@article{SundeColletNowaketal.2021, author = {Sunde, Peter and Collet, Sebastian and Nowak, Carsten and Thomsen, Philip Francis and M{\o}ller Hansen, Michael and Schulz, Bj{\"o}rn and Matzen, Jens and Michler, Frank-Uwe and Vedel-Smith, Christina and Olsen, Kent}, title = {Where have all the young wolves gone? Traffic and cryptic mortality create a wolf population sink in Denmark and northernmost Germany}, series = {Conservation Letters}, volume = {14}, journal = {Conservation Letters}, number = {5}, publisher = {Wiley}, issn = {1755-263X}, doi = {10.1111/conl.12812}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-2565}, pages = {10}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Large carnivores are currently recolonizing Europe following legal protection, but increased mortality in landscapes highly impacted by humans may limit further population expansion. We analyzed mortality and disappearance rates of 35 wolves (of which three emigrated, nine died and 14 disappeared by 1 January 2020) by genetic monitoring in the heavily cultivated and densely populated Jutland peninsula (Denmark and Schleswig-Holstein, Germany). Annual traffic kill rate estimates ranged from 0.37 (95\% CI: 0.11-0.85) to 0.78 (0.51-0.96) in the German part, equivalent to 0.08 (0.02-0.29)-0.25 (0.13-0.46) for the entire region, in the absence of any registered Danish roadkills. In Denmark, annual mortality rate estimates ranged from 0.46 (0.29-0.67) to 0.52 (0.35-0.71), predominantly from cryptic mortality. Despite successful reproductions, we conclude the region is a wolf population sink, primarily driven by cryptic mortality, most likely illegal killing. We hypothesize that frequent encounters between wolves and wolf-averse persecutors in cultivated landscapes may cause unsustainably high mortality rates despite the majority of hunters respecting protection laws.}, language = {en} } @article{ZouDingWelpetal.2020, author = {Zou, Jie and Ding, Jianli and Welp, Martin and Huang, Shuai and Liu, Bohua}, title = {Assessing the Response of Ecosystem Water Use Efficiency to Drought During and after Drought Events across Central Asia}, series = {Sensors}, volume = {20}, journal = {Sensors}, number = {3}, publisher = {MDPI}, doi = {10.3390/s20030581}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-2361}, pages = {17}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The frequency and intensity of drought are expected to increase worldwide in the future. However, it is still unclear how ecosystems respond to drought. Ecosystem water use efficiency (WUE) is an essential ecological index used to measure the global carbon-water cycles, and is defined as the carbon absorbed per unit of water lost by the ecosystem. In this study, we applied gross primary productivity (GPP), evapotranspiration (ET), land surface temperature (LST), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data to calculate the WUE and drought index (temperature vegetation dryness index (TVDI)), all of which were retrieved from moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) data. We compared the mean WUE across different vegetation types, drought classifications, and countries. The temporal and spatial changes in WUE and drought were analyzed. The correlation between drought and WUE was calculated and compared across different vegetation types, and the differences in WUE between drought and post-drought periods were compared. The results showed that (1) ecosystems with a low (high) productivity had a high (low) WUE, and the mean ecosystem WUE of Central Asia showed vast differences across various drought levels, countries, and vegetation types. (2) The WUE in Central Asia exhibited an increasing trend from 2000 to 2014, and Central Asia experienced both drought (from 2000 to 2010) and post-drought (from 2011 to 2014) periods. (3) The WUE showed a negative correlation with drought during the drought period, and an obvious drought legacy effect was found, in which severe drought affected the ecosystem WUE over the following two years, while a positive correlation between WUE and drought was found in the post-drought period. (4) A significant increase in ecosystem WUE was found after drought, which revealed that arid ecosystems exhibit high resilience to drought stress. Our results can provide a specific reference for understanding how ecosystems will respond to climate change.