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Young tropical secondary forests play an important role in the local and global carbon cycles because of their large area and rapid biomass accumulation rates. This study examines how environmental conditions and forest attributes shape biomass compartments and the productivity of young tropical secondary forests. We compared 36 young secondary forest stands that differed in the time since agricultural land abandonment (2.3–3.6 years) from dry and wet regions in Ghana. We quantified biomass stocks in living and dead stems, roots, and soil, and aboveground biomass and litter productivity. We used structural equation models to evaluate how macroclimate, soil nutrients (N, P), and forest attributes (structure, diversity, and functional composition) affect ecosystem functioning. After three years of succession, tropical wet forests stored on average 115 t biomass ha−1 (the sum of aboveground living and dead biomass, belowground fine root biomass, and soil organic matter), and dry forests stored 99 t ha−1. These values represent 31% (in the wet forest) and 39% (in the dry forest) of the biomass compared with neighboring old‐growth forests. The majority of forest ecosystem biomass was stored in the soil (70%) and aboveground living vegetation (25%). Macroclimate strongly shaped forest attributes, which in turn determined biomass stocks and productivity. Soil phosphorus strongly increased litter production and soil organic matter, confirming that it is a limiting element in tropical ecosystems. Tree density and species diversity increased forest biomass stocks, suggesting crown packing and complementary resource use enhance forest functioning. A more conservative trait composition (high wood density) increased biomass stocks but reduced productivity, indicating that quantity, identity, and quality of species affect ecosystem functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Most biodiversity dynamics and ecosystem processes on land take place in microclimates that are decoupled from the climate as measured by standardised weather stations in open, unshaded locations. As a result, microclimate monitoring is increasingly being integrated in many studies in ecology and evolution. Overviews of the protocols and measurement methods related to microclimate are needed, especially for those starting in the field and to achieve more generality and standardisation in microclimate studies. Here, we present 10 practical guidelines for ground‐based research of terrestrial microclimates, covering methods and best practices from initial conceptualisation of the study to data analyses. Our guidelines encompass the significance of microclimates; the specifics of what, where, when and how to measure them; the design of microclimate studies; and the optimal approaches for analysing and sharing data for future use and collaborations. The paper is structured as a chronological guide, leading the reader through each step necessary to conduct a comprehensive microclimate study. At the end, we also discuss further research avenues and development in this field. With these 10 guidelines for microclimate monitoring, we hope to stimulate and advance microclimate research in ecology and evolution, especially under the pressing need to account for buffering or amplifying abilities of contrasting microhabitats in the context of global climate change.

Ecological theory predicts that plant reproductive phenology in the Mediterranean regions is shaped by evolutionary processes driven by strong seasonality in precipitation–evaporation patterns. Thus, it can be expected that seed germination phenology has adapted to maximise recruitment during the season of highest water availability. Cold‐cued and slow germination (i.e., the 'Mediterranean seed germination syndrome') has been hypothesised to be an adaptation to ensure that seedling emergence occurs in autumn/early winter, extending the growing season before the subsequent unfavourable summer drought. However, this hypothesis has been tested on individual species or local studies, without a proper synthesis for the whole Mediterranean region. Here we tested, for the first time, the Mediterranean seed germination syndrome using experimental data for 459 species (11,363 records, 59 families) occurring in the Mediterranean Basin. We performed a phylogenetically informed Bayesian meta‐analysis to model the effect on germination proportions of seven key experimental cues: mean incubation temperature, alternating temperature regime, light and dormancy‐breaking treatments (scarification, warm stratification and cold stratification) and the modulating role of seed mass on seed germination. We show that species from lowland zonal habitats of the Mediterranean align with the Mediterranean germination syndrome hypothesis, with their seeds responding positively to cool, constant temperatures and negatively to light. Yet, habitat specialists (i.e., species restricted to mountains, coasts and wetlands) deviate from the syndrome, showing nearly opposite germination requirements. Seed mass further influences the germination niche and phylogenetically related species exhibit similar germination responses. Cumulatively, these results suggest that evolutionary pressures from local habitat‐related conditions override the macroclimatically imposed Mediterranean seed germination syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The scale of environmental data is often defined by their extent (spatial area, temporal duration) and resolution (grain size, temporal interval). Although describing climate data scale via these terms is appropriate for most meteorological applications, for ecology and biogeography, climate data of the same spatiotemporal resolution and extent may differ in their relevance to an organism. Here, we propose that climate proximity, or how well climate data represent the actual conditions that an organism is exposed to, is more important for ecological realism than the spatiotemporal resolution of the climate data. Location: Temperature comparison in nine countries across four continents; ecological case studies in Alberta (Canada), Sabah (Malaysia) and North Carolina/Tennessee (USA). Time Period: 1960–2018. Major Taxa Studied: Case studies with flies, mosquitoes and salamanders, but concepts relevant to all life on earth. Methods: We compare the accuracy of two macroclimate data sources (ERA5 and WorldClim) and a novel microclimate model (microclimf) in predicting soil temperatures. We then use ERA5, WorldClim and microclimf to drive ecological models in three case studies: temporal (fly phenology), spatial (mosquito thermal suitability) and spatiotemporal (salamander range shifts) ecological responses. Results: For predicting soil temperatures, microclimf had 24.9% and 16.4% lower absolute bias than ERA5 and WorldClim respectively. Across the case studies, we find that increasing proximity (from macroclimate to microclimate) yields a 247% improvement in performance of ecological models on average, compared to 18% and 9% improvements from increasing spatial resolution 20‐fold, and temporal resolution 30‐fold respectively. Main Conclusions: We propose that increasing climate proximity, even if at the sacrifice of finer climate spatiotemporal resolution, may improve ecological predictions. We emphasize biophysically informed approaches, rather than generic formulations, when quantifying ecoclimatic relationships. Redefining the scale of climate through the lens of the organism itself helps reveal mechanisms underlying how climate shapes ecological systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microclimates can behave differently from the larger regional climate, and it is essential to consider various spatiotemporal scales when studying how climate change affects local ecosystems. This research identifies small-scale climate variations within Channel Islands National Park (CINP), particularly in areas where species might find refuge to adapt to climate change. The study identifies different climate characteristics in this region by creating a microclimate framework and analyzing historical data accordingly. It also explains the need for scaling down climate information to the ecosystem level and provides a literature review of all known criteria necessary. The goal is to help inform park managers of local conditions and potential threats to prioritize areas for conservation and restoring biodiversity and natural resources. While global and regional climate models help understand broad trends, they often need more detail to grasp ecological changes at the community or individual species level. Scaling down climate information can enhance the accuracy of predictive models used in environmental assessments and impact studies, and identifying existing microclimates can help assess the overall health of an ecosystem. The research categorizes the scaling process into four levels: macro, meso, topo, and micro. It outlines the procedure for identifying microclimates, analyzes model predictions, illustrates future climate scenarios, and highlights correlations between various physical factors using recent climatological observations. The study starts with a review of existing literature to provide context for each climate variable's impact on the overall ecosystem, explains the research methods, presents the results, and concludes with a discussion of the findings and suggestions for future research beyond the scope of this study. The research was conducted in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy and the National Park Service to address the specific needs of the park.

