Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences - Journal Articles
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Item Status, advancements and prospects of deep learning methods applied in forest studies(Elsevier Ltd., 2024-06-04) Yun, Ting; Li, Jian; Ma, Lingfei; Zhou, Ji; Wang, Ruisheng; Eichhorn, Markus P.; Zhang, Huaiqing; National Natural Science Foundation of China; Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province; Jiangsu Provincial Agricultural Science and Technology Independent Innovation Fund; Ministry of Natural Resources of the People's Republic of ChinaDeep learning, which has exhibited considerable potential and effectiveness in forest resource assessment, is vital for comprehending and managing forest resources and ecosystems. However, extensive assessment of forest resources is highly challenging due to the complex and varied nature of forest types sourced from diverse remote sensing platforms, which include images, point clouds, and fusion data. To facilitate further study, we systematically review the current status, applications and prospects of deep learning technologies for different types of forest remote sensing data. After considering more than two hundred forest-related papers published over the past decade, we introduce sensors and devices for forest data acquisition, classify deep learning methods based on their data processing methods and operational principles, and categorize diverse instances of these methods with various forest applications. Moreover, we summarize available datasets related primarily to forest data and examine the global geographic distribution of the relevant literature. Comprehensive insights into the advantages and limitations of each method are described, offering a forward-looking perspective on the trend of applying deep learning technology to forest research. In this paper, we aim to provide an overview of the current trends and challenges of deep learning techniques applied to forest research, creating a comprehensive picture for use as a reference by both academia and industry professionals.Item A holistic study on the effects of a rural flood detention basin: flood peaks, water quality and grass growth(Elsevier, 2025) Murphy, Darragh; Weatherill, John; Henriques, Rossana; Quishi, Xie; Harrison, Simon; Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications; Office of Public works; Environmental Protection AgencyNature-based Solutions (NbS) are widely advocated to have multiple benefits, including in flood risk reduction, water quality improvement and ecosystem health. There are, however, few empirical studies quantifying such multi-functionality. Given the ongoing pressures of flooding and poor water quality within Europe, there is an urgent need for empirical evidence to assess the potential for NbS features to address these issues. We present the first empirical results on the impacts of a nature-based flood detention basin on peak flow attenuation, water quality and pasture health. The detention basin comprised a 1.5m high soil bund constructed within a field bordering a first order tributary on a farm in the south of Ireland. Over two years, peak flows were diverted from the stream channel to the detention basin via a constructed sluice during the rising limb of high discharge. Detained waters were returned slowly to the channel via drainage pipes. During this time hydrological and quality data were collected from upstream, downstream and within the detention basin during peak flow events and pasture sward growth and health within the detention basin was assessed. These data revealed marked peak flow attenuation by < 38%, except under conditions of prolonged rainfall. The detention basin sequestered suspended solids (Removal efficiency RE 5.35%; p < 0.05) and nitrate (RE 13.37%; p < 0.001), but was a source of soluble reactive (RE -95%; p < 0.001) and particulate phosphorus (RE -83%; p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant reduction in pasture biomass, but higher Chlorophyll a/b ratio of inundated plants indicated reduced photosynthetic efficiency (30.85%; p < 0.001). Whilst capable of reducing peak flows, the mixed results on water quality and pasture health show that the operation of NbS features is complex, and that multi-functionality is not an inherent facet of NbS.Item Spatial and temporal variation in mortality from avian influenza in Greenland Barnacle Geese Branta leucopsis in their wintering grounds(Taylor & Francis, 2024-12-23) Percival, Steve; Bowler, John; Cabot, David; Duffield, Steve; Enright, Martin; How, James; Mitchell, Carl; Percival, Tracey; Sigfusson, ArnorCapsule: Avian influenza caused the loss of more than 20% of the Greenland Barnacle Goose population, but this impact varied between wintering areas and over time. Aims: The primary objective was to investigate the spatial and temporal mortality patterns due to avian influenza (H5N1) in wintering Greenland Barnacle Geese. Methods: We analysed a comprehensive dataset of marked individuals spanning six years, with observations from a network of observers across their wintering range. The study specifically compared the mortality rates of Greenland Barnacle Geese during the H5N1 outbreak years (2021/2022 and 2022/2023) with the three previous winters (2018/2019–2020/2021). Results: The study found significant spatial and temporal variation in mortality resulting from avian influenza outbreaks within the Greenland Barnacle Goose population on their wintering grounds in Scotland and Ireland. Some sites (Islay, Tiree and Sligo) experienced 30–56% reductions in survival rates, while others (Uist and Mayo) showed little or no impact. The timing of the main outbreaks also differed between sites. Excess deaths (in comparison with the previous baseline), estimated using mark-resighting data, indicated that mortality was considerably higher than suggested from direct field counts, reaching at least 20% of the global population in the peak outbreak winter (2022/2023). Conclusion: The results highlight the importance of spatial and temporal dynamics in avian influenza impacts. Disease dynamics should be integrated into population management models and used for setting appropriate thresholds for minimum population levels, to ensure resilience to disease outbreaks and long-term viability.Item Callixylon seamrogia sp. nov., a new species from the uppermost Famennian (Upper Devonian) of Ireland(Elsevier Ltd., 2024-12-12) Durieux, Thibault; Decombeix, Anne-Laure; Harper, Carla J.; Ramel, Merlin; Mays, Chris; Prestianni, Cyrille; Trinity College Dublin; Science Foundation Ireland; DECA; Institut national des sciences de l'Univers; Conseil National de la Recherche Scientifique; Irish Research Council; Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires ÉtrangèresThe fossil record of the Devonian tree Archaeopteris/Callixylon is extensive worldwide, however, the underground parts of these plants remain scarcely known. To date, there are only three studies that provide detailed anatomical descriptions of their roots. This study describes new anatomically preserved roots and stems of Callixylon from uppermost Famennian (Upper Devonian) deposits of Sandeel Bay, County Wexford, Ireland. The wood is characterized by tracheids with the pitting pattern typical of Callixylon (i.e., radial pits forming groups separated by non-pitted areas), and the presence of numerous ray tracheids that are smaller than the parenchyma ray cells in tangential section and unevenly arranged inside the rays. The roots are characterized by a three-lobed actinostele with multiple exarch protoxylem strands, an unusual organization reported for the first time in Callixylon roots. The stems are eustelic, with a heterocellular pith composed of thin and some thick-walled cells. Based on their unique combination of characters, the specimens are assigned to a new species, Callixylon seamrogia, the first species of Callixylon reported from Ireland. Based on comparisons with previous architectural studies of Callixylon, the stems are hypothesized to correspond to main axes of the new species, one of them bearing an apically emitted non-persistent branch. These new specimens from Ireland provide new information on the rooting system of Archaeopteris/Callixylon and improve our understanding of the anatomical and systematic diversity within the genus.Item Overland flights of terns and consequent high exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Northwest France in the 1970s(BioOne, 2023-06-27) Nisbet, Ian C. T.; Cabot, David; Partridge, KarlSandwich (Thalasseus sandvicensis), Common (Sterna hirundo), and Roseate Terns (S. dougallii) made overland flights from a breeding site in Brittany (northwest France) to forage in a semi-enclosed basin (Rade de Brest) ∼30 km away in 1976 and 1978. The foraging area was contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and high levels of PCBs were detected in several tern eggs. Levels of PCBs in tern eggs were sufficiently high to have caused adverse effects on reproduction. PCBs should be considered as potential contributory causes of declines in tern populations in the 1960s–1970s, in addition to other known causes including predation and trapping in the winter quarters.