Impact of the Magnetic Field on the Performance of Heat Pipes Driven by a Photovoltaic–Thermal Panel with Nanofluids

A two-dimensional dynamic heat transfer and fluid flow model was developed to describe the behavior of photovoltaic cells and the performance of a hybrid solar collector photovoltaic–thermal solar panel system. The system was assessed under different magnetic field Gauss forces. Nanofluids were used to drive the heat pipes in a thermal panel under different conditions, such as levels of solar irradiance and different boundary conditions. The model was developed based on the equations of the dynamic conservation of mass and energy, coupled with the heat transfer relationships and thermodynamic properties, in addition to the material properties under different magnetic Gauss forces. Comparisons were made with the literature data to validate the predictive model. The model reliably predicted the key parameters under different nanofluid conditions and magnetic fields, and compared well with the existing data on the subject.

Terraced landscapes of the Shouf Biosphere Reserve (Lebanon): analysis of geomorphological variables

This work aims to characterize the agricultural heritage system surrounding the Shouf Biosphere Reserve (SBR) in Lebanon, through a landscape analysis based on assessing current ecosystems. In the past, the SBR landscape was intensively terraced and cultivated to produce many different crops. Today, although the terraced surface has been reduced, it is still a characteristic of the area, encouraging the quality of the landscape and increasing local biodiversity. During and after the war (the 1950s), the migration of population caused the abandonment of many cultivated terraces with the loss of a wide range of ecosystem services. This trend should be reversed to ensure these ecosystem services. The diversity of the land uses, and the richness of fauna and flora species raise the importance of the role of the SBR in maintaining the complex ecosystem and increasing its resilience capacity. The objectives of preserving biocultural diversity and traditional local agricultural practices can be achieved through sustainable development policies for the dynamic conservation of landscapes. In this study, it was shown that distance from roads to terraced areas is a fundamental factor in the preservation and maintenance of terraces. As well as the aspect and the slope influence the positioning of the terraces and therefore the species cultivated on them.

Necesitatea aplicării cunoștințelor de genetică moleculară în gestionarea resurselor genetice forestiere din Republica Moldova

Molecular genetics plays a crucial role in the assessment of forest genetic resources. Using recently acquired genetic knowledge based on molecular markers, can contribute significantly to the development of advanced strategies for in-situ dynamic conservation of forest genetic resources in the Republic of Moldova.

Think Before You Act: Improving the Conservation Outcomes of CITES Listing Decisions

The CITES treaty is the major international instrument designed to safeguard wild plants and animals from overexploitation by international trade. CITES is now approaching 50 years old, and we contend that it is showing its age. In stark contrast to most environmental policy arenas, CITES does not require, encourage, or even allow for, consideration of the impacts of its key decisions—those around listing species in the CITES Appendices. Decisions to list species in CITES are based on a simplistic set of biological and trade criteria that do not relate to the impact of the decision, and have little systematic evidentiary support. We explain the conservation failures that flow from this weakness and propose three key changes to the CITES listing process: (1) development of a formal mechanism for consideration by Parties of the likely consequences of species listing decisions; (2) broadening of the range of criteria used to make listing decisions; and (3) amplification of the input of local communities living alongside wildlife in the listing process. Embracing these changes will help to ensure CITES decisions more effectively respond to the needs of wildlife in today’s highly complex and dynamic conservation context.

