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The health district of Sakassou is one of the 83 health districts in Côte d'Ivoire, located in a zone with very high malarial transmission rates, with an incidence rate of -40% Therefore, to guide vector control methods more effectively, it was crucial to have a good understanding of the vectors in the area. This study aimed to determine the level of malarial transmission during the dry season in Sakassou, Côte d'Ivoire. Female Anopheles mosquitoes were sampled using human landing catches (HLCs) and pyrethrum spraying catches (PSCs). The larvae were collected using the 'dipping' method. A total of 10,875 adult female mosquitoes of Anopheles gambiae were collected. The PCR analysis revealed that all individuals were Anopheles coluzzii. The geographical distribution of potential breeding sites of Anopheles showed the presence of An. coluzzii in all the wetlands of the city of Sakassou. During the dry season, the human-biting rate of An. coluzzii was 139.1 bites/person/night. An exophagic trend was displayed by an adult female of An. coluzzii. The entomological inoculation rate during the dry season was 1.49 infectious bites/person/night. This study demonstrated that An. coluzzii was the main vector of malarial transmission in Sakassou, and the intensity of transmission remains high throughout the dry season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, Mediterranean forests are experiencing the deleterious effects of global warming, which mainly include increased temperatures and decreased precipitation in the region. Relict Abies pinsapo fir forests, endemic in the southern Iberian Peninsula, are especially sensitive to these recent environmental disturbances, and identifying the genes involved in the response of this endangered tree species to climate-driven stresses is of paramount importance for mitigating their effects. Genomic resources for A. pinsapo allow for the analysis of candidate genes reacting to warming and aridity in their natural habitats. Several members of the complex gene families encoding late embryogenesis abundant proteins (LEAs) and heat shock proteins (HSPs) have been found to exhibit differential expression patterns between wet and dry seasons when samples from distinct geographical locations and dissimilar exposures to the effects of climate change were analyzed. The observed changes were more perceptible in the roots of trees, particularly in declining forests distributed at lower altitudes in the more vulnerable mountains. These findings align with previous studies and lay the groundwork for further research on the molecular level. Molecular and genomic approaches offer valuable insights for mitigating climate stress and safeguarding this endangered conifer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Anopheles mosquitoes are ectothermic and involved in numerous pathogen transmissions. Their life history traits are influenced by several environmental factors such as temperature, relative humidity and photoperiodicity. Despite extensive investigations of these environmental conditions on vector population ecology, their impact on the different life stages of Anopheles at different seasons in the year remains poorly explored. This study reports the potential impact of these abiotic factors on the immature and adult stages of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato during different seasons. Methods: Environmental conditions were simulated in the laboratory using incubators to mimic the environmental conditions of two important periods of the year in Burkina Faso: the peak of rainy season (August) and the onset of dry season (December). Eggs from wild An. coluzzii and An. gambiae s.l. were reared separately under each environmental condition. For Anopheles coluzzii or An. gambiae s.l., eggs were equally divided into two groups assigned to the two experimental conditions. Four replicates were carried out for this experiment. Then, egg hatching rate, pupation rate, larval development time, larva-to-pupae development time, adult emergence dynamics and longevity of Anopheles were evaluated. Also, pupae-to-adult development time from wild L3 and L4 Anopheles larvae was estimated under semi-field conditions in December. Results: A better egg hatching rate was recorded overall with conditions mimicking the onset of the dry season compared to the peak of the rainy season. Larval development time and longevity of An. gambiae s.l. female were significantly longer at the onset of the dry season compared than at the peak of the rainy season. Adult emergence was spread over 48 and 96 h at the peak of the rainy season and onset of dry season conditions respectively. This 96h duration in the controlled conditions of December was also observed in the semi-field conditions in December. Conclusions: The impact of temperature and relative humidity on immature stages and longevity of An. gambiae s.l. adult females differed under both conditions. These findings contribute to a better understanding of vector population dynamics throughout different seasons of the year and may facilitate tailoring of control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is valuable information that can be obtained beyond using a fixed crop calendar with coarse spatial resolution. Knowing the dynamics of the timing and location in which a particular crop is planted and harvested, with an annual temporal resolution and a fine spatial resolution, is crucial not only for monitoring crop conditions and production but also for understanding crop management under changing climates. In this study, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was utilized to develop a historical crop calendar for paddy in Indonesia with a 1 km resolution from 2001 to 2021. The result of this study is the first dynamic crop calendar that includes information about the planting, peak, and harvesting dates, as crop growth indicators, derived from the analysis of NDVI value fluctuations. Additionally, this dataset also includes the total number of cropping seasons each year. In Indonesia, there are intensive agricultural activities, including two dry cropping seasons that occur after the wet cropping season. However, this dataset is limited only to crops grown during the dry seasons, which typically begin in February and June. This dataset offers significant information at a finer spatiotemporal resolution to enable studies on agricultural fields undergoing climate change, although it is more country–specific than the other established dataset. The annual crop calendar dataset from 2001 to 2021 underscores the significance of examining the variability in cropping seasons over the years. This exploration aims to deepen our comprehension of the interplay between cropping seasons, climatic indicators, and even the social factors influencing farmers' decisions. Furthermore, presented at a 1 km resolution, this dynamic crop calendar underscores the need for a more precise representation of diverse cropping intensities and seasons, particularly within small and fragmented agricultural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In systems with seasonal rainfall, the dry season water yield (streamflow relative to the catchment area) depends on the antecedent rainfall as well as on infiltration and evapotranspiration, processes which, in turn, are affected by the landscape characteristics. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of different landscape variables on water yield and the recession rate (rate of decrease in streamflow) during the dry season in high-mountain catchments in central Argentina. We selected 33 catchments 9-61 ha and, during the last part of the 2017 dry season, we measured streamflow in the catchment output points once a week, for seven consecutive weeks. For each catchment, we calculated the average water yield (mm/month) and a recession index (dimensionless) as the normalized difference between the water yield of the latest and the first dates. The landscapes extensively occupied by a tussock grassland-rock mosaic, with intermediate steepness and roughness, had the highest water yields (>5 mm/month). Conversely, water yield was lower either in smooth and vegetated landscapes as in extremely rugged, steep and rocky landscapes. On the other hand, recession rate was slower in the most rugged landscapes and abrupt in the smooth landscapes. Possibly, in smooth and vegetated landscapes, high amounts of water are lost through evapotranspiration, while in the most rugged landscapes, large amounts of water are lost by runoff after rainfall. Intermediate landscapes covered by a mosaic of rock and vegetation would be those that optimize water storage, minimizing losses through evapotranspiration. Therefore, to sustain current water yields, these types of landscape must be conserved, preventing soil erosion, leading to an increase in rocky areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thorough exploration of the micrometeorological aspects influencing canopy temperature in contrasting wheat cultivars can unveil the specific mechanisms of adaptation to heat stress. However, information on wheat microclimates in hot environments for crop improvement is lacking. Here, we used a micrometeorological method to investigate wheat's response to high temperatures. Field experiments were conducted in the Gezira Scheme, Sudan, to compare two high-yielding heat-tolerant cultivars, Imam and Bohaine, in terms of canopy temperature depression (CTD), air temperature gradient (ATG), and vapor pressure gradient (VPG) from a 2 m height to canopy level. The maximum air temperature at 2 m during the main growing season was 37 °C. Air temperature at canopy level was mostly lower in the Imam field than in the Bohaine field, and it was positively correlated with and higher than radiometric canopy surface temperature. The maximum CTD during the reproductive stage was 4.7–6.5 °C in the Bohaine field and 5.0–7.2 °C in the Imam field. ATG was also larger in the Imam field, attributed to the greater leaf area of the Imam canopy, as presumed from the NDVI difference between fields. ATG was negatively correlated with VPG in both fields, and the relationship was stronger at lower nighttime wind speeds and weaker at higher daytime wind speeds. These results indicate that the micrometeorological approach