Ecocycles (E-Journal - European Ecocycles Society)
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Selective response of Ricinus communis seedlings to soil borne Rhizoctonia infection
Full text linkSeedlings of Ricinus communis tolerated soil-borne Rhizoctonia infection in strain dependent manner. There was no connection revealed between pathogenicity of strains and their origin or taxonomic position, however, the castor plant proved to be susceptible to most strains highly pathogenic to other host plants as well. Rhizoctonia zeae (teleomorph: Waitea circinata), a species new for European flora, was less aggressive to R. communis as the most potent R. solani strains. The effect of Rhizoctonia infection on mass accumulation of hypocotyls was more prominent than that on cotyledons. The protein content and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity increased in parallel with evolution of disease syndrome. Metalaxyl, an acetanilide type systemic anti-oomycete fungicide induced locally the GST activity in R. communis cotyledons with 24 hours lag phase, and this induction was altered in the seedlings grown in Rhizoctonia infested soil by strain dependent manner. It might be concluded, that the stress response related detoxication mechanisms of plants in tolerant host/parasite pairs take effect at higher level than in highly susceptible relationships
Development of new economies by merging heritage and entrepreneurship: The issue of preserving, using or developing – or all?
Full text linkHeritage’ could be the driving force in developing new economies in geographic areas with unstable growth. The establishment of industrial remains as heritage during the 1980s and 90s describes a development of heritage practices that improved possibilities to address such issues, as compared with traditional sub-divided heritage work. Heritage afloat exemplifies how industrial and maritime heritage could be instrumental in rethinking heritage practices. Two examples are presented. The first concerns a recent reconstruction of an early 19th century paddle steamer, where tacit knowledge within both traditional as well as industrially based craft skills became the main issue. The other example builds on a century old steamboat that has been preserved as designated heritage with original appearance, in original route, and with original function. ‘Working order’ and the difference between ‘heritage’ as the material result, and ‘heritage’ as a process resulting in both intangible and material qualities are discussed as a necessary base in strategies to develop new economies by merging heritage and entrepreneurship, specifically in non-urban landscape perspectives
Effects of ammonium salts on oleaster (Elaeagnus angustifolia)
Full text linkOleaster (Russian olive, Elaeagnus angustifolia) trees are highly tolerant against a variety of abiotic stresses (water, temperature, salt, and other chemicals). Therefore, they can be used for rehabilitation of contaminated and/or low quality soils (brownfields, dump sites, wastelands, etc.). In order to study responses of oleaster to environmental stress in vivo and in vitro, we successfully sterilized and initiated its callus cultures, regenerated shoots and roots and finally whole plants from the callus. Application of ammonium (in the form of sulfate salt) to the regenerated plantlets at concentrations higher than 10 mg L-1 inhibited root growth, reduced the leaf chlorophyll content and the activity of the enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase. At the same time, it induced activities of the stress marker enzyme glutathione S-transferase in the root and shoot tissues of the plant
Community-led approaches and interventions for the regeneration of abandoned towns in southern Italy
Full text linkDefined as towns or villages that have been abandoned by their original inhabitants, the so-called ‘ghost towns’ are a sub-product of the opposing conditions of excessive urban growth in one hand and decline of rural regions on the other. Natural disasters, economic and demographic decline, armed conflict, disease and environmental contamination are repeatedly the drivers for their abandonment. An increasing large concentration of these abandoned small villages is found in the impoverished Southern regions of Italy. To investigate this problem and identify conservation approaches that could generate new dynamics to the abandoned historic villages, the paper starts by identifying the linkages between globalisation, rapid urbanisation and ghost towns. This is followed by an analysis of the root causes of ghost towns in an attempt to define a ghost town typology. With this in mind, this paper investigates integrated conservation approaches, which could promote the restoration of abandoned towns, strengthening their local identity and enhancing resource-efficient local economies. Based on these considerations, the paper focus the attention on three scenarios of rehabilitation: a community-led approach to conservation demonstrated by the medieval village Torri Superiore embedded in ecovillage principles; the hospitality concept albergo diffuso demonstrated by Albergo Diffuso Borgo di Castelvetere, acting as social, cultural and economic stimuli to depopulated villages; the Riace village humanitarian approach which has integrated migrants in the social fabric of its aging population. The paper ends by reflecting if Torri Superiore and Riace’s approaches offer a potential solution to the housing crises currently engulfing southern Europe. As a result of imaginative housing and food production practices, these villages have made significantly more progress than mainstream government approaches towards the realisation of sustainable communities by strengthening social cohesion, addressing climate change vulnerabilities, breaking the cycle of food insecurity, and improving housing status
The effect of mowing date on the development of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.)
