Browse Titles - 19 results
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Do Land Management Changes Have Effects on Climate as Large as Land Cover Changes?
(Latest Thinking, 2017), 10 mins
The study presented in this video evaluates data from observational towers, satellite pictures and other published data to compare the impact of land-cover change and land management change on climate. The results show that land management change within the same vegetation (e.g., harvesting a formerly untouched fo...
Open Access
(Latest Thinking, 2017), 10 mins
Description
The study presented in this video evaluates data from observational towers, satellite pictures and other published data to compare the impact of land-cover change and land management change on climate. The results show that land management change within the same vegetation (e.g., harvesting a formerly untouched forest) has effects on climate change that are similarly large as effects of land-cover change (e.g., changing forests into pasture). Thu...
The study presented in this video evaluates data from observational towers, satellite pictures and other published data to compare the impact of land-cover change and land management change on climate. The results show that land management change within the same vegetation (e.g., harvesting a formerly untouched forest) has effects on climate change that are similarly large as effects of land-cover change (e.g., changing forests into pasture). Thus, JULIA PONGRATZ explains, earth system models which are used to estimate human impact on climate should include changes in land management.
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Field of Study
Environmental Studies
Content Type
Instructional material
Date Published / Released
2017
Publisher
Latest Thinking
Speaker / Narrator
Julia Pongratz
Person Discussed
Julia Pongratz
Topic / Theme
Geography, Agricultural ecology, Earth sciences, Forest management, Land conservation, Deforestation, Climate change
Copyright Message
Copyright © 2017 Latest Thinking
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Do Plants Emit Volatile Compounds When Defending Themselves Against Herbivores?
(Latest Thinking, 2017), 11 mins
Plants have at least two ways of defending themselves against herbivores. They can do so directly by producing toxins or compounds that are anti-digestive, or they can indirectly defend themselves by emitting volatile compounds that attract predators and parasitoids of the herbivores. MEREDITH SCHUMANN investigate...
Open Access
(Latest Thinking, 2017), 11 mins
Description
Plants have at least two ways of defending themselves against herbivores. They can do so directly by producing toxins or compounds that are anti-digestive, or they can indirectly defend themselves by emitting volatile compounds that attract predators and parasitoids of the herbivores. MEREDITH SCHUMANN investigates these indirect defenses. As she explains in this video, there are both fast and slow components to herbivore-induced volatiles. Her r...
Plants have at least two ways of defending themselves against herbivores. They can do so directly by producing toxins or compounds that are anti-digestive, or they can indirectly defend themselves by emitting volatile compounds that attract predators and parasitoids of the herbivores. MEREDITH SCHUMANN investigates these indirect defenses. As she explains in this video, there are both fast and slow components to herbivore-induced volatiles. Her research team has examined whether this timing aspect, having both fast and slow components, is important for effectively attracting predators. During their field studies, they observed that the different timing of volatiles allows plants to connect predator activity to herbivore activity even when the two are not active at the same time. Their results suggest new agricultural methods of defending crops against herbivores without using pesticides.
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Field of Study
Environmental Studies
Content Type
Instructional material
Date Published / Released
2017
Publisher
Latest Thinking
Speaker / Narrator
Meredith Christine Schuman
Person Discussed
Meredith Christine Schuman
Topic / Theme
Cattle, Agricultural ecology, Plants, Botany, Ecosystems
Copyright Message
Copyright © 2017 Latest Thinking
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How Can Psychology Help Mankind to Overcome its Greatest Challenges?
(Germany: Latest Thinking, 2018), 14 mins
With unprecedented acceleration in the geophysical impact of human activities and the identification of “tipping points” from which our planet will not be able to recover, mankind faces an increasingly imminent existential threat. In this video, STEFAN BRUNNHUBER describes how insights from psychology could he...
Open Access
(Germany: Latest Thinking, 2018), 14 mins
Description
With unprecedented acceleration in the geophysical impact of human activities and the identification of “tipping points” from which our planet will not be able to recover, mankind faces an increasingly imminent existential threat. In this video, STEFAN BRUNNHUBER describes how insights from psychology could help human beings to overcome these challenges. Brunnhuber demonstrates that existing proposed solutions, alternatively centered on demog...
