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Simulation games to foster knowledge integration in transdisciplinary settings
No full textTransdisciplinary research depend on arrangements between stakeholders from various spheres, including academics. It is considered as a way to enable taking account of the complexity inherent in the many interdependencies existing within a social and ecological system. Its implementation raises the question of the arenas in which fair and effective transitions can be discussed on a relevant scale, and of the tools that these arenas need. To this end, modelling approaches formally combine well with the participatory approaches that some governance models could include to meet the challenge of global sustainability (Di Vaio et al. 2021). Research and practice on participation engineering, and its analysis within a ‘policy analytics’ framework (Meinard et al. 2021), have highlighted the diversity of stages in a collective choice process and its revisions, and the need to take account of various forms of openness/inclusion at each of them. The engineering of participation, including in collaborative evaluation, is in full development, with proposals for tools for the various phases of the decision-making process, right from the design stage of a participatory approach (Hassenforder et al. 2016).In this presentation, we present and discuss the design and use of simulation games (Klabbers 2009) as a support for environmental living labs dealing with water governance issues. Simulation games are specific arrangements, gathering a group of people playing roles in predesigned situations and set of rules. Altogether this constitutes a model of a SES. In a following debriefing session, participants are requested to discuss the meaningfulness of the representation and the consequences that can be generated from the simulation (Meadows 2001, Ryan 2000).We first present an example in Eastern Cape (South Africa) where a Living Lab has put to the front the issue of water equity and security and a game has been designed to handle this issue. Then we introduce the on-going experiment of designing a simulation game as a support to interactions within a Living Lab in Cevennes area in the South of France (site within Rhone basin LTER).In order to investigate the relation between water security and water equity in the highly heterogeneous catchment of the Swartkops river in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Area, we have designed and tested a serious game, WatEqS, that enables the simulation of coordination of uses of plurality of water sources for diverse users. It includes agricultural, industrial and domestic uses with social categories of domestic users, and one municipal water manager and one catchment resource manager. We represent both crucial stakes related to water security in this catchment: lack of water including for domestic uses, and poor sewage collection and treatment leading to serious consequences on local riverine and estuary ecosystems. Initial test of the game with representatives of the various communities represented in WatEqS has validated the suitability of the representation and provided initial insights on consequences of water security management on water equity. The interpretation of equity in this context is plural and seems to depend on water availability: between alleviating the most serious consequences of lack of water and equal distribution. In any case, the practice of the game facilitated discussion between communities and the municipality, each one being able to explain constraints of actions and understand the constraints of others.The Living Lab currently set up in the Cevennes site of Rhone basin LTER builds on experience with Living Labs across the world. It focuses on those that aim at generating common understanding within social-hydrological dynamics to enable a further participatory set up of research agenda, such as those developed in the SDG Pathfinding project (Willaarts 2024). We refer to the ARDI method to design the game in a participatory way Etienne et al. 2011, in a first step of sharing knowledge between stakeholder from civil society organizations, policy making and private businesses sector, targeting to produce a tool for their further common exploration of possible futures of their place within water availability constraints
Expansion of nutrient-demanding plant species in high mountains as a consequence of Climate Change: recent evidence in the N-Apennines, Italy (SENTINEL PRIN-MUR project).
