Partnering with local communities to identify conservation priorities for endangered Grevy’s zebra

Setting wildlife conservation priorities and determining how to meet them is challenging, particularly when policy decisions made at large scales need to be informed by a diversity of local conditions. The persistence of species that range widely demands that they coexist with people both within and outside formally protected areas. It is often politically and financially infeasible for one central body, such as a government wildlife agency, to monitor an entire population. Therefore, conservation planners are increasingly turning to local knowledge to inform conservation decisions. Here, we show the scientific and conservation benefits of recruiting and training local community members to collect data on an endangered species, the Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi). We recruited 18 scouts from six community-held ranches in Samburu District, Kenya. The scouts record the location, group structure and habitat of all Grevy’s zebra herds seen in walking surveys. Kernel analyses of scout herd observations indicate areas heavily used by Grevy’s zebra, and the subset of these areas favored by females with young foals. The important areas identified by the scouts closely match those inferred from analyses of GPS radiocollar data. Further, scout data reveals extensive spatial and temporal overlap between livestock and Grevy’s zebra. This overlap suggests the potential for competition between Grevy’s zebra and domestic animals. We argue that scout programs such as ours can generate valuable insights for conservation planning. In addition, such programs have the potential to improve local attitudes toward wildlife conservation.     

No evidence of general decline in an amphibian community of Southern France

We investigated long term changes in an amphibian community in the Languedoc area of Southern France by comparing results of a survey of 56 ponds made in the early 1970s with results of a survey of the same localities in 2001. Based on the frequency of new occurrences and disappearances of species in the sample ponds, there is no sign of a general decline of amphibians in this area. Most species showed non-significant variation in frequency of occurrence or had increased. “Green frogs” (Rana perezi/ridibunda/kl. grafi) showed clear signs of decline, but this is a local phenomenon rather than a decline at the regional scale. Pelodytes punctatus probably declined also, possibly due to its sensitivity to fish introduction. The species richness in the ponds has also remained stable except in ponds where fish have been introduced. The only adverse impact of human activities that we could detect was thus the introduction of fish, which had a significantly adverse effect on amphibian species richness.     

Prospects and potentials for systems of biological nitrogen fixation in sustainable rice production

The N requirement of rice crops is well known. To overcome acute N deficiency in rice soils, this element is usually supplied to the rice crop as the commercially available fertilizer urea. But unfortunately a substantial amount of the urea-N is lost through different mechanisms causing environmental pollution problems. Utilization of biological N fixation (BNF) technology can decrease the use of urea-N, reducing the environmental problems to a considerable extent. Different BNF systems have different potentials to provide a N supplement, and it is necessary to design appropriate strategies in order to use BNF systems for efficient N supply to a rice crop. Research has been conducted around the world to evaluate the potential of different BNF systems to supply N to rice crops. This paper reviews salient findings of these works to assess all the current information available. This review indicates that the aquatic biota Cyanobacteria and Azolla can supplement the N requirements of plants, replacing 30–50% of the required urea-N. BNF by some diazotrophic bacteria like Azotobacter, Clostridium, Azospirillum, Herbaspirillum and Burkholderia can substitute for urea-N, while Rhizobium can promote the growth physiology or improve the root morphology of the rice plant. Green manure crops can also fix substantial amounts of atmospheric N. Among the green manure crops, Sesbania rostrata has the highest atmospheric N₂-fixing potential, and it has the potential to completely substitute for urea-N in rice cultivation.     

Trends in tillage practices in relation to sustainable crop production with special reference to temperate climates

The concept and some definitions of sustainable agriculture are reviewed. Most of these definitions include economic, environmental and sociological aspects. The finite area of land emphasizes the need for consideration of soil conservation and of soil quality in relation to sustainability. An important element of soil quality is rooting depth. Therefore loss of soil by erosion is a dominant factor in long-term sustainability. The effects of tillage on soil parameters in minimum data sets that have been proposed to describe soil quality are reviewed. Soil organic matter may be one of the most important soil quality characteristics in relation to tillage because of its influence on other soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Conservation tillage practices can increase the organic matter content, aggregate stability and cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the topsoil. However, bulk density and penetrometer resistance are also increased, especially with zero tillage. Although such soil quality parameters may form a basis for describing some of the consequences of particular tillage practices, they do not provide a basis for predicting the outcome in terms of crop growth and yield. This is both because critical values of soil quality parameters have not been defined and because in some soils biopore formation in zero or minimally tilled land can modify the soil for water movement and for root growth and function.

