The potential of Eucalyptus plantations to restore degraded soils in semi-arid Morocco (NW Africa)

Key message

Short-rotation forestry using eucalyptus in degraded oak forests in the semi-arid area of NW Morocco can be a useful strategy to avoid further degradation and carbon loss from this ecosystem, but it might be constrained by nutrient and water supply in the long term.

Context

Land degradation and deforestation of natural forests are serious issues worldwide, potentially leading to altered land use and carbon storage capacity.

Aims

Our objectives were to investigate if short-rotation plantations can restore carbon pools of degraded soils, without altering soil fertility.

Methods

Carbon and nutrient pools in above- and below-ground biomass and soils were assessed using stand inventories, harvested biomass values, allometric relationships and selective sampling for chemical analyses.

Results

Carbon pools in the total ecosystem were low in the degraded land and in croplands (6–13 Mg ha^?1) and high in forests (66–94 in eucalyptus plantations; 86–126 in native forests). The soil nutrient status of eucalyptus stands was intermediate between degraded land and native forests and increased over time after eucalyptus introduction. All harvest scenarios for eucalyptus are likely to impoverish the soil but, for the moment, the soil nutrient status has not been affected.

Conclusion

Afforestation of degraded land with eucalyptus can be a useful restoration tool relative to carbon storage and soil fertility, provided that non-intensive forestry is applied.

     

Estrus Synchronization in Sheep and Goats Using Combinations of GnRH,Progestagen and Prostaglandin F2α

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of GnRH, progestagen and prostaglandin F_2α on estrus synchronization in sheep and goats. Sixty Awassi ewes and 53 Damascus does were used in the study. The experiment started at the beginning of the breeding season (June/July). The same treatments were applied to sheep and goats as follows: no treatment (CON), 14‐day progestagen sponges and 600 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (S), gonadotropin releasing hormone followed 5 days later by prostaglandin F_2α (GP) and gonadotropin releasing hormone, progestagen sponges for 5 days and prostaglandin F_2α on the day of sponge removal (GSP). None of the ewes in the S group lambed from mating during the induced cycle. A greater lambing rate (p < 0.05) was observed in the GSP group compared with the CON and S groups while the GP group was intermediate. The number of lambs born per lambed ewe was similar among the CON, GP and GSP groups. However, the number of lambs per exposed ewe was greater (p < 0.05) in the GSP than the remaining groups. The induced cycle kidding rate was 77% for all treatments combined. Similar kidding rate were observed among treatments. The numbers of kids born per kidded and exposed doe from mating during the induced estrus were also similar among treatments. Greater numbers of multiple births were observed in the GP and GSP than in the S group. In conclusion, a combination of GnRH, progestagen sponges and PGF_2α can be effective in synchronizing estrus and improving fecundity in sheep and goats. Although the use of GnRH–PGF_2α was effective, the addition of progestagen sponges at the time of GnRH administration appeared to improve reproductive parameters.     

Linking winter and summer events in a migratory bird by using stable-carbon isotopes

For migratory birds, early arrival and physical condition on the breeding grounds are important determinants of reproductive success and fitness. Differences in arrival times often exceed a month, and later arriving individuals are often in poorer condition. Habitat-specific isotopic signatures indicate that the quality of winter habitats occupied by American redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla) determines their physical condition and spring departure dates, which in turn result in variable arrival schedules and condition on temperate breeding grounds. These findings link events in tropical winter grounds with those in temperate breeding areas for a migratory songbird and provide evidence that winter habitats may be limiting.     

An AC-5 cathepsin B-like protease purified from Haemonchus contortus excretory secretory products shows protective antigen potential for lambs

The immunogenic properties of cysteine proteases obtained from excretory/secretory products (ES) of Haemonchus contortus were investigated with a fraction purified with a recombinant H. contortus cystatin affinity column. The enrichment of H. contortus ES for cysteine protease was confirmed with substrate SDS-PAGE gels since the cystatin-binding fraction activity was three times higher than total ES, despite representing only 3% of total ES. This activity was inhibited by a specific cysteine protease inhibitor (E64) and by recombinant cystatin. The one-dimensional profile of the cystatin-binding fraction displayed a single band with a molecular mass of 43 kDa. Mass spectrometry showed this to be AC-5, a cathepsin B-like cysteine protease which had not been identified in ES products of H. contortus before. The cystatin binding fraction was tested as an immunogen in lambs which were vaccinated three times (week 0, 2.5 and 5), challenged with 10 000 L3 H. contortus (week 6) before necropsy and compared to unvaccinated challenge controls and another group given total ES (n = 10 per group). The group vaccinated with cystatin-binding proteins showed 36% and 32% mean worm burden and eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) reductions, respectively, compared to the controls but total ES was almost without effect. After challenge the cystatin-binding proteins induced significantly higher local and systemic ES specific IgA and IgG responses.     