No full textBackgroundClimate change (CC) is regarded as the main factor behind changes in alpine vascular plant assemblages (Gottfried et al. 2012, Pauli et al. 2012). In the alpine life zone, a shift in the floristic composition is often a consequence of upward species migration and local loss (Pauli et al. 2012). Moreover, local changes in abundance have led to species’ distribution ranges expanding or retracting (Staude et al. 2022), resulting in a shift towards more nutrient- and warm-demanding plant assemblages as well as drought-adapted vegetation types (Liberati et al. 2019, Gottfried et al. 2012). Here, we investigated the vascular plant assemblages and soil properties in a GLORIA (GLobal Observation and Research Initiative in Alpine environments) target region in the N-Apennines (Italy). The site was established in 2001 and has been monitored at seven year intervals. The study area is included in a LTER site and is part of the SENTINEL (The reSponsEs of italian mouNTaIN Ecosystems to cLimate change) project, initiated in 2023 with funding from the Italian Ministry of University and Scientific Research (MUR). The aims of this study consist of assessing temporal shifts in the ecology of plant assemblage requirements as well as to unravel possible environmental drivers such as warming temperature and soil inorganic N availability.MethodsAcross four summits in the study site (1722-1978 m a.s.l., https://www.lteritalia.it/wordpress/?page_id=264), we investigated directional changes of plant assemblages to assess eutrophication, thermophilization and xerophilization processes as well as to assess ecological requirements of “winner” (increasing in abundance) and “loser” (decreasing in abundance) plant species. Environmental conditions were indirectly assessed based on Pignatti’s ecologic indicators for the Italian flora (Pignatti 2005). Moreover, we assessed changes in species richness to assess the expected biodiversity loss. Soil properties were evaluated through 10 cm deep soil temperature trend since 2001 and by measuring inorganic N soil concentration in the summer of 2023.Results and discussionWe found a net increase in species richness in the lowest summits at the treeline ecotone (+12) and lower alpine (+4) belts. The two highest summits, up to the alpine belt, had a net species loss (-2 each). Noteworthy losses were the low stature (sub)alpine perennial species Myosotis alpestris, Soldanella alpina and Aster alpinus, while the most successful colonizers were the graminoids Festuca paniculata and Poa pratensis, and the Fabaceae Anthyllis vulneraria and Trifolium repens. A shift towards more nutrient-demanding species was the most pronounced pattern we observed (Fig. 1), being more intense in the treeline ecotone and the lower alpine belt (Fig. 1). This finding is in line with a previous European study, highlighting signs of increased nutrient demands in 52 GLORIA summits up until 2015, although the trend not significant (Staude et al. 2022). We also detected low level of local thermophilization and adaption to drought, but both supported by a few obvious thermophilous and drought-adapted winners and losers. Changes in species abundance of winning (3-9% of the species) and losing (2-8% of the species) species supported significant shifts in the ecologic indicators, especially related to increased nutrient requirements (Fig. 2). Eutrophication appeared to lead to both the expansion of more acquisitive species such as Genista tinctoria, F. paniculata and Brachypodium genuense, and the retraction of species growing on more oligotrophic substrates like Agrostis rupestris and Viola calcarata subsp. cavillieri. In our study area, the soil N-NH4+ concentration at the end of the growing season was comparable to the values recorded in the alpine tundra at the LTER site Istituto Mosso (NW Italian Alps, 2525-2840 m asl) (Magnani et al. 2017), ranging between 3 - 8 mgkg-1. The N-NO3- concentration was high, especially at one site (Mommio), ranging between 0.5 - 2.7 mgkg-1. This high soil inorganic N content could be related not only to the increase in temperature but also to the high N wet deposition. At the LTER site Istituto Mosso, the N critical threshold was greatly exceeded, revealing that the area is exposed to excessive N input through atmospheric deposition (Balestrini et al. 2024). In the N-Apennines, an increased level of N deposition, affecting beech growth, has been already estimated for the period 1850-2014 (Gentilesca et al. 2018). Moreover, recent studies found the increase in plant nitrogen availability and use significantly controlled by increasing mean annual temperature (Hu et al. 2024, Salazar et al. 2020). The M. Cimone Meteorological Observatory, located in the study area, has recorded a large increase in the mean, minimum and maximum annual air temperature between 1951-2018 (Costanzini et al. 2024). The increase