Full text linkCommon ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) is native to North America; it was introduced into Europe by contaminated agricultural goods from the end of the 19th century. Since then due to its excellent ecological adaptability it has invaded whole Europe. Common ragweed is not only a noxious weed causing yield losses in agricultural crops; it invades disturbed urban areas and its highly allergenic pollen induces allergic rhinitis to sensitive people. In urban areas mowing is the most widely used mean of ragweed control.
Plants were mowed early (12 June) at BBCH 33 (3 visibly extended internode), late mowed plots were cut off on (25 July) .inflorescence visible BBCH 51 Mowing twice happened on 12 June and 25 July. At mean plant density of 91 plant/m2 number of female flowers was 150/plant on an average, while that of the male inflorescences were 1676. Mowing treatments significantly decreased the above ground fresh biomass and plant height compared to the none-mowed control. The early mowing treatment did not decrease significantly the number of female flowers. Twice mowed and late mowed treatments significantly decreased the number of female flowers, that of the male inflorescences. Further studies are required to improve seed production decreasing effect of mowing treatments
On the “Aquaponic Corner” section of our Journal
Full text linkWorld problems related to food and water deserve particular attention. Malthus, more than two centuries ago, wrote that food shortages will lead to famine, wars, and mass migration (Malthus, 1798). By today, in several parts of the world, these predictions became true. We believe that the food production technology aquaponics may significantly contribute to the amelioration of these problems, especially, since it can be integrated in urban agriculture with ease
Innovation and evolution of forms and materials for maximising dew collection
Full text linkA year long study focusing on maximising dew collection using new and novel forms and materials commenced with a literature review and then the testing of nearly two hundred materials and forms using a dew simulation chamber. The research asserts that whereas present and past dew collection studies have focused on passive slippery, hydrophobic, inclined planar forms, that there are other forms that show potential for collecting dew. These include hydroscopic metallic and carbon foams with large interstices where dew can collect but which are also slippery and hydrophobic so that the dew can be rejected by gravity and then replaced by more dew. These types of forms could be used in semi-passive systems where people are at hand to extract the dew. Biomimesis, particularly with regards to cacti is investigated and materials with spiny / lanceolate projections show positive results as do some open foam materials. Other forms / materials derived from nature which are investigated and which require further study include airfoil shaped forms derived from beetles, corrugated and ribbed/finned shaped forms derived from leaves, particularly cacti, as well as insects. The study also investigates high emissivity materials. The testing of the forms and materials in the dew chamber provides a means for comparing their ability to collect dew. However as the dew simulation chamber is not a device specifically designed for dew research the results cannot be used definitively to predict the amounts that could be collected out doors. The research, however presents a number of potential new paths for maximising dew collection which should be taken further and tested in the field
Preface to the first issue of Ecocycles
Full text linkOn behalf of the Committee of the European Ecocycles Society (ECyS) we are pleased to announce the publication of the inaugural issue of Ecocycles, our Society’s scientific journal. Ecocycles has been many months in the making: the Committee of ECyS became aware of the wide interest in the subject during the foundation of the Society and felt that a committed journal would be able to bring together the ideas of a broad academic community
A systematic approach to analyzing environmental issues involving complex systems (a web-based course)
Full text linkThe course “Conceptual Modeling for Decision Support” (Univ. Gothenburg, Sweden) is a web-based course, given the first time in October 2015. This introduction and other supporting documents on the website intend to provide a background for independent work with the five tutorials that comprise the core of this course. The openly accessible website will allow study at any time, but can ideally be combined with the blended-learning course in “Environmental Geology” or with project work at various institutes in the relevant cooperation networks. The introduction below develops both the philosophical and the practical framework for modeling environmental systems. Differences in scale, time and the complexity are necessary to consider when evaluating the parameters within the system, but modeling is also an attempt to simplify in order to understand the net effects of the combined components. Multi-criteria evaluation allows predictive modelling by combining the typically qualitative and quantitative information from multidisciplinary sources. The course structure and tutorials are briefly presented