Premise: Vertical surfaces in urban environments represent a potential expansion of niche space for lithophytic fern species. There are, however, few records of differential success rates of fern species in urban environments. Methods: The occurrence rates of 16 lithophytic fern species native to the northeastern USA in 14 biomes, including four urban environments differentiated by percentage of impervious surfaces, were evaluated. In addition, the natural macroclimatic ranges of these species were analyzed to test whether significant differences existed in climatic tolerance between species that occur in urban environments and species that do not. Results: Three species appear to preferentially occur in urban environments, two species may facultatively occur in urban environments, and the remaining 11 species preferentially occur in nondeveloped rural environments. The natural range of fern species that occur in urban environments had higher summer temperatures than the range of species that do not, whereas other macroclimatic variables, notably winter temperatures and precipitation, were less important or insignificant. Conclusions: Vertical surfaces in urban environments may represent novel niche space for some native lithophytic fern species in northeastern USA. However, success in this environment depends, in part, on tolerance of the urban heat island effect, especially heating of impervious surfaces in summer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Key message Despite been grown under the same climate, oak species are able to correlate with looser, but still identifiable, leaf morphological syndromes, composed by morphological traits with an ecological role in their respective macroclimates. Context Environmental restrictions imposed by climate have been shown to modulate leaf morphology. A reduction of leaf area in hot and dry climates reduces overheating because of a thinner boundary layer. Lobed shapes enhance hydraulic conductivity and faster cooling. Elongated leaves drain more quickly under high precipitation. Trichomes may help to reduce the effects of excessive sun exposure in hot and dry environments. Leaf mass per area (LMA) increases in stressful environments. Aim To assess the influence of global climate and clade on oak leaf syndromes comprising morphological traits with ecological roles. Methods We analyzed seven morphological traits in 141 oak species grown in a botanical garden, characterized into five macroclimates, and explored the partial effects of clade and climate. Results We found significant associations between macroclimate and every morphological trait measured. Temperate species tend to have large, obovate, lobed, malacophyllous leaves. Species occurring in dry habitats usually present small, rounded, pubescent, sclerophyllous leaves. Warm and wet climates induce the development of slender, lanceolate, glabrous leaves with an acuminate apex. Conclusion The functional roles of the different morphological traits are partially confirmed in genus Quercus as a response to the different macroclimates, where different leaf syndromes can be distinguished.

Diversity of mosses of a unique and unexplored geographical location in Himalaya, the Pangi valley in Himachal Pradesh, India is investigated. A total of 49 moss species belonging to 21 families have been recorded, including Hedwigia emodica, the detail on the type specimen of which is uncertain and Encalypta vulgaris, a rare moss in the Himalaya. In addition, 13 moss species are new records for Himachal Pradesh. The dominant mosses of the surveyed area are Philonotis and Grimmia, where the latter is frequently found on basic, barren boulders in sunny positions. Among the recorded moss species, 35 are terrestrial, six aquatic, and eight epiphytes. The findings will be useful for forest policies and management of bryophytes conservation in areas which have extreme climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Despite been grown under the same climate, oak species are able to correlate with looser, but still identifiable, leaf morphological syndromes, composed by morphological traits with an ecological role in their respective macroclimates. Context: Environmental restrictions imposed by climate have been shown to modulate leaf morphology. A reduction of leaf area in hot and dry climates reduces overheating because of a thinner boundary layer. Lobed shapes enhance hydraulic conductivity and faster cooling. Elongated leaves drain more quickly under high precipitation. Trichomes may help to reduce the effects of excessive sun exposure in hot and dry environments. Leaf mass per area (LMA) increases in stressful environments. Aim: To assess the influence of global climate and clade on oak leaf syndromes comprising morphological traits with ecological roles. Methods: We analyzed seven morphological traits in 141 oak species grown in a botanical garden, characterized into five macroclimates, and explored the partial effects of clade and climate. Results: We found significant associations between macroclimate and every morphological trait measured. Temperate species tend to have large, obovate, lobed, malacophyllous leaves. Species occurring in dry habitats usually present small, rounded, pubescent, sclerophyllous leaves. Warm and wet climates induce the development of slender, lanceolate, glabrous leaves with an acuminate apex. Conclusion: The functional roles of the different morphological traits are partially confirmed in genus Quercus as a response to the different macroclimates, where different leaf syndromes can be distinguished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drivers of shrub primary production and associated landscape impacts of encroachment are well known in drylands but have not been thoroughly studied in mesic and coastal habitats. The native, nitrogen-fixing shrub, Morella cerifera, has expanded into coastal grassland along the US Atlantic coast due to warming temperatures, but impacts on ecosystem function are not well known. Annual net primary production (ANPP) of Morella cerifera and key environmental drivers were measured long-term (1990 – 2007) across a chronosequence of shrub age on a mid-Atlantic barrier island. Soil and groundwater nutrients were compared with un-encroached grassland soil to evaluate impacts of vegetation on nutrient dynamics. Shrub ANPP declined with age at the same rate among all thickets, but there was variability from year to year. When climate variables were included in models, shrub age, precipitation, and freshwater table depth were consistent predictors of ANPP. Water table depth decreased over time, reducing ANPP. This may be due to rising sea-level, as well as to feedbacks with shrub age and evapotranspiration. Soil N and C increased with shrub age and were higher than adjacent grassland sites; however, there was a significant loss of N and C to groundwater. Our results demonstrate that drivers influencing the encroachment of shrubs in this coastal system (i.e., warming temperature) are not as important in predicting shrub primary production. Rather, interactions between shrub age and hydrological properties impact ANPP, contributing to coastal carbon storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zonal concept is a traditional approach in land assessment. Although its principles have been known for over a hundred years, they have not yet been thoroughly evaluated using modern analytical approaches. Assessing the empirically established parameters for characterising a zonal site, establishing threshold values of significant environmental factors, along with assessing the applicability of the zonal concept, were the goals of this study. The data analysed were obtained from the robust and objective Czech National Forest Inventory database. Regression, indirect ordination, hierarchical clustering and spatial analyses of geo-information systems were used. The study revealed seven crucial environmental factors: Slope, Slope Height, Terrain Surface Texture, Negative Openness, Multi-Resolution Index of Valley Bottom Flatness, Soil Type and Soil Subtype. A graphical model of zonal/azonal sites was constructed based on calculated threshold values of the factors. This methodic approach introduces significant geomorphological information that are otherwise problematically detectable in field mapping. We suggest it is possible to use the zonal concept as a base layer for general landscape assessment. Zonal site classification can become a part of a precise land management practice, consisting of valuable empiricism of traditional landscape ecological classifications enriched by modelling in disturbance ecology and prediction of climate change effects.

