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Aim: The microclimate and light conditions on the forest floor are strongly modified by tree canopies. Therefore, we need to better consider the micro‐environment when quantifying trait–environment relationships for forest understorey plants. Here, we quantify relationships between micro‐environmental conditions and plant functional traits at the community level, including intraspecific trait variation, and their relationship with microclimate air temperature, light and soil properties. Location: Deciduous temperate forests across Europe. Time period: 2018. Major taxa studied: Herbaceous vegetation. Methods: We sampled 225 plots across 15 regions along four complementary gradients capturing both macro‐ and microclimatic conditions including latitude, elevation, forest management and distance to forest edges. We related the community‐weighted mean of five plant functional traits (plant height, specific leaf area [SLA], plant carbon [C], plant nitrogen [N] and plant C:N ratio) across 150 vascular plant species to variation in local microclimate air temperature, light and soil properties. We tested the effect of accounting for intraspecific variation in trait–environment relationships and performed variation partitioning to identify major drivers of trait variation. Results: Microclimate temperature, light availability and soil properties were all important predictors of community‐weighted mean functional traits. When light availability and variation in temperature were higher, the herb community often consisted of taller plants with a higher C:N ratio. In more productive environments (e.g. with high soil nitrogen availability), the community was dominated by individuals with resource‐acquisitive traits: high SLA and N but low C:N. Including intraspecific trait variation increased the strength of the trait–micro‐environment relationship, and increased the importance of light availability. Main conclusions: The trait–environment relationships were much stronger when the micro‐environment and intraspecific trait variation were considered. By locally steering light availability and temperature, forest managers can potentially impact the functional signature of the forest herb‐layer community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The amount of forest edges is increasing globally due to forest fragmentation and land‐use changes. However, edge effects on the soil seed bank of temperate forests are still poorly understood. Here, we assessed edge effects at contrasting spatial scales across Europe and quantified the extent to which edges can preserve the seeds of forest specialist plants. Location: Temperate European deciduous forests along a 2,300‐km latitudinal gradient. Time period: 2018–2021. Major taxa studied: Vascular plants. Methods: Through a greenhouse germination experiment, we studied how edge effects alter the density, diversity, composition and functionality of forest soil seed banks in 90 plots along different latitudes, elevations and forest management types. We also assessed which environmental conditions drive the seed bank responses at the forest edge versus interior and looked at the relationship between the seed bank and the herb layer species richness. Results: Overall, 10,108 seedlings of 250 species emerged from the soil seed bank. Seed density and species richness of generalists (species not only associated with forests) were higher at edges compared to interiors, with a negative influence of C : N ratio and litter quality. Conversely, forest specialist species richness did not decline from the interior to the edge. Also, edges were compositionally, but not functionally, different from interiors. The correlation between the seed bank and the herb layer species richness was positive and affected by microclimate. Main conclusions Our results underpin how edge effects shape species diversity and composition of soil seed banks in ancient forests, especially increasing the proportion of generalist species and thus potentially favouring a shift in community composition. However, the presence of many forest specialists suggests that soil seed banks still play a key role in understorey species persistence and could support the resilience of our fragmented forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The aim of this European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) survey was to assess the utilization of same-day discharge (SDD) in electrophysiology (EP). An online-based questionnaire was shared with the EHRA community between 12 and 30 June 2020 and recorded institutional information, complication assessment, recent experiences, and opinions regarding possible advantages or concerns with SDD. In total, 218 responses from 49 countries provided information on current SDD management. Overall, SDD was implemented in 77.5%, whereas this proportion was significantly higher in tertiary and high-volume centres (83.8% and 85.3%, both P < 0.01). The concept of SDD was most commonly used following implantations of cardiac event recorders (97%), diagnostic EP procedures (72.2%), and implantations of pacemakers with one or two intracardiac leads (50%), while the lowest SDD utilization was observed after catheter ablations of left atrial or ventricular arrhythmias. Within SDD-experienced centres, ∼90% respondents stated that this discharge concept is recommendable or highly recommendable and reported that rates of increased rehospitalization and complication rates were low. Most respondents