Linking forest diversity and tree health： preliminary insights from a large-scale survey in Italy

Forest health is currently assessed in Europe （ICP Forests monitoring program）. Crown defoliation and dieback, tree mortality, and pathogenic damage are the main aspects considered in tree health assessment. The worsening of environmental conditions （i.e., increase of temperature and drought events） may cause large-spatial scale tree mortality and forest decline. However, the role of stand features, including tree species assemblage and diversity as factors that modify environmental impacts, is poorly considered. The present contribution reanalyses the historical dataset of crown conditions in Italian forests from ] 997 to 2014 to identify ecological and structural factors that influence tree crown defoliation, highlighting in a special manner the role of tree diversity. The effects of tree diversity were explored using the entire data set through multivariate cluster analyses and on individual trees, analysing the influence of the neighbouring tree diversity and identity at the local （neighbour） level. Preliminary results suggest that each tree species shows a specific behaviour in relation to crown defoliation, and the distribution of crown defoliation across Italian forests reflects the distribution of the main forest types and their ecological equilibrium with the environment. The potentiality and the problems connected to the possible extension of this analysis at a more general level （European and North American） were discussed.

Using the Analytic Hierarchical Process to Define Choices for Re-Using Rural Buildings: Application to an Abandoned Village in Sicily

It has been recognised for some time that traditional rural buildings are a cultural and/or practical “resource” of the countryside. Inappropriate re-conversions can result in the waste of valuable economic resources and the loss of local heritage. Thus, before reconstruction is started the possible types of re-use should be accurately evaluated. This work develops a method, based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process, for identifying the best re-use of an abandoned village that was built in the first half of the last century. The method uses the guidelines of the countryside plan, and our work is a case study designed to verify whether or not it is suitable in this context. Five requisites for sustainable intervention were identified, as well as three alternative re-uses and five indicators. The hierarchical analysis was developed using two different approaches, one used three hierarchical levels, and the other used four. The results obtained for both approaches agree in suggesting the same model for re-use, but the four level approaches also supplied additional information which would be useful when planning projects with major social and cultural impact.

Starch Digestibility and Functional Properties of Rice Starch Subjected to Gamma Radiation

This study investigated the effect of gamma radiation on the digestibility and functional properties of rice starch.Rice cultivars IRGA417 and IAC202 were used for isolation of starch by the alkaline method.Starch samples were irradiated with 1,2 and 5 k Gy doses of ^(60)Co at a rate of 0.4 k Gy/h.A control sample,which was not irradiated,was used for comparison.Irradiated and control starches were characterized by in vitro starch digestibility,total dietary fiber,color,water absorption index,water solubility index,syneresis,swelling factor,amylose leaching,pasting properties and gel firmness.Irradiations changed starch digestibility differently in either cultivar.Increasing radiation doses promoted increase in the color parameter b*(yellow),elevation in the capacity to absorb water,and solubility in water as well as the amylose leached from granules for both cultivars.Pasting properties showed a decrease that was proportional to the dose applied,caused by the depolymerization of starch molecules.Gel firmness of the starch from IAC202 was inversely proportional to the radiation dose applied,whereas for IRGA417,there was a reduction at 5 k Gy dose.Rice starches can be modified by irradiation to exhibit different functional characteristics and they can be used by the food industries in products such as soups,desserts,flans,puddings and others.

The Agronomic Techniques as Determinants of the Phenolic Content and the Biological Antioxidant Effect of Palm-Tree Kale

The content of phytochemicals in vegetables is strongly affected by genetic, agronomic, and environmental factors, and by transportation and storage conditions, potentially affecting the sensory and putative health-promoting properties. In this study the impact of different agricultural techniques on the phenolics content and antioxidant activity of extracts from a traditional Italian kale landrace, called palm-tree kale (Brassica oleracea L., ssp. acephala DC, var. sabellica L.) was evaluated. Furthermore, the antioxidant effects of the different extracts were assessed in a biological system using primary cultures of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. The final aim was to evidence whether and how the agronomic practices can affect the antioxidant properties of kale not only in vitro but also in cells. Results herein reported underline the influence of the crop production strategies in establishing the potential health benefits of a vegetable. This research approach could be useful for the selection of production techniques that are able to provide edible vegetables with higher functional activity, and evidences the need to study the food domain as a whole with the nutrition domain, and to integrate all results in order to have an overall “foodomics” vision allowing the improvement of health and well-being.

