23.12.2014 - (idw) Potsdam-Institut fr Klimafolgenforschung

Around the globe, forests are found to be undergoing strong changes due to human influence already today. Degradation of woods due to man-made climate change cannot be ruled out for the future, a Special Feature in the Journal of Ecology, led by a team of scientists of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), now shows. To understand and improve the resilience of forests, a combination of approaches from small-scale field experiments to large-scale computer simulations can help, according to the studies. Taking a risk perspective, the scientists caution that global warming puts additional pressure on some of the most valuable ecosystems on Earth. "Forests are probably more at risk than previously thought, says Christopher Reyer of PIK, coordinator of the Special Feature and lead-author of an overview article. The observed changes affect forests as important as the Amazon, but also forests on all continents, possibly pushing some of them towards tipping points.

Up to now, no example could be found where forests tipped into a state where no regrowth is possible due to man-made climate change. Yet the overview article identifies substantial research gaps. This is hardly good news, Reyer says. It is in fact scary how little we still know about the resilience of forests, despite all the scientific progress we present in this special issue. From a risk perspective, climate change puts additional pressure on an exceptionally valuable ecosystem whose stability up to now cannot be properly assessed.

**Forests preserve biodiversity, provide timber, store CO2**

Besides being home to a large part of the worlds plants and animals, hence preserving biodiversity, forests are also of great economic relevance. They provide timber in many countries, as well as game and fruit. Some tropical forests, such as the Amazon, are also key for regional water cycles, says Milena Holmgren of the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands. "How dense these forests are, affects the amount of rainfall that is recycled and also the amount of water that is retained. When forests become less dense, a smaller amount of water is recycled as rain and also less water is retained in the soil. Less dense forests facilitate also the growth of grass which burns easily in dry seasons. Fire can change the rules of the game drastically because grass burns easily and recovers fast whereas trees are very sensitive and need more time. So once a forest has been opened and starts burning, the end result can be a system that resembles a savanna with much grass and fewer trees. This changes the habitat for plants, animals and people.

The fate of forests is important also because they store huge amounts of the greenhouse gas CO2, adds Holmgren. Loosing forests and releasing carbon to the atmosphere contributes to climate warming and to the impacts we start to see in many regions of the world.

**"Alleviating the negative effects of climate change on reforestation efforts" **

To assess the resilience of forests, long time scales are important. Over 2000 years, tropical peat swamp forests from Malaysian Borneo showed to be resilient even under disturbances such as fire or climate variability related to the El Nio weather phenomenon. Recent burning and agricultural expansion however clearly changed the landscape by replacing tropical peat swamp forests with open or even no forest. Still, things are not straightforward. Drought, on the other hand, is found to have variable effects on different tree species in different regions, and seasons, one of the new studies shows. In the end, it is a complex combination of stress factors that is likely to impact forests resilience.

Article: Reyer, C., Brouwers, N., Rammig, A., Brook, B., Epila, J., Grant, R.F., Holmgren, M., Langerwisch, F., Leuzinger, S., Lucht, W., Medlyn, B., Pfeiffer, M., Steinkamp, J., Vanderwel, M., Verbeeck, H., Villela, D. (2014): Forest resilience and tipping points at different spatio-temporal scales: approaches and challenges. Journal of Ecology (online) [DOI:10.1111/1365-2745.12337]

Article: Reyer, C., Rammig, A., Brouwers, N., Langerwisch, F. (2014): Forest resilience, tipping points and global change processes. Journal of Ecology (online) [DOI:10.1111/1365-2745.12342]

Read more here:
Forests around the world affected by climate change

Playing pain-free tennis for the first time since Wimbledon, Nick Kyrgios is refusing to place a limit on how far he can go at next month's Australian Open.

The teenage ace says he's ready to carry the hopes of a nation as he looks to kick on from his spectacular 2014 season with a hot run at the Open.

Feeling physically stronger and mentally tougher after mixing daily four-hour on-court sessions with cross training and basketball, Kyrgios believes there's no reason why he can't go deep into the year's first grand slam.

"I'm not going to put a round on it or say where I think I can get to, but I definitely think I can make an impact at the Australian Open," Kyrgios told AAP after joining forces with Malaysian Airlines on Monday.

"If I'm playing my game and I'm serving well, and playing aggressive, there's a good chance that I can do really well."

