This dataset contains the modeling results GIS data (maps) of the study “Sustainable Human Population Density in Western Europe between 560.000 and 360.000 years ago” by Rodríguez et al. (2022). The NPP data (npp.zip) was computed using an empirical formula (the Miami model) from palaeo temperature and palaeo precipitation data aggregated for each timeslice from the Oscillayers dataset (Gamisch, 2019), as defined in Rodríguez et al. (2022, in review). The Population densities file (pop_densities.zip) contains the computed minimum and maximum population densities rasters for each of the defined MIS timeslices. With the population density value Dc in logarithmic form log(Dc). The Species Distribution Model (sdm.7z) includes input data (folder /data), intermediate results (folder /work) and results and figures (folder /results). All modelling steps are included as an R project in the folder /scripts. The R project is subdivided into individual scripts for data preparation (1.x), sampling procedure (2.x), and model computation (3.x). The habitat range estimation (habitat_ranges.zip) includes the potential spatial boundaries of the hominin habitat as binary raster files with 1=presence and 0=absence. The ranges rely on a dichotomic classification of the habitat suitability with a threshold value inferred from the 5% quantile of the presence data. The habitat suitability (habitat_suitability.zip) is the result of the Species Distribution Modelling and describes the environmental suitability for hominin presence based on the sites considered in this study. The values range between 0=low and 1=high suitability. The dataset includes the mean (pred_mean) and standard deviation (pred_std) of multiple model runs.

From 2015 to 2022, Northern and Western Europe had the highest density of "right to be forgotten" or "right to erasure" requests issued to Google and Bing, with 37 and 26 appeals per 10 thousand inhabitants in the respective regions.

Monaco led the ranking for countries with the highest population density in 2024, with nearly 26,000 residents per square kilometer. The Special Administrative Region of Macao came in second, followed by Singapore. The world’s second smallest country Monaco is the world’s second-smallest country, with an area of about two square kilometers and a population of only around 40,000. It is a constitutional monarchy located by the Mediterranean Sea, and while Monaco is not part of the European Union, it does participate in some EU policies. The country is perhaps most famous for the Monte Carlo casino and for hosting the Monaco Grand Prix, the world's most prestigious Formula One race. The global population Globally, the population density per square kilometer is about 60 inhabitants, and Asia is the most densely populated region in the world. The global population is increasing rapidly, so population density is only expected to increase. In 1950, for example, the global population stood at about 2.54 billion people, and it reached over eight billion during 2023.

We present a probabilistic approach to climate indices to derive high exposure zones across the European continent, utilizing high-resolution observed data over the last 70 years. 56 distinct climate indices related to drought, global radiation, precipitation, relative humidity, sea level pressure, and temperature are identified, shedding light on the complexity and multifaceted nature of risks encountered by European regions during co-occurrences of the different climatic events. Our findings suggest that precipitation and temperature-based indices are particularly useful in identifying high-risk regions in southern and southeastern Europe, whereas precipitation-based indices are for Northern and Western Europe. Temperature indices and potential evapotranspiration account for most risk exposure to Europe’s dominant land use type. The highest exposure percentage of the population occurs with differences in days above and below the maximum temperature of 17 °C. About 17 climate indices with high-risk magnitudes are present regionally and in specific months, emphasizing diverse risk exposure. Russia, Norway, Iceland, and Sweden experience diverse high-risk co-occurrences, with multiple climate indices related to precipitation and temperature. The findings expand the range of climate indices and demarcate hotspots and risk zones, allowing for more effective climate monitoring and risk mitigation strategies.