can be used to compare cultivars in high-temperature environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the best path data set of tropical cyclones from the China Meteorological Administration, NCEP/NCAR (National Centers for Environmental Prediction–National Center for Atmospheric Research) reanalysis data, JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency) SST (surface sea temperature) data and NCEP subsurface sea temperature data, the sea temperature background of tropical cyclones affecting Hainan Province in the dry season was analyzed using typical cases from November to December. The results show that there was a significant positive correlation between the number of tropical cyclones affecting Hainan Province and the sea surface temperature in the South China Sea and the Western Pacific. The high SST in the South China Sea and Northwest Pacific were favorable for the occurrence and development of tropical cyclones. The circulation situation also had a significant impact on tropical cyclones during the concurrent period. The wind field convergence was conducive to the occurrence and development of tropical cyclones. The high subsurface sea temperature in the Western Pacific at the depth of 5–50 m was conducive to the strengthening of convection in the Pacific warm pool and the occurrence of the tropical cyclones. The typical cases of 1993 and 2017 have effectively verified the impact of the sea surface temperature background and circulation situation on tropical cyclones affecting the Hainan Province from November to December. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Seasonal fluctuations in the water level have the potential to alter the nutrient composition of the aquatic ecosystem and disrupt the trophic structure. Tian-e-Zhou Oxbow is the first ex situ reserve established for the Yangtze finless porpoise in China. The extant rich and abundant forage fish resources are a guarantee for the healthy development of the Yangtze finless porpoise population. However, the water-level difference between the Tian-e-Zhou Oxbow and the Yangtze mainstream has been increasing due to the barrier of the Sha-Tan Levee, and effective regulation measures have not been implemented. In this study, we aimed to explore the impact of water-level fluctuations on the trophic structure of the ecosystem in the Tian-e-Zhou Oxbow by analyzing the trophic position, trophic niche, and resource contribution to fish during both the wet and the dry seasons. The study will contribute to the conservation of the Yangtze finless porpoise and provide a valuable reference for habitat improvement and restoration efforts in the Tian-e-Zhou Oxbow of the Yangtze River. Seasonal water-level fluctuations can profoundly impact nutrient dynamics in aquatic ecosystems, influencing trophic structures and overall ecosystem functions. The Tian-e-Zhou Oxbow of the Yangtze River is China's first ex situ reserve and the world's first successful case of ex situ conservation for cetaceans. In order to better protect the Yangtze finless porpoise, the effects of water-level fluctuations on the trophic structure in this oxbow cannot be ignored. Therefore, we employed stable isotope analysis to investigate the changes in the trophic position, trophic niche, and contribution of basal food sources to fish during the wet and dry seasons of 2021–2022. The research results indicate that based on stable isotope analysis of the trophic levels of different dietary fish species, fish trophic levels during the wet season were generally higher than those during the dry season, but the difference was not significant (p > 0.05). Fish communities in the Tian-e-Zhou Oxbow exhibited broader trophic niche space and lower trophic redundancy during the wet season (p < 0.05), indicating a more complex and stable food web structure. In both the wet and dry seasons, fish in the oxbow primarily relied on endogenous carbon sources, but there were significant differences in the way they were utilized between the two seasons (p < 0.05). In light of the changes in the trophic structure of the fish during the wet and dry seasons, and to ensure the stable development of the Yangtze finless porpoise population, we recommend strengthening the connectivity between the Tian-e-Zhou Oxbow and the Yangtze River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In terrestrial ecosystems, the activities of semi‐fossorial animals such as Cape porcupines have important landscape effects that may manifest in the dry season when the availability of above‐ground forage becomes limiting. We investigated the effects of foraging activities of Cape porcupines on savanna landscapes. We measured the size (surface area and depth) of foraging holes of porcupines located at the base of trees in the dry season in two mesic savanna sites at Roodeplaat Farm and Bisley Valley Nature Reserve in South Africa. We also recorded plant and animal activities inside the foraging holes for 3 months. The depth of foraging holes beneath small trees (Vachellia nilotica) was greater than depths beneath old trees (V. robusta and D. rotundifolia). This resulted in the subsequent death of most (>50%) small impacted trees in the dry season at Bisley. The surface area of foraging holes for older trees was greater than that for small trees and even greater for old holes. This study showed that porcupines kill trees or expose them to secondary attacks. The physical impacts of semi‐fossorial herbivores in savannas can be significant, with contributions to direct and indirect landscape transformation and restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conservation of forage as silage allows its application during the dry season in dairy cattle feeding. The most commonly used forage for this purpose is maize (Zea mays L.), but due to the possible effects of climate change, the diversification of crops with shorter agronomic cycles as wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) should be considered. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the chemical composition of silages, the productive response of dairy cows fed wheat and maize silage, as well as their feeding costs. Three treatments were evaluated with 9.8 kg DM cow-1 d-1 silage plus 4.6 kg DM cow-1 d-1 commercial concentrate each. Treatments were 100% wheat silage (WS), 50% wheat silage-50% maize silage (WMS), and 100% maize silage (MS). Six Holstein cows were used in groups of three randomly assigned to treatment sequence in a 3x3 Latin square design repeated twice. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) between treatments in silage chemical composition, except in NDF and ADF (P > 0.05). There were nonsignificant differences in animal variables (P > 0.05) with mean milk yield of 15.4 kg cow-1 d-1, 33.7 g kg-1 milkfat, 30.5 g kg-1 milk protein, 481.2 kg live weight and 2.1 body condition score. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in silage and total DM intake in the third experimental period (three periods, 14 d each one) with 8.1 and 12.7 kg DM cow-1 d-1, respectively. Although cost for wheat silage were higher than maize silage, all three treatments showed positive margins on feeding costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize is the third most important grass produced in the world after wheat and rice. Among the limitations of its production, fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is considered the most relevant pest in which corn is the main host plant. During the dry and rainy seasons of 2021-2022, lots of 1200 m2 were planted including three commercial hybrids, ADV-9139, Trueno NB-7443, and INIAP-551 in which the treatments were evaluated: T1: Sequence of insecticides (CLE) based on chlorantraniliprole, lufenuron, and emamectin benzoate. T2: Biological insecticide based on Bacillus thuringiensis (BT). T3: Methomyl-based treatment (MET). T4: Untreated plot (UP). Plant and cob damage, plant height and cob insertion, and grain yield were evaluated, and an economic analysis was performed. The least damage to plants and cobs was detected in the ADV-9139 hybrid. Regarding pesticides, CLE showed the best damage control in plants and the cobs were less damaged when CLE and BT were applied. Plant height and cob insertion height were lower in the ADV9139 hybrid in which the highest grain yields were estimated. Plots treated with BT showed the highest increase in grain yield. The results show that the management of this voracious insect can be achieved combining the partial resistance of a maize genotype with pesticide applications with the lowest social, economic and ecological costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the in situ degradation of ammonified sugarcane bagasse silage as cattle feed during the dry season. Samples of fresh sugar cane bagasse (Saccharum sp) were randomly taken from the "Puro Bravo" farm, located in the "La Soledad" site, Junin canton, province of Manabi. A Completely Randomized Design with 3x2 Factorial Arrangement was used, where Factor A was represented by the different levels of urea inclusion (0, 3 and 5 %) and Factor B, fermentation times of sugarcane bagasse (30 and 44 days), each combination of these factors consisted of three replications. The best treatment is 5% urea, day 30 of fermentation, both in bromatology and degradability, and the degree of association of degradability at different times was related to the nutritional value of the ammonified bagasse, which is related to degradability and fiber. Ammonification with urea improved nutritional values, characterized by increasing crude protein and decreasing NDF, FDA and LDA as urea levels increased. The differences were highly significant (P < .0001), indicating that the results were highly significant for each of the variables studied, which allowed relating the degree of association of degradability at different times with the nutritional value of the ammonified bagasse silage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 74‐year‐old woman was admitted with a dry cough and dyspnea that had persisted for 2 weeks at the beginning of winter. Chest computed tomography revealed bilateral diffuse non‐segmental ground‐glass opacities without centrilobular nodules. