Effect of an intensive mechanical removal effort on a population of non‐native rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss in a South African headwater stream

1. Invasions by non‐native species can compromise the conservation value of otherwise pristine headwater streams. While both developed and developing countries recognize this threat, few of the latter have suitable budgets to implement control programmes.
2. This study assessed the effectiveness of a mechanical project to remove non‐native rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss from a 6 km section of the upper Krom River, a small headwater stream in the Cederberg Mountains in South Africa's Cape Floristic Region (CFR).
3. From October 2013 to February 2014, 354 O. mykiss were removed by angling (58%), fyke netting (28%) and gill netting (14%). This resulted in a marked reduction, but not eradication, of the O. mykiss population (fish relative abundance decreased from 0.53 ± 0.09 fish per net per night in October 2013 to 0.21 ± 0.09 fish per net per night in February 2014). Following the cessation of manual removals, the relative abundance of O. mykiss had increased to 0.56 ± 0.18 fish per net per night by March 2016, suggesting that without sustained removal effort, the population will rapidly return to its pre‐removal abundance level.
4. Further work is needed to refine the methodology and test the effectiveness of mechanical removal of non‐native freshwater fish in a variety of ecological settings in the CFR. This approach holds potential for meeting the dual goals of reducing the ecological impacts of non‐native fishes and generating employment opportunities in line with the policy objectives of developing nations.

     

Implications of piscine predator control on the federally listed fountain darter

One strategy for protecting the federally listed fountain darter, Etheostoma fonticola (Jordan & Gilbert), during low flow conditions is the removal of piscine carnivores [in this case, largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides (Lacepède)]. However, headwater spring communities of the Comal and San Marcos rivers include another potential predator [red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Girard)]. Removal of piscine carnivores could produce cascading effects by increasing crayfish consumption of benthic fish. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if piscine carnivore removal will lessen predatory pressure or induce a trophic cascade with crayfish increasing and causing declines in fountain darter. The numbers of fountain darter consumed were quantified among three predator treatments (red swamp crayfish only, largemouth bass only and red swamp crayfish and largemouth bass combined) and vegetation treatments (vegetated and non‐vegetated) at three temperature regimes (18, 22, 27°C). Vegetation had no effect on fountain darter predation. Among temperature trials, largemouth bass only and red swamp crayfish and largemouth bass combined consumed similar numbers of fountain darter, and red swamp crayfish only consumed the least numbers of fountain darter, except at 22°C. Largemouth bass did not consume more red swamp crayfish than fountain darter. Therefore, largemouth bass removal appears to be a viable option for reducing fountain darter predation during periods of low flow.     

Estimating the level of disease risk and biosecurity on commercial poultry farms in New Zealand

ABSTRACT

Aims: To collect baseline data on the contact risk pathways and biosecurity practices of commercial poultry farms in New Zealand, investigate the relationship between the farm-level disease contact risks and biosecurity practices, and identify important poultry health concerns of producers.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of all registered New Zealand commercial poultry operations was conducted in 2016 collecting information on farm demographics, biosecurity practices, and contact risk pathways. Survey responses were used to generate an unweighted subjective disease risk score based on eight risk criteria and a subjective biosecurity score based on the frequency with which producers reported implementing seven biosecurity measures. Producer opinions towards poultry health issues were also determined.

Results: Responses to the survey response were obtained from 120/414 (29.0%) producers, including 57/157 (36.3%) broiler, 33/169 (19.5%) layer, 24/55 (44%) breeder, and 6/32 (19%) other poultry production types. Median disease risk scores differed between production types (p?<?0.001) and were lowest for breeder enterprises. The greatest risk for layer and broiler enterprises was from the potential movement of employees between sheds, and for breeder enterprises was the on- and off-farm movement of goods and services. Median biosecurity scores also differed between production types (p?<?0.001), and were highest for breeder and broiler enterprises. Across all sectors there was no statistical correlation between biosecurity scores and disease risk scores. Producers showed a high level of concern over effectively managing biosecurity measures.

Conclusions: The uptake of biosecurity measures in the commercial poultry farms surveyed was highly variable, with some having very low scores despite significant potential disease contact risks. This may be related to the low prevalence or absence of many important infectious poultry diseases in New Zealand leading farmers to believe there is a limited need to maintain good biosecurity as well as farmer uncertainty around the efficacy of different biosecurity measures. Further research is needed to understand barriers towards biosecurity adoption including evaluating the cost-effectiveness of biosecurity interventions.     