The world's population first reached one billion people in 1803, and reach eight billion in 2023, and will peak at almost 11 billion by the end of the century. Although it took thousands of years to reach one billion people, it did so at the beginning of a phenomenon known as the demographic transition; from this point onwards, population growth has skyrocketed, and since the 1960s the population has increased by one billion people every 12 to 15 years. The demographic transition sees a sharp drop in mortality due to factors such as vaccination, sanitation, and improved food supply; the population boom that follows is due to increased survival rates among children and higher life expectancy among the general population; and fertility then drops in response to this population growth. Regional differences The demographic transition is a global phenomenon, but it has taken place at different times across the world. The industrialized countries of Europe and North America were the first to go through this process, followed by some states in the Western Pacific. Latin America's population then began growing at the turn of the 20th century, but the most significant period of global population growth occurred as Asia progressed in the late-1900s. As of the early 21st century, almost two thirds of the world's population live in Asia, although this is set to change significantly in the coming decades. Future growth The growth of Africa's population, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, will have the largest impact on global demographics in this century. From 2000 to 2100, it is expected that Africa's population will have increased by a factor of almost five. It overtook Europe in size in the late 1990s, and overtook the Americas a decade later. In contrast to Africa, Europe's population is now in decline, as birth rates are consistently below death rates in many countries, especially in the south and east, resulting in natural population decline. Similarly, the population of the Americas and Asia are expected to go into decline in the second half of this century, and only Oceania's population will still be growing alongside Africa. By 2100, the world's population will have over three billion more than today, with the vast majority of this concentrated in Africa. Demographers predict that climate change is exacerbating many of the challenges that currently hinder progress in Africa, such as political and food instability; if Africa's transition is prolonged, then it may result in further population growth that would place a strain on the region's resources, however, curbing this growth earlier would alleviate some of the pressure created by climate change.

Wading birds can be found breeding in a myriad of habitats and ecosystems across Europe that vary widely in their land-use intensity. Over the past few decades, wader breeding populations have declined steeply in habitats ranging from natural undisturbed ecosystems to intensively managed farmland. Most conservation science has focused on factors determining local population size and trends which leave cross-continental patterns and the associated consequences for large-scale conservation strategies unexplored. Here, we review the key factors underlying population decline. We find land-use intensification in western Europe and mostly agricultural extensification and abandonment in northern, central and eastern Europe to be important drivers. Additionally, predation seems to have increased throughout the breeding range and across all habitats. Using collected breeding density data from published and grey literature, we explore habitat specificity of wader species and, of the most widely ..., To examine which habitats waders use for breeding in their main distributional range in Europe, how this differs between species and whether different habitats support different population densities, we searched published papers for quantitative data that could be used to calculate breeding densities. Initially, we performed searches of peer-reviewed scientific articles reporting densities of breeding waders published between 1945 and 2018 using ISI Web of Science Core Collection (WoS) and Elsevier Scopus databases by using a specific combination of related keywords (see Appendix 1 for more detailed information). We only used studies that met the following requirements: (1) the study reported breeding pair density data or gave a number of breeding pairs for a certain specified area from which a breeding density estimation could be calculated; (2) the study described which methodology was used for surveying breeding birds; (3) the study specified the habitat type or vegetation compositio...,

Identifying the drivers of population fluctuations in spatially distinct populations remains a significant challenge for ecologists. Whereas regional climatic factors may generate population synchrony (i.e., the Moran effect), local factors including the level of density-dependence may reduce the level of synchrony. Although divergences in the scaling of population synchrony and spatial environmental variation have been observed, the regulatory factors that underlie such mismatches are poorly understood. Few previous studies have investigated how density-dependent processes and population-specific responses to weather variation influence spatial synchrony at both local and regional scales. We addressed this issue in a pond-breeding amphibian, the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus). We used capture-recapture data collected through long-term surveys in five T. cristatus populations in Western Europe. In all populations – and subpopulations within metapopulations – population s...

