101. Insect pest management in the age of synthetic biologyRubèn Mateos Fernández, Marko Petek, Mojca Juteršek, Iryna Gerasymenko, Špela Baebler, Kalyani Kallam, Elena Moreno Gimenéz, Janine Gondolf, Alfred Nordmann, Kristina Gruden, Diego Orzaez, Nicola Patron, 2022, review article Abstract: Arthropod crop pests are responsible for 20% of global annual crop losses, a figure predicted to increase in a changing climate where the ranges of numerous species are projected to expand. At the same time, many insect species are beneficial, acting as pollinators and predators of pest species. For thousands of years, humans have used increasingly sophisticated chemical formulations to control insect pests but, as the scale of agriculture expanded to meet the needs of the global population, concerns about the negative impacts of agricultural practices on biodiversity have grown. While biological solutions, such as biological control agents and pheromones, have previously had relatively minor roles in pest management, biotechnology has opened the door to numerous new approaches for controlling insect pests. In this review, we look at how advances in synthetic biology and biotechnology are providing new options for pest control. We discuss emerging technologies for engineering resistant crops and insect populations and examine advances in biomanufacturing that are enabling the production of new products for pest control.
Keywords: biotechnology, insect pest management, synthetic biology
Published in DiRROS: 05.08.2024; Views: 23; Downloads: 15
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102. Stik urbanih površin z gozdom na primeru Krajinskega parka Tivoli, Rožnik in Šišenski hribTjaša Babič, Mojca Nastran, 2024, professional article Abstract: V Sloveniji problematika stika urbanih površin z gozdom še ni bila celostno obravnavana, zato je bil izveden primer študije v vzhodnem delu Krajinskega parka Tivoli, Rožnik in Šišenski hrib v Ljubljani, kjer so pogosti konflikti med urbanimi površinami in gozdnim ekosistemom. Študija je vključevala ožji pregled literature, terenske preglede z zabeležbo dejavnosti na stiku urbanih površin z gozdom in analizo pobud s spletnega portala Servis pobude meščanov Ljubljana. Dejavnosti smo evidentirali z aplikacijo ArcGIS Survey 123. Prevladujoče neprimerne dejavnosti na proučevanem območju so vključevale nelegalno odlaganje materiala in odpadkov na gozdnem robu, sledilo je nenadzorovano širjenje invazivnih rastlinskih vrst. Gozdni požari na gozdnem robu niso bili med izstopajočimi težavami. Občani so poudarili pomen ohranjanja urejenega in mirnega okolja v krajinskem parku in izrazili pomembnost dobre dostopnosti ter prometne urejenosti. Za učinkovito upravljanje območja na stiku urbanih površin smo podali smernice, ki vključujejo preventivne ukrepe za zmanjšanje tveganja požarov, uporabo okolju prijaznih ograj za zaščito pred divjadjo, spodbujanje sajenja domačih neinvazivnih vrst in pravilno odstranjevanje invazivnih rastlin. Ozaveščanje javnosti in sodelovanje z lokalno skupnostjo sta ključna za ohranjanje stabilnosti in ekološke funkcionalnosti gozdnega roba.
Keywords: urbani gozdovi, mestni gozdovi, gozdni rob, konfliktni stiki, divja odlagališča odpadkov, invazivne rastline, gozdni požar, smernice za upravljanje
Published in DiRROS: 05.08.2024; Views: 33; Downloads: 5
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103. Prilagajanje gospodarjenja z gozdovi podnebnim spremembam: zasnova in predlog strategijAndrej Bončina, 2024, review article Abstract: Podnebne spremembe se kažejo v postopnem spreminjanju povprečnih vrednosti podnebnih spremenljivk in večji pogostnosti ekstremnih vremenskih dogodkov. Podnebne spremembe vplivajo na razvoj gozdov. Ocena ranljivosti gozdov je izhodišče za gospodarjenje z gozdovi, prilagojeno podnebnim spremembam. S prilagojenim gospodarjenjem izboljšamo odpornost in prožnost gozdov ter pospešimo tranzicijo gozdov. Prilagojeno gospodarjenje je opredeljeno s strategijami, smernicami in ukrepi. V prispevku predstavljamo i) zasnovo prilagojenega gospodarjenja z gozdovi, ii) predlog strategij za prilagajanje gozdov podnebnim spremembam v Sloveniji in iii) postopek vključevanja prilagoditvenega gospodarjenja v celovito zasnovo gospodarjenja z gozdovi.
Keywords: ocena ranljivosti, odpornost gozdov, prožnost gozdov, prilagajanje gospodarjenja, strategije, ukrepi, načrtovalni postopek
Published in DiRROS: 05.08.2024; Views: 29; Downloads: 7
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107. New tools and recommendations for a better management of harmful algal blooms under the European Marine Strategy Framework DirectiveYolanda Sagarmínaga, Esther Garcés, Janja Francé, Rowena Stern, Marta Revilla, Erika Magaletti, Eileen Bresnan, George Tsirtsis, 2023, review article Abstract: Marine harmful algal blooms (HABs), caused by various aquatic microalgae, pose significant risks to ecosystems, some socio-economic activities and human health. Traditionally managed as a public health issue through reactive control measures such as beach closures, seafood trade bans or closure of mollusc production areas, the multifaceted linkages of HABs with environmental and socio-economic factors require more comprehensive ecosystem-based management approach tools to support policies. This study promotes a coordinated understanding and implementation of HAB assessment and management under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), targeting the achievement of Good Environmental Status (GES) in European marine waters. We introduce two novel tools: GES4HABs (GES for HABs) decision tree, and MAMBO (environMental mAtrix for the Management of BlOoms), a decision support matrix. These tools aim to streamline HABs reporting and prioritize resource allocation and management interventions. The GES4HABs decision tree defines a sequence of decision steps to identify HAB management strategies according to their state (evaluated against predefined baselines) and causes (anthropic or natural). MAMBO is proposed to address different HABs and their interaction with human and environmental pressures. The matrix utilizes two axes: natural trophic status and level of human influence, capturing major aspects such as nutrient supply. While acknowledging the limitations of this simplified framework, MAMBO categorizes marine regions into quadrants of varying management viability. Regions with high human influence and eutrophic conditions are identified as most suitable for effective management intervention, whereas regions with minimal or mixed human influence are deemed less amenable to active management. In addition, we explore and describe various indicators, monitoring methods and initiatives that may be relevant to support assessments of HAB status and associated pressures and impacts in the MSFD reporting. Finally, we provide some recommendations to promote the consideration of HABs in ecosystem-based management strategies, intensify efforts for harmonizing and defining best practices of analysis, monitoring and assessment methodologies, and foster international and cross-sectoral coordination to optimize resources, efforts and roles.