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed a marked increase in the lymphocyte ratio. Her condition and chest radiographic findings improved spontaneously after admission. An additional interview conducted after admission revealed that the patient had started using a contaminated humidifier approximately 2 weeks before the onset of symptoms. Thus, the diagnosis of humidifier lung was established. Humidifier lung is a rare phenotype of hypersensitive pneumonitis that often occurs during dry winter when the use of humidifiers increases. Humidifier lung is an important differential diagnosis of bilateral pneumonia during dry winter, and detailed history‐taking regarding the use of humidifiers, assuming a humidifier lung, is crucial for its diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Opuntia ficus-indica, and the Agave americana L., are invasive plants, widespread across various countries, that are used by farmers as an alternative water source for ruminants in the summer. The goal of this study is to assess their nutritive value and potential throughout the year, so that their use in diets can be optimized. Both plants are very rich in water, minerals, and energy, but low in crude protein and fibre. Although a decrease in digestibility is observed in the summer, both plants can be a viable feed supplement for ruminants in both the winter and the summer, providing a cheap and eco-sustainable alternative water source. Opuntia ficus-indica, and the Agave americana L., can be fed to ruminants when associated with dried fodder, or incorporated into high crude protein diets for ruminants. Using invasive plants in animal production can provide an economical and eco-sustainable competitive advantage in a globalized market. The Opuntia ficus-indica and the Agave americana L. are invasive plants historically used by Azorean farmers as an alternative ruminant water source in the summer. This study aims to better understand their properties and how they vary throughout the year, so their use to complement animal diets can be optimised. Six samples of each species were collected on the Terceira Island during 2 growth seasons: winter (January 2021) and summer (September 2021), and their chemical composition, in vitro digestibility, and gas production, were determined. Significant (p < 0.05) differences were found in all parameters between the summer and the winter, with larger variations in both fibre (NDF and ADF) and digestibility parameters found between the Opuntia and the Agave. Gas production was greater in the summer for Opuntia and in the winter for Agave. Even though the digestibility was lower in the summer, we found that both plants offer a viable ruminant feed complement in both seasons, providing a cheap and eco-sustainable alternative water source, that can be associated to dry forage and compound feeding stuff with a high crude protein content when designing ruminant diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small-grain cereals may be a forage alternative for small-scale dairy systems under limiting climatic conditions given their short agronomic cycle. Cereals as dual-purpose forages (grazing and silage) have not been evaluated in Mexico. The objective was to assess the inclusion of rye (Secale cereale L.) (SCS) or triticale (×Triticosecale spp.) silage (TRS). The treatments were: T1 = 10 kg DM cow-1 d-1 SCS, T2 = 10 kg DM TRS, in both treatments with grazing access (8 h d-1) of a Kikuyu grass (Cenchrus clandestinus (Hochst. ex Chiov.) Morrone) pasture and supplemented with 3.6 kg DM cow-1 d-1 concentrate; in a double cross-over with six cows and three 14 d experimental periods, animal (milk yield, live weight, body condition score, and sampling for milk composition) and feed variables (net herbage accumulation, sward height and sampling for chemical composition) were recorded during the last 4 d of each period. There were no differences (P > 0.05) between treatments for milk yield (13.3 ± 2.8 kg cow-1 d-1), live weight (512.1 ± 85.9 kg), body condition score (2.2 ± 0.2), milk fat (35.8 ± 5.2 g kg-1), milk protein (27.8 ± 0.6 g kg-1), milk urea N (9.8 ± 2.5 mg dL-1) or milk pH (6.8 ± 0.07). Feeding costs were lower in SCS (P < 0.05); which may be an alternative for small-scale dairy systems. It is concluded that both rye and triticale are good alternatives as dual-purpose forage crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intestinal parasites are a constant public health problem in the Amazon region, with a high prevalence of cases related to poor sanitary conditions. We investigated the sociodemographic and seasonal factors associated with human intestinal parasite infections in an area of the Western Amazon, Brazil, from September 2017 to August 2019. Data were collected using a database available at the Diagnostic Support Centre (Centro de Apoio ao Diagnóstico, CAD) of the Municipality of Rio Branco, on positive diagnoses for intestinal parasites. Among the 53,200 samples analysed, 18.3% (n = 9712) were positive. Of these, 96.4% (n = 9363) and 3.6% (n = 349) were protozoan and helminthic infections, respectively. Males showed higher odds ratio (OR) for Enterobius vermicularis infection (OR: 2.3) and giardiasis (OR: 1.9) and lower OR for Endolimax nana (OR: 0.9) and Entamoeba coli (OR: 0.9) infections. Individuals aged ≥ 15 presented higher OR for Strongyloides stercoralis (OR: 3.4), hookworms (OR: 2.3), and almost all protozoan infections than younger individuals. In the dry season, the OR for hookworms (OR: 1.5), Iodamoeba butschlii (OR: 1.4), and Endolimax nana (OR: 1.3) infections was higher than that in the rainy season, including a high chance of polyparasitism (OR: 1.6). We concluded that there was a significant difference between the different types of intestinal parasites, particularly protozoa, with high OR in the dry season and for certain groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foliar fertilization, which complements successful artificial fertilization, is becoming more and more widespread in Hungary as well, which provides the plant with a more reliable or additional supply of nutrients, especially in drier periods. In a year with a lack of rainfall - when the plant is not able to absorb the right amount of nutrients from the soil - the nutrient applied through the leaves can be a huge help, which can play an important role in its development, crop set, and content. Our research below serves to prove this, where in the case of sunflower we examined whether foliar fertilization results in an increase in yield and oil content in a year with a very low rainfall and atmospheric drought. The experiment was carried out in 2022 in Szarvas. In the experiment, in the case of 4 nutrient levels with different fertilizer doses, we also used additional foliar fertilization treatment, which was examined in 4 repetitions. The 4 different treatments were as follows: Control (without fertilization), Environmental protection level, Balance level, Genesis regional. In order to investigate the utilization of the applied nutrients, we carried out various yield tests and calculations, as well as internal content measurements. During the experiment, it was established that foliar fertilization resulted in a higher crop yield both in the case of no fertilization and in the case of the 3 nutrient levels, and it also increased the oil content of most treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinization is a widespread environmental hazard and a major abiotic constraint affecting global food production and threatening food security. Salt-affected cropland is widely distributed in China, and the problem of salinization in the Hetao Irrigation District (HID) in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is particularly prominent. The salt-affected soil in Inner Mongolia is 1.75 million hectares, accounting for 14.8% of the total land. Therefore, mapping saline cropland in the irrigation district of Inner Mongolia could evaluate the impacts of cropland soil salinization on the environment and food security. This study hypothesized that a reasonably accurate regional map of salt-affected cropland would result from a ground sampling approach based on PlanetScope images and the methodology developed by Sentinel multi-sensor images employing the machine learning algorithm in the cloud computing platform. Thus, a model was developed to create the salt-affected cropland map of HID in 2021 based on the modified cropland base map, valid saline and non-saline samples through consistency testing, and various spectral parameters, such as reflectance bands, published salinity indices, vegetation indices, and texture information. Additionally, multi-sensor data of Sentinel from dry and wet seasons were used to determine the best solution for mapping saline cropland. The results imply that combining the Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data could map the soil salinity in HID during the dry season with reasonable accuracy and close to real time. Then, the indicators derived from the confusion matrix were used to validate the established model. As a result, the combined dataset, which included reflectance bands, spectral indices, vertical transmit–vertical receive (VV) and vertical transmit–horizontal receive (VH) polarization, and texture information, outperformed the highest overall accuracy at 0.8938, while the F1 scores for saline cropland and non-saline cropland are 0.8687 and 0.9109, respectively. According to the analyses conducted for this study, salt-affected cropland can be detected more accurately during the dry season by using just Sentinel images from March to April. The findings of this study provide a clear explanation of the efficiency and standardization of salt-affected cropland mapping in arid and semi-arid regions, with significant potential for applicability outside the current study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rampant deforestation in eastern Madagascar highlights the urgency of protecting and restoring its unique rainforests. This experiment addresses a restoration bottleneck: the precipitous drop in seedling survival during dry season plantings. We assayed nine soil, water, and shade treatments that were codeveloped with local farmers to improve survival and growth of 17 native tree species planted on a denuded hillside during one dry season. Most treatments had no effect; however, rustic shade structures decreased transplant shock mortality (i.e. mortality within the