Culex pipiens mosquito is a species widely spread across Europe and represents a competent vector for many arboviruses such as West Nile virus (WNV), which has been recently circulating in many European countries, causing hundreds of human cases. In order to identify the main determinants of the high heterogeneity in Cx. pipiens abundance observed in Piedmont region (Northwestern Italy) among different seasons, we developed a density-dependent stochastic model that takes explicitly into account the role played by temperature, which affects both developmental and mortality rates of different life stages. The model was calibrated with a Markov chain Monte Carlo approach exploring the likelihood of recorded capture data gathered in the study area from 2000 to 2011; in this way, we disentangled the role played by different seasonal eco-climatic factors in shaping the vector abundance. Illustrative simulations have been performed to forecast likely changes if temperature or density–dependent inputs would change. Our analysis suggests that inter-seasonal differences in the mosquito dynamics are largely driven by different temporal patterns of temperature and seasonal-specific larval carrying capacities. Specifically, high temperatures during early spring hasten the onset of the breeding season and increase population abundance in that period, while, high temperatures during the summer can decrease population size by increasing adult mortality. Higher densities of adult mosquitoes are associated with higher larval carrying capacities, which are positively correlated with spring precipitations. Finally, an increase in larval carrying capacity is expected to proportionally increase adult mosquito abundance.

Species distribution models can predict the suitable climatic range of a potential biological control agent (BCA), but they provide little information on the BCA's potential impact. To predict high population build-up, a pre-requisite of impact, studies are needed which assess the effect of environmental factors on vital rates of a BCA across the environmental gradient of the BCA’s suitable habitats, especially for the region where the BCA is considered for field release. We extended a published species distribution model with climate-dependent vital rates of Ophraella communa, a recently and accidentally introduced potential BCA of common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia in Europe. In field and laboratory experiments, we collected data on climate-dependent parameters assumed to be the most relevant for the population build-up of O. communa, i.e. temperature driving the number of generations per year and relative humidity (RH) determining egg hatching success. We found that O. communa concluded one generation in 334 cumulative degree days, and that egg hatching success strongly decreased from >80% to <20% when RH drops from 55% to 45% during the day. We used these values to spatially explicitly project population densities across the European range suitable for both common ragweed and the beetle and found that the present distribution of the beetle in Europe is within the range with the highest projected population growth. The highest population density of O. communa was predicted for northern Italy and parts of western Russia and western Georgia. Field observations of high impact on common ragweed with records of 80% aerial pollen reduction in the Milano area since the establishment of O. communa are in line with these predictions. The relative importance of temperature and RH on the population density of O. communa varies considerably across its suitable range in Europe. We propose that the combined statistical and mechanistic approach outlined in this paper helps to more accurately predict the potential impact of a weed BCA than a species distribution model alone. Identifying the factors limiting the population build-up of a BCA across the suitable range allows implementation of more targeted release and management strategies to optimize biocontrol efficacy.

Overview of the areas, located in Flanders, within which a management agreement for field birds (corn bunting, yellowhammer, skylark, partridge, yellow wagtail, tree sparrow and lapwing) can be concluded, as determined by Ministerial Decree. Field birds such as skylark and partridge in Flanders, just like in the rest of Western Europe, very sharp decline. This has to do with changes in the agricultural landscape as a result of which they cannot find sufficient food, breeding grounds and shelters. In species protection management areas, measures for field birds have the greatest added value as there are still sufficiently large farmland bird populations. By increasing the food supply and providing additional nesting and shelter, the chances of survival of field birds increase. It is important that the measures are sufficiently spread over the area. They are divided into core areas and search zones. Core areas are areas with a current high presence of field birds. Search zones are areas with a high potential for the presence of field birds. Within the core areas, a distinction is made on the basis of the population density of field birds between priority core areas with the highest densities, the 15,000 ha best areas and the 25,000 ha best areas. In the core areas, each individual farmer can conclude a management agreement. In the remaining area of ​​the management area, the search zones, this is only possible in the context of a field bird project. In the management areas for field birds, management agreements for the construction and maintenance of a 'mixed grass strip plus' can be concluded and agreements for the cultivation of a seed-producing food crop such as wheat or buckwheat. A 'mixed grass strip plus' is a herb-rich grass strip that attracts insects that serve as summer food for field birds and their young. In addition, the grass strip offers nesting and shelter all year round. By leaving seed-producing food crops until spring, field birds can feed on grains during the winter. Moreover, the food crop provides cover at a time when many fields are bare. In compensation, the farmer receives an annual payment for five years. Management areas for field birds are part of the management areas for species protection. The management areas for the management objective of species protection are demarcated on the proposal of the Institute for Nature and Forest Research (INBO) based on the most recently available monitoring data.

