Impact of Fast-Growing Trees Planting on Degraded Land from Perspectives of Ecosystem Services—Case Study from Slovakia

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of natural phytoremediation, impact of growing fast-growing trees on contaminated agricultural land on ecosystem services using a Matrix evaluation system. The Matrix system is a table that links an ecosystem to its potential to provide ecosystem services. To determine the monetary price of natural capital for the provision of ecosystem services, we chose the value transfer method, based on which it is possible to assign a price (1 point = 40.7 EUR) to point values. Monitoring of the study site Kuchyňa (Mollic Fluvisol) is running since year 2010. The fast-growing willow was planted (between 2006 to 2018 year) on an area of about 43 hectares. During the monitoring of soil parameters, we observed a slight decrease in the value of the active soil reaction, a negative trend in the content of available phosphorus and a positive trend in the development of the total content risk elements in the soil. The phytoremediation ability of willow regarding risk elements was manifested by an increase in the value and price of production and regulatory ecosystem services at the monitored location. The price of natural phytoremediation of fast-growing willow on the given area was 218762.5 EUR for production services and 171509.8 EUR for regulatory services.

Using Less Oil Despite the unquenchable thirst for oil to fuel nina's fast growing economy,the oil consumption growth rate is dropping

At first glance, the official figures of China's oil consumption in 2005 seem a bit confusing. With a robust economic growth and rising annual oil imports, China made the surprise announcement that its oil consumption growth rate was dropping sharply, from 15.3 percent in 2004 to 2.1 percent in 2005. Earlier, China's Ministry

Effect of Afforestation on Soil Properties and Mycorrhizal Formation

A study was conducted on Cambisols in Northern Germany to analyze the effect of fast growing trees （Salix and Populus spp.） used in agroforestry on soil chemical and physical properties and also on endo- and ectomycorrhizal colonization of the fine roots. Representative plots of three trials, Giilzow （GUL）, Vipperow （VIP） and Rostock （ROS）, were used to measure the topsoil inventories at the very beginning and after six （GUL）, seven （VIP） and ten （ROS） years of afforestation with fast growing trees. The effect on soil organic carbon, plant available nutrients, reaction, bulk density, porosity and water conditions was analyzed, Arable soils without tree coppice were used as controls. Additionally, the endoand ectomycorrhizal colonization of two Salix and two Populus clones were investigated at one site （GUL） in 2002. The amounts of organic carbon in the topsoil increased significantly （P 〈 0.01） presumably induced by leaf and root litter and also by the lack of tillage. The soil bulk density significantly decreased and the porosity of the soil increased significantly （both P 〈 0.01）. The proportion of medium pores in the soil also rose significantly （P 〈 0.05 and 0.01）. Generally, afforestation of arable soils improved soil water retention. Ectomycorrhizas dominated the mycorrhizal formation of the Salix and Populus clones, with the accumulation of organic matter in the topsoil suspected of supporting the ectomycorrhizal formation. Thus, agroforestry with Salix and Populus spp. conspicuously affected chemical and additionally physical properties of the top layer of Cambisols within a period of six years.

Herbaceous Cultivation Test of Mulberry in Sichuan Sericultural Area

With Guiteyou 2 as the test mulberry variety, mulberry herbaceous cultivation field was established at the planting densities of 60 000,90 000 and 120 000 plants/hm2, respectively. Hybrid mulberry herbaceous cultivation test was conducted, with Tongxiangqing mulberry field of mid-fist-form at conventional planting density of 4 995 plants/hm2 as the control. The results showed that the leaf yield of herbaceous cultivation mulberry was closely related to the planting density. With the increasing planting density, the leaf yield per plant was decreasing, but the leaf yield per unit area of mulberry field was increasing. The annual leaf yield per unit area in the mulberry field with the average planting density of 120 000 plants/hm2 was 37 560 kg/hm2, 2.14 times of that of the control field. The moisture content of mulberry leaf in herbaceous cultivation field was 4.74% higher than the control; the contents of crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber and crude ash were 1.264%, 0.014%, 0.744% and 0.002%lower than the control, respectively. Comparison of leaf rearing with herbaceous cultivation mulberry and control mulberry showed that there was no significant difference in growth status of silkworm. The cocoon weight, cocoon shell weight, cocoon yield per 10 000 larvae, cocoon filament length and non-broken filament length of Chuanshan × Shushui were 12.81%, 14.29%, 13.85%, 5.95% and 7.68% lower than the control, respectively; but the percentage of common cocoons was 0.16% higher than the control; the cleanness and neatness were 0.2 and 1.25 points higher than the control;the filament size was 0.196 dtex lower than the control. The cocoon weight, cocoon shell weight, cocoon yield per 10 000 larvae, cocoon filament length and non-broken filament length of Jingsong × Haoyue were 11.06%, 10.20%, 11.53%, 9.46% and 9.03% lower than the control, respectively;but the percentage of common cocoons was 1.77% higher than the control; the cleanness and neatness were 0.12 and 2.50 points higher the control;and the filament size was 0.196 dtex lower than the control.

The Ulva prolifera genome reveals the mechanism of green tides

The genome of green microalgae has rarely been reported.Ulva prolifera is a green microalga that has received much attention.Despite research articles about U.prolifera in recent years,we know very little about its genome.Therefore,the 87.9-Mb haploid genome(containing 10311 protein-coding genes)of U.prolifera was studied,and the genome was compared with that of U.mutabilis,which is the only published Ulva species.Results showed that the two species are closely related.A phylogenetic tree was constructed among U.prolifera and other green algae available in GenBank,revealing the evolutionary status of U.prolifera in Chlorophyta.To understand why U.prolifera could grow rapidly,we identified some genes related to growth,such as those involved in cell division,phosphorylation,and cell proliferation.In addition,genes related to stress resistance were found,which supports the notion that U.prolifera grows vigorously in nature.These results help to characterize green tides from a new perspective and reveal some important insight into the biology of U.prolifera.

How Fast and How Far Can China's GDP Grow?

For more than 20 years, China’s GDP has sustained an annual growth rate of 9.5 percent. This is unprecedented, and is regarded as a miracle in world economic history. Despite severe unemployment, income inequality and other problems, there is no doubt in the minds of most observers about the speed, health and stability of China’s economic growth. However, following the initiative of both Chinese and Western economists who questioned the GDP growth figures published by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the debates have expanded to a doubt as to whether China’s growth is really that fast, and whether it is sustainable into the new century. This paper tries to answer those questions by portraying "the big picture" of China’s economy, while omitting some technical matters of