first 2 months after planting) by 75%. This improvement is broadly accessible; it can be accomplished with materials freely and easily accessed in most farmlands in eastern Madagascar. Also, survival varied among species and seedling size, suggesting that carefully selecting species that are resistant to the harsh dry periods, improving shade availability, and planting larger seedlings of each species could lead to further gains in native tree performance in dry season plantings. Short‐lived dry season resistant species (e.g. Uapaca sp., Trema orientalis, Psiadia sp., Macaranga sp., and Pittosporum ochrosiifolium) could also provide shade as nurse trees for less resistant canopy trees, which have the potential to be established through enrichment plantings in years following the initial planting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pesticide residues harm human health and are associated with hemopoietic disorders and many organ cancers. This study analyzes the pesticide residue content in chili cultivated by farmers in rainy and dry seasons, especially for organophosphates pesticides. The residual difference in chili was affected by planting seasons caused by farmers' adoption of crop cultivation technologies, including pesticide application. Methods: The analysis was carried out using gas chromatography on 26 samples from 13 chili cultivation locations in Aceh province, Indonesia. Sixteen samples were harvested during the rainy season and the remaining ten were harvested during the dry season. Result: The results showed that pesticide residues were found in two red chili samples planted in the rainy season, while no residue was found from the dry season. In the rainy season's harvested samples, the Organophosphate pesticide residues were chlorpyrifos 0.52 mg kg-1 and 0.16 mg kg-1 at Mutiara Tiga sub-district and Meurebo sub-district, respectively. From Meurebo sub-district profenofos 0.74 mg kg-1 was found. All detected pesticide residues samples are still below the maximum residue limit (MRL) set by the Government of Indonesia and CODEX Alimentarius. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated water levels in semi-closed grabens of northern Ethiopia. Springs (n = 79), streamflows (n = 48), wetlands (n = 3), endorheic lakes (n = 3), hand-dug wells (n = 48) and boreholes in unconfined aquifers (n = 25) were monitored (2015–2017). Spring discharge fluctuates between wet (2.75 ± 1.5 L/s) and dry seasons (0.87 ± 0.21 L/s) (n = 68, p <.0001). Spring discharge and streamflow were larger at the foot of the escarpment than at the horst (p <.001). The water level of wells varied between horsts and escarpments in the grabens (p <.02). A water level depletion of up to 2.23 m/year occurred in response to withdrawals in the irrigated plains. Importantly, water level fluctuation was faster in streams, springs and hand-dug wells than in boreholes. Striking water level variations in the grabens were linked to rainfall deficit and management scarcity. An integration of surface water and groundwater management responses will bring the water table nearer to the surface; this could mitigate water storage in the fertile and productive grabens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In areas where Plasmodium falciparum malaria is seasonal, a dry season reservoir of blood-stage infection is essential for initiating transmission during the following wet season.Methods: In The Gambia, a cohort of 42 individuals with quantitative polymerase chain reaction-positive P falciparum infections at the end of the transmission season (December) were followed monthly until the end of the dry season (May) to evaluate infection persistence. The influence of human host and parasitological factors was investigated.Results: A large proportion of individuals infected at the end of the wet season had detectable infections until the end of the dry season (40.0%; 16 of 40). At the start of the dry season, the majority of these persistent infections (82%) had parasite densities >10 p/µL compared to only 5.9% of short-lived infections. Persistent infections (59%) were also more likely to be multiclonal than short-lived infections (5.9%) and were associated with individuals having higher levels of P falciparum-specific antibodies (P = .02).Conclusions: Asymptomatic persistent infections were multiclonal with higher parasite densities at the beginning of the dry season. Screening and treating asymptomatic infections during the dry season may reduce the human reservoir of malaria responsible for initiating transmission in the wet season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We identify global observed changes in dry‐spell characteristics that are consistent with future projections and involve common physical drivers. Future projections of longer dry spells in the dry season increase vegetation water stress and can negatively impact perennial vegetation. Lengthening dry season dry spells of up to ∼2 days per decade over South America and southern Africa and shortening of similar magnitude over West Africa display a qualitatively consistent pattern to future projected changes under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway 2‐4.5 intermediate greenhouse gas emissions scenario. By combining a range of present‐day climate model experiments, recent trends are linked with both natural and human‐caused drivers. Longer dry season dry spells over South America are associated with relative warming of North Atlantic sea surface temperatures and amplified warming over land compared with adjacent oceans; both of which are projected to continue under further warming, suggesting a common driver for recent trends and future projections. Plain Language Summary: Continued warming of climate will further intensify dry seasons which may damage crops and forests. We combine observations and simulations to see if future signals of climate change are already beginning to occur and why. Lengthening dry spells over South America and southern Africa and shorter dry spells over West Africa are found to be consistent with future climate change. In particular, the recent trend of longer dry spells in the dry season over South America is linked with stronger warming over land than over the South Atlantic Ocean and the pattern of warming in the North Atlantic. These effects will become larger as the climate continues to warm, causing the dry season to become more intense over South America. Key Points: Recent trends in dry spell length during the dry season are consistent with future projectionsRecent trends over South America and West Africa reflect a mix of natural and human caused driversLonger dry spells over north‐east South America linked with a warmer North Atlantic Ocean [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Blue tree monitor, Varanus macraei Böhme & Jacobs, 2001 is a tree monitor species favored by reptile keepers. Successful captive breeding was reported from hobbyists and zoos in Europe shortly after its scientific description. Meanwhile, commercial farming to supply international demands has been progressing in Indonesia. However, such successful ex-situ breeding efforts have not yet been documented or published in Indonesia thus far. Therefore, in this, study we describe for the first time the mating behavior and reproduction of a V. macraei couple in an in-country outdoor facility, which is a common husbandry practice for monitor lizard breeders in Indonesia. The male started to approach the female at the beginning of the dry season, in May, with the female showing defensive behavior towards the male, both before mating and after laying eggs, pointing to a seasonal reproductive behavior. Monitor lizards were observed being active during the daytime. Eggs were laid by mid-July 2020. Two of the six eggs laid were revealed to be fertile and hatched after about 23 weeks (5.6 months). The two hatchlings were reared in an indoor enclosure, but only one survived, which showed to be a male. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In the urban region of Shenzhen, the changes in the concentration of Black carbon (BC) have been evaluated throughout the dry season, and apportioned the BC sources, including in the form of fossil fuel (e.g., vehicle emissions) and biomass fuel (e.g., industrial emissions). Methods: The new seven-channel aethalometer model (AE-33), PM2.5, and meteorological data were collected in the dry season (October–May) from 2019 to 2020, to quantify BC emissions in urban Shenzhen. Explored the source allocation of BC based on Potential source contribution function (PSCF) and concentration-weighted trajectory (CWT) model. Results: We revealed that the mean BC concentration was 2672 ± 1506 ng/m3 in the dry season, with values of 4062 ± 1182 ng/m3, 2519 ± 1568 ng/m3, and 1900 ± 776 ng/m3 in autumn, winter, and spring, respectively. Additionally, we found that fossil fuels have higher contributions to BC concentrations (86.3% to 86.8% in autumn and spring) in the dry season than biomass fuels (16% to 20% in autumn, spring and winter), which is different from Beijing, Nanjing and other large economic zones in China. The diurnal variation in BC and the contribution of fossil fuels indicate that there is a significantly greater increase in BC during peak traffic hours in urban Shenzhen than in other cities. Finally, meteorological parameters and PM2.5 data provided supporting evidence that BC is sourced mainly from local vehicle emissions and industry-related combustion in the western and northeastern/southeastern parts of the study area. Conclusion: This study showed that the concentration of BC is lower than other regions, and the source allocation is mainly local fossil fuels (vehicle emission, etc.