This statistic looks at the density of shopping centers in countries in Western Europe by gross leasable areas (GLA) in square meters per 1,000 population. The statistic shows that Norway has the highest shopping center density with 857 GLA per 1,000 people.

Abstract

Animals select their habitat along environmental gradients, but the mechanisms that constrain the ecological requirements of an individual can differ between life stages. Dispersal is a key demographic process that determines gene flow and alters species distributions, yet few empirical studies have examined whether habitat selection in animals is changing during dispersal. In this study, we examined changes in habitat preferences during natal dispersal of red kites (Milvus milvus), a European raptor species. By deploying solar-powered GPS-GSM transmitters on nestlings, we continuously tracked individuals up to six years (2015-2020), from fledging to settlement. We applied habitat selection functions to the tracking data using hierarchical generalized additive models, a flexible method which combines individual- and population-level inference, while allowing for the contrast of the prospecting and settlement phases. During the prospecting phase (n = 204 birds), individuals were less responsive to their environment than during the settlement phase, resulting in a predicted wide distribution in Western Europe. During the settlement phase, individuals (n = 78 birds) selected a narrower range of environmental gradients, while avoiding areas of high elevation, steep topographic slopes, high human population density and highly heterogeneous landscapes. During this phase, individuals were also more philopatric, i.e., they were more inclined to choose an environment closer to their natal area, than during the prospecting phase. Suitable habitats predicted during settlement were much more spatially contrasted than during prospecting. Our study provides empirical evidence that habitat selection changes across natal dispersal phases in a long-lived species, indicating that species conservation strategies should account for different environmental constraints before and after settlement. Furthermore, our findings underscore the importance of long-term tracking data, with sufficient sample size, to study the link between habitat selection and natal dispersal.

Fried Yogurt Machine Market Outlook

The global fried yogurt machine market size was valued at approximately USD 150 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 320 million by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% during the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to the rising demand for innovative and healthy dessert options, increasing disposable incomes, and the expansion of the food and beverage industry.

One of the primary growth factors for the fried yogurt machine market is the increasing consumer preference for unique and healthy dessert alternatives. Fried yogurt, known for its creamy texture and refreshing taste, has garnered a significant consumer base. The shift towards health-conscious eating habits has also played a pivotal role in driving the demand for fried yogurt machines, as consumers seek out low-fat and probiotic-rich dessert options. Moreover, the versatility of these machines in offering various customization options, such as flavors and toppings, further boosts their appeal.

Another key growth driver is the rapid expansion of the food and beverage industry globally. The increasing number of cafes, restaurants, and dessert parlors has led to a surge in demand for advanced kitchen equipment, including fried yogurt machines. The convenience and efficiency offered by these machines in preparing consistent and high-quality fried yogurt products make them a valuable addition to commercial kitchens. Additionally, the rising trend of food trucks and street food vendors has also contributed to the market growth, as these portable units can easily incorporate fried yogurt into their menus.

Technological advancements and innovations in the design and functionality of fried yogurt machines are also significant contributors to market growth. Manufacturers are continuously investing in research and development to introduce energy-efficient, user-friendly, and cost-effective machines. Features such as digital controls, automated processes, and easy maintenance are attracting both commercial and residential users. Furthermore, the availability of machines in various sizes and capacities to cater to different user needs enhances market penetration.

From a regional perspective, Asia Pacific holds a dominant position in the fried yogurt machine market, driven by the high population density, increasing urbanization, and the growing popularity of Western dessert trends. North America and Europe also represent substantial market shares, owing to the high disposable incomes and the strong presence of foodservice establishments. Emerging economies in Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are expected to witness significant growth, fueled by changing dietary preferences and rising investments in the hospitality sector.

