This work aims to provide a comprehensive in-depth analysis of the life cycle environmental and economic performance of some key global supply chains for torrefied wood pellets (TWP) used as bulk fuel, including their contribution to the bio-economy of the region where they are produced, and the effects of carbon accounting and carbon tax policies on the TWP trade. TWPs produced in British Columbia

Business opportunities of circular bioeconomy have been proposed to lessen the socio-economic challenges of rural areas and to conserve diminishing natural resources. Recently, the financial and environmental sustainability of circular bioeconomy has gained considerable research interest. This study examines three promising operational models for circular bioeconomy development in southern Finland:

Catalytic transfer hydrogenolysis of glycerol can give 1,2-propanediol under mild condition (200 °C) in the absence of external H2. Most existing studies have been focused on metallic catalysts for tandem H2 generation and hydrogenolysis. In this work, a series of bimetallic PtPd/C catalysts with PdCx as promoting role, were synthesized with different calcination temperatures (300–900 °C) and varied

The western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis is a quarantine pest of French beans that requires a phytosanitary treatment to meet quarantine requirements for strict lucrative markets. In this study, the efficacy of hot water treatment against F. occidentalis eggs and its effects on the post-harvest physicochemical quality parameters of French beans was evaluated.

Silencing specific genes in pests through RNA interference technology is a promising new pest-control strategy. The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, is the most important citrus pest because it transmits Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, which causes huanglongbing. Chitin is essential for insect development, and enzymes in this pathway are attractive targets for pest control.

A spider mite control method using nighttime ultraviolet (UV)-B irradiation was recently developed for strawberry greenhouses (UV method). The control effect of the UV method is negatively affected by increasing temperature. Tetranychus urticae eggs are more resistant to a single dose of UV-B irradiation than Neoseiulus californicus eggs. In contrast, the latter can survive UV-B irradiation every night

There remains limited information to characterize the solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF)-gross primary production (GPP) relationship in C4 cropping systems. The annual C4 crop corn and perennial C4 crop miscanthus differ in phenology, canopy structure and leaf physiology. Investigating the SIF-GPP relationships in these species could deepen our understanding of SIF-GPP relationships within

The global intensification of urbanization is driving a disconnect between humans and nature. Communicating ecosystem services (ES) and disservices (EDS) to city residents offers an opportunity to help reassociate people with ecological processes of the urban forest, benefiting support for urban forest management. It has been theorized that the complexity of ES and EDS may dissuade their coverage by

Studies of co-processing catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP) oil with vacuum gas oil (VGO) are conducted in a Davison Circulating Riser (DCR). The CFP oil (CFPO) for this study was produced by upgrading fast-pyrolysis vapors from pine in an ex-situ fixed-bed reactor. CFPOs were co-processed at up to a volume fraction of 0.05 with VGO at 521 °C and 257 kPa. The yields of oil, aqueous phase, tail gas, and

Perennial crops can improve the ecological and economic sustainability of agroecosystems because of their potential to provide diverse ecosystem services including carbon storage. Intermediate wheatgrass (IWG; Thinopyrum intermedium) is a stress-tolerant grain and forage species that can be grown in bicultures with legumes for symbiotic nitrogen fixation that provide additional ecosystem services but

Urban green areas can play a crucial role in establishing spaces that are valuable for pollinators. However, to help ‘pollinator-friendly’ management of urban areas, complete information on the quantity and quality of available floral reward is needed. In this paper, the nectar and pollen of six Cotoneaster species (Rosaceae) were investigated in a two-year experiment established in Lublin city, SE

The Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of a nutrient-stressed microalgae (Scenedesmus obliquus) (NSM) with and without the use of zirconium-doped HZSM-5 catalyst was investigated under temperature conditions ranging from 250 to 350 °C. The wet impregnation method was used to prepare the catalyst, and HTL experiments were conducted on the unstressed microalgae (CM) for comparison. Under the stressed condition

Intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) is a key physiological trait; however, the spatiotemporal variation in iWUE and which factors affect iWUE in the tropics and subtropics are poorly known. We determined the temporal (1920-2010) and spatial patterns of iWUE using leaf carbon-isotopic composition (δ13C) of 1,811 herbarium specimens and associated these patterns with environmental factors across biomes

The importance of deciduous plants’ autumn phenological phase is reflected not only in the material cycle but also in the fall foliage ecotourism industry. However, the lack of observation data has made it difficult to model the phase of deciduous plants in the high-elevation karst region. Based on the data between 2001 and 2020, methods including multiple linear regression, multivariate binomial regression

The peak photosynthesis timing (PPT) is a key factor that affects the seasonality of the terrestrial carbon uptake. Carbon phenology derived from gross primary production (GPP) has been used to validate the peak greenness timing (PGT) from satellite-based vegetation indices (VIs) in phenology research. However, PPT, derived from GPP, has not been comprehensively analyzed, especially taking different

Temperature directly influences survival, development and reproduction of insects and limits their biological activity. The alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica Gyllenhal) is a destructive pest of alfalfa crops in Spain and in most of the alfalfa production countries. The knowledge of how temperature affects the fitness of this pest can be used to predict its activity in current or forecasted environmental

ω-hexatoxin-Hvn1b is an insecticidal toxin produced by the Tasmanian funnel-web spider (Hadronyche venenata), that can be exploited for development of novel bioinsecticides. Due to the larger size and low membrane permeability, this toxin usually has a slower mode of action compared to conventional small molecule insecticides. Nanoscale materials have unique optical, electrical, mechanical and biological

Effective, safe and practical biocontrol options are greatly needed for combating Lygus lineolaris on protected culture strawberry. This study demonstrated how UV-selective plastics can improve efficacy of the fungal biocontrol agent Beauveria bassiana (Mycotrol) compared to the conventional insecticide acetamiprid (Assail) against L. lineolaris on low tunnel strawberry.

Chitin is a major component in the extracellular matrix of insects, and its metabolism largely affects insect development and molting. As essential degradative enzymes, chitinases are encoded by multiple genes that differ in size, expression pattern and function in insects. However, our limited knowledge on the functions of different chitinases in Agrotis ipsilon has prevented our application of new

Main bottleneck in facilitating integrated pest management (IPM) is the unavailability of reliable and immediate crop damage data. Without sufficient insect pest and plant disease information, farm managers are unable to make proper decisions to prevent crop damage. This work aims to present how an integrated system was able to drive farm managers towards sustainable and data-driven IPM.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) as small regulatory non-coding RNAs that are involved in a variety of biological processes such as immunity, cell signaling, and development by regulating gene expression. The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is a polyphagous vector that transmits many plant viruses, which causes economic damage to crops worldwide. In this study, we characterized and analyzed the expression of the miRNA core

Natural products are a promising source for the development of new pesticides with alternative mechanisms of action. In this study, we evaluated the phytotoxic and antifungal activity of a novel family of natural C17-sesquiterpenoids and performed a study of the effect caused by the elimination of the α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone system and its importance to their biological activity.

Trapping is a key method for monitoring small mammals and is also one of a number of methods recommended under an ecologically-based rodent management program to control rodent pest populations. Live-traps are widely used globally for studying small mammal populations. In Asia where rodents are major pests of rice, single capture traps typically provide low trap success. We compared the trap success

Detection of Ramularia collo-cygni from barley in Australia using triplex quantitative and droplet digital PCR (https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.6753). Noel L Knight, Azin Moslemi, Farhana Begum, Kejal N Dodhia, Lorenzo Covarelli, Andrea L Hills, Francisco J Lopez-Ruiz. Volume 78, Issue 4, Pest Management Science | pages 1367–1376 |. First Published online: 30 December 2021. The authors regret that the quenchers

Abstract not available

Urban green spaces (UGSs) are important elements of urban landscapes. Woody vegetation is a key component of UGSs, providing many socio-ecological benefits such as habitat provision and human well-being. Knowing plant diversity and vegetation configuration that underpin urban ecosystem processes and functions is critical to maximize nature contributions to city dwellers. Here, we present a well-replicated