With unprecedented acceleration in the geophysical impact of human activities and the identification of “tipping points” from which our planet will not be able to recover, mankind faces an increasingly imminent existential threat. In this video, STEFAN BRUNNHUBER describes how insights from psychology could help human beings to overcome these challenges. Brunnhuber demonstrates that existing proposed solutions, alternatively centered on demography, technology, governance, and growth, can only be successful if they are supported by a concomitant evolution in mankind’s way of thinking. Brunnhuber shows how fundamental behavioral shifts can be underpinned by institutional support systems to encourage a mindset focused on universal standards and reciprocal tolerance that could enable humanity to draw back from the brink.
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Field of Study
Psychology
Content Type
Instructional material
Date Published / Released
2018
Publisher
Latest Thinking
Speaker / Narrator
Stefan Brunnhuber, 1962-
Person Discussed
Stefan Brunnhuber, 1962-
Topic / Theme
Psychology, Behavior modification, Geophysical features, Humanitarian values, Environmental impact analysis
Copyright Message
Copyright © 2018 Latest Thinking
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How Can Waste Be Converted Into a Source of Carbon for the Production of Chemicals?
produced by Latest Thinking (Hamburg, Hamburg State: Latest Thinking, 2018), 12 mins
Currently, the petrochemical industry uses fossil fuels as the source of carbon for the production of many things, including plastics. This is problematic because carbon dioxide adds to climate change and, in addition, fossil fuels are running out. Therefore, LARGUS ANGENENT and his research group are looking for...
Open Access
produced by Latest Thinking (Hamburg, Hamburg State: Latest Thinking, 2018), 12 mins
Description
Currently, the petrochemical industry uses fossil fuels as the source of carbon for the production of many things, including plastics. This is problematic because carbon dioxide adds to climate change and, in addition, fossil fuels are running out. Therefore, LARGUS ANGENENT and his research group are looking for new sources of carbon. As he explains in this video, their aim is to convert waste into the chemicals needed without adding anything to...
Currently, the petrochemical industry uses fossil fuels as the source of carbon for the production of many things, including plastics. This is problematic because carbon dioxide adds to climate change and, in addition, fossil fuels are running out. Therefore, LARGUS ANGENENT and his research group are looking for new sources of carbon. As he explains in this video, their aim is to convert waste into the chemicals needed without adding anything to the original waste product. Specifically, they have focused on acid whey, a side product from the production of Greek yogurt. They have developed a two-phase system that allows them to convert acid whey into medium-chain carboxylic acids, their product of choice. This successful conversion from valueless waste into a useful product is an important step in the process of resource recovery.
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Field of Study
Environmental Studies
Content Type
Instructional material
Contributor
Latest Thinking
Date Published / Released
2018
Publisher
Latest Thinking
Speaker / Narrator
Lars T. Angenent, 1969-
Person Discussed
Lars T. Angenent, 1969-
Topic / Theme
Conservation of natural resources, Recycling and waste management, Pollution prevention
Copyright Message
Copyright © 2018 Latest Thinking
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How Can We Speed Up the Discovery of Biodiversity on Earth?
(Latest Thinking, 2018), 11 mins
Humans may be sharing earth with up to twenty million species of macroscopic life, let alone microscopic life. Today, about 1.8 million species have been described and currently, we discover about 18,000 species per year, which means it would take us thousands of years to describe them all. This is why JOHANNES VO...
Open Access
(Latest Thinking, 2018), 11 mins
Description
Humans may be sharing earth with up to twenty million species of macroscopic life, let alone microscopic life. Today, about 1.8 million species have been described and currently, we discover about 18,000 species per year, which means it would take us thousands of years to describe them all. This is why JOHANNES VOGEL endeavors to increase the current rate of discovery dramatically, as he explains in this video. Traditionally, taxonomy has relied...
Humans may be sharing earth with up to twenty million species of macroscopic life, let alone microscopic life. Today, about 1.8 million species have been described and currently, we discover about 18,000 species per year, which means it would take us thousands of years to describe them all. This is why JOHANNES VOGEL endeavors to increase the current rate of discovery dramatically, as he explains in this video. Traditionally, taxonomy has relied of morphology as the method to describe nature. In order to introduce more speed, Vogel suggests methods such as DNA barcoding, entire genome sequencing, CT scans or X-rays. Bringing together modern technology, biodiversity informatics and even citizen science will increase the rate of discovery. This, in turn, will enable researchers to build a model of the living biosphere that allows us humans to work with the ecosystem, not against it, in order to sustain life on earth.
