The document describes a study that used an integrative modeling approach and data from over 1,000 grassland plots worldwide to examine relationships between plant productivity, species richness, and various environmental factors. Key findings include:
1) Species richness was negatively associated with accumulated biomass, supporting theories of competitive dominance at high productivity. However, the effect was linear across all biomass levels rather than increasing nonlinearly.
2) Species richness had a strong positive effect on productivity, in contrast to expectations from classical models. The effect was consistent and did not level off at high richness.
3) Macroclimate and soil variables were important independent drivers of both richness and productivity, with their effects differing, supporting their semi-independent nature
Agricultural Weed Research A Critique and Two Proposals.pdfCynthia Velynne
This document provides a critique of agricultural weed research and proposes ways to improve it. The key points are:
1) Agricultural weed research has become too specialized and separated into weed management and weed biology/ecology subdisciplines, despite calls for greater integration.
2) Current research is highly repetitive and descriptive with few novel hypotheses linked to ecological theory.
3) In contrast, invasive plant research explores broader questions grounded in theory and attracts diverse scientists.
4) The authors propose emphasizing interdisciplinary training for weed scientists and focused workshops to develop specific research areas and cross-disciplinary collaboration. This would help push the frontiers of weed science.
Ecogeographic, bioclimatic and phylogenetic analyses for the wild relatives o...CWR Project
- The study integrated ecogeographic, bioclimatic, phylogenetic, and genetic data to identify wild sunflower relatives with potential for crop improvement traits.
- Three main climate clusters were identified among 36 taxa, differentiated by variables like precipitation, temperature, and soil properties.
- Certain taxa like H. anomalus and H. maximilianii showed adaptations to extreme conditions like low precipitation and temperature and were identified as high priority candidates.
- Examining ecological niches in relation to phylogeny helped reveal taxa with novel or complementary traits for breeding climate resilient sunflowers.
This document proposes establishing a greenhouse hydroponic system at Skidmore College to achieve sustainable food procurement goals and provide educational opportunities. It discusses the benefits of hydroponics over traditional agriculture such as increased yields, reduced water and land usage, and year-round production. Several other colleges have successfully implemented hydroponic systems. At Skidmore, a small-scale system could supplement the dining hall with local produce and engage students across departments. A student survey found support for a hydroponic project. The document recommends a pilot hydroponic system be installed at the CIS greenhouse to test feasibility and support Skidmore's sustainability and strategic plans.
[Ostrom, 2009] a general framework for analyzing sustainability of social-e...FiorellaIsabelCampos1
This document presents a framework for analyzing the sustainability of social-ecological systems (SESs). The framework identifies four core subsystems that interact within an SES: resource systems, resource units, governance systems, and users. It then identifies 10 variables within these subsystems that are frequently found to affect the likelihood of users self-organizing to manage resources and achieve sustainability. These variables influence the perceived costs and benefits of investing in governance systems, such as the size of the resource system, its productivity, clarity of system boundaries, and collective-choice arrangements. The framework is intended to facilitate multidisciplinary analysis of complex SESs by providing a common structure for organizing knowledge about factors influencing sustainability.
Studying tropical rainforest ecology in malaysiaMark McGinley
The document provides an overview of long-term ecological research (LTER) being conducted in tropical rainforests, with a focus on sites in Malaysia. It describes several long-term forest plot sites, including Danum Valley, Lambir Hills, and Pasoh, which are part of broader networks like the Center for Tropical Forest Science and Long Term Ecological Research. At each site, teams of scientists conduct long-term research on topics like forest structure and composition, species diversity, and the impacts of disturbance. The research helps increase understanding of rainforest ecology and informs sustainable forest management.
Diversity in Food Systems: The Case of Stockfree Organic
`
For more information, Please see websites below:
`
Organic Edible Schoolyards & Gardening with Children
http://scribd.com/doc/239851214
`
Double Food Production from your School Garden with Organic Tech
http://scribd.com/doc/239851079
`
Free School Gardening Art Posters
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159`
`
Companion Planting Increases Food Production from School Gardens
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159
`
Healthy Foods Dramatically Improves Student Academic Success
http://scribd.com/doc/239851348
`
City Chickens for your Organic School Garden
http://scribd.com/doc/239850440
`
Simple Square Foot Gardening for Schools - Teacher Guide
http://scribd.com/doc/239851110
Living in the Anthropocene: Science, Sustainability, and Societytewksjj
This document discusses the role of science in addressing sustainability challenges in the Anthropocene era. It argues that science needs to focus on systems and solutions, conduct research with societal partners, and ensure its findings are effectively communicated and applied to policy and business. The document proposes that Future Earth establish knowledge-action networks and a global boundary organization to facilitate co-designed, transdisciplinary research on issues like food, water, energy systems, cities, and the climate crisis. The goal would be to generate science, solutions, and services to achieve sustainability objectives like healthy ecosystems and equitable societies.
One of the challenges of ecological intensification is to move agricultural research out of a focus on singular focal areas – e.g., improved seed, pest control, water management – to solutions that integrate all components of the farming system. As such, the canon of knowledge supporting ecological intensification is transdisciplinary, focusing on the biological components of farming systems and agroecological practices but extending as well to considerations of policy and farmer
and societal benefits. As the biodiversity benefits of ecological intensification, along with the negative externalities of conventional agriculture are an important motivation for ecological intensification, we have included literature on these topic, as well as references that relate climate change to ecosystem services in agriculture.
