Michigan Mute Swan Management: A Case Study to Understand Contentious Natural Resource Management Issues

U.S. state fish and wildlife agencies have responded to perceived ecological and social threats posed by mute swans by implementing population control strategies. In Michigan, some stakeholder groups have vocally opposed particular control activities. To better understand and characterize key aspects of the underlying media dialogue about mute swan management in Michigan, one factor in the development of public perceptions about wildlife issues, we conducted a qualitative content analysis of Michigan-specific online news articles. Results revealed tensions between stakeholder groups about management priorities were rooted in differing ideas about healthy social and ecological systems, appropriate wildlife behavior, and the acceptability of lethal control (i.e., shooting living birds). Characterizing which stakeholder groups aligned with particular arguments might allow managers to tailor and direct messaging to specific audiences.     

Insulin-like growth factor I in growing thoroughbreds

The objective of this longitudinal study was to characterize growth and plasma insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations in pasture-raised thoroughbreds fed two sources of dietary energy. Mares and foals were randomly assigned to either a sugar and starch (SS) or fat and fibre (FF)-rich feed, and plasma IGF-I and growth were measured once a month from 1 to 16 months of age. These dependent variables were also compared with day length and ambient temperature. There was an association between plasma IGF-I concentration and average daily gain (ADG) (r = 0.32, p < 0.001). There were also clear seasonal patterns in both ADG and plasma IGF-I, with high values in June and May, and a low value in March. Plasma IGF-I and ADG were positively associated with day length and temperature. Plasma IGF-I was never higher (p > 0.10) in the FF group when compared with the SS group, and was higher in the SS group during a rapid growth phase in the spring of year 2 (p < 0.10). The results establish an association between ADG and IGF-I in the horse and indicate that environment and age may influence this relationship. In addition, plasma IGF-I is influenced by dietary energy source at particular times of year. This link has important implications in designing feeding management strategies that are aimed at addressing skeletal development.     

Role of social structure in establishment of an invasive large mammal after translocation

Background

Data on the movement behavior of translocated wild pigs is needed to develop appropriate response strategies for containing and eliminating new source populations following translocation events. We conducted experimental trials to compare the home range establishment and space-use metrics, including the number of days and distance traveled before becoming range residents, for wild pigs translocated with their social group and individually.

Results

We found wild pigs translocated with their social group made less extensive movements away from the release location and established a stable home range ~5 days faster than those translocated individually. We also examined how habitat quality impacted the home range sizes of translocated wild pigs and found wild pigs maintained larger ranges in areas with higher proportion of low-quality habitat.

Conclusion

Collectively, our findings suggest translocations of invasive wild pigs have a greater probability of establishing a viable population near the release site when habitat quality is high and when released with members of their social unit compared to individuals moved independent of their social group or to low-quality habitat. However, all wild pigs translocated in our study made extensive movements from their release location, highlighting the potential for single translocation events of either individuals or groups to have far-reaching consequences within a much broader landscape beyond the location where they are released. These results highlight the challenges associated with containing populations in areas where illegal introduction of wild pigs occurs, and the need for rapid response once releases are identified. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Assessment of the socio-economic impacts associated with the arrival of apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) in Mwea irrigation scheme,Kenya

Background

In Kenya, rice (Oryza sativa L.) is mainly produced under irrigation by small-scale farmers. Mwea irrigation scheme (MIS) in Kirinyaga County accounts for 80–88% of rice production. Here, rice is the main source of livelihood and a source of revenue generation for the county. However, a recently established invasive freshwater snail, Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck) (family: Ampullariidae), a species of apple snail, presents a serious threat to rice production.

Results

Household surveys, focus group discussions and key informant interviews highlight apple snail as a serious problem in MIS. Households that observed at least a moderate level of infestation (>20% of cultivated area) experienced significant reductions in rice yield (~14%) and net rice income (~60%). Farmers reported increased use of chemical pesticides for management of apple snail. In addition, the cost of hired labor for physical removal of egg masses and snails is resulting in substantial negative effects on net income. Farmer age, area of land owned, responsibility for decision-making, receipt of extension advice, training, and membership of a farmer organization, were all statistically significant variables to explain farmers awareness of the need for area-wide apple snail management.

Conclusion

Strategies to limit the spread of apple snail are urgently needed. A Multi-Institutional Technical Team (MITT) has been established to spearhead management efforts and consolidate advice to farmers on how to manage apple snail. However, without action to mitigate spread, the consequences could be disastrous for rice production and food security in Kenya, and for other rice growing regions across Africa. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Genetic basis and origin of resistance to acetolactate synthase inhibitors in Amaranthus palmeri from Spain and Italy

BACKGROUND

Amaranthus palmeri is an aggressive annual weed native to the United States, which has become invasive in some European countries. Populations resistant to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors have been recorded in Spain and Italy, but the evolutionary origin of the resistance traits remains unknown. Bioassays were conducted to identify cross-resistance to ALS inhibitors and a haplotype-based genetic approach was used to elucidate the origin and distribution of resistance in both countries.