}, language = {en} } @article{LoebijinskiRugPasternak2020, author = {Loebijinski, Maria and Rug, Wolfgang and Pasternak, Hartmut}, title = {The Influence of Improved Strength Grading In Situ on Modelling Timber Strength Properties}, series = {Buildings}, volume = {10}, journal = {Buildings}, number = {2}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {2075-5309}, doi = {10.3390/buildings10020030}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-2357}, pages = {15}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The management and preservation of structures in our built environment are central and challenging tasks for practicing engineers. Within the CEN member states (European Committee for Standardization), the so-called Eurocodes form the basis of the design and verification of the load-bearing capacity of structures. Current Eurocodes do not contain special recommendations for existing structures, meaning that the principles for new structures are applied. This can lead to an incorrect estimation of the load-bearing capacity within the semi-probabilistic safety concept. A central task within the investigation and evaluation of existing structures is the strength grading of the material in situ using non-/semi-destructive technical devices. Studies show the potential of the ultrasonic time-of-flight measurement in combination with visual evaluation for an improved grading. The information on the material from an improved grading technique can be used to update the material parameters as a target variable using a measured reference variable. In this contribution, test data from a partner project (spruce, pine, and oak) are analyzed, applying the stochastic grading model of P{\"o}hlmann and Rackwitz. It can be shown that different grading techniques influence the updated distribution function of the material strength within the grade. The results depend on the timber species. Perspectives to develop updated models dependent on the knowledge available are shown and discussed.}, language = {en} } @article{SanneAhnErcanPfriem2020, author = {Sanne, Moritz and Ahn-Ercan, Gudrun and Pfriem, Alexander}, title = {A Mathematical Solution for Calculating the Springback of Laminated Beech Stacks Molded within the Elastic Range}, series = {Forests}, journal = {Forests}, number = {11 (7)}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {1999-4907}, doi = {10.3390/f11070725}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-2335}, pages = {12}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The springback effect in molded wood laminations within the elastic range has, to date, not yet been mathematically described. Once cured, residual internal stresses within the laminations cause the final form to deviate from that of the die. Test pieces of beech laminations of 1 mm, 2 mm and 4 mm thicknesses and stack sizes of between 2 and 16 laminations were used. The elasticity value of each stack was obtained using non-glued laminations in a three-point bending test within the elastic region. The laminations were glued with polyurethane resin and mounted in a radius form die. The stress induced by the die onto the stack is within the elastic region of the material without any prior chemical or physical plasticisation of the wood. After curing was complete and the laminations removed from the die, the actual radius was calculated using a circular equation within the CAD program, using three measurement points taken from the stack. The radius of the die within the limits of this study has a negligible effect when predicting the springback of the stack. The exponential correlation between springback and the number of laminations, was used to calculate the springback effect on molded laminated stacks.}, language = {en} } @article{ZicheRiekRussetal.2021, author = {Ziche, Daniel and Riek, Winfried and Russ, Alexander and Hentschel, Rainer and Martin, Jan}, title = {Water Budgets of Managed Forests in Northeast Germany under Climate Change - Results from a Model Study on Forest Monitoring Sites}, series = {Applied Sciences}, volume = {11}, journal = {Applied Sciences}, number = {5}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {2076-3417}, doi = {10.3390/app11052403}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-2470}, pages = {18}, year = {2021}, abstract = {To develop measures to reduce the vulnerability of forests to drought, it is necessary to estimate specific water balances in sites and to estimate their development with climate change scenarios. We quantified the water balance of seven forest monitoring sites in northeast Germany for the historical time period 1961-2019, and for climate change projections for the time period 2010-2100. We used the LWF-BROOK90 hydrological model forced with historical data, and bias-adjusted data from two models of the fifth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) downscaled with regional climate models under the representative concentration pathways (RCPs) 2.6 and 8.5. Site-specific monitoring data were used to give a realistic model input and to calibrate and validate the model. The results revealed significant trends (evapotranspiration, dry days (actual/potential transpiration < 0.7)) toward drier conditions within the historical time period and demonstrate the extreme conditions of 2018 and 2019. Under RCP8.5, both models simulate an increase in evapotranspiration and dry days. The response of precipitation to climate change is ambiguous, with increasing precipitation with one model. Under RCP2.6, both models do not reveal an increase in drought in 2071-2100 compared to 1990-2019. The current temperature increase fits RCP8.5 simulations, suggesting