Summary: Seed dormancy maximizes plant recruitment in habitats with variation in environmental suitability for seedling establishment. Yet, we still lack a comprehensive synthesis of the macroecological drivers of nondormancy and the different classes of seed dormancy: physiological dormancy, morphophysiological dormancy and physical dormancy.We examined current geographic patterns and environmental correlates of global seed dormancy variation. Combining the most updated data set on seed dormancy classes for > 10 000 species with > 4 million georeferenced species occurrences covering all of the world's biomes, we test how this distribution is driven by climate and fire regime.Seed dormancy is prevalent in seasonally cold and dry climates. Physiological dormancy occurs in relatively dry climates with high temperature seasonality (e.g. temperate grasslands). Morphophysiological dormancy is more common in forest‐dominated, cold biomes with comparatively high and evenly distributed precipitation. Physical dormancy is associated with dry climates with strong seasonal temperature and precipitation fluctuations (e.g. deserts and savannas). Nondormancy is associated with stable, warm and wetter climates (e.g. tropical rain forest). Pyroclimate had no significant effect on the distribution of seed dormancy.The environmental drivers considered in this study had a comparatively low predictive power, suggesting that macroclimate is just one of several global drivers of seed dormancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Most statistical models of microclimate focus on the difference or ‘offset’ between standardized air temperatures (macroclimate) and those of a specific habitat such as forest understorey, grassland or under a log. However, these offsets can fluctuate from positive to negative over a single day such that common practice consists in aggregating data into daily mean, minimum and maximum before modelling monthly offsets for each summary statistic. Here, we propose a more parsimonious and flexible approach relying on just two parameters: the slope and equilibrium. The slope captures the linear relationship between microclimate and macroclimate, while the equilibrium is the point at which microclimate equals macroclimate. Although applicable to other habitats, we demonstrate the relevance of our method by focusing on forest understoreys. We installed temperature sensors at 1‐m height inside forest stands and in nearby open grasslands equipped with standardized weather stations, across 13 sites in France spanning a wide climatic gradient. From a year of hourly temperatures and for each sensor, we established relationships between microclimate and macroclimate temperatures using two linear mixed‐effects models, during the leaf‐on (May–November) and leaf‐off period (December–April). We extracted the monthly equilibrium and slope for each sensor, and used another set of linear mixed‐effects models to investigate their main determinants. The slope was chiefly determined by stand structure variables interacting with the leaf‐on/leaf‐off period: stand type (conifer vs broadleaf); shade‐casting ability; stand age; dominant height; stem density; and cover of the upper and lower shrub layer. In contrast, forest structure had no explanatory power on the equilibrium. We found the equilibrium to be positively related to mean macroclimate temperature, interacting with the open/forest habitat. The method introduced here overcomes several shortcomings of modelling microclimate offsets. By demonstrating that the slope and equilibrium vary in predictable ways, we have established a general linkage between microclimate and macroclimate temperatures that can be applied to any location or time if we know the mean macroclimate temperature (equilibrium) and buffering or amplifying capacity of the habitat (slope). We also warn about methodological biases due to the reference used for macroclimate.

Most statistical models of microclimate focus on the difference or 'offset' between standardized air temperatures (macroclimate) and those of a specific habitat such as forest understorey, grassland or under a log. However, these offsets can fluctuate from positive to negative over a single day such that common practice consists in aggregating data into daily mean, minimum and maximum before modelling monthly offsets for each summary statistic. Here, we propose a more parsimonious and flexible approach relying on just two parameters: the slope and equilibrium. The slope captures the linear relationship between microclimate and macroclimate, while the equilibrium is the point at which microclimate equals macroclimate. Although applicable to other habitats, we demonstrate the relevance of our method by focusing on forest understoreys.We installed temperature sensors at 1‐m height inside forest stands and in nearby open grasslands equipped with standardized weather stations, across 13 sites in France spanning a wide climatic gradient. From a year of hourly temperatures and for each sensor, we established relationships between microclimate and macroclimate temperatures using two linear mixed‐effects models, during the leaf‐on (May–November) and leaf‐off period (December–April). We extracted the monthly equilibrium and slope for each sensor, and used another set of linear mixed‐effects models to investigate their main determinants.The slope was chiefly determined by stand structure variables interacting with the leaf‐on/leaf‐off period: stand type (conifer vs broadleaf); shade‐casting ability; stand age; dominant height; stem density; and cover of the upper and lower shrub layer. In contrast, forest structure had no explanatory power on the equilibrium. We found the equilibrium to be positively related to mean macroclimate temperature, interacting with the open/forest habitat.The method introduced here overcomes several shortcomings of modelling microclimate offsets. By demonstrating that the slope and equilibrium vary in predictable ways, we have established a general linkage between microclimate and macroclimate temperatures that can be applied to any location or time if we know the mean macroclimate temperature (equilibrium) and buffering or amplifying capacity of the habitat (slope). We also warn about methodological biases due to the reference used for macroclimate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patchy global data on belowground litter decomposition dynamics limit our capacity to discern the drivers of carbon preservation and storage across inland and coastal wetlands. We performed a global, multiyear study in over 180 wetlands across 28 countries and 8 macroclimates using standardized litter as measures of "recalcitrant" (rooibos tea) and "labile" (green tea) organic matter (OM) decomposition. Freshwater wetlands and tidal marshes had the highest tea mass remaining, indicating a greater potential for carbon preservation in these ecosystems. Recalcitrant OM decomposition increased with elevated temperatures throughout the decay period, e.g., increase from 10 to 20 °C corresponded to a 1.46-fold increase in the recalcitrant OM decay rate constant. The effect of elevated temperature on labile OM breakdown was ecosystem-dependent, with tidally influenced wetlands showing limited effects of temperature compared with freshwater wetlands. Based on climatic projections, by 2050 wetland decay constants will increase by 1.8% for labile and 3.1% for recalcitrant OM. Our study highlights the potential for reduction in belowground OM in coastal and inland wetlands under increased warming, but the extent and direction of this effect at a large scale is dependent on ecosystem and OM characteristics. Understanding local versus global drivers is necessary to resolve ecosystem influences on carbon preservation in wetlands.

