Satellite monitoring of land-use and land-cover changes in northern Togo protected areas

Remote-sensing data for protected areas in northern Togo, obtained in three different years （2007, 2000, and 1987）, were used to assess and map changes in land cover and land use for this drought prone zone. The normalized difference vegetation index （NDVI） was applied to the images to map changes in vegetation. An unsupervised classification, followed by classes recoding, filtering, identifications, area computing and post-classification process were applied to the composite of the three years of NDVI images. Maximum likelihood classification was applied to the 2007 image （ETM＋2007） using a supervised classification process. Seven vegetation classes were defined from training data sets. The seven classes included the following biomes： riparian forest, dry forest, flooded vegetation, wooded savanna, fallows, parkland, and water. For these classes, the overall accuracy and the overall kappa statistic for the classi- fied map were 72.5% and 0.67, respectively. Data analyses indicated a great change in land resources; especially between 1987 and 2000 proba- bly due to the impact of democratization process social, economic, and political disorder from 1990. Wide-scale loss of vegetation occurred during this period. However, areas of vegetation clearing and regrowth were more visible between 2000 and 2007. The main source of confusion in the contingency matrix was due to heterogeneity within certain classes. It could also be due to spectral homogeneity among the classes. This research provides a baseline for future ecological landscape research and for the next management program in the area.     

Genetic Diversity of Cameroon Native Goat Populations Revealed by Caprine Microsatellites

A total of seventeen caprine microsatellite markers were used on 169 goats to investigate genetic diversity of eight Cameroon native goat populations and to assess genetic differentiation with the East African small goat. All microsatellites showed a high polymorphic content （PIC） of more than 0.5 in almost all ecotypes. These microsatellite markers were useful for native goat ecotypes variability assessment. Expected heterozygosity of all ecotypes was above 0.5, varying from 0.2 to 0.7. Only goats from Eastern rainforest ecotype deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test （P 〉 0.001）. Although geographic distribution was a good indication of differentiation, there appeared a tendency of genetic exchange between various ecotypes in Cameroon native goats.     

The early detection of peste-des-petits-ruminants (PPR) virus antigens and nucleic acid from experimentally infected goats using RT-PCR and immunocapture ELISA techniques

Goats were infected subcutaneously with different African and Indian isolates of peste-des-petits-ruminants virus. Typical signs of disease were recorded from day 6 post infection for all isolates. Ocular, nasal and mouth samples were tested for the presence of virus antigen or nucleic acid using the immunocapture ELISA (ICE) and the RT-PCR technique. Using ICE, virus antigen was detected at day 4 in ocular and nasal samples of goats infected with Côte-d’Ivoire 89 and in the ocular, nasal and mouth samples with the India, Calcutta strains. By day 5, all samples from both these groups were positive while ocular and nasal samples from groups with Sudan-Sennar and Nigeria 75/1 strains became positive. With the RT-PCR technique virus nucleic acid, presumed to be associated with infectious virus excretion, was detected at day 3 in oral and nasal samples in groups infected with Côte-d’Ivoire 89 and India-Calcutta strains. From day 6–9, all samples from all groups were positive with both techniques. This experiment demonstrated that PPR virus antigens and nucleic acid, presumed to be related to infectious virus, is excreted 2–3 days before the appearance of clinical signs whatever the technique used which is of epidemiological importance in controlling the spread of the disease. The ICE being easier to perform in developing countries can be recommended as a useful method to investigate PPR in small ruminants flocks at an early stage to prevent the diffusion of the disease.     

Effect of roasting conditions on the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content in ground Arabica coffee and coffee brew

Roasting is a critical process in coffee production as it enables the development of flavor and aroma. At the same time, roasting may lead to the formation of nondesirable compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In this study, Arabica green coffee beans from Cuba were roasted under controlled conditions to monitor PAH formation during the roasting process. Roasting was performed in a pilot spouted bed roaster, with the inlet air temperature varying from 180 to 260 degrees C, using both dark (20 min) and light (5 min) roasting conditions. Several PAHs were determined in both roasted coffee samples and green coffee samples. Also, coffee brews, obtained using an electric coffee maker, were analyzed for final estimation of PAH transfer coefficients to the infusion. Formation of phenanthrene, anthracene, and benzo[a]anthracene in coffee beans was observed at temperatures above 220 degrees C, whereas formation of pyrene and chrysene required 260 degrees C. Low levels of benzo[g,h,i]perylene were also noted for dark roasting under 260 degrees C, with simultaneous partial degradation of three-cycle PAHs, suggesting that transformation of low molecular PAHs to high molecular PAHs occurs as the roasting degree is increased. The PAH transfer to the infusion was quite moderate (<35%), with a slightly lower extractability for dark-roasted coffee as compared to light-roasted coffee.     

