An overview of animal science research 1945–2011 through science mapping analysis

The conceptual structure of the field of Animal Science (AS) research is examined by means of a longitudinal science mapping analysis. The whole of the AS research field is analysed, revealing its conceptual evolution. To this end, an automatic approach to detecting and visualizing hidden themes or topics and their evolution across a consecutive span of years was applied to AS publications of the JCR category ‘Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science’ during the period 1945–2011. This automatic approach was based on a coword analysis and combines performance analysis and science mapping. To observe the conceptual evolution of AS, six consecutive periods were defined: 1945–1969, 1970–1979, 1980–1989, 1990–1999, 2000–2005 and 2006–2011. Research in AS was identified as having focused on ten main thematic areas: ANIMAL‐FEEDING, SMALL‐RUMINANTS, ANIMAL‐REPRODUCTION, DAIRY‐PRODUCTION, MEAT‐QUALITY, SWINE‐PRODUCTION, GENETICS‐AND‐ANIMAL‐BREEDING, POULTRY, ANIMAL‐WELFARE and GROWTH‐FACTORS‐AND‐FATTY‐ACIDS. The results show how genomic studies gain in weight and integrate with other thematic areas. The whole of AS research has become oriented towards an overall framework in which animal welfare, sustainable management and human health play a major role. All this would affect the future structure and management of livestock farming.     

毛新杨×毛白杨叶片表型和春季萌芽时间QTL分析

以毛新杨无性系TB0 1×毛白杨无性系LM5 0的回交子代 12 0株个体为作图群体 ,对控制叶片表型性状如叶长、叶宽、叶面积和叶柄长以及春季萌芽时间共 5个性状的数量性状位点 (quantitativetraitloci,QTLs)进行分析。运用AFLP标记技术结合拟测交作图策略构建了含有 393个AFLP标记的毛白杨及毛新杨的遗传连锁框架图。毛白杨遗传图上共含有 2 4 7个AFLP标记位点 ,连锁位点覆盖毛白杨基因组总长约 32 6 5 1cM ,而毛新杨遗传连锁图上共含有 14 6个标记位点 ,连锁位点覆盖毛新杨基因组总长约 1992cM ,这些连锁图的每一连锁群上含有的标记数为 4～ 30个。在此基础上 ,利用区间作图软件共检测到控制叶片表型性状的QTLs14个 ,位于 9个连锁群上 ;而对于春季萌芽时间共检测到 3个QTLs,分别位于 3个不同的连锁群上。在检测到的 17个QTLs中 ,每一QTL可解释表型变异的 7 6 %～ 15 8%。此外 ,发现控制叶长、叶宽和叶面积等相关性状的QTLs位于相同的基因组区域 ,这些QTLs主要位于毛白杨遗传连锁图的TLG2和TLG11以及毛新杨连锁图的TBLG1连锁群上。据控制叶片表型和春季萌芽时间的QTLs所处的基因组区域 ,可推测叶片表型和春季萌芽时间这两类性状是由各自相应的基因控制。     

基于Web的造林专家咨询系统研究

利用新的信息技术,研究造林专家的造林决策方法,提出造林专家决策咨询系统的目的和功能,给出系统环境和结构、知识库和推理机的设计,建立一个基于网络的、适于不同地区的造林专家决策咨询系统,解决困扰着传统森林培育中的适地适树和造林设计问题.     

The propagation of Ramón (Brosimum alicastrum Sw.; Moraceae) in Mayan homegardens of the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico

In the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, Maya natives have been propagating important species for centuries. However, little documentation exists of these methods, and traditional knowledge is fading as younger generations seek work in urban centers. With growing interest in using some of these species for plantation-scale production, this knowledge should be captured to aid in propagation and cultural methods of selected species. One such species, Ramón (Brosimum alicastrum Sw.), is grown in Mayan homegardens primarily as a source of dry season forage. We conducted a survey of Mayan families in several municipalities to determine basic propagation habits and procedures for cultivating Ramón, and used this information to conduct some controlled-environment studies of reproductive ecology of the species. Our survey showed that all or most Maya grow the Ramón tree in homegardens for forage and that the tree is both cultivated from wild seedlings as well as planted on a small scale. Propagation is by seed and young seedlings are irrigated until they are established. We examined the effects of temperature on seed germination and found that maximum germination occurred between 27° and 38 °C, with best germination and growth of healthy seedlings at 33 °C. No germination occurred below 21° or above 44 °C. Simulated Maya irrigation gave a four-fold increase in growth rate of seedlings, aiding early establishment. Watering gave seedlings of greater biomass, greater stem and root length, and greater numbers and size of leaves. This magnitude of response may provide an economic return for plantation culture of Ramón for forage production.     

