Toward resilient food systems through increased agricultural diversity and local sourcing in the Carolinas.

Biological and agricultural diversity are connected to food security through strengthened resilience to both anthropogenic and natural perturbations. Increased resilience to stress via increased biodiversity has been described in a number of natural systems. Diversity in food production can be considered on the following three levels: (a) genetic diversity as reflected in the range of cultivars which can be selected for production; (b) species diversity, captured through production of a wide range of crops on each farm; and (c) broad ecosystem diversity, described by the diversity of production between farms and within the broader food system.

Factors influencing bank geomorphology and erosion of the Haw River, a high order river in North Carolina, since European settlement.

The Haw River, a high order river in the southeastern United States, is characterized by severe bank erosion and geomorphic change from historical conditions of clear waters and connected floodplains. In 2014 it was named one of the 10 most threatened rivers in the United States by American Rivers. Like many developed areas, the region has a history of disturbance including extensive upland soil loss from agriculture, dams, and upstream urbanization.

Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging of 'Fuyu' persimmon fruit during development and ripening.

Qualitative and quantitative proton magnetic resonance imaging techniques were applied to persimmon (Diospyros kaki cv 'Fuyu') fruit during development and post-harvest ripening. Spin-lattice (T(1)) relaxation times in mesocarp parenchyma and vascular tissue exhibited a sigmoidal pattern of increase leading to commercial harvest, but declined abruptly during ripening, 2.5 weeks after picking.