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Biological Flora of Britain and Ireland: Geranium pratense
Get PDF1. This account presents information on all aspects of the biology of Geranium pratense L. (Meadow Crane's-Bill). The main topics are presented within the standard framework of the Biological Flora of Britain and Ireland : distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, floral and seed characters, herbivores and disease, history and conservation.
2. Geranium pratense is a perennial gynodioecious forb of neutral grassland. In Britain and Ireland, it is particularly abundant on roadside verges, railway embankments, the margins of watercourses and woodland rides. It is generally intolerant of grazing and is absent or scarce in livestock-grazed grassland. Geranium pratense is widespread in England, Wales and Scotland but is scarce in Ireland. It has an extensive native range in Europe and Asia, extending eastwards to Russia, north-western China and Mongolia. It has been widely introduced to new sites within its native range and has been introduced to Canada, the USA and New Zealand.
3. Geranium pratense usually occurs on free-draining soils but also infrequently where drainage is impeded. The soils are often nutrient-rich and weakly acidic to weakly alkaline. The underlying geology is usually non-acidic sedimentary rocks or superficial deposits.
4. Geranium pratense is protandrous and is pollinated by various insects of the orders Hymenoptera, Diptera and Lepidoptera, particularly bumblebees, solitary bees, hoverflies and butterflies. Eleven species of phytophagous insect have been recorded on G. pratense in Britain and Ireland.
5. Geranium pratense has little or no capacity for vegetative spread. Primary seed dispersal is ballistic and seeds may be flung over distances of up to several metres. The species has a transient seed bank, that is germination typically takes place in the winter and spring after seed production, after the physically dormant seeds have become permeable. Seedling establishment is higher in vegetation-free gaps than in undisturbed grassland vegetation.
6. There has been no significant change in its distribution between the late 1950s and 2019, although since 2000, it has expanded its range, mainly via introductions, in northern and western Scotland, west Wales and in Ireland. Alien sites have increased markedly since the 1960s due to introductions from wildflower seed sowing and spread from gardens
Precise forecasting of scour depth downstream of flip bucket spillway through data-driven models
Get PDFFlip-bucket spillways are utilized in hydraulic engineering to diminish the kinetic energy of flowing water by redirecting the flow jet into the air. In the downstream stailing basin with low tail-water, sediment particles movement results in scour hole formation, posing a threat to spillway stability. The accurate prediction of scour hole depth is a crucial area of the present research work. This study endeavors to employ four data-driven models (DDMs), namely Support Vector Machine (SVM), Gene Expression Programming (GEP), Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), and Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS), in combination with five selected empirical equations. The objective is to accurately predict scour depth utilizing field-collected data from site number 84. Relative scour depth, , was simulated based on the readily extracted parameter i.e. Froude number, . The evaluation of model performance was conducted using fundamental metrics, including root mean square error (RMSE), coefficient of determination (R2), mean average error (MAE), and the maximum value of the developed discrepancy ratio (DDRmax). Among the DDMs, the MARS model demonstrated superior performance in both the training and testing phases. In the training phase, it yielded metrics (RMSE = 0.08665, MAE = 0.05714, R2 = 0.99169, DDRmax = 4.519), and in the testing phase, it produced metrics (RMSE = 0.0252, MAE = 0.0170, R2 = 0.09933, DDRmax = 9.144). This exceptional performance of the MARS model surpassed the initially selected (Wu, 1973) [1] experimental model, which exhibited metrics (RMSE = 0.39667, MAE = 0.17463, R2 = 0.96172, DDR = 1.428). The evaluation indices conclusively establish the MARS method's absolute superiority over the experimental approach proposed by Wu (1973) [1]
A simplified equation for calculating the water quality index (WQI), Kalu River, Sri Lanka
Get PDFThe water supply system plays a major role in the community. The water source is carefully selected based on quality, quantity, and reliability. The quality of water at its sources is continuously deteriorating due to various anthropogenic activities and is a major concern to public health as well. The Kalu River is one of the major water resources in Sri Lanka that supplies potable water to the Kalutara district (a highly populated area) and Rathnapura district. But, there has been no significant research or investigation to examine anthropogenic activities in the river. Due to this, it is difficult to find any proper study related to the overall water quality in the Kalu River. Therefore, this study covers a crucial part related to the water quality of the Kalu River. The spatiotemporal variation of river water quality is highly important not only to processing any treatment activities but also to implementing policy decisions. In this context, water quality management is a global concern as countries strive to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Poor water quality can have severe consequences on human health, ecosystems, and economies. Contaminated water sources pose risks of waterborne diseases, reduced agricultural productivity, and ecological imbalances. Hence, assessing and improving water quality is crucial for achieving sustainable development worldwide. Therefore, this paper presents a comprehensive analysis of spatiotemporal analysis of the water quality of the Kalu River using the water quality data of eight locations for 6 years from 2017 to 2023. Nine water quality parameters, including the pH, electrical conductivity, temperature, chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, total nitrate, total phosphate, total sulfate, total chlorine, and hardness, were used to develop a simple equation to investigate the water quality index (WQI) of the river. Higher WQI values were not recorded near the famous Kalutara Bridge throughout the years, even though the area is highly urbanized and toured due to religious importance. Overall, the water quality of the river can be considered acceptable based on the results of the WQI. The country lockdowns due to COVID-19 might have impacted the results in 2020; this can be clearly seen with the variation of the annual WQI average, as it clearly indicates decreased levels of the WQI in the years 2020 and 2021, and again, the rise of the WQI level in 2022, as this time period corresponds to the lockdown season and relaxation of the lockdown season in the country. Somehow, for most cases in the Kalu River, the WQI level is well below 25, which can be considered acceptable and suitable for human purposes. But, it may need some attention towards the areas to find possible reasons that are not in the range. Nevertheless, the results suggest the importance of continuous water quality monitoring in the Kalu River
Advanced Photo-Oxidation Process for Treatment of River Water Pollutants and Pathogens.