RESULTS

Amaranthus palmeri populations were resistant to thifensulfuron-methyl and imazamox, and the 574-Leu mutant ALS allele was found to be the main cause of resistance among them. In two Spanish populations, 376-Glu and 197-Thr mutant ALS alleles were also found. The haplotype analyses revealed the presence of two and four distinct 574-Leu mutant haplotypes in the Italian and Spanish populations, respectively. None was common to both countries, but some mutant haplotypes were shared between geographically close populations or between populations more than 100 km apart. Wide genetic diversity was found in two very close Spanish populations.

CONCLUSION

ALS-resistant A. palmeri populations were introduced to Italy and Spain from outside Europe. Populations from both countries have different evolutionary histories and originate from independent introduction events. ALS resistance then spread over short and long distances by seed dispersal. The higher number and genetic diversity among mutant haplotypes from the Spanish populations indicated recurrent invasions. The implementation of control tactics to limit seed dispersal and the establishment of A. palmeri is recommended in both countries. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

地源热泵技术在中国温室设施中的应用探讨

当前在中国温室设施中应用和推广地源热泵技术尚存在诸多不利因素,大大限制了该项技术在设施农业领域中的发展。为探寻合理的解决途径,对地源热泵空调系统的关键技术和其在中国的发展概况进行了相关的阐述和分析,并以中国农业大学上庄实验站已经建成使用的地下水式温室地源热泵空调系统为实例,介绍该系统的组成、工作流程、性能参数和使用情况,探讨温室地源热泵空调系统在推广和使用中可能出现的投资较高,长时间运行性能不稳定等问题,分析其原因并提出相应的对策建议。     

江西首次发现入侵害虫木瓜粉蚧Paracoccus marginatus

2020年9月在江西省赣州市章贡区新发现一种严重发生的粉蚧,经制作玻片标本,形态鉴定为木瓜粉蚧(Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink),后得到28S序列比较鉴定确认.该虫为国内新入侵物种在江西的首次发现,在赣州主要危害园林绿化植物和杂草,其中以木芙蓉...     

沙湖水体富营养化评价及防治对策

本文采用营养状态指数法对沙湖营养状况进行综合评价。评价结果表明,沙湖富营养化日趋严重,已经由2002年的轻度富营养发展到2005年的中度富营养,磷和有机污染物是沙湖富营养化限制因子。对富营养化成因进行分析,结果表明外源污染和内源释放是造成沙湖富营养化的主要原因,黄河补水和地表径流是主要的外污染源,最后根据分析结果提出沙湖富营养化的防治对策。     

碳氮源对复合木质素降解菌木质素降解能力及相关酶活的影响

白腐真菌所具有的降解木质素能力源于其所产生的酶系统,碳源和氮源是其降解木质素和产酶的一个极为重要的影响因素。通过室内小麦秸秆固态发酵试验,研究了不同的碳、氮源对两株侧耳属真菌Tf1（P.pulmonarius）和JG1（P.cornucopiae）产酶活力、木质素降解和粗蛋白含量的影响。结果表明,Lip和MnP是参与复合木质素降解菌Tf1＋JG1降解小麦秸秆重要的木质素降解酶。以葡萄糖为碳源,酒石酸铵为氮源能显著提高复合木质素降解菌对木质素的降解能力,发酵9 d后小麦秸秆的失重率为14.87%,木质素含量为8.68%,木质素降解率为22.95%;粗蛋白含量为7.28%,比未发酵麦秸提高了36.84%（P〈0.05）;Lip和MnP活力分别为629.11 U.g-1和622.22 U.g-1。     

长江上游流域土地利用对面源污染影响及其差异

基于遥感与地理信息系统技术,对比分析了长江上游流域2000—2006年土地利用变化;利用输出系数模型,计算了土地利用引起的面源污染负荷,并从面源污染TN和TP负荷量、负荷强度和不同来源等角度,综合分析得出长江上游流域土地利用变化对面源污染影响及其差异。2000—2006年,长江上游流域耕地面积减少约1.10×104km2,林地面积增加约1.10×104km2,其他土地利用变化很小,表明西部大开发以来,天然林资源保护、长江防护林和退耕还林等工程实施效果明显。长江上游流域土地利用造成的TN和TP负荷量2000年分别为114.14×104t和3.39×104t,2006年分别为111.21×104t和3.31×104t。四川省西北部雅砻江中游流域、大渡河上游流域、岷江上游流域和贵州省北部乌江中游流域,2000—2006年面源TN和TP负荷显著减少。