Categories
Life Style

ecologist who foresaw the importance of soil biodiversity

[ad_1]

Portrait of Dr. Diana H. Wall out in the field in Kenya

Credit: Evelyn Hockstein/Polaris/eyevine

Diana Wall was a true ecology and climate pioneer. Biodiversity in soil is often overlooked — a case of out of sight, out of mind — but Wall understood its importance for a sustainable future. The soil is home to more than half of all species, which are crucial for Earth’s terrestrial ecosystems. Wall spent her entire career exploring how soil-dwelling organisms regulate carbon and nutrient cycling, and how they respond to climate change. She focused on a little-studied but ubiquitous group of soil organisms — nematodes (roundworms) — across ecosystems. She also unflaggingly championed the importance of soil biodiversity for society. She has died aged 80.

From 2011, as founding chair of the Global Soil Biodiversity Initiative, Wall brought together soil ecologists to inform policy, education and the public. She was at her best when she travelled around the world for research, to connect with soil ecologists — including many from marginalized communities — and to advocate for soil biodiversity to be at the heart of sustainability discussions. She also orchestrated the 2016 Global Soil Biodiversity Atlas, which mapped the organisms that live under our feet and the threats they face.

Born in Durham, North Carolina, Wall first became interested in nematodes during her undergraduate studies at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. There, she launched her career in soil ecology by investigating nematodes that fed on the roots of red clover (Trifolium pratense), earning a PhD in 1971. As a postdoc in the Department of Nematology at the University of California, Riverside, Wall focused initially on nematode communities in North American desert soils. During the late 1980s, she became interested in the unexplored soil biodiversity of the McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica — one of the coldest, driest regions on Earth, and a place at the environmental limits of what underground life can tolerate.

She spent more than 25 consecutive years visiting the valleys, investigating the survival and functioning of soil organisms as well as their response to climate change. Only a handful of animals live in these dry, cold soils. Wall and her colleagues discovered that — by feeding on its microbial prey — one nematode species, Scottnema lindsayae, was crucial for the carbon cycle there. The team also showed that climate change has caused big shifts in Antarctic soil food webs over time. The decreasing abundance of S. lindsayae and increasing prevalence of other animal species has had large knock-on effects on the turnover of soil carbon, revealing that this often-ignored but crucial component of biodiversity can have widespread impacts on the region’s ecosystem.

In 1993, Wall moved to Colorado State University in Fort Collins, where she remained for the rest of her career. She had a huge influence on students and colleagues alike, through her science and her leadership roles. She was the director of the university’s Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory until 2005, and the inaugural director of its School of Global Environmental Sustainability — a post she held from 2008 until her death.

Although Antarctic soil ecology remained Wall’s passion throughout her career, her scientific contributions didn’t end there: they encompassed the world. Wall had a remarkable gift for bringing people together to tackle scientific questions that could not be addressed in any other way. For example, she recruited an international team to conduct a global-scale decomposition experiment, which showed that the role of soil animals in regulating the decomposition of biological matter — a key process in the global carbon cycle — varies between ecosystems and depends on the region’s climate. Together with researchers worldwide, she also investigated the distribution of soil animals across biomes and found that high above-ground plant diversity doesn’t always coincide with high below-ground animal diversity at a global level.

Wall also regularly convened, or joined, global groups of soil ecologists to synthesize a growing body of knowledge on the importance of underground biodiversity for ecosystems and society — for instance, through its role in regulating food production, suppressing soil-borne pathogens and providing clean air and water. This led to influential articles on sustaining soil biodiversity for ecosystem services and the need for global monitoring and conservation of soil-dwelling organisms. She spearheaded what is now a vibrant, inclusive community, promoting and communicating soil biodiversity research on a global stage. Wall received many honours for her contributions to the field, including the Tyler Prize — an award sometimes considered equivalent to a Nobel for environmental scientists. Her national and international leadership roles included the presidencies of the American Institute of Biological Sciences and the Ecological Society of America.

I first met Diana at a conference she had organized in Colorado in 1995. I was an early-career scientist, starting out on my own journey into soil ecology. It was clear then that she was special. I was struck by her enthusiasm, openness and boundless energy — characteristics that remained constant throughout her career. Diana was also humble, often playing down her own achievements while celebrating those of others. She always cared about other scientists, and was eager to learn about their research and their lives outside work. She has supported many people in their careers or during difficult times. Rarely do people touch as many lives as Diana did. She will be sorely missed, as a colleague, friend and mentor, and the field of soil ecology is at a loss without her. She will be remembered fondly as the global ambassador for soil biodiversity.

Competing Interests

The author declares no competing interests.

[ad_2]

Source Article Link

Categories
Featured

The importance of the Vulnerability Operations Centre for cybersecurity

[ad_1]

Traditional cybersecurity is laser-focused on incident detection and response. In other words, it’s built around a Security Operations Centre (SOC). That’s no bad thing in itself. Read between the lines, however, and that assumes we’re waiting on the threats to come to us. With cyber adversaries evolving their tactics through AI, automated ransomware campaigns, and other advanced persistent threats (APTs), adopting advanced, proactive measures has never been more critical. Except that your SOC team is already drowning in vulnerabilities and knee-jerk remediations. How can they even begin to manage this?

Today’s ever worsening threat landscape calls for a strategic pivot towards the establishment of a Vulnerability Operations Centre (VOC) to rethink the foundational challenges of vulnerability management and cyber resilience.