Get PDFWater is a fundamental resource for human civilisation, yet there is a critical water shortage happening all across the world in the twenty-first century. In some areas of underdeveloped nations, people drink water that has been extensively polluted and comes from rivers that are home to deadly diseases. Microbial infections in drinking water can cause illness and increase the prevalence of disease. There are several treatment methods available to remove microorganisms from drinking water. This study suggests employing two techniques, photocatalytic semiconductor and photo Fenton, as an enhanced oxidation process to get rid of diverse water impurities and offer a reliable water treatment approach. A test on samples of river water was undertaken, and the analysis of a number of parameters was used to determine how well the test had removed contaminants and pathogens. The physiochemical criteria were used to evaluate the reaction and determine the properties of safe water using both approaches. The two techniques effectively eliminated between 80 and 100 percent of the contaminants that were detected in the river sampled. Variations in Titanium Dioxide concentration correlated with changes in reactivity and degradation rates. Results showed that light absorption was reduced dramatically as titanium dioxide concentration rose to saturation. Besides, the rate of degradation was directly correlated with light intensity
Scoping potential routes to UK civil unrest via the food system: results of a structured expert elicitation
Get PDFWe report the results of a structured expert elicitation to identify the most likely types of potential food system disruption scenarios for the UK, focusing on routes to civil unrest. We take a backcasting approach by defining as an end-point a Societal Event in which 1 in 2,000 people have been injured in the UK, which 40% of experts rated as “Possible (20–50%)” or “More likely than not (50–80%)” or “Very likely (>80%)” over the coming decade. Over a longer timeframe of 50 years, nearly 80% of experts rated such an event as “Possible (20–50%)” or “More likely than not (50–80%)” or “Very likely (>80%)”. The experts considered two food system scenarios and ranked their plausibility of contributing to the given societal scenario. For a timescale of 10 years the majority identified a food distribution problem as the most likely. Over a timescale of 50 years the experts were more evenly split between the two scenarios, but over half thought the most likely route to civil unrest would be a lack of total food in the UK. Overall, in the next 50 years, 45% of participants said there is a greater than 20% chance of civil unrest due to insufficient food in the UK due to extreme weather or ecological collapse. However, the experts stressed that the various causes are interconnected, can create cascading risks and highlighted the importance of a systems approach. We encourage food system stakeholders to use these results in their risk planning, and recommend future work to support prevention, preparedness, response and recovery planning
Sustainable remediation and redevelopment of brownfield sites
Get PDFAnthropogenic activities have caused widespread land contamination, resulting in the degradation and loss of productive land, deterioration of ecological systems, and detrimental human health effects. To provide land critical for future sustainable development, remediation and redevelopment of the estimated 5 million global brownfield sites is thus needed. In this Review, we outline sustainable remediation strategies available for the cleanup of contaminated soil and groundwater at brownfield sites. Conventional remediation strategies, such as dig & haul and pump & treat, ignore externalities including secondary environmental burden and socioeconomic impacts such that their life cycle detrimental impact can exceed their benefit. However, a range of sustainable remediation technologies offer opportunities for urban revitalization, including sustainable immobilization, low-impact bioremediation, novel in-situ chemical treatment, and innovative passive barriers. These approaches can substantially reduce life cycle environmental footprints, increase the longevity of functional materials, alleviate potential toxic by-products, and maximize overall net benefits. Moreover, the integration of remediation and redevelopment through deployment of nature-based solutions and sustainable energy systems could render substantial social and economic benefits. While sustainable remediation will shape brownfield development for years to come, ethics and equality are almost never considered in assessment tools, and long-term resilience needs to be addressed
Promoting climate-smart sustainable agroforestry to tackle social and environmental challenges: The case of macadamia agroforestry in Malawi
Get PDFOur current global food system is understood to require a fundamental transformation based on a holistic
approach to maintain long-term fertility, healthy biodiverse agroecosystems, and climate-proof/secure livelihoods. Recently, there has been a growing recognition of smallholder farmers’ contributions to addressing key
global environmental and social development issues, including poverty, food security, climate change, and
sustainable development. One specific approach is agroforestry-based agriculture, in which edible food and
commercially important trees are grown on cropland, thereby improving the biodiversity of farming systems,
enhancing agricultural productivity, and adding benefits such as nutrition and financial stability, not least
climate resilience. In this context, we present lessons learned from an agroforestry system in Malawi that involves
