Early life stress disrupts growth and creates horizontal grooves on the tooth surface in humans and other mammals, yet there is no consensus for their quantitative analysis. Linear defects are considered to be nonspecific stress indicators, but evidence suggests that intermittent, severe stressors create deeper defects than chronic, low-level stressors. However, species-specific growth patterns also influence defect morphology, with faster-growing teeth having shallower defects at the population level. Here we describe a method to measure the depth of linear enamel defects and normal growth increments (i.e., perikymata) from high-resolution 3D topographies using confocal profilometry and apply it to a diverse sample of Homo neanderthalensis and H. sapiens anterior teeth. Debate surrounds whether Neanderthals exhibited modern human-like growth patterns in their teeth and other systems, with some researchers suggesting that they experienced more severe childhood stress. Our results suggest that Neanderthals have shallower features than H. sapiens from the Upper Paleolithic, Neolithic, and medieval eras, mirroring the faster growth rates in Neanderthal anterior teeth. However, when defect depth is scaled by perikymata depth to assess their severity, Neolithic humans have less severe defects, while Neanderthals and the other H. sapiens groups show evidence of more severe early life growth disruptions.

The present study analyses the impact of negotiation processes on activating argumentative resources for decision-making in a socioscientific issue (SSI) in biology classes. The research focuses on the potential of group-based negotiation processes to activate the use of relevant argumentative resources without any prescribed or explicit instructions on these resources and arguments. In the corresponding intervention with a pre-post-design, students are encouraged to reason and weight their own arguments, which are based on protecting local biodiversity. The students have to reason and weight individually (pre-phase) immediately before they discuss their own reasoning and weighting with others in groups (treatment). The students have to then, once again, reason and weight their arguments individually (post-phase). The students are instructed, during these three steps (pre-phase, treatment, post-phase), using an educational tool, target-mat, which structures the reasoning and weighting visually, but does not prescribe the way of argumentation. By analysing the students’ argumentative resources, normative and fact-based elements can be measured immediately before and after the negotiation process. In terms of the pre-phase, the use of differing and appropriate argumentative resources can be analysed in relation to different arguments. The pre- and post-comparison reveals relevant changes leading to a substantial increase of the quality of reasoning. Therefore, in a student-centred decision-making process with minimal guidance, students are encouraged to become aware of the appropriateness of different argumentative resources.

Detailed knowledge of age-related changes in the structure and mineralization of bones is important for interpreting osseous changes in wild mammals caused by exposure to environmental contaminants. This study analyzed mandibular size, microarchitecture and volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) in harbor seals (n = 93, age range 0.5 months to 25 years) from the German North Sea. Bone microarchitecture and vBMD were assessed using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT). Significant differences were observed between the analyzed age classes (i) young juveniles (0.5-10 months), (ii) yearlings (12-23 months), and (iii) adults (12-25 years) for several of the variables, indicating an overall increase in cortical and trabecular area, cortical thickness and total and cortical vBMD with age. Furthermore, for juvenile animals (≤ 23 months), significant positive correlations with age were observed for mandible length and perimeter, cortical area, cortical thickness, trabecular separation, and total and cortical vBMD. The findings demonstrate a rapid increase in overall size, cortical dimensions and the degree of mineralization of the harbor seal mandible during the first two years after birth. Negative correlations with age existed for trabecular number and thickness as well as for trabecular bone volume fraction in the juveniles. The findings suggest a reduction in trabecular bone volume fraction with age, due to the bone trabeculae becoming thinner, less numerous and more widely spaced. Given the strong age dependence of most analyzed parameters, it is recommended to standardize samples with respect to age in future studies comparing microarchitecture and mineralization of harbor seal mandibles from different populations or different collection periods.

In the context of a globally increasing human population coupled with continuous environmental degradation, eco-friendly agricultural innovations are essential to reduce poverty and food insecurity in the world. This is particularly evident in developing countries where nature conservation and agricultural production remain in conflict. We investigated the effectiveness of using a locally free natural resource, the invasive plant species water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), as a source for organic fertilizer and soil amendment (composts, green manure and ash) at Lake Alaotra, one of the most important agricultural areas of Madagascar. Five different products were produced under the local conditions of Lake Alaotra. In addition, we conducted a growth experiment with Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. chinensis) to evaluate the effectiveness of the water hyacinth products in comparison to the mineral fertilizer NPK—nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium—and to cow dung. The results of our study show that it was easily possible to produce water hyacinth fertilizer/soil amendment under the remote conditions of Lake Alaotra. In addition, our results show that a higher biomass gain of Chinese cabbage treated with water hyacinth composts was achieved compared to NPK and cow dung. A higher biomass gain was mainly obtained due to an improvement of soil structure after compost addition. Water hyacinth green manure and ash showed low performance. Besides, applying composts was cheaper than buying NPK or cow dung. Our results show that water hyacinth can serve as a fertilizer and soil amendment and could help to improve agriculture at Lake Alaotra.