Economically efficient biomass production is crucial to lift the microalgal circular bioeconomy requiring low production cost with higher biomass and value-added products. In this study, Micractinium sp. YACCYB505 was cultured at different illuminations (1600, 2400, 3200 lux) and CO2 conditions (up to 10%) to evaluate biomass productivity and accumulation of macromolecules (lipid, carbohydrate and

Fossil fuel shortages, rising petroleum prices, worldwide demand for renewable energy, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to anthropogenic activities are increasing interest in producing alternative biofuels like biodiesel. Biodiesel, a green alternative energy source, can be harvested from a variety of biological sources. Increasing energy security, improving rural development, and the transition

Changing climate conditions are influencing quality and yield of the United States rice (Oryza sativa L.) export industry. The occurrence of high heat episodes, along with rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), is of particular concern for as-yet uncharacterized hybrid varieties. A popular rice hybrid was grown in soil-plant-atmosphere-research (SPAR) chambers under two CO2 levels (450 or 740 ppm)

Remote sensing capabilities to monitor evergreen broadleaved vegetation are limited by the low temporal variability in the greenness signal. With canopy greenness computed from digital repeat photography (PhenoCam), we investigated how canopy greenness related to seasonal changes in leaf age and traits as well as variation of trees’ water fluxes (characterized by sap flow and canopy conductance). The

The accurate and timely prediction of crop yield at a large scale is important for food security and the development of agricultural policy. An adaptable and robust method for estimating maize yield for the entire territory of China, however, is currently not available. The inherent trade-off between early estimates of yield and the accuracy of yield prediction also remains a confounding issue. To

Stumps are a key component of managed forest ecosystems, but their role in ecosystem respiration is poorly understood and commonly ignored. Nitrogen (N) addition can affect soil respiration, yet only a few studies have assessed the effect of stumps on soil respiration in intensively managed forests under increasing N deposition. Here, we report the results of a 7-year field experiment to investigate

A more efficient use of limited canopy space and, thus, a higher canopy space occupation (CSO) in forests can result in an increased absorption of photosynthetically active radiation, which in turn can promote productivity. Although there is some evidence for a positive relationship between tree diversity (TD) and CSO, the generality of this hypothesis is still under debate. Here, we propose a conceptual

Urban forests are recognized as a nature-based solution for stormwater management. This study assessed the underlying processes and extent of runoff reduction due to street trees with a paired-catchment experiment conducted in two sewersheds of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Computer models are flexible, fast, and low-cost options to generalize and assess the hydrologic processes determined in field studies

The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) at the beginning of 2020 has restricted the human population indoor with some allowance for recreation in green spaces for social interaction and daily exercise. Understanding and measuring the risk of COVID-19 infection during public urban green spaces (PUGS) visits is essential to reduce the spread of the virus and improve well-being. This study builds

The study and assessment of ecosystem services through remote sensing has increased substantially over the last two decades, as evidenced by the publication of studies that have applied it. The technological development of satellite images has improved in terms of spatial, spectral, radiometric, and temporal resolution, allowing the space-time observation, classification and monitoring of vegetation

Increased markets for renewable energy feedstocks have led to an expansion of the woody biomass industry in the Southeastern United States. Virginia has had biomass markets for several decades and provides an opportunity to study both producer and market characteristics. A survey was conducted among biomass harvesting business owners in Virginia designed to characterize harvesting operations and markets

Liquid biomass, a valuable renewable resource with high energy density can be processed into green fuels that are similar to petroleum fuels using hydroprocessing technology. Hydroprocessing is a well-known classical petroleum operation for eliminating heteroatoms from crude oil such as S, N, and O before splitting the higher molecules into lower ones. Traditional technology has lately been employed

Eucalypt is one of the most-planted broadleaf genera around the globe, exhibiting high yield, plasticity and growing capacity on a broad range of environments. The main objective of this study is to present the integration of a specific module for eucalypt short-rotation plantations into ECOSMOS (Ecosystem Model Simulator). Different calibrations and validations, from intensively monitored sites, experimental