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGING OF THE EQUINE HEAD

The head from three horses euthanized due to diseases unrelated to the head and neck was imaged using computed tomography (CT). Gross cross-sectional slices of equine head #1 and skeleton of equine head #2 were compared with the CT images of the three equine heads to identify normal structures of the cranium, brain, paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity, and teeth. Labeled transverse CT images of the equine head are presented sequentially as a reference for normal anatomy.     

Microbial processes controlling P availability in forest spodosols as affected by soil depth and soil properties

Because carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration is rising, increases in plant biomass and productivity of terrestrial ecosystems are expected. However, phosphorus (P) unavailability may disable any potential enhanced growth of plants in forest ecosystems. In response to P scarcity under elevated CO₂, trees may mine deeper the soil to take up more nutrients. In this scope, the ability of deep horizons of forest soils to supply available P to the trees has to be evaluated. The main objective of the present study was to quantify the relative contribution of topsoil horizons and deep horizons to P availability through processes governed by the activity of soil micro-organisms. Since soil properties vary with soil depth, one can therefore assume that the role of microbial processes governing P availability differs between soil layers. More specifically, our initial hypothesis was that deeper soil horizons could substantially contribute to total plant available P in forested ecosystems and that such contribution of deep horizons differs among sites (due to contrasting soil properties). To test this hypothesis, we quantified microbial P and mineralization of P in ‘dead’ soil organic matter to a depth of 120 cm in forest soils contrasting in soil organic matter, soil moisture and aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) oxides. We also quantified microbiological activity and acid phosphomonoesterase activity. Results showed that the role of microbial processes generally decreases with increasing soil depth. However, the relative contribution of surface (litter and 0–30 cm) and deep (30–120 cm) soil layers to the stocks of available P through microbial processes (51–62 kg P ha^?1) are affected by several soil properties, and the contribution of deep soil layers to these stocks vary between sites (from 29 to 59%). This shows that subsoils should be taken into account when studying the microbial processes governing P availability in forest ecosystems. For the studied soils, microbial P and mineralization of P in ‘dead’ soil organic matter particularly depended on soil organic matter content, soil moisture and, to a minor extent, Al oxides. High Al oxide contents in some sites or in deep soil layers probably result in the stabilization of soil organic compounds thus reducing microbiological activity and mineralization rates. The mineralization process in the litter also appeared to be P-limited and depended on the C:P ratio of soil organic matter. Thus, this study highlighted the effects of soil depth and soil properties on the microbial processes governing P availability in the forest spodosols.     

A REVIEW OF HIGH RESOLUTION COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY AND A PROPOSED TECHNIQUE FOR REGIONAL EXAMINATION OF THE CANINE LUMBOSACRAL SPINE

High resolution computed tomography (CT) is a noninvasive imaging modality that has been used extensively in evaluating diseases of the human lumbosacral spine. Excellent spatial and contrast resolution, combined with multiplanar reformatting capability make high resolution CT scanners well-suited for similar applications in dogs. Consistently good quality images can be obtained when careful attention is given to factors affecting resolution. This paper reviews and illustrates some principles of high resolution CT, and proposes a technique for regional CT examination of the canine lumbosacral spine.     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING—A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF PRINCIPLES AND EXAMPLES IN VETERINARY NEURODIAGNOSIS

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a noninvasive technique that provides accurate, detailed, anatomic images, has had a major impact in the diagnosis of human disease. This technique is based upon the inherent magnetic properties of certain nuclei. Induction of the nuclei into a low energy state is achieved by placing them in a static magnetic field. The nuclei may then be excited into a high energy state by application of a radio frequency pulse. When the second field is stopped, the nuclei return to ground state and emit the absorbed energy in the form of a radio signal. This signal is received by a coil that generally surrounds the specimen and converted to an anatomic image through a process of computer-assisted reconstruction. Contrast is altered by applying the second pulse in different sequences (saturation recovery, inversion recovery, and spin echo) and using enhancing agents such as gadolinium. In this paper, we present an overview of the general principles of MRI and some clinical examples in dogs and cats with central nervous system disease.