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to estimate the optimum utilization of ruminant feed resources in tropical dry-land during dry and rainy seasons. Data concerning feed availability and quality were collected from Gunungkidul Regency of Indonesia over two seasons: the dry and rainy seasons. The JAVA program, the model, was used to estimate the availability of feed for ruminants associated with mean live weight gain (MLWG) and total live weight production (TLWP). The results showed that the maximum production in the dry season was obtained when 18% dry matter (DM) was used (MLWG 0.33 kg/animal unit (AU)/day, herd size (HS) 197 AU, and TLWP 11.94 tons/season), or in the rainy season, when 46% DM was used (MLWG 0.18 kg/AU/day, HS 1116 AU, and TLWP 37.22 tons/season). Furthermore, when only 100% was used, it could feed a maximum of 1500 AU and 2968 AU in the dry and rainy seasons, respectively. Without the transfer of feed from one season to another, a constant number, 350 AU, was obtained for HS, with a maximum TLWP of 19.16 tons/year. On the other hand, when the feed was kept constant at 34% dry matter (DM), a maximum TLWP obtained was 32.32 tons/year which is enough 420 and 820 animal units in the dry and rainy season, respectively. It was concluded that to obtain maximum TLWP in each season, only 14.5% to 46% of available DM feed should be used, as most of the available feed was of very low quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spectral variability of tropical forests during the Amazonian dry season is not entirely understood because of the divergent responses in Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) vegetation indices (VIs) measured under-increased water deficit and high insolation. Here, we used a dataset composed of 493 cloud-free PlanetScope (PS) images to investigate possible effects of solar illumination on the dry-season variability of spectral and spatial attributes. The attributes were calculated from June to September over dense tropical forests of the Amazon. The dry-season images were obtained at nadir viewing between 2017 and 2019 over 12 selected sites representing different climatic and environmental conditions. To detect dry-season patterns of vegetation brightness with changes in the geometry of image acquisition, we applied principal component analysis (PCA) over the PS surface reflectance. We plotted the average surface reflectance (2017–2019) for each of the four PS bands and inspected the variability of two VIs with distinct levels of anisotropy to bidirectional effects: the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). We also investigated the signal of textural metrics from Grey Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) obtained from the near-infrared (NIR) band of PS. Finally, we generated shade fractions from Spectral Mixture Analysis (SMA), correlated the spectral and spatial attributes of vegetation with solar angles, and observed the dry-season variability in reflectance and VIs over pseudo-invariant soil surfaces. The results showed the existence of solar illumination effects on PS image acquisition during the dry season of the Amazon, which affected differently the NDVI and EVI. From the beginning (June) to the end (September) of the dry season, the solar zenith angle (SZA) decreased and the solar azimuth angle (SAA) increased during the period of acquisition of the PS images. The amplitude of SZA between June and September increased towards south of the Amazon, while the amplitude of SAA increased towards north of this region. Changes in vegetation brightness from June to September were captured by PCA over some sites. Because of the overall increase in both red and NIR band reflectance, solar illumination effects were compensated during the NDVI calculation. In contrast, because the EVI is largely driven by changes in NIR reflectance, these effects contributed to increase the EVI signal at the end of the dry season. For most sites, GLCM texture mean increased towards the end of the dry season, while texture variance decreased in the opposite direction. Shade fractions decreased towards September when reduced amounts of canopy shadows were sensed by PS. EVI was more anisotropic than NDVI and presented higher negative correlations with SZA and shade fractions and higher positive correlations with SAA and texture mean. The dry-season increase in EVI with solar illumination effects was also observed over pseudo-invariant soil surfaces. From this unprecedent scale of observations at high spatial and temporal resolutions, we recommend caution when using anisotropic VIs for large-scale phenological studies over the Amazon because biophysical and non-biophysical signals may be coupled together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dry and wet seasons in the Neotropics have strong effects on soil water and nutrient availability, as well as on forest dynamics. Despite these major effects on forest ecology, little is known on how leaf traits vary throughout the seasons in tropical rainforest trees.Here, we investigated the influence of seasonal variations in climate and soil characteristics on leaf trait variation in two tropical tree species. We measured two leaf traits, thickness and water mass per area, in 401 individuals of two species of Symphonia (Clusiaceae) in the Paracou research station in French Guiana tropical lowland rainforest.We found a significant effect of seasonal variation on these two leaf traits. Soil relative extractable water was a strong environmental predictor of leaf trait variation in response to seasonal variation. Reduced soil water availability during the dry season was associated with increased leaf thickness and water mass per area, possibly as a result of stomatal closure.Our findings advocate the need to account for environmental seasonality when studying leaf traits in seasonal ecosystems such as tropical forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use change has a significant impact on natural and ecological processes, and it is also one of the main influencing factors of runoff water quality. Based on the runoff sampling and measurement of 21 sample sections in Dali river basin of Shaanxi during dry season in 2020, the characteristics of TN(total nitrogen), TP(total phosphorus), NH3-N(ammonia nitrogen)concentration and DO(dissolved oxygen)concentration in Dali river basin were analyzed; Nemerow pollution index method was used to evaluate the water quality in Dali river basin, and the impact of land use structure on water quality in the buffer zone at different scales was identified. The results show that TN exceedes the standard the most serious among the four water quality parameters. The average value of Nemerow pollution index in the basin is 1.9, and the water body is slightly polluted; the average values of Nemerow pollution index are 2.3 in the main stream and 1.2 in the tributaries, the water quality of the tributaries is better than that of the main stream. The impact of cultivated land within 200 m on TN is greater than that within 100 m in the point buffer zone; the impact of grassland within 100 m on TP and the impact of cultivated land on NH3-N is greater than that within 200 m in the river network buffer zone. Grassland is the main land use type that intercepts pollutants within 100 m; forest land is the main land use type that intercepts pollutants within 200 m. Cultivated land and building site land play a “source” role for TN, TP, and NH3-N concentration in the point buffer zone and river network buffer zone; the “sink” function of forest land is more prominent at the point buffer zone, and the “sink” function of grassland is more prominent at the river network buffer zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The humid tropics of Ecuador is a potential livestock production area. Urochloa spp. cultivars are a forage option in this region. Environmental and management conditions determine forage yield and nutritional value and should be researched prior to establishing new forage species. An evaluation was done of total dry matter yield (TDM; t ha-1), morphological components proportions (%; leaf, stem, dead material and inflorescence) and in situ dry matter digestibility (DMD; g kg-1)) in five Urochloa cultivars (Mulato II, Marandú, Xaraés, Piatá and Señal [control]) and at three regrowth ages (4, 6 and 8 wk) during the rainy and dry seasons. A completely randomized block design in a split plot arrangement was used to analyze the data by season. During the rainy season, TDM did not differ (P>0.05) between cultivars. In the dry season, Marandú had a lower yield than Xaraés (0.92 vs 1.21 t ha-1). Morphological component proportions differed between cultivars (P<0.05), although the leaves contributed the most overall to yield. From four to eight weeks, DMD decreased from 64 to 56 % in the rainy season and from 60 to 56 % in the dry season. The evaluated cultivars exhibited acceptable TDM yields (2.6 t ha-1 in rainy season, 1.0 t ha-1 in dry season) and DMD (602 g kg-1 in rainy season, 574 g kg-1 in dry season). They are adequate forage alternatives for livestock in the humid tropics of Ecuador. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of the importance of physicochemical parameters of water for algal growth and development in Jagdishpur Reservoir was carried out in the present research. Occurrence of algal species and values of water quality parameters also indicate the ecological nature and the present status of the reservoir. Water samples were collected from Jagdishpur Reservoir in Kapilvastu District (Nepal), in two seasons (wet and dry). The following physicochemical parameters of water were analyzed: temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, concentration of nitrates and phosphates, free CO2, hardness, conductivity, total dissolved solids. The values of free CO2, hardness, phosphate, temperature, and dissolved oxygen were high in wet season while alkalinity, nitrate, conductivity and total dissolved solid were high in dry season. Altogether 81 algal species belonging to 53 genera and 6 classes were recorded. Higher number of algal species was recorded in the dry season rather than in the wet season. The highest number of species was noted among Chlorophyceae, followed by Cyanobacteria > Bacillariophyceae > Euglenophyceae > Crysophyceae and Dinophyceae. Cosmarium had the highest number of species (13) among all genera. During the wet season, Cosmarium, Calothrix and Phormidium were the genera with the highest number of species while Bulbochaete, Trachelomonas and Gomphonema were genera with the lowest number of species. During the dry season, Cymbella, Cosmarium and Rhopalodia were genera with highest number of species while Euglena, Gloeotrichia and Trachelomonas were genera with lowest number of species. Algal diversity was positively correlated with the increase of alkalinity, conductivity and TDS, while negatively correlated with free CO2, hardness, concerntration of