The annotated bibliography presented here is compiled on this basis, to identify the literature relevant to ecological intensification, with respect to the following categories:
1. Ecosystem services
2. Agroecology and agroecological practices
3. Farmer and societal benefits from enhancing ecosystem services
4. Biodiversity benefits of ecological intensification
5. Agriculture-induced impacts
6. Climate change
7. Policy
Within the category of ecosystem services, it has been noted in the keywords if the relevant study addresses one or several of the key ecosystem services underpinning ecological intensification in agriculture: pollination, pest regulation or soil nutrients/cycling. (Bommarco et al. 2013)
Agricultural Weed Research A Critique and Two Proposals.pdfCynthia Velynne
This document provides a critique of agricultural weed research and proposes ways to improve it. The key points are:
1) Agricultural weed research has become too specialized and separated into weed management and weed biology/ecology subdisciplines, despite calls for greater integration.
2) Current research is highly repetitive and descriptive with few novel hypotheses linked to ecological theory.
3) In contrast, invasive plant research explores broader questions grounded in theory and attracts diverse scientists.
4) The authors propose emphasizing interdisciplinary training for weed scientists and focused workshops to develop specific research areas and cross-disciplinary collaboration. This would help push the frontiers of weed science.
Ecogeographic, bioclimatic and phylogenetic analyses for the wild relatives o...CWR Project
- The study integrated ecogeographic, bioclimatic, phylogenetic, and genetic data to identify wild sunflower relatives with potential for crop improvement traits.
- Three main climate clusters were identified among 36 taxa, differentiated by variables like precipitation, temperature, and soil properties.
- Certain taxa like H. anomalus and H. maximilianii showed adaptations to extreme conditions like low precipitation and temperature and were identified as high priority candidates.
- Examining ecological niches in relation to phylogeny helped reveal taxa with novel or complementary traits for breeding climate resilient sunflowers.
This document proposes establishing a greenhouse hydroponic system at Skidmore College to achieve sustainable food procurement goals and provide educational opportunities. It discusses the benefits of hydroponics over traditional agriculture such as increased yields, reduced water and land usage, and year-round production. Several other colleges have successfully implemented hydroponic systems. At Skidmore, a small-scale system could supplement the dining hall with local produce and engage students across departments. A student survey found support for a hydroponic project. The document recommends a pilot hydroponic system be installed at the CIS greenhouse to test feasibility and support Skidmore's sustainability and strategic plans.
[Ostrom, 2009] a general framework for analyzing sustainability of social-e...FiorellaIsabelCampos1
This document presents a framework for analyzing the sustainability of social-ecological systems (SESs). The framework identifies four core subsystems that interact within an SES: resource systems, resource units, governance systems, and users. It then identifies 10 variables within these subsystems that are frequently found to affect the likelihood of users self-organizing to manage resources and achieve sustainability. These variables influence the perceived costs and benefits of investing in governance systems, such as the size of the resource system, its productivity, clarity of system boundaries, and collective-choice arrangements. The framework is intended to facilitate multidisciplinary analysis of complex SESs by providing a common structure for organizing knowledge about factors influencing sustainability.
Studying tropical rainforest ecology in malaysiaMark McGinley
The document provides an overview of long-term ecological research (LTER) being conducted in tropical rainforests, with a focus on sites in Malaysia. It describes several long-term forest plot sites, including Danum Valley, Lambir Hills, and Pasoh, which are part of broader networks like the Center for Tropical Forest Science and Long Term Ecological Research. At each site, teams of scientists conduct long-term research on topics like forest structure and composition, species diversity, and the impacts of disturbance. The research helps increase understanding of rainforest ecology and informs sustainable forest management.
Diversity in Food Systems: The Case of Stockfree Organic
`
For more information, Please see websites below:
`
Organic Edible Schoolyards & Gardening with Children
http://scribd.com/doc/239851214
`
Double Food Production from your School Garden with Organic Tech
http://scribd.com/doc/239851079
`
Free School Gardening Art Posters
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159`
`
Companion Planting Increases Food Production from School Gardens
http://scribd.com/doc/239851159
`
Healthy Foods Dramatically Improves Student Academic Success
http://scribd.com/doc/239851348
`
City Chickens for your Organic School Garden
http://scribd.com/doc/239850440
`
Simple Square Foot Gardening for Schools - Teacher Guide
http://scribd.com/doc/239851110
Living in the Anthropocene: Science, Sustainability, and Societytewksjj
This document discusses the role of science in addressing sustainability challenges in the Anthropocene era. It argues that science needs to focus on systems and solutions, conduct research with societal partners, and ensure its findings are effectively communicated and applied to policy and business. The document proposes that Future Earth establish knowledge-action networks and a global boundary organization to facilitate co-designed, transdisciplinary research on issues like food, water, energy systems, cities, and the climate crisis. The goal would be to generate science, solutions, and services to achieve sustainability objectives like healthy ecosystems and equitable societies.
One of the challenges of ecological intensification is to move agricultural research out of a focus on singular focal areas – e.g., improved seed, pest control, water management – to solutions that integrate all components of the farming system. As such, the canon of knowledge supporting ecological intensification is transdisciplinary, focusing on the biological components of farming systems and agroecological practices but extending as well to considerations of policy and farmer
and societal benefits. As the biodiversity benefits of ecological intensification, along with the negative externalities of conventional agriculture are an important motivation for ecological intensification, we have included literature on these topic, as well as references that relate climate change to ecosystem services in agriculture.
The annotated bibliography presented here is compiled on this basis, to identify the literature relevant to ecological intensification, with respect to the following categories:
1. Ecosystem services
2. Agroecology and agroecological practices
3. Farmer and societal benefits from enhancing ecosystem services
4. Biodiversity benefits of ecological intensification
5. Agriculture-induced impacts
6. Climate change
7. Policy
Within the category of ecosystem services, it has been noted in the keywords if the relevant study addresses one or several of the key ecosystem services underpinning ecological intensification in agriculture: pollination, pest regulation or soil nutrients/cycling. (Bommarco et al. 2013)
Toward Integrated Analysis of Socio- Ecological Data for Improved Targeting o...CIAT
Long-term soil experiments provide key insights into managing rapidly changing ecosystems over decades. Such experiments directly observe soil changes under different management practices over time, helping understand sustainability and soil-environment interactions. They inform efforts to double food production while reducing environmental impacts. However, long-term experiments require many years, face loss risks, and lack comprehensive networking. Strengthening this research base could help address challenges of food security, the carbon cycle, and nutrient management control.
