SWARD PRODUCTIVITY UNDER ALTERNATE OR REPEATED CUTTING OF ADJACENT SMALL AREAS

Cutting patterns producing high and low areas were imposed on swards of Dactylis glomerata and Lolium perenne to test whether output could be increased when compared with traditional uniform cutting methods. In two experiments, swards of both grasses were divided into parallel 9 cm strips which were cut alternately on different occasions to a height of 5 cm. These swards yielded a similar quantity of herbage DM to that from other swards cut uniformly at the same height and frequency. In a third experiment, swards of Lolium perenne were divided into alternate strips of unequal width (9 and 4.5 cm). The narrow strips were allowed to grow to a height of 15 cm and were occasionally trimmed at this height. The wide strips were cut to 5 cm at 2–or 4–weekly intervals. Areas cut to 5 cm every 2 weeks yielded significantly more DM when adjacent to high areas than when adjacent to areas cut to 5 cm every 2 weeks (i.e. under uniform cutting). The interaction between adjacent areas having different defoliation regimes is discussed in relation to the possibility of obtaining some additional output from a suitable no niform cutting system compared with uniform cutting. Sward productivity under no niform grazing patterns of livestock is also discussed.     

Management of radioactive waste

The safe management of the solid radioactive waste material generated by the various operations that make up the rapidly growing nuclear electric power industry, the nuclear reactors themselves, and the plants which provide new fuel for these reactors and process the spent fuel which results from reactor operations are discussed.     

Metabolic adaptations of mullet Rhinomugil corsula (Hamilton) with special reference to energy utilization

While the respiratory quotient (R.Q.) of Rhinomugil corsula in air-saturated water remains near unity at all levels of random activity, the ammonia quotient (A.Q. = volume or mole: mole relation of ammonia excreted to oxygen consumed) is higher at lower levels of activity, indicating relatively higher protein utilization in less active fish. The mean routine R.Q. values of R. corsula in air-saturated water at temperatures of 30 and 35°C are 0.91 and 0.95 respectively. Assuming that the major sources of ammonia excreted are certain predominant free amino acids, an estimate of caloric break-up of routine meta-bolism of R. corsula suggests that the fish is completely aerobic in air-saturated water and that it derives 14, 44 and 42% of energy from proteins, carbohydrates and fats respectively from a total of 567 cal/kg fish/h at 30°C (15, 55 and 30% at 35°C). At oxygen concentrations below air saturation, R.Q. and A.Q. values of R. corsula increase with decrease in ambient oxygen indicating an increase in anaerobic metabolism and protein utilization. The correlation between the trends of R.Q. and A.Q. levels are similar to that observed earlier in Tilapia mossambica. During hypoxia (1.6 mg O₂/l at 30°C) R. corsula derives about half its energy for sustenance and activity anaerobically. The mullet does not appear to accumulate an oxygen debt during hypoxia.     

Threatened deer of the world: Research programmes for conservation

This paper is the sequel to an earlier publication (see Biological Conservation, Vol. 5, No. 4 pp. 243–250, October 1973) on the conservation status of deer and describes an IUCN programme for the conservation of world-threatened deer. Research requirements for conservation of deer that are currently threatened with extinction are discussed. The immediate conservation objective is to ensure the species' or subspecies' survival, and the long-term objective is to restore their productive status in the wild. A framework for research to provide data to guide conservation practices is outlined. It comprises a set of research questions, to aid the planning of studies, and statements of the conservation action potential of the results of these investigations. The proposed organization of the IUCN programme and its current status is described. University and other research institutions that would be interested in participating or co-operating in the programme are invited to write to IUCN.     

Burial of vegetation by erosion debris near ski lifts on Cairngorm,Scotland

The extent of accelerated erosion from ground damaged near ski lifts was found to have reached a peak in about 1969, with a marked decline since then. This decline was attributable to reseeding of damaged ground, provision of drains and grading of dirt roads. Burial experiments showed that where erosion debris had covered vegetation, recovery at best took several years, and with depths above about 7 cm, was almost negligible.