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A slow-fast trait continuum at the whole community level in relation to land-use intensification
(2024)
AbstractOrganismal functional strategies form a continuum from slow- to fast-growing organisms, in response to common drivers such as resource availability and disturbance. However, whether there is synchronisation of these strategies at the entire community level is unclear. Here, we combine trait data for 2800 above- and belowground taxa from 14 trophic guilds spanning a disturbance and resource availability gradient in German grasslands. The results indicate that most guilds consistently respond to these drivers through both direct and trophically mediated effects, resulting in a ‘slow-fast’ axis at the level of the entire community. Using 15 indicators of carbon and nutrient fluxes, biomass production and decomposition, we also show that fast trait communities are associated with faster rates of ecosystem functioning. These findings demonstrate that ‘slow’ and ‘fast’ strategies can be manifested at the level of whole communities, opening new avenues of ecosystem-level functional classification.
The accessibility to accurate, real-time information is vital in times of flooding. The availability of such information is important not only to mitigate the losses due to flood damage but more importantly, the saving of human lives as well. This paper presents the results of an engineering study on flood inundation, with the aim of providing (i) accurate information (for e.g. escape routes, flood arrival times etc.); and (ii) accessibility to this information via the internet. A case study was carried out for the Polder Mehrum area, which is situated along the River Rhine in Germany. The study investigates the inundation process resulting from a dyke breach. Inundation is first simulated using a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model, solving the shallow water equations using the finite element method.Next, the computed results from the hydrodynamic model and other essential information including infrastructure, land-use etc. are combined in a GIS-based digital terrain model, using a commercially available GIS software, ArcGIS.This information is then put on a web server and the data made available via the internet. We use the ArcIMS software for distributing the GIS data and applications over the internet. ArcIMS supports both HTML and Java client viewers which greatly enhances the performance of many operations. In addition, advantage can also be taken of new wireless technology, like hand held P.C.s, which would greatly increase the mobility of users while at the same time, maintaining the same level of access to information. It is envisaged that this methodology would allow the relevant authorities better real-time access to vital information which would aid in developing emergency and evacuation plans. On a local level, such information can also be used as an educational tool for citizens. This study forms part of a wider project investigating flood management in the polder areas along the Rhine.
Semantics in databases
(2003)