phosphates and nitrates, DO, pH and temperature. Shannon–Weiner diversity index value was higher during the dry season than in the wet season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how plants acclimate to drought is crucial for predicting future vulnerability, yet seasonal acclimation of traits that improve drought tolerance in trees remains poorly resolved. We hypothesized that dry season acclimation of leaf and stem traits influencing shoot water storage and hydraulic capacitance would mitigate the drought‐associated risks of reduced gas exchange and hydraulic failure in the mangrove Sonneratia alba. By late dry season, availability of stored water had shifted within leaves and between leaves and stems. While whole shoot capacitance remained stable, the symplastic fraction of leaf water increased 86%, leaf capacitance increased 104% and stem capacitance declined 80%. Despite declining plant water potentials, leaf and whole plant hydraulic conductance remained unchanged, and midday assimilation rates increased. Further, the available leaf water between the minimum water potential observed and that corresponding to 50% loss of stem conductance increased 111%. Shifting availability of pools of water, within and between organs, maintained leaf water available to buffer periods of increased photosynthesis and losses in stem hydraulic conductivity, mitigating risks of carbon depletion and hydraulic failure during atmospheric drought. Seasonal changes in access to tissue and organ water may have an important role in drought acclimation and avoidance. Drought acclimation in the mangrove Sonneratia alba involved coordinated shifts in access to pools of water within leaves and between leaves and stems, increasing both midday assimilation rates and leaf water associated with stem hydraulic safety margins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canopy phenology is sensitive to variability in local environmental settings. In temperate climates, urban phenological processes and their determinants are relatively well understood. Equivalent understanding of processes in tropical urban settings is, however, less resolved. In this paper, we explore the influence of local urban environmental characteristics (that is, degree of urbanization, land cover and urban climate) on canopy phenology of two deciduous tree species (Jacaranda mimosifolia, n = 48, and Tabebuia rosea, n = 24) in a tropical city (Kampala, Uganda). Our study design involved ground monitoring and field sampling in 2017, with a focus on the dry season. We found that both species experienced significantly higher rates of canopy cover decline in heavily built-up neighborhoods (p < 0.05 for both species). Moreover, Jacaranda was more sensitive to differences in the degree of urbanization than Tabebuia, both in terms of total percentage tree canopy cover (p < 0.01) and net leaf loss (p < 0.05). Total percentage tree canopy cover for Jacaranda declined with increasing proportion of impervious cover (that is, roads and paved cover) and was positively related to relative humidity (p < 0.01), a variable correlated with soil moisture. Net leaf loss in Jacaranda increased with the decreasing proportion of pervious land cover and as nighttime air temperature increased (p < 0.01). In contrast, land cover and urban climate had no significant influence on either measure of phenological traits for Tabebuia. These results provide new evidence of the effect of urbanization on canopy phenology of different tree species in the tropics. Such knowledge offers new insights into the spatial and temporal differences in the physiological functional traits of trees and also serves as a proxy for possible species responses under future climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arid and semi-arid environments are characterized by what is known as climatic drought, which is one of its basic characteristics that has received great attention in recent years due to its direct impact on agricultural, economic and population activities due to the natural disasters of drought and its negative effects. The study included several axes, the first of which was to show the concept of drought, its types and forms, and then the second axis to explain the effect of climatic characteristics on the occurrence and recurrence of dry seasons in the region, while the third axis showed the concept of the Standarzid precipitation index (SPI) and the variation of its categories in the study area for the period (1988). -2018), as the fall season recorded the highest frequency of dry seasons with (51.6, 54.8) for Dahlran and Ali Al Gharbi stations, respectively. As for the fourth axis, it dealt with the impact of drought on the decline of vegetation and water cover in the dry seasons of 2018 than in the wet seasons in 2007. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arid and semi-arid environments are characterized by what is known as climatic drought, which is one of its basic characteristics that has received great attention in recent years due to its direct impact on agricultural, economic and population activities due to the natural disasters of drought and its negative effects. The study included several axes, the first of which was to show the concept of drought, its types and forms, and then the second axis to explain the effect of climatic characteristics on the occurrence and recurrence of dry seasons in the region, while the third axis showed the concept of the Standarzid precipitation index (SPI) and the variation of its categories in the study area for the period (1988). -2018), as the fall season recorded the highest frequency of dry seasons with (51.6, 54.8) for Dahlran and Ali Al Gharbi stations, respectively. As for the fourth axis, it dealt with the impact of drought on the decline of vegetation and water cover in the dry seasons of 2018 than in the wet seasons in 2007. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) are widely distributed throughout the Americas, being dependent on forested areas to survive. Although ocelot ecology is broadly studied throughout the species range distribution, studies concerning factors that may affect ocelot occupancy in the Atlantic Forest are still scarce. We used camera traps to evaluate factors influencing the probabilities of detection and occupancy of ocelots in a protected area of the Atlantic Forest, the Rio Doce State Park (RDSP), southeastern Brazil. To assess ocelot occupancy and detection probabilities, we measured the distances between sampling stations and rivers, lakes, cities, pasture, and Eucalyptus plantations. In addition, we recorded the mean rainfall levels for each sampling occasion, and native grassland areas within a 500 m‐buffer around each sampling station. We found a strong and positive association between ocelot detection and the dry season, which might be due to a higher number of individuals moving through the Park during this season. Moreover, we found a strong and positive association of ocelot detection with native grassland areas around lakes, which may be related to the ocelot behavior of searching for prey in these areas. Conversely, the ocelot occupancy probability was intermediate (Ψ^ = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.36–0.69) and was not strongly associated with the evaluated covariates, which may be explained by the high‐quality of forest habitats and water resources that are homogeneously distributed within the Park. Our study indicates that the RDSP still provides a structurally suitable forest habitat for ocelots, but because of the current worrying scenario of over fragmentation, reduction of forest cover, and weakness of the protective legislation of this biome, the long‐term persistence of the species in RDSP is uncertain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of anthropogenic activities on natural intermittent stream and diversity of adult caddisfly were studied at the University of Phayao, Thailand. The caddisfly adults were collected monthly from 2 intermittent streams (the Huai Thub Chang and Huai Luang streams) from February to May 2015 (cooldry to hot-dry season) using a black-light trap. Huai Thub Chang stream received wastewater from the oxidation pond, while Huai Luang stream was affected by an agricultural field of the university. Both streams are located in a deciduous forest. The 14 species of 7 families were collected and identified. Cheumatopsyche lucida (Hydropsychidae) and Leptocerus dirghachuka (Leptoceridae) were found in both streams. C. lucida was the most abundant species. Micrasema turbo, Amphipsyche meridiana, C. globosa, Diplectrona lavinia, Macrostemum dohrni, Marilia sumatrana, and Wormaldia relicta were found only in Huai Thub Chang stream, whereas C. dhanikari, Lepidostoma doligung and Chimarra toga were found only in Huai Luang stream. A high number of C. lucida in both streams from February to April reflected a drought effect on the emergence of the caddisflies. Huai Thub Chang stream had a higher diversity of Trichoptera species than Huai Luang stream because of the variety of substrate types which were suited for the larval stage, especially hydropsychids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Climatic variables show a seasonal pattern in the central Amazon, but the intra-annual variability effect on tree growth is still unclear. For variables such as relative humidity (RH) and air vapor pressure deficit (VPD), whose individual effects on tree growth can be underestimated, we hypothesize that such influences can be detected by removing the effect of collinearity between regressors. Objective: This study aimed to determine the collinearity-free effect of climatic variability on tree growth in the central Amazon. Methods: Monthly radial growth was measured in 325 trees from January 2013 to December 2017. Irradiance, air temperature, rainfall, RH, and VPD data were also recorded. Principal Component Regression was used to assess the effect of micrometeorological variability on tree growth over time. For comparison, standard Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) was also used for data analysis. Results: Tree growth increased with increasing rainfall and relative humidity, but it decreased with rising maximum VPD, irradiance, and maximum temperature. Therefore, trees grew more slowly during the dry season, when