of in situ soil mean temperature (+0.46°C per decades) as well as increased in duration of the vegetative period in the Eastern slope of the GLORIA site ‘Pian Cavallaro’ (M. Cimone) reflects trends in air temperature during the last two decades. Thus, plant species’ productivity may also have been stimulated by the well-established trends of higher temperatures and longer growing seasons, promoting the growth of nitrophilous species compared to others.ConclusionsThis initial investigation has revealed a complex and multifaceted picture of the ongoing dynamics in alpine vascular plant assemblages, highlighting an alarming biodiversity loss. The stronger influence of eutrophication over thermophilization highlights multiple, complex responses to warming, likely acting beyond the simple increase of species demands for higher temperatures. The SENTINEL project will continue to investigate the relationships between vegetation, atmosphere, soil, and plant-insect multi-trophic interactions to disentangle CC impacts on plant species and ecosystem functioning
Tarenna pendula (Rubiaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China
No full textThe species Tarenna pendula (Rubiaceae), a small shrub, is newly described and illustrated from southwestern Guangxi Autonomous Region, China. This species is similar to Tarenna tsangii but is readily distinguished by its asymmetrical leaves, larger vegetative leaves than inflorescence leaves, adaxially pilosulous blades, pendulous inflorescences, longer pedicels (15–35 mm vs. 4–7 mm in T. tsangii), shorter corolla tubes (1–1.4 cm vs. 1.8–1.9 cm), multiple ovules per locule (vs. two), and sparsely pubescent fruits containing 13–19 seeds (vs. glabrous fruit containing only four seeds)
Crossing borders: Connectivity analyses reveal potential patterns of range expansion of the Northern raccoon in Europe
No full textIdentifying suitable areas and potential expansion corridors for alien species that can pose negative environmental and socio-economic impacts is essential to guide prevention, monitoring, and management activities. The Northern raccoon Procyon lotor is an alien species that significantly impacts EU biodiversity and society. This species is currently widespread in most of Central Europe, with increasing populations in southern and eastern countries. In this study, we developed species distribution models to identify areas with the highest suitability for the raccoon in Europe. Then, we employed connectivity modeling to assess potential ecological corridors across Europe. Species distribution models confirmed the broad ecological preferences of the species, predicting large areas of Europe to be suitable for raccoons. Connectivity models showed a generally high connectivity in central and western Europe and highlighted mountain ranges and intensive agricultural areas and/or areas with low annual precipitation levels as the main barriers to dispersal. We identified five potential corridors connecting Central European raccoon populations to Southern Europe. Our results can be useful to identify areas that may be prioritized to allocate monitoring and containment efforts, in order to constrain further raccoon expansion across Europe
Checking the depth specificity of a subterranean sampling device in alpine rock debris
No full textInvertebrate communities living in the superficial subterranean environment (MSS, Milieu Souterrain Superficiel) have rarely been studied. One possible reason for this is the labor-intensive sampling method that must be used. The most suitable method to collect these arthropods is by using subterranean sampling devices (SSDs, vertically buried tubes with side holes and a pitfall trap at the bottom). However, there is a possibility that surface-active species that encounter the tube from the outside will follow it into the depths and eventually fall through a hole into the trap at a greater depth, which may influence the recorded species composition within a particular depth range. We examined for the first time the depth specificity of SSDs in the scree layer of a rock glacier in the Swiss National Park. We compared the catches from 1 m long standard SSDs over a period of one year with catches from short sections of standard tubes buried at different depths (15–35, 40–60, 70–90 cm) in the scree layer so that they only captured arthropods at their particular depth range. In total, we found individuals of 11 arthropod species and one gastropod species in the different SSDs. Catches from standard SSDs did not differ in species composition from catches from short tubes buried at a depth range of 40–90 cm, confirming the depth specificity of standard SSDs
Diagnosis and treatment of colonic diverticulitis
