The paradox of the conservation of an endangered fish species in a Mediterranean region under agricultural intensification

We studied the relative value of natural habitats, river and coastal wetlands, and artificial habitats, irrigation canal and ponds, for the conservation of an endangered fish, Iberian toothcarp, in its southernmost area of distribution, characterised by agricultural intensification. Our results show that the bulk of the population of the Iberian toothcarp is concentrated in irrigation ponds. Natural habitats sustained null or impoverished subpopulations, and individuals showed signs of low metabolic activity. This coincided with the relatively high habitat quality observed in ponds, particularly those with submerged aquatic vegetation, in contrast with the chronic eutrophication of the coastal lagoons. In spite of a generalised aggressive management in the irrigation system, featured by periodic vegetation clearance, desiccation and biocide treatment, the subpopulation of the Iberian toothcarp thrives in it probably thanks to adequate water quality and to an active path dynamics maintained by connectivity through the canal. Agro-environmental measures are discussed for the improvement of this species conservation in natural and artificial habitats.     

广义系统能量有限的有限制调节器问题的探讨

讨论了广义系统能量有限的有限制调节器问题;通过对广义熵系统(相对不可测子空间)观测状态中的慢状态进行反馈,保证闭环系统正则,得到了在容许初值条件下该问题有解的充要条件。     

Pasture or permanent crops after slash-and-burn cultivation? Land-use choice in three Amazon colonies

Land use was examined in three settlements – Pedro Peixoto in Acre and Theobroma in Rondonia, Brazil, and Pucallpa, in Peru. Research aimed at characterizing the differences in land use after initial slash-and-burn, and presenting hypotheses to assess the feasibility of improved land uses. Settlers in the Amazon practice slash-and-burn agriculture in forest lands to produce annual crops. After cropping, lands are converted to pasture, or planted with perennial crops, or fallowed in anticipation of future annual crop production. Land use after slash-and-burn cultivation in forest lands differed among the colonies examined. Whereas colonists in Pedro Peixoto converted lands to pasture for cattle production, settlers in Theobroma adopted a strategy encompassing both dual-purpose (milk and meat) cattle and perennial crop production. The more heterogeneous settlers in Pucallpa, who included small-scale cattle ranchers and riverine and forest slash-and-burn farmers, gave more importance to perennial crops. Hypotheses are suggested regarding the described land use differences, and implications for the adoption of agroforestry are discussed. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

变形轴中心孔最佳位置的确定

以往生产中只能凭直观或用外圆打表测量方法来确定变形轴中心孔最佳位置,这既不方便又不准确．经分析与计算,得出变形轴中心孔最佳位置为０．３５Ｌ．     

一类耗散非线性波动方程初边值问题整体解的存在与非存在性

本文考虑一类耗散非线性波动方程的初边值问题。用半(?)方法和先验估计论证了该问题小初值下在时间大范围的可解性、唯一性;并用凸性方法证明了(?)当条件下该问题的解在有限时间内发生爆破现象。     

Agroforestry Systems for Food and Nutrition Security–Potentials,Pathways and Policy Research Needs

SUMMARY

Food insecurity and malnutrition continue to be the most daunting development challenges in most developing countries. Increases in the productivity of cereal grain crops have helped many developing countries achieve self-sufficiency in meeting the energy requirements, but malnutrition still exist. Agroforestry–growing useful tree crops with annual crops–could provide a solution to food security micronutrient malnutrition. The paper develops a conceptual framework for identifying pathways of how agroforestry systems can contribute to nutrition security and its potential as a food-based nutrition intervention. Furthermore, a theoretical framework for studying the interactions of agroforestry and nutrition security is developed. Finally, policy implications and research needs are identified.