The effects of tillage on crop growth and yield in long-term experiments are reviewed. The review only includes experiments in North America, Europe and New Zealand that have lasted 10 years or more to allow for seasonal variation in weather, possible progressive changes in soil conditions and the learning phase often experienced when new tillage methods are used. While there is a good deal of variation in the results of these tillage experiments some patterns have emerged. In long-term experiments, yields of maize in Europe and the US and soybeans in the US have been similar after ploughing and no-tillage, especially on well-drained soils. In Europe, yields of winter cereals have also been similar after traditional and simplified tillage but yields of spring cereals have sometimes been less after direct drilling than ploughing.

Trends in tillage practices are reviewed. Conservation tillage in the US is increasing and is used on about 30% of cropland, including no-till on about 10% of cropland. This increase in use of conservation tillage is mainly attributed to the legal requirement for farmers who are in government price support programs to adopt conservation plans which may involve conservation tillage. However, the allowable rates of erosion in these plans are likely to be in excess of rates of erosion for long-term sustainability. Survey information on tillage practices needs to be considered in relation to predictions on suitability of conservation tillage based on experimental results. In the semi-arid prairies of Canada there is a trend toward fewer cultivation operations, but in eastern Canada the mouldboard plough is still the dominant tillage method. In Europe although erosion is less obvious it is believed to be increasing, but minimum tillage is not widely used. This is because of the need to remove at least some straw for successful minimum tillage in sequential winter wheat and barley crops, but there are few economic uses for straw, and burning is illegal in many countries. In the more moist cooler conditions of Europe grass weed proliferation is another constraint, at least with present technology. So far, the overall success of conservation tillage has not been limited by the growing problem of genetic resistance of weeds to herbicides. Societal attitudes to the continued use of herbicides may pose longer-term problems for some conservation tillage practices.     

Degradation,rehabilitation and sustainable management of a dunal ecosystem in central Italy

The history of the Feniglia Dune is an example of human-induced degradation and rehabilitation of a Mediterranean ecosystem. Between 1700 and 1900 the forest almost completely disappeared owing to intensive exploitation. The rehabilitation of Feniglia started at the beginning of 1900 with dune consolidation and the sowing of Mediterranean pines. Reforestation was long and complex, and was finished in the 1950s. The evolution of the vegetation can be studied from an aerophotogrammetric series (1955, 1968, 1985 and 1989). GIS was used to analyse the cartographic images. The vegetation dynamics was positive, showing increased plant cover at least until 1985. The 1989 map showed the beginning of cover recession, probably as the result of a number of concurrent disturbing factors: the evolution of the coastline, and an increase in grazing and tourism. Since the Feniglia Dune vegetation is not a resilient natural coenosis, it still needs the support of human interventions to safeguard its natural dynamism.     

发电企业信息化建设的标准化问题研究

概述了发电企业信息化建设与企业管理标准化之间的重要关系和产生的问题,阐述了以管理标准化为基础,推进发电企业信息化建设的解决方法。     

坡改梯对我国经济可持续发展的影响和对策

坡耕地是丘陵山区群众赖以生存发展的生产用地,是在落后的生产条件下人口与资源矛盾冲突中出现的产物.由于不合理开发利用乃至超强度掠夺式开垦,已使其成为水土流失的主要策源地.若不采取必要的应对措施,不仅会加剧当地的贫困程度,而且制约经济社会的可持续发展.在调查了解全国各地坡耕地现状和坡耕地治理状况的基础上,分析坡改梯工程在丘...     