茶让生活更美好

茶作为中华民族的举国之饮,是中华传统文化的集中体现,也是彰显健康生活的民生产业。如今,中国茶在新时代的脉络中展现了蓬勃的生机与活力,迎来了发展的黄金时代。本文从茶产业、茶文化、茶科技和茶健康等角度全方位论述了中国茶的影响、地位、贡献和前景,解读茶让人民生活更美好的时代愿景。     

基于SPEI_PM指数的渭河流域气象干旱时空演变特征

利用渭河流域25个气象站点1980−2018年月值气象数据集，基于Penman-Monteith蒸散模型计算多个时间尺度的标准化降水蒸散发指数（SPEI），分析渭河流域气象干旱的演变、趋势、影响范围、发生频率和持续时间等时空变化特征，以期为渭河流域防灾减灾管理提供科学依据。结果表明：（1）近39a来渭河流域有明显的干湿周期变化，但整体上呈变干的趋势，干旱时段主要集中在1995−2009年，其中以2000−2009年的干旱站次比最大，平均达到36%，且干旱持续时间最长，约3.6个月，1980−1989年干旱持续时间最短，约1.6个月；（2）渭河流域秋季总体呈湿润变化趋势，而春季和夏季干旱在不断加剧，是区域年际干旱的主要驱动力；（3）渭河流域干旱以危害性较小的轻中旱为主，但2000年前后出现严重及极端干旱的站次相对较多，其中1997年研究区内发生的干旱程度较高，影响范围较广；（4）不同时间尺度各等级干旱发生频率的变化规律表现一致，均呈现出干旱等级越高发生频率越低的态势，且极端干旱在年际尺度内发生次数较为频繁，从空间上看渭河流域东北部是干旱多发区。总之，近39a来渭河流域总体干旱较为严重的时段为2000−2009年，且研究区内干旱呈北重南轻特征，因此北部地区仍需加强防灾管理。     

苏州城区河道大型水生生物分布特征

为研究苏州城区河道大型水生生物时空分布特征,于2020年5月开始,对苏州古城区主要河道23个断面的大型水生生物及水质指标进行为期一年监测,分析其理化因子时空分布差异,并探讨与大型水生生物相关的影响因素,体现苏州河道恢复程度。结果表明,水温、pH、溶解性总固体、电导率、溶解氧、透明度与氨氮在不同月份间呈显著性差异（P<0.05）,总氮和总磷在不同月份间具有极显著性差异（P<0.01）。研究期间苏州城市河道中共检出5种沉水植物,10种大型底栖无脊椎动物,7种鱼类。其中沉水植物辛普森指数最高,结构最均匀,各断面中沧浪亭桥玛格列夫指数最高,物种最丰富。有无沉水植物分组间流速呈显著性差异,总氮、氨氮存在极显著差异。大型底栖无脊椎动物有无的河道在流速、水深、透明度和溶解氧存在极显著性差异。按是否存在鱼类对比,水质指标均无显著性差异。冗余分析（RDA）结果也表明,氨氮、水温、溶解氧和透明度是影响城区河道大型水生生物分布的主要水质指标。     

疏勒河流域2001~2010年水足迹动态特征及评价

随着人口增长、城市化进程的发展和社会经济发展,以及全球气候变化等因素的影响,疏勒河地区生态用水不断被挤占,造成地下水位下降,天然植被也因缺水而退化,水资源供需矛盾突出,为了有效改善水资源利用效率,利用水足迹模型研究了疏勒河流域2001~2010年的水足迹动态特征。结果表明:疏勒河流域2001~2010年总水足迹呈增长趋势,人均水足迹从2001年的772.537m3增加到2010年的1 304.476m3。疏勒河流域水资源集约利用度呈增长趋势,从2001年的6.053增加到2010年的10.875,说明疏勒河流域水资源利用效率提高了。疏勒河流域水资源压力指数从2001年的0.447增加到2010年的0.747,说明疏勒河水资源利用压力虽处于水资源可承载范围内,但其水资源压力不断上升。农田灌溉用水和农田种植面积均与农畜产品虚拟水足迹呈显著正相关关系(P0.05)。未来还需从实施节水农业战略等方面提高流域水资源利用效率,以及通过虚拟水贸易方式优化产业结构,以实现疏勒河流域水资源可持续利用和经济社会可持续发展。     

新型兽医服务体系建设要素

兽医服务体系对畜牧业持续建康发展,动物重大疫病防控,保障公共卫生安全等起着十分重要的作用。论文结合国家对"三农"工作的发展要求,从兽医服务体系改革思路、构建新型体制机制、提升兽医专业技能水平、政策支持,建立有效的财政保障运行机制、推广普及和新技术应用、完善兽医法律体系建设和兽医信息化建设等方面进行了论述,以期为人类和社会提供更好的服务。