Local and landscape effects of agricultural intensification on Carabid community structure and weed seed predation in a perennial cropping system

Context

The effects of agricultural intensification on service-providing communities remain poorly studied in perennial cropping systems. However, such systems differ greatly from annual cropping systems in terms of spatio-temporal dynamics and levels of disturbance. Identifying how land use changes at different scales affect communities and ecosystem services in those habitats is of major importance.

Objectives

Our objectives were to examine the effects of local and landscape agricultural intensification on ground beetle community structure and weed seed predation services.

Methods

We examined the effects of local vegetation management and landscape context on ground beetle community structure and weed seed predation in 20 vineyards of southwestern France in 2013 and 2014. Vineyards were selected along a landscape complexity gradient and experienced different management of local vegetation.

Results

The activity-density of ground beetles decreased with increasing landscape complexity while species richness and evenness remained unchanged. Phytophagous and macropterous species dominated ground beetle communities. Seed predation was positively related to the activity-density of one species, Harpalus dimidiatus, and was not affected by local management or landscape context. We found that within-year temporal diversity in ground beetle assemblages increased with landscape complexity.

Conclusions

Our study shows that increasing the proportion of semi-natural habitats in vineyard landscapes enhances the temporal diversity of ground beetles. However, we also found that measures targeting specific species delivering biological control services are a reasonable strategy if we are to maximize natural pest control services such as weed seed regulation to support crop production and reduce agrochemical use.

     

Nuclear acidic protein changes during differentiation in Physarum polycephalum

A class of acidic nuclear phosphoproteins has been isolated throughout the mitotic cycle and at two points during differentiation in the slime mold Physarum polycephalum. The electrophoretic profiles of these proteins are reproducible and unchanging throughout the mitotic cycle, but reproducible changes occur during differentiation. The proteins are rapidly synthesized after mitosis, and their molecular weights range from 34,000 to 88,000. The proteins rapidly incorporate [(32)P]orthophosphate, and the content of alkali-labile phosphate increases 20 percent during the period after DNA synthesis. The proteins comprise 6.5 percent by dry weight of nuclear material while the DNA comprises about 5.5 percent. These acidic nuclear proteins may have a role in control of gene activity.     

Implications of landscape configuration on understory forage productivity: a remote sensing assessment of native forests openings

Agroforestry Systems - Sound management of native forests used for cattle grazing requires understanding the dynamics of forage productivity in the openings. Despite their importance, forage...     

The hydraulically integrated serial turbidostat algal reactor (HISTAR) for microalgal production

A hydraulically integrated serial turbidostat algal reactor (HISTAR) for the mass production of microalgae was designed, constructed and preliminarily evaluated. The 9266-l experimental system consists of two enclosed turbidostats hydraulically linked to a series of six open continuous-flow, stirred-tank reactors (CFSTRs). The system was monitored and controlled using GENESIS process control software. A production study was preformed using Isochrysis sp. (C-iso) to assess system stability and production potential under commercial-like conditions. The study was performed at the following target system parameters: system dilution rate of 0.49 per day, pH 7.6, NITROGEN=10 mg l⁻¹, PHOSPHORUS=2 mg l⁻¹, and artificial illumination (photosynthetic photon flux density) from 1000 W metal halide LAMPS=800 μmol s⁻¹ m⁻². At steady state conditions, daily harvested algal paste was 1454 g (wet), mean areal system PRODUCTIVITY=47.8±3.04 g m⁻² per day (17.1±1.09 g C m⁻² per day) and mean CFSTR6 DENSITY=105.5±6.71 mg l⁻¹.     

Bench-Scale Evaluation of a Micro-Computer Automated Algal Turbidostat

A bench-scale, micro-computer automated algal turbidostat was constructed and its production and culture maintenance capabilities were evaluated. The computer program "Supervisor," written in Turbo Pascal, consisted of a series of functions and procedures integrated through a core program consisting of a: 1) stack; 2) bubble sort routine; and 3) supervisor procedure. The program controlled the daily routine procedures including harvesting, feeding, monitoring and a semimonthly disinfection process. Data received from the monitoring devices were used by the computer for decision making processes concerning changes in operation. In addition to reducing labor, continuous computer monitoring insured more reliable system operation.
The system operated successfully for five months, reliably producing Chlorella minutissima . For each harvesting event, the percent volume removed from each chamber depended on the solar cell reading recorded immediately before the harvest cycle began. Significant correlations between millivolts and algal biomass concentrations allowed the use of solar cells as a reliable and inexpensive method of culture density management. Kinetic studies using Chlorella minutissima resulted in a maximum biomass concentration of approximately 190 g/m³ and an average specific growth rate of 0.66/d. Experimental data combined with a first order computer analysis projected a daily harvest of 82 g/m³/d (dry weight) based on a 38% turnover rate, the average observed harvest rate for the three chambers.     

Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Waste Characterization Study: Precursor to a Recirculating Holding System Design

The decreasing population of the endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle ( Lepidochelys kempi ) has necessitated research into more cost effective captive nurseries. Captive nurseries are an attempt to increase the survival of the Kemp's ridley past the first year of life. Presently, Kemp's ridleys are reared in captivity at the Headstart rearing facility in Galveston, Texas. This facility consists of a labor intensive, flow-through system. Alternatively, recirculating systems permit development of inshore facilities with decreased labor and operating costs. This paper presents baseline excretion data necessary for designing filtration units required for water quality maintenance in recirculating holding systems. The total ammonia nitrogen excretion rate based on a 24 hour isolation period (fed) was fairly constant at 0.19 mg N/g-turtle-day, while the BOD₅ loading rate was highly variable, averaging nearly 0.50 mg O₂/g-turt1e-day. In addition, comparisons of filtered versus nonfiltered samples suggest that a suspended solids removal mechanism prior to the filtration unit would dramatically decrease BOD₅ and, thus, improve filter efficiency and increase its capacity.     

Performance of a commercial recirculating alligator production system employing a paddle-washed floating bead filter

A 2.83 m³ prototype paddle-washed bead filter for combined solids capture and biological filtration was successfully operated in a commercial recirculating alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) facility. The bead filter was originally designed and operated as a downflow filter but due to operational and water quality problems, it was reconfigured to operate in an upflow mode. Water quality conditions and filter performance improved dramatically, with the upflow bead filter capable of handling the equivalent loading of 10.3 kg m⁻³ beads per day of 40% protein feed, despite oxygen limitations and hydraulic problems associated with the retrofitted alligator system.     

Development of a Model for Describing Accumulation of Color and Subsequent Destruction by Ozone in a Freshwater Recirculating Aquaculture System

The purpose of this study was to develop a mathematical model to assist in the determination of design numbers for color destruction by ozone as a function of feed rate. A mass balance model was developed that takes into account methods of introduction and removal of color, including removal by ozone. Because direct measurement of color mass or concentration is difficult, a representative unit was developed during this study called the color mass equivalent (CME). The CME represents a direct measurement of absorbance at 436 nm, which is a unitless measurement, multiplied by the system volume. The CME is directly proportional to the true concentration of color causing compounds at that wavelength. Once the model was developed, two studies were run to test the model. A 1,500-L recirculating fish system was set up with a 57-L bead filter and six 1-L fluidized sand beds. Approximately 45 kg of channel catfish Ictalurus puncfatus were placed in the system and fed 0.25 kg of 32% protein feed per day (0.55% body wt.). Once the system reached stable conditions, the system was flushed with clean water and samples were taken to estimate the accumulation rate of color in the system. After 5 wk, an ozone unit was activated and samples were taken to determine the destruction rate for color. Once an accumulation rate had been determined, a second study was performed to corroborate this value. The same ozone unit was installed on a 5,000-L recirculating fish system being fed 0.49 kg per day with a 171-L bead filter. Samples were taken to determine the destruction rate for color. The accumulation rate for color was 12.6 CME/kg feed and the destruction rates were 1.7 CME/g O₃ in the first study and 0.82 CMWg O₃ in the second study. This calculates to a range of 7 to 15 g O₃/kg feed to remove the color produced by the feed.     

Microalgal production using a hydraulically integrated serial turbidostat algal reactor (HISTAR): a conceptual model

A hydraulically integrated, serial turbidostat algal reactor (HISTAR) was mathematically modeled and developed for the mass production of microalgae. HISTAR, which hydraulically links precisely controlled turbidostats with continuous-flow stirred-tank reactors (CFSTRs) into a single production technology, was conceptualized emphasizing contaminant mitigation at the design stage to maintain system stability. This paper discusses the conceptual basis for the development of HISTAR and presents a theoretical overview of the CFSTRs. Mathematical modeling, using first-order algal growth kinetics combined with CFSTR reactor kinetics, was used to investigate the effects of system dilution rate, D_s; net algal specific growth rate, U_a; number of reactors, N; input algal biomass, X_i; and contaminant concentration, C_n, on algal productivity, as well as local dilution rate, D_n, on suspended contaminant washout. The simulation results allowed the determination of preliminary design ranges for prototype development.