Challenges in developing and implementing a decision support systems (ETÇAP) in forest management planning: a case study in Honaz and Ibradı, Turkey

Decision support systems (DSSs) are indispensable tools in preparing a forest management plan for a better combination of multiple forest values. This study attempted to develop and explain a stand-based forest management DSS (Ecosystem-based multiple-use forest planning [ETÇAP]) comprising a traditional simulation, linear programming (LP), metaheuristics and geographic information system. The model consists of five submodels; traditional management approach to handle inventory data, an empirical growth and yield model, a simulation to conceptualize management actions, a LP technique to optimize resource allocation and a simulated annealing approach to directly create a spatially feasible harvest schedule. The ETÇAP model has been implemented in a comparative two case study areas; Denizli–Honaz and Akseki–Ibrad?. Both simulation and optimization models outperformed to the traditional management plan. The periodical change of growing stock, allowable cuts, carbon sequestration and water production are used as performance indicators. The results showed that more amount of wood could be harvested over time compared to traditional level of harvesting. It could be concluded that various management strategies allowed managers to stimulate more decision options for better outputs through intertemporal trade-offs of management interventions as the model provided tools to quantify forest dynamics over time and space. Challenges exist to establish the functional relationships between forest structure and values for better quantification and integration into the management plans.     

Intracranial arteries of New Zealand rabbits; identification,three-dimensional modelling,and morphometry by computed tomography angiography

The aim of the study was to determine identification, three-dimensional modelling, and morphometry of intracranial arteries in New Zealand Rabbit by using computed tomography angiography. A total of 20 adult New Zealand Rabbits from both sexes were used in the study. General anaesthesia procedure was followed before computed tomography angiography imaging. Rabbits were placed in a prone position for imaging. Computed tomography angiography imaging was performed by injecting contrast agent into vena auricularis marginalis of rabbits. Morphometric measurements of the specified points were taken by MIMICS program using the computed tomography angiography images acquired. Three-dimensional intracranial artery model was prepared from the two-dimensional images on the same program. Measurements were statistically compared in terms of sex and side. It was observed in the study that arteria basilaris was generated by bilateral arteria vertebralis at the basal level of medulla oblongata. In the study, a statistically significant difference was determined only in diameter values of arteria cerebri caudalis dextra et sinistra in both female and male rabbits. On the other hand, no statistically significant difference was determined with respect to the side. Consequently, we think that the data of the present study will contribute to further studies on cerebrovascular pathology, clinicians or researchers.     

Origin and distribution of facial nerve anatomy in van cats

This study aims to reveal the morphological properties of facial nerve and the middle ear in Van cats. Study material was composed of 6 female Van cats. Dissections were performed under a Zoom Stereo Microscope. There was no plexus buccalis in Van cats. The chorda tympani was observed to pass through an opening in the tympanic cavity, emerge through a small opening just behind the retroarticular process, and join the lingual nerve. A rounded anatomical formation with a size of 2.75 ± 0.3 mm was found to be located within the mastoid process of the temporal bone between the facial nerve and the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. The stapes nerve was not present. The geniculate ganglion was very prominent and about 1.00 mm high. The deep petrosal nerve was observed to emerge from the plexus tympanicus. The bulla tympanica was 18.96 ± 0.10 mm long, 13.03 ± 0.20 mm wide and 13.16 ± 0.20 mm high. After leaving the mandibular nerve, the n.tensoris tympani coursed caudally around the a.maxillaris, formed an ansa, entered the tympanic cavity through the canalis musculotubarius and reached an end in the m. tensor tympani. Due to the scarcity of studies on the middle ears of Van cats, it is thought that this study will fill a gap in the field of veterinary anatomy.     