Th e concept of zonality (zonal concept) or azonality of vegetation has been well known for a long time all over the world. In the Czech Republic (CZ), this topic is usually presented in a context of (forest or forest site) ecological classification systems, called informally “forest typology” or officially “the Czech Forest Ecosystem Classification”. Expert-based vegetation zonality has not been tested so far. Th ere is even no relevant ecologically-based review of the concept and linked ecological principles behind classification systems. Th e latest modest note dealing with the zonal concept has been published along with the Notice 298/2018 of Forest Law (Typology table). Th is review summarizes (i) brief history on the zonal concept, (ii) definition of zonal and azonal vegetation, and description of parameters of a zonal site, (iii) approaches of (forest) classification systems around the world, and (iv) main principles of the Czech Forest Ecosystem Classification. Results of this review should be used as a theoretical basis for a next rigorous analysis of the concept and system units, based on data, sampled during the second cycle of the National Forest Inventory 2011–2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Question: Environmental filtering plays an important role in plant community assembly. To what extent does the broad‐scale environment influence the functional composition of woody plants in China's forests? Is there stronger trait convergence under harsher environmental conditions? Location: China. Methods: We characterized community traits and their relationships to climate and soil, using a data set with 1312 plots of tree communities composed of 1591 tree species and 10 functional traits across China. Using quadratic models, we explored how community traits change with different environmental factors. Results: Trait spectra at the species level and the community level were significantly correlated, and the first two principal components captured 74.5% of the variation in community‐weighted mean traits. The trait spectra showed a clear elevational pattern and varied along climate and soil gradients. Compared with random expectations, the multi‐trait functional diversity showed a divergence pattern on poor soils at the plot scale. Conclusions: Two well‐known dimensions, the leaf economics spectrum and size‐related spectrum, could be extended from the species level to the community level. Environment, especially climate conditions, drives the trait spectra and their elevational patterns at the broad scale, indicating environmental filtering might shape the trait composition of tree communities in China. However, stronger environmental filtering does not occur under harsher environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We analyzed the global genetic variation pattern of Capsella bursa‐pastoris (Brassicaceae) as expressed in allozymic (within‐locus) diversity and isozymic (between‐locus) diversity. Results are based on a global sampling of more than 20,000 C. bursa‐pastoris individuals randomly taken from 1,469 natural provenances in the native and introduced range, covering a broad spectrum of the species’ geographic distribution. We evaluated data for population genetic parameters and F‐statistics, and Mantel tests and AMOVA were performed. Geographical distribution patterns of alleles and multilocus genotypes are shown in maps and tables. Genetic diversity of introduced populations is only moderately reduced in comparison with native populations. Global population structure was analyzed with structure, and the obtained cluster affiliation was tested independently with classification approaches and macroclimatic data using species distribution modeling. Analyses revealed two main clusters: one distributed predominantly in warm arid to semiarid climate regions and the other predominantly in more temperate humid to semihumid climate regions. We observed admixture between the two lineages predominantly in regions with intermediate humidity in both the native and non‐native ranges. The genetically derived clusters are strongly supported in macroclimatic data space. The worldwide distribution patterns of genetic variation in the range of C. bursa‐pastoris can be explained by intensive intra‐ and intercontinental migration, but environmental filtering due to climate preadaption seems also involved. Multiple independent introductions of genotypes from different source regions are obvious. “Endemic” genotypes might be the outcome of admixture or of de novo mutation. We conclude that today's successfully established Capsella genotypes were preadapted and found matching niche conditions in the colonized range parts.

ABSTRAK. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji kontribusi faktor klimat di musim kemarau terhadap kondisi mikroklimat closed house periode brooder dengan panjang kandang berbeda. Unit kandang digunakan yaitu kandang ukuran panjang 60 m dan 120 m. Pengamatan dilakukan pagi hari (05.00 WIB), siang hari (13.00 WIB) dan malam hari (21.00 WIB). Parameter makroklimat yang diamati meliputi suhu, kelembaban udara, kecepatan angin dan radiasi matahari serta kondisi mikroklimat meliputi suhu, kelembaban udara, kecepatan angin dan THI. Besaran kontribusi diukur berdasarkan keeratan hubungan dengan analisis korelasi. Koefisien korelasi yang menunjukkan hubungan cukup kuat dengan nilai r0,3, digunakan untuk membentuk persamaan regresi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan besaran kontribusi komponen makroklimat pada pagi hari, siang hari maupun malam hari terhadap kondisi mikroklimat berupa suhu, kecepatan angin dan THI lebih besar di kandang panjang 60 m, sedangkan kontribusi makroklimat terhadap kelembaban udara mikroklimat lebih besar di kandang 120 m (p0,05). Rentang nilai r pada korelasi yaitu cukup kuat hingga sangat kuat. Hasil persamaan regresi yang terbentuk memiliki nilai determinasi R2 sangat kuat, sehingga layak digunakan sebagai prediktor. Prediktor kelembaban udara di kandang 60 m berupa kecepatan angin, kelembaban udara dan radiasi matahari makroklimat, sementara prediktor kelembaban udara di kandang panjang 120 m berupa suhu, kelembaban udara dan radiasi matahari. Simpulan penelitian yaitu kontribusi faktor makroklimat terhadap variasi kondisi mikroklimat berupa suhu, kecepatan angin dan THI pada periode brooder lebih besar di kandang 60 m daripada 120 m, sedangkan kontribusi komponen makroklimat terhadap kelembaban udara di kandang 120 m lebih besar dari kandang 60 m. (Contribution of climatic factor outside the lengths to the change of microclimate closed house with different lengths in brooder period in the dry season) ABSTRACT. This study conducted to calculate macroclimate contribution during brooding period house to different closed house length in dry season. Two broiler closed house 60 m and 120 m length here used in this research. Observed data were daily at 05.00 a.m, 1.00 p.m. and 9.00 p.m to represented microclimate condition in the morning, afternoon and night. Macroclimate parameters observed included temperature, relative humidity, air velocity, sun radiation and microclimate parameters included temperature, relative humidity, air velocity, THI. Macroclimate contribution on the microclimate was calculates based on the strength of the relationship using correlation analysis. Subsequently, regression equation formed on parameters which has r value more than 0.3. Results showed that macroclimate contributes on variation of microclimate condition such as temperature, air velocity and THI which is larger in the 60 m length than 120 m length closed house(p0.05). Macroclimate factors contributes on microclimate humidity which is larger in the 120 m than 60 m closed house length. The range of correlation r value are strong enough to very strong. Regression equations confirmed to having strong determination R value, thus can be used as a predictor of microclimate variation. Predictor parameter of microclimate humidity in 60 m closed house consist of air velocity, relative humidity and sun radiation, whereas microclimate humidity in 120 m closed house predictors consist of temperature, relative humidity and sun radiation. In conclusion macroclimate that contributes to the microclimate variation consist of temperature, air velocity and THI, which is larger in 60 m than 120 m closed house. Meanwhile, macroclimate that contributes to the microclimate humidity is larger in 120 m than 60 m closed house.