that this scenario is more realistic than RCP2.6}, language = {en} } @article{MehtaEhrenwirthMissalletal.2021, author = {Mehta, Kedar and Ehrenwirth, Mathias and Missall, Siegmund and Degembaeva, Nadira and Akmatov, Kuban and Z{\"o}rner, Wilfried}, title = {Energy Profiling of a High-Altitude Kyrgyz Community: Challenges and Motivations to Preserve Floodplain Ecosystems Based on Household Survey}, series = {Sustainabilty}, volume = {13}, journal = {Sustainabilty}, number = {23}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {2071-1050}, doi = {10.3390/su132313086}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-2468}, pages = {23}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The floodplain areas along the Naryn River in Kyrgyzstan are essential as they hold the riparian (local) ecosystems because they provide firewood, pastureland, and areas for recreation and protection against erosion. Due to limited access to adequate, reliable, and sustainable energy services, the rural population usually derived their energy needs from multiple natural energy resources (i.e., firewood, charcoal, agricultural residues, animal dung, and wood branches). This is considered a common and predominant practice in rural Kyrgyzstan. This situation leads to a negative impact on local ecosystem services. In addition to that, the reliance on solid fuels contributes to indoor and outdoor air pollution, which is partially threatening the local ecosystem services. By contrast, the employment of renewable-based energy supply systems would substantially reduce the burden on the environment, which is mainly untapped. To integrate renewable energies, it is important to understand the energy behavior of floodplain communities. In that response, the presented article is the first attempt to capture the energy identity of the floodplain community of Kyrgyzstan based on a quantitative energy-based (on-site) household survey. Furthermore, the present research article synthesizes the driving factors that have a (direct or indirect) impact on the energy and local ecosystem services. In addition, the present article proposes a brief pathway for the sustainable energy transition. The article records the recommendation to integrate renewable energies to preserve the local ecosystems of Kyrgyzstan.}, language = {en} } @article{ShiHalikAblizetal.2020, author = {Shi, Lei and Halik, {\"U}m{\"u}t and Abliz, Abdulla and Mamat, Zulpiya and Welp, Martin}, title = {Urban Green Space Accessibility and Distribution Equity in an Arid Oasis City: Urumqi, China}, series = {Forests}, volume = {11}, journal = {Forests}, number = {6}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {1999-4907}, doi = {10.3390/f11060690}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-2385}, pages = {17}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Urban green space (UGS) is crucial to the healthy development of urban residents. However, UGS that is accessible can benefit residents to an even greater degree. Based on the two-step floating catchment area model (2SFCA) and the location quotient (LQ), we analyzed the changes from 1999 to 2019 in UGS walking accessibility and equity in built-up areas of Urumqi at different administrative levels, and how UGS policy affects the improvement of accessibility. The results showed that UGS accessibility and equity are not evenly distributed at different administrative levels and UGS categories. Although the overall UGS accessibility and equity has improved with policy implementation, these changes are caused by metro-level UGS construction in urban fringe areas. The improvement in UGS accessibility at the neighborhood level in densely populated areas is neglected, which leads to a mismatch between UGS construction and population distribution. In addition, the accessibility of UGS is also limited by geographical location, population density, road distribution, and water shortage in arid metropolitan Urumqi. Our research results provide a theoretical basis for Urumqi and other cities in the optimization of UGS structure and the realization of social equity.}, language = {en} } @article{SchusterSpechtRieger2021, author = {Schuster, Rolf K. and Specht, Peter and Rieger, Siegfried}, title = {On the Helminth Fauna of the Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus (Linnaeus, 1766)) in the Barnim District of Brandenburg State/Germany}, series = {Animals}, volume = {11}, journal = {Animals}, number = {8}, publisher = {MDPI}, issn = {2076-2615}, doi = {10.3390/ani11082444}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-2496}, pages = {15}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The muskrat is a neozoon species that has occupied many countries of continental North Europe after its introduction from north America as fur animals. Due to its burrowing activity it damages river and canal banks and structures of flood control. For this reason, the eradication of this alien species is recommended. Muskrats are also of parasitological interest since they can