放牧强度对羊草草原的影响

研究放牧强度对羊草草原植物群落组成、数量特征、生物量及土壤特性等的影响.结果表明,随着放牧强度的增加,羊草草原的植被盖度和生物量随之降低,优势羊草群落将逐渐被盐生植物所替代,群落结构趋于简化,物种向旱生化和盐生化演替.同时土壤容重、含水量、有机质和氮、磷、钾、钙、镁等营养元素含量亦随着放牧强度的增加而逐渐降低.春季过度放牧对土壤表层的水分、有机质和钙、镁等元素造成的损失最为严重.因此,制定科学的草原管理措施,特别是春季限制放牧等措施对于维持草原的可持续发展具有重要意义.     

探讨高原放牧强度对高寒草原植被群落产生的影响

草原植被覆盖程度和产物量与放牧强度有较为直接的关系,尤其对高原地区来说,牦牛作为重要的经济物种,其饲养以放牧为主,如果不注意控制放牧的强度,会造成草原植被覆盖程度降低、生物量减少,盐生植物将取代优势草群落,群落结构更趋于简单化,物种会向旱生化和盐生化演变,而土壤中的成分也会随之改变,因此必须要有效的控制高原地区放牧的强度.     

放牧对草甸草原土壤水热状况和地上生物量的影响

本文以呼伦贝尔草甸草原为对象,研究了不同放牧强度对草原群落土壤水热状况和地上生物量的影响,旨在揭示二者之间的相互关系。研究结果表明,随着放牧强度的增加,生长季平均土壤温度呈逐渐上升的趋势;放牧对群落3个组份[羊草（Leymus chinensis）、贝加尔针茅（Stipa baicalensis）、杂类草]生物量和相对优势度产生影响。其中,羊草地上生物量和优势度随着放牧强度的增加显著线性降低,而贝加尔针茅和杂类草的生物量与优势度均在中度放牧处理下最高。土壤含水量与羊草生物量显著正相关,与杂类草生物量负相关,而与贝加尔针茅生物量间的关系极弱。本研究为完善放牧优化理论,揭示放牧在草地生态系统功能过程中的梯度效应提供了一个较为重要的研究线索,为草地放牧优化管理制度的确立提供了一定的科学依据。     

放牧对内蒙古荒漠草原草地植被及土壤养分的影响

以内蒙古荒漠草原为研究对象,分析一个生长季内不同放牧强度下荒漠草原植被和土壤养分变化状况。试验设置禁牧CK)、轻度放牧(LG)、中度放牧(MG)和重度放牧(HG)4个放牧梯度。结果表明,随着放牧强度的增加,草地植被地上生物量减少,且生长旺季(8月),轻度放牧、中度放牧和重度放牧比禁牧分别降低了7.47%、41.96%和51.75%;草地植被群落生物多样性变化不显著(P0.05);植被物种丰富度随着放牧强度增加而下降;放牧强度对土壤有机质和土壤全氮无显著影响;植被群落生物多样性与表层土壤有机质呈负相关关系。     

草原暗栗钙土退化过程中的土壤性状及其变化规律的研究

对内蒙古锡盟白音锡勒牧场羊草草原放牧退化系列进行研究，测定了不同放牧强度或退化等级下的暗栗钙土物理性质和化学性质。结果表明，（１）０－１０ｃｍ土层有机质，全氮和全磷含量均随放牧强度的增加呈降低的趋势，有机质和全氮尤为显著。而ＮＨ４－Ｎ，ＮＯ３－Ｎ和儿磷含量则随放牧强度的增加降低的并不显著；（２）随着放牧强度的增加，土壤表层机械组成粗化，土壤沙化特征逐渐加强：（３）随着放牧强度的增加，土壤压实作用明     