Rick Stevens: Prospects for a Systematic Exploration of Earths Microbial Dive...GigaScience, BGI Hong Kong
Rick Stevens presented information about the Earth Microbiome Project (EMP), which aims to systematically characterize microbial life on Earth through a combination of extremely deep metagenomic sequencing and large-scale horizontal surveys. The EMP will establish common standards and coordinate independent projects proposed by the research community to advance large-scale microbial ecology research. It will generate over 1 petabase of sequencing data from around 1 million samples to map microbial habitats and discover new microbial diversity, genomes, and proteins.
Open Science and Ecological meta-anlaysisAntica Culina
This document discusses using open data and meta-analysis to help with ecological and evolutionary synthesis. It describes how data from various sources like published studies, unpublished datasets, and metadata can be gathered and synthesized. Challenges include incomplete or unavailable data as well as differences in data collection and reporting. Case studies on topics like genetic change rates, divorce in birds, microbe communities, and soil carbon stocks demonstrate searching for relevant open data, screening datasets for usability, and analyzing data to answer research questions. The document advocates for open science to improve data sharing and the robustness of synthesis results.
This document discusses issues with reproducibility in scientific research. It provides examples of studies that could not be reproduced, including a case where only 6 out of 53 landmark cancer studies could be validated. It advocates for more transparency through open data, open access, and open source policies to improve reproducibility and rebuild trust in science. Open and reproducible research practices like open notebook science are presented as ways to achieve faster, more reliable science.
This document discusses a global study examining the impacts of storms on freshwater habitats and phytoplankton assemblages. It outlines the study's goals of analyzing data from over 30 lakes to identify how storms affect ecosystems, biodiversity, and community resilience. The study faces challenges in dealing with heterogeneous data from different disciplines and origins. It employs adapted team management, data compilation strategies, and analytical methods like meta-analysis and trait-based approaches to standardize data and facilitate comparisons across sites. Initial results are available on the study website.
The document summarizes the author's experience in the STEER program at the University of Pennsylvania's Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology (CEET). The 10-week program exposed students to careers in environmental health science through laboratory research, field trips, and seminars. For their research project, the author analyzed the relationship between fracking well sites and demographic data using GIS software. The results showed no significant differences in race, income, or education levels between those living near wells compared to those further away. The program provided hands-on experience in an environmental science lab and insight into real-world environmental issues.
50 Important Research Questions In Microbial EcologyNat Rice
This document presents 50 important research questions in microbial ecology identified by a workshop of experts. The questions are categorized into seven themes: host-microbiome interactions; health and infectious diseases; human health and food security; microbial ecology in a changing world; environmental processes; functional diversity; and evolutionary processes. Many questions recognize that microbes provide functional diversity that can address real-world problems. Knowledge gaps around spatial and temporal variation in microbial communities are also reflected. The questions are intended to guide future research by stimulating discussion among researchers, funders, and policymakers.
Quantitative analysis of different soil microbial communities (Bacteria, Fungi, Actinomycetes) responsible for various biological processes and nutrient cycling (C, N and P) in terrestrial ecosystems.
Monitoring CH4, N2O and CO2 emission from rice and rice based cropping system and work out appropriate mitigation option.
Enumeration and isolation of GHG-mobilizing microbes (methanogens, methanotrophs, nitrifiers and denitrifiers).
Evaluation of the interactive effects of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4 and N2O), temperature, hydrological and microbiological relations on soil carbon decomposition and nutrient release, and their impact on climate change.
This document discusses transdisciplinary synthesis for ecosystem science, policy, and management based on the experience of the Australian Centre for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (ACEAS).
In 3 sentences:
ACEAS brought together scientists and managers from different organizations and disciplines to collaborate on complex environmental problems through analysis and integration of existing data. This facilitated the development of solution-oriented publications and management recommendations. The document examines how synthesis centres like ACEAS can help overcome barriers between sectors and maximize benefits through transdisciplinary collaboration.
This IA talks about research is to compare Simpson Diversity of four areas of Mahendrapur village based on the amount of sunlight received and the amount of nutrients found near the place where they are located (near the water body or away from the water body).
Hawkesbury institute soil biology masterclassDavid Thompson
This two-day masterclass on soil biology will be held on August 13-14, 2013 at the University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury Campus. It will provide participants with an advanced understanding of soil biology concepts and theories, and insights into explicitly managing soil biology to improve soil productivity. The masterclass will be led by Professors Ian Anderson and Brajesh Singh, and Dr. Jeff Powell from the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, along with external experts Professor Lynette Abbott from the University of Western Australia and Associate Professor Pauline Mele from the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.