irradiance, temperature and VPD were higher. Micrometeorological variability did not affect tree growth when MLR was applied. These findings indicate that ignoring the correlation between climatic variables can lead to imprecise results. Conclusions: A novelty of this study is to demonstrate the orthogonal effect of maximum VPD and minimum relative humidity on tree growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses changes in low flow seasonality in response to climate change using Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) climate models. The precipitation‐runoff modelling system (PRMS) model was applied to project future streamflow using 13 global climate models (GCMs) under two emissions scenarios (representative concentration pathway [RCP] 4.5 and RCP8.5). Then, daily projected streamflows for each month in the reference and future periods were used to assess the monthly variation in low flows in Korean river basins. The results showed that high seasonal variation exists in low flows during the wet and dry seasons, including increasing low flows during the dry season and decreasing low flows during the wet season. The low flows are projected to decrease during the wet season by −6.48% in the 2025 period and by −2.59% in the 2085 period under RCP4.5. Under RCP8.5, the low flow is projected to decline in the wet season by −1.72% in 2025 and −4.35% in 2085. However, during the dry season, the low flow is projected to decrease slightly in the 2025 period (−0.49%) but increase significantly in the 2085 period (12.87%) under RCP4.5. Additionally, the low flow is projected to increase in the near future under RCP8.5 (1.87%). The results reveal that under RCP4.5, most Korean river basins are projected to shift from winter low flows to summer low flows. However, under RCP8.5, except for the Han River basin, which is projected to shift from winter low flows to summer low flows, other basins are expected to retain winter low flows. The findings of this study reveal that more consideration of future low flow conditions is needed, and a robust need exists for the preparation of an adaptation plan to ensure a sustainable water supply to prevent severe water shortages during low flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the characteristics of surface fuel during the dry season in areas with different periods without occurrence of burn, in the grasslands phytophysiognomy of the Cerrado in the Jalapão region of Brazil. Fuel sampling was conducted in areas with different periods without burning over four months during the dry season (May, June, August, and September). A total of 128 samples, named as data samples, were established, from which eight subsamples designated as parcels of fuel sampling were collected. In each parcel of fuel sample, we evaluated variables related to non-destructive methods such as the height of grass vegetation (Htg), litter height (Htl), number of species (Nsp), and number of individuals (Nin), as well as variables related to the destructive method for obtaining the fuel load. The fuel was separated according to its physiological state and diameter (time-lag). The Htg variable was highest and was stabilized by the second year post-burning. Nsp showed a reduced number of areas after four years without burning and in the last month of the dry season. The behavior of the dead grass fuel (Dg) load in the samplings collected in the first two months of the dry season was the only variable that increased in the different years without burning. These results are important for management initiatives of Cerrado grassland fuels in the Jalapão region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study area, Kombolcha town, forms an important industrial town situated in the Eastern Amhara region, Ethiopia. The geology of the area is mainly composed of basalts, rhyolitic ignimbrites, and Quaternary sediments. Hydrogeochemistry and the source of ions in the groundwater of the study area are poorly understood. Therefore, the current study aims to assess the factors and the different hydrochemical processes significantly controlling groundwater quality, source, and chemistry. For this purpose, a total of eighteen groundwater samples were collected using 250 ml sampling bottles at selected points in the dry season (May 2017) and wet season (November 2017). Gibbs diagram, correlation analysis, scatter plots of ionic molar ratio relations, saturation index values (estimated using PHREEQC Interactive 2.8) were used to decipher the hydrogeochemical process. Gibbs diagram shows that the rock-water interaction process is the predominant, Na+/Cl- and Ca2+/Mg2+ molar ratio value of all groundwater samples in both seasons reveals that the groundwater chemistry of the area is controlled by silicate minerals weathering. The strong correlation of Ca2+ with Mg2+ in the dry season, and Ca2+ with HCO3- and Na+ with HCO3- in the wet season could also be an indication of silicate weathering and ion exchange processes. The impact of anthropogenic practices on groundwater chemistry is also seen from the strong correlation of Ca2+ with Cl-, NO3-, PO43-, and F-, NO2- with K+, Mg2+, and PO43- , PO4 3- with F-, and NO3- with Na+, Cl-, HCO3 - . The negative values of chloro-alkaline indices in both seasons indicate base-exchange reaction where an indirect exchange of Ca2+ and Mg2+ of the water with Na+ and K+ of the water with Na+ and K+ of the host rock occurs. Saturation indices results for the wet season show that the groundwater is undersaturated with respect to calcite, aragonite, dolomite, gypsum, and anhydrite. In the dry season, however, some of the waters are oversaturated with respect to calcite and aragonite. To sum up, the groundwater quality of the study area is controlled by geological processes and anthropogenic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To quantitatively calculate the spatiotemporal differences in the effect of the water supply from the Three Gorges Reservoir, three typical falling modes were proposed: falling in advance, uniform falling, and falling at a high water level. Based on a one-dimensional and two-dimensional model coupled hydrodynamic model, the spatial and temporal distributions of the Dongting Lake water level were compared with the ecological water level, which was assessed using a hydrological method, and the power generation of the Three Gorges Hydropower station under different scenarios was also analyzed. The results showed that the water supply effect of the falling in advance and falling at high water level scenarios on the Dongting Lake water level exhibited obvious spatial and temporal heterogeneity, but the effects were mainly concentrated in the northern part of eastern Dongting Lake, whereas limited effects were observed for the southern and western Dongting Lake. In scenario 1 (falling in advance), the water level at Chenglingji increased by 0.12 m on average and power generation was reduced by 0.30%. In scenario 3 (falling at a high water level), the water level at Chenglingji decreased by 0.09 m on average; and power generation increased by 0.28%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: How anopheline mosquitoes persist through the long dry season in Africa remains a gap in our understanding of these malaria vectors. To span this period in locations such as the Sahelian zone of Mali, mosquitoes must either migrate to areas of permanent water, recolonize areas as they again become favorable, or survive in harsh conditions including high temperatures, low humidity, and an absence of surface water (required for breeding). Adult mosquitoes surviving through this season must dramatically extend their typical lifespan (averaging 2–3 weeks) to 7 months. Previous work has found evidence that the malaria mosquito An. coluzzii, survives over 200 days in the wild between rainy seasons in a presumed state of aestivation (hibernation), but this state has so far not been replicated in laboratory conditions. The inability to recapitulate aestivation in the lab hinders addressing key questions such as how this state is induced, how it affects malaria vector competence, and its impact on disease transmission. Methods: In effort to induce aestivation, we held laboratory mosquitoes in climate-controlled incubators with a range of conditions that adjusted humidity (40–85% RH), temperature (18–27 °C), and light conditions (8–12 h of light) and evaluated their survivorship. These conditions were chosen to mimic the late rainy and dry seasons as well as relevant extremes these mosquitoes may experience during aestivation. Results: We found that by priming mosquitoes in conditions simulating the late wet season in Mali, and maintaining mosquitoes in reduced light/temperature, mean mosquito survival increased from 18.34 ± 0.65 to 48.02 ± 2.87 days, median survival increased from 19 (95% CI 17–21) to 50 days (95% CI 40–58), and the maximum longevity increased from 38 to 109 days (P-adj < 0.001). While this increase falls short of the 200 + day survival seen in field mosquitoes, this extension is substantially higher than previously found through environmental or dietary modulation and is hard to reconcile with states other than aestivation. This finding will provide a platform for future characterization of this state, and allow for comparison to field collected samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dry land has wide and diverse agroecosystem, which potential as growth source to produce dietary crops (foodstuff). The objective of the research was to study the appropriate managerial technique of cropping system for rice and corn to increase production and income of the farm operation in dry land during dry season. The research was conducted on dry land during dry season (DS) I in 2018 at Jatisari Village, Arjasa Subdistrict, Situbondo Regency, on the area of 10,000 m² width. The research used Randomized Block Design with 4 treatments and 6 replications, includes: (a) Upland rice (20 cm x 20 cm), (b) Upland rice largo super (40 cm x 20 cm x 10 cm), (c) Upland rice largo super (40 cm x 20 cm x 10 cm) + corn (160 cm x 40 cm), and (d) Corn (75 cm x 20 cm). Results of the research showed that the intercropping system between upland rice largo super and corn produced higher yield, 8,151 kg/ha DGH and 2,092 kg/ha grains of corn. Besides that, yield of corn trimming was 2,446 kg/ha