Struggling with a left-arm injury, as well as a sore right elbow, Kyrgios called a premature end to his first full season in the professional ranks in October before teaming with Lleyton Hewitt in the inaugural non-sanctioned Indian league.

As well as "learning a lot" from the likes of Hewitt and grand slam veteran Tomas Berdych during the ITPL, the Wimbledon quarter-finalist said he played without pain for the first time in months.

"I'm hitting normal again, back to 100 per cent with both of my arms," he said.

"I was always battling some sort of injury throughout the year. I always had a bit of a niggle.

"But I think that's normal transitioning into the senior game.

Go here to see the original:
Nick Kyrgios declares Open season

Published: Sunday, December 21, 2014, 10:04 p.m.

Things were going that well for the Seahawks, who dominated the Arizona Cardinals in a 35-6 victory that not only put Seattle in first place, but put them in control of their destiny for the No. 1 seed in the NFC unless Green Bay and Detroit tie next week.

The Seahawks gained a team-record 596 yards, held the Cardinals to just 216 and a pair of field goal, and well, were in a position to empty the bench late in a very important game against a team that came into the game unbeaten at home and with an 11-3 record overall.

Well that was about as much fun as you can have playing football in the regular season, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said in his postgame press conference. Thats as much fun as you can have in football.

Here are five takeaways from one of Seattles most impressive wins of the season:

1. Russell Wilson was spectacular

Considering the limitations of Arizonas offense and the dangers the Cardinals defense presents, the Seahawks probably could have won this game with a conservative effort from their quarterback as long as Wilson didnt turn the ball over. Instead Wilson made big play after big playwithout giving the ball away, mind youpassing for 339 yards and two touchdowns while running for 88 more, including a career-long 55-yarder, and an ankle-breaking touchdown run. Wilson said earlier in the week that he likes it when teams pressure him because it leaves a lot of green grass behind the defense, and on Sunday the Seahawks found it.

Russell was just ridiculous tonight, Carroll said. He was so good tonight.

2. Marshawn Lynch continues to amaze

Youd think by now, after nearly five seasons in Seattle, Marshawn Lynch would have a hard time surprising anybody, and then he does something like what he did in the fourth quarter, ripping off a career-long 79-yard touchdown run that rivaled his famous Beastquake run from the 2010 postseasons right down to the PG-13 finish to the run. At an age when many running backs start to slow down, Lynch, who finished with 113 yards on 10 carries after missing the first quarter with an upset stomach, legitimately looks better at 28 than he ever has since joining the Seahawks in 2010.

More:
Five takeaways from Seahawks 35, Cardinals 6

Plymouth Township, Luzerne County -- The area known as Curry Hill-Avondale in Plymouth Township is a reflection of what was once the rich mining history of the 20th century. The coal company that strip mined it eventually pulled out and left behind essentially a dangerous, unusable site. "It's such a huge chunk of land and it's sad for it to just to sit there," said Kristin Cole of Plymouth Township.

That's about to change thanks to a nearly $2.7 million project funded by the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Trust Fund. "This grant money is going to go a long way toward fixing up that area," said DEP spokesperson Colleen Connolly.

A cavernous space at the abandoned mine site is the result of strip mining done decades ago. The newly approved project will involve backfilling and grading more than 6,000 feet of dangerous high wall at heights of between 25 and 100 feet. In its present state, those high walls present a serious safety hazard to unsuspecting walkers, bicyclists and ATV riders. The site also took on another danger which Michael Oktisuk witnessed while living on Avondale Hill Road for 40 years. "At least for 35 of it, there was an an awful lot of dumping going on up there." He is glad the old Avondale mine will have new purpose. "I know it will sure help the hunting because like I say a lot of the neighbors hunt up there so... and it's good for the wildlife," said Mr. Oktisuk.

Ms. Cole, who lives next door to Mr. Oktisuk, is eager to see the third and final mine reclamation phase eventually finished. "I do welcome it. We walk our dogs up there now. We have been since we moved in here. It's beautiful up there." The DEP plan should give the community a place of recreation for years to come. "It's a beautiful, spectacular view and a place to go to hike or bike," said Ms. Connoly.

The final phase of the Avondale Mine reclamation project is set to begin in February. The project allows for construction of drainage ditches and ten acres of wetlands besides some grass seeding and tree planting. It hopefully will be finished later in 2015.