Composition and Toxicity of Biogas Produced from DifferentFe.docxmccormicknadine86
Composition and Toxicity of Biogas Produced from Different
Feedstocks in California
Yin Li,† Christopher P. Alaimo,† Minji Kim,† Norman Y. Kado,§ Joshua Peppers,‡ Jian Xue,†
Chao Wan,† Peter G. Green,† Ruihong Zhang,‡ Bryan M. Jenkins,‡ Christoph F. A. Vogel,§
Stefan Wuertz,∥ Thomas M. Young,† and Michael J. Kleeman*,†
†Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, ‡Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, and §Department of
Environmental Toxicology and Center for Health and the Environment, University of California − Davis, Davis, California 95616,
United States
∥Singapore Center for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technical University, Singapore 637551
*S Supporting Information
ABSTRACT: Biogas is a renewable energy source composed
of methane, carbon dioxide, and other trace compounds
produced from anaerobic digestion of organic matter. A
variety of feedstocks can be combined with different digestion
techniques that each yields biogas with different trace
compositions. California is expanding biogas production
systems to help meet greenhouse gas reduction goals. Here,
we report the composition of six California biogas streams
from three different feedstocks (dairy manure, food waste, and
municipal solid waste). The chemical and biological
composition of raw biogas is reported, and the toxicity of
combusted biogas is tested under fresh and photochemically
aged conditions. Results show that municipal waste biogas
contained elevated levels of chemicals associated with volatile chemical products such as aromatic hydrocarbons, siloxanes, and
certain halogenated hydrocarbons. Food waste biogas contained elevated levels of sulfur-containing compounds including
hydrogen sulfide, mercaptans, and sulfur dioxide. Biogas produced from dairy manure generally had lower concentrations of
trace chemicals, but the combustion products had slightly higher toxicity response compared to the other feedstocks.
Atmospheric aging performed in a photochemical smog chamber did not strongly change the toxicity (oxidative capacity or
mutagenicity) of biogas combustion exhaust.
1. INTRODUCTION
Biogas is a renewable fuel produced from the anaerobic
digestion of organic feedstocks including municipal waste, farm
waste, food waste, and energy crops. Raw biogas typically
consists of methane (50−75%), carbon dioxide (25−50%),
and smaller amounts of nitrogen (2−8%). Trace levels of
hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, hydrogen, and various volatile
organic compounds are also present in biogas depending on
the feedstock.1 Life cycle assessment studies have shown that
deploying biogas technologies can effectively reduce green-
house gas (GHG) emissions and, therefore, reduce the climate
impact of energy consumption.2−4 Biogas production and
utilization practices also help diversify energy systems while
simultaneously promoting sustainable waste management
practices.1,5 California is promoting biogas utilization by
mandating the low carbon fuels, ...
This document summarizes the findings of a group of researchers who met to discuss common misunderstandings about the causes of land-use and land-cover change. It aims to move beyond simplistic explanations and instead present a more nuanced understanding based on case study evidence. The researchers concluded that population growth and poverty alone do not drive tropical deforestation as often believed. Rather, deforestation is influenced by changing economic opportunities which are mediated by institutional and policy factors. Rangelands are also not simply natural systems but are maintained through interactions between human and environmental factors. Land use changes are complex processes influenced by local conditions as well as national and global forces.
O R I G I N A L P A P E RManagerial Preferences in Relatio.docxcherishwinsland
O R I G I N A L P A P E R
Managerial Preferences in Relation to Financial
Indicators Regarding the Mitigation of Global Change
Josef Maroušek • Simona Hašková • Robert Zeman •
Radka Vanı́čková
Received: 3 February 2014 / Accepted: 11 March 2014 / Published online: 20 March 2014
� Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014
Abstract Biochar is a soil—improving substrate made from phytomass pyrolysis. In
Southeast Asia, its application decreases due to the long-term growth of biochar cost
and thus caused further prolongation of the payback period. In the Euro-American
civilization the biochar application is already almost forgotten once it has been much
earlier recognized that the crop yields can be increased much faster with higher doses
of nutrients and other agrochemicals. The payback period can be expected in decades.
Such a long-time investment into soil fertility raises also many ethical questions. The
final decision combines issues of social responsibility, risk and other financial indi-
cators as well as personal preferences and more. The attitudes of Western and Central
European decision makers in the agriculture business segment were analyzed on the
basis of electronic questionnaire survey and a subsequent interview through their local
unions. According to the data, most of them did not know about the possibilities of a
more environmentally friendly approach to soil enhancement based on the addition of
a fertilizer in the form of biochar. Among others, the collected data also shows that the
decision makers from Western Europe have a much different ethical approach to the
land and financial indicators than the Central Europeans.
Keywords Biochar � Financial indicators � Discounted payback period �
Net present value
Introduction
Although we can not take the evidence from a scientific point of view to be sufficient, it
is assumed that the Amazonian Indians applied biochar (called as black soil) to increase
J. Maroušek (&) � S. Hašková � R. Zeman � R. Vanı́čková
The Institute of Technology and Businesses in České Budějovice, Okružnı́ 517/10,
370 01 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
e-mail: [email protected]
123
Sci Eng Ethics (2015) 21:203–207
DOI 10.1007/s11948-014-9531-2
the soil fertility more than a thousand years ago. Ancient Japanese text refers to biochar
(called fire manure) in 1697 (Lehmann and Joseph 2009). The positive effects of the
biochar were evidently observed a long time ago. However, its complex relationships
between production technology design and the parameters obtained as well as soil
interactions and the relation to the phytomass yields are a subject of many recent studies
(Lehman et al. 2006, 2011; Atkinson et al. 2010; Sohi et al. 2010). Interconnecting the
conclusions of these robust reviews it may be summarized that the mechanism that
underlies the efficacy of the biochar is strongly connected with the microporosity which
provides a high surface area to .