Context: East African ecosystems are characterized by the migrations of large herbivores that are highly vulnerable to the recent development of anthropogenic land use change. Objectives: We analyzed land cover changes in the Kenyan-Tanzanian borderlands of the greater Amboseli ecosystem to evaluate landscape connectivity using African elephants as an indicator species. Methods: We used multi-temporal Landsat imagery and a post classification approach to monitor land cover changes over a 43-year period. GIS based methods were accompanied by a literature review for spatial data on land cover changes and elephant migrations. Results: Land cover changed considerably between 1975 and 2017. Wood- and bushlands declined by 16.3% while open grasslands increased throughout the study region (+ 10.3%). Agricultural expansion was observed (+ 12.2%) occupying important wildlife habitats and narrowing migration corridors. This development has led to the isolation of Nairobi National Park which was previously part of a large contiguous ecosystem. Eight migration corridors were identified of which only one is formally protected. Two others are almost completely blocked by agriculture and three are expected to become endangered under continuing land use changes. Conclusions: Landscape connectivity is still viable for this ecosystem (except for Nairobi National Park). However, the current situation is very fragile as anthropogenic land use changes are threatening most of the identified large mammal migration corridors. Sustainable land use planning with regard to important wildlife habitats and connecting corridors is a crucial task for further conservation work to safeguard a viable future for wildlife populations in the Kenyan-Tanzanian borderlands.

Antlers are bony appendages of deer that undergo periodic regeneration from the top of permanent outgrowths (the pedicles) of the frontal bones. Of the "less familiar" bone types whose study was advocated by John Currey to gain a better understanding of structure-function relationships of mineralized tissues and organs, antlers were of special interest to him. The present review summarizes our current knowledge about the evolution, development, structure, mineralization, and biomechanics of antlers and how their formation is affected by environmental factors like nutrition. Furthermore, the potential role of antlers as a model in bone biology and several fields of biomedicine as well as their use as a monitoring tool in environmental studies are discussed.

Objectives: To study pre- and early postnatal tooth formation and to analyze the effects of physiological disturbances on enamel and dentin formation in deciduous teeth of infants from the Late Epipaleolithic (Natufian) site Shubayqa 1. Materials and methods: Ten deciduous teeth from six infants (ages at death between 21 and 239 days) were analyzed by light and scanning electron microscopy. Results: Marked prism cross-striations and an abnormal wavy course of the prisms were recorded in pre- and postnatal enamel of all analyzed teeth. Single or multiple accentuated incremental lines were observed in prenatal enamel of nine teeth and in postnatal enamel of eight teeth. Accentuated Andresen lines and broader zones exhibiting an enhanced calcospheritic pattern were recorded in the pre- and postnatally formed dentin of nine teeth. Discussion: The structural abnormalities in the pre- and postnatally formed enamel of the infants are considered indicative of chronic stress that negatively affected the activity of secretory ameloblasts. The structural aberrations in pre- and postnatal dentin denote that odontoblasts were also affected by this stress. The presence of single or multiple accentuated incremental lines in pre- and postnatal enamel is interpreted as reflecting (short-term) impacts of higher intensity superimposed on the chronic stress. Our findings suggest compromised maternal health affecting the late fetus and compromised health in newborns. Although limited by the small number of analyzed individuals, the present study contributes to the knowledge of maternal and early infant health conditions in Late Epipaleolithic populations.

