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Exposure to cold temperatures can have negative health impacts that lead to cold-related illness or death. We explored the case definition for cold-related illness that was developed and piloted by the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Using their case definition, we assessed the burden of cold-related illness and death in Minnesota. We analyzed the results by season, demographics, and chronic disease. Overall,, Introduction Cold-related illness and death are common and occur across different U.S. regions. The National Center for Health Statistics within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that [...]

The future of American lobster (Homarus americanus; H. Milne Edwards, 1837) habitat has been extensively studied in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank regions, but studies quantifying spatiotemporal changes to suitable habitat in Southern New England (SNE) regions remain sparse. The American lobster stock assessment for SNE is conducted separately from the northern stock because of negligible migration and recruitment sharing between them. This fact, coupled with the assumption of spatial nonstationarity between the two stocks when it comes to environmental preferences, suggests thai analyses of suitable habitat must be conducted for each stock region independently. This study employs the use of a previously developed habitat suitability index model for American lobster to map historical and forecasted habitat in both the Gulf of Maine and SNE stock regions so that comparisons between long-term forecasts can be accurately made. The suitability indices generated in this study support the hypothesis of environmental nonstationarity between the stocks, with lobster in SNE preferring significantly different environments than their northern counterparts. In the coming decades, the Gulf of Maine lobster fishery may see changes in lobster migration timing as spring suitability decreases and fall suitability rises, whereas the SNE fishery will most likely see the continued use of northern waters by lobsters as more southern waters become less suitable. The rate of change in SNE remains smaller than in the Gulf of Maine owing to the lesser rate of warming observed. KEY WORDS: bioclimate, American lobster, habitat forecasts, climate change, bottom temperature, INTRODUCTION The American lobster (Homarus americanus) fishery in the Northwest Atlantic represents the most valuable single species fishery in the United States (NMFS 2020). In addition to a landing value [...]

Agriculture plays a key role in the overall economic and social wellbeing in Africa. Now, Africa appears to emerge as a key player in food production because there exists enormous unused land for cultivation. On the basis of availability of data, this study aims at investigating the impact of the climate change on rice production in the twenty-five African countries from 2002 to 2014 following a static panel data approach using World Bank and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) data. Considering [CO.sub.2] (Carbon Di Oxide) emissions as average precipitation in depth and temperature change as climate change indicators along with other control variables such as fertilizer consumption and use of pesticides, this study observes that these climate indicators have significant adverse impact in explaining variations in spatial and temporal change in rice production in African countries. It may be demonstrated from the empirical analysis that those climate variables like [CO.sub.2] emissions, pesticide use and temperature change are statistically significant at a 5 %, 10 % and 5 % levels, respectively. All the indicators have negative effects on rice production in African countries. The coefficients associated with these indicators are negative and statistically significant indicating that higher [CO.sub.2] emissions adversely affect rice production in Africa. Moreover, pesticides used per kg in production have an inverse relation with rice production in this continent. Further, temperature harms rice production in African countries. Temperature changes negatively affect rice production as indicated by its coefficient value being -199958.10. The results also demonstrate that adaptation of new rice seed varieties that are more tolerant to higher temperature will be more effective in response to climate change. The study suggests that there is need for enormous development in the agriculture sector, to reach the ultimate goal. In particular, development of irrigation system and large-scale funding by the government in African countries is required. Key words: Rice Production, Climate Change, Static Panel Approach, Average Precipitation, INTRODUCTION Among all the cereals, rice is the most important food grain in the world. During the last forty years, increasing population and the consequent consumption growth created a huge [...]

The Consultant Sphera was commissioned by the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) to conduct a Life-Cycle Analysis on pyrolysis and related chemical recycling technologies. The analysis will be conducted on pyrolysis [...]

The Tibetan Plateau, known as the world's 'Third Pole' due to its high altitude, is experiencing rapid, intense climate change. Scientific data sharing is very important to address the challenges [...]