A booklet outlining Honours and PhD supervisors and projects based at the Hawkesbury Institute within the University of Western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Developing data services: a tale from two Oregon universitiesAmanda Whitmire
While the generation or collection of large, complex research datasets is becoming easier and less expensive all the time, researchers often lack the knowledge and skills that are necessary to properly manage them. Having these skills is paramount in ensuring data quality, integrity, discoverability, integration, reproducibility, and reuse over time. Librarians have been preserving, managing and disseminating information for thousands of years. As scholarly research is increasingly carried out digitally, and products of research have expanded from primarily text-based manuscripts to include datasets, metadata, maps, software code etc., it is a natural expansion of scope for libraries to be involved in the stewardship of these materials as well. This kind of evolution requires that libraries bring in faculty with new skills and collaborate more intimately with researchers during the research data lifecycle, and this is exactly what is happening in academic libraries across the country. In this webinar, two researchers-turned-data-specialists, both based in academic libraries, will share their experiences and perspectives on the development of research data services at their respective institutions. Each will share their perspective on the important role that libraries can play in helping researchers manage, preserve, and share their data.
This thesis examines phytoremediation as a more sustainable alternative to traditional brownfield remediation methods. The author outlines how conventional remediation methods are costly, pose health and environmental risks, and lack public support. Meanwhile, phytoremediation uses plants to break down toxic substances in contaminated sites. While still in development, phytoremediation offers lower costs and greater community acceptance than traditional methods. The author analyzes the benefits and drawbacks of conventional remediation and phytoremediation through a review of literature to argue that phytoremediation provides a more sustainable approach to remediating the growing problem of contaminated brownfield sites.
Farming Systems Options for U.S. Agriculture- An Agroecological PerspectiveSteve Oberle
Farming systems research and extension (FSRE) and other systems-oriented approaches are essential for addressing complex agricultural problems and developing sustainable farming systems. Conventional reductionist agricultural research has led to productive systems but also substantial environmental and human costs. FSRE is a farmer-based approach originally used in low-income countries to involve stakeholders in problem diagnosis, technology adaptation and evaluation. Agroecology provides an ecological basis for characterizing relations between agriculture and natural resources to develop sustainable systems. Systems approaches allow understanding of whole-farm impacts and identifying critical research needs.
This document contains information about three different research topics that will be studied by a group of students.
The first topic is about the influence of drug abuse among youth in Kenyan institutions of higher learning leading to poor performance and school dropout. The dependent variable is poor performance and school dropout, and the independent variable is the influence of drug abuse.
The second topic is about how global warming and climate change has led to drought and famine among nomadic pastoralists in North Eastern Kenya. The dependent variable is global warming and the independent variable is drought and famine.
The third topic is about the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the monthly earnings of workers at Kenya Airways when the government suspended domestic and international
Optimizing Post Remediation Groundwater Performance with Enhanced Microbiolog...Joshua Orris
Results of geophysics and pneumatic injection pilot tests during 2003 – 2007 yielded significant positive results for injection delivery design and contaminant mass treatment, resulting in permanent shut-down of an existing groundwater Pump & Treat system.
Accessible source areas were subsequently removed (2011) by soil excavation and treated with the placement of Emulsified Vegetable Oil EVO and zero-valent iron ZVI to accelerate treatment of impacted groundwater in overburden and weathered fractured bedrock. Post pilot test and post remediation groundwater monitoring has included analyses of CVOCs, organic fatty acids, dissolved gases and QuantArray® -Chlor to quantify key microorganisms (e.g., Dehalococcoides, Dehalobacter, etc.) and functional genes (e.g., vinyl chloride reductase, methane monooxygenase, etc.) to assess potential for reductive dechlorination and aerobic cometabolism of CVOCs.
In 2022, the first commercial application of MetaArray™ was performed at the site. MetaArray™ utilizes statistical analysis, such as principal component analysis and multivariate analysis to provide evidence that reductive dechlorination is active or even that it is slowing. This creates actionable data allowing users to save money by making important site management decisions earlier.
The results of the MetaArray™ analysis’ support vector machine (SVM) identified groundwater monitoring wells with a 80% confidence that were characterized as either Limited for Reductive Decholorination or had a High Reductive Reduction Dechlorination potential. The results of MetaArray™ will be used to further optimize the site’s post remediation monitoring program for monitored natural attenuation.
Toward Integrated Analysis of Socio- Ecological Data for Improved Targeting o...CIAT
Long-term soil experiments provide key insights into managing rapidly changing ecosystems over decades. Such experiments directly observe soil changes under different management practices over time, helping understand sustainability and soil-environment interactions. They inform efforts to double food production while reducing environmental impacts. However, long-term experiments require many years, face loss risks, and lack comprehensive networking. Strengthening this research base could help address challenges of food security, the carbon cycle, and nutrient management control.
Rick Stevens: Prospects for a Systematic Exploration of Earths Microbial Dive...GigaScience, BGI Hong Kong
Rick Stevens presented information about the Earth Microbiome Project (EMP), which aims to systematically characterize microbial life on Earth through a combination of extremely deep metagenomic sequencing and large-scale horizontal surveys. The EMP will establish common standards and coordinate independent projects proposed by the research community to advance large-scale microbial ecology research. It will generate over 1 petabase of sequencing data from around 1 million samples to map microbial habitats and discover new microbial diversity, genomes, and proteins.
Open Science and Ecological meta-anlaysisAntica Culina
This document discusses using open data and meta-analysis to help with ecological and evolutionary synthesis. It describes how data from various sources like published studies, unpublished datasets, and metadata can be gathered and synthesized. Challenges include incomplete or unavailable data as well as differences in data collection and reporting. Case studies on topics like genetic change rates, divorce in birds, microbe communities, and soil carbon stocks demonstrate searching for relevant open data, screening datasets for usability, and analyzing data to answer research questions. The document advocates for open science to improve data sharing and the robustness of synthesis results.
This document discusses issues with reproducibility in scientific research. It provides examples of studies that could not be reproduced, including a case where only 6 out of 53 landmark cancer studies could be validated. It advocates for more transparency through open data, open access, and open source policies to improve reproducibility and rebuild trust in science. Open and reproducible research practices like open notebook science are presented as ways to achieve faster, more reliable science.
