Replacement of soil and soil-forming materials by loose tipping in reclamation to woodland

Abstract. Four experiments studying ground preparation for the restoration of disturbed land to a woodland cover are described. They provide consistent evidence to suggest that methods of soil replacement which minimize compaction are preferable to conventional methods followed by deep ripping to relieve compaction induced in the placement operation. In addition, soil loosening using an excavator is more effective than that achieved by ripping. The research supports modern guidance which advocates 'loose tipping' as the best method of ground preparation for a woodland or forestry after-use on sites reclaimed after dereliction or mineral extraction.     

The importance of an indigenous tree to southern African communities with specific relevance to its domestication and commercialization: a case of the marula tree

Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst. subsp.     

Prevalence of Neospora antibodies in beef cattle in New Zealand

dAim:To estimate the prevalence of Neospora infection in a sample of New Zealand beef cattle.

dMethods: The prevalence of Neospora caninum infection in New Zealand beef cattle was estimated by collecting blood at slaughter from 499 beef cattle from 40 different farms at 2 slaughter plants in the North Island and 1 in the lower South Island. Sera were tested using an ELISA against Neospora tachyzoite antigen.

dResults: The prevalence of seropositive cattle was 2.5% (n=120), 3.6% (n=166) and 2.3% (n=213) at the plants surveyed, the overall prevalence being 2.8%. The serologically positive cattle came from 9 farms, 3 of which had more than 1 positive animal. The highest prevalence recorded amongst animals from 1 farm was 4/13 (31%), in a group of young steers.

dConclusion: Neosporosis appears to be present at a lower level in the New Zealand beef cattle population than in the New Zealand dairy cattle population. Nevertheless, from the high seroprevalence evident amongst young cattle on 1 farm, we suggest that Neospora may be a cause of infertility in beef cattle in this country.     

Plant research. Can genetically modified crops go 'greener'?

A flood of new information from projects such as the sequencing of the genome of the mustard plant Arabidopsis has pinpointed genes involved in key processes such as speeding up flowering, changing a plant's basic architecture, or improving pest resistance. One example appears on page 344 of this issue; researchers report the cloning of an Arabidopsis gene called FRIGIDA and show that natural mutations leading to loss of FRIGIDA function are associated with early flowering, a helpful adaptation in some cold climates. Such work could allow researchers to enhance the traits they want by introducing one or a few genes from another plant, or by modifying the regulation of genes in their original settings.     

Management of gastrointestinal nematode parasites on sheep farms in New Zealand

AIM: To report current farmer opinions and farming practices relating to control of gastrointestinal nematodes and anthelmintic resistance on sheep farms in New Zealand. METHODS: An interview-based cross-sectional study of grazing management and anthelmintic usage was conducted by veterinarians on 80 randomly selected sheep farms in New Zealand. RESULTS: Useable data were returned by 74/80 (92%) farmers who participated in the study. However, despite contacting 400 farmers the target sample size of 100 farms was not reached. The results indicated that only 31% of farms had previously tested for drench resistance, that effective quarantine-drenching of imported stock was not always carried out, and that farmers were more likely to integrate cattle than ewes into their grazing management of lambs. Furthermore, the number of drenches given to lambs had changed little in 25 years. The use of faecal egg counting by farmers has increased. CONCLUSIONS: Dependence on anthelmintics continues to be high on sheep farms in New Zealand. Whilst the number of drench treatments has changed little, there is more widespread use of persistent or long-acting treatments. Farmers need to be encouraged to monitor the resistance status of nematode populations on their farms and use this information to develop strategies aimed at maintaining susceptible alleles within the parasite populations and conserving the efficacy of existing drug families.     

The development of sustainable earthworm populations at Calvert landfill site,UK

Earthworms Allolobophora chlorotica and Aporrectodea longa were inoculated into Calvert landfill site in spring 1992, in conjunction with the planting of two tree species Alnus glutinosa and Acer pseudoplatanus. Monitoring has taken place over a period of 11 years. Sampling in 2003 revealed that earthworm distribution no longer equated to the inoculation treatments; the worms had spread extensively. The presence of A. glutinosa had a significant effect (p<0ċ01) on earthworm number (mean density 198 m⁻²) and biomass (34 g m⁻²) compared to plots where A. pseudoplatanus had been planted and subsequently died (mean density 118 m⁻²; biomass 21 g m⁻²). Results suggest that tree presence may be critical to earthworm community development. In 2002, the spread of A. chlorotica from the original points of inoculation had reached 60 m with the highest recorded population density at 108 m⁻² with a mass of 18ċ6 g m⁻². A. longa was recorded at a distance of 132 m from the nearest point of inoculation with the highest recorded population density at 70 m⁻² with a mass of 49ċ3 g m⁻², 10 m from the original inoculation grid. Other species recorded (and % of total) were Aporrectodea rosea (0ċ9) Lumbricus castaneus (7ċ4), Eiseniella tetraedra (21ċ5) and Lumbricus rubellus (4ċ5). The two inoculated species, A. chlorotica (40ċ4) and A. longa (25ċ3), accounted for two thirds of the earthworms found on site. The highest earthworm community density was 213 m⁻² with a mass of 73ċ9 g m⁻² at 10 m from original point of inoculation. In 1999, treatments of surface organic matter (OM), in the form of composted green waste, and rotavation were applied to non‐replicated plots of 50 m² with the effects on earthworm distribution and abundance recorded in 2002. Addition of OM alone led to an increase in number and mass (331 m⁻²; 95 g m⁻²) compared to the control (233 m⁻²; 51 g m⁻²), while rotavation alone (111 m⁻²; 36 g m⁻²) had a detrimental effect over the given time period. This long‐term monitoring programme has demonstrated the development of sustainable earthworm communities on a landfill site. Natural nutrient accumulation and addition of OM on or into the soil‐forming material appeared to assist this process. This work may help to inform post‐capping treatment at similar landfill sites Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reporting the results of forest monitoring--an evaluation of the European forest monitoring programme

An evaluation of the pan-European forest monitoring programmeset up in the 1980s to examine the effects of atmospheric pollutionon forest condition is presented. This is based on a questionnairesurvey of national stakeholders and an examination of the qualityof scientific information contained in the programme reports.The relevance of the results to different types of stakeholderis discussed. Annual reports from the programme have focussedon scientific understanding, but have only partially satisfiedpolicy needs. Basic principles for an effective communicationstrategy to improve the content, accessibility and usabilityof the monitoring results are put forward. Future monitoringrequires a proper analysis of policy-relevant indicators andmore effort to get appropriate information to policy makerswhen they need it. Modelling and decision support tools shouldbe seen as vital parts of knowledge transfer.     

Gelation of sickle cell hemoglobin: effects of hybrid tetramer formation in hemoglobin mixtures

The altered gelation behavior found in mixtures of sickle cell hemoglobin with other hemoglobins is due to the formation of hybrid hemoglobin tetramers from unlike dimers. The hemoglobins need not possess the deoxy quaternary structure for gelation to occur; liganded forms are also capable of participation in gelation.