assumed a better utilization of hospital resources (78.2%), better cost effectiveness (77.3%), and an improved patients' comfort but were concerned about possible impairment of detection (72.5%) and management (78.7%) of late complications. In conclusion, >75% of respondents already implement SDD following EP interventions with a large heterogeneity with regard to specific procedures. Further research is needed to confirm or disprove existing and expected benefits and obstacles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Variation in plant defence traits has been frequently assessed along large‐scale macroclimatic clines. In contrast, local‐scale changes in the environment have recently been proposed to also modulate plant defence traits. Yet, the relative importance of drivers at both scales has never been tested. We aimed to quantify the relative importance of environmental drivers inherent to large and small spatial scales on the physical and chemical defence and tolerance to herbivory in understorey plant species of deciduous forests of Europe. Location: Deciduous forests in Europe. Time period: Present. Major taxa studied: Forest understorey plants. Methods: We sampled four typical ancient forest herbs (Anemone nemorosa, Oxalis acetosella, Deschampsia cespitosa, Milium effusum) along small and large spatial scale gradients (those driven by latitude, elevation, forest management and distance to the forest edge), and analysed a suite of nine constitutively expressed traits associated with overall resistance to herbivory, and their multivariate response to environmental clines. Results: Although our study included a large gradient in macroclimate, we found variation in the local environment at small spatial scales (i.e. soil nutrient concentration and forest structural complexity) to be more important in predicting plant resistance to herbivory. Main conclusions: In addition to macroclimatic conditions, subtle differences in forest microclimate and soil characteristics also played a major role in modulating plant defence phenotypes. These findings highlight the importance of the local habitat structure and environmental conditions in modulating plant resistance to herbivory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We evaluated the effects of forest management cessation on indicator bird species. • Despite great structural variance, strict reserves provided suitable habitat for all species. • For open-forest species habitat suitability temporarily decreased after reserve designation. • Short-term contracts for temporary management cessation may thus negatively affect these species. • New strict reserves should be focused on old, near-natural and structurally diverse forests. Increasing the proportion of unmanaged forests in multi-functional forest landscapes is a primary goal of international and national conservation strategies aiming at restoring natural properties in structurally simplified forests. However, the development of structural features and associated habitat suitability for forest species is largely unknown and even controversially discussed, as the development of newly established reserves is unidirectional and passes through dense maturation stages. This may negatively affect open forest species in the first phase after reserve designation. We evaluated the effects of management cessation on key habitat characteristics of four mountain forest bird species indicative of different structural components: Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) , Hazel grouse (Bonasa bonasia) , Three-toed woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus) and Pygmy owl (Glaucidium passerinum) across four mountain regions in Central Europe. Habitat suitability was modelled based on 300 forest sites selected independently of their management status, and predicted to an independent dataset of 42 strictly protected forest reserves in the same regions. We then compared forest reserves to managed forests with species presence or absence with regard to habitat suitability and key habitat structures and related both to the time since reserve designation. For all model species, except Pygmy owl, habitat suitability in forest reserves was significantly higher than in managed forests with species' absence, but not different from managed forests with species presence. For the species associated with open forest structures (Capercaillie, Hazel grouse, Pygmy owl) habitat suitability was significantly related to the "reserve age": reserves in the first three decades after management cessation showed a significant decrease in suitability, which increased afterwards up to the maximally recorded time of 100 years. No such correlation was found for the Three-toed woodpecker associated with deadwood and barkbeetle infestations following temporally unpredictable disturbance events. Structural characteristics varied greatly in abundance and distribution, with open structures being related to the time since reserve designation. We therefore recommend focusing on mature, near-natural and structurally diverse forests when designating new strict forest reserves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct effects of climate change on animal physiology, and indirect impacts from disruption of seasonal synchrony and breakdown of trophic interactions are particularly severe in Arctic and Alpine ecosystems. Unravelling biotic from abiotic drivers, however, remains challenging because high-resolution animal population data are often limited in space and