Land surface phenology for the characterization of Mediterranean permanent grasslands DOI Creative Commons

Alberto Tanda,

Antonio Pulina, Simonetta Bagella

et al.

Precision Agriculture, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 26(1)

Published: Dec. 27, 2024

The provision of ecosystem services from Mediterranean permanent grasslands is threatened due to shifting management practices and environmental pressures. This observational study tested the hypothesis that Land Surface Phenology (LSP) parameters high-resolution satellite data can characterize various support conservation improvement practices. potential LSP derived Sentinel-2 in identifying multi-layer mixed vegetation grasslands, including silvopastoral systems, were well-characterized an agronomic ecological perspective through field surveys, was assessed. Forty-nine polygons, representing eleven sites characterized by different grassland vegetation, soil, climate management, identified Sardinia (Italy). images 2017 2023 processed derive NDVI, calculated using TIMESAT 3.3 software. Canonical Correspondence Analysis showed a significant association (p < 0.05) between combination metrics used as proxies set relevant agronomical indicators. It then possible differentiate managed vs. abandoned (e.g., start peak season significantly later under unmanaged p 0.0001), wooded open grasslands(e.g., base value higher woodlands 0.0001) across gradients (altitude) (green-down rate mown than unmown areas, 0.0001). proved be promising features length growing season, earliness, forage availability, mowing grazing intensity, unpalatable species) grasslands. characterization design or monitoring detect abandonment pressures early.

Language: Английский

Speleothems uncover Late Holocene environmental changes across the Nuragic period in Sardinia (Italy): A possible human influence on land use during bronze to post-Iron Age cultural shifts DOI Creative Commons
Andrea Columbu, Carlos Pérez‐Mejías, Eleonora Regattieri

et al.

Quaternary Science Reviews, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 328, P. 108534 - 108534

Published: Feb. 12, 2024

During the Bronze and Iron Age, Sardinia was home of one most technologically advanced Mediterranean societies (the Nuragic culture). Given its key geographical location, island also fulcrum deep cultural exchanges. Toward end Phoenicians, especially Carthaginians Romans, massively frequented for different purposes. This marks an important transition region, as ancient Nuragic-related society terminated. At same time, this impacted subsistence land use practices. Together with middle to late Holocene climate changes, novel anthropic activities had a pivotal role in shaping landscape around island. However, high resolution environmental records these culturally phases are still lacking Sardinia. Thus, paper explores palaeoenvironmental changes from Age post Ages times by using carbonate speleothems Suttaterra de Sarpis Cave (Urzulei, central east Sardinia), strategically located nearby Or Murales Village. U–Th ages (n = 20) indicate that five stalagmites comprehensively span last ∼7000 years. Peculiarly, they all show evident stratigraphic discontinuity. models attest hiatuses can be at associated discontinuities, spanning periods ∼1200 ∼200 Importantly, discontinuities occurred Late Roman period. Based on fabric observations, trace elements δ13C- δ18O analyses, primarily attributed progressive change above cave. We suppose deforestation aimed clearance agriculture livestock practices probably impacting factor infiltration dynamics soil state, thus affecting studied speleothems, although archaeological historical data absent specific study area. Instead, is line occurring toward agricultural imported overseas populations. The disturbance millennial-long karst equilibrium possibly overprinted response speleothem proxies oscillations, future higher analyses necessary better investigate evolution during well development civilizations. Indeed, first speleothem-based reconstruction accomplished Considering paucity natural lakes here demonstrate their potential exploring human-driven transitions within context.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Dissecting glial scar formation by spatial point pattern and topological data analysis DOI Creative Commons
Daniel Manrique‐Castano, Dhananjay Bhaskar, Ayman ElAli

et al.

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Aug. 16, 2024

Glial scar formation represents a fundamental response to central nervous system (CNS) injuries. It is mainly characterized by well-defined spatial rearrangement of reactive astrocytes and microglia. The mechanisms underlying glial have been extensively studied, yet quantitative descriptors the arrangement cells remain limited. Here, we present novel approach using point pattern analysis (PPA) topological data (TDA) quantify patterns after experimental ischemic stroke in mice. We provide open reproducible tools R Julia intensity, cell covariance conditional distribution, cell-to-cell interactions, short/long-scale arrangement, which collectively disentangle scar. This unravels substantial divergence distribution GFAP+ IBA1+ injury that conventional methods cannot fully characterize. PPA TDA are valuable for studying complex glia other following CNS injuries potential applications evaluating glial-targeted restorative therapies.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Temporal trajectories of plant functional traits in mediterranean grasslands under different grazing regimes DOI Creative Commons

Nour Al Hajj,

Alessandro Bricca, Maria Carmela Caria

et al.

