Reflections on the Karoo Special Issue: towards an interdisciplinary research agenda for South Africa’s drylands§

We begin this essay with reflections on major research themes highlighted by the Karoo Special Issue (KSI). These include concerns over land-use change, long-term monitoring, climate change, governance and the need for more interdisciplinary research. We also identify some of the novel contributions of the KSI around these themes and highlight research issues that require further attention. These include greater focus on the social-ecological impact of large-scale infrastructural developments and wildlife ranching, as well as the need for more longitudinal studies related to contemporary social issues. We conclude by outlining a simple framework for thinking about interdisciplinarity in future research efforts in the Karoo. The first axis relates to the natural science/social science continuum, while the second is concerned with the continuum between basic and applied science. Greater awareness of these two dimensions could not only encourage researchers to reflect more carefully on where their research fits in relation to the broader research needs of this region but could also promote interdisciplinarity within the research community. It could also bring researchers closer to the realities and needs of the people who live in and derive their livelihoods from Karoo environments.     

基于现代农业(牛)产业技术体系的《牛生产学》教学模式探讨

针对当下社会对畜牧学专业毕业生的需求特点,高校开展相关课程的"产学研"合作已成为未来发展新趋势。现代农业产业技术体系旨在围绕产业发展需求,加强"产学研"密切结合,构建适应现代农业发展的科技支撑体系。《牛生产学》作为畜牧学专业的重要课程之一,具有理论性及实践性相结合的特点,其专业性强,内容繁多且涉及面广。本文结合现代农业(牛)产业技术体系,针对《牛生产学》不同章节内容,从课堂教学和实践教学两方面进行了改革和探索,旨在进一步强化课程特色,建立完善的实习课程体系,从而实现对学生综合能力的培养。