The Agroforestry Heritage System of Sabana De Morro in El Salvador

Traditional agroforestry systems are recognized as having great importance for providing multiple benefits for local communities all over the world, especially in tropical countries. Thanks to their multifunctional role, they can support small farmers, contribute to hydrogeological risk reduction, water regulation, preservation of soil, agrobiodiversity and landscape, as well as being examples of mitigation and adaptation towards climate change. The Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) aims to identify agricultural systems of global importance, preserving landscape, agrobiodiversity and traditional knowledge, through dynamic conservation principles. The Sabana de Morro is a traditional agroforestry system located in El Salvador based on cattle grazing in pastures with the presence of Crescentia alata and Crescentia cujete trees, locally called Morro or Jícaro. We documented the main characteristics of this system, that has never been deeply studied, in the Municipality of Dolores, in accordance with the five GIAHS criteria, and through detailed land use mapping, to assess the relations between landscape structure, agrobiodiversity and traditional silvopastoral practices. Sabana de Morro proved to be based on strong interactions between trees, cattle and farmers. The pulp of the Morro fruits is eaten by grazing cattle, completing their feeding and giving a peculiar taste to the locally produced cheese. Morro trees provide shade for the animals while cattle contribute by spreading their seeds that also take advantage of the manure. Results show that this agroforestry system contributes to the preservation of a rich agrobiodiversity and of the traditional landscape. At the same time, it supports local farmers’ livelihood and is consistent with the aim of the GIAHS programme, even if further surveys and research are needed to assess the real possibility of the inclusion in this FAO programme.

Morphological and molecular characterization of a hybrid zone between Prosopis alba and P. nigra in the Chaco region of northwestern Argentina

The Gran Chaco is the largest dry forest in South America. One of the key taxa of this biome is the genus Prosopis (Fabaceae) which contains several economically important species. One of the characteristics of this genus is its natural capacity to exchange genetic information among congeneric species, generating zones of high morphological and genetic variability at contact points. The study and management of these contact areas can contribute to the dynamic conservation of these native genetic resources. In this study, we analysed three sites within a gradient of land aridity, where P. nigra and P. alba grow in sympatry and apparently hybridize. This is the first study performed in both, Prosopis pure sites and hybrid swarm, which includes a spatially explicit approach and simultaneously analyses fruit and leaf morphological variation, together with molecular information (microsatellites markers). We performed a multivariate morphological analysis, Bayesian genetic clustering and multivariate associations between genetic and morphological variability in the pure parental populations and in the hybrid swarm, considering possible spatial autocorrelation. Bayesian cluster analysis revealed two distinct groups corresponding to each species, differentiating the pure morphotypes from sites 1 and 2. Site 3, corresponding to the hybrid swarm, was composed of pure P. alba and P. nigra trees and hybrid individuals. We found morphological and molecular evidence of hybridization between P. alba and P. nigra, and detected novel phenotypes in the hybrid site.

Research Progress in the Conservation and Development of China-Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (China-NIAHS)

To cope with the problem of the global agricultural environment, food security, and the crisis of sustainable agricultural development, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), together with other relevant national organizations and several countries, launched the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) in 2002. The Qingtian Rice-Fish system was designated as China’s first GIAHS and was included in the first batch of GIAHS pilot sites, in 2005. Since then, study of systematic agricultural heritage and its conservation and development has progressed in China. On the basis of a comprehensive collection of relevant studies, the author reviews the main achievements in conservation and development of China-Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (China-NIAHS) over the past 15 years. At the present stage, the core contents of study on agricultural heritage are focused on two aspects. One is the benefit of exploration with multi-functional development. Another is dynamic conservation with adaptive management. There are many controversies around the concept and connotation of agricultural heritage, which, in turn, promote the understanding of this new type of heritage. The sustainable mechanism within agricultural heritage gives itself value diversity. Study about the value of agricultural heritage highlights the significance of conservation. The development of multi-functional industrials based on its multi-functional value is the pathway for the development of China-NIAHS, including the production of high-quality and characteristic local agricultural products, the development of ecotourism, and the development of cultural industries. To carry out dynamic conservation and adaptive management, the establishment of "five in one" benefit-sharing, multi-stakeholder mechanisms, legally guaranteed incentive mechanisms, government-leading, multi-financing mechanisms, and multi-disciplinary scientific support mechanisms are indispensable. Although China has made great progress in the study of agricultural heritage, it still needs to carry out additional research through heritage resources surveys, regular patterns of system evolution, and sustainable mechanisms, as well as perform more applicable research in framework and mechanism construction and paradigms of dynamic protection. Multidisciplinary comprehensive studies are necessary as well.