Product Type Analysis

The fried yogurt machine market is segmented based on product type into automatic, semi-automatic, and manual machines. Automatic fried yogurt machines are gaining significant traction due to their ease of use and efficiency. These machines are equipped with advanced features such as digital controls, automated temperature regulation, and self-cleaning mechanisms, which make them ideal for high-volume commercial operations. The demand for automatic machines is particularly high in large-scale foodservice establishments, where consistency and speed are crucial.

Semi-automatic fried yogurt machines also hold a considerable market share, as they offer a balance between automation and manual control. These machines are preferred by small and medium-sized businesses that require some level of customization in the preparation process. Semi-automatic machines allow operators to adjust certain parameters manually, providing flexibility in flavor and texture customization. This segment is expected to grow steadily, driven by the increasing number of boutique dessert parlors and cafes.

Manual fried yogurt machines, although not as popular as their automated counterparts, still have a niche market, particularly in regions with lower technology adoption rates. These machines are typically more affordable and are preferred by small businesses and residential users who do not require high-volume production. Manual machines offer a hands-on approach to making fried yogurt, which can be appealing to home chefs and small-scale vendors looking for cost-effective solutions.

The choice of product type largely depends on the specific needs and scale of the business. For instance, large food chains and franchises are more like

Background

Native Swedish sheep breeds are part of the North European short-tailed sheep group; characterized in part by their genetic uniqueness. Our objective was to study the population structure of native Swedish sheep. Five breeds were genotyped using the 600 K SNP array. Dalapäls and Klövsjö sheep are from the middle of Sweden; Gotland and Gute sheep from Gotland, an island in the Baltic Sea; and Fjällnäs sheep from northern Sweden. We studied population structure by: principal component analysis (PCA), cluster-based analysis of admixture, and an estimated population tree.

Results

The analyses of the five Swedish breeds revealed that these breeds are five distinct breeds, while Gute and Gotland are more closely related to each other as seen in all analyses. All breeds had long branch lengths in the population tree indicating they've been subjected to drift. We repeated our analyses using 39 K SNP and including 50 K SNP genotypes from other European and southwestern Asian breeds from the Sheep HapMap project and 600 K SNP genotypes from a dataset of French sheep. Results arranged breeds into five groups: south-west Asia, south-west Europe, central Europe, north Europe and north European short-tailed sheep. Within this last group, Norwegian and Icelandic breeds, Finn and Romanov sheep, Scottish breeds, and Gute and Gotland sheep were more closely related while the remaining Swedish breeds and Ouessant sheep were distinct from all breeds and had longer branches in the population tree.

Conclusions

We showed population structure of five Swedish breeds and their structure within European and southwestern Asian breeds. Swedish breeds are unique, distinct breeds that have been subjected to drift but group with other north European short-tailed sheep.

In the middle of 2023, about 60 percent of the global population was living in Asia.The total world population amounted to 8.1 billion people on the planet. In other words 4.7 billion people were living in Asia as of 2023. Global populationDue to medical advances, better living conditions and the increase of agricultural productivity, the world population increased rapidly over the past century, and is expected to continue to grow. After reaching eight billion in 2023, the global population is estimated to pass 10 billion by 2060. Africa expected to drive population increase Most of the future population increase is expected to happen in Africa. The countries with the highest population growth rate in 2024 were mostly African countries. While around 1.47 billion people live on the continent as of 2024, this is forecast to grow to 3.9 billion by 2100. This is underlined by the fact that most of the countries wit the highest population growth rate are found in Africa. The growing population, in combination with climate change, puts increasing pressure on the world's resources.