Histology of corpuscles of Stannius in Lake Van fish (Alburnus tarichi Güldenstädt, 1814) (Cyprinidae)

In the present study, the location, histology and number of corpuscles of Stannius (Sc), which are endocrine glands associated with the kidneys of teleost fish, were investigated for the first time in Lake Van fish (Alburnus tarichi), an anadromous and endemic inhabiting Turkey's Lake Van Basin. The Sc, which were ovoid or spheroid and white or cream in colour, were found to vary in number between three and five among the examined fish. The glands were located in the caudal part of the kidney, and either partially or completely embedded, and found to be present on both the ventral and dorsal surface of either side of the caudal part of the kidney. The Sc were surrounded by a connective tissue capsule that penetrated and divided the gland into incomplete lobules. Two types of cells were determined in the parenchyma of the gland. Type-I cells were predominant throughout the parenchyma and larger than the second (type-II). In the type-I cells, the cytoplasm was observed as weakly or moderately eosinophilic with haematoxylin and eosin staining and weakly or moderately acidophilic with Mallory's triple staining. In the type-I cells, the cytoplasm exhibited weak to moderate periodic acid-Schiff staining and slight or uniform staining with aldehyde fuchsin. The type-II cells were round, had a darkly stained spherical nucleus and were dispersed among the type-I cells. They displayed no cytoplasmic staining with the abovementioned stains.     

Sublethal effects of nine insecticides on Drosophila suzukii and its major pupal parasitoid Trichopria drosophilae

Background

Although the pupal parasitoid Trichopria drosophilae is used in conservative and augmentative biocontrol of Drosophila suzukii infestations, current pest management strategies mostly rely on multiple insecticide applications. In this context, the aim of the study was to investigate the baseline toxicity of nine insecticides on D. suzukii larvae and their multiple sublethal effects (LC₁₀) on immature stages of the pest feeding on contaminated diet and T. drosophilae developing within the intoxicated host.

Results

Chlorpyriphos and azadirachtin showed the lowest and the highest LC₁₀, the values of which were 9.78 × 10¹³ and 1.46 × 10³ times lower than their recommended label field rate, respectively. Among tested insecticides, imidacloprid, malathion and dimethoate were the only treatments that did not affect the juvenile development time of D. suzukii, while spinosad and the organophosphates chlorpyriphos and dimethoate did not influence fly pupal size. No sublethal effects were recorded on T. drosophilae degree of infestation (DI) and juvenile development time. On the contrary, cyazypyr and dimethoate negatively affected the success of parasitism (SP) and the number of progeny of the pupal parasitoid, in association with malathion for the first parameter and spinosad for the fertility. Compared to the untreated control, more female progeny emerged following azadirachtin exposure, while dimethoate caused the opposite effect. Imidacloprid, lambda-cyhalothrin and spinetoram decreased hind tibia length of emerged parasitoids.

Conclusion

This study provides new insights on the (eco)toxicological profile of nine insecticides and new information needed to support the deployment of T. drosophilae in the field within the sustainable management techniques against D. suzukii. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Seminal plasma composition and its relationship with physical spermatological parameters of Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) semen: with emphasis on sperm motility

In this research, the mineral and organic composition of the seminal plasma, physical spermatological parameters and their physiological relationships were investigated in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). The seminal plasma contained 98.14±5.23 mM L^?1 (Na⁺), 380.85±25.95 mM L^?1 (K⁺), 30.25±4.96 mg dL^?1 (Ca²⁺), 19.16±1.70 mEq L^?1 (Mg²⁺), 1.36±0.11 mg dL^?1 glucose, 0.37±0.08 g dL^?1 total protein, 12.02±1.18 mg dL^?1 cholesterol, 14.85±1.50 mg dL^?1 triglyceride and 43.5±9.56 mg dL^?1 urea. The following spermatological parameters were found: sperm volume 14.44±1.16 mL, sperm motility 80.60±1.55%, movement duration 67.68±4.32 s, density 15.43±0.72 × 10⁹ mL^?1, total density 337.43+45.86 × 10⁹ and pH 7.24±0.17. The Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions correlated negatively with spermatozoa motility (r=?0.453, P>0.05 and r=?0.192, P>0.05) respectively. The K⁺ ion correlated positively with spermatozoa motility (r=0.545, P>0.05). But a statistically significant correlation was not observed between sperm motility and seminal plasma parameters. The following correlations were observed between mineral and organic components. The Mg²⁺ was positively correlated with glucose and cholesterol (r=0.692, P<0.05 and r=0.680, P<0.05) respectively. A highly significant positive relationship was also found between Mg²⁺ and total protein (r=0.837, P<0.01). On the other hand, a significantly negative relationship was found between Ca²⁺ and triglyceride (r=?0.639, P<0.05). These parameters should be considered when developing procedures for either artificial fertilization or for cