Analysis of horse movements from non-commercial horse properties in New Zealand

AIMS: To investigate property-level factors associated with the movement of horses from non-commercial horse properties, including the size and location of the property, number and reason for keeping horses.

METHODS: Using a cross-sectional survey 2,912 questionnaires were posted to randomly selected non-commercial horse properties listed in a rural property database. The survey collected information about the number of horses, and reasons for keeping horses on the property, and any movement of horses in the previous 12 months. Three property-level outcomes were investigated; the movement status of the property, the frequency of movement events, and the median distance travelled from a property. Associations were examined using logistic regression and Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance.

RESULTS: In total 62.0% (488/791) of respondents reported at least one movement event in the year prior to the survey, for a total of 22,050 movement events. The number of movement events from a property varied significantly by the number of horses on the property (p<0.02), while the median distance travelled per property varied significantly by both region (p<0.03) and property size (p<0.01). Region, property size, the number of horses kept, and keeping horses for competition, recreation, racing or as pets were all significantly associated with movement status in the multivariable analyses (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study showed that there are characteristics of non-commercial horse properties that influence movement behaviour. During an exotic disease outbreak the ability to identify properties with these characteristics for targeted control will enhance the effectiveness of control measures.     

ERT与TDR联合反演层状土壤水分运动过程

土壤水是地表水与地下水联系的纽带,是物质输送和运移的载体,在土壤-植物-大气（SPAC）系统中起着关键性的作用。土壤水分运动是一个非常复杂的过程,为充分了解水分在土壤中的运动过程,应用微扰动的高密度电阻率仪（ERT）监测了一层状结构的土壤剖面在注水入渗试验前、后不同时刻的电阻率的变化过程;同时,用时域反射仪（TDR）测量了点尺度上土壤体积含水量,建立了土壤电阻率和含水量的定量关系。结果表明,高密度电阻率法能够较为准确地监测土壤水分入渗深度和剖面含水量,土壤水分运动以向下的垂向运动为主并伴有微弱的水平流动;当土壤含水量低于0.15 cm³·cm^-3时,随着含水量的增大,电阻率变化较大;当土壤含水量较高时,电阻率随含水量的变化不明显;根据建立的电阻率和含水量的定量关系公式,估算出在土壤界面处当上层土壤质量含水量达到0.136 g·g^-1时水分开始向下层入渗,相关研究成果为定量分析土壤水在分层界面处的变化情况提供了一种新的方法。     

立式轴流脱粒装置设计研究

为了适应我国丘陵山区的作业环境、缩小谷物联合收割机的整体尺寸及增强其在丘陵山区的通过性,设计了一种适用于中小型谷物联合收割机的立式轴流脱粒装置。在理论计算的基础上,对谷物在脱粒过程中的受力与运动状态加以分析,得出谷物做螺旋上升运动需要满足的力学关系及轴向运动速度公式。室内试验结果表明:当脱粒间隙为13mm、滚筒转速为900r/min、凹板栅条间隙为9mm、板齿倾角为8°时,立式轴流脱粒装置的脱粒损失率为2.16%,含杂率为23.25%。     

滴灌施钙时间对盐碱土水盐运移特征研究

通过室内试验测定新疆昌吉地区盐碱土在不同滴灌施钙时间的入渗运动过程,研究不同施钙时间(前期施用Ca-W、后期施用W-Ca、中间施用W-Ca-W、前后期施用Ca-W-Ca)的盐碱土土壤盐分运移和水分运动.结果表明不同施钙方式对滴灌盐碱土土壤水分分布具有影响,对盐碱土盐分运移影响明显,随着湿润锋水平、垂直运移距离的增加,不同滴灌施钙方式的土壤含盐量、钠离子含量和钠吸附比均在不断增加,Ca-W-Ca方式的达标脱盐区评价系数和脱钠区深度系数均大于其他方式,钠吸附比均小于其他方式,脱盐效果均优于其他方式,说明Ca-W-Ca方式更有利于作物根系生长,改良盐碱土效果最明显.     

Variation in juvenile steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) dispersal in relation to age and growth performance

Volitional dispersal is a ubiquitous strategy characteristic of species across major faunal groups. Dispersal during the juvenile life stage is of interest because early performance can be critical for determining future success (survival/reproduction). For salmonids, dispersal can influence local density, competition, individual growth and survival, though drivers of dispersal at meso-scales are rarely quantified. Here, we evaluate dispersal of tagged juvenile steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) through habitat units in extended stream reaches (500 m) at sites across a watershed from July to October 2017. Our aim was to quantify the frequency and spatial extent of dispersal, identify links to biotic and abiotic factors, evaluate the implications for individual growth and test for associations between dispersal and migration initiation. Dispersal rates varied between sites, but were consistently higher for age 1+ than for age 0 steelhead (avg. 21% vs. 6% respectively). Age 1+ dispersal probability was positively correlated with time between recapture events and body mass, and negatively correlated with growth rate, maximum temperature experienced and age 1+ density. At sites where there appeared to be growth benefits to remaining sedentary compared to moving, proportionally fewer fish performed dispersal. We found no links between dispersal and timing or probability of migration initiation the following spring. Our results support the hypothesis that although dispersal over intermediate scales (10–1,000 m) might be rare, it could be an important strategy that permits fish to seek out better opportunities (foraging, shelter or otherwise) in underutilised areas.     

