Combining deliberative and computer-based methods for multi-objective land-use planning

This paper reports the outcomes of a deliberative workshop comparing land-use plans proposed by land-manager or domain experts with those derived using a computer-based decision support system (DSS). The DSS integrates four main components, a geographic information system, land-use systems simulation models, impact assessments and land-use planning tools. The land-use planning tools draw on the other components to generate and evaluate alternative patterns of land use and management. Since the land-use planning tools are based on multi-objective genetic algorithms (mGAs) it is possible to generate a range of alternative plans that define the structure of the trade-off between the objectives. The workshop tasked the delegates with specifying land-use plans that achieved the best compromise between two objectives known to be non-commensurable and conflicting. The nature of the best compromise was dependent on their individual perspectives. The delegates proposed allocations both as individuals and in researcher-facilitated sub-groups. The mGA allocations were then compared with those derived by delegates and were found to be broadly similar in performance. Differences in the range of allocations considered feasible were explained by the hard and soft constraints on allocations agreed between the delegates and articulated within the workshop process. The hypothesis that part of the difference in performance between the mGA and delegate allocations was due to the delegates blocking together fields with the same land use for convenience of management was proved. The analysis of the group allocations revealed that the decision-making process had failed to improve on the individual allocations. From these results it was concluded that there was a potential role for mGA based land-use planning tools in researching into, and deliberating on, the possible impacts of policy or other factors affecting land-use systems. It was further concluded that the tools should not be used in isolation since there was the need for stake-holder inputs to adequately define the range of feasible and practical land-use plans.     

Assessing the options for upland livestock systems under CAP reform: Developing and applying a livestock systems model within whole-farm systems analysis

This paper presents a scenario-based analysis of the impacts of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform for upland agriculture using a Welsh case-study. Specifically the paper examines the impacts of the introduction of the single-farm payment (SFP), the modulation of direct payments under Pillar I of the CAP and the increase in agri-environment payments under Pillar II. Three enterprises are examined, upland sheep rearing with lamb finishing, spring- and autumn-calving suckler-cattle with calf rearing. These enterprises are modelled under conditions in 2002/3, 2004/5 and for the reformed CAP in 2005/6. To support this analysis a livestock system model (LSM) was implemented. The model assesses alternative management regimen using a flexible state-transition approach. This simplifies the realisation and parameterisation of potentially complex management regimen. The model tracks fodder requirements to achieve targets based on defined diets. The LSM underpins whole-farm analyses of stocking-rates, labour and other resource requirements and net-farm income. From the case study the paper concludes that the impacts of the introduction of the CAP reform on the financial performance of the systems are small but negative (a net reduction of around 5% in support). The larger reduction in direct payments (15–18%) is partially offset by agri-environment measures. The paper concludes that while SFP encourages a more market-oriented outlook, the adaptive capacity within systems as they stand is very limited. There are a range of possible adaptation strategies, but for the uplands the extensification of cattle systems by reducing stock numbers and cutting back on labour seems most probable.     

Components of soil organic matter under grass and arable cropping

Components of the organic matter have been studied in three soils from adjacent sites with different long-term treatments: soil I, prolonged arable cultivation; soil II, 17 years under grass after prolonged arable cultivation; and soil III, old pasture. Contents of total organic C in the top 15cm were 0.9% in soil I. 1.7% in soil II and 4.8% in soil III. The light fraction, comprising partially decomposed materials with a specific gravity < 2.06, represented greater proportions of the organic C in soils II and III (20–23 per cent) than in soil I (8.5 per cent). The light fraction of soil III had a relatively high N content.The proportions of the soil organic C released, by hydrolysis, as neutral sugars, uronic acids, amino sugars, amino acids and phenolic acids were generally similar in the three soils, although uronic acids and phenolic acids constituted somewhat greater proportions in soils II and III than in I.The light fractions contained greater proportions of neutral sugars and phenolic acids, and smaller proportions of amino sugars and amino acids than the whole soils.     

Host Range and Characterization of Sunflower mosaic virus

ABSTRACT Sunflower mosaic is caused by a putative member of the family Potyviridae. Sunflower mosaic virus (SuMV) was characterized in terms of host range, physical and biological characteristics, and partial nucleotide and amino acid sequence. Cells infected with SuMV had cytoplasmic inclusion bodies typical of potyviruses. Of 74 genera tested, only species in Helianthus, Sanvitalia, and Zinnia, all Asteraceae, were systemic hosts. Commercial sunflower hybrids from the United States, Europe, and South Africa were all equally susceptible. The mean length of purified particles is approximately 723 nm. The virus was transmitted by Myzus persicae and Capitphorus elaegni, and also was seedborne in at least one sunflower cultivar. Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests with a broad-spectrum potyvirus monoclonal antibody were strongly positive. SuMV-specific polyclonal antisera recognized SuMV and, to a lesser extent, Tobacco etch virus (TEV). When tested against a panel of 31 potyvirus-differentiating monoclonal antibodies, SuMV was distinct from any potyvirus previously tested. SuMV shared four epitopes with TEV, but had a reaction profile more similar to Tulip breaking virus (TBV). SuMV did not possess epitopes unique only to TBV. The predicted coat protein had a molecular weight of 30.5 kDa. The 3' end of the virus genome was cloned and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of the coat protein amino acid sequence revealed that SuMV is a distinct species within the family Potyviridae, most closely related to TEV.     

Lehmann discontinuity as the base of an anisotropic layer beneath continents

Long-period surface-wave (R(1), G(1)), body-wave (S, SS, SSS), and ScS-reverberation data have been inverted to obtain anisotropic structures along seismic corridors that sample Australia and the western Pacific. These models support the proposal that the Lehmann discontinuity beneath stable continents represents a transition from an anisotropic lithosphere to a more isotropic material in the lower part of the continental tectosphere.     

Modeling the effect of initial planting density on within tree variation of stiffness in loblolly pine

Context

Modulus of elasticity (MOE) is an important mechanical property determining the end-use and value of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) lumber.

Aim

In this study, a model was developed to predict the within tree variation of MOE, from pith-to-bark and stump-to-tip, using data collected from a 21-year-old unthinned stand where trees were planted under seven initial stand density levels (746?C2,243 trees/hectare).

Methods

The study was laid out in a randomized complete block design, with seven levels of initial planting density, replicated three times. Seven trees were destructively sampled from each plot, and bolts were cut from each tree at heights of 2.4, 7.3, and 12.2?m. Static bending samples (of dimension 2.5?×?2.5?×?40.6?cm) representing pith-to-bark variation were cut from each bolt and MOE measured. A three-parameter logistic function was used to model the pith-to-bark variation in stiffness with distance from pith as an explanatory variable.

Results

Based on the final fitted model, it was found that the asymptotic parameter (maximum outerwood MOE?=?13.48?GPa) was not influenced by sampling height, initial planting density, and stem slenderness. However, the inflection and scale parameters were significantly influenced by these variables.

Conclusions

In summary, we found that initial planting density had a significant influence on the amount of corewood produced with higher initial planting densities producing a lower proportion of corewood as indicated by a linear decrease in inflection point with an increase in planting density.