p = 0.023). No direct effects of nutrient supply were observed on biomass growth, wood density, or wood structure, except for a notable decrease in specific leaf area. These results suggest that, although fewer and larger conduits may render the xylem more vulnerable to embolism formation under drought conditions, the high growth rate in sessile oak saplings under elevated CO.sub.2 is supported by an efficient vascular system and may increase biomass production in this tree species. Nevertheless, the decreased mechanical strength, indicated by low density and xylem vulnerability to drought, may lead to earlier mortality, offsetting the positive effects of elevated CO.sub.2 levels in the future.
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