Keywords: decision support tools, ecosystem-based management, indicators, marine monitoring, eutrophication, marine biotoxins, environmental assessment, pressures and impacts
Published in DiRROS: 05.08.2024; Views: 23; Downloads: 13
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108. Bird (aves) descriptions of Joannes Antonius Scopoli (1723-1788) : general overviewAl Vrezec, 2023, review article Abstract: Author of at least 175 new bird taxa, of which 59 taxa are still valid today, Joannes Antonius Scopoli (1723-1788) is one of the most important creators of ornithological history worldwide, yet often overlooked because his ornithological legacy remains poorly researched and known. His most important scientific work was conducted in Carniola (present-day Slovenia) between 1754 and 1769 and resulted in numerous publications. These include bird studies published in Annus I. Historico Naturalis, Descriptiones Avium (1769), while later studies were devoted to the revision of other explorer datasets, the most important being descriptions of birds from Pierre Sonnerat’s expeditions. The paper presents an overview of the all new bird taxa described by Scopoli.
Keywords: history of science, ornithology, collection, taxonomy, type specimens, zoological nomenclature, zoology
Published in DiRROS: 05.08.2024; Views: 22; Downloads: 9
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109. Molecular screening for cyanobacteria and their cyanotoxin potential in diverse habitatsMaša Jablonska, Tina Eleršek, Polona Kogovšek, Sara Skok, Andreea Oarga-Mulec, Janez Mulec, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Cyanobacteria are adaptable and dominant organisms that exist in many harsh and extreme environments due to their great ecological tolerance. They produce various secondary metabolites, including cyanotoxins. While cyanobacteria are well studied in surface waters and some aerial habitats, numerous other habitats and niches remain underexplored. We collected 61 samples of: (i) biofilms from springs, (ii) aerial microbial mats from buildings and subaerial mats from caves, and (iii) water from borehole wells, caves, alkaline, saline, sulphidic, thermal, and iron springs, rivers, seas, and melted cave ice from five countries (Croatia, Georgia, Italy, Serbia, and Slovenia). We used (q)PCR to detect cyanobacteria (phycocyanin intergenic spacer—PC-IGS and cyanobacteria-specific 16S rRNA gene) and cyanotoxin genes (microcystins—mcyE, saxitoxins—sxtA, cylindrospermopsins—cyrJ), as well as amplicon sequencing and morphological observations for taxonomic identification. Cyanobacteria were detected in samples from caves, a saline spring, and an alkaline spring. While mcyE or sxtA genes were not observed in any sample, cyrJ results showed the presence of a potential cylindrospermopsin producer in a biofilm from a sulphidic spring in Slovenia. This study contributes to our understanding of cyanobacteria occurrence in diverse habitats, including rare and extreme ones, and provides relevant methodological considerations for future research in such environments.
Keywords: extreme environments, cylindrospermopsin, sulphidic springs, caves, qPCR, PC-IGS
Published in DiRROS: 05.08.2024; Views: 20; Downloads: 8
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110. ELIXIR and toxicology : a community in development [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]Marvin Martens, Rob Stierum, EL Schymanski, Chris T Evelo, Anže Županič, 2023, review article Abstract: Toxicology has been an active research field for many decades, with academic, industrial and government involvement. Modern omics and computational approaches are changing the field, from merely disease-specific observational models into target-specific predictive models. Traditionally, toxicology has strong links with other fields such as biology, chemistry, pharmacology, and medicine. With the rise of synthetic and new engineered materials, alongside ongoing prioritisation needs in chemical risk assessment for existing chemicals, early predictive evaluations are becoming of utmost importance to both scientific and regulatory purposes. ELIXIR is an intergovernmental organisation that brings together life science resources from across Europe. To coordinate the linkage of various life science efforts around modern predictive toxicology, the establishment of a new ELIXIR Community is seen as instrumental. In the past few years, joint efforts, building on incidental overlap, have been piloted in the context of ELIXIR. For example, the EU-ToxRisk, diXa, HeCaToS, transQST, and the nanotoxicology community have worked with the ELIXIR TeSS, Bioschemas, and Compute Platforms and activities. In 2018, a core group of interested parties wrote a proposal, outlining a sketch of what this new ELIXIR Toxicology Community would look like. A recent workshop (held September 30th to October 1st, 2020) extended this into an ELIXIR Toxicology roadmap and a shortlist of limited investment-high gain collaborations to give body to this new community. This Whitepaper outlines the results of these efforts and defines our vision of the ELIXIR Toxicology Community and how it complements other ELIXIR activities.
Keywords: toxicology, ELIXIR, interoperability, FAIR
Published in DiRROS: 05.08.2024; Views: 19; Downloads: 10
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