Land-use management for sustainable rice production and carbon sequestration in reclaimed coastal tideland soils of South Korea: a review

ABSTRACT

The properties of secondary salt-affected soils developed from improper irrigation and drainage management and their effects on rice growth and yield are well documented. However, relevant information on coastal reclaimed tideland (RTL) soils, which are classified as primary salt-affected soils developed through salt-accumulated sediments is lacking. In this paper, we reviewed the physical and chemical properties of RTL soils in comparison with non-RTL soils and analyzed the relationship between rice production and soil salinity in RTL to suggest agricultural management practices for sustainable rice production and soil carbon sequestration in RTL. Similar to the secondary salt-affected soils, RTL soils were characterized by high alkalinity, salinity, and sodicity, and rice yield was negatively correlated with salinity. However, it was also found that lower fertility (e.g., organic matter and phosphorus) of RTL soils than non-RTL soils might also hamper rice growth and thus carbon input via plant residues in RTL soils. Correlation between years after reclamation and soil properties of RTL showed that cultivation of rice with annual fertilization and organic matter inputs increased soil fertility but salinity and sodicity did not show a significant tendency of change, suggesting that natural desalinization in RTL soils is hard to be achieved with conventional rice cultivation. Therefore, it is suggested that fertilization management as well as salinity management via drainage, gypsum application, tillage, and proper irrigation may be necessary to improve rice production and carbon sequestration in RTL soils.     

Influence of wheat residue management on irrigated corn grain production in a reduced tillage system

Management of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) residues for corn (Zea mays L.) planting is an important issue in southern parts of Iran where these two irrigated crops are consecutively grown. Concerns have been raised in recent years over the burning of the crop residues by farmers in these areas. A 2-year (2001–2002) field experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments consisted of irrigated corn planted, after burning wheat residues followed by conventional tillage (CT), after residue removal followed by CT, after soil incorporation of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of residue followed by chisel plow, disk harrow, and row crop planter equipped with row cleaner. The CT operations consisted of mollboard plowing followed by two times disk harrowing. Treatments had significant effects on corn grain yield, biological yield, and leaf area index. The highest grain yield (15.73 t ha⁻¹) and grains per ear (709.3) were obtained when 25–50% of wheat residues were soil incorporated and the seeds were sown with planter equipped with row cleaner in both years as compared with conventional tillage practices. It is recommended that complete residue removal or burning should be avoided; hence for successful corn production after wheat, residue management techniques that reduce residue level in the row area should be implemented.     

Land degradation and livestock production in Zimbabwe's communal areas

This paper considers evidence of land degradation and its impact on livestock production systems in the communal areas of southern Zimbabwe. Various measures of rangeland degradation, using both primary and secondary production indicators, are examined. An apparent contradiction emerges between the high observed levels of soil erosion and the lack of impact on livestock production, as measured by population density trends, cattle production parameters, cumulative stocking levels and extraction rates. Farmers' observations of land degradation processes support the quantitative data. A possible resolution of the contradiction lies in an assessment of the spatial and temporal dimensions of degradation patterns; this points to the fact that current erosion is concentrated in areas that are not key grazing resources for cattle. The analysis suggests an agenda for degradation research that concentrates on evaluating the time span over which economic impacts of soil erosion are felt and assessing the spatial pattern of soil loss, with a special focus on key grazing resource patches.     

No evidence that nitrogen enrichment affect fungal communities of Vaccinium roots in two contrasting boreal forest types

In boreal forests ericaceous shrubs often dominate the forest floor vegetation. Nitrogen enrichment has been shown to decrease shrub abundance and in this study we explored whether it also affects the root associated fungal communities. Fine roots of Vaccinium myrtillus were collected in a Norway spruce dominated forest and of Vaccinium vitis-idaea in a Scots pine dominated forest. In both forests, nitrogen enrichment was experimentally induced by adding 12.5 and 50 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ for 12 (spruce forest) and four (pine forest) years. Based on terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms, subcloning and sequencing analyses, the root associated fungal communities were examined. We found 93 fungal species including Asco-, Basidio- and Zygo-mycota. In general, the Rhizoscyphus ericae aggregate was the most dominant and this was followed by Herpotrichiellaceae and Sebacina. Ordination analysis revealed that nitrogen enrichment did not change species composition of the fungal communities in neither the spruce nor the pine forest, while fungal community structures were clearly discriminated between the dominant shrub species in each forest. Similarly, no fungal species showed a significant response to nitrogen enrichment. Therefore, nitrogen enrichment appears to have no effect on root associated fungi of understorey dwarf shrubs in boreal forests, while it is clear that spruce and pine forests harbor distinctive communities of these fungi.     