Ionotropic γ-aminobutyric acid (iGABA) receptors are involved in various physiological activities in insects, including sleep, olfactory memory, movement, and resistance to viruses. Ivermectin and fluralaner can disturb the insect nervous system by binding to iGABA receptors, and are therefore an effective means for controlling insect pests. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the insecticidal

The unexpected Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) outbreak in Europe has led to an aggressive management of the disease in recent years. As there is no cure for infected plants, management of vector populations is mandatory to contain the spread of Xf in infected areas. We aimed to assess the suitability of plant species commonly used as cover crops for the population growth of Philaenus spumarius L. (Aphrophoridae)

The sheep blowfly, Lucila cuprina, is a myiasis-causing parasite responsible for significant production losses and welfare issues for the Australian sheep industry. Control relies largely on the use of insecticides. The pyrimidine compound, dicyclanil, is the predominant control chemical, although other insecticides are also used, including imidacloprid, ivermectin, cyromazine and spinosad. We investigated

CYP81A cytochrome P450s (CYP81As) play a key role in herbicide detoxification in Poaceae plants. Crop CYP81As confer natural tolerance to multiple herbicides, whereas CYP81As in weeds disrupt herbicide action. Identifying differences in CYP81A herbicide specificity between crops and weeds could provide valuable information for controlling weeds. In this study, we quantitatively compared herbicide specificity

As climate change proceeds, the management of the population of mosquitoes becomes more and more challenging. Insect repellents, adulticides and larvicides constitute significant control techniques, with the latter being considered leading mosquito control methods. However, the development of mosquito resistance development and the adverse side effects caused by the extensive use of synthetic insecticides

The frequency and severity of drought are increasing in the context of global warming. Elucidating the responses of crop productivity to drought is essential for informing agricultural management and ensuring food security. Here we used satellite-derived solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) data and vegetation indices to evaluate the impacts of the 2012 drought on crop productivity in the U

Activities in natural environments greatly enhance human well-being and can support the integration of foreigners into a new country. This article explores how residents from different ethnic backgrounds in Turku, Finland appreciated and engaged with urban natural environments and how this engagement benefitted their well-being and, ultimately, their integration. Individuals enjoy activities in nature

Individual Tree Inventory (ITI) is critical for urban planning, including urban heat mitigation. However, an ITI is usually incomplete and costly due to data collection challenges in the dynamic urban landscape. This research developed a methodical GeoAI framework to build a comprehensive ITI and quantify tree species cooling on rising urban heat.The object detection Faster R-CNN model with Inception

Trees are an integral component of the urban environment and important for human well-being, adaption measures to climate change and sustainable urban transformation. Understanding the small-scale impacts of urban trees and strategically managing the ecosystem services they provide requires high-resolution information on urban forest structure, which is still scarce. In contrast, there is an abundance

Urban green spaces have previously been linked to reduction in crime and improvements in neighborhood environments. This study considered if the Care-A-Lot (CAL) program in Baltimore City, which incentivizes local community groups to maintain and green vacant lots, reduces violent and property crime. Compared to a 2016–2017 baseline, city block groups with CAL programs saw a significantly larger decrease

Western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis is a serious polyphagous pest worldwide. In this study, we investigated the potential mechanisms of resistance including enhanced metabolism and target site insensitivity in an emamectin benzoate (EB)-resistant (EB-R) strain.

Bt crops have been adopted worldwide, providing high-level protection from insect pests. Furthermore, Bt crops preserve natural enemies, promote higher yield, and economically benefit farmers. Although regional pest suppression by widespread Bt crop adoption has been observed in temperate regions, this possibility remains uncertain in tropical areas due to the high diversity of alternative hosts and

NREL's thermochemical biomass conversion research is focused on ex-situ upgrading of biomass fast-pyrolysis (FP) vapors as an efficient route to completely biogenic pyrolysis-based fuel precursors, fuels, and value-added chemicals depending on catalyst and process conditions. A near term pathway being developed uses these liquids for co-processing with petroleum feedstocks to assess biogenic carbon