Evaluating the Present and Future Heat Stress Conditions in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Atmosphere, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1), P. 112 - 112

Published: Jan. 17, 2024

The impact of elevated air temperature and heat stress on human health is a global concern. It not only affects our well-being directly, but also reduces physical work capacity, leading to negative effects society economic productivity. Climate change has already affected the climate in Luxembourg and, based results regional models, extreme events will become more frequent intense future. To assess historical conditions, micro-scaleRayManPro 3.1 model was used simulate thermal levels for different genders age classes hourly input data spanning last two decades. For assessment future with special emphasis waves, multi-model ensemble models emission scenarios taken from Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) used. both, past conditions Luxemburg, an increase observed. Small differences groups became obvious. In addition absolute number intensification higher temperatures longer durations were detected. Although some indications adaptation rising can be observed high-income countries, underscore likelihood escalating heat-related adverse productivity unless investments are made research risk management strategies.

Language: Английский

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Uptake behavior of polycyclic aromatic compounds during field calibrations of the XAD-based passive air sampler across seasons and locations

Atmospheric measurement techniques, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 17(2), P. 715 - 729

Published: Jan. 29, 2024

Abstract. Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) continue to demand attention due their widespread presence and well-established health implications. Given that incomplete combustion is a major contributor PACs inhalation constitutes crucial human exposure pathway, comprehensive understanding of the concentrations, spatial distributions, fates broad range in atmosphere important. Passive air samplers (PASs) are commonly utilized technique for PAC sampling monitoring. In this study, we present results from two 1-year calibration experiments, one starting summer other winter, using passive sampler equipped with XAD resin as sorbent (XAD-PAS). Throughout both were consistently sorbed during initial 6-month period. However, amounts many exhibited decrease after half year deployment. Three hypotheses explain phenomenon explored, including uptake atmospheric particles, evaporation sorbent, reactions photo-oxidants. All had be rejected based on obtained data, additional laboratory model results. Model simulations further used (i) confirm loss process must invoked observed behavior (ii) estimate kinetics different PACs. Sampling rates (SRs) 28 derived linearized curves first 6 months deployment comparable those semi-volatile organic same experiment, they also demonstrate consistent negative correlation volatility.

Language: Английский

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Radiative impact of record-breaking wildfires from integrated ground-based data

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: March 10, 2025

Abstract The radiative effects of wildfires have been traditionally estimated by models using transfer calculations. Assessment model-predicted commonly involves information on observation-based aerosol optical properties. However, lack or incompleteness this for dense plumes generated intense reduces substantially the applicability assessment. Here we introduce a novel method that provides additional observational constraints such assessments widely available ground-based measurements shortwave and spectrally resolved irradiances depth (AOD) in visible near-infrared spectral ranges. We apply our to quantify impact record-breaking occurred Western US September 2020. For quantification use integrated data collected at Atmospheric Measurements Laboratory Richland, Washington, USA with location frequently downwind US. demonstrate remarkably these strongly reduced solar surface irradiance (up 70% 450 Wm -2 total flux) almost completely masked sun from view due extremely large AOD (above 10 500 nm wavelength). also plume-induced is comparable magnitude those produced violent volcano eruption 1980 continental cumuli.

Language: Английский

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Comparative and Interpretative Analysis of CNN and Transformer Models in Predicting Wildfire Spread Using Remote Sensing Data

Journal of Geophysical Research Machine Learning and Computation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 2(2)

Published: April 9, 2025

Abstract Facing the escalating threat of global wildfires, numerous computer vision techniques using remote sensing data have been applied in this area. However, selection deep learning methods for wildfire prediction remains uncertain due to lack comparative analysis a quantitative and explainable manner, crucial improving prevention measures refining models. This study aims thoroughly compare performance, efficiency, explainability four prevalent architectures: Autoencoder, ResNet, UNet, Transformer‐based Swin‐UNet. Employing real‐world set that includes nearly decade from California, U.S., these models predict spread wildfires following day. Through detailed comparison analysis, we discovered Swin‐UNet UNet generally outperform Autoencoder particularly advanced attention mechanisms efficient use skip connections both Swin‐UNet, which contribute superior predictive accuracy model interpretability. Then XAI on all models, not only enhances clarity trustworthiness but also promotes focused improvements capabilities. The reveals are able focus critical features such as “Previous Fire Mask”, “Drought”, “Vegetation” more effectively than other two while maintaining balanced remaining features, leading their performance. insights our thorough offer substantial implications future design provide guidance different scenarios. source code project is publicly available open Zenodo (Y. Zhou et al., 2024, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14286931 ).