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Field of Study
Environmental Studies
Content Type
Instructional material
Date Published / Released
2018
Publisher
Latest Thinking
Speaker / Narrator
Johannes Vogel, 1963-
Person Discussed
Johannes Vogel, 1963-
Topic / Theme
Technology, Astrobiology, Biodiversity
Copyright Message
Copyright © 2018 Latest Thinking
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How Do Belowground Components Contribute to the Healthy Functioning of Ecological Systems?
(Hamburg, Hamburg State: Latest Thinking), 8 mins
Being easier to observe, the aboveground components of ecological systems tend to be considered of predominant importance. In this video, STEFAN SCHEU explains the extent to which the healthy functioning of these systems is dependent on what happens underground. With visual observation impossible, Scheu employs is...
Open Access
(Hamburg, Hamburg State: Latest Thinking), 8 mins
Description
Being easier to observe, the aboveground components of ecological systems tend to be considered of predominant importance. In this video, STEFAN SCHEU explains the extent to which the healthy functioning of these systems is dependent on what happens underground. With visual observation impossible, Scheu employs isotope labeling to trace the paths taken by particular elements belowground. Where it was heretofore understood that aboveground litter...
Being easier to observe, the aboveground components of ecological systems tend to be considered of predominant importance. In this video, STEFAN SCHEU explains the extent to which the healthy functioning of these systems is dependent on what happens underground. With visual observation impossible, Scheu employs isotope labeling to trace the paths taken by particular elements belowground. Where it was heretofore understood that aboveground litter material provided a major source of food for belowground organisms, Scheu’s study shows that the great majority of carbon enters the underground system via plant roots. With undoubted relevance for agricultural productivity and conservation, Scheu’s research draws attention to the vital ecological contribution of phenomena that occur out of human sight.
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Field of Study
Environmental Studies
Content Type
Instructional material
Publisher
Latest Thinking
Speaker / Narrator
Stefan Scheu, 1959-
Person Discussed
Stefan Scheu, 1959-
Topic / Theme
Animal ecology, Agricultural ecology, Plants
Copyright Message
Copyright © 2019 Latest Thinking
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How Do Climate Change Related Natural Disasters Potentially Increase the Risk of Armed Conflicts?
(Germany: Latest Thinking, 2017), 10 mins
There is an extensive discussion about the connections between climate change related disasters and armed conflicts like civil wars. JONATHAN DONGES explains in this video how the research team looked at this relationship in more detail. Their new approach connects natural disasters with large economic effects, po...
Open Access
(Germany: Latest Thinking, 2017), 10 mins
Description
There is an extensive discussion about the connections between climate change related disasters and armed conflicts like civil wars. JONATHAN DONGES explains in this video how the research team looked at this relationship in more detail. Their new approach connects natural disasters with large economic effects, potentially related conflicts as well as the socioeconomic contexts. The findings show that in countries with a high ethnical fractionali...
There is an extensive discussion about the connections between climate change related disasters and armed conflicts like civil wars. JONATHAN DONGES explains in this video how the research team looked at this relationship in more detail. Their new approach connects natural disasters with large economic effects, potentially related conflicts as well as the socioeconomic contexts. The findings show that in countries with a high ethnical fractionalization the likelihood of armed conflict related to natural disasters is particularly high. This relationship is surprisingly stronger than all other socioeconomic issues like poverty, inequality or the country’s conflict history. The study also reveals a particularly strong impact of heat waves and droughts on a potential armed conflict. The implications of this research call for a more synchronized approach of climate and security policies.
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Field of Study
World History
Content Type
Instructional material
Date Published / Released
2017
Publisher
Latest Thinking
Speaker / Narrator
Jonathan F. Donges, fl. 2013
Person Discussed
Jonathan F. Donges, fl. 2013
Topic / Theme
Economic development, Environmental policy, Armed forces, Natural disasters, Climate change
Copyright Message
Copyright © 2017 Latest Thinking
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How Do Forest Trees Defend Themselves Against Insects Under Natural Conditions and Is This Process Affected by Forest Management?
(Germany: Latest Thinking, 2017), 14 mins
When plants are being attacked by herbivore insects, they protect themselves by emitting volatiles that attract enemies of the insects. This has already been well investigated in greenhouse settings and on smaller plants but very little research has been done under natural conditions and on trees. In this video, S...
Open Access
(Germany: Latest Thinking, 2017), 14 mins
Description
When plants are being attacked by herbivore insects, they protect themselves by emitting volatiles that attract enemies of the insects. This has already been well investigated in greenhouse settings and on smaller plants but very little research has been done under natural conditions and on trees. In this video, SYBILLE UNSICKER explains how the research team studied this pattern in the forest ecosystem while also controlling for the influence of...