The rest is here:
DEP Approves Final Phase of Avondale Mine Reclamation Project

Lawrence city government news Have a story idea? Contact Journal-World reporter Chad Lawhorn:

Lawrence officials have shed more light on how they have evaluated whether taxpayers got a good deal on about $11 million worth of infrastructure work at Rock Chalk Park that did not go through the citys normal bid process.

The new report paints a mixed picture, with some costs coming in below similar work elsewhere in the city that was bid, and other costs at Rock Chalk Park significantly higher. But Chuck Soules, the citys director of public works, said the numbers give him confidence the city was charged a fair price for the work.

The costs for infrastructure at Rock Chalk Park are generally found to be in line with other projects bid by the city, Soules wrote in the report, which looked at items like the cost of concrete, waterlines, sewer lines, light poles and other such items.

The report comes as city commissioners have opened the door to hiring an outside auditor to examine the costs of the infrastructure work, which was built by a firm led by Lawrence businessman Thomas Fritzel, who is the key private partner in the public-private partnership that built Rock Chalk Park.

The new report provides a glimpse at the difficulty an auditor might have in comparing costs for the project and others that were bid. The report calculated that the cost to build roads at Rock Chalk Park was about $151 per lane mile. It then compared that to the costs to build roads at VenturePark, the new industrial park on the east edge of Lawrence. That construction, which was similar in nature and was bid through the citys normal process, cost $160 per lane mile.

But upon closer review, Soules said the VenturePark figures include work to install storm sewers and also includes the contractors costs to mobilize equipment on the job site. The Rock Chalk Park project does not have those costs included. It wasnt clear what the comparable VenturePark number would be if the storm sewer and mobilization costs were removed from the total.

Soules department was responsible for reviewing many of the costs at Rock Chalk. He said his department sought to ensure that the city was getting a fair price based on what his engineers know about bid prices that are coming in for projects throughout the city. But he said the process is an inexact science because no two projects are exactly alike.

It is not meant to be apples to apples, Soules said. It is meant to give you a ballpark feel.

Heres a look at several of the figures included in the report:

Go here to read the rest:
New report attempts to compare costs of Rock Chalk Park with other city projects

Lovers of Forbury Gardens worried that the temporary ice rink and funfair might be damaging the park need have no fears.

The muddy verges and trampled flower beds have been anticipated by Reading Borough Council and there are plans to reinstate them when the funfair leaves.

Visitors to Reading's award-winning park will have seen grass verges turning to mud and tyre tracks through the grass in the past few days as crowds flock to try out the ice-rink and the rides.

Reading Borough Council spokeswoman Anna Fowler said: The impact on grass and beds of the large numbers of people visiting the Forbury was anticipated, especially where people are walking between stalls.

"Matting has been laid to protect the ground and further matting will be installed shortly, along with temporary fencing.

Before the event started, the council agreed with the ice rink operators a programme of anticipated reinstatement works which would be required, including replacing plants, turf and grass seeding of lawn areas.

"This work is planned to start as soon as possible after the ice rink ends on January 4. All costs will be covered by the operator, rather than then council.

We are keen to ensure that the Forbury is used by as many, and as wide a variety, of people as possible.

"Where events are run within parks and open spaces, the council will always ensure there is a programme of works in place to rejuvenate areas once events have finished.

"These precautions are commonly put in place by a great many local authorities who host events in parks and open spaces, as well as organisations like the Royal Horticultural Society who successfully manage gardens and run events at the same time.

More:
Muddy Forbury Gardens will be reinstated when the ice rink leaves

Yes, this is the last week we will discuss this matter this year. The United States Postal Service does not guarantee every piece of mail dropped into a mail drop box will be postmarked.

The next Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District election is scheduled for Next Tuesday, Dec. 9. Here is part of what RCW 87.03.033 about absentee ballots: To be counted in a given election, an absentee ballot must conform to these requirements: It must be sealed in an unmarked envelope and delivered to the district's principal office prior to the close of the polls on the day of that election; or be sealed in an unmarked envelope and mailed to the district's secretary, postmarked not later than midnight of that election day and received by the secretary within five days of that date.

There is one way to make sure your main-in ballot is postmarked; physically take it to the post office counter and ask to have it hand stamped. The post office employee should hand stamp the envelope while you watch.