Distribution and Conservation Status of Catarrhine Primates in Côte d'Ivoire (West Africa)

C?te d'Ivoire holds 18 catarrhine taxa, with 3 endemic to C?te d'Ivoire and neighbouring Ghana. Nine of the taxa occurring in C?te d'Ivoire are listed as threatened at the global level. However, information on their conservation status within the country is available for only a limited number of taxa. In order to assess the current distribution of primates and their conservation status, we conducted foot surveys and interviews in protected forests in the southern part of C?te d'Ivoire. Our data suggest that 22 out of 23 surveyed forests have lost 25-100% of the primate taxa expected to occur in these areas. The only exception is the Ta? National Park where all of the expected primate taxa were encountered. Based on our surveys, we propose an updated national list according to the IUCN Red List criteria for all diurnal primate species of C?te d'Ivoire.     

Observations on rinderpest and rinderpest-like diseases throughout West and Central African countries during rinderpest eradication projects

Between 1998 and 2005, the Regional Reference Laboratory at Bingerville (Ivory-Coast) received samples for analysis from Western and Central African countries. From a total of 606 sera; 65 tissue samples and 75 swabs received, no rinderpest virus or specific gene products or antibodies against rinderpest were detected. Use of the PCR on the tissue and swabs (total of 140 samples) identified the genomic presence of BVD (4/140), MCF (2/140), IBR (1/140) and FMD (6/140) viruses. These cause diseases that produce similar clinical signs to rinderpest. The quality of many samples sent to the reference laboratory did not meet the laboratory requirements and this compromised analysis of some specimens.     

Trait variations in 28-year-old teak (Tectona grandis) provenance field trials in Ghana,West Africa

Stem straightness, axis persistence, presence/absence of protuberant buds and epicormics, diameter and height have profound influence on timber quality and volume of teak (Tectona grandis). Provenance trials of teak were established in the 1970s in Ghana, as part of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) International Series of Provenance Trials, with the view of selecting teak germplasm for sites with specific environmental conditions. Two field trials were located in dry semi-deciduous (dry) and moist semi-deciduous (moist) ecological zones of Ghana. They consisted of 13 provenances, including four landraces each from Ghana and Indonesia, and two and three provenances from India and Laos, respectively. Trees were assessed at 9, 17 and 28 years to (1) quantify the potential variation in quality and timber volume production, (2) examine possibilities for determining early selection of parameters of superior provenances and (3) select provenances for sites with particular environmental conditions. Production traits were higher on the moist site than the dry site. Mean height was 23.2 and 20.2 m tree^?1, stem cross-sectional area at breast height was 0.0896 and 0.0474 m² tree^?1, and stem volume was 0.75 and 0.34 m³ tree^?1 for the moist and dry sites, respectively. Nilambur provenance from moist India had the highest mean stem straightness score of 19% above average, whereas Savannakhet from Laos had the best protuberant bud score with 18% of the trees above average. Indonesian landraces performed better in the dry zone, whereas provenances from India and Laos performed better in the moist zone. Phenotypic correlations between age 9 and 28 years were moderate (r 0.54–0.90) to high (r > 0.90) for production and qualitative characteristics, indicating feasibility of early assessment for identification of superior provenances. Nilambur and Savannakhet II provenances proved to be favourable choices for the moist zone, whereas the Temandsang provenance from Indonesia was found to be the best choice for the dry site.     

Rice genotype and fertilizer management for improving rice productivity under saline soil conditions

Paddy and Water Environment - Soil salinity is a threat to crop production in the Senegal River Delta where salt intrusion increases soil electrical conductivity and most of farmers had abandoned...     

Separating the effects of trees on crops: the case of Faidherbia albida and millet in Niger

Faidherbia albida (Del.) A. Chev. is an important tree species of the scattered tree or parkland systems in the Sahel. The improved crop growth under its canopy is well known, and has been attributed to various components notably: higher soil fertility, improved microclimate and better soil physical properties. The relative contributions of each of these components are not known, but knowledge about this is essential for making proper decisions concerning management options. The overall tree effect on crop production (expressed as fraction of the sole crop production) is analysed here as a weighted sum of (positive and negative) relative net tree effects on the resources for crop growth. In this sum, the weights reflect the degree of limitation of the resources in the environment at the tree-crop interface. The paper shows how the relative net tree effects and the accompanying weights can be estimated from field experiments. In an on-farm field experiment in Niger, millet production under the F. albida canopy was about 36% higher than in the open field. The nitrogen availability under trees was estimated to be more than 200% higher than in the open causing a 26% production increase. The phosphorus availability was estimated to be almost 30% higher and because of its high limitation causing a production increase of 13%. The net effect via other resources (notably light and water) was negligible (3% production reduction) and not significant.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.