Absorption of arsenic (As) by plant root is an essential activity that bridges the soil As concentration and physiological responses which can be monitored soon after exposure to As. In the present study, physiological responses to short exposure to arsenite (AsIII) was compared in two indigenous rice cultivars one adapted to temperate and humid (TH) and the second one to warm and humid (WH) cl...

The small reservoir of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (pCO2) that modulates climate through the greenhouse effect reflects a delicate balance between large fluxes of sources and sinks. The major long-term source of CO2 is global outgassing from sea-floor spreading, subduction, hotspot activity, and metamorphism; the ultimate sink is through weathering of continental silicates and deposition o...

Climate influences geographic differences of vegetation phenology through both contemporary and historical variability. The latter effect is embodied in vegetation heterogeneity underlain by spatially varied genotype and species compositions tied to climatic adaptation. Such long-term climatic effects are difficult to map and therefore often neglected in evaluating spatially explicit phenologic...

Climate change is a global and local challenge to both sustainable livelihoods and economic development. Tanzania as other countries of the world has been affected. Several studies have been conducted on farmers' perceptions and adaptation to climate change in the country, but little attention has been devoted to forest adjacent households in humid areas. This study assessed this gap through as...

Climate plays important role in production of coffee. Adequate quantum and timely receipt of blossom rainfall for flowering and subsequent backing showers influence the berry set and yield of coffee. Harvesting of Arabica coffee in Kerala State with humid tropical climate in India is done by December-January and harvesting of Robusta coffee is taken up during January-February. In this paper, at...

Studying the geographic variation of phenotypic traits can provide key information about the potential adaptive function of alternative phenotypes. Gloger’s rule posits that animals should be darkvs. light-colored in warm and humid vs. cold and dry habitats, respectively. The rule is based on the assumption that melanin pigments and/or dark coloration confer selective advantages in warm and hum...

The urban heat island (UHI), the phenomenon of higher temperatures in urban land than the surrounding rural land, is commonly attributed to changes in biophysical properties of the land surface associated with urbanization. Here we provide evidence for a long-held hypothesis that the biogeochemical effect of urban aerosol or haze pollution is also a contributor to the UHI. Our results are based...

Many studies have shown that floor-supply displacement ventilation systems are better than mixing ventilation systems. The benefits include indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and reduced energy use. The energy benefits depend on the climate conditions. This research compared the energy use of a floor-supply displacement ventilation system in a large industrial workshop with that of a mixing v...

Citrus is produced commercially in over 30 countries worldwide. The major growing regions are located primarily between 40° north-south latitude where minimum temperature is generally greater than 20°F. Within these latitudes there are several important climatic areas that affect the growth and development, yields, and fruit quality of citrus. These include the low, middle, and high tropical re...