Walls represent globally distributed, locally extensive, artificial ecosystems. Wall vegetation is still poorly known in the Mediterranean and Temperate regions of southeastern Europe. The aim of this study is to classify and describe chasmophytic vegetation of walls, covering southeastern Europe from Slovenia to North Macedonia. From a total 463 phytosociological relevés, we identify and describe 12 distinct species – poor to moderately rich vegetation units using TWINSPAN evaluated by NMDS, and indicator values. The vegetation units are included within three alliances from two macroclimate regions: (1) vegetation of cool-temperate Europe of the Cymbalario-Asplenion alliance, and (2) Mediterranean vegetation of the Galio valantiae-Parietarion judaicae and Artemisio arborescentis-Capparidion spinosae alliances. The southernmost limit of the Cymbalario-Asplenion was determined in Central Bosnia. The presence of the Artemisio arborescentis-Capparidion spinosae in the eastern Adriatic is highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has a long history of planting ginkgo trees, and there are many large old ginkgo trees in rural and urban areas of China. Those large old ginkgo trees have aesthetic and cultural values and play an important role in regulating landscape and ecological functions. However, the geographical distribution and its determinants of large old ginkgo trees in China are still unexplored. In this study, we first collected from published references the county-level distribution data of ginkgo trees older than 100-year in China. Then we used generalized linear regression and random forest models to analyze the influence of 18 variables representing macroclimate, topography, soil conditions, and intensity of human activity on the occurrence and density of old ginkgo trees. We found that 66,184 old ginkgo trees were distributed in 818 counties of 23 provinces with the county-level average density of 0.11 ± 0.04 trees per km2. Old ginkgo trees were mainly distributed east of the Hu Huanyong line where the climate is humid and human population density is high. The probability of occurrence of old ginkgo trees was predominately affected by macroclimate and soil conditions. It significantly decreased with increasing proportion of soil sand content, soil pH, and climate stability, and significantly increased with increasing temperature and precipitation. In contrast, the density of old ginkgo trees was predominately affected by human activity, significantly increasing with human activity intensity (i.e., human population density, gross domestic product, and night-time light intensity). In conclusion, the occurrences of old ginkgo tree were constrained by macroclimate and soil conditions, while their density was mainly driven by human activity.

The baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus: Ploceidae), found across South and Southeast Asia, is known for its oblique-shaped overhanging nests. During the breeding season, females select from partially built (‘helmet’-stage) nests constructed by the males, after which nests are completed and used by the birds. Reproductive success is linked to an optimal microclimate within these nest structures. We recorded nest tree and nest structure characteristics of 66 fully completed nests for 22 colonies located in two climatically dissimilar sites in Peninsular Malaysia and examined how these factors affected the microclimate within six nests that were randomly selected at each location. Total vertical length of the nests, the height of nests from the ground, and the diameter at breast height of the nest trees recorded for the Selangor and Perlis colonies (in the southwest and north, respectively), were significantly different. The climatic variables inside and outside the nests correlated significantly in both sites. Our findings indicate that nest structures differed in Selangor and Perlis and were linked to nest microclimate, possibly being influenced by the surrounding temperature.

Aim: The spatio‐temporal connectivity of forest patches in lowland agricultural landscapes and their age matter to explain current biodiversity patterns across regional as well as biogeographical extents, to the point that their effect exceeds the one of macroclimate for plant diversity in the understorey of temperate forests. Whether this remains true for other taxonomic groups is still largely unknown. Yet, this relative influence has important consequences for ecosystem functioning and the delivery of ecosystem services. Focusing on carabid beetle assemblages, we assessed the relative importance of macroclimatic, landscape and patch attributes in driving local species richness (α‐diversity) and species dissimilarity between patches (β‐diversity). Location: Deciduous forest patches in seven regions along a 2,100‐km‐long latitudinal gradient across the European temperate forest biome, from southern France to central Sweden. Methods: We sampled 221 forest patches in two 5‐km × 5‐km landscape windows with contrasting management intensities. Carabid beetles were classified into four habitat‐preference guilds: forest‐specialist, forest‐generalist, eurytopic and open‐habitat species. We quantified the multi‐level environmental influence using mixed‐effects models and variation partitioning analysis. Results: We found that both α‐ and β‐diversity were primarily determined by macroclimate, acting as a large‐scale ecological filter on carabid assemblages among regions. Forest‐patch conditions, including biotic and abiotic heterogeneity as well as patch age (but not patch size), increased α‐diversity of forest species. Landscape management intensity weakly influenced α‐diversity of forest species, but increased the number of non‐forest species in forest patches. Beta diversity of non‐forest species increased with patch heterogeneity and decreased with landscape management intensity. Main conclusions: Our results highlight the leading role of broad macroclimatic gradients over local and landscape factors in determining the composition of local carabid communities, thereby shedding light on macroecological patterns of arthropod assemblages. This study emphasizes the urgent need for preserving ancient forest patches embedded in agricultural landscapes, even the small and weakly connected ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed the global genetic variation pattern of Capsella bursa‐pastoris (Brassicaceae) as expressed in allozymic (within‐locus) diversity and isozymic (between‐locus) diversity. Results are based on a global sampling of more than 20,000 C. bursa‐pastoris individuals randomly taken from 1,469 natural provenances in the native and introduced range, covering a broad spectrum of the species' geographic distribution. We evaluated data for population genetic parameters and F‐statistics, and Mantel tests and AMOVA were performed. Geographical distribution patterns of alleles and multilocus genotypes are shown in maps and tables. Genetic diversity of introduced populations is only moderately reduced in comparison with native populations. Global population structure was analyzed with structure, and the obtained cluster affiliation was tested independently with classification approaches and macroclimatic data using species distribution modeling. Analyses revealed two main clusters: one distributed predominantly in warm arid to semiarid climate regions and the other predominantly in more temperate humid to semihumid climate regions. We observed admixture between the two lineages predominantly in regions with intermediate humidity in both the native and non‐native ranges. The genetically derived clusters are strongly supported in macroclimatic data space. The worldwide distribution patterns of genetic variation in the range of C. bursa‐pastoris can be explained by intensive intra‐ and intercontinental migration, but environmental filtering due to climate preadaption seems also involved. Multiple independent introductions of genotypes from different source regions are obvious. "Endemic" genotypes might be the outcome of admixture or of de novo mutation. We conclude that today's successfully established Capsella genotypes were preadapted and found matching niche conditions in the colonized range parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Questions: Which are the main wet and mesic grassland vegetation types along the climatic gradient on the southern margin of the Pannonian basin? Which are the most important environmental gradients that determine their distribution and species composition? Location: The southern margin of the Pannonian plain (N and E Slovenia, N Croatia, N Serbia). Methods: A database of 2,575 vegetation plots originally assigned to the Molinio‐Arrhenatheretea was compiled. Semi‐supervised classification based on the K‐means algorithm was applied to assign plots into 12 a‐priori alliances and to search for new alliances. Non‐metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) ordination with Ellenberg's indicator values and bioclimatic variables were applied to show the influence of ecological conditions on species composition. The plots within each alliance were further classified into associations using the beta flexible method. Results: Classification resulted in 12 alliances recognized