time. Here, we show that variation in annual horn growth (an indirect proxy for individual performance) of 8043 male Alpine ibex ( Capra ibex) over the past four decades is well synchronised among eight disjunct colonies in the eastern Swiss Alps. Elevated March to May temperatures, causing premature melting of Alpine snowcover, earlier plant phenology and subsequent improvement of ibex food resources, fuelled annual horn growth. These results reveal dependency of local trophic interactions on large-scale climate dynamics, and provide evidence that declining herbivore performance is not a universal response to global warming even for high-altitude populations that are also harvested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We studied the forest edge structure along macroclimatic and management gradients. • Forest edge structure is strongly variable at the European scale. • Management, species composition, edge distance and climate all affect the structure. • The microclimate buffering capacity of forests could currently be underestimated. • Forest edge management requires location and context-specific guidelines. Forest edges are interfaces between forest interiors and adjacent land cover types. They are important elements in the landscape with almost 20% of the global forest area located within 100 m of the edge. Edges are structurally different from forest interiors, which results in unique edge influences on microclimate, functioning and biodiversity. These edge influences have been studied for multiple decades, yet there is only limited information available on how forest edge structure varies at the continental scale, and which factors drive this potential structural diversity. Here we quantified the structural variation along 45 edge-to-interior transects situated along latitudinal, elevational and management gradients across Europe. We combined state-of-the-art terrestrial laser scanning and conventional forest inventory techniques to investigate how the forest edge structure (e.g. plant area index, stem density, canopy height and foliage height diversity) varies and which factors affect this forest edge structural variability. Macroclimate, management, distance to the forest edge and tree community composition all influenced the forest edge structural variability and interestingly we detected interactive effects of our predictors as well. We found more abrupt edge-to-interior gradients (i.e. steeper slopes) in the plant area index in regularly thinned forests. In addition, latitude, mean annual temperature and humidity all affected edge-to-interior gradients in stem density. We also detected a simultaneous impact of both humidity and management, and humidity and distance to the forest edge, on the canopy height and foliage height diversity. These results contribute to our understanding of how environmental conditions and management shape the forest edge structure. Our findings stress the need for site-specific recommendations on forest edge management instead of generalized recommendations as the macroclimate substantially influences the forest edge structure. Only then, the forest edge microclimate, functioning and biodiversity can be conserved at a local scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the launching of the EPA on Pathways social capital network. According to the authors, the online forum will promote the goals of the European Pathway Association (EPA). EPA is an international network that supports organizations and individuals who help in the development, implementation and evaluation of clinical pathways.

• We quantified evaporation and soil and air temperature offsets in forest edges across Europe. • Roughly 10% of European broadleaved forests are affected by altered temperature regimes. • Macroclimate and management affected edge-to-interior temperature offset gradients. • Forest structure and the forest-floor biomass are important drivers of temperature offsets. • Dense forest edges can help mitigate edge influences and protect forest interior microclimates. Global forest cover is heavily fragmented. Due to high edge-to-surface ratios in small forest patches, a large proportion of forests is affected by edge influences involving steep microclimatic gradients. Although forest edges are important ecotones and account for 20% of the global forested area, it remains unclear how biotic and abiotic drivers affect forest edge microclimates at the continental scale. Here we report soil and air temperatures measured in 225 deciduous forest plots across Europe for two years. Forest stands were situated along a latitudinal gradient and subject to a varying vegetation structure as quantified by terrestrial laser scanning. In summer, the average offset of air and soil temperatures in forest edges compared to temperatures outside the forest amounted to -2.8 °C and -2.3 °C, respectively. Edge-to-interior summer temperature gradients were affected by the macroclimate and edge structure. From the edge onwards, larger offsets were observed in dense forest edges and in warmer, southern regions. In open forests and northern Europe, altered microclimatic conditions extended deeper into the forest and gradients were steeper. Canopy closure and plant area index were important drivers of summer offsets in edges, whereas in winter also the forest-floor biomass played a key role. Using high-resolution maps, we estimated that approximately 10% of the European broadleaved forests would be affected by altered temperature regimes. Gradual transition zones between