This article considers the optimal structure of institutions that respond to existential threats such as climate change and pandemics. While science must play a central role in guiding policy responses, there are many values at stake that ought to be reflected in institutional design. There is a distinction between risk assessment, a science-driven analysis in these contexts, and risk management, in which trade-offs are considered in responding to the threats. Moreover, the nature of these threats depends on complex, uncertain and fluid scientific knowledge that requires institutions to be sensitive to communication challenges. Finally, institutions should consider collective action problems and defer or delegate to jurisdictions and institutions whose scope of mandate is appropriate. We assess the Canadian response to the COVID-19 pandemic from an institutional perspective and conclude that, amongst other things, it was insufficiently multidisciplinary, which risked marginalizing the non-public health costs of policy responses to the pandemic. Cet article examine la structure optimale des institutions qui reagissent aux menaces existentielles comme le changement climatique et les pandemies. Alors que la science doit jouer un role primordial dans l'orientation des reponses politiques, de nombreuses valeurs en jeu doivent etre refletees dans la conception institutionnelle. Il existe une distinction entre l'evaluation des risques--une analyse fondee sur la science dans ces contextes--et la gestion des risques, dans laquelle les compromis sont pris en compte pour repondre aux dangers. En outre, la nature de ces menaces depend de connaissances scientifiques complexes, incertaines et variables exigeant que les institutions soient sensibles aux defis de communication. Enfin, les institutions doivent tenir compte des problemes d'action collective, et s'en remettre ou deleguer aux juridictions et aux institutions dont la portee du mandat est adequate. Apres avoir evalue la reponse canadienne a la pandemie de COVID-19 d'un point de vue institutionnel, nous concluons, entre autres, qu'elle etait insuffisamment multidisciplinaire, ce qui a risque de marginaliser les couts sanitaires non publics des reponses politiques a la pandemie., THE SCIENCE-POLITICS INTERFACE Large bodies of contemporary scientific research reflect a broad scientific consensus that the COVID-19 pandemic (and future possible variants thereof) and climate change both present existential threats [...]

Flatfish species are found globally in marine habitats and are important food fish to humans (Gibson et al., 2015). However, the global catch of flatfish in fisheries has decreased gradually [...]

Globally, stakeholders are desperate in search of appropriate monetary policy for promoting environmental sustainability and countering the threat of climate events. They have attempted to identify some mechanisms such as climate lending system, sound financial development, and interest rate to adjust pollution to tackle climate-related risk. These advocates of the monetary environment nexus proposed three key strategies. First, banks should lower rates to financing climate-related lending criteria. Second, consider lower financing rates for firms that embrace carbon footprints. Third, central banks (CBs) must reconsider financing condition-based threshold of lending and climate risk disclosure. To heighten the debate, the central banks are advised to favour green policies, even if there is a need to compromise stability and productivity to realise the objectives. However, the question of whether it is appropriate to include climate mandates as part of the central bank operational mandate remains controversial. This is because the CBs, climatologists and scientists are divided in opinion with regards to using monetary policy to promote environmental sustainability without creating distortion in the system. More so, the persistent questions include how fast and at what cost can a monetary policy promote environmental sustainability. The extent of the aftermath, which is associated with the failure of monetary authorities in encouraging sustainability and the complications arising during economic activities in Africa, remains unknown. In addition to physical risk, bubble assets, slow farm productivity, prolonged growth, and other factors remain a concern. Although climate change is widely believed to impact only agriculture and energy, the banking sector is insecure due to the risk of imminent financial crises. This study investigates whether a monetary policy can promote climate financing in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The SADC is selected as the candidate of inquiry because it has been identified as a potential hotspot of climate events. The empirical evidence is based on Westerlund cointegration that accounts for cross-sectional dependency and the Panel Vector Autoregressive/ Panel Vector Error Correction methodology. The findings indicate that a long-lasting relationship exists among the factors; however, the monetary policy induces sustainability with a feedback effect on the economy. Therefore, the mandates of CBs differ and handling financial stability as well as climaterelated concerns may cause distortions that go beyond existing monetary instruments. JEL Classifications: G23, G40, G41 Keywords: Climate change, monetary policy transmission mechanism, Time series analysis, Southern African Development Community., INTRODUCTION Globally, the danger of climate change to humanity is no longer doubted, while mitigating its impact is complicated and increasingly challenging for empirical research (Lemoine, 2021; Bernanke, 2020; Chishti [...]

