Disappearance of organochlorine residues from abdominal and egg fats of chickens, Ontario, Canada, 1969-1982

Abdominal fats were collected from 8-week old broilers slaughtered at provincially inspected abattoirs across Ontario between 1969 and 1982. Domestically produced hen eggs were collected from either egg grading stations or producers over the same period. Composite samples were analyzed for organochlorine insecticides and industrial chemicals. Between 1979 and 1982, organophosphorus insecticides were routinely included in these analyses. Sigma DDT and PCB residues declined rapidly between 1969 and 1982 in extractable lipids of both abdominal and egg fats, while dieldrin declined less markedly over the same period. Declines in residues followed first order logarithmic regression equations. Chlordane and heptachlor epoxide were rarely observed above the detection limit of 1 microgram/kg in egg fat; however, the incidence of these residues in abdominal fat increased after 1973 following the removal of aldrin, dieldrin, and heptachlor in 1969 and the subsequent increased use of chlordane for soil insect control until 1977. Lindane residues were rarely observed above the detection limit. In 1979, when the detection limit was reduced, both alpha-BHC and lindane were identified, but at levels below 1 microgram/kg. Endosulfan, methoxychlor, and fenthion were identified on one or 2 occasions over the 13-year period.     

Seasonal variability of photosynthetic characteristics influences growth of eight tropical tree species at two sites with contrasting precipitation in Panama

Relative to closed-canopy tropical forests, tree seedlings planted in open grown areas are exposed to higher light intensity, air temperatures, vapor pressure deficit, and greater seasonal fluxes of plant available water than mature tropical forests. The species-specific adaptive capacity to respond to variable precipitation and seasonality in open grown conditions, therefore, is likely to affect species performance in large-scale reforestation efforts. In the present study, we compared the photosynthetic characteristics of eight tropical tree species within and between seasons at two study sites with contrasting dry season intensities. All species except Pseudosamanea guachapele reduced leaf physiological function between the wet and dry seasons. The contrasting severity of seasonal drought stress at the study sites constrained growth rates and photosynthetic characteristics differently. Variation of photosynthetic characteristics at the species level was high, particularly in the dry season. Faster growing species at the less seasonal site, Terminalia amazonia, Inga punctata, Colubrina glandulosa, and Acacia mangium, exhibited a greater adaptive capacity than the other species to down-regulate leaf photosynthesis between seasons. As the dry season was more severe at the more seasonal site, most species strongly reduced physiological function regardless of relative growth rates, except two species (Tectona grandis and P. guachapele) with widespread distributions and relatively high drought tolerance. Our results underscore the need to consider seasonal drought tolerance when selecting tree species for specific reforestation sites.     

The tree planting and protecting culture of cattle ranchers and small-scale agriculturalists in rural Panama: Opportunities for reforestation and land restoration

To examine the opportunities available for designing diverse tree planting and land restoration initiatives in agricultural landscapes that contain tropical dry forests, the tree planting and protecting practices of cattle ranchers and small-scale agriculturalists were examined in two study sites in rural Panama. Ninety-nine tree species were identified that they utilize, plant, or protect on their land, the majority of which are native to Panama. The farmers had diverse reasons for maintaining trees, including improving the environment, providing food and shade for cattle, and generating a source of wood for construction, furniture, and firewood. Most of the trees mentioned in the study provide multiple uses and values and the majority of farmers wanted to plant additional trees. Some differences in species preferences and motivations for planting and protecting trees were seen between sites, thereby suggesting that land restoration and tree planting projects should be site specific. Our data indicate that there are ample opportunities to increase native tree cover in our study sites and highlight the need to incorporate farmer input into project design, implementation, and evaluation as a necessary and continuous feature throughout projects.