Language: Английский

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Associations of Wildfire-Derived Particulate Matter with Hospitalization, Emergency Department Visits and Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Environmental Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 121221 - 121221

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Time since fire shapes plant immaturity risk across fire severity classes

Fire Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 19(1)

Published: April 24, 2023

Abstract Background When fire intervals are shorter than the time required for plants to reproduce, plant populations threatened by “immaturity risk.” Therefore, understanding how between fires influences can inform ecosystem management. Quantifying periods of immaturity risk requires investigating influence across life stages, but most studies indiscriminate maturity. As regimes multidimensional, it is also important consider other characteristics such as severity. We conducted a field study in heathy woodland that investigated severity and interval serotinous resprouter species, examining if interacts with since occurrence mature individuals relative abundance three species: silver banksia ( Banksia marginata Cav .), prickly teatree Leptospermum continentale Joy Thomps ), heath myrsinoides Schitdl ). Results Regression modeling revealed strong, positive last on proportion quadrats at site plants, all species. only detected small uncertain teatree, did not observe an effect maturity banksia. Interestingly, no relationships were observed plants. That is, when stages considered we detect Populations species mostly immature first 7 years post-fire, suggesting sites uniformly burnt this frame, there could be increased local extinctions. Conclusions Our highlights importance population processes, reproduction, addition abundance. Surprisingly, strong differences maturation classes; low recently areas indicated was high, regardless Ecological distinguish will help predict impacts enhance decision-making. recommend ≥ 8 protect vegetation southern Australia.

Language: Английский

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Wildfires in Australia: a bibliometric analysis and a glimpse on ‘Black Summer’ (2019/2020) disaster

Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 30(29), P. 73061 - 73086

Published: May 19, 2023

Abstract A wildfire, an unplanned fire that is mainly uncontrolled and originates in combustible vegetation rural or urban settings, one of the most pervasive natural catastrophes some areas, such as Siberia, California Australia. Many studies, standard reviews, have been undertaken to look into works literature on wildfires forest fires their effects aquatic terrestrial ecosystems. Regrettably, conventional reviews failed identify important researchers, evolving complexities, emerging research hotspots, trends opportunities for further ground wildfire study. The present study employs bibliometric analysis investigate this area qualitatively quantitatively. Scopus database systems Web Science Core Collection yielded 78 qualifying papers, which were then evaluated using Biblioshiny (A bibliometrix tool R-studio). According statistics, discipline expanding at a pace 13.68% faster than average. So far, three key periods transformation documented: preliminary evolution (8 articles; 1999–2005), gentle (14 2006–2013) quick (56 2014 2021). Forest Ecology Management journals highest number publications, accounting 7.70% total wildfire-related articles published from 1999 2021. However, recent data indicate investigators are shifting focus wildfires, with term ‘Australia’ having frequency (91) ‘wildfire’ second (58) appeared keywords. will provide foundation future incidence management by receiving information synthesising previously Australia around world.

Language: Английский

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Vegetation−fire feedbacks increase subtropical wildfire risk in scrubland and reduce it in forests

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 351, P. 119726 - 119726

Published: Dec. 4, 2023

Language: Английский

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Fire Vulnerability, Resilience, and Recovery Rates of Mediterranean Pine Forests Using a 33-Year Time Series of Satellite Imagery

Remote Sensing, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(10), P. 1718 - 1718

Published: May 13, 2024

The modification of fire regimes and their impact on vegetation recovery, soil properties, fuel structure are current key research areas that attempt to identify the thresholds vegetation’s susceptibility wildfires. This study aimed evaluate vulnerability Mediterranean pine forests (Pinus halepensis Mill. Pinus pinaster Aiton) wildfires, analyzing two major forest fires occurred in Yeste (Spain) 1994 2017, affecting over 14,000 3200 hectares, respectively. Four recovery regions were identified based severity—calculated using delta Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR) index—and recurrence: with high severity 2017 but not (UB94-HS17), (HS94-UB17), both (HS94-HS17), unaffected by either (UB94-UB17). analysis focused examining patterns three spectral indices—the Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Moisture (NDMI), (NBR)—using Google Earth Engine platform from 1990 2023. Additionally, Relative Recovery Indicator (RRI), Eighty Percent (R80P), Year-on-Year average (YrYr) metrics computed assess rates region. These indices showed similar dynamic responses fire. However, Mann–Kendall unit root statistical tests revealed NDVI NDMI exhibited distinct trends, particularly recurrence (HS94-HS17). outperformed NBR distinguishing variations among regions. results suggest accelerated regrowth short term. Capacity After Fire (VRAF) index values low moderate, while Vulnerability (V2FIRE) medium across all findings enhance our understanding how recovers vulnerable it is

Language: Английский

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Do Fire Cues Enhance Germination of Soil Seed Stores across an Ecotone of Wet Eucalypt Forest to Cool Temperate Rainforest in the Central Highlands of South-Eastern Australia?

Fire, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 6(4), P. 138 - 138

Published: March 30, 2023

Soil seed banks play an important role in plant species persistence fire-prone systems. Response to fire related germination cues often reflect historical regimes and can be maintaining ecotones between different forest types. We assessed the effects of heat and/or smoke on soil stored across ecotone eucalypt rainforest overstorey comprising wet forest, cool temperate mixed south-eastern Australia. Soils from five replicates each type were subjected very low (45 °C), (65 °C) high (90 with or without two treatments: –smoke-infused vermiculite, karrikinolide—a phytoreactive compound derived smoke. placed a glasshouse germinants identified counted at weekly intervals. was consistent among types despite underlying differences diversity banks. There no overall response richness, abundance, composition cues. Phanerophytes ant-dispersed hard coats demonstrated positive response, endozoochores negative independent Endozoochores concentrated (albeit densities) effect seral affiliation Given lack karrikinolide, disturbance would most likely associated mechanical abrasion exposure increased light availability than non-fire production products. Forest stronger determinant floristics germinated bank simulated Both treatments had little influence suggesting other, disturbances such as treefalls turnover by fauna may more for many these

Language: Английский

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