act as suitable intermediate hosts for Echinococcus multilocularis. On the other hand, little is known on the other helminths that infect muskrats. A total of 130 muskrats of different age groups trapped in different habitats in the Barnim district of the Brandenburg state by a professional hunter were examined for parasites and seven trematodes (Echinostoma sp., Notocotylus noyeri, Plagiorchis elegans, Plagiorchis arvicolae, Psilosostoma simillimum, P. spiculigerum, Opisthorchis felineus and four larval cestode species (Hydatigera taeniaeformis, Taenia martis, Taenia polyacantha, Taenia crassiceps) were detected. Larval stages of E. multilocularis were not found. O. felineus was found for the first time in muskrats in Germany. All the named parasites were present in Europe prior to the introduction of muskrats. With a prevalence of 48.9\%, Strobilocercus fasciolaris, the larval stage of the cat tapeworm, H. taeniaeformis, was the most frequent parasite found in adult muskrats.}, language = {en} } @article{BlumroederHoffmannIlinaetal.2020, author = {Blumr{\"o}der, Jeanette Silvin and Hoffmann, Monika T. and Ilina, Olga and Winter, Susanne and Hobson, Peter R. and Ibisch, Pierre L.}, title = {Clearcuts and related secondary dieback undermine the ecological effectiveness of FSC certification in a boreal forest}, series = {Ecological Process}, journal = {Ecological Process}, number = {9}, publisher = {SpringerOpen}, issn = {2192-1709}, doi = {10.1186/s13717-020-0214-4}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-2414}, pages = {9}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Background: Over the last 25 years, the prominent forest certification system established by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has used by many companies worldwide for claiming responsible forest management. The objectives of the Russian National FSC standard to decrease the size of clearcuts and the retention of forest elements such as residual seed trees need on-site validation to proof the effectiveness of FSC. To assess the ecological impacts of harvesting practices and benefits of FSC certification, we geospatially compared logging activities with and without FSC certification. Within a sample area covering approximately 3,000 km 2 in the east of the Russian Arkhangelsk Region, we used available data on tree cover loss and satellite images to assess secondary impacts of clearcuttings on adjacent remnant forests and to quantify the logging intensity. Additionally, the size and structure as well as the density of skidding trails of ten specific clearcuttings located within the sample area were surveyed using satellite images and in the field observation to delineate the boundaries of clearcuts and forested remnants within the clearcuts. Results: We found a significant increase of small-scale tree cover loss in the proximity of the clearcuts. Patchy dieback is possibly linked to the scale and intensity of logging in the surroundings. On the investigated clearcuts, FSC failed to reduce the size, to increase the retention of forest remnants including seed trees on logged areas, and to maintain larger tracts of undisturbed ground and soil compared to clearcuts that were logged before they received FSC-certification. Conclusions: Trees and forest remnants remaining inside an increasingly stressed forest ecosystem matrix may not resist further harvesting-related and climate change-induced stresses and disturbances. Large-scale clearcuttings seem to have negative impacts even in adjacent forests and undermine the ecological effectiveness of FSC certification in the study area. The Russian FSC standard is not clearly setting effective guidelines that induce a change in clearcutting practices in order to reduce ecological risks.}, language = {en} } @article{SchillaciSchmidtMiranda2021, author = {Schillaci, Guido and Schmidt, Uwe and Miranda, Luis}, title = {Prediction Error-Driven Memory Consolidation for Continual Learning: On the Case of Adaptive Greenhouse Models}, series = {KI - K{\"u}nstliche Intelligenz}, volume = {35}, journal = {KI - K{\"u}nstliche Intelligenz}, publisher = {Springer}, issn = {1610-1987}, doi = {10.1007/s13218-020-00700-8}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-2510}, pages = {71 -- 80}, year = {2021}, abstract = {This work presents an adaptive architecture that performs online learning and faces catastrophic forgetting issues by means of an episodic memory system and of prediction-error driven memory consolidation. In line with evidence from brain sciences, memories are retained depending on their congruence with the prior knowledge stored in the system. In this work, congruence is estimated in terms of prediction error resulting from a deep neural model. The proposed AI system is transferred onto an innovative application in the horticulture industry: the learning and transfer of greenhouse models. This work presents models trained on data recorded from research facilities and transferred to a production greenhouse.}, language = {en} }