Analysen physischer Belastungsmuster an archäologischen Skeleten dienen der Rekonstruktion von Lebensstilen vergangener Populationen. Die mechanische Beanspruchung wirkt direkt auf die Form- und Strukturentwicklung der Knochen. Anhand dieser Merkmale sind im Umkehrschluss Aussagen über die physische Belastung eines Individuums auch lange nach dessen Tod möglich. Ziel dieser Arbeit war eine vergleichende Betrachtung sowie eine humanökologische Interpretation des physischen Belastungsmusters zweier Stichproben der klassischen Maya von Xcambo (Yukatan, Mexiko, 350-700 n.Chr.) und der frühmittelalterlichen Population von Barbing-Kreuzhof (Bayern, 400-500 n. Chr.). An Humeri und Femora ausgewählter Individuen wurden histologische, biomechanische und makromorphologische Merkmale der funktionellen Anpassung untersucht. Die signifikanten Unterschiede in den Belastungsmustern der beiden Populationen können auf Unterschiede in der Wirtschaftsweise, der Kultur, der Geographie des Siedlungsgebiets als auch technologische Errungenschaften zurückgeführt werden. Bei den Maya von Xcambo lassen sich zudem klare Differenzen im physischen Belastungsmuster zwischen der Stichprobe des frühen und des späten Klassikums nachweisen, welche die Annahme eines sozioökonomischen Wandels in Richtung einer administrativeren Funktion der Siedlung untermauern. Neben der bioarchäologischen Interpretation wurden methodische Aspekte sowie die Vergleichbarkeit und Verlässlichkeit unterschiedlicher Methoden zur Rekonstruktion von physischen Belastungsmustern angesprochen und diskutiert. Diskrepanzen, welche zwischen der Evaluation unterschiedlicher Belastungsmerkmale auftraten, legen die Wichtigkeit paralleler Anwendungen unterschiedlicher Methoden dar, und können in zukünftigen Studien möglicherweise einer Methodenoptimierung dienen.

Für die geschützte Feuchtwiesenorchidee Breitblättriges Knabenkraut (Dactylorhiza majalis) wurden die allgemeine Bestandsentwicklung in brandenburgischen Schutzgebieten und mögliche Gefährdungsfaktoren untersucht. Hierfür wurden langjährige Bestandszählungen zwischen 1975 und 2016 aus 51 Populationen ausgewertet und durch aktuelle Vegetationsaufnahmen ergänzt. Etwa drei Viertel dieser Populationen waren über den Untersuchungszeitraum stabil oder nahmen zu. Die meisten Bestände wuchsen in Reichen Feuchtwiesen des Verbandes Calthion. Die Standorte waren jedoch trockener, nährstoffreicher und schattiger als für D. majalis erwartet. Als wichtige Ursache für schrumpfende Populationen wurden vor allem geringe Habitatgrößen identifiziert. Die bisher auf den untersuchten Flächen praktizierten Pflegeregimes – unterteilt in frühe bzw. späte Mahd sowie Beweidung – scheinen hingegen vergleichbar geeignet für den Populationserhalt. Klimatische Faktoren hatten insgesamt nur geringen Einfluss, auch wenn positive Effekte durch wärmere und feuchtere Frühjahre nachweisbar waren. Eine stark gesteigerte Gefährdung der Art durch den Klimawandel lässt sich daraus vorerst nicht ableiten. Von vorrangiger Bedeutung für die positive Bestandsentwicklung sind demnach Erhalt und Entwicklung geeigneter, ausreichend großer Habitate.

Aims: Baltic Sea coastal grasslands are influenced by saline or brackish sea water, a narrow tidal range and non-intensive land use. Since their designation as Natura 2000 habitat types under the EU Habitats Directive, they have become an important conservation issue in Europe. Little supra-regional research has been conducted to date on their floristic and ecological diversity, syntaxonomy and geographic variation. We surveyed the geographical distribution and syntaxonomical variation of saline and brackish grasslands to highlight large-scale gradients in species composition, as well as underlying climatic and other abiotic factors. We discuss the resulting vegetation types in the context of northern Europe and review implications for conservation. Study area: Baltic Sea coast. Methods: We compiled a comprehensive plot-based vegetation dataset for the Baltic Sea coast and subsequently selected relevés by species composition and plot size. We classified 3,732 relevés, using modi­fied TWINSPAN, identified differential species and syntaxa, and performed a DCA with post-hoc fitted intrinsic and climatic variables. We tested main differences in relevant factors for significance. Results: The classification resulted in 33 vegetation types of differing distribution range and area. Most common were the classes Juncetea maritimi and Molinio-Arrhenatheretea, with the classes Phragmito-Magnocaricetea, Cakiletea mari­timae, Saginetea maritimae, Scheuchzerio palustris-Caricetea fuscae and Koelerio-Corynephoretea canescentis also present. Baltic Sea coastal grasslands vary in soil salinity and moisture and, to a lesser extent, in nutrient availability and base content. Conclusions: Variation in the plant communities reflects regional phytogeographical patterns. Communities most similar to north-west European coastal grassland types are characterized by euhaline to α-mesohaline site conditions. Designations of the Natura 2000 habitat types H1330 and H1630 require revision. Many Baltic Sea coastal grassland plant communities include species threatened at the national level.

