Drought and grazing combined: Contrasting shifts in plant interactions at species pair and community level

The combined effects of drought stress and grazing pressure on shaping plant–plant interactions are still poorly understood, while this combination is common in arid ecosystems. In this study we assessed the relative effect of grazing pressure and slope aspect (drought stress) on vegetation cover and soil functioning in semi-arid Mediterranean grassland–shrublands in southeastern Spain. Moreover, we linked these two stress factors to plant co-occurrence patterns at species-pair and community levels, by performing C-score analyses. Vegetation cover and soil functioning decreased with higher grazing pressure and more south-facing (drier) slopes. At the community level, plants at south-facing slopes were negatively associated at no grazing but positively associated at low grazing pressure and randomly associated at high grazing pressure. At north-facing slopes, grazing did not result in a shift in the direction of the association. In contrast, analysis of pairwise species co-occurrence patterns showed that the dominant species Stipa tenacissima and Anthyllis cytisoides shifted from excluding each other to co-occurring with increasing grazing pressure at north-facing slopes. Our findings highlight that for improved understanding of plant interactions along stress gradients, interactions between species pairs and interactions at the community level should be assessed, as these may reveal contrasting results.

Emerging From the Shadows : the Life of Captain John (Deserontyou), Circa 1742-1811, Founder of the Bay of Quinte Mohawk Village

This thesis is a biographical examination of the life of Mohawk leader Deserontyou (Captain John) and covers the years from the 1730's up to, and briefly following, 1811. The social, economic and political position of the Mohawk people and Deserontyou's position within the Fort Hunter community prior to the Revolution are addressed first. The Revolutionary War years are then covered with emphasis placed on Deserontyou's military role, the unpleasant conditions at Lachine and the painful reality for the Mohawk people in the aftermath of Britain's defeat. The post-war settlement on the Bay of Quinte is then explored, including the difficulties that Deserontyou experienced with the land, with the British Government, and with his own people. The documents upon which this examination are based come from many primary collections including: The Draper Manuscripts, the Haldimand Papers, the Stuart Papers, Ontario Lands & Forest Survey Records, the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, Episcopal Records, the Bell Papers, the File Collection, the Claus Papers and Indian Affairs Papers.

Social Indicators for the European Community, 1960-1975. July 1977

This volume 'Social Indicators' is the first of its kind to be produced by the Statistical Office of the European Communities. It presents a selection of statistics on social conditions and trends in member countries. Sections; Demography; Employment; Working life; Standard of living; Social protection; Health; Edudation; Housing; International notes.

Father, Mother, Child? Eight Trends in Family Life for Policymakers to Keep in Mind. Summary

The family is the first context for a child’s development, and the most important. This is where children begin to develop their own identities and first experience a sense of closeness, community and security. Family is a domain where learning takes place – for all generations. In their daily interactions, children, mothers and fathers learn from and with one another. They develop empathy and a sense of responsibility, and learn to deal with conflict. Values, beliefs and norms, passed on from parents to children, evolve in the course of everyday life. Thus parents exert an enormous influence on their children’s educational opportunities and overall life chances – as research in Germany and other countries has clearly shown.

Still Life with Flowers

Balthasar van der Ast; 1 ft. 11 15/64 in.x 1 ft. 4 59/64 in.; oil on panel

Still Life with a Salt

Pieter Claesz; 1 ft. 8 25/32 in.x 1 ft. 5 21/64 in.; oil on panel

Still Life with Cheese

Floris Claesz. van Dyck; 2 ft. 8 23/64 in.x 3 ft. 7 25/32 in.; oil on panel

Still Life with a Gilt Goblet

Willem Claesz Heda; 2 ft. 10 41/64 in.x 3 ft. 8 31/64 in.; oil on panel

Still Life with Fruit and Oysters

Abraham Mignon; 2 ft. 5 17/32 in. x 1 ft. 11 5/8 in.; oil on canvas

Still Life: Game, Vegetables, Fruit, Cockatoo

Adriaen van Utrecht; 3 ft. 11 1/4 in. x 8 ft. 2 5/8 in.; oil on canvas

Life of Tao Yuanming, section 4, right side: Tao Yuanming and a servant looking at birds in flight

Li Zai; handscroll, ink on paper

Life of Tao Yuanming, section 4, right side: detail of Tao Yuanming and a servant looking at birds in flight

Li Zai; handscroll, ink on paper

Still Life with a Gilded Beer Tankard

Willem Claesz Heda; 1 ft. 5 33/64 in.x 2 ft. 13/32 in.; oil on panel

Still Life with Flowers and a Watch

Abraham Mignon; 2 ft. 11 15/64 in.x 2 ft. 4 5/32 in.; oil on canvas

Still Life with Fruit, Oysters, and a Porcelain Bowl

Abraham Mignon; 1 ft. 9 21/32 in.x 1 ft. 5 23/32 in.; oil on panel