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The joint impact of human activities and climate change on natural resources lead to biodiversity loss. Therefore, it is important to select protected areas through systematic conservation planning. The present study assessed how representative natural habitats are protected under the nature conservation network, and to identify new—but so far insufficiently—protected areas containing these habitats for sustainable management. We used the Marxan model to select the most valuable insufficiently protected natural habitats in the Czech Republic as a representative example for a conservation strategy for Central–Eastern European environments. We set three conservation targets (25%, 50%, and 75%), defining how much percent area of valuable representative natural habitats should be added to the area of the habitats already included in the Nature Protection Network. To implement these conservation targets it is necessary to preserve 22,932 ha, 72,429, ha and 124,363 ha respectively of the conservation targets occurring in the insufficiently protected areas, and 17,255 ha, 51,620 ha, and 84,993 ha respectively of the conservation features in the areas without protection status. Marxan was revealed to be an appropriate tool to select the most valuable and insufficiently protected natural habitats for sustainable management.

Glaciers are retreating globally, and the resulting ice-free areas provide an experimental system for understanding species colonization patterns, community formation, and dynamics. The last several years have seen crucial advances in our understanding of biotic colonization after glacier retreats, resulting from the integration of methodological innovations and ecological theories. Recent empirical studies have demonstrated how multiple factors can speed up or slow down the velocity of colonization and have helped scientists develop theoretical models that describe spatiotemporalchanges in community structure. There is a growing awareness of how different processes (e.g., time since glacier retreat, onset or interruption of surface processes, abiotic factors, dispersal, biotic interactions) interact to shape community formation and, ultimately, their functional structure through succession. Here, we examine how these studies address key theoretical questions about community dynamics and show how classical approaches are increasingly being combined with environmental DNA metabarcoding and functional trait analysis to document the formation of multitrophic communities, revolutionizing our understanding of the biotic processes that occur following glacier retreat.

Increasing heat-stress conditions, rising evaporative demand and shifting rainfall patterns may have multifaceted impacts on Cambodia's agricultural systems, including vegetable production. Concurrently, domestic vegetable supply is highly seasonal and inadequate to meet the domestic food demand, which consequently poses risks to food security locally, particularly in rural areas. This study assesses the impact of climate change on the yields and crop water productivity (CWP) of tomato, pak choi and yard-long bean cultivated year-round under different irrigated conditions (drip, furrow and net irrigation) in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The findings of this study show a similar annual precipitation decline (-23%) when comparing the 2017-2040 and 2070-2099 periods for both Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs 4.5 and 8.5), though with significant seasonal differences between the two climate scenarios. Increasing water and heat-stress conditions are expected to have adverse impacts on tomato plants compared to pak choi and yard-long bean, which have a much higher heat tolerance. Differing yield trends are expected depending on the transplanting/sowing date, irrigation method and RCP. In tomato, for example, a -55% yield loss is projected by the end-century (2070-2099) when transplanting in January, whereas a + 37% yield increase is expected between November and December over the same period. In addition, pak choi yield enhancements of up to +30% are projected if sowing in May under RCP 8.5 for both drip and net irrigation conditions. Similarly, higher yard-long bean yields are simulated under RCP 8.5 (+29%) compared to RCP 4.5 (+11%) for the average of all sowing dates (January to December) and irrigation methods (drip, furrow and net irrigation). In sum, the findings of this work are relevant for evidence-based decision-making and the development of projects, policies and programmes increasingly informed by simulation results from bundling climate-crop approaches to transform agriculture in response to climate change.