No full textColonic diverticulosis is a common condition and the most frequent occasional finding during fibrocolonoscopy in asymptomatic patients in Western countries. The incidence rate of diverticulitis is relatively high. The descending and sigmoid colon are the predominant locations of the disease. The study aimed to analyze the diagnosis and treatment outcomes of a single institution series of 104 consecutive patients with colonic diverticulitis treated at the Clinic of Visceral Surgery, Hospital of Wallis, Switzerland, between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023. The mean age of patients was 63.37 years (±14.79). The diagnosis was based on clinical symptoms, leukocytosis, elevated CRP levels, diagnostic imaging (abdominal ultrasound, computed tomography) and fibrocolonoscopy. Treatment schemes included analgesics and antibiotics in all the cases and elective or emergency surgery – in 32 cases. The study demonstrated that an individualized treatment approach based on accurate laboratory and imaging diagnostics was both safe and effective
The genus Liocanthydrus Guignot, 1957 (Coleoptera, Noteridae) in Argentina: new records and larval morphology
No full textThe genus Liocanthydrus Guignot, 1957 is formally reported from Argentina since its first mention in an unpublished work more than 40 years ago. A single species, L. nanops Baca et al., 2014, is recognised, with few records in the northeast part of the country, suggesting that these may represent the southern distributional limit for the genus. The habitat, a floodplain stream in the southern Atlantic Forest, is described, where both adults and larvae were collected, as well as co-occurring taxa. The first- and third-instar larvae of L. nanops are described for the first time. The first instar, which was unknown for the genus, gives the chance to document its primary chaetotaxy in detail. This species presents two posterodorsal projections on the abdominal segment VIII, which represent elongations of the membranous posterolateral areas of segment VIII, where setae AB8 and AB14 are usually inserted; these two setae accompany the elongation of these regions and are therefore inserted on the projections. The projections are shared with the previously described larvae of L. clayae (J. Balfour-Browne, 1969) but not with those of other noterid genera, and, thus, supports this unique feature as diagnostic of Liocanthydrus
The grasshoppers and crickets (Orthoptera) of the Socotra Archipelago (Yemen): a comprehensive overview and a description of a new Oecanthus Tree Cricket (Oecanthidae)
No full textThis paper presents all available information on the Orthoptera of the Socotra Archipelago, an area well-known for its endemic flora and fauna. General information is provided about the climate and geology of the Socotra Archipelago. The various habitats where grasshoppers have been found are described and illustrated, followed by a concise history of Orthoptera research on Socotra. Besides an identification key to the species, additional information about the material examined, taxonomy, diagnostic notes, distribution and occurrence, including maps, habitat, biology and bioacoustics, is provided for each species. In total, 65 Orthoptera species are reported here from Socotra, Abd el Kuri, Samha and Darsa, including Oecanthus castaneus Felix & Bouwman, sp. nov. and two unknown species assigned to Ectatoderus. Of these 65 species, 30 (46%) are endemic to the Socotra Archipelago. Re-descriptive notes on Acrotylus innotatus Uvarov, 1933 and Glomeremus capitatus Uvarov, 1957 are provided, including the description of the female of the latter species and the male of Oxytruxalis ensis (Burr, 1899). Acrotylus innotatus Uvarov, 1933, Dictyophorus griseus (Reiche & Fairmaire, 1850), Eumodicogryllus chivensis (Tarbinsky, 1930), Ochrilidia geniculata (Bolívar, 1913), Sphingonotus rubescens (Walker, 1870) and S. balteatus (Serville, 1838) are recorded for the first time from the Archipelago. Bioacoustics are presented for: Ochrilidia socotrae Massa, 2009, Stenohippus socotranus (Popov, 1957), Sphingonotus ganglbaueri Krauss, 1907, S. insularis (Popov, 1957), Acheta rufopictus Uvarov, 1957, Eumodicogryllus chivensis (Tarbinsky, 1930), Ectatoderus guichardi Gorochov, 1993 as well as two other species assigned to Ectatoderus, Oecanthus castaneus Felix & Bouwman, sp. nov., Ruspolia aff. R. basiguttata (Bolívar, 1906) and Pachysmopoda abbreviata (Taschenberg, 1883). Red List Assessments for 29 endemic species have been prepared including Oxytruxalis ensis (Burr, 1899) (Critically Endangered, CR), Cataloipus brunneri (Kirby, 1910) (Endangered, EN) and Glomeremus capitatus Uvarov, 1957, Phaneroptila insularis Uvarov, 1957, Phaulotypus granti Burr, 1899, Socotracris kleukersi Felix & Desutter-Grandcolas, 2012, Socotrella monstrosa Popov, 1957 and Xenephias socotranus Kevan, 1973 (all Vulnerable, VU)
Database of Ichthyofauna in urban streams of Johor Bahru, Malaysia