in the EuroVegChecklist, and two new groups appeared. The first group occurs in the eastern part of the research area, where many ruderal species appear. This group was treated as a new alliance, Salvio nemorosae‐Arrhenatherion forming a vicariant syntaxon of the alliance Arrhenatherion. The second group occurs in the western part. It is a transitional group between mesic (Arrhenatherion) and wet meadows (Deschampsion) and can be treated as Alopecurion. Besides, three new associations and six new subassociations were described, together with the typification of seven associations and of three subassociations. Numerical analyses revealed floristic, ecological and geographical differentiation among analysed vegetation types. Conclusions: The communities showed typical Central European features in the western part, but their floristic and ecological conditions changed towards the eastern part, where the continental influence was more pronounced. The vegetation structure and plant species composition in the studied area were influenced by soil moisture and soil nutrient availability as well as by strong biogeographical and climatic gradients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We identified and classified damselfly (Zygoptera) and dragonfly (Anisoptera) metacommunities in Brazilian Amazonia, relating species distribution patterns to known biological gradients and biogeographical history. We expected a random distribution of both Zygoptera and Anisoptera within interfluves. At the Amazonian scale, we expected Anisoptera metacommunities to be randomly distributed due to their higher dispersal ability and large environmental tolerance. In contrast, we expected Zygoptera communities to exhibit a Clementsian pattern, limited by the large Amazonia rivers due to their low dispersal ability. Methods We used a dataset of 58 first-to-third order well-sampled streamlets in four Amazonian interfluves and applied an extension of the Elements of Metacommunity Structure (EMS) framework, in which we order Zygoptera and Anisoptera metacommunities by known spatial and biogeographic predictors. Results At the Amazonian scale, both Zygoptera and Anisoptera presented a Clementsian pattern, driven by the same environmental and biogeographical predictors, namely biogeographic region (interfluve), annual mean temperature, habitat integrity and annual precipitation. At the interfluve scale, results were less consistent and only partially support our hypothesis. Zygoptera metacommunities at Guiana and Anisoptera metacommunities at Tapajós were classified as random, suggesting that neutral processes gain importance at smaller spatial scales. Discussion Our findings were consistent with previous studies showing that environmental gradients and major rivers limit the distribution of Odonata communities, supporting that larger Amazonian rivers act as barriers for the dispersal of this group. In addition, the importance of habitat integrity indicates that intactness of riparian vegetation is an important filter shaping metacommunity structure of Amazonian stream Odonata.

Aim: Forest understorey microclimates are often buffered against extreme heat or cold, with important implications for the organisms living in these environments. We quantified seasonal effects of understorey microclimate predictors describing canopy structure, canopy composition and topography (i.e., local factors) and the forest patch size and distance to the coast (i.e., landscape factors). Location: Temperate forests in Europe. Time period: 2017–2018. Major taxa studied: Woody plants. Methods: We combined data from a microclimate sensor network with weather‐station records to calculate the difference, or offset, between temperatures measured inside and outside forests. We used regression analysis to study the effects of local and landscape factors on the seasonal offset of minimum, mean and maximum temperatures. Results: The maximum temperature during the summer was on average cooler by 2.1 °C inside than outside forests, and the minimum temperatures during the winter and spring were 0.4 and 0.9 °C warmer. The local canopy cover was a strong nonlinear driver of the maximum temperature offset during summer, and we found increased cooling beneath tree species that cast the deepest shade. Seasonal offsets of minimum temperature were mainly regulated by landscape and topographic features, such as the distance to the coast and topographic position. Main conclusions: Forest organisms experience less severe temperature extremes than suggested by currently available macroclimate data; therefore, climate–species relationships and the responses of species to anthropogenic global warming cannot be modelled accurately in forests using macroclimate data alone. Changes in canopy cover and composition will strongly modulate the warming of maximum temperatures in forest understories, with important implications for understanding the responses of forest biodiversity and functioning to the combined threats of land‐use change and climate change. Our predictive models are generally applicable across lowland temperate deciduous forests, providing ecologically important microclimate data for forest understories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through multiple interacting forcing factors, global climate change is poised to alter the structure and function of tidal wetlands worldwide, and consequently, the ecosystem services they provide. For low-lying tidal wetlands, these impacts arise largely as a result of changes in macroclimatic conditions; inputs of freshwater, nutrients, and sediments from coastal watersheds; sea-level rise; and storm activity. Collectively, these climate-driven impacts influence the hydrology, physicochemical environment, species composition, and ecological functioning of tidal wetlands. Given the scope of the threat, it is important to examine climate-change impacts at various spatial and temporal scales and across the various sub-disciplines of wetland science. Insight into climate impacts can inform vulnerability assessments, conservation and restoration plans, and adaptation and mitigation strategies. The articles in this special feature cover a range to topics related to climate-change impacts on tidal wetlands from different biogeographic regions around the world. They examine shifts in foundation species, impacts to wildlife habitat, the use of models to predict responses to different climate-change scenarios, and the potential for restoration to sustain tidal wetlands in the face of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their position at the land–sea interface, barrier islands are vulnerable to both oceanic and atmospheric climate change‐related drivers. In response to relative sea‐level rise, barrier islands tend to migrate landward via overwash processes which deposit sediment onto the backbarrier marsh, thus maintaining elevation above sea level. In this paper, we assess the importance of interior upland vegetation and sediment transport (from upland to marsh) on the movement of the marsh–upland boundary in a transgressive barrier system along the mid‐Atlantic Coast. We hypothesize that recent woody expansion is altering the rate of marsh to upland conversion. Using Landsat imagery over a 32 year time period (1984–2016), we quantify transitions between land cover (bare, grassland, woody vegetation, and marsh) and the marsh–upland boundary. We find that the Virginia Barrier Islands have both gains and losses in backbarrier marsh and upland, with 19% net loss from the system during the timeframe of the study and increased variance in marsh to upland conversion. This is consistent with recent work indicating a shift toward increasing rates of landward barrier island migration. Despite a net loss of upland area, macroclimatic winter warming resulted in 41% increase in woody vegetation in protected, low‐elevation areas, introducing new ecological scenarios that increase resistance to sediment movement from upland to marsh. Our analysis demonstrates how the interplay between elevation and interior island vegetative cover influences landward migration of the boundary between upland and marsh (a previously underappreciated indicator that an island is migrating), and thus, the importance of including ecological processes in the island interior into coastal modeling of barrier island migration and sediment movement across the barrier landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Climate is an important factor controlling plant distributions. However, it is not yet fully understood how climate interacts with human impacts or whether the effects of these factors differ between native and alien species. Facing ongoing climate change and urbanization, we explore the effects of climate on plant species richness and composition across European cities. Location: Sixty cities in Western, Central and Southern Europe. Taxon: Vascular plants. Methods: Species presence was recorded in seven habitats in each city. Large‐scale climatic gradients were derived from 22 climatic variables using a partial principal component analysis that controlled for the effects of human population size and gross domestic product. The effects of climate and habitat type on the numbers of native and alien species were