AbstractUnderstanding recent biogeographic responses to climate change is fundamental for improving our predictions of likely future responses and guiding conservation planning at both local and global scales. Studies of observed biogeographic responses to 20th century climate change have principally examined effects related to ubiquitous increases in temperature – collectively termed a warming fingerprint. Although the importance of changes in other aspects of climate – particularly precipitation and water availability – is widely acknowledged from a theoretical standpoint and supported by paleontological evidence, we lack a practical understanding of how these changes interact with temperature to drive biogeographic responses. Further complicating matters, differences in life history and ecological attributes may lead species to respond differently to the same changes in climate. Here, we examine whether recent biogeographic patterns across California are consistent with a warming fingerprint. We describe how various components of climate have changed regionally in California during the 20th century and review empirical evidence of biogeographic responses to these changes, particularly elevational range shifts. Many responses to climate change do not appear to be consistent with a warming fingerprint, with downslope shifts in elevation being as common as upslope shifts across a number of taxa and many demographic and community responses being inconsistent with upslope shifts. We identify a number of potential direct and indirect mechanisms for these responses, including the influence of aspects of climate change other than temperature (e.g., the shifting seasonal balance of energy and water availability), differences in each taxon's sensitivity to climate change, trophic interactions, and land‐use change. Finally, we highlight the need to move beyond a warming fingerprint in studies of biogeographic responses by considering a more multifaceted view of climate, emphasizing local‐scale effects, and includinga prioriknowledge of relevant natural history for the taxa and regions under study.

Le développement de méthodes efficaces de production de carburants renouvelables à partir de la biomasse lignocellulosique est nécessaire pour maximiser les rendements et réduire les coûts d'exploitation. L'un des principaux défis de l'application industrielle du processus de conversion lignocellulosique est le coût élevé des enzymes cellulolytiques. Le recyclage des enzymes peut présenter une solution potentielle pour atténuer ce problème. Dans la présente étude, les enzymes associées à la fraction insoluble ont été recyclées après l'hydrolyse enzymatique de la bagasse de canne à sucre prétraitée, en utilisant différentes conditions de traitement, charges enzymatiques et charges solides. Il a été constaté que le mélange d'enzymes de Chrysoporthe cubensis et Penicillium pinophilum était efficace pour l'hydrolyse enzymatique et qu'une partie importante de l'activité enzymatique pouvait être récupérée lors du recyclage de la fraction insoluble. Les valeurs de productivité des enzymes (g de glucose/mg de protéine enzymatique) sur toutes les périodes de recyclage étaient de 2,4 et 3,7 pour l'application de 15 et 30 FPU/g de glucane, ce qui représente une augmentation de plus de dix fois celle obtenue dans un processus discontinu avec le même mélange d'enzymes et une augmentation encore plus importante par rapport aux enzymes cellulases commerciales. Contrairement à ce qui peut être attendu, l'augmentation des concentrations de lignine tout au long de la période de recyclage n'a pas eu d'influence négative sur l'efficacité de l'hydrolyse, mais les rendements de conversion se sont améliorés continuellement. Le recyclage de la totalité de la fraction solide insoluble était suffisant pour le recyclage des enzymes adhérées avec la biomasse, indiquant une méthode efficace pour augmenter la productivité enzymatique. El desarrollo de métodos eficientes para la producción de combustibles renovables a partir de biomasa lignocelulósica es necesario para maximizar los rendimientos y reducir los costos operativos. Uno de los principales retos para la aplicación industrial del proceso de conversión lignocelulósica son los altos costes de las enzimas celulolíticas. El reciclaje de enzimas puede presentar una posible solución para aliviar este problema. En el presente estudio, las enzimas asociadas con la fracción insoluble se reciclaron después de la hidrólisis enzimática del bagazo de caña de azúcar pretratado, utilizando diferentes condiciones de procesamiento, cargas enzimáticas y cargas sólidas. Se encontró que la mezcla enzimática de Chrysoporthe cubensis y Penicillium pinophilum fue eficiente para la hidrólisis enzimática y que una parte significativa de la actividad enzimática se pudo recuperar al reciclar la fracción insoluble. Los valores de productividad enzimática (g de glucosa/mg de proteína enzimática) durante todos los períodos de reciclaje fueron 2.4 y 3.7 para la aplicación de 15 y 30 FPU/g de glucano, lo que representa un aumento superior a diez veces el obtenido en un proceso por lotes con la misma mezcla enzimática y un aumento aún mayor en comparación con las enzimas celulasa comerciales. Contrariamente a lo que se puede esperar, el aumento de las concentraciones de lignina a lo largo del período de reciclaje no influyó negativamente en la eficiencia de la hidrólisis, pero las eficiencias de conversión mejoraron continuamente. El reciclaje de toda la fracción de sólidos insolubles fue suficiente para el reciclaje de las enzimas adheridas junto con la biomasa, lo que indica un método eficaz para aumentar la productividad enzimática. Development of efficient methods for production of renewable fuels from lignocellulosic biomass is necessary to maximize yields and reduce operating costs. One of the main challenges to industrial application of the lignocellulosic conversion process is the high costs of cellulolytic enzymes. Recycling of enzymes may present a potential solution to alleviate this problem. In the present study enzymes associated with the insoluble fraction were recycled after enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated sugarcane bagasse, utilizing different processing conditions, enzyme loadings, and solid loadings.It was found that the enzyme blend from Chrysoporthe cubensis and Penicillium pinophilum was efficient for enzymatic hydrolysis and that a significant portion of enzyme activity could be recovered upon recycling of the insoluble fraction. Enzyme productivity values (g glucose/mg enzyme protein) over all recycle periods were 2.4 and 3.7 for application of 15 and 30 FPU/g of glucan, representing an increase in excess of ten times that obtained in a batch process with the same enzyme blend and an even greater increase compared to commercial cellulase enzymes.Contrary to what may be expected, increasing lignin concentrations throughout the recycle period did not negatively influence hydrolysis efficiency, but conversion efficiencies continuously improved. Recycling of the entire insoluble solids fraction was sufficient for recycling of adhered enzymes together with biomass, indicative of an effective method to increase enzyme productivity. يعد تطوير طرق فعالة لإنتاج الوقود المتجدد من الكتلة الحيوية اللجنية السليولوزية أمرًا ضروريًا لزيادة الغلة وتقليل تكاليف التشغيل. يتمثل أحد التحديات الرئيسية التي تواجه التطبيق الصناعي لعملية التحويل الليجنوسلوزية في ارتفاع تكاليف الإنزيمات المحللة للسليلوز. قد تقدم إعادة تدوير الإنزيمات حلاً محتملاً للتخفيف من هذه المشكلة. في هذه الدراسة، تم إعادة تدوير الإنزيمات المرتبطة بالجزء غير القابل للذوبان بعد التحلل المائي الإنزيمي لقصب قصب السكر المعالج مسبقًا، باستخدام ظروف المعالجة المختلفة، وتحميل الإنزيمات، والتحميلات الصلبة. وجد أن مزيج الإنزيم من Chrysoporthe cubensis و Penicillium pinophilum كان فعالًا في التحلل المائي الإنزيمي وأنه يمكن استرداد جزء كبير من نشاط الإنزيم عند إعادة تدوير الجزء غير القابل للذوبان. كانت قيم إنتاجية الإنزيم (جرام من بروتين إنزيم الجلوكوز/ملجم) خلال جميع فترات إعادة التدوير 2.4 و 3.7 لتطبيق 15 و 30 وحدة حماية من الحرائق/جم من الجلوكان، مما يمثل زيادة تزيد عن عشرة أضعاف تلك التي تم الحصول عليها في عملية دفعية مع نفس مزيج الإنزيم وزيادة أكبر مقارنة بإنزيمات السليلوز التجارية. على عكس ما يمكن توقعه، فإن زيادة تركيزات اللجنين طوال فترة إعادة التدوير لم تؤثر سلبًا على كفاءة التحلل المائي، ولكن كفاءة التحويل تحسنت باستمرار. كانت إعادة تدوير جزء المواد الصلبة غير القابلة للذوبان بالكامل كافية لإعادة تدوير الإنزيمات الملتصقة مع الكتلة الحيوية، مما يدل على وجود طريقة فعالة لزيادة إنتاجية الإنزيم.