Effects of selective cutting and herbicide use in spring barley on seed production of Cirsium arvense

A field experiment was performed in Sweden to evaluate the effect of herbicide treatment and selective cutting on the seed production of Cirsium arvense. Four treatments (control (C), selective cutting (S), early (H1) and late (H2) herbicide application) were laid out in a randomized block experiment. The field was sown with spring barley and contained a natural population of the weed. Treatments were first applied 2015 and repeated 2016. Changes in the number of seeds per flower receptacle and average seed weight were measured over time in 2016 from the onset of seed production until crop harvest. At harvest, number of shoots per area and cumulative numbers of flower receptacles, which had shed mature seeds over the season, were counted. These data were used to assess total seed production over the season. Treatment H2 led to a significantly decreased number of seeds per receptacle (49) compared to S (59), H1 (64) and C (67). Over time and treatment, number of seeds per flower receptacle was lowest in the second week (47) and increased over the third week to 69 in week four. Average weight per seed was about constant over time (0.91?mg) while H1 and S (0.63 and 0.78?mg, respectively) had lower seed weights compared to H2 and C (1.04 and 1.19?mg, respectively). Total seed production over the season in terms of number of seeds per square meter was greatly reduced by all treatments (5–20 seeds m^?2, or 3–14?mg?m^?2) compared to the control (6600 seeds m^?2, or 7800?mg?m^?2). We conclude that seed production of C. arvense is inhibited a thousand-fold and equally well by selective cutting as by early or late herbicide treatments.     

Nutrient management in low input grazing–based systems of meat production

Abstract. Low input grazing-based meat production is often practised on land where alternative land use is restricted and where high biodiversity warrants specific environmental payments. Although these systems are characterized by low external nutrient inputs, significant nutrient losses may occur per unit of produce, even though losses per unit area are low. If the aim is to have animal production without further eutrophication of watercourses, these losses should be minimized,. However, if nutrient-poor grasslands characterized by high biodiversity are the aim, some losses must be accepted to balance nutrient inputs by atmospheric deposition. The impact of grazing animals on nutrient dynamics in grasslands is reviewed in this paper, and options to further improve nutrient management are discussed. It is concluded that nutrient management should largely be addressed indirectly through management of animal behaviour in relation to grazing and supplemental feeding, as well as through optimization of the seasonal distribution of livestock size. A case study indicated that N losses from a cattle farm could be reduced considerably by these means, while animal production could actually be improved. Sustainability issues and trends in legislative and social pressures on low input grazing-based systems of animal production are discussed in relation to nutrient management and practical recommendations.     

RZWQM simulation of long-term crop production, water and nitrogen balances in Northeast Iowa

Agricultural system models are tools to represent and understand major processes and their interactions in agricultural systems. We used the Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM) with 26 years of data from a study near Nashua, IA to evaluate year to year crop yield, water, and N balances. The model was calibrated using data from one 0.4 ha plot and evaluated by comparing simulated values with data from 29 of the 36 plots at the same research site (six were excluded). The dataset contains measured tile flow that varied considerably from plot to plot so we calibrated total tile flow amount by adjusting a lateral hydraulic gradient term for subsurface lateral flow below tiles for each plot. Keeping all other soil and plant parameters constant, RZWQM correctly simulated year to year variations in tile flow (r² = 0.74) and N loading in tile flow (r² = 0.71). Yearly crop yield variation was simulated with less satisfaction (r² = 0.52 for corn and r² = 0.37 for soybean) although the average yields were reasonably simulated. Root mean square errors (RMSE) for simulated soil water storage, water table, and annual tile flow were 3.0, 22.1, and 5.6 cm, respectively. These values were close to the average RMSE for the measured data between replicates (3.0, 22.4, and 5.7 cm, respectively). RMSE values for simulated annual N loading and residual soil N were 16.8 and 47.0 kg N ha⁻¹, respectively, which were much higher than the average RMSE for measurements among replicates (7.8 and 38.8 kg N ha⁻¹, respectively). The high RMSE for N simulation might be caused by high simulation errors in plant N uptake. Simulated corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yields had high RMSE (1386 and 674 kg ha⁻¹) with coefficient of variations (CV) of 0.19 and 0.25, respectively. Further improvements were needed for better simulating plant N uptake and yield, but overall, results for annual tile flow and annual N loading in tile flow were acceptable.     