If you are going to participate in this election and have questions, call the MLIRD office and clarify your concerns.

Students assist food bank distribution

Volunteers transport food each Tuesday from the Moses Lake Food Bank to Pioneer Village, a senior apartment building, for distribution to 60 households. Once at Pioneer Village, the food is displayed on tables where residents file through the line to collect food.

Three Moses Lake High School students, Julianne Combs, Kayla Ottolini and Rebecca (last name misplaced) have been spending their Tuesday lunch period at the facility, across Sharon Avenue from the high school, helping hand out the food.

An "A" for the three students for their civic volunteerism.

Moses Lake High School Great Class of 1965 preparing for 50th class reunion

The dates: Aug. 28, 29 and 30, 2015. The event: The 50th class reunion of the Moses Lake High School Great Class of 1965.

Read more from the original source:
Irrigation District election next Tuesday

Dorset dairy farmer Andrew Gould shows James Andrews around his largelyblue machinery shed.

How loyal are you to individual brands?

Well, my grandad had his first Fordson in 1931 and weve been blue ever since. Weve always liked the Fords and New Hollands, and the dealer back-up has been good, so weve always stuck with them.

Who is your favourite dealer?

C&O Tractors is our favourite. Weve dealt with them for years and get almost everything from there now. The Claas stuff comes from Vaughan Agri in Frome and its pretty good, too.

Favourite piece of kit?

The trusty Ford 7840. We bought it new in 1994 and its just nudged over 12,000 hours. It had a turbo fitted at 3,000 hours so it could handle the old Jaguar 75 forager and when we put it on the dyno it pumped out 135hp. We did have to uprate the main bearings to the turbo spec, but its taken the extra power pretty well otherwise. Its still nice to drive and its main duties are maize drilling, grass seeding, slurry tanking and trailer work.

Farmer: AS Gould, Townsend Farm, West Stour, Dorset

Farming:100 acres owned,60 acres rented,150 British Fresians,120 acres first cut silage,34 acres maize

Contracting: Working with a neighbour, they carry out 400 acres silage contracting over four farms.

Excerpt from:
Whats in your shed visits a Dorset dairy farmer

Dec. 4, 2014, midnight

WODONGA racetrack is set to cash in on a major event and, at the same time, have a major makeover.

WODONGA racetrack is set to cash in on a major event and, at the same time, have a major makeover.

The Ulysses Motorcycle Club is expected to attract up to 6000 members at its annual general meeting at the course in March.

The track will be closed to horses for more than a fortnight with trainers having to float gallopers to Albury for work.

The closure will also be a window of opportunity for the club to widen the track, correct the camber near the outside rail and improve the surface.

The Wodonga and District Turf Club general manager, Tom OConnor, said the first stage of the work would start next month.

That will involve widening the home straight, he said.

The track itself is 20 metres wide for most of the course but the home straight narrows to 14metres.

In January, we will start seeding grass up to four metres inside the running rail.

Read more:
While the oldies play, club will sort out the racing surface

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A Reddit post asking if gardens were illegal in New Zealand was met with a slew of jokesters taking the mickey out of Kiwi society.

New Zealand: land of the long white cloud, flightless birds and furry fruit of the same name, and, apparently, garden bans.

Following a question posted on social media forum Reddit asking if gardening in New Zealand was illegal, a satirical thread on the topic has gone viral.

"My friend told me he heard that you can't have a garden in New Zealand. That it is illegal. I'm not sure if this is true. I Googled it, but got no founds. Could you guys please tell me? And please no hate I know this question might be insulting to some of you," Reddit user WhyNotSmeagol asked.

Playing along, Kiwis Redditors were quick to back each other up to maintain the confusion.

Sacredsnowhawk posted a sarcastic tale of his family's continued run-ins with NZ's garden Gestapo.

"My brother was killed in the Moutua Gardens protest. My uncle lost an arm in the 1981 Spring Bok-choi Riots. My sisters were arrested and thrown into prison, without trial, by a police-led mob after they were discovered re-potting gardenias. Every day I live in fear, alienated by my community for having relatives marked by the Green Thumb. I envy the dead.

Poster Muter asked 'what is garden?' and why he hadn't heard of it before.

"Holy s**t I just googled it. So pretty. Why aren't we taught this stuff in school?"

See more here:
Illegal garden post's hilarious growth