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Insects have a pivotal role in ecosystem function, thus the decline of more than 75% in insect biomass in protected areas over recent decades in Central Europe1 and elsewhere2,3 has alarmed the public, pushed decision-makers4 and stimulated research on insect population trends. However, the drivers of this decline are still not well understood. Here, we reanalysed 27 years of insect biomass data from Hallmann et al.1, using sample-specific information on weather conditions during sampling and weather anomalies during the insect life cycle. This model explained variation in temporal decline in insect biomass, including an observed increase in biomass in recent years, solely on the basis of these weather variables. Our finding that terrestrial insect biomass is largely driven by complex weather conditions challenges previous assumptions that climate change is more critical in the tropics5,6 or that negative consequences in the temperate zone might only occur in the future7. Despite the recent observed increase in biomass, new combinations of unfavourable multi-annual weather conditions might be expected to further threaten insect populations under continuing climate change. Our findings also highlight the need for more climate change research on physiological mechanisms affected by annual weather conditions and anomalies.

Insects have a pivotal role in ecosystem function, thus the decline of more than 75% in insect biomass in protected areas over recent decades in Central Europe1 and elsewhere2,3 has alarmed the public, pushed decision-makers4 and stimulated research on insect population trends. However, the drivers of this decline are still not well understood. Here, we reanalysed 27 years of insect biomass data from Hallmann et al.1, using sample-specific information on weather conditions during sampling and weather anomalies during the insect life cycle. This model explained variation in temporal decline in insect biomass, including an observed increase in biomass in recent years, solely on the basis of these weather variables. Our finding that terrestrial insect biomass is largely driven by complex weather conditions challenges previous assumptions that climate change is more critical in the tropics5,6 or that negative consequences in the temperate zone might only occur in the future7. Despite the recent observed increase in biomass, new combinations of unfavourable multi-annual weather conditions might be expected to further threaten insect populations under continuing climate change. Our findings also highlight the need for more climate change research on physiological mechanisms affected by annual weather conditions and anomalies.

Two different types of typical Brazilian forest biomass were burned in the laboratory in order to compare their combustion characteristics and pollutant emissions. Approximately 2 kg of Amazon biomass (hardwood) and 2 kg of Araucaria biomass (softwood) were burned. Gaseous emissions of CO2, CO, and NOx and particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) were evaluated in the flaming and smoldering combustion phases. Temperature, burn rate, modified combustion efficiency, emissions factor, and particle diameter and concentration were studied. A continuous analyzer was used to quantify gas concentrations. A DataRam4 and a Cascade Impactor were used to sample PM2.5. Araucaria biomass (softwood) had a lignin content of 34.9%, higher than the 23.3% of the Amazon biomass (hardwood). CO2 and CO emissions factors seem to be influenced by lignin content. Maximum concentrations of CO2, NOx and PM2.5 were observed in the flaming phase.

Two different types of typical Brazilian forest biomass were burned in the laboratory in order to compare their combustion characteristics and pollutant emissions. Approximately 2 kg of Amazon biomass (hardwood) and 2 kg of Araucaria biomass (softwood) were burned. Gaseous emissions of CO2, CO, and NOx and particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) were evaluated in the flaming and smoldering combustion phases. Temperature, burn rate, modified combustion efficiency, emissions factor, and particle diameter and concentration were studied. A continuous analyzer was used to quantify gas concentrations. A DataRam4 and a Cascade Impactor were used to sample PM2.5. Araucaria biomass (softwood) had a lignin content of 34.9%, higher than the 23.3% of the Amazon biomass (hardwood). CO2 and CO emissions factors seem to be influenced by lignin content. Maximum concentrations of CO2, NOx and PM2.5 were observed in the flaming phase.