This document discusses a global study examining the impacts of storms on freshwater habitats and phytoplankton assemblages. It outlines the study's goals of analyzing data from over 30 lakes to identify how storms affect ecosystems, biodiversity, and community resilience. The study faces challenges in dealing with heterogeneous data from different disciplines and origins. It employs adapted team management, data compilation strategies, and analytical methods like meta-analysis and trait-based approaches to standardize data and facilitate comparisons across sites. Initial results are available on the study website.
The document summarizes the author's experience in the STEER program at the University of Pennsylvania's Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology (CEET). The 10-week program exposed students to careers in environmental health science through laboratory research, field trips, and seminars. For their research project, the author analyzed the relationship between fracking well sites and demographic data using GIS software. The results showed no significant differences in race, income, or education levels between those living near wells compared to those further away. The program provided hands-on experience in an environmental science lab and insight into real-world environmental issues.
50 Important Research Questions In Microbial EcologyNat Rice
This document presents 50 important research questions in microbial ecology identified by a workshop of experts. The questions are categorized into seven themes: host-microbiome interactions; health and infectious diseases; human health and food security; microbial ecology in a changing world; environmental processes; functional diversity; and evolutionary processes. Many questions recognize that microbes provide functional diversity that can address real-world problems. Knowledge gaps around spatial and temporal variation in microbial communities are also reflected. The questions are intended to guide future research by stimulating discussion among researchers, funders, and policymakers.
Quantitative analysis of different soil microbial communities (Bacteria, Fungi, Actinomycetes) responsible for various biological processes and nutrient cycling (C, N and P) in terrestrial ecosystems.
Monitoring CH4, N2O and CO2 emission from rice and rice based cropping system and work out appropriate mitigation option.
Enumeration and isolation of GHG-mobilizing microbes (methanogens, methanotrophs, nitrifiers and denitrifiers).
Evaluation of the interactive effects of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4 and N2O), temperature, hydrological and microbiological relations on soil carbon decomposition and nutrient release, and their impact on climate change.
This document discusses transdisciplinary synthesis for ecosystem science, policy, and management based on the experience of the Australian Centre for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (ACEAS).
In 3 sentences:
ACEAS brought together scientists and managers from different organizations and disciplines to collaborate on complex environmental problems through analysis and integration of existing data. This facilitated the development of solution-oriented publications and management recommendations. The document examines how synthesis centres like ACEAS can help overcome barriers between sectors and maximize benefits through transdisciplinary collaboration.
This IA talks about research is to compare Simpson Diversity of four areas of Mahendrapur village based on the amount of sunlight received and the amount of nutrients found near the place where they are located (near the water body or away from the water body).
Hawkesbury institute soil biology masterclassDavid Thompson
This two-day masterclass on soil biology will be held on August 13-14, 2013 at the University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury Campus. It will provide participants with an advanced understanding of soil biology concepts and theories, and insights into explicitly managing soil biology to improve soil productivity. The masterclass will be led by Professors Ian Anderson and Brajesh Singh, and Dr. Jeff Powell from the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, along with external experts Professor Lynette Abbott from the University of Western Australia and Associate Professor Pauline Mele from the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.
Composition and Toxicity of Biogas Produced from DifferentFe.docxmccormicknadine86
Composition and Toxicity of Biogas Produced from Different
Feedstocks in California
Yin Li,† Christopher P. Alaimo,† Minji Kim,† Norman Y. Kado,§ Joshua Peppers,‡ Jian Xue,†
Chao Wan,† Peter G. Green,† Ruihong Zhang,‡ Bryan M. Jenkins,‡ Christoph F. A. Vogel,§
Stefan Wuertz,∥ Thomas M. Young,† and Michael J. Kleeman*,†
†Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, ‡Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, and §Department of
Environmental Toxicology and Center for Health and the Environment, University of California − Davis, Davis, California 95616,
United States
∥Singapore Center for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technical University, Singapore 637551
*S Supporting Information
ABSTRACT: Biogas is a renewable energy source composed
of methane, carbon dioxide, and other trace compounds
produced from anaerobic digestion of organic matter. A
variety of feedstocks can be combined with different digestion
techniques that each yields biogas with different trace
compositions. California is expanding biogas production
systems to help meet greenhouse gas reduction goals. Here,
we report the composition of six California biogas streams
from three different feedstocks (dairy manure, food waste, and
municipal solid waste). The chemical and biological
composition of raw biogas is reported, and the toxicity of
combusted biogas is tested under fresh and photochemically
aged conditions. Results show that municipal waste biogas
contained elevated levels of chemicals associated with volatile chemical products such as aromatic hydrocarbons, siloxanes, and
certain halogenated hydrocarbons. Food waste biogas contained elevated levels of sulfur-containing compounds including
hydrogen sulfide, mercaptans, and sulfur dioxide. Biogas produced from dairy manure generally had lower concentrations of
trace chemicals, but the combustion products had slightly higher toxicity response compared to the other feedstocks.
Atmospheric aging performed in a photochemical smog chamber did not strongly change the toxicity (oxidative capacity or
mutagenicity) of biogas combustion exhaust.
1. INTRODUCTION
Biogas is a renewable fuel produced from the anaerobic
digestion of organic feedstocks including municipal waste, farm
waste, food waste, and energy crops. Raw biogas typically
consists of methane (50−75%), carbon dioxide (25−50%),
and smaller amounts of nitrogen (2−8%). Trace levels of
hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, hydrogen, and various volatile
organic compounds are also present in biogas depending on
the feedstock.1 Life cycle assessment studies have shown that
deploying biogas technologies can effectively reduce green-
house gas (GHG) emissions and, therefore, reduce the climate
impact of energy consumption.2−4 Biogas production and
utilization practices also help diversify energy systems while
simultaneously promoting sustainable waste management
practices.1,5 California is promoting biogas utilization by
mandating the low carbon fuels, ...
