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| 2. |
- Kehoe, Laura, et al.
(författare)
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Make EU trade with Brazil sustainable
- 2019
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Ingår i: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 364:6438, s. 341-
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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| 3. |
- Poorter, Lourens, et al.
(författare)
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Wet and dry tropical forests show opposite successional pathways in wood density but converge over time
- 2019
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Ingår i: Nature Ecology & Evolution. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 2397-334X. ; 3:6, s. 928-934
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Tropical forests are converted at an alarming rate for agricultural use and pastureland, but also regrow naturally through secondary succession. For successful forest restoration, it is essential to understand the mechanisms of secondary succession. These mechanisms may vary across forest types, but analyses across broad spatial scales are lacking. Here, we analyse forest recovery using 1,403 plots that differ in age since agricultural abandonment from 50 sites across the Neotropics. We analyse changes in community composition using species-specific stem wood density (WD), which is a key trait for plant growth, survival and forest carbon storage. In wet forest, succession proceeds from low towards high community WD (acquisitive towards conservative trait values), in line with standard successional theory. However, in dry forest, succession proceeds from high towards low community WD (conservative towards acquisitive trait values), probably because high WD reflects drought tolerance in harsh early successional environments. Dry season intensity drives WD recovery by influencing the start and trajectory of succession, resulting in convergence of the community WD over time as vegetation cover builds up. These ecological insights can be used to improve species selection for reforestation. Reforestation species selected to establish a first protective canopy layer should, among other criteria, ideally have a similar WD to the early successional communities that dominate under the prevailing macroclimatic conditions.
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| 4. |
- Zalakeviciute, R., et al.
(författare)
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Chemical characterization of urban PM10 in the Tropical Andes
- 2019
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Ingår i: Atmospheric Pollution Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 1309-1042. ; 11:2, s. 343-356
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Complex inhalable particles have become one of the main causes to trigger health problems worldwide. While the level of concern depends on the chemical composition of these particles, some regions are poorly studied, particularly, the Andes. In this work, the chemical characterization of atmospheric PM10 filter samples, collected between January and October of 2017, was carried out for the first time in the world's highest capital, Quito, Ecuador. This study investigates PM10 relation with meteorological variables and criteria pollutants. Average PM10 concentrations ranged from 24.9 μg m−3 to 26.2 μg m−3, with some alarming peaks during the episodes of fires and New Year's celebration. The major elements at study sites were Ca, Na, S, Mg, P, K, Fe, Si and Al, while the major water-soluble ion was SO42−. Meteorology plays an important role at this complex terrain city. Factor analysis showed natural dust and soil resuspension as the main source of particulate matter. Moreover, two less urbanized sites showed evidence of industrial activities or airport emissions, while the central city site showed a very strong signal of traffic-related pollution. These results are compared with representative cities around the world. As is the case in developing countries, low-quality diesel fuel is recognized for emitting large amounts of heavy metals, resulting in higher levels of those tracers in traffic flow areas. This work demonstrates the problems facing a midsize city, such as the lack of stricter regulations and, thus compromised air quality. This may imply serious respiratory and cardiovascular health effects.
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