Changes in Anatomical Features and Protein Pattern of Sunflower Partially Resistant and Susceptible Lines During Infection By Virulence Factors of Sclerotinia Sclerotiorum

Helianthus annuus L.as an oil seed crop is widely grown throughout the world.One of the most destructive diseases of sunflower is stem rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.Oxalic acid is the major virulence factor of this necrotrophic pathogen.It is important to further investigate plant responses to this non-specific toxin.Therefore,in the present study,we compared the patterns of total soluble proteins and xylem morphology of partially resistant and susceptible sunflower lines after treatment with Sclerotinia culture filtrate.The basal stems of both lines were treated with 40 mM oxalic acid(pH 3.7)of fungus culture filtrate and samples were collected at 24,48 and 72 hours post treatment.In SDS-PAGE protein pattern new protein bands appeared in both lines after treatment.These observations suggest induction of stress-related proteins upon culture filtrate treatment.The identities of these new proteins need to be more clarify in future investigations.The changes in xylem morphology and degree of lignification of both lines was studied by light microscopy and microtome sectioning techniques after treatment with S.sclerotiorum culture filtrate.Anatomical investigations revealed changes in xylem diameter and xylem lignification of treated lines at various time points.More lignin deposition in xylem vessels of partially resistant line has been observed after treatment.In addition,the size of xylem vessels in partially resistant line has been sharply decreased upon pathogen filtrate treatment.The results of this study will help us gain a more complete understanding of resistance mechanisms to this cosmopolitan and devastating pathogen.

Impact of High Pressure Homogenization (HPH) Treatment on the Nutritional Quality of Egg/Yogurt, Vegetable and Fruit Based Creams

The food industry has made large investments in processing facilities relying mostly on conventional thermal processing technologies with well-established reliability and efficacy. These techniques have important disadvantages such as off flavors, destruction of nutrients, and other losses of product quality. Non thermal processing is a key factor for preserving or improving the nutritional value of food, and high pressure homogenization (HPH) processing is now a celebrated option experiencing worldwide commercial growth. Notwithstanding, little is known on the impact of HPH treatments on the nutritional value of food. In this study we have evaluated the possible modification induced by HPH treatment in egg-yogurt, mixed vegetable, and mixed fruit creams. Our results evidence that HPH does not affect the nutritional quality of lipids and does not cause lipolysis, lipid peroxidation and vitamin E loss. In plant food products, HPH preserved or improved the nutritional quality, suggesting its use as valid alternative to thermal pasteurization for obtaining high quality products with preserved nutritional characteristics. Although further investigations are needed, especially at extreme pressure and temperature combinations, our results open new perspectives for the production of ambient stable products with good nutritional value, and contribute to process optimization.

Factors Explaining the Dynamics of Agricultural Technological Innovations Adoption: Evidence from Senegal’s Rain Maize Farmer

This paper analyzes the adoption dynamics of improved rainfed maize seeds disseminated in Senegal in 2013 by the West African Agricultural Productivity Program (WAAPP). We group maize producers into five groups (non-adopters, laggards/abandoners, late adopters, followers and pioneers/innovators) and take into account the heterogeneity of unobservable characteristics of the producers. In the pioneers/innovators group, the availability of labour, household size, shocks, and frequency of access to advice positively influence adoption, whereas financial constraints and high numbers of plots reduce the probability of adoption. Producers in the followers’ category tend to be older and more educated than those in the other categories. However, food insecurity and shocks such as diseases hamper adoption. For the group of late adopters, household size and available storage infrastructures explain adoption. However, the number of plots and shocks reduces their probability of adoption. Laggards tend to face shocks and food insecurity. The authors recommend to consider the dynamics of the adoption of technological innovations and heterogeneity of the characteristics of adopters groups in future research. They also recommend farmers to increase their adoption rate of the “Early Thai” and “Suwan 1” seed varieties thanks to their higher yields compared to traditional varieties. Also, a higher adoption rate would positively impact the food security of maize farmers in Eastern Senegal and High Casamance, especially in terms of availability. Other studies measuring the number of years needed for large-scale adoption of improved seed varieties should be conducted.

Parametric Analysis of the Changes a Landscape Previously Used for Transhumance in a Nature Reserve in Sicily

Cavagrande del Cassibile is an important nature reserve in South East Sicily (Italy). It was established to conserve and restore the natural Mediterranean vegetation in the area, as well as to protect and increase the local fauna. Inside the reserve there are farms which only abandoned transhumance in the 1990s. Our research investigates whether the conversion of the farms from transhumance to fixed site stock-breeding has changed the particular landscape under investigation. The study was carried out on two scales: at territory level, in order to analyse the present potential advantages that the reserve offers to the area;and at farm level, in order to analyse the transformation of the landscape and to highlight the importance of the farms in the modern multifunctional rural context. The results at territory level show that the Cavagrande del Cassibile reserve has great potential for environmental agro-tourism. The results of the farm level analysis were obtained by elaborating certain indices (changes in the landscape, continuation of farming, farm size). These allowed the changes in the countryside to be described in quantitative terms. In general, it emerges that there have been structural changes since the days of transhumance and that this has resulted in a landscape where the effects of human activities are more visible. Lastly our research also shows the sensitivity that the stockbreeders and farmers feel for their environment and their willingness to develop activities which will encourage local tourism and excursions.

Evaluating the Landscape Capacity of Protected Rural Areas to Host Photovoltaic Parks in Sicily

This paper uses the LCA (Landscape Character Assessment) manuals produced by the Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage to develop a method for analysing the characteristics of the landscape and its ability to host photovoltaic parks. The method was tested on a site which is part of the Natura 2000 network in Sicily, where the different needs of high quality agricultural land, scenery of great natural value and human activities compete with one another. The evaluation of the landscape’s capacity to absorb the changes was effectuated by defining criteria which take into consideration the possible impact of photovoltaic sites on the landscape. These criteria were used to evaluate the sensitivity of the characteristics of the landscape as well as its quality and value, and the visual impact of the proposed changes. Most of the Landscape Units were found to be not suitable for photovoltaic parks because of the high value of the land. However, protected agricultural land, mainly used for greenhouses, has a medium to high capacity to host photovoltaic plants, and if these are correctly planned, this could help to lower the sensitivity levels.

贝叶斯置信网络——一款用于濒危植物种群保护计划的潜在工具

贝叶斯置信网络(Bayesian Belief Networks,BBN)作为一款潜在的决策支持工具,在生态保育管理中获得了广泛的应用。我们评估了BBN模型在保护一种生长于欧洲的濒危植物一肾叶白头翁(Pulsatilla patens(L.)Mill.)管理中的应用。通过BBN方法建立一个模型,研究了波兰东北部生物和非生物变量对种群形态发育特征和数量统计学特征的影响。利用贝叶斯置信网络可视化软件(GeNIe 2.0),利用从4个最大的复合型森林中总计47个地点收集到的野外数据,开发了一个模型。诊断测试和敏感性分析结果表明,林下竞争物种的数量对种群特征影响最大。结果验证表明,我们所开发的模型,能对决定该类群繁殖性状的种群特征的生境条件进行有效的评估。BBN模型也可用来确定保证肾叶白头翁正常生长和发育的最佳生境条件。最后,我们提出了对相关物种的保护策略。因此,该模型可用作濒危植物物种保护规划的潜在决策支持工具。

Spatiotemporal behavior of predators and prey in an arid environment of Central Asia

The mechanisms of interactions between apex and smaller carnivores may range from competition to facilitation.Conversely,interactions between predators and prey are mainly driven by the prey reducing the likelihood of encounters with predators.In this study,we investigated(1)the spatiotemporal interactions between an apex(the snow leopard)and a meso-predator(the red fox),and(2)the temporal interactions between the snow leopard and its potential prey(Siberian ibex,argali,Asian wild ass,Tolai hare)through camera trapping in the Mongolian Great Gobi-A.The probability of occurrence for the red fox was higher in the presence of the snow leopard than in its absence.Moreover,the red fox activity pattern matched that of the snow leopard,with both species mostly active at sunset.This positive spatiotemporal interaction suggests that the presence of the snow leopard may be beneficial for the red fox in terms of scavenging opportunities.However,other explanations may also be possible.Amongst prey,the Siberian ibex and the argali were mainly active during the day,whereas the Asian wild ass and the Tolai hare were more nocturnal.These findings suggest that potential prey(especially the Siberian ibex and the argali)may shape their behavior to decrease the opportunity for encounters with the snow leopard.Our results have revealed complex interactions between apex and smaller predators andbetween apexpredatorand its potential prey.