forest and adjacent lands are valuable habitat types for edge species. However, if cool and moist forest interiors are desired, then (i) dense and complex forest edges, (ii) an undisturbed forested buffer zone of at least 12.5 m deep and (iii) trees with a high shade casting ability could all contribute to an increased offset. These findings provide important guidelines to mitigate edge influences, to protect typical forest microclimates and to adapt forest management to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Protonated medetomidine is photostable, while the neutral form exhibits reactivity. • Medetomidine reacts with singlet oxygen via cycloaddition reactions. • Medetomidine is not persistent in natural sunlit sea water conditions. • Several photoproducts show plausible persistence in aquatic environment. Medetomidine has been authorized in ship hull paints as an antifouling biocide under the biocidal product regulation in Europe since 2016. Its release into marine systems causes concerns over persistence and toxicity. However, the environmental fate of medetomidine has not been fully investigated. In this study, the photodegradation of medetomidine under natural sunlight conditions was investigated using collected coastal and sea waters. In addition, the phototransformation of medetomidine with reactive species (i.e., singlet oxygen, excited triplet state organic matter, and hydroxyl radicals) under UVA light was examined. Photoproducts were isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), identified by a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (qTOF), and reaction mechanisms were proposed. The results show that medetomidine is a neutral base (p K a of protonated form = 7.2) that leads to two different protonation states in the aquatic environment. Photodegradation of neutral medetomidine was dominated by reaction with singlet oxygen, while protonated medetomidine was relatively photostable. The contribution of reactive species to the overall photodegradation of neutral medetomidine was calculated to provide an assessment of phototransformation of medetomidine. The half-live of medetomidine was < 1.5 days in natural waters (pH coastal = 8.3; pH sea = 8.1) under sunlit near-surface conditions, suggesting that it is not persistent in the aquatic environment. Because medetomidine has a relatively short half-life in sunlit aquatic ecosystems, a number of products, such as 2-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)propanamide, can be formed by photochemical reactions of medetomidine, with unknown consequences for marine and coastal waters. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart failure (HF) is a long-term clinical syndrome, with increasing prevalence and considerable healthcare costs that are further expected to increase dramatically. Despite significant advances in therapy and prevention, mortality and morbidity remain high and quality of life poor. Epidemiological data, that is, prevalence, incidence, mortality, and morbidity, show geographical variations across the European countries, depending on differences in aetiology, clinical characteristics, and treatment. However, data on the prevalence of the disease are scarce, as are those on quality of life. For these reasons, the ESC-HFA has developed a position paper to comprehensively assess our understanding of the burden of HF in Europe, in order to guide future policies for this syndrome. This manuscript will discuss the available epidemiological data on HF prevalence, outcomes, and human costs-in terms of quality of life-in European countries., (© 2022 The Authors. ESC Heart Failure published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Society of Cardiology.)

The aim of this European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) survey was to assess the utilization of same-day discharge (SDD) in electrophysiology (EP). An online-based questionnaire was shared with the EHRA community between 12 and 30 June 2020 and recorded institutional information, complication assessment, recent experiences, and opinions regarding possible advantages or concerns with SDD. In total, 218 responses from 49 countries provided information on current SDD management. Overall, SDD was implemented in 77.5%, whereas this proportion was significantly higher in tertiary and high-volume centres (83.8% and 85.3%, both P < 0.01). The concept of SDD was most commonly used following implantations of cardiac event recorders (97%), diagnostic EP procedures (72.2%), and implantations of pacemakers with one or two intracardiac leads (50%), while the lowest SDD utilization was observed after catheter ablations of left atrial or ventricular arrhythmias. Within SDD-experienced centres, ∼90% respondents stated that this discharge concept is recommendable or highly recommendable and reported that rates of increased rehospitalization and complication rates were low. Most respondents assumed a better utilization of hospital resources (78.2%), better cost effectiveness (77.3%), and an improved patients' comfort but were concerned about possible impairment of detection (72.5%) and management (78.7%) of late complications. In conclusion, >75% of respondents already implement SDD following EP interventions with a large heterogeneity with regard to specific procedures. Further research is needed to confirm or disprove existing and expected benefits and obstacles., (Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author(s) 2020. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)