Potential of Community-Based Forest Management to Mitigate Climate Change in the Philippines

Community-based forest management (CBFM) is the principal strategy in managing inhabited ‘forest land’ in the Philippines. It involves the participation of local communities in various forestry activities to achieve sustainable forestry, advance social justice and improve socioeconomic welfare, and promote a stable and healthy environment. This paper analyses the potential benefits of agroforestry farms in CBFM sites to mitigate climate change. The incorporation of trees in farms and landscapes has led to enhanced carbon storage and sequestration. Half a million hectares of agroforestry farms in CBFM sites in the Philippines are estimated to store 25 MtC while sequestering 2.7 MtC annually. Lessons are drawn from three carbon sequestration projects under development using CBFM as the main approach. Income from carbon credits is not sufficient to recover the cost of tree planting. The transaction costs of forestry CDM projects are substantial and could prove to be the greatest barrier to project fruition. Government institutions must find ways to encourage project developers by simplifying rules and regulations for forestry carbon projects. Forest definition must be assessed. Project developers and the government could also explore the voluntary carbon market which is more flexible than the CDM market. Policy and technical studies must be conducted to ascertain the potential of the REDD for CBFM sites in the country.     

Exploiting genotypic variability from low-altitude Brazilian Savannah-adapted <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chenopodium quinoa</Emphasis>

Saponin-free quinoa genotypes were evaluated in summer and autumn–winter sowings, for phenotypic traits and yield stability. They were obtained by single plant-progeny selection from hybrids, as part of the breeding efforts in adapting the crop to the Brazilian Savannah environments. The soils (Ferralsols) were limed and fertilized prior to cultivation. The experiment was sown in two dates: 20th December 2006 (summer), and 30th April 2007 (autumn–winter), at 15°39′ and 16°14′ S latitude, 47°27′ and 47°44′ W longitude, with altitudes of 976 and 1,110 m, respectively. The mean temperature and rainfall for the summer sowing were 23.0°C and 723 mm. In autumn–winter, under controlled irrigation, the mean temperature was 2.9°C lower than in summer, when plants were exposed to water logging spells. The treatments consisted of fourteen selected genotypes and the varieties Kancolla, BRS Piabiru and Q4.5, used as controls. Comparisons were based on plant height, biomass and grain yield, harvest index (HI) and 1,000 seed weight. The experimental design was a complete randomized bloc, with three replications. Analysis of variance was performed for each sowing and jointly. Statistical differences for the environments were evident only for grain size and plant height. The performance of selected genotypes in each sowing date and in the joint analysis, allows saying that populations Q0779, Q0780 and Q0782 are potentially useful in the acquisition of stable genotypes for the Brazilian Savannahs.     

Differentiation of upland soils on the Palawan ophiolitic complex, Philippines

The morphological and chemical features of upland soils derived from ophiolitic parent materials in Palawan, Philippines, are summarised from soil survey data, and compared with those on geosynclinal sedimentary rocks. Although the ophiolitic crystalline rocks are lithologically heterogeneous, the soils have similar morphologies, with reddish colours, clay textures, and friable crumb structures. However, their chemical characteristics differ considerably, with a pH range of over one unit, and exchangeable base status ranging from 95% dominance by Mg in soils derived from ultramafic rocks to 75% dominance by extractable Al in soils from felsic rocks. There are also differences in the total contents of most heavy metals, but less for the extractable forms of Mn and Cu. The soils on nearby geosynclinal sedimentary parent materials are also finely textured but are morphologically distinct, with more yellowish subsoil colours, blockier structures, some clayskins and ‘corned beef’ saprolite. They are also more acid and base-deficient, with Al occupying up to 95% of their exchange complexes. In view of the morphological similarities, chemical criteria are needed to separate the edaphically different groups of ophiolitic soils. Exchangeable Mg/ECEC is the best simple criterion. Soil Taxonomy and the FAO World Reference Base fail to distinguish between the mafic and ultramafic ophiolitic soils at subgroup level. Interactions between droughtiness, cation imbalances, phosphate immobilisation, and heavy metal toxicities may determine the stunted vegetation characteristic of some of the ultramafic soils.     

Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia: climate trends and regional pasture production in Brazil

Projected change in forage production under a range of climate scenarios is important for the evaluation of the impacts of global climate change on pasture‐based livestock production systems in Brazil. We evaluated the effects of regional climate trends on Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia production, predicted by an agro‐meteorological model considering the sum of degree days and corrected by a water availability index. Data from Brazilian weather stations (1963–2009) were considered as the current climate (baseline), and future scenarios, based on contrasting scenarios in terms of increased temperature and atmospheric CO₂ concentrations (high and low increases), were determined for 2013–2040 (2025 scenario) and for 2043–2070 (2055 scenario). Predicted baseline scenarios indicated that there are regional and seasonal variations in P. maximum production related to variation in temperature and water availability during the year. Production was lower in the Northeast region and higher in the rainforest area. Total annual production under future climate scenarios was predicted to increase by up to 20% for most of the Brazilian area, mainly due to temperature increase, according to each climate model and scenario evaluated. The highest increase in forage production is expected to be in the South, Southeast and Central‐west areas of Brazil. In these regions, future climate scenarios will not lead to changes in the seasonal production, with larger increases in productivity during the summer. Climate risk is expected to decrease, as the probability of occurrence of low forage productions will be lower. Due to the predicted increase in temperature and decrease in rainfall in the Northeast area, P. maximum production is expected to decrease, mainly when considering scenarios based on the PRECIS model for the 2055 scenario.     

Two Methods of Vitrification Followed by In Vitro Culture of the Ovine Ovary: Evaluation of the Follicular Development and Ovarian Extracellular Matrix

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of two vitrification techniques on the extra cellular matrix (ECM) and ovarian follicular development. The ovarian cortex was fragmented (9 mm³) and divided into six groups, viz. fresh control, cultured control, vitrified by the Ovarian Tissue Cryosystem (OTC) method, conventional solid surface vitrification (SSV) method, OTC/cultured and SSV/cultured. Follicles from all the fragments were analysed for morphology, development and viability. The ECM was evaluated based on the condition of collagen and reticular fibres and the immunolocalization of type I collagen and fibronectin. After 7 days of culture, the tissue vitrified by OTC revealed a higher percentage (p < 0.05) of morphologically normal (30.66%) and viable (60.00%) follicles when compared with those vitrified using the SSV technique (21.33% and 23.00%). In all the fragments cultured, regardless of the vitrification method, a significantly higher percentage of developing follicles was observed when compared with the non‐cultured tissue. Analysis of the type I collagen showed increased immunostaining after the in vitro culture in the vitrified fragments. In conclusion, the OTC is better for preserving the follicular viability and morphology and maintaining the integrity of the extracellular matrix components of the ovine ovary.     

Fibrin–alginate hydrogel supports steroidogenesis,in vitro maturation of oocytes and parthenotes production from caprine preantral follicles cultured in group

This study aimed to establish a culture system that improves the in vitro development of caprine preantral follicles. In a first experiment, follicles were encapsulated as a single unit per bead and cultured singly or in groups or with five follicles in the same alginate (ALG) bead for 18 days. In a subsequent experiment, the “five follicles per bead” design was chosen to culture in ALG, fibrin–alginate (FA) or hyaluronate (HA) for 18 days. In a third experiment, we chose the five follicles per bead in FA to culture for 30 days. The culture set‐up of five follicles per ALG bead increased antrum formation and follicle diameter compared to the other culture designs (p < .05). Moreover, under this condition, 44.44% of the oocytes from in vitro cultured preantral follicles reached meiotic resumption. A significant increase of follicle diameter occurred in attachment system and FA (p < .05), but the ALG condition reached the highest among all groups on day 18 (p < .05). Follicles encapsulated in matrix produced more estradiol and progesterone than attachment system (p < .05). The expression of MMP‐9 mRNA was higher in FA than in other groups (p < .05) and similar to antral follicles from in vivo control (p > .05). Only FA group resulted in oocytes matured. After 30 days, oocytes from preantral follicles in vitro grown in FA developed to eight‐cell parthenotes. In conclusion, a culture system using FA supported the development of caprine preantral follicles cultured in group and included in the same bead of hydrogel, improving the oocyte maturation and producing parthenotes.     