tested using linear mixed‐effect models. The native and alien compositional variation across cities and habitats was analysed using principal component analysis with variation partitioning. Results: The Mediterranean‐to‐temperate climatic gradient had a significant effect on species numbers across all habitats. The numbers of both native and alien species increased from the Mediterranean to temperate Europe. Within each city, the proportion of alien species decreased from highly urbanized to less urbanized habitats. Climate had a stronger effect on the composition of alien plants than on the composition of native plants. The native species composition especially changed from the Mediterranean to temperate cities and alien species composition also from oceanic to continental cities. Main conclusions: Urban native and alien species richness follow the pattern found for the whole European flora. Based on this observation, we suggest that the future shift of warm and dry conditions from the Mediterranean to the north that is expected under global change scenarios could affect richness and change the composition of European urban floras. However, this shift would not necessarily alter the proportions of aliens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. We identified and classified damselfly (Zygoptera) and dragonfly (Anisoptera) metacommunities in Brazilian Amazonia, relating species distribution patterns to known biological gradients and biogeographical history. We expected a random distribution of both Zygoptera and Anisoptera within interfluves. At the Amazonian scale, we expected Anisoptera metacommunities to be randomly distributed due to their higher dispersal ability and large environmental tolerance. In contrast, we expected Zygoptera communities to exhibit a Clementsian pattern, limited by the large Amazonia rivers due to their low dispersal ability. Methods. We used a dataset of 58 first-to-third order well-sampled streamlets in four Amazonian interfluves and applied an extension of the Elements of Metacommunity Structure (EMS) framework, in which we order Zygoptera and Anisoptera metacommunities by known spatial and biogeographic predictors. Results. At the Amazonian scale, both Zygoptera and Anisoptera presented a Clementsian pattern, driven by the same environmental and biogeographical predictors, namely biogeographic region (interfluve), annual mean temperature, habitat integrity and annual precipitation. At the interfluve scale, results were less consistent and only partially support our hypothesis. Zygoptera metacommunities at Guiana and Anisoptera metacommunities at Tapajós were classified as random, suggesting that neutral processes gain importance at smaller spatial scales. Discussion. Our findings were consistent with previous studies showing that environmental gradients and major rivers limit the distribution of Odonata communities, supporting that larger Amazonian rivers act as barriers for the dispersal of this group. In addition, the importance of habitat integrity indicates that intactness of riparian vegetation is an important filter shaping metacommunity structure of Amazonian stream Odonata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The drivers of the diversity of tropical wood-inhabiting fungi are unknown. • Resource explained alpha-diversity of tropical wood-inhabiting fungi. • Macroclimate explained beta-diversity of tropical wood-inhabiting fungi. • The drivers of the diversity of wood-inhabiting fungi are likely similar across ecosystems. • Dead wood of diverse tree species should be enriched across tropical macroclimates. Abstract Wood-inhabiting fungi are one of the most important groups of organisms as they contribute substantially to carbon and nutrient cycles by decomposing dead wood. Current knowledge of their occurrence, distribution, and drivers of their diversity derives almost exclusively from temperate and boreal forest ecosystems. We sampled wood-inhabiting fungi across Benin, a tropical country in West Africa with a strong north–south seasonality gradient consisting of three macroclimatic zones. We aimed at determining whether macroclimate or the resource (size or amount of dead wood, number of host tree species, and stage of wood decomposition) is more important for their diversity. Variation partitioning revealed a stronger partial effect of resource on fungal species richness and a strong effect of macroclimate on the community composition. A more detailed linear mixed-effects model revealed a significantly positive effect of host richness, amount of dead wood, and macroclimate on fungal species richness and a significantly positive effect of macroclimate and stage of wood decomposition on the community composition. These findings are consistent with patterns found in temperate and boreal ecosystems, which indicates the existence of general pattern of the diversity of wood-inhabiting fungi. Based on these results, we recommend that existing knowledge should be exploited for the conservation of wood-inhabiting fungi in tropical Africa. Thus, to protect tropical wood-inhabiting fungal diversity, we recommend that any size of dead-wood objects of diverse tree species be enriched in all tropical macroclimatic zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current global warming scenario has led to a renewed interest in determining which species are more vulnerable to climate change. Hence, it is important to understand which factors can affect estimates of species vulnerability. We determined the critical thermal maxima (CT max ) for six species of North American anuran larvae and measured the environmental temperatures to which they are exposed during their aquatic stage to estimate their warming tolerance (WT; difference between the critical thermal maximum and the macro- and microhabitat maximum environmental temperatures). Our results indicate that these species exhibited CT max values (37.8–41.7 °C) that were similar to other temperate species and positively correlated only with environmental temperatures measured at the microclimate scale. This indicates that microclimatic variables are better predictors of CT max variation than macroclimate data. Moreover, most of the CT max variation found was associated with higher taxonomic levels, indicating that related species may show similar CT max values due to phylogenetic inertia. Studied species also exhibited high values of WT (10.3–22.6 °C), similar to temperate amphibian species from other bioregions. This indicates that there is a considerable gap between the species' critical thermal maximum and maximum environmental temperature, whether using datalogger (microclimate) or WorldClim (macroclimate) environmental data. However, WT estimates based on datalogger data were not related to those based on macroclimate environmental data. Finally, variation associated with the type of environmental data used (macro- vs. microclimate) had a profound influence on WT estimates. Hence, our perception of which species are more vulnerable to global warming changes may depend on the scale of the climate data used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isophya costata, protected under EC, post-glacial endemic relict in the Carpathian Basin, is an important indicator species of dicot-rich hayfields and steppe grasslands. Significant changes in yearly population sizes of I. costata were observed in its areamargin. Based on this, population dynamics and habitats of I. costata have been monitored between 2007 and 2014. Our results showed that annual population sizes were heavily affected by macroclimatic factors in March - monthly precipitations below 25 mm or above 55 mm had been found as a negative impact on yearly densities of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased attention is being paid to the ecological drivers and conservation measures which could mitigate climate change-induced pressures for species survival, potentially helping populations to remain in their present-day locations longer. One important buffering mechanism against climate change may be provided by the heterogeneity in topography and consequent local climate conditions. However, the buffering capacity of this topoclimate has so far been insufficiently studied based on empirical survey data across multiple sites and species. Here, we studied whether the fine-grained air temperature variation of protected areas (PAs) affects the population changes of declining northern forest bird species. Importantly to our study, in PAs harmful land use, such as logging, is not allowed, enabling the detection of the effects of temperature buffering, even at relatively moderate levels of topographic variation. Our survey data from 129 PAs located in the boreal zone in Finland show that the density of northern forest species was higher in topographically heterogeneous PAs than in topographically more homogeneous PAs. Moreover, local temperature variation had a significant effect on the density change of northern forest birds from 1981−1999 to 2000−2017, indicating that change in bird density was generally smaller in PAs with higher topographic variation. Thus, we found a clear buffering effect stemming from the local temperature variation of PAs in the population trends of northern forest birds.