围栏封育措施对退化羊草草原植物群落特征影响研究

围栏封育作为简便而有效的草原恢复措施,在我国草原恢复维护中得到广泛应用。但是有关围栏封育措施随着实施年限的增加,会对草原生态系统的结构与功能产生怎样的影响,仍然是需要关注的问题。本研究以内蒙古锡林郭勒盟退化羊草草原为研究对象,通过对围栏封育样地和自由放牧样地连续5年的植被调查资料,对比分析了围栏封育样地和自由放牧样地的植被组成和生产力的动态特征。结果表明,1)围栏封育措施使退化羊草草原的物种多样性和群落均匀度较自由放牧样地略有提高,群落生态优势度略有降低,但差异均未达到显著水平(P>0.05)。2)围栏封育措施改变了退化草原的优势物种组成。随着封育措施的实施,总体上草原群落优势种为羊草和大针茅,反映出典型草原特征;而自由放牧样地,羊草和大针茅在群落中的地位不恒定。 3)围栏封育措施显著提高了群落植被的平均高度、地上生物量和凋落物量。但随着围封时间的延长群落地上生物量逐渐降低,凋落物量增高。4)围栏封育对退化草原结构和功能的恢复存在不同步性。其中群落生物量受围封措施影响最为明显,2年围封已使其达到峰值;其次是群落的优势种,4年围封已使群落优势种恢复成典型草原群落代表种;反映最为缓慢的是群落多样性指标,7年围封措施并没有使群落的多样性指标与自由放牧样地形成显著差异。由此表明,采用围栏封育措施时需充分考虑恢复目的,制定恢复时间,从而提高草原的可持续利用能力,降低恢复成本。     

放牧对典型草原群落特征及土壤物理性状的影响

在内蒙古典型草原建立不同放牧强度试验区,研究围栏禁牧(CK)、轻度放牧(LG)、中度放牧(MG)、重度放牧(HG)和极重度放牧(EHG)对植被特征(物种组成、群落数量特征、生物量及多样性)和土壤孔隙度、含水量、容重的影响,以期确定合理放牧强度,为典型草原的可持续利用提供科学依据。研究表明:随放牧强度增大,植被的优势种由羊草、大针茅等多年生禾草演替为画眉草、尖头叶藜等一、二年生植物。放牧显著降低植被盖度、高度和生物量(P0.05)。中度放牧条件下,植被丰富度(1.46)和均匀度指数(0.83)最高,群落结构较稳定;土壤孔隙度和含水量均有增加,容重显著降低(P0.05),土壤物理状况良好。因此在内蒙古典型草原区中度放牧[340SSU·d/(hm~2·y)]是适宜的放牧强度。     

放牧管理对西藏高寒沼泽植物群落结构和土壤碳氮的影响

对西藏当雄县3种不同放牧管理模式(冬季放牧、冬春季放牧和全年放牧)下的高寒沼泽的植物群落结构和土壤碳氮进行了调查。调查发现,3种放牧管理模式下的高寒沼泽植物群落总盖度差异不显著,而优势物种藏嵩草的高度和盖度差异显著;放牧管理对沼泽群落结构和物种多样性影响较大,随着放牧强度的增加,物种丰富度增加;放牧利用显著降低了高寒沼泽湿地群落优势物种藏嵩草的高度和盖度,其优势度也显著降低,使得高寒沼泽逐渐退化。冬季放牧、冬春季放牧和全年放牧沼泽地上生物量和地下生物量依次降低。同时,随着放牧强度的增加,高寒沼泽表层土壤有机碳氮的含量也显著降低,且高寒沼泽表层土壤碳氮与地上和地下生物量显著正相关。通过对比分析,冬季放牧是当前西藏高寒沼泽较好的放牧管理模式。     

一年生植物功能群对放牧草原生物量和土壤呼吸的影响

作为草原群落重要层片的一年生植物功能群,在湿润季节和年份高度发育补偿群落生物量、维持放牧草原生态系统稳定,但尚不清楚一年生植物功能群通过这一补偿方式如何补偿群落地上/地下生物量和影响土壤呼吸。基于2012年和2013年内蒙古锡林郭勒大针茅(Stipagrandis)+羊草(Leymus chinensis)典型草原两个放牧强度试验样地群落地上/地下生物量、土壤呼吸及相关环境因子的测定。研究表明,1)一年生植物功能群对群落生产力的补偿作用及生长季土壤呼吸累积量在湿润年份(2012年)均大于干旱年份(2013年);且在中度放牧处理中均显著大于轻度放牧处理(P0.05);2)土壤呼吸与一年生植物功能群地上、地下生物量、土壤5cm温度和土壤0-10cm含水率均具有极显著正相关关系(P0.001)。由此表明,当放牧降低了草原群落多年生功能群生物量时,一年生植物功能群在湿润季节和年份可补偿群落生产力、促进土壤呼吸排放速率,进而影响草原生态系统碳循环过程。     