smallholder farmer cooperatives interplanting macadamia nut trees with annual crops such as groundnuts,
maize, and soybeans. We review holistic advantages such as yield improvement, farmer perceptions, and challenges. We provide insights into what works in designing (Neno Macadami Trust and linkage with finance plan)
and draw lessons that can be applied to other comparable programmes worldwide
Threat or opportunity? An analysis of perceptions of cultured meat in the UK farming sector
Get PDFThe environmental and social impacts of cultured meat, and its economic viability, are contingent on its implications for food production and for agriculture. However, the implications of cultured meat production for farmers have not yet been thoroughly investigated and are poorly understood. The aim of this research was to engage with the farming sector in critically assessing cultured meat as a technology which could profoundly affect future farm livelihoods, land use, rural and farming communities and agricultural value chains. Ensuring farmers' voices, and potential 'counternarratives' inform the development of cultured meat is not only inclusive, but could identify unexpected impacts of this emerging technology and contribute to the framing of the social license of the industry developing them.Six focus groups were undertaken with 75 UK farmers from a variety of farming sectors and regions. Questions focused on what the term 'cultured meat' means to farmers, the potential impacts of cultured meat, and potential business scenarios arising for farmers. All meetings were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed.Farmers expressed complex and considered reflections on cultured meat, raising several perceived opportunities and risks associated with the themes of 'ethics and affective' narratives, 'environmentbased' narratives, and 'socio-economic' narratives. Aspects of foci of power, food system control and transparency associated with cultured meat emerged from the conversations, as well as cultured meat's potential impacts on the environment and on jobs, farming/rural communities and connecting with the land.Globally, meat production underpins the livelihoods of many rural communities, so a transition to cultured meat is likely to have deep-seated ethical, environmental, and socio-economic impacts. Within the discourse on cultured meat the voices of farmers are often lost. While not claiming to be representative of all UK farming, this study engaged UK farmer perspectives as a way of starting the substantive process of greater stakeholder inclusion in cultured meat innovation pathways, and which should underpin responsible technology transitions in agriculture
The mental wellbeing of young farmers in Ireland and the UK: driving factors, help-seeking, and support
Get PDFWhilst research attention on the mental wellbeing of farmers is growing, there are few studies focused on young farmers. Our research set out to better understand the factors affecting young farmer mental wellbeing and help-seeking behaviour. We draw insights from a combined study in Ireland and the UK, supplemented by separate studies by the same author team in both places. Through the use of young farmer interviews and surveys, as well as interviews of those who support young farmers with their mental wellbeing, we identify a mixed picture of mental wellbeing and a plethora of factors affecting it. Though many of these factors have been identified in the wider literature, the impact of socialisation and time off the farm, and sexism/misogyny affecting young female farmers, were specifically identified in our study. In some cases, young farmers were considered to be better at speaking about mental wellbeing than their older counterparts, but our study indicated that some people in this demographic fail to seek assistance because of stigma, stoicism, and possible lack of confidentiality. Improving the accessibility of mental wellbeing services, as well as normalising conversations on the subject and providing support in informal social settings, were identified as key recommendations
Lessons Learned and Challenges of Biopesticide Usage for Locust Management- The Case of China
Get PDFUsing qualitative methods, this study assessed the stakeholders and management processes
involved in locust outbreaks in China, including factors influencing the use of biopesticides. Study
findings show that China has an integrated national locust response protocol, which involves various
institutions from all administrative levels of the government. The process is inherently highly complex
but efficient, with multisectoral agencies working closely together to prevent and/or manage locust
outbreaks. In addition, the process has been successful in combating recent outbreaks, due to
dedicated government funding, decisive administrative and technical actions, and the empowerment
of local government administration. This is the case with the county level acting as a ‘first-responder’
that is capacitated financially and technically to respond to a locust invasion in their jurisdiction.
Additionally, study findings show that despite the availability of biopesticides in local markets,
their use is dampened by inadequate information about market availability, negative perceptions by
decision makers about their efficacy, and concerns about their costs, as well as limited knowledge
of their application techniques. Actions are therefore needed by relevant authorities to enhance
stakeholder awareness of biopesticide market availability, efficacy, and field application processes.
Future areas of research should focus on modelling the expected impact and cost effectiveness of
chemicals vs. biopesticides, thus increasing the evidence base for promoting biopesticide use