When plants are being attacked by herbivore insects, they protect themselves by emitting volatiles that attract enemies of the insects. This has already been well investigated in greenhouse settings and on smaller plants but very little research has been done under natural conditions and on trees. In this video, SYBILLE UNSICKER explains how the research team studied this pattern in the forest ecosystem while also controlling for the influence of different land management regimes on the so-called “indirect plant defense”. The results show that predatory insects were indeed more attracted to the trees which were infested with caterpillars during the experiment. Surprisingly the forest management regime had no influence on the attraction of natural enemies.
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Field of Study
Environmental Studies
Content Type
Instructional material
Date Published / Released
2017
Publisher
Latest Thinking
Topic / Theme
Trees, Natural phenomena, Forest management
Copyright Message
Copyright © 2017 Latest Thinking
×
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How Do Plant Genomes Develop Different Phenotypes Depending on Their Environment?
(Germany: Latest Thinking, 2017), 16 mins
Once a plant has germinated in a particular location, it cannot change it anymore. This means its growth depends on its location with its particular context, such as soil, herbivores, or sunlight levels. Therefore plants have evolved sophisticated signal transduction systems that allow them to perceive the outside...
Open Access
(Germany: Latest Thinking, 2017), 16 mins
Description
Once a plant has germinated in a particular location, it cannot change it anymore. This means its growth depends on its location with its particular context, such as soil, herbivores, or sunlight levels. Therefore plants have evolved sophisticated signal transduction systems that allow them to perceive the outside world and then modify their growth, morphology and chemicals production and develop different phenotypes. IAN BALDWIN and his research...
Once a plant has germinated in a particular location, it cannot change it anymore. This means its growth depends on its location with its particular context, such as soil, herbivores, or sunlight levels. Therefore plants have evolved sophisticated signal transduction systems that allow them to perceive the outside world and then modify their growth, morphology and chemicals production and develop different phenotypes. IAN BALDWIN and his research team investigate how exactly this process happens. As Baldwin describes in this video, the recently published genome of Nicotiana attenuata allows the researchers to examine the possibility that not only protein-coding genes but also non-coding RNA is involved in the regulatory process in the genome. Using RNAi to silence protein-coding genes, they take these engineered plants into the field and observe the differences. Their findings confirm the hypothesis that the small RNA machinery causes the change in phenotype.
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Field of Study
Environmental Studies
Content Type
Instructional material
Date Published / Released
2017
Publisher
Latest Thinking
Copyright Message
Copyright © 2017 Latest Thinking
×
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How Do Plants Regulate Their Behavior Based on Their Carbohydrate Resources?
(Germany: Latest Thinking, 2017), 14 mins
It has been known since the 1980s that sugars are central to the growth of plants. High levels of carbohydrates enable the plant to assimilate nitrogen to increase amino acid synthesis which then enables them to make proteins more quickly which, in turn, allows the plant to grow faster. It is still unclear, howeve...
Open Access
(Germany: Latest Thinking, 2017), 14 mins
Description
It has been known since the 1980s that sugars are central to the growth of plants. High levels of carbohydrates enable the plant to assimilate nitrogen to increase amino acid synthesis which then enables them to make proteins more quickly which, in turn, allows the plant to grow faster. It is still unclear, however, how plants sense their levels of carbohydrates and how they regulate their metabolism and growth based on this information. As MARK...
It has been known since the 1980s that sugars are central to the growth of plants. High levels of carbohydrates enable the plant to assimilate nitrogen to increase amino acid synthesis which then enables them to make proteins more quickly which, in turn, allows the plant to grow faster. It is still unclear, however, how plants sense their levels of carbohydrates and how they regulate their metabolism and growth based on this information. As MARK STITT explains in this video, he and his fellow researchers studied the compound trehalose 6-phosphate (T6P) that plays an important role in carbohydrate sensing in plants. To investigate this mechanism the researchers developed methods to measure the levels of T6P as well as many other compounds and the rate at which they are being made. Introducing a mutation in the plants that increases the level of T6P at a certain point enabled the scientists to monitor the effects of the changes. The findings confirm the essential role of T6P in carbohydrate sensing and the regulation of the plant’s metabolism. The results are important as they show a way to improve plant growth and help to understand how plant behavior is determined.
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Field of Study
Environmental Studies
Content Type
Instructional material
Date Published / Released
2017
Publisher
Latest Thinking
Copyright Message
Copyright © 2017 Latest Thinking
×