放牧对草地土壤理化特性影响的研究进展

综述了放牧对草地土壤物理特性(容重、渗透率)和化学特性(有机质、全氮、全磷等)的影响。由于草地土壤生态系统本身的复杂性和弹性,放牧对草地土壤特性的影响并没有一致的结论。一般而言,随着放牧强度的增加,牲畜的践踏作用变强,土壤容重逐渐增加,土壤的渗透性降低,导致土壤的含水量下降,随着土壤深度增加其影响减弱。但在有机质含量很低的沙质土壤中,超载过牧造成有机质含量降低,土壤的团粒结构减少,稳定性团聚体减少,土壤结构遭到破坏,使得土壤容重降低。放牧对土壤有机质的影响受多种因素的影响,如温度、降水、植被、土壤和管理措施(持续放牧、轮牧、围栏等),所以有机质的动态转化过程十分复杂,已有的文献放牧管理对土壤有机质的影响有3类结论:无影响、增加和降低。放牧家畜通过采食、践踏、排泄等行为直接或间接地影响土壤中氮的含量,随放牧强度增加,土壤全氮含量呈现出降低、不变和增加等。土壤磷对放牧的响应也有不同的研究报道,有的认为随放牧强度的增加,土壤全磷下降,而速效磷增加,也有研究认为长期放牧对草地的全磷和速效磷变化不大。不合理的放牧是造成土壤退化的最普遍原因,故认识不合理放牧导致草原土壤退化的过程和机制,对遏止草原退化、实现草地畜牧业的可持续发展具有重要的意义。     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.     

Evaluation of biohydrogenation rate of canola vs. soya bean seeds as unsaturated fatty acids sources for ruminants in situ

An experiment was conducted to study disappearance of C14 to C18 fatty acids, lag times and biohydrogenation (BH) rates of C18 fatty acids of ground soya bean and canola seeds in situ. Three ruminally fistulated Dallagh sheep were used to determine ruminal BH of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Differences in the disappearance of fatty acids through the bags and lag times were observed between the oilseeds. We saw that the longer the incubation time of the oilseeds in the rumen, the lower the content of C18:2 and C18:3. Significantly higher lag times for both C18:2 and C18:3 were observed in ground canola compared to ground soya bean. BH rates of C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids in soya bean were three times higher than those of canola. These results suggest that the fatty acid profile of fat source can affect the BH of UFAs by rumen micro‐organisms. So that UFAs of canola had higher ability to escape from ruminal BH. It seems that fatty acid profile of ruminant products is more affected by canola seed compared to soya bean seed.     

Serum biochemical values and mineral element contents of tissues in yaks

Serum biochemical values and the wet weight to dry weight ratios of tissues were determined in yaks in Shandan county of Gansu province. The liver, kidney, heart and muscle contents of seven elements in yaks were also analysed. Most serum biochemical values were similar to those of cattle, camels and sheep, but the calcium concentration was considerably above the normal range for other ruminants. The liver contained the highest concentrations of copper, manganese and cobalt and the kidney of selenium, iron and calcium.Abbreviations Alb albumin - ALT alanine aminotransferase - AST aspartate aminotransferase - BUN blood urea nitrogen - Chol cholesterol - Glob globulin - -GT -glutamyl transpeptidase - IP inorganic phosphorus - TP total protein     

Avian brood parasitism — a growing research area in behavioral ecology (part Ⅱ)

正We are pleased to publish the second special issue on avian brood parasitism and to be responsible guest editors for the two special issues of Chinese Birds (Vol. 3, No. 4, 2012 and Vol. 4, No. 1, 2013), entitled "Avian Brood Parasitism - A Growing Research Area in Behavioral Ecology". The first issue was published in December 2012. The goal of the two special issues is to publish accumulated knowledge and some of the recent developments in     

Internal Parasites and Haematological Values in Cattle Slaughtered in Buea Subdivision of Cameroon

Tropical Animal Health and Production -