Perceived damage and areas of needed research for wildlife pests of California agriculture

Many wildlife species cause extensive damage to a variety of agricultural commodities in California, with estimates of damage in the hundreds of millions annually. Given the limited availability of resources to solve all human–wildlife conflicts, we should focus management efforts on issues that provide the greatest benefit to agricultural commodities in California. This survey provides quantitative data on research needs to better guide future efforts in developing more effective, practical and appropriate methods for managing these species. We found that ground squirrels, pocket gophers, birds, wild pigs, coyotes and voles were the most common agricultural wildlife pest species in California. The damage caused by these species could be quite high, but varied by agricultural commodity. For most species, common forms of damage included loss of crop production and direct death of the plant, although livestock depredation was the greatest concern for coyotes. Control methods used most frequently and those deemed most effective varied by pest species, although greater advancements in control methods were listed as a top research priority for all species. Collectively, the use of toxicants, biocontrol and trapping were the most preferred methods for control, but this varied by species. In general, integrated pest management practices were used to control wildlife pests, with a special preference for those approaches that were efficacious and quick and inexpensive to apply. This information and survey design should be useful in establishing research and management priorities for wildlife pest species in California and other similar regions.     

A rapid immunoperoxidase-based virus neutralization assay for salmonid alphavirus used for a serological survey in Northern Ireland

A modified virus neutralization (VN) assay was developed to replace an existing assay read on the presence or absence of virus-induced cytopathic effect (CPE). The modified assay used a monoclonal antibody to salmon pancreas disease virus as the first layer of an immunoperoxidase (IPX)-based immunostaining technique to detect viral growth. The IPX-based VN assay required only 3 days to perform, and the adoption of a 96-well microtitre format facilitated a high throughput of samples requiring small volumes of serum, cells and virus. When 352 sera from farmed salmon and 302 sera from farmed trout were tested by both the modified and the original CPE-based assays, overall correlations of 97.72 and 96.03% were, respectively, obtained (96.94% combined). When the modified assay was used to test 188 sera collected from wild salmonids in freshwater river systems in Northern Ireland, no positive results were recorded.     

An investigation of avoidance by Antarctic krill of RRS James Clark Ross using the Autosub-2 autonomous underwater vehicle

The autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Autosub-2 was deployed on eight missions ahead of RRS James Clark Ross in the northern Weddell Sea and in the Bransfield Strait, Southern Ocean, to assess avoidance of the research vessel by Antarctic krill Euphausia superba. The AUV was equipped with the same type of scientific echosounder as the research vessel (Simrad EK500 operating at 38 and 120 kHz) and measured the density of krill along transect acoustically (g m⁻² wet mass) prior to the ship’s arrival. We hypothesised that if krill avoided the ship, perhaps in response to radiated noise, then the ship should detect less krill than the AUV which is known to have much lower noise levels than the ship. We were unable to detect any significant difference between the density of krill detected by the ship or the AUV, either at the transect level or at finer scales within transects. We conclude, therefore, that avoidance by krill of RRS James Clark Ross will not significantly bias acoustic estimates of krill abundance by this vessel.     

The U.S. Wholesale Market for Marine Ornamentals

The market for marine ornamentals encompasses all live marine species (fish and invertebrates) destined for the aquarium trade. In 1998, U.S. imports and exports were valued at approximately US $1.5 billion at the border (all dollar values cited in this paper are $US). In Florida, cultured freshwater and collected saltwater species accounted for $70 million and $4 million, respectively, in annual dockside revenue. To help explain Florida's marine landings and provide suggestions for future resource management and market campaigns that reflect the perceptions of the industry, a survey of wholesalers was initiated in 1999. Preliminary results indicate that there are several intermediate wholesale markets. Florida firms are closer to the supply as many also collect. Wholesalers in other states handle more freshwater product, are larger, and tend to import a larger share of their inventory. Consolidation is expected to continue, but niche markets for eco-friendly firms are expected to grow. In Florida, marketing strategies should focus on the observed higher survival rates and increasing supply of the popular invertebrate species. Many wholesalers are concerned about additional regulations that could reduce the number of collectors and thereby increase supply variability, a noted weakness of the Florida industry.     

The relationship between stock and catch and the effect of bait on catch as determined for a UK recreational catch and release fishery

Abstract Twelve anglers fishing in a UK navigation canal for a total of 42 h caught 567 fish, mainly gudgeon, Gobio gobio (L.) ( n =306) and roach, Rutilus rutilus (L.) ( n =253) at an average catch rate of 13.4 fish angler-h⁻¹ or 128.5 g angler-h⁻¹. The species and size of fish caught were compared with the numbers determined by depletion estimates at six sections of canal using micromesh seine netting. Fifty four percent of fish caught in the net were < 60 mm FL. Gudgeon (60–99 mm) were over-represented in the anglers' catches whilst roach (60–99 mm) were under-represented. The size distribution of roach and gudgeon caught by anglers using two types of bait (small maggots and chironomid larvae) was examined and smaller fish were found to be caught using the latter.     

5个咖啡品种在保山市潞江坝干热河谷区生长及产量性状调查

对干热河谷地区潞江坝的5个基因型咖啡品种进行评价调查,在3年里记录各个品种的生长量,单株产量,鲜果千粒重,干果千粒重等并进行分析比较。为今后干热河谷地区的咖啡种植品种选择提供参考依据。     

彰武县林业产业发展分析

彰武县是林业产业结构极其特殊的县区,近年来其林业产业在国家政策带动下快速发展。概述彰武县的自然条件与林业资源、林业产业及基础设施情况,分析彰武县林业产业产值现状,指出其发展中的不合理因素,并提出对策建议。     

园林测量实践教学体系的构建与运用

从剖析实践教学过程中存在的现实问题出发,结合学校及专业实际情况,以重庆三峡职业学院园林技术专业为例,提出了一套完整、专业特色鲜明,可操作性强的实践教学体系,并取得了一定的教学成果,也为我国部分地方本科院校相关专业由学术型教育转向应用型教育提供了一定的借鉴意义。     

仙翁山国家森林公园大型真菌资源调查

为了使野生资源得到合理的开发与利用,对黑龙江省仙翁山国家森林公园大型菌类资源进行调研,并对采集的菌株进行分类分析。在仙翁山森林公园,共采集食用菌类18科48种、药用菌类10科15种、毒菌10科15种。该地区有丰富、珍贵的菌类资源,应通过科学的规划和管理,合理开发利用,使得生态环境可持续平衡发展。     

农村土地调查外业调查技术方法的改进——以江西省东乡县第二次土地调查农村土地调查为例

基于在江西省东乡县农村土地调查外业调查的工作实践,对农村土地调查外业调查重要环节和关键技术进行总结和分析,在外业调查中调查底图、调查工具、地类判读和地物补测4个方面提出改进措施.结果表明,通过以上4个方面的改进,对加快外业调查进度和提高外业调查成果质量起到了积极作用.