Impact of land‐use intensity on the relationships between vegetation indices,photosynthesis and biomass of intensively and extensively managed grassland fens

Vegetation indices are widely used as model inputs and for non‐destructive estimation of biomass and photosynthesis, but there have been few validation studies of the underlying relationships. To test their applicability on temperate fens and the impact of management intensity, we investigated the relationships between normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), leaf area index (LAI), brown and green above‐ground biomass and photosynthesis potential (PP). Only the linear relationship between NDVI and PP was management independent (R² = 0·53). LAI to PP was described by a site‐specific and negative logarithmic function (R² = 0·07–0·68). The hyperbolic relationship of LAI versus NDVI showed a high residual standard error (s.e.) of 1·71–1·84 and differed between extensive and intensive meadows. Biomass and LAI correlated poorly (R² = 0·30), with high species‐specific variability. Intensive meadows had a higher ratio of LAI to biomass than extensive grasslands. The fraction of green to total biomass versus NDVI showed considerable noise (s.e. = 0·13). These relationships were relatively weak compared with results from other ecosystems. A likely explanation could be the high amount of standing litter, which was unevenly distributed within the vegetation canopy depending on the season and on the timing of cutting events. Our results show there is high uncertainty in the application of the relationships on temperate fen meadows. For reliable estimations, management intensity needs to be taken into account and several direct measurements throughout the year are required for site‐specific correction of the relationships, especially under extensive management. Using NDVI instead of LAI could reduce uncertainty in photosynthesis models.     

Genetic risk factors for osteochondrosis in various horse breeds

Osteochondrosis (OC) is an injury to cartilage canals with a following necrosis in the growth cartilage, from there it can develop to osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD). Due to its high impact in the equine industry, new insights into predisposing factors and potential high‐risk genetic variants are warranted. This article reviews advancements in quantitative and molecular genetics in refining estimation of genetic parameters and identifying predisposing genetic loci. Heritabilities were highest for hock OC with estimates at 0.29–0.46 in Hanoverian warmblood and Norwegian trotters, whereas in Thoroughbreds only very low genetic variation seemed to be present in hock OC lesions. Whole genome scans using the Illumina Equine SNP50 or SNP70 Beadchip were performed in Thoroughbred, Standardbred, French and Norwegian trotter, Hanoverian and Dutch warmblood. Validation studies in Spanish Purebred and Hanoverian warmblood horses corroborated OC risk loci on ECA 3, 14, 27 and 29. Particularly, a strong association with hock‐OCD was found for a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on horse chromosome (ECA) 3 upstream to the LCORL gene. Gene expression and microRNA analyses may be helpful to understand pathophysiological processes in equine OC and to connect OCD‐associated genomic regions with potential candidate genes. Furthermore progress in elucidating the underlying genetic variants and pathophysiological changes in OC may be expected from whole genome DNA and RNA next‐generation sequencing studies.     

Has bovine somatotropin (BST) an effect upon drug disposition? Comparative studies in goats and cattle with sulphadimidine and antipyrine after parenteral administration of BST,zeranol and proligestone

Daily subcutaneous BST injection in lactating cows, bulls and castrated male dwarf goats did not induce significant changes in the pharmacokinetic parameters of antipyrine (AP) and sulphadimidine (SDD). Similarly, no changes were obtained after injection of slow-release BST formulations in lactating cows and non-lactating female goats. In contrast to androgenic hormones, both zeranol and proligestone had no effect upon the disposition of AP and SDD, although both synthetic hormones did induce enhanced plasma somatotropin concentrations. In goats, metabolic effects induced by zeranol and BST included significant reductions in plasma urea values, whereas plasma creatinine levels were somewhat lower after daily BST administration.     

Characterizing the complexity of landscape boundaries by remote sensing

This paper presents a method for characterizing the complexity of landscape boundaries by remote sensing. This characterization is supported by a new boundary typology, that takes into account points where three or more landcovers converge (i.e., convergency points or coverts). Landscape boundary richness and diversity indices were proposed and calculated over 19 landscapes in South-East Brazil. Results showed that landscape boundaries, especially convergency points, provided an enrichment in landscape pattern analysis. Landcover boundary diversities were significantly related to landcover shape: elongated riparian units had the highest values for boundary diversity and coverts proportion indices. On the other hand, landscape analysis showed that indices of shape, richness, diversity and coverts proportion provided an additional evaluation of landcover spatial distribution within the landscape.