Viability of OPS Vitrified Sheep Embryos After Direct Transfer

The aim of this study was to evaluate the viability in the effect of open pulled straw (OPS) vitrification procedure of sheep embryos after direct transference. Embryos were produced in vivo and cryopreserved in slow freezing or OPS vitrification. The survival rates of cryopreserved embryos were compared to non-frozen standard pattern. In a first set of experiments, embryos at morula and blastocyst stages were dived in ethylene glycol (1.5 M) and frozen in an automatic freezer. After being thawed, they were directly or indirectly transferred to ewes recipient. A second group of embryos were drawn into OPS and plunged into liquid nitrogen after being exposed at room temperature for 1 min and 45 s in 10% EG plus 10% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), then again for 30 s in 20% EG + 20% DMSO + 0.5 M sucrose. After being warmed, embryos were also directly transferred using a French mini straw as the catheter for the transplantation process or after in vitro dilution of cryoprotectants (two-step-process). No significant difference was observed among fresh, frozen or vitrified embryos on pregnancy rate (50.0%, 38.6% and 55.8%). However, when we evaluated only the direct transference, the pregnancy rate of OPS vitrified embryos was higher than that of frozen embryos (57.1% vs 34.8%) (p = 0.07). In addition, vitrified morulae had a higher pregnancy rate than the one with frozen embryos (64.0% vs 38.9%) (p = 0.07). Finally, our results indicate that OPS vitrification technique in association with direct transference improves the viability of sheep embryos with potential applications to field conditions.     

The effects of allopurinol on the ultrastructure of ischaemic and reperfused large intestine of sheep

Objective To test the possible inhibitory effect of allopurinol on reperfusion injury, caused by oxygen-derived free radicals, of sheep large intestine.
Design An ultrastructural study on caecal tissues from control and treated groups.  

Animals

Fifty sheep in four ischaemic and reperfused (treatment) groups and one control group. Three of the treatment groups were subdivided for half to be injected with allopurinol and the other half with its solvent, potassium hydroxide (KOH).
Procedure Ischaemia of the caecum was induced in the four treatment groups for 60 minutes by clamping the apex. Allopurinol and its KOH solvent were injected intravenously in three treatment groups prior to ischaemia. Samples were collected before and 1 hour after induction of ischaemia and 1 min, 1 h and 8 h after reperfusion. Tissues were processed and examined with an electron microscope.
Results Untreated and solvent injected sheep showed minor ultrastructural changes following ischaemia. With reperfusion, there was severe mitochondrial, goblet cell and basement membrane damage. Tissues from allopurinoltreated sheep were preserved and appeared similar to tissues from the control group.  

Conclusion:

Pre-treatment with allopurinol prevented damage to tissues whereas untreated or allopurinol solventtreated showed severe damage following reperfusion. It is believed that allopurinol, an analogue of hypoxanthine and xanthine, prevents reperfusion injury by competitively binding with xanthine oxidase. This reduces or inhibits the xanthine oxidase mediated conversion of hypoxanthine to xanthine thereby preventing the formation of oxygen-derived free radicals.     

Social and Breed Effects on the Expression of a PGF2α Induced Oestrus in Beef Cows

Social organization and breed effects following PGF2αwere studied in mature Angus, Brahman and Senepol cows allocated into two groups (each A = 5, B = 5 and S = 5). Variables including interval to oestrus onset (IEO), oestrous duration (DE), total mounts received (TMR), and oestrous intensity (IE) were derived via HeatWatch®. Breed‐type influenced IEO (B = 42.6 ± 6.7 h; S = 54.6 ± 6.0 h; and A = 27.8 ± 5.8 h; p < 0.003). Within breeds, dominant B (69.4 ± 13.3 h) and S (65.5 ± 7.4 h) cows were slower (p < 0.05) to be detected in oestrus than subordinate (38.1 ± 4.4 h) and intermediate (40.6 ± 6.0 h). However, within A, dominant cows (16.4 ± 12.5 h) were detected in oestrus earlier (p < 0.05) than intermediate (44.3 ± 9.2 h) and subordinates (32.7 ± 5.1 h). Angus (21.5 ± 2.4 h) and B (22.1 ± 3.0 h) cows had longer (p < 0.01) DE than S (9.1 ± 2.8 h). Dominants (20.4 ± 3.0) and intermediates (20.2 ± 2.3 h) cows had longer DE (p < 0.04) than subordinates (12.1 ± 2.1 h) although the interaction breed × social order showed that dominant S had shorter DE than dominant A and B (10.1 ± 3.3; 34.8 ± 6.0 h; and 20.0 ± 6.4 h, respectively; p < 0.001). Angus cows had less TMR than B (p < 0.02) and tended to be less than S cows (p < 0.06). Overall, greatest (p < 0.008) IE occurred in the first 9 h after onset of oestrus with no breed effect (p > 0.05). Dominant cows tended (p < 0.10) to have less TMR (3.2 ± 0.7 mounts) than subordinate (4.1 ± 0.4 mounts) and intermediate (4.7 ± 0.6 mounts) throughout, especially 3–6 h after oestrus onset (p < 0.07). Breed and social order both influence PGF2α‐induced oestrus behaviour.