Pruning of néré trees (Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) Benth.) on the farmlands of Burkina Faso, West Africa

This study of the pruning of néré (Parking biglobosa) trees in central Burkina Faso included detailed surveys of 83 trees and their owners in 21 villages. Pruning is not widespread, but appears to be a practice with various motives and techniques. The motives are mainly aimed at deliberate management of the trees, in order to enhance their fruit production, and are rarely aimed at reducing tree impact on crop productivity. The characteristics of tree pruning techniques (e.g., frequency, intensity and seasonality) and their corresponding motives appear to change as an adaptation to land degradation processes and the deterioration of tree condition. The results demonstrate that indigenous silvicultural management techniques contribute to a sustainable use of tree resources.

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Résumé Cette étude sur la taille du néré (Parkia biglobosa) a été faite par des observations détaillées de 80 nérés et les entretiens avec leurs propriétaires dans 21 villages au Plateau Central du Burkina Faso. La taille du néré n'est pas générale, mais révèle diverses motivations et techniques. La plupart des motivations est orientée vers une gestion consciente de l'arbre en vue d'une amélioration de la production furitière, et rerament en vue d'une reduction de l'influence de l'arbre sur les cultures. Les caracteristiques des techniques de taille (fréquence, intensité, période de taille) et les motivations impliquées paraissent s'adapter à la dégradation de l'environnement et al détérioration de la viabilité des arbres. Les résultats montrent la durabilité des pratiques concernant la gestion des arbres.

     

基于Web的森林防火专家系统知识库的构建

介绍了基于森林防火专家系统的知识表示、知识获取和知识库组织的基本原理和方法，阐述了一种基于网络的知识库构建的一种新方案，使推理机的设计实现容易、知识库的维护更加灵活，实现了知识的获取功能以及网络多用户访问时的并发控制功能，克服了传统专家系统的弊端。     

干涉测量土地利用影像分类决策树法森林识别研究

利用ERS－1和ERS－2 SAR串行轨道数据经干涉测量处理生成的干涉测量土地利用影像对森林识别方法进行初步研究。内容包括基于目标识别选择合成干涉测量土地利用影像处理方法、应用斜分类器（OCI）生成分类决策树以及在自主开发的软件中调整分类决策树、对分类结果进行像元级别上的精度检验和误差分析等。结果表明：ERS－1和ERS－2 SAR串行轨道数据经干涉测量处理，利用其强度影像和相干影像可以合成多种干涉测量土地利用影像；其中最小值影像和 标准差影像较之于其它强度影像和变化影像更有利于区分水体和森林；由于OCI生成决策树的算法决定了在分类处理中没有不可分类别的存在，所以在初期选择分类类别时，要尽可能多的覆盖原始影像的数值区间；选择的各类别样本数据要尽可能的“纯”，以减少类别间数值区间的重叠，从而减少误分类情况。     

Climatic Drivers of Revegetation Management Practices in Australia: Analysis of a Social Survey

Investment in small and large-scale revegetation in Australia is growing in response to concerns regarding the sustainability and productivity of agricultural landscapes. Site preparation and management––such as soil cultivation, weed control, fertilising, mulching, use of treeguards and watering––are major costs associated with small-scale revegetation. The aim of this study has been to investigate local revegetation knowledge and practices to determine the usefulness of each management practice for achieving success and to determine whether some practices are more suited to particular climatic zones. A national online revegetation survey was conducted to ascertain current small-scale revegetation practices and the factors that drive these choices. Management practices were found to be strongly associated with climate. Mulch, fertiliser, weed control and watering were applied more frequently in higher rainfall and higher temperature zones. Soil cultivation and treeguards were used more frequently in lower rainfall and lower temperature zones. These findings suggest that there may be some benefit in modifying existing revegetation guidelines to reflect climatic zones and management flexibility.

The power of knowledge: information transfer and açaí intensification in the peri-urban interface of Belém,Brazil

Academic scholarship and development paradigms promote non-timber forest products (NTFPs) as potential options to link environmental conservation with sustainable economic development objectives for rural communities worldwide. The açaí berry (Euterpe oleracea) is a native palm found in forest ecosystems of northern Brazil and historically extracted and sold in regional markets. Recent increases in national and international açaí demand have resulted in dramatic price increases. Management decisions on a local producer level reflect trends not typically associated with traditional NTFPs as future production and income expectations increase. This case study draws on research conducted in peri-urban communities in close proximity to Belém, Brazil. The work draws links between recent açaí intensification trends in upland areas and information pathways that are contributing to this pattern. This paper argues that external information sources regarding land use choices are prioritized over local knowledge and market indicators which previously have been described as drivers for intensification processes of NTFPs. This qualitative analysis highlights the power structures that influence information sharing and in turn, land use choices on a community level. The results of this analysis are important for NTFP intervention initiatives focused on risk management for smallholders. Finally, this study is a useful complement for ecological studies currently being conducted on intensification processes of non-timber forest products.