Global rising temperatures due to recent climate change have been linked to long-term reductions in body mass and wing chord in migratory birds, including raptors. The Arctic is experiencing higher temperatures compared to the global mean and such high-latitude increases could influence the morphometries of the tundrabreeding Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus). Linear regression models showed no statistically significant changes in body mass or wing chords in migratory juvenile male and female Rough-legged Hawks captured and banded across 48 years at Duluth, Minnesota, 1973-2020. Captures of Rough-legged Hawks at our migration stations provided a relatively expedient means by which to monitor possible climate-induced long-term changes in morphometries of an Arctic species that is difficult to sample in inaccessible tundra settings. Received 16 April 2021. Accepted 15 December 2021. Key words: Arctic, body condition, climate change, irruptive movements, soaring flight. (Spanish)--El incremento global de temperaturas por el cambio climatico reciente se ha vinculado a reducciones a largo plazo en la masa corporal y la cuerda alar de aves migratorias, incluidas rapaces. El artico esta experimentando temperaturas mas altas comparadas con la media global y dichos incrementos a elevadas latitudes podrian influenciar la morfometria de las aguilillas Buteo lagopus que anidan en la tundra. Nuestros modelos de regresion linear no muestran cambios estadisticamente significativos en masa corporal o cuerda alar en aguilillas migratorias machos y hembras capturadas y anilladas a lo largo de 48 afios en Duluth, Minnesota, 1973-2020. Las capturas de estas aguilillas en nuestras estaciones de anillado proveen una forma reiativamente expedita por medio de la cual es posible monitorear cambios a largo plazo en la morfometria de una especie del Artico inducidos por el clima, dificil de muestrear en espacios inaccesibles de la tundra. Palabras clave: Artico, cambio climatico, condicion corporal, movimientos irruptivos, vuelo planeado., Migratory birds play an important role in our understanding of the morphological responses of biota to increasing temperatures due to recent climate change, in part because higher energetic demands of [...]

The food system and climate are closely interconnected. Although most research has focused on the need to adopt a plant-based diet to help mitigate climate change, there is also an urgent need to examine the effects of climate change on food systems to adapt to climate change. A systems approach can help identify the pathways through which climate influences food systems, thereby ensuring that programmes combating malnutrition take climate into account. Although little is known about how climate considerations are currently incorporated into nutrition programming, climate information services have the potential to help target the delivery of interventions for at-risk populations and reduce climate-related disruption during their implementation. To ensure climate services provide timely information relevant to nutrition programmes, it is important to fill gaps in our knowledge about the influence of climate variability on food supply chains. A proposed roadmap for developing climate-sensitive nutrition programmes recommends: (i) research aimed at achieving a better understanding of the pathways through which climate influences diet and nutrition, including any time lags; (ii) the identification of entry points for climate information into the decision-making process for nutrition programme delivery; and (iii) capacity- building and training programmes to better equip public health practitioners with the knowledge, confidence and motivation to incorporate climate resilience into nutrition programmes. With sustained investment in capacity-building, data collection and analysis, climate information services can be developed to provide the data, analyses and forecasts needed to ensure nutrition programmes target their interventions where and when they are most needed. Elaboration de programmes de nutrition adaptes au climat Les systemes alimentaire et climatique sont etroitement lies. Bien que la plupart des recherches se concentrent sur le besoin d'adopter un regime vegetarien pour contribuer a attenuer le changement climatique, il est egalement urgent d'examiner les effets de ce changement climatique sur les systemes alimentaires