This paper reports a case of delayed velvet shedding and bilateral premature antler casting above the coronets in a young adult red deer stag from Germany. Based on the established role of testosterone in the control of the antler cycle, the antler abnormality is considered to have been the result of a (temporary) androgen deficiency. The basal surfaces (separation planes or seals) of the cast antlers were markedly concave. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the separation plane was densely covered with Howship's lacunae, denoting intense osteoclastic activity along the border between the proximal (living) and distal (dead) antler portions. Our observations and those of previous studies indicate that antler casting does not occur at a pre-determined separation plane, but along the border between living and dead bone, regardless of the position of this border within the cranial appendages. This is a major difference to autotomy of (living) appendages at fixed breakage planes, as it occurs for instance in lizard tails.

Human skeletal remains are one of several find categories from archaeological sites. The skeleton constitutes only a small part of a former living organism that was exposed to a variety of environmental factors. As a highly adaptive mineralized tissue, bone – and to a lesser extent also teeth – stores information on an individual’s life. Reading out this information contributes to the historical understanding of individuals and societies from the past. However, obtaining this information can be challenging in many aspects, and, due to the very nature of the archaeological remains, the reconstructed picture of the individual and its society and environment will inevitably always be incomplete. In order to extract as much information from bones and teeth as possible, existing methods must be adapted to specific situations and the diagnostic approaches have to be developed beyond current limitations. The 17 international publications presented in this thesis are addressing the abovementioned goals. They cover a wide range of topics, mainly from the field of bioarchaeology, augmented by some studies on recent and fossil animal remains. The studies are organized in those dealing with metrical data, including sex determination methods and analysis of measurement error, the analysis of normal and abnormal conditions of bone, including paleopathological diagnostics, the impact of diagenetic agents on bone, and the presentation of cases where bioarchaeological analysis contributed to the understanding of the respective find situations. The methods applied in the studies cover a broad spectrum of approaches to study morphological properties of bones and teeth, including metrics, radiographic, and microscopic techniques.

Nature conservation in tropical developing countries is particularly challenging as the human population is highly dependent on natural resources. Several approaches, such as small-scale, community-based conservation projects aiming to generate benefits for the community, have been applied to alleviate poverty and at the same time promote conservation. In Madagascar such projects are considered a promising alternative as large-scale conservation often fails. However, few evaluations to date have analyzed both ecological and socioeconomic aspects. Our study focuses on the ecological and socioeconomic aspects of a small-scale, community-based conservation project, called “Park Bandro”, at Lake Alaotra, Madagascar. At first glance, the area seems to conserve its natural flora and fauna. However, closer examination shows that the park suffers from isolation, disconnectivity and illegal activities, while its management suffers from an unequal distribution of benefits and a lack of recognition at community level. We use our results to discuss where challenges arise and to draw recommendations which will be relevant beyond Lake Alaotra. We show that institutional settings can foster the detachment of local management associations from the community and facilitate elite capture. Existing conflicts of interests and a lack of transparency in administration hinders long-term success. The managerial framework needs to be revised and adapted to foster capacity building, providing a basis for negotiation with the community and the integration of different social groups.

Mammalian dental hard tissues exhibit incremental markings that reflect the periodic variation of appositional growth rates. In order to use these markings to characterize dental growth processes and to infer life-history traits, an unequivocal identification of their periodicities is required. We performed a fluorochrome labelling study on forming enamel and dentine in molar teeth of wild boar and domestic pigs to establish the periodicity and temporal correspondence of incremental markings in enamel and dentine. The dominant incremental markings in enamel (laminations) and dentine (von Ebner lines) recorded in the pig teeth are of a daily nature. In addition, long-period incremental markings with a periodicity of 2 days were recorded in enamel (striae of Retzius) and dentine (Andresen lines). The 2-day growth rhythm was also expressed at the lateral crown surface, as evidenced by the pattern of perikymata. In enamel, also markings with a sub-daily periodicity, representing an ultradian growth rhythm, were observed. Our study provides experimental evidence for the periodicity of incremental markings in porcine enamel and dentine. The findings correct previous misconceptions on incremental markings in dental hard tissues of pigs and other ungulates that had led to erroneous conclusions regarding crown formation parameters.