The paper examines the main methodological and systematic aspects for developing a subfederal regional environmental protection strategy using the case study of Novosibirsk oblast. A logical scheme is presented for creating a strategy for regional natural conservation activity. A system of nature conservation measures is presented, determined by the necessity of mitigating or warning possible environmental problems. Calculations are performed for predicting air pollution in Novosibirsk oblast in terms of the most widespread pollutants discharged by stationary sources for the period up to 2025 taking into account the nature conservation measures. The results of the study make it possible to more substantively choose the main directions of nature conservation activity in this region, making it possible to avoid possible threats and use available resources the most effectively. All of this serves a prerequisite both for creating ecological priorities and for developing an environmental protection strategy as an element of the strategy for regional socioeconomic development.

The paper examines the main methodological and systematic aspects for developing a subfederal regional environmental protection strategy using the case study of Novosibirsk oblast. A logical scheme is presented for creating a strategy for regional natural conservation activity. A system of nature conservation measures is presented, determined by the necessity of mitigating or warning possible environmental problems. Calculations are performed for predicting air pollution in Novosibirsk oblast in terms of the most widespread pollutants discharged by stationary sources for the period up to 2025 taking into account the nature conservation measures. The results of the study make it possible to more substantively choose the main directions of nature conservation activity in this region, making it possible to avoid possible threats and use available resources the most effectively. All of this serves a prerequisite both for creating ecological priorities and for developing an environmental protection strategy as an element of the strategy for regional socioeconomic development.

The potential activity of methane production was determined in the vertical profiles of the peat deposits of three bogs in Tver oblast, which were representative of the boreal zone. In the minerotrophic fen, the rates of methane production measured throughout the profile did not change significantly with depth and comprised 3-6 ng CH4-C g(-1) h(-1). In ombrotrophic peat bogs, the rate did not exceed 5 ng CH4-C g(-1) h(-1) in the upper layer of the profile (up to 1.5 m) and increased to 15-30 ng CH4-C g(-1) h(-1) in the deep layers of the peat deposits. The distribution of fermentative microorganisms and methanogens in the profiles of peat deposits was uniform in all the studied bogs. In bog water samples, the presence of butyrate (up to 14.1 mg l(-1)) and acetate (up to 2.4 mg l(-1)) was revealed throughout the whole profile; in the upper 0.5-m layer of the ombrotrophic bogs, formate (up to 8.9 mg l(-1)) and propionate (up to 0.3 mg l(-1)) were detected as well. The arrangement of local maxima of the fatty acid content and methanogenic activity in the peat deposits, as well as the decrease in the acetate concentrations during summer, support the hypothesis that the initial substrates for methanogenesis come from the upper peat layers. It was established that the addition of sulfate and nitrate inhibits methane production in peat samples: the changes in the concentrations, recorded in situ, may also influence the methane content in peat layers.

The potential activity of methane production was determined in the vertical profiles of the peat deposits of three bogs in Tver oblast, which were representative of the boreal zone. In the minerotrophic fen, the rates of methane production measured throughout the profile did not change significantly with depth and comprised 3-6 ng CH4-C g(-1) h(-1). In ombrotrophic peat bogs, the rate did not exceed 5 ng CH4-C g(-1) h(-1) in the upper layer of the profile (up to 1.5 m) and increased to 15-30 ng CH4-C g(-1) h(-1) in the deep layers of the peat deposits. The distribution of fermentative microorganisms and methanogens in the profiles of peat deposits was uniform in all the studied bogs. In bog water samples, the presence of butyrate (up to 14.1 mg l(-1)) and acetate (up to 2.4 mg l(-1)) was revealed throughout the whole profile; in the upper 0.5-m layer of the ombrotrophic bogs, formate (up to 8.9 mg l(-1)) and propionate (up to 0.3 mg l(-1)) were detected as well. The arrangement of local maxima of the fatty acid content and methanogenic activity in the peat deposits, as well as the decrease in the acetate concentrations during summer, support the hypothesis that the initial substrates for methanogenesis come from the upper peat layers. It was established that the addition of sulfate and nitrate inhibits methane production in peat samples: the changes in the concentrations, recorded in situ, may also influence the methane content in peat layers.