Bat activity on riparian zones and upper slopes in Australian timber production forests and the effectiveness of riparian buffers

Unlogged buffers are used to ameliorate impacts to riparian areas in timber production forests. One function of these buffers is to protect the biodiversity of riparian areas. We measured bat activity in buffered streams with ultrasonic detectors across four different stream orders in logged, regrowth and mature forests (60 sites). Bat activity, foraging rates and species richness were similar in buffered streams surrounded by logged, regrowth and mature forests, suggesting that riparian areas effectively provide habitat for foraging and commuting bats in selectively logged forests. Vespadelus pumilus was the only species that responded to logging history, with decreased activity in mature forests. We found higher activity on larger rather than smaller order streams, a pattern also not affected by logging history. Bat activity along paired forest trail flyways on upper slopes (60 sites) was measured simultaneously with riparian flyway activity (for a total of 120 sites) to determine the importance of riparian areas relative to other available flyways. Activity was higher on upper slopes than on small streams, but similar to levels on larger streams. Total foraging activity was similar between riparian zones and upper slopes. Upper slopes contained higher species diversity, with Chalinolobus gouldii, Miniopterus schreibersii, Mormopterus norfolkensis, Scotorepens sp., Vespadelus pumilus and, to a lesser extent, Vespadelus darlingtoni detected more often than along streams. Other species (Rhinolophus megaphyllus, Nyctophilus spp. and Miniopterus australis) were not affected by topography. Estimates of total vegetation cover and, in particular, rainforest cover, were negatively associated with bat activity, highlighting the need for management of forest ‘clutter’ in regrowth forests for a suite of bat species. Streams and forest trails provide areas of lower clutter, which assist in maintaining high species diversity in regrowth forests. Our results support the use of riparian buffers, and point to the need for greater recognition of tracks on upper slopes as important habitat.     

基于高分影像和云数据管理的生产建设项目水土保持监管系统设计与应用

为从数据采集的硬件设备和信息处理分析的软件上支撑“生产建设项目水土保持监管示范”工作,根据现代空间技术、测绘技术和信息技术的新发展,结合水土保持监督检查工作的新需求,在全面分析生产建设项目水土保持监管工作的数据及其管理需求的基础上,通过监管业务定制创新、软件硬件集成创新及其应用创新,研制开发了“基于高分影像和云数据管理的生产建设项目水土保持监管系统”,实现了水土保持监督检查基础数据管理、监管信息采集与分析、生产建设活动合规性判别与预警、空间数据GP服务、数据一键导入与导出以及信息发布与共享服务.2年多的测试和推广应用表明,系统为强化生产建设项目水土保持监管内业与外业工作的流程化和规范化,开展生产建设活动的时空合规性和量质合规性即时分析和监督检查的动态管理与历史分析,为实现生产建设活动水土保持情况的网络联动与交互性可视化提供了坚实的技术基础,对进一步提高水土保持监督检查效能、推进生产建设单位积极主动落实水土保持方案等发挥了良好作用.     

‘Ecological forestry’ and eucalypt forests managed for wood production in south-western Australia

The model of ‘ecological forestry’ has evolved as a part of the development of the concept of ecosystem management. ‘Ecological forestry’ emphasises that manipulation of a forest ecosystem should consider, and as far as practicable work within the limits of, natural disturbance patterns prior to extensive human alteration of the landscape. This paper evaluates the extent to which forest management practices in jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor) forests of south-western Australia align with this view of the characteristics and appropriate silviculture of ‘ecological forestry’. Characteristics and appropriate silviculture of ‘ecological forestry’ are evaluated in relation to (i) the stand level decisions of stand structure and harvest timing and (ii) the landscape level decisions of harvest levels and age structures, and spatial patterns of harvest. Forest management in south-western Australia is found to align with appropriate silviculture under this model of ‘ecological forestry’. Additionally, the landscape triad of areas managed to ‘ecological forestry’ principles, conservation reserves and areas managed to production forestry is in place in the south-western forests of Australia. Strengths and weaknesses in the model of ‘ecological forestry’ and the ability to interpret consistency of practices in the forests of south-western Australia with the characteristics of ‘ecological forestry’ are identified.