Applied Vegetation Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(3)

Published: July 1, 2024

Abstract Aims Mediterranean grasslands are semi‐natural ecosystems that have been affected by land‐use intensification and abandonment during the past decades. Adaptative multi‐paddock grazing regimes, where alternates with long periods of vegetation recovery, proposed as a more biodiversity‐friendly management compared continuous grazing. This study aimed to compare effect these two different regimes on set plant traits in mediterranean grassland over time. Location Central part Sardinia (Italy) at 350 m a.s.l. permanent system. Methods We applied point quadrat method quantify specific contribution each species along transects spring winter from 2018 2022. considered following traits: leaf dry matter content, life forms, flowering start length flowering. Overall, we performed 128 surveys measured for 61 species. ran linear mixed model test season, years functional diversity community‐weighted mean single traits. Results time increased content. However, seasonality through had greatest forms. Conclusion The relatively small variation suggests was rather stable despite wide probably linked their history human association. Nonetheless, adaptative may higher beneficial effects grazing, favouring palatable improving soil fertility. By contrast, high vulnerability same climatic changes.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Archaeological Areas as Habitat Islands: Plant Diversity of Epidaurus UNESCO World Heritage Site (Greece) DOI Creative Commons
Maria Panitsa,

Maria Tsakiri,

Dimitra Kampiti

et al.

Diversity, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(7), P. 403 - 403

Published: July 12, 2024

The Epidaurus UNESCO World Heritage site (EPD) is a famous archaeological area that located in small valley the Peloponnese and receives more than 250,000 visitors annually. study of plant diversity framework continuous research project concerning areas context by Ministry Culture, Education Religious Affairs Greece started during 2023 to biodiversity Greece. main aim this exploration analysis species composition area, with an emphasis on endemic plants, ruderal alien taxa as well environmental disturbance indicators cultural ecosystem services they provide. This revealed high richness consisting 446 taxa. Most them are Mediterranean widespread, ruderals medium indicators, but there also 12 Greek richest families Asteraceae, Fabaceae Poaceae. Therophytes predominate total flora registered hemicryptophytes endemics. Comparisons EPD’s other its unique character. Management protection such must focus sustainable conservation their relationship natural environment.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
A thematic vegetation dataset of SArdinian GRAsslands (SAGRA) DOI Creative Commons
Simonetta Bagella, Maria Carmela Caria, Gianmaria Bonari

et al.

Plant Sociology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 61(2), P. 41 - 47

Published: Aug. 26, 2024

We present the dataset “SArdinian GRAsslands” (SAGRA), a collection of georeferenced vegetation surveys sourced from different areas Sardinia (Italy). SAGRA addresses geographic gap in current databases, as plots Sardinian grasslands are underrepresented. collected data projects and organized it within framework that allows for scalability to larger scales or integration into existing databases. The include three categories information: general, management, environmental. Overall, comprises 1277 surveys, some which were performed years same plots. This encompasses 685 434 species, primarily therophytes.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Dissecting glial scar formation by spatial point pattern and topological data analysis DOI Creative Commons
Daniel Manrique‐Castano, Dhananjay Bhaskar, Ayman ElAli

et al.

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 6, 2023

Abstract Glial scar formation represents a fundamental response to central nervous system (CNS) injury. It is mainly characterized by well-defined spatial rearrangement of reactive astrocytes and microglia. The mechanisms underlying glial have been extensively studied, yet quantitative descriptors the arrangement cells remain limited. Here, we present novel approach using point pattern analysis (PPA) topological data (TDA) quantify patterns after experimental ischemic stroke in mice. We provide open reproducible tools R Julia intensity, cell covariance conditional distribution, cell-to-cell interactions, short/long-scale arrangement, which collectively disentangle scar. This unravels substantial divergence distribution microglia injury that conventional methods cannot fully characterize. PPA TDA are valuable for studying complex glia other following CNS injuries potential applications evaluating glial-targeted restorative therapies.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Land surface phenology for the characterization of Mediterranean permanent grasslands DOI Creative Commons

Alberto Tanda,

Antonio Pulina, Simonetta Bagella

et al.

Precision Agriculture, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 26(1)

Published: Dec. 27, 2024

The provision of ecosystem services from Mediterranean permanent grasslands is threatened due to shifting management practices and environmental pressures. This observational study tested the hypothesis that Land Surface Phenology (LSP) parameters high-resolution satellite data can characterize various support conservation improvement practices. potential LSP derived Sentinel-2 in identifying multi-layer mixed vegetation grasslands, including silvopastoral systems, were well-characterized an agronomic ecological perspective through field surveys, was assessed. Forty-nine polygons, representing eleven sites characterized by different grassland vegetation, soil, climate management, identified Sardinia (Italy). images 2017 2023 processed derive NDVI, calculated using TIMESAT 3.3 software. Canonical Correspondence Analysis showed a significant association (p < 0.05) between combination metrics used as proxies set relevant agronomical indicators. It then possible differentiate managed vs. abandoned (e.g., start peak season significantly later under unmanaged p 0.0001), wooded open grasslands(e.g., base value higher woodlands 0.0001) across gradients (altitude) (green-down rate mown than unmown areas, 0.0001). proved be promising features length growing season, earliness, forage availability, mowing grazing intensity, unpalatable species) grasslands. characterization design or monitoring detect abandonment pressures early.

Language: Английский

Citations

0