One of the manifestations of chronic fluoride toxicosis in mammals is skeletal fluorosis, which can include lesions of degenerative joint disease (DJD). Although DJD lesions have been less commonly studied than bone or dental lesions in relation to the pathology and epidemiology of fluoride toxicosis, there have been multiple independent studies in various species that have concluded that there appears to be an effect. The mechanisms by which fluoride affects the joints are not clear, but our data provide evidence that chronic excess dietary fluoride intake contributes to DJD. Our study is the first to specifically address the association between fluoride exposure and DJD in multiple species of free-ranging mammals. We describe levels of DJD in six marsupial species (Macropus giganteus, Notamacropus rufogriseus, Wallabia bicolor, Phascolarctos cinereus, Trichosurus vulpecula and Pseudocheirus peregrinus) inhabiting high and low fluoride environments. Lesions occurred to varying extents in all species, and lesion distribution varied with biomechanical differences in gait. In addition, we show an association (independent of age) between increasing bone fluoride concentration (as a measure of fluoride exposure) and increasing prevalence of moderate and severe DJD in five species of marsupial, which we propose does not persist at the highest levels of fluoride exposure due to selective survival bias.

Bet-hedging via between-year seed dormancy is a costly strategy for plants in unpredictable environments. Theoretically, fitness costs can be reduced through a parental environmental effect when the environment is partly predictable. We tested whether populations from environments that differ in predictability diverged in parental effects on seed dormancy. Common garden-produced seeds of the two annual plant species Biscutella didyma and Bromus fasciculatus collected along an aridity gradient were grown under 12 irrigation treatments. Offspring germination was evaluated and related to environmental correlations between generations and their fitness consequences at the four study sites. One species exhibited strong seed dormancy that increased with unpredictability in seasonal precipitation. The parental effect on seed dormancy also increased proportionally with the environmental correlation between precipitation in the parental season and seedling density in the following season; this correlation increased from mesic to arid environments. Because fitness was negatively related to density, this parental effect may be adaptive. However, the lack of dormancy in the second species indicates that bet-hedging is not the only strategy for annual plants in arid environments. Our results provide the first evidence for clinal variation in the relative strength of parental effects along environmental gradients.

The dissertation takes an interdisciplinary mixed-methods approach to investigate the potential of EE in contributing to conservation in Madagascar. The applied case study therefore focuses on primary schools and communities of Lake Alaotra, and entails a comprehensive survey regarding knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of natural resource users towards nature and conservation in the region, furthermore the drivers and barriers to implement environmental education in public primary schools, as well as significant life experiences of active Malagasy conservationists. The author finally discusses possible measures how environmental education in Madagascar can contribute to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in the long run.

Lower Saxony became the first of the „old states“ of Germany to be reinhabited by wolves in 2006. While their return to Germany’s eastern states went smoothly for horse keepers, it triggered controversial discussions in Lower Saxony where more than 200,000 often valuable horses are kept. Equestrianism and breeding are economically important in rural areas. Even if there wasn’t a single proved incident in Lower Saxony so far, fear and reservations run high. A survey of the horse keeper’s attitudes towards wolves was undertaken in a joint venture by the governing body of Lower Saxony breeder’s associations, Germany‘s Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) and Hildesheim University. The goal of the study was to contribute towards a conflict-free coexistence of horses and wolves. A moderator led three focus groups hosting 11 persons from the target group. The transcripts were utilised for a qualitative content analResults: Focus groups The majority has all in all accepted the return of wolves but sees a potential for conflicts in regard to their horse keeping practice and fears incidents in the future. Others doubt the compatibility of the cultural landscape with the habitat requirements of wolves. A minority strongly opposes any wolf presence. In general, there is a strong reservation against political decision makers, nature conservation associations and the current management of wolves. Many horse keepers feel themselves powerless, having no say within the political decision making processes. Some even suspect that the comeback of the wolves is part of a hidden political agenda to further undermine already weakened rural regions. The horse keepers mostly fear panic reactions on pastures and riding outs and accidents when horses escape from pastures. Direct attacks of wolves on horses are seen as less a problem. Questionnaires: Overall, 1390 questionnaires were completed. About half of the respondents have positive attitudes towards wolves, view them as a gain for the native fauna and ascribe wolves an important role within the ecosystem. The other half views the comeback not as any gain, but as a threat for horse keeping and a danger for humans alike. Independent of their attitudes towards wolves, the respondents share some strong opinions: Political decision makers lack an understanding of rural every-day life and city dwellers lost their connectedness to country living. There also was strong support for the statement that the wolf management in Lower Saxony is insufficient. In general, the respondents view politics, the wolf management and the relationship between urbanites and the rural population equally sceptical. The target group has a strong rural identity and isolates themselves from urbanites. Self-initiative solutions are seen sceptically and it is called upon the state instead. Since there is a strong distrust against other stakeholders, the established communication channels are insufficient and new concepts are needed. New ways for safeguarding domestic animals and the state’s practice of financial compensation play a pivotal role for a broader wolf acceptance. ysis. An online questionnaire based on those results was later distributed to the target group.