Background:The topographic complexity typical of alpine landscapes creates a variety of (micro)climatic conditions that may mitigate the effects of a warming climate on alpine plants via such mechanisms as cold air pooling (CAP). Aims:Our primary objectives were to (1) assess whether landscape potential forCAPas a predictor improved species distribution models (SDMs) projections and (2) quantify the impact ofCAPon the microclimate experienced by alpine plants compared to the macroclimate. Methods:We selected the Maritime Alps as our study area, located on the French–Italian border, and its rare endemic plant,Saxifraga florulenta, as model taxon. We generated a spatial layer in GIS (Geographic Information System) that reflected the potential of the landscape forCAPand ran five SDM algorithms with and withoutCAPlayer as a predictor. Second, we recorded the microclimate plants experience with temperature loggers. Results:CAPas a predictor decreased the omission error of SDMs, mostly at low and mid elevations, where topography may buffer extreme temperatures, resulting in a more stable microclimate compared to macroclimate. Conclusions:We have shown that plants in an alpine landscape may be less exposed to climate warming than predicted by macroclimate. Topo-climatic GIS layers for SDM projections in mountain environments should integrate such physical mechanisms asCAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Establishment of vineyards is often forced towards geo-morphologically complex terroir where aspect, slope, relief and erosion are determining factors in orientation of rows. In this novel study, changes in primarily microclimate profiles and vine physiological behaviour with different row orientations were studied on a flat terrain in a semi-arid environment with the purpose of aiding vineyard management decisions and practices for production of grapes and wine. Effects of grapevine row orientation (NS, EW, NE-SW, NW-SE) of vertically trellised and shoot positioned Vitis vinifera L. Shiraz/101-14 Mgt on vineyard meso- and microclimate as well as vine physiological status, within the context of regional macroclimate, were investigated under field conditions over many seasons. Novel wind velocity and direction profiles in vineyard rows showed velocity in work rows paralleling ambient prevailing wind and direction flow patterns being affected by canopy development and row orientation; NW-SE and EW orientated rows maintained higher wind velocity in work rows than NS and NE-SW rows. Mesoclimatic photosynthetic active radiation was in line with macroclimate radiation. Microclimatically, EW orientated rows maintained lowest interior canopy light interception, NS orientation displayed highest values, peaking in morning and afternoon, whereas NE-SW and NW-SE orientations peaked primarily in afternoon and morning, respectively. The EW orientated rows captured largest portion of total radiation in the bunch zone from soil reflected radiation. Canopy interior temperature differences were likely masked by air temperature. Basal leaf water potential was relatively unaffected by row side; results point to internal regulation of whole plant water status. Leaf temperature showed minor differences. Relative humidity followed opposite trends to those of air- and leaf temperature. Leaves of EW orientated vines had highest average photosynthesis, corresponding to stomatal conductance and transpiration. Most uniform canopy photosynthesis occurred for NS and NW-SE orientations. Photosynthesis trends practically demonstrated mirror diurnal images for canopy sides of each orientation. Row orientation significantly affected meso- and microclimate, radiation in particular directly affecting energy/heat balances and concomitant canopy physiological processes. The study provided new insights into: vine physiological response to row orientation, the role of row orientation as viticulture practice; decision-making for establishment; and management of existing vineyards, irrespective of terroir soil and climatic conditions and product objectives. Results are globally relevant, especially within the context of climate change, and provide first comprehensive climatic/grapevine physiological evidence on the impact of grapevine row orientation as viticulture practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Macroclimate is a major determinant of large-scale diversity patterns. However, the influence of smaller-scale factors on local diversity across large spatial extents is not well documented. Here, we quantify the relative importance of local (patch-scale), landscape-scale and macroclimatic drivers of herbaceous species diversity in small forest patches in agricultural landscapes across Europe. Location Deciduous forest patches in eight regions along a macroclimatic gradient from southern France to central Sweden and Estonia. Methods The diversity of forest specialists and generalists at three levels (whole forest patch, sampling plots within patches and between scales) was related to patch-scale (forest area, age, abiotic and biotic heterogeneity), landscape-scale (amount of forest, grasslands and hedgerows around the patch, patch isolation) and macroclimatic variables (temperature and precipitation) using generalized linear mixed models and variation partitioning for each group of variables. Results The total amount of explained variation in diversity ranged from 8% for plot-scale diversity of generalists to 54% for patch-scale diversity of forest specialists. Patch-scale variables always explained more than 60% of the explained variation in diversity, mainly due to the positive effect of within-patch heterogeneity on patch-scale and between-scale diversities and to the positive effect of patch age on plot-scale diversity of forest specialists. Landscape-scale variables mainly contributed to the amount of explained variation in plot-scale diversity, being more important for forest specialists (21%) than for generalists (18%). Macroclimatic variables contributed a maximum of 11% to the plot-scale diversity of generalists. Main conclusions Macroclimate poorly predicts local diversity across Europe, and herbaceous diversity is mainly explained by habitat features, less so by landscape structure. We show the importance of conserving old forest patches as refugia for typical forest species, and of enhancing the landscape context around the patches by reducing the degree of disturbance caused by agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]