fresh biomass. The increase production of intercropping upland rice largo super with corn has increase income of the farmers, IDR. 41,923,100 with R/C ratio 3.25, so that it is economically feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study evaluated effects of feeding cassava peel mash (CPM) supplemented with dried foliage of Ficus thonningii (DFF) on the performance of rams. Twenty rams were allotted to four dietary treatments (ad libitum CPM+2 per cent urea (control), ad libitum CPM supplemented with DFF at 0.6, 1.2 and 1.8 per cent of body weight respectively) for 90 days. From the results, crude protein content ranged from 1.99 per cent in CPM to 10.35 per cent in CPM+2 per cent urea. The total dry-matter intake ranged from 247.94 g.d-1 for rams fed with CPM+2 per cent urea to 377.00 g.d-1 for rams supplemented with DFF at 1.8 per cent BW. Higher (P < 0.05) rumen ammonia nitrogen was obtained in animals fed diets containing CPM+2 per cent urea. As the supplementation of DFF increased, total volatile fatty acids concentration as well as microbial contents increased (P < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of basal diet of cassava peel mash with dried Ficus thonningii foliage up to 1.8 per cent of body weight of rams is recommended for improved animal performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum species is the most important field and postharvest disease infecting mango worldwide. A survey was conducted in the seven mango producing districts in the north of Côte d'Ivoire to identify and characterize Colletotrichum species isolates associated with mango leaves necrosis and fruit rots. A total of 70 isolates were identified based on morphological and cultural characters. Most of isolate colour were grey or grey whitish (36%), cottony (71%) with cylindrical conidia (97%) rounded on both ends (57%). Three texture types were observed in colonies of the seventy isolates. Most of the isolates were cottony (71%) followed by abundant aspect (23%) and closely appressed (6%). According to conidia shape, two species of Colletotrichum; Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (97%) and C. acutatum (3%) were identified in the seventy isolates. Conidia length and width varied respectively from 15.4 to 19.7µm and 4.8 to 5.2 µm. The Average Linear Growth Rate (ALGR) 7 days after culture varied from 0.76 to 0.91 cm day-1. Multivariate analysis grouped the 70 isolates into four morphotypes containing, respectively: 5 (7%), 7 (10%), 17 (24%) and 41 (59%) isolates. Isolates of morphotype 1 were characterized by whitish obverse and reverse colour with an abundant mycelia aerial aspect. The second morphotypes were represented by isolates with obverse and reverse brownish grey colour and contained both conidia with two rounded ends, and one rounded and one sharped ends. The third morphotype consisted of isolates with obverse and reverse grey whitish colour. The fourth morphotype consisted of isolates with obverse and reverse respectively dark grey and grey or vice versa. Conidial length and width of morphotypes varied, respectively, from 14.5 to 17.2 µm and 4.6 to 5.2 µm. ALGR of morphotypes varied from 0.84 to 0.87 µm day-1. The present study highlighted that morphological variation of Colletotrichum species existed among the different isolates and the districts surveyed. However, to overcome the inadequacies of this traditional morphological identification, sequence analyses are needed to be carried out to confirm the identity of these Colletotrichum species isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Questions: Do tree species in seasonally dry tropical forests differ in the timing of their secondary growth? And in their growth rates between consecutive years? If so, how are these contrasting patterns linked to seasonality in climatic variables (temperature, precipitation)? Which is the role of leaf phenology and functional traits as drivers of stem radial increment responses to climate? Location: A Tumbesian tropical dry forest in southern Ecuador. Methods: We used a 12‐year database of stem radial increments to characterize intra‐ and inter‐annual patterns of secondary growth in 13 co‐existing dominant tree species. For each species, we adjusted an additive model to describe intra‐annual increment patterns and created a mean series of annual increments to describe inter‐annual changes. Adjusted increments were then correlated with monthly temperature and rainfall data over the study period, and also with the crown percentage covered by leaves. The role of functional traits (leaf area, wood density, maximum tree height, seed dry mass) was explored using average trait values per species. Results: We observed continuous variation in the seasonality of radial increments, ranging from species that started incrementing their diameter as early as first rains occurred in the season to species that showed delayed responses. Variability in intra‐ and inter‐annual increment patterns was explained by functional traits (leaf area and seed dry mass, and maximum height and wood density, respectively) and leaf phenology, but this variation was not clearly matched with any functional trait configuration. This, combined with the absence of homogeneous responses of annual growth rates to climate, suggests the existence of contrasting strategies that virtually vary in a species‐specific fashion. Conclusions: Co‐existing tree species in seasonally dry tropical forests show different growth strategies to face intra‐ and inter‐annual climate variations, which may increase the resilience of these forests against projected climatic variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elephant populations are in decline across the African continent, but recent aerial surveys show that populations in Uganda are increasing. However, threats such as poaching and habitat disturbance remain. Having a comprehensive knowledge of the ranging behaviour of Ugandan elephants is crucial to understanding where critical habitat for the species occurs. We investigated various aspects of ranging behaviour of 45 radio‐collared elephants (Loxodonta africana) in three areas—Queen Elizabeth Protected Area (QEPA), Murchison Falls (MFPA) Protected Area and Kidepo Valley (KVCA) Conservation Area. We also set Ugandan analyses in a continental context by comparison with home ranges reported in published literature. Elephants within KVCA had larger core ranges than elephants in QEPA or MFPA. Wet season ranges in KVCA were much larger than dry season ranges. The most important core areas in all three national parks were centred around water resources. Home range size was negatively correlated with net primary productivity (NPP) at Ugandan (N = 39 individuals) and continental (N = 17 sites) scales. This study indicates that, at a local scale, factors such as water source location are important in shaping elephant ranging behaviour. At larger scales, factors such as NPP are good predictors of elephant home range size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) strongly influences rainfall extremes in Indonesia with major impacts on droughts and floods and potential consequences for rice production. The Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) is an indicator used to detect the occurrence of ENSO events. A consistently negative (phase 1) and a rapidly falling SOI (phase 3) (indicating an El Niño cycle) were related to high probability of below-average rainfalls in the Ciparay and Bojongsoang areas of Bandung District. Therefore, the use of SOI phase information prior to the planting season would assist farmers in making optimum planting decisions. This study attempted to evaluate the economic benefits of using SOI phase information in March/April to make informed agricultural decisions for the second crop planting (April/May). The use of the SOI phases in conjunction with a crop simulation model would facilitate an objective evaluation of other cropping options. The results indicated that farmers who switched from rice to soybean or maize for the May planting season, following the March/April SOI phase I and III, earned higher incomes. The cumulative net income differences over the 63 years for soybean was about USD 1700 (27% higher at Ciparay) and USD 2350 (45% higher at Bojongsoang) and for maize was about USD 1524 (19% higher at Ciparay) and USD 1970 (35% higher at Bojongsoang). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From November 2016 to April 2017, the decomposition of Carex. cinerascens Kükenth litter along the natural gradients of groundwater level at Poyang Lake wetland beach were simulated using litterbag technique. The depth of the underground water table of the G-L was −25 to −50 cm, while those of G-ML, G-MH and G-H ranged from −15 to −25 cm, −5 to −15 cm, and −5 to 5, respectively. Additionally, the dry weight loss rate increased gradually with increasing days, with that of G-H being highest, followed by G-MH, G-ML and G-L. The decomposition rate of the four gradients increased rapidly to day 30, then decreased slowly until stabilizing. Additionally, the decomposition rate was highest in G-H, followed by G-MH, G-ML and G-L. The Olson negative exponential model could simulate the decomposition good and predicted the time required for 50% decomposition of the G-H, G-MH, G-ML and G-L gradients was about 166, 197, 205 and 247 days, respectively, while required for 95% was about 1.97, 2.23, 2.43 and 2.92 years, respectively. The overall trend in the relative return index of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus increased with increasing decomposition days, and the order was G-H > G-MH > G-ML > G-L. Differences in soil pH, bulk density, soil total nitrogen, soil organic matter, microbial biomass carbon and soil sand content in the decomposed environment due to groundwater had a significant impact on decomposition and nutrient release. The relative return index of carbon was significantly positively correlated with soil pH, but significantly negatively correlated with soil bulk density, soil nitrogen content, microbial biomass nitrogen and soil organic matter. The above results show that groundwater is the key factor influencing litter decomposition in Poyang Lake wetland during the dry season, with higher groundwater levels promoting the decomposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]