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.     

Physiological but not morphological adjustments along latitudinal gradients in a human commensal species,the Eurasian tree sparrow

Human commensal species take advantage of anthropogenic conditions that are less likely to be challenged by the selective pressures of natural environments. Their morphological and physiological phenotypes can therefore dissociate from habitat characteristics. Understanding how these species adjust their morphological and physiological traits across latitudinal gradients is fundamental to uncovering the eco-physiological strategies underlying coping mechanisms. Here, we studied morphological traits in breeding Eurasian tree sparrows (ETSs; Passer montanus) among low-latitude (Yunnan and Hunan) and middle-latitude (Hebei) localities in China. We then compared body mass; lengths of bill, tarsometatarsus, wing, total body, and tail feather; and baseline and capture stress-induced levels of plasma corticosterone (CORT) and the metabolites including glucose (Glu), total triglyceride (TG), free fatty acid (FFA), total protein, and uric acid (UA). None of the measured morphological parameters varied with latitude except in the Hunan population, which demonstrated longer bills than those in other populations. Stress-induced CORT levels significantly exceeded baseline levels and decreased with increasing latitude, but total integrated CORT levels did not vary with latitude. Capture stress-induced significantly increased Glu levels and decreased TG levels, independent of site. However, the Hunan population had significantly higher baseline CORT, baseline and stress-induced FFA levels, but lower UA levels, which differed from other populations. Our results suggest that rather than morphological adjustments, physiological adjustments are mainly involved in coping mechanisms for middle-latitude adaptation in ETSs. It is worth investigating whether other avian species also exhibit such dissociation from external morphological designs while depending on physiological adjustments.     

Effect of the Silicic Acid Polymerization Degree on the Coagulating Property of Polyalumium Silicate Chloride

Polyaluminum silicate is a new type of inorganic macromolecular flocculants, which is developed as a complex product in recent years on the base of polyalumium flocculant and polysilicic acid flocculant. Sodium silicate is diluted to the concentration of 3.0% SiO 2 with distilled water. The solution was adjusted to pH 4.5 with sulphate acid and kept at quiescency for different time to get polysilicic acid with different polymerization degrees. Using polysilicic acid prepared and aluminium chloride as materials, a series of polyaluminium silicate chlorides(PASC) with different basicities(B), Al/Si molar ratios and polymerization degree of silicic acid are prepared by copolymerization technique. The Al-Ferron timed complex colorimetric method is applied to characterize species distribution of PASC and to study its influence factors. The interaction between hydrolyzed aluminum species and polysilicic acid with different polymerization degrees in PASC is discussed.The flocculant prepared is applied to the treatment of commercial concrete wastewater. The turbidity removal of commercial concrete wastewater is up to 97% when a PASC, prepared with polysilicic acid of 145 min polymerization degree.     

黔中玉米耕地土壤杂草种子库季节动态

对黔中玉米耕地土壤进行种子萌发试验,结果表明:玉米地杂草种子库共有44个物种出现,隶属16科40属。4个季节单位面积的种子萌发量Ⅰ季度8 609粒/m2>Ⅲ季度8 045粒/m2>Ⅱ季度6 491粒/m2>Ⅳ季度2 698粒/m2。狗尾草和水田碎米荠为上半年库中优势物种,下半年优势物种则为波斯婆婆纳。整体上随土壤层次的增加种子库存量相对减少,冬季活力种子萌发量最少;就物种多样性而言,种子库Shannon-W iener指数和Simpson指数均表现为Ⅱ>Ⅰ>Ⅲ>Ⅳ。     

免耕精量直插点播偏置滑块机构的参数优化

以免耕直插式精量点播器的偏置滑块机构为研究对象,为实现该点播器接近零速投种对其结构参数进行优化分析。对偏置滑块的偏置距离e在[0,25]内抽出11组进行仿真分析。优化分析的结果表明:滑块偏置的距离e=10mm,点播器的鸭嘴入出土位移差s=68mm,鸭嘴在入出土瞬时速度v=42mm/s,曲柄摆角θ=30°。     

耕地保护与可持续发展的辩证思考

国土资源尤其是耕地资源的有效保护与合理利用．是我国可持续发展的重要资源保障，耕地保护与全面建设小康社会密切相关。为此．从耕地保护对社会发展的重大意义出发，分析了耕地保护中的基本矛盾．并就耕地资源的可持续利用提出了建议。     

唐山市耕地资源现状与可持续利用对策分析

唐山市是一个以重工业为主的老工业城市。近年来,由于城市化的发展以及其他不合理的开发利用,再加上水土流失、工业废物排放、农药化肥的大量使用、不合理的灌溉方式及自然灾害等直接影响了耕地资源的有效、持续利用,使得唐山市的耕地资源大量减少,质量严重下降。为此,就唐山市耕地资源出现的问题进行了初步探讨,分析了产生问题的原因,提出了耕地资源可持续利用的对策。     

大兴安岭火烧迹地主要目的树种的天然更新

对不同火烧方式、火烧强度、林分组成、坡向、坡位、郁闭度、土壤厚度、下木盖度、地被物盖度、林龄等条件下的样地的天然更新情况进行了调查。结果表明:地表火火烧迹地的天然更新效果好于树冠火火烧迹地;中度火烧迹地好于重度火烧迹地;发生火烧的林分比未发生火烧的林分天然更新效果好。     

大兴安岭主要乔木灰分含量的试验分析

通过对大兴安岭地区主要乔木灰分含量的测定,分析了不同树种以及同一树种不同部位灰分含量的异同,并试图分析产生差异的原因。研究结果表明,各树种均以干部灰分含量为最低,树皮和枝部灰分含量差异不大;山杨除树干以外,灰分含量明显高于其它树种;树种之间灰分含量差异显著,而上、中、下部枝之间以及其它部位之间灰分含量差异不显著。可燃烧物灰分含量与全碳量之间存在负相关关系。     

极小种群植物“川柿”生物学特性及种子萌发方法研究

摘 要：【目的】为了保护和发展极小种群植物川柿,开展此研究。【方法】采用观测法,连续3年对其生物学特性研究;种子萌发方法：（1）后熟0、30、45、60天,剥离清洗播种;（2）后熟60天,以GA300、600、1000 mg/L溶液浸种1h;播种基质为河沙（保持一定湿度）,放置室内,统计萌发时间和出苗率。【结果】（1）川柿花期4-5月,10月为果熟期,单果直径32.7±5.80mm,单果重23.0±5.30g;种子肾形、千粒重1070g;成年植株呈隔年开花、结果现象;（2）种子经“后熟+河沙播种”,可萌发,其中以后熟60天的出苗率较高,为65%;直接播种种子,出苗率5%;“后熟+GA溶液浸种+河沙播种”,出苗率均高于65%,其中以GA600mg/L浸泡1h处理,出苗率最高为83.3%。【结论】极小种群植物川柿为常绿叶乔木,有隔年开花、结果现象; “果后熟60天+GA600mg/L浸泡种子1h +室内河沙播种”可提高种子萌发率,为川柿种子繁殖提供参考。