This document summarizes the findings of a group of researchers who met to discuss common misunderstandings about the causes of land-use and land-cover change. It aims to move beyond simplistic explanations and instead present a more nuanced understanding based on case study evidence. The researchers concluded that population growth and poverty alone do not drive tropical deforestation as often believed. Rather, deforestation is influenced by changing economic opportunities which are mediated by institutional and policy factors. Rangelands are also not simply natural systems but are maintained through interactions between human and environmental factors. Land use changes are complex processes influenced by local conditions as well as national and global forces.
O R I G I N A L P A P E RManagerial Preferences in Relatio.docxcherishwinsland
O R I G I N A L P A P E R
Managerial Preferences in Relation to Financial
Indicators Regarding the Mitigation of Global Change
Josef Maroušek • Simona Hašková • Robert Zeman •
Radka Vanı́čková
Received: 3 February 2014 / Accepted: 11 March 2014 / Published online: 20 March 2014
� Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014
Abstract Biochar is a soil—improving substrate made from phytomass pyrolysis. In
Southeast Asia, its application decreases due to the long-term growth of biochar cost
and thus caused further prolongation of the payback period. In the Euro-American
civilization the biochar application is already almost forgotten once it has been much
earlier recognized that the crop yields can be increased much faster with higher doses
of nutrients and other agrochemicals. The payback period can be expected in decades.
Such a long-time investment into soil fertility raises also many ethical questions. The
final decision combines issues of social responsibility, risk and other financial indi-
cators as well as personal preferences and more. The attitudes of Western and Central
European decision makers in the agriculture business segment were analyzed on the
basis of electronic questionnaire survey and a subsequent interview through their local
unions. According to the data, most of them did not know about the possibilities of a
more environmentally friendly approach to soil enhancement based on the addition of
a fertilizer in the form of biochar. Among others, the collected data also shows that the
decision makers from Western Europe have a much different ethical approach to the
land and financial indicators than the Central Europeans.
Keywords Biochar � Financial indicators � Discounted payback period �
Net present value
Introduction
Although we can not take the evidence from a scientific point of view to be sufficient, it
is assumed that the Amazonian Indians applied biochar (called as black soil) to increase
J. Maroušek (&) � S. Hašková � R. Zeman � R. Vanı́čková
The Institute of Technology and Businesses in České Budějovice, Okružnı́ 517/10,
370 01 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
e-mail: [email protected]
123
Sci Eng Ethics (2015) 21:203–207
DOI 10.1007/s11948-014-9531-2
the soil fertility more than a thousand years ago. Ancient Japanese text refers to biochar
(called fire manure) in 1697 (Lehmann and Joseph 2009). The positive effects of the
biochar were evidently observed a long time ago. However, its complex relationships
between production technology design and the parameters obtained as well as soil
interactions and the relation to the phytomass yields are a subject of many recent studies
(Lehman et al. 2006, 2011; Atkinson et al. 2010; Sohi et al. 2010). Interconnecting the
conclusions of these robust reviews it may be summarized that the mechanism that
underlies the efficacy of the biochar is strongly connected with the microporosity which
provides a high surface area to .
A booklet outlining Honours and PhD supervisors and projects based at the Hawkesbury Institute within the University of Western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Developing data services: a tale from two Oregon universitiesAmanda Whitmire
While the generation or collection of large, complex research datasets is becoming easier and less expensive all the time, researchers often lack the knowledge and skills that are necessary to properly manage them. Having these skills is paramount in ensuring data quality, integrity, discoverability, integration, reproducibility, and reuse over time. Librarians have been preserving, managing and disseminating information for thousands of years. As scholarly research is increasingly carried out digitally, and products of research have expanded from primarily text-based manuscripts to include datasets, metadata, maps, software code etc., it is a natural expansion of scope for libraries to be involved in the stewardship of these materials as well. This kind of evolution requires that libraries bring in faculty with new skills and collaborate more intimately with researchers during the research data lifecycle, and this is exactly what is happening in academic libraries across the country. In this webinar, two researchers-turned-data-specialists, both based in academic libraries, will share their experiences and perspectives on the development of research data services at their respective institutions. Each will share their perspective on the important role that libraries can play in helping researchers manage, preserve, and share their data.
This thesis examines phytoremediation as a more sustainable alternative to traditional brownfield remediation methods. The author outlines how conventional remediation methods are costly, pose health and environmental risks, and lack public support. Meanwhile, phytoremediation uses plants to break down toxic substances in contaminated sites. While still in development, phytoremediation offers lower costs and greater community acceptance than traditional methods. The author analyzes the benefits and drawbacks of conventional remediation and phytoremediation through a review of literature to argue that phytoremediation provides a more sustainable approach to remediating the growing problem of contaminated brownfield sites.
Farming Systems Options for U.S. Agriculture- An Agroecological PerspectiveSteve Oberle
Farming systems research and extension (FSRE) and other systems-oriented approaches are essential for addressing complex agricultural problems and developing sustainable farming systems. Conventional reductionist agricultural research has led to productive systems but also substantial environmental and human costs. FSRE is a farmer-based approach originally used in low-income countries to involve stakeholders in problem diagnosis, technology adaptation and evaluation. Agroecology provides an ecological basis for characterizing relations between agriculture and natural resources to develop sustainable systems. Systems approaches allow understanding of whole-farm impacts and identifying critical research needs.
This document contains information about three different research topics that will be studied by a group of students.
The first topic is about the influence of drug abuse among youth in Kenyan institutions of higher learning leading to poor performance and school dropout. The dependent variable is poor performance and school dropout, and the independent variable is the influence of drug abuse.