afin de les adapter en consequence. Une approche systemique peut aider a determiner dans quelle mesure le climat influence les systemes alimentaires, et des lors a faire en sorte que les programmes de lutte contre la malnutrition en tiennent compte. On ignore encore sous quelle forme les considerations climatiques sont actuellement integrees dans les programmes de nutrition. Cependant, les services climatologiques peuvent contribuer a cibler le deploiement d'interventions pour les populations a risque, ainsi qu'a reduire les perturbations causees par le climat au cours de leur mise en oeuvre. Pour veiller a ce que ces services fournissent a point nomme des informations utiles aux programmes de nutrition, il faut imperativement combler le manque de connaissances en matiere d'impact des variations climatiques sur les chaines d'approvisionnement alimentaire. La feuille de route proposee pour l'elaboration de programmes de nutrition adaptes au changement climatique recommande: (i) de mener des recherches visant a mieux comprendre dans quelle mesure le climat influence l'alimentation et la nutrition, en tenant compte des eventuels decalages temporelshoraires; (ii) d'identifier les points d'entree des informations relatives au climat dans le processus decisionnel de deploiement des programmes alimentaires; et enfin, (iii) de developper des plans de formation et de renforcement des capacites afin que les professionnels de la sante publique disposent des connaissances, de la confiance et de la motivation necessaires pour integrer l'adaptation au changement climatique dans les programmes de nutrition. En investissant durablement dans le renforcement des capacites ainsi que dans la collecte et l'analyse de donnees, il est possible d'instaurer des services climatologiques qui communiqueront les informations, analyses et previsions requises pour que les programmes de nutrition organisent leurs actions a l'endroit et au moment oU elles deviennent indispensables. Creacion de programas de nutricion sensibles al clima El sistema alimentario y el clima estan muy interconectados. Aunque la mayoria de las investigaciones se han centrado en la necesidad de adoptar una dieta basada en el consumo de plantas para ayudar a mitigar el cambio climatico, tambien es urgente analizar los efectos del cambio climatico en los sistemas alimentarios para adaptarse al mismo. Un enfoque sistemico puede ayudar a identificar las vias a traves de las que el clima influye en los sistemas alimentarios, garantizando asique los programas de lucha contra la malnutricion tengan en cuenta el clima. Si bien se sabe poco sobre como se incorporan en la actualidad los aspectos climaticos a los programas de nutricion, los servicios de informacion climatica tienen el potencial de ayudar a orientar las intervenciones hacia las poblaciones de riesgo y a reducir los trastornos relacionados con el clima durante su aplicacion. Para garantizar que los servicios climaticos proporcionen informacion oportuna y relevante a los programas de nutricion, es importante solucionar las carencias de nuestros conocimientos sobre la influencia de la variabilidad climatica en las cadenas de suministro de alimentos. Una hoja de ruta propuesta para desarrollar programas de nutricion sensibles al clima recomienda i) la investigacion destinada a lograr una mejor comprension de las vias a traves de las que el clima influye en la dieta y en la nutricion, incluidos los retrasos; ii) la identificacion de los puntos de entrada de la informacion sobre el clima en el proceso de toma de decisiones para la ejecucion de los programas de nutricion; y iii) los programas de creacion de capacidad y formacion para preparar mejor a los profesionales de la salud publica con los conocimientos, la confianza y la motivacion que permitan incorporar la adaptacion al clima en los programas de nutricion. Si se invierte de manera sostenida en la creacion de capacidades, la recopilacion y el analisis de datos, se pueden desarrollar servicios de informacion climatica que proporcionen los datos, los analisis y las previsiones necesarios para garantizar que los programas de nutricion orienten sus intervenciones donde y cuando mas se necesiten. [phrase omitted], Introduction The food system and climate are closely interconnected. To date, most research has focused on climate change--specifically on the environmental footprint of our diets and on how we could [...]

Objective To examine countries' engagement with the health impacts of climate change in their formal statements to intergovernmental organizations, and the factors driving engagement. Methods We obtained the texts of countries' annual statements in United Nations (UN) general debates from 2000 to 2019 and their nationally determined contributions at the Paris Agreement in 2016. To measure countries' engagement, we used a keyword-in-context text search with relevant search terms to count the total number of references to the relationship of health to climate change. We used a machine learning model (random forest predictions) to identify the most important country-level predictors of engagement. The predictors included political and economic factors, health outcomes, climate change-related variables and membership of political negotiating groups in the UN. Findings For both UN general debate statements and nationally determined contributions, low- and middle-income countries discussed the health impacts of climate change much more than did high-income countries. The most important predictors of engagement were health outcomes (infant mortality, maternal deaths, life expectancy), countries' income levels (gross domestic product per capita), and fossil fuel consumption. Membership of political negotiating groups (such as the Group of 77 and Small Island Developing States) was a less important predictor. Conclusion Our analysis indicated a higher engagement in countries that carry the heaviest climate-related health burdens, but lack necessary resources to address the impacts of climate change. These countries are shouldering responsibility for reminding the global community of the implications of climate change for people's health. [phrase omitted] Objectif Etudier l'engagement des pays vis-a-vis de l'impact sanitaire du changement climatique au travers de leurs declarations officielles aux organisations intergouvernementales, et les facteurs qui sous-tendent cet engagement. Methodes Nous nous sommes procure les textes des declarations annuelles des pays au debat general de l'Organisation des Nations Unies (ONU) entre 2000 et 2019, ainsi que les contributions a l'Accord de Paris determinees au niveau national en 2016. Pour evaluer l'engagement de chacun d'eux, nous avons mene une recherche par mots-cles en contexte avec des termes pertinents qui nous ont permis de compter le nombre total de references aux liens etablis entre sante et changement climatique. Nous avons employe un modele d'apprentissage automatique (predictions par forets aleatoires) afin d'identifier les principaux indicateurs d'engagement a l'echelle nationale. Parmi ces indicateurs figuraient notamment les facteurs economiques et politiques, les consequences pour la sante, les variables relatives au changement climatique et l'appartenance aux groupes de negociation politique au sein de l'ONU. Resultats Tant pour les declarations lors des debats de l'ONU que pour les contributions fixees au niveau national, les pays a faible et moyen revenu ont nettement plus souvent aborde l'impact sanitaire du changement climatique que les pays a haut revenu. Les indicateurs d'engagement majeurs etaient les consequences pour la sante (mortalite infantile, deces maternels, esperance de vie), le niveau de revenu des pays (produit interieur brut par habitant) et la consommation d'energie fossile. En revanche, la participation aux groupes de negociation politique (tels que le Groupe des 77 et les petits Etats insulaires en developpement) a eu moins de poids. Conclusion Notre analyse revele un plus grand engagement dans les pays qui paient le plus lourd tribut au changement climatique, mais ne possedent pas les ressources necessaires pour faire face a l'impact qu'il exerce. Ces pays assument la responsabilite de rappeler a la communaute internationale quelles sont les repercussions du changement climatique sur la sante des populations. [phrase omitted] Objetivo Analizar la participacion de los paises en los efectos del cambio climatico sobre la salud en sus declaraciones oficiales ante las organizaciones intergubernamentales, asi como los factores que motivan esa participacion. Metodos Se obtuvieron los textos de las declaraciones anuales de los paises en los debates generales de las Naciones Unidas (ONU) de 2000 a 2019 y sus contribuciones establecidas a nivel nacional en el Acuerdo de Paris en 2016. Para medir la participacion de los paises, se empleo una busqueda de texto de palabras clave en el contexto con los terminos de busqueda pertinentes para contar la cantidad total de referencias a los vinculos entre la salud y el cambio climatico. Se uso un modelo de aprendizaje automatico (predicciones de los bosques aleatorios) para identificar los indicadores mas importantes de la participacion de los paises. Los indicadores incluian factores politicos y economicos, resultados sanitarios, variables del cambio climatico y la pertenencia a los grupos de negociacion politica de las Naciones Unidas. Resultados Tanto en las declaraciones del debate general de las Naciones Unidas como en las contribuciones establecidas a nivel nacional, los paises de ingresos medios y bajos debatieron los efectos del cambio climatico en la salud mucho mas que los paises de ingresos altos. Los indicadores mas importantes de la participacion fueron los resultados sanitarios (mortalidad infantil, mortalidad materna, esperanza de vida), los niveles de ingresos de los paises (producto interno bruto per capita) y el consumo de combustibles fosiles. La pertenencia a los grupos de negociacion politica (como el Grupo de los 77 y los Pequenos Estados Insulares en Desarrollo) fue el indicador de menor importancia. Conclusion El analisis de este estudio indica que hay una mayor participacion de los paises que soportan las mayores cargas sanitarias relacionadas con el clima, pero que carecen de los recursos necesarios para resolver los efectos del cambio climatico. Estos paises asumen la responsabilidad de recordar a la comunidad mundial sobre las consecuencias del cambio climatico para la salud de las personas., Introduction Climate change is taking an increasing toll on peoples health. The increase in heatwaves, drought, floods and other climate hazards is increasing the risk of climate-related illness and death [...]