The Strategic Imperative of the VOC

[ad_2]

Source Article Link

Categories
News

The Importance of Regular Skin Check-ups Visiting a Dermatologist Near Me

Maintaining healthy skin is vital for both our physical well-being and overall confidence. The skin serves as a protective barrier against external elements, and any abnormalities or issues should not be ignored. One of the best ways to ensure skin health is through regular skin check-ups with a qualified dermatologist. For residents of Madison, Alabama, seeking the best dermatologist near me, this blog post will emphasize the importance of these routine check-ups and their numerous benefits.

The Role of a Dermatologist

dermatologist is a medical professional specializing in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the skin, hair, and nails. They are experts in identifying various skin issues, from common concerns like acne and eczema to more serious problems such as skin cancer. Regular visits to a dermatologist in Madison, Alabama, can help individuals maintain optimal skin health and detect any potential problems early on.

Early Detection of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer, but when detected early, it is highly treatable. Regular skin check-ups with a dermatologist near me play a crucial role in identifying suspicious moles, growths, or changes in the skin. Dermatologists possess the expertise to recognize signs of skin cancer that might go unnoticed by an untrained eye. Through timely detection and intervention, they can help prevent the progression of skin cancer and ensure better treatment outcomes.

Personalized Skincare Recommendations

Everyone’s skin is unique, and a one-size-fits-all approach to skincare may not be suitable for individual needs. Visiting the best dermatologist near me allows individuals to receive personalized skincare recommendations based on their skin type, concerns, and any pre-existing conditions. Dermatologists can provide valuable advice on the most suitable skincare products, routines, and lifestyle adjustments to maintain healthy and radiant skin.

Management of Chronic Skin Conditions

Chronic skin conditions, such as psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema, require ongoing management and care. Consulting a dermatologist in Madison, Alabama, ensures that these conditions are appropriately diagnosed and treated. Dermatologists can create comprehensive treatment plans that combine medical intervention, lifestyle modifications, and topical therapies to minimize symptoms and improve overall quality of life.

Acne Treatment and Scarring Prevention

Acne is a common skin concern that affects people of all ages. While many over-the-counter products claim to treat acne, they may not always deliver the desired results. A dermatologist near me can prescribe effective medications and treatments that target the root causes of acne, reducing inflammation and preventing scarring. By addressing acne under professional guidance, individuals can avoid the potential long-term effects of untreated acne, such as scarring and hyperpigmentation.

Monitoring Skin Changes Over Time

Our skin goes through various changes as we age, and some of these changes might be indicative of underlying health issues. Dermatologists can closely monitor these changes over time, ensuring any abnormalities or potential health risks are addressed promptly. Regular skin check-ups offer a proactive approach to skin health and contribute to overall wellness.

Conclusion

Healthy skin is an essential aspect of overall well-being, and regular skin check-ups with a dermatologist should be a priority for everyone. Residents of Madison, Alabama, have access to some of the best dermatologists near them, making it convenient to take charge of their skin health. Through early detection of skin cancer, personalized skincare recommendations, and effective management of chronic conditions, dermatologists play a pivotal role in helping individuals achieve and maintain healthy, glowing skin. Don’t wait for skin issues to become serious problems—schedule a skin check-up with a qualified dermatologist today and invest in the future of your skin’s health.

 

Categories
News

Importance of Stop Gap Employers Liability Coverage

Employee safety is a crucial aspect of any workplace. While most employers provide a safe environment to work in, some accidents can happen that are not preventable. As an employer, having a policy protects you if your employee is injured at work and decides to sue you. The stop gap employer’s liability coverage comes in handy in such situations. Let’s understand the meaning of stop gap employer’s liability coverage before we get into its importance.

What Is Stop Gap Employers Liability Coverage?

Stop gap employers liability coverage is a policy designed to help if your employee gets a work-related injury or illness and sues you. Its design helps fill the gaps in traditional workers’ coverage and provides you, the employer, additional protection.  Stop gap employers liability coverage is required in monopolistic states where workers’ compensation policies don’t include employers liability insurance. This policy can help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other related expenses. If you, as the employer, don’t have stop gap employer’s liability coverage, you will pay for these expenses out of your pocket.

The Importance of Stop Gap Employers Liability Coverage

Now that you understand the stop gap employer’s liability coverage, let’s look at the importance of this type of insurance.

Protection from Employee Lawsuits

Generally, a worker’s compensation policy prevents your employee from suing you for workplace injuries. However, you may not be fully insulated from lawsuits from these employees. That’s where a stop gap employer’s liability coverage comes in, providing an extra layer of protection when an employee sues you.

Coverage for Out-of-State Operations

Does your business operate in multiple states? If yes, it’s important to note that workers compensation laws may vary. A stop gap employer’s liability coverage ensures you’re well protected regardless of the state your employee is working in.

Filling Gaps in Workers’ Compensation

As mentioned earlier, stop gap employer liability coverage can help bridge gaps in workers compensation insurance. This ensures your employees receive the necessary compensation for any injuries or illnesses arising from the working environment.

Coverage for Temporary Employees

The stop gap employers liability coverage is important if you frequently hire temporary or contract workers. It not only ensures the workers are fully covered but also protects you against lawsuits from them in the event of injuries sustained at the workplace.

You Can Have Peace of Mind

As an employer, you’re responsible for ensuring your employees work in a safe environment. It’s also vital to keep measures for full compensation in place if they ever sustain work-related injuries. The stop gap employer liability coverage gives you peace of mind knowing your employees are covered. You’ll also not have to worry about legal cases that can arise from not having this insurance in place.

Take Away

Stop gap employer liability coverage is important for any business owner, as it protects you against lawsuits from employees and fills gaps in workers compensation. It also covers temporary employees and protects your financial stability. As a result, you can have peace of mind and concentrate on one crucial task: running your business.