No full textUrbanisation leads to the degradation of ecosystems through various factors, such as the deterioration of water quality, changes in water and material cycles and the degradation of biological habitats. Amongst these, aquatic organisms are particularly affected by the loss of habitats due to river canalisation and the impacts of invasive species. It has been widely reported that, in regions where invasive species have been introduced and native species have declined, homogenisation of fish populations occurs, resulting in a significant reduction in biodiversity. This loss of diversity disrupts the ecosystem’s stability and resilience, further compounding the negative effects of urbanisation on aquatic environments. However, the impact of urbanisation on fish populations varies depending on the local ecosystem and the degree of urbanisation, necessitating the examination of ecosystem changes induced by urbanisation in each specific region. The Peninsula Malaysia, which is the focus of this study, is a global hotspot for freshwater biodiversity. However, the effects of urbanisation on fish populations in this region have been scarcely studied. The Masai River Basin, which is the subject of this investigation, is located in the Iskandar Development Region, an area undergoing rapid urbanisation. Understanding the consequences of urbanisation on the fish populations and broader ecosystems in this region is critical for providing information for future conservation and management strategies.A fish survey was conducted at 19 sites in the Masai River Basin, which is an urbanised watershed, focusing on river channels that have been straightened or converted into concrete-lined waterways. Additionally, fish surveys were conducted at eight sites in non-urbanised areas for comparison. The survey resulted in the collection of nine orders, 15 families, 28 genera, 32 species and a total of 3,007 individuals. In the urbanised sites, the proportion of native species in the total catch was extremely low, averaging only 10.4% across all sites, with invasive species making up the majority of the individuals captured. This indicates the significant shift in species composition due to urbanisation and the dominance of non-native species in these environments. On the other hand, in the non-urbanised areas, the proportion of native species was high at 88.7%, highlighting the significant impact of urbanisation on the invasion of non-native species. Particularly in the downstream areas of the urbanised watershed, species such as Poecilia sphenops, Mayaheros urophthalmus and Poecilia reticulata were frequently captured. In contrast, at sites in the upstream areas where forested habitats remained intact, native species listed on the IUCN Red List, such as Parambassis siamensis and Clarias batrachus, were captured. The study revealed that urbanisation and development in the targeted watershed are progressing rapidly, underscoring the urgent need for the conservation and restoration of habitats for these native species
From literature to biodiversity data: mining arthropod organismal and ecological traits with machine learning
No full textThe fields of taxonomy and biodiversity research have witnessed an exponential growth in published literature. This vast corpus of articles holds information on the diverse biological traits of organisms and their ecologies. However, access to and extraction of relevant data from this extensive resource remain challenging. Advances in text and data mining (TDM) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques offer new opportunities for liberating such information from the literature. Testing and using such approaches to annotate articles in machine actionable formats is therefore necessary to enable the exploitation of existing knowledge in new biology, ecology, and evolution research. Here we explore the potential of these methods to annotate and extract organismal and ecological trait data for the most diverse animal group on Earth, the arthropods. The article processing workflow uses manually curated trait dictionaries with trained NLP models to perform labelling of entities and relationships of thousands of articles. A subset of manually annotated documents facilitated the formal evaluation of the performance of the workflow in terms of entity recognition and normalisation, and relationship extraction, highlighting several important technical challenges. The results are made available to the scientific community through an interactive web tool and queryable resource, the ArTraDB Arthropod Trait Database. These methodological explorations provide a framework that could be extended beyond the arthropods, where TDM and NLP approaches applied to the taxonomy and biodiversity literature will greatly facilitate data synthesis studies and literature reviews, the identification of knowledge gaps and biases, as well as the data-informed investigation of ecological and evolutionary trends and patterns