From 1845 to 1848, the 129 seamen of British explorer Sir John Franklin's lost expedition died attempting to force the Northwest Passage. In 2007, American novelist Dan Simmons posited one possible fate of Franklin and his men in The Terror. In Simmons's novel, the explorers meet a grim fate in the high Arctic, where they are plagued by the unforgiving elements, malnourishment, human hubris and prejudices, and their relentless pursuit by a monstrous polar bear with uncanny intelligence and maleficence. In this article, I offer an analysis of Simmons's novel as a reimagined, ironic Gothic text, one that presents a satirical update of the genre to comment on problematic religious, racial, sexuality, gender, and environmental issues in the Gothic's past that remain just as relevant in the present-day., In 2016, the luxury cruise liner Crystal Serenity completed the first transit of the fabled Northwest Passage by a large passenger vessel (Kujawinski). Warming ocean temperatures and the shrinking Arctic [...]

Mistletoes are a group of flowering plants that have developed a parasitic lifeform through complex eco-evolutionary processes. Despite being considered a pest, mistletoes represent a keystone forest resource and are involved in complex plant-plant and plant-animal interactions. Their parasitic lifeform and specialized ecological interactions make mistletoes an ideal model with which to understand the effects of anthropogenic disturbances in a changing world. The accelerated growth of the human population has altered all ecosystems on Earth, leading to biodiversity loss. Land-use changes (involving habitat loss, fragmentation, degradation, and transformation processes) can alter the ecological scenario for mistletoe by altering hosts, mutualists, and nutrient cycling. Those changes may have large consequences at the community level, changing the spatial structure of mistletoes, as well as interaction effectiveness, facilitation process, interaction disruption, and novel interactions with invasive species, leading to non-analog communities in the long run. Furthermore, climate change effects operate on a global scale, enhancing the effects of land-use changes. As temperatures increase, many species would alter their distribution and phenology, potentially causing spatial and temporal mismatches. But more critical is the fact that water stress is likely to disrupt key ecological interactions. Thus, mistletoes can provide valuable insights for what we can expect in the future, as a result of human disturbances. Key words: climate change, eco-evolutionary dynamics, facilitation, land-use change, spatial mismatch, temporal mismatch. Le gui comprend un groupe de plantes a fleurs qui ont developpe une forme de vie parasitaire grace a des processus ecoevolutifs complexes. Bien qu'il soit considere comme un parasite, le gui constitue une ressource forestiere fondamentale et il est implique dans des interactions plantes-plantes et plantes-animaux complexes. Sa forme de vie parasitaire et ses interactions ecologiques specialisees font du gui un modele ideal pour comprendre les effets des perturbations anthropiques dans un monde en changement. La croissance acceleree de la population humaine a modifie tous les ecosystemes de la Terre, entrainant une perte de diversite. Les changements d'utilisation des terres (impliquant la perte, la fragmentation, la degradation et la transformation des habitats) peuvent modifier le scenario ecologique du gui en affectant ses hotes, ses mutualistes et le cycle de ses nutriments. Ces changements peuvent avoir des consequences importantes a l'echelle de la communaute, en modifiant la structure spatiale du gui, l'efficacite des interactions, le processus de facilitation, l'interruption des interactions et l'etablissement de nouvelles interactions avec des especes envahissantes, donnant lieu a long terme a des communautes non analogues. De plus, les effets des changements climatiques se repercutent a l'echelle mondiale, accroissant les effets des changements d'utilisation des terres. Avec l'augmentation des temperatures, de nombreuses especes pourraient modifier leur distribution et leur phenologie, ce qui pourrait provoquer des desequilibres spatiaux et temporels. Mais le fait que le stress hydrique puisse perturber des interactions ecologiques cles est encore plus critique. Ainsi, le gui peut donner un apercu precieux de ce que nous pouvons attendre de l'avenir, en consequence des perturbations humaines. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : changements climatiques, dynamique ecoevolutive, facilitation, changement d'utilisation des terres, desequilibre spatial, desequilibre temporel., Introduction Among the flowering plants, mistletoes are a particularly fascinating group not only because of their parasitic lifeform, but also because of their importance in the ecosystem (Watson 2001; Mellado [...]

Models of ecological responses to climate warming predict species' migration towards higher latitudes or elevations. However, models often neglect nonclimatic factors, such as herbivory, which could slow down or prevent geographic range expansion. A previous study in Mont Megantic National Park (Quebec) found that in one year (2016), browsing by white-tailed deer on Trillium erectum L. was substantially higher at high elevations than low elevations. Under the hypothesis that deer herbivory could limit the upper elevational range expansion of T. erectum, here we ask (i) whether herbivory increased with elevation during two additional years (2017 and 2018), (ii) whether the rate of deer visitation increases with elevation, and (iii) whether the effect of herbivory on relative growth rates increases with elevation. Contrary to the earlier study, we did not find a significant trend of herbivory with elevation, although there was a weak positive relationship between deer visitation and elevation. We found a strong negative impact of browsing on relative growth rates, but the magnitude of this effect did not vary with elevation. Our results thus do not support the hypothesis that herbivory limits the range of T. erectum at high elevation, but herbivory could have a negative impact on populations in general if the browsing rate remains high. Key words: distribution limit, prey-predator relationship, altitudinal range, herbivory, population growth, climate change. Les modeles de reponses au rechauffement climatique predisent la migration des especes vers des altitudes ou latitudes plus elevees, negligeant souvent les facteurs non climatiques, comme l'herbivorie, qui pourraient ralentir ou empecher leur migration. Une precedente recherche au parc national du Mont-Megantic (Quebec, 2016) a revele que l'herbivorie de Trillium erectum L. par le cerf etait plus importante a haute qu'a basse elevation. Notre hypothese etant que l'herbivorie par le cerf pourrait limiter l'expansion de T. erectum, nous cherchons a savoir si (i) l'herbivorie augmente avec l'elevation pendant deux annees (2017 et 2018), (ii) le taux de visitation du cerf augmente avec l'elevation, et (iii) l'effet de l'herbivorie sur le taux de croissance relatif augmente avec l'elevation. Contrairement a la precedente recherche, nous n'avons pas detecte une tendance significative entre l'herbivorie et l'elevation, bien qu'il y ait une faible relation positive entre le taux de visitation du cerf et l'elevation. Nous avons detecte un fort impact negatif de l'herbivorie sur le taux de croissance relative, sans variation de magnitude avec l'elevation. Nos resultats ne soutiennent pas l'hypothese que l'herbivorie limite la distribution de T. erectum a haute elevation, mais l'herbivorie pourrait avoir un impact negatif sur les populations en general si le taux d'herbivorie reste haut. Mots-cles: gradient altitudinal, limite de distribution, relation predateur-proie, herbivorie, taux de croissance, rechauffement climatique., Introduction One of the many effects of climate warming on plant species is a shift of geographic ranges towards polar latitudes or higher altitudes (Thuiller et al. 2005; Parmesan 2006; [...]

Morphometric relationships and age and growth rates of the yellow clam (Mesodesma mactroides Reeve, 1854 = Amarilladesma mactroides (Reeve, 1854)) were compared in two populations from Argentina: Santa Teresita (36[degrees]32'00' S) and Mar del Plata (37[degrees]57'52'S). The Santa Teresita clams were heavier (shell, soft parts) than the Mar del Plata clams. Cross sections stained with Mutvei's solution and acetate peels revealed an internal shell growth pattern of well-defined slow-growing translucent bands and alternating fast-growing opaque bands. Translucent bands (clusters) representing external rings were formed mostly during October in both sites, coinciding with gonadal maturation processes and spawning. Data confirm the annual formation of translucent bands in this species. Comparison of growth parameters showed a higher growth rate k and lower maximum age in Mar del Plata (8 years) than in Santa Teresita (9 years), which could be triggered by differences in salinity between localities due to the influence of the Rio de la Plata estuary, which is strongly linked to climate variability. Shell mass condition index and Oceanic Nino Index were negatively correlated, showing the influence of El Nino in shell properties of the species. Considering that events are becoming more intense and frequent, changes in growth rates and shell properties of Santa Teresita's population could be expected to be more vulnerable under climate change. Key words: bivalve, yellow clam, Mesodesma mactroides, Amarilladesma mactroides, intertidal, climate change, salinity, Oceanic Nino Index. Nous avons compare les relations morphometriques et l'age et les taux de croissance de palourdes jaunes intertidales (Mesodesma mactroides Reeve, 1854 = Amarilladesma mactroides (Reeve, 1854)) de deux populations en Argentine, celle de Santa Teresita (36[degrees]32'00'S) et celle de Mar del Plata (37[degrees]57'52'S). Les palourdes de Santa Teresita sont plus massives (coquille et tissus mous) que les palourdes de Mar del Plata. Des coupes colorees a la solution de Mutvei et des transferts sur acetate revelent un motif interne de croissance des coquilles comprenant des bandes translucides bien definies a croissance lente alternant avec des bandes opaques a croissance rapide. Les bandes translucides (groupees) representant des anneaux externes se formaient principalement en octobre dans les deux sites, en meme temps que des processus de maturation des gonades et le frai. Des donnees confirment la formation annuelle de bandes translucides chez cette espece. Une comparaison de parametres relatifs a la croissance montre un taux de croissance k plus eleve et un age maximum plus bas pour les palourdes de Mar del Plata (8 ans) que pour celles de Santa Teresita (9 ans), ce qui pourrait etre cause par des differences de salinite entre les deux sites, associees a l'influence de l'estuaire du Rio de la Plata, fortement liee a la variabilite du climat. L'indice d'etat massique des coquilles et l'indice oceanique Nino presentent une correlation negative, ce qui demontre l'influence d'episodes El Nino sur les proprietes des coquilles de cette espece. Etant donne l'intensite et la frequence croissantes de ces episodes, il sera raisonnable de s'attendre a ce que les modifications des taux de croissance et des proprietes des coquilles dans la population de Santa Teresita soient plus sensibles aux changements climatiques. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : bivalve, palourde jaune intertidale, Mesodesma mactroides, Amarilladesma mactroides, intertidal, changements climatiques, salinite, indice oceanique Nino., Introduction Different factors have been suggested that influence various biological traits (shell growth and physiological activity) in bivalve populations, these include temperature (Jones et al. 1989; Gaspar et al. 2004; [...]

Cocoa production is highly vulnerable to fluctuations in some weather parameters and efforts are now channeled at reducing farmers' vulnerability through provision of some adaptive strategies. This study analyzed the effects of climate change adaptation strategies on income inequality among Ghanaian cocoa farmers. The data were collected from cocoa farmers using multi-stage sampling method. Out of the districts where cocoa is grown in the Ashanti region, Ahafo Ano North district was randomly selected. The sampling proceeded with compilation of the names of the villages in the District where cocoa is largely grown. Although 379 cocoa farmers were interviewed with structured questionnaires, this study made use of 349 respondents with completed information on their sources of income. Data were analyzed with factor component income inequality decomposition and regression-based approaches focusing on the Gini coefficient. The analyses were carried out with Distributive Analysis Stata Package (DASP) software. The results showed that high temperature was 69.63% of the farmers in 2015, while 70.20% observed more crop pests. Cocoa farmers tried to adapt to climate change through regular spraying of cocoa (74.9%), planting of hybrid seeds (68.50%) and changing of planting time (66.10%), diversification of livelihood sources (70.60%), monitoring of weather through media houses (59.6%) and indigenous knowledge (59.3%). The results further showed high income inequality among cocoa farmers (Gini = 0.6838). Farmers indicated they were among others spraying cocoa regularly, planting of hybrid seeds and changing cocoa's planting time as means of adapting to climate change. Crop income source was inequality reducing having accounted for 55.34% of all incomes but contributed 48.37% of inequality. Other income sources that reduced inequality were livestock, non-farm wages and remittances. Farmers' incomes were significantly influenced (p JEL Classifications: Q12, Q54, N5 and N57 Keywords: climate change, adaptation, income inequality, gini-coefficient, cocoa, Ghana, INTRODUCTION The role of agriculture as a primary supplier of food and raw materials for industrial development in Africa is now seriously undermined by climate change. In absence of adequate [...]

We studied how different thinning regimes and initial age structures of a Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) forest landscape affect the radiative forcing of forest biomass production and use. We considered the effects of forest carbon sequestration, substitution of materials and fossil fuels with forest biomass, and timber use efficiency. The initial age structures of our hypothetical forest landscapes in the middle boreal zone in Finland were young, middle-aged, and mature. Forest landscapes were thinned using either the current thinning recommendations (baseline) or maintaining 20% higher or 20% lower stocking over the 80-year study period. We employed forest ecosystem model simulations together with a life cycle assessment tool. The highest carbon sequestration was obtained by maintaining higher stocking in the landscapes. The initially middle-aged and mature age structures resulted in the strongest cooling of the climate in the first three decades of the simulation, but the highest cooling was found in the young age structure. However, radiative forcing was less sensitive to the thinning than to the substitution or timber use efficiency. Our results indicate that modeled climate impacts are affected by both initial age structure and forest management, which should be considered when generalizing the climate change mitigation potential of forests and forestry. Key words: climate cooling impact, displacement factor, forest landscape, initial age structure, mitigation efficiency, radiative forcing. Nous avons etudie comment differents regimes d'eclaircie et differentes structures d'age initiales d'un paysage forestier domine par l'epicea commun (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) influencent le forcage radiatif de la production et de l'utilisation de la biomasse forestiere. Nous avons examine les effets de la sequestration du carbone forestier, de la substitution des materiaux et des combustibles fossiles par la biomasse forestiere, et de l'efficacite d'utilisation du bois de construction. La structure d'age initiale de nos paysages forestiers hypothetiques du milieu de la zone boreale finlandaise etait jeune, moyenne ou mature. Les paysages forestiers ont ete eclaircis en utilisant les recommandations d'eclaircie en vigueur (scenario de reference), ou en faisant varier de plus ou moins 20% la surface terriere de reference avec un horizon de simulation de 80 ans. Nous avons utilise les simulations d'un modele d'ecosysteme forestier conjointement a un outil devaluation du cycle de vie. La plus forte sequestration du carbone a ete obtenue en maintenant une surface terriere plus elevee dans les paysages. Les structures d'age initiales moyenne et mature ont produit le plus grand refroidissement du climat au cours des 30 premieres annees de la simulation, mais le refroidissement le plus eleve a ete observe dans la structure d'age jeune. Cependant, le forcage radiatif etait moins sensible a l'eclaircie qu'a la substitution ou qu'a l'efficacite d'utilisation du bois de construction. Nos resultats indiquent que les impacts climatiques modelises sont influences par la structure d'age initiale et l'amenagement forestier qui devraient donc etre pris en compte pour generaliser le potentiel d'attenuation des changements climatiques par les forets et les activites forestieres. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : impact du refroidissement climatique, facteur de deplacement, paysage forestier, structure d'age initiale, efficacite d'attenuation, forcage radiatif., 1. Introduction Using harvested wood products (HWPs) and the energy in the biomass from sustainably managed forests has great potential in terms of long-term climate change mitigation (Lundmark et al. [...]