The second topic is about how global warming and climate change has led to drought and famine among nomadic pastoralists in North Eastern Kenya. The dependent variable is global warming and the independent variable is drought and famine.
The third topic is about the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the monthly earnings of workers at Kenya Airways when the government suspended domestic and international
Optimizing Post Remediation Groundwater Performance with Enhanced Microbiolog...Joshua Orris
Results of geophysics and pneumatic injection pilot tests during 2003 – 2007 yielded significant positive results for injection delivery design and contaminant mass treatment, resulting in permanent shut-down of an existing groundwater Pump & Treat system.
Accessible source areas were subsequently removed (2011) by soil excavation and treated with the placement of Emulsified Vegetable Oil EVO and zero-valent iron ZVI to accelerate treatment of impacted groundwater in overburden and weathered fractured bedrock. Post pilot test and post remediation groundwater monitoring has included analyses of CVOCs, organic fatty acids, dissolved gases and QuantArray® -Chlor to quantify key microorganisms (e.g., Dehalococcoides, Dehalobacter, etc.) and functional genes (e.g., vinyl chloride reductase, methane monooxygenase, etc.) to assess potential for reductive dechlorination and aerobic cometabolism of CVOCs.
In 2022, the first commercial application of MetaArray™ was performed at the site. MetaArray™ utilizes statistical analysis, such as principal component analysis and multivariate analysis to provide evidence that reductive dechlorination is active or even that it is slowing. This creates actionable data allowing users to save money by making important site management decisions earlier.
The results of the MetaArray™ analysis’ support vector machine (SVM) identified groundwater monitoring wells with a 80% confidence that were characterized as either Limited for Reductive Decholorination or had a High Reductive Reduction Dechlorination potential. The results of MetaArray™ will be used to further optimize the site’s post remediation monitoring program for monitored natural attenuation.
RoHS stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances, which is also known as t...vijaykumar292010
RoHS stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances, which is also known as the Directive 2002/95/EC. It includes the restrictions for the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. RoHS is a WEEE (Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment).
Kinetic studies on malachite green dye adsorption from aqueous solutions by A...Open Access Research Paper
Water polluted by dyestuffs compounds is a global threat to health and the environment; accordingly, we prepared a green novel sorbent chemical and Physical system from an algae, chitosan and chitosan nanoparticle and impregnated with algae with chitosan nanocomposite for the sorption of Malachite green dye from water. The algae with chitosan nanocomposite by a simple method and used as a recyclable and effective adsorbent for the removal of malachite green dye from aqueous solutions. Algae, chitosan, chitosan nanoparticle and algae with chitosan nanocomposite were characterized using different physicochemical methods. The functional groups and chemical compounds found in algae, chitosan, chitosan algae, chitosan nanoparticle, and chitosan nanoparticle with algae were identified using FTIR, SEM, and TGADTA/DTG techniques. The optimal adsorption conditions, different dosages, pH and Temperature the amount of algae with chitosan nanocomposite were determined. At optimized conditions and the batch equilibrium studies more than 99% of the dye was removed. The adsorption process data matched well kinetics showed that the reaction order for dye varied with pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order. Furthermore, the maximum adsorption capacity of the algae with chitosan nanocomposite toward malachite green dye reached as high as 15.5mg/g, respectively. Finally, multiple times reusing of algae with chitosan nanocomposite and removing dye from a real wastewater has made it a promising and attractive option for further practical applications.
Evolving Lifecycles with High Resolution Site Characterization (HRSC) and 3-D...Joshua Orris
The incorporation of a 3DCSM and completion of HRSC provided a tool for enhanced, data-driven, decisions to support a change in remediation closure strategies. Currently, an approved pilot study has been obtained to shut-down the remediation systems (ISCO, P&T) and conduct a hydraulic study under non-pumping conditions. A separate micro-biological bench scale treatability study was competed that yielded positive results for an emerging innovative technology. As a result, a field pilot study has commenced with results expected in nine-twelve months. With the results of the hydraulic study, field pilot studies and an updated risk assessment leading site monitoring optimization cost lifecycle savings upwards of $15MM towards an alternatively evolved best available technology remediation closure strategy.
Improving the viability of probiotics by encapsulation methods for developmen...Open Access Research Paper
The popularity of functional foods among scientists and common people has been increasing day by day. Awareness and modernization make the consumer think better regarding food and nutrition. Now a day’s individual knows very well about the relation between food consumption and disease prevalence. Humans have a diversity of microbes in the gut that together form the gut microflora. Probiotics are the health-promoting live microbial cells improve host health through gut and brain connection and fighting against harmful bacteria. Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus are the two bacterial genera which are considered to be probiotic. These good bacteria are facing challenges of viability. There are so many factors such as sensitivity to heat, pH, acidity, osmotic effect, mechanical shear, chemical components, freezing and storage time as well which affects the viability of probiotics in the dairy food matrix as well as in the gut. Multiple efforts have been done in the past and ongoing in present for these beneficial microbial population stability until their destination in the gut. One of a useful technique known as microencapsulation makes the probiotic effective in the diversified conditions and maintain these microbe’s community to the optimum level for achieving targeted benefits. Dairy products are found to be an ideal vehicle for probiotic incorporation. It has been seen that the encapsulated microbial cells show higher viability than the free cells in different processing and storage conditions as well as against bile salts in the gut. They make the food functional when incorporated, without affecting the product sensory characteristics.
Lessons from operationalizing integrated landscape approaches
Grace etal_2016_Nature.pdf
1. See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/290433114
Integrative modelling reveals mechanisms
linking productivity and plant species richness
ARTICLE in NATURE · JANUARY 2016
Impact Factor: 41.46 · DOI: 10.1038/nature16524
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United States Geological Survey
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