Winter movement activity patterns of anadromous Arctic charr in two Labrador lakes

Anadromous Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, feed in the marine environment for several months during the summer and migrate back to fresh water in late summer to spawn and/or overwinter. While overwintering, anadromous Arctic charr are generally believed to reduce or cease feeding, and they are poorly described in their winter movement activity. This study used telemetry data collected from two locations to describe overwintering movement activity, including interindividual variation. Movement activity declined markedly during the ice‐covered period, suggesting opportunistic maintenance feeding was used as an energy conservation strategy. Fall and spring movement was correlated with daylight hours, and ice break‐up had a significant effect on the timing of outmigration. Movement activity was negatively correlated with body length, with smaller individuals being more active than larger fish. Although general activity patterns were evident, there were significant differences among individuals, particularly during spring immediately prior to lake departure. Lake size and individual differences in metabolic rate may account for some of this variation.     

水稻秧盘育秧制浆刀片匀浆过程分析及其优化设计

针对现阶段水稻秧盘育秧技术中制匀泥浆效率低下的问题,采用正交设计方法、计算流体动力学数值模拟和试验分析,对不同参数刀片在水田中匀浆作业时的匀浆效果和功率损耗进行研究。结果表明:1)单刀切削幅宽为影响泥浆运动速度和功率损耗的最大因素,折弯角影响不明显;2)当刀片滑切角为50°,折弯角为115°,单刀切削幅宽为60 mm时,刀片匀浆效果好;当滑切角为30°,折弯角为135°,单刀切削幅宽为20 mm时,功率损耗小;3)刀片中心面处和刀片折弯侧0.1 m处刀片打匀泥浆效果良好;4)功率损耗仿真值与试验值平均相对误差为12.16%,在可接受范围内。     

Movement behaviour of large female yellow European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) in a freshwater polder area

Due to a recruitment decline of more than 90% in 30 years, the European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) has been classified by IUCN as critically endangered. Although the species has been studied intensively to obtain knowledge to improve management, studies about the resident yellow stage are relatively scarce. In this study, 52 large female yellow eels were tagged with acoustic transmitters in a Belgian polder system and tracked by a network of 23 automatic listening stations. We studied both circadian and seasonal movement patterns and the effect of environmental variables on these patterns. Large female yellow eels were most active at night in late summer and early autumn. A generalised linear mixed model showed that their movement is only slightly influenced by environmental variables. Moreover, as yellow eels show high site fidelity (i.e., the majority was detected only in the habitat type of their catch‐release location), they do not encounter many human‐induced connectivity problems in polder systems, which makes these systems highly suitable as eel growth habitat. These results can contribute to an effective eel management regarding habitat protection and restoration.     

Movement patterns of adult pike (Esox lucius L.) in a Belgian lowland river

Northern pike, Esox lucius, needs different habitats to survive and reproduce and thus depends on the availability and accessibility of these habitats. To efficiently manage pike, information is needed on its spatial and temporal patterns of migration. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of adult pike migration and which environmental variables influenced migration. From December 2010, we followed 15 pike for 1 year by use of radio telemetry in the River Yser, a typical lowland river characterised by anthropogenic impacts such as artificial embankments. Pike migrated most in February and March, which could indicate they frequented spawning habitat in this period. Four environmental variables significantly affected pike migration, ranging from the location where pike were observed (strongest effect), over water temperature and flow to diel water temperature change (weakest effect). The relation between migration and the location where pike were observed could demonstrate that pike preferred specific regions in the river. Increasing water temperature triggered migration for both sexes, and males started migrating at lower temperatures than females, which suggests that males start migrating earlier. This was the only substantial difference observed between male and female pike migration. The results suggest that migration was inhibited by high flow, as no migration was observed at high flow. River managers can use this information to efficiently manage their pike populations, for example, by removing or temporarily opening hydraulic structures like valves, weirs and sluices. This may facilitate access to suitable habitats at moments pike needs these habitats to fulfil its life cycle.     

The influence of environmental factors on the upstream movements of rheophilic cyprinids according to their position in a river basin

Throughout their lives, fish accomplish frequent movements between functional habitats that are often triggered by environmental signals. We aimed to determine if rheophilic cyprinids (barbel, Barbus barbus and chub Squalius cephalus), living in different places of the same river basin, may develop similar movement periodicities and react identically to environmental cues to carry out their spawning migration. We used the capture data of three modern fish passes that were monitored continuously during three consecutive years (2010 to 2012) in three rivers of the Meuse basin in Belgium. We captured 418 individuals at adult stage, and the capture number per species was greater (80%) in spring (during the spawning migration period). The spawning migration of the barbel occurred earlier (median = 122nd day of the year) and at lower temperatures (median = 14.5°C) in the lowland rivers compared to the upland river (140th day of the year and 18.4°C). For the barbel, migration initiation differed depending on the river but finished under similar environmental conditions. In contrast, for the chub, no significant difference between rivers was observed regarding spawning migration periodicity and environmental cues. Within the same river basin, rheophilic cyprinids demonstrate flexibility in their responses to environmental variables and may optimise the start date of migration to spawning grounds depending on their local environment and individual experiences. This phenomenon was more pronounced in the barbel, which has more specific ecological requirements.