The Italian city of Venice was one of the largest cities in medieval and Renaissance era Europe. It was the center of the Republic of Venice, a maritime empire in the Mediterranean, and had one of Europe's largest ports for exotic goods (particularly from Asia), or luxury goods such as glassware. Impact of plague While its population was relatively small by modern standards, it is believed that Venice was among the five most populous cities in Western Europe in the given years between 1050 and 1650. The city's population did fluctuate over time due to devastating pandemics, and it is believed that Venice was one of the main points of entry for the Black Death in Europe. Venice was one of the hardest-hit cities during the Black Death; estimates fluctuate greatly across sources, but it is believed that the city lost around 40 percent of its population during the initial outbreak in the 1340s. Decline Furthermore, Venice lost roughly a third of its population during further plague pandemics (both introduced via war) in the 1570s and 1630s. Because of this, the population was kept fairly consistent across the given years between 1600 and 1800. The 18th century also saw the decline of the Venetian Empire, as other states gained power and influence in the Mediterranean. Venice also lost its importance as the entry point of exotic goods into Europe, as other European powers had already established their own maritime empires and trade routes across the globe. Eventually, the crumbling Venetian Empire fell to Napoleon in 1796, and its overseas territories were gradually taken by or split among various other powers. While the empire fell, the city itself continued to be a center for art and culture in Europe, and it has maintained this status until today. In 2021, Venice had a population of more than 250,000 people.

In 2025, the Ile-de-France region, sometimes called the Paris region, was the most populous in France. It is located in the northern part of France, divided into eight departments and crossed by the Seine River. The region contains Paris, its large suburbs, and several rural areas. The total population in metropolitan France was estimated at around ** million inhabitants. In the DOM (Overseas Department), France had more than *** million citizens spread over the islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, and the South American territory of French Guiana. Ile-de-France: the most populous region in France According to the source, more than ** million French citizens lived in the Ile-de-France region. Ile-de-France was followed by Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Occitanie region which is in the Southern part of the country. Ile-de-France is not only the most populated region in France, it is also the French region with the highest population density. In 2020, there were ******* residents per square kilometer in Ile-de-France compared to ***** for Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the second most populated region in France. More than two million people were living in the city of Paris in 2025. Thus, the metropolitan area outside the city of Paris, called the suburbs or banlieue in French, had more than ten million inhabitants. Ile-de-France concentrates the majority of the country’s economic and political activities. An urban population In 2024, the total population of France amounted to over 68 million. The population in the country has increased since the mid-2000s. As well as the other European countries, France is experiencing urbanization. In 2023, more than ** percent of the French population lived in cities. This phenomenon shapes France’s geography.

The total number of dwellings per one thousand citizens in European countries in 2023 was the highest in Bulgaria and the lowest in Greece. There were approximately *** dwellings for every one thousand citizens in Bulgaria and in Greece, this figure amounted to ***. Germany had the largest total housing stock of **** million dwellings in the same year, of which there were *** per one thousand citizens. How prevalent is homeownership across European nations? Homeownership rates in Europe vary widely due to cultural, economic, and policy factors. Usually, countries in Southern and Eastern Europe tend to have higher rates of homeownership compared to those in Northern and Western Europe. For instance, in 2022, the homeownership rates in countries like Serbia, Romania, and Slovakia were quite high, topping ** percent. On the contrary, nations such as Germany, Switzerland, and Austria exhibited lower rates, below ** percent. New dwelling transaction prices across Europe The transaction price of a new dwelling includes the cost of the property itself, along with any additional expenses like taxes, fees, or other associated costs pertaining to the acquisition. In 2023, the average transaction price for a new dwelling in Europe was the highest in Austria, Germany, and France. Romania, Greece and Bosnia and Herzegovina had the lowest average transaction prices compared to other European countries.

According to UNESCO, the current estimated total number of museums worldwide is around 104 thousand. As of March 2021, Western Europe and Canada recorded around 56 such institutions per million inhabitants. Meanwhile, the United States, the country with the highest number of museums worldwide, reported about 101 museums per million population. Overall, there were nearly 14 museums per million inhabitants worldwide as of March 2021.

This statistic shows the rate of hospital operating rooms per 100,000 population in 2010, by world region. According to the data, Eastern Europe had the highest density with over 25 operating rooms per every 100,000 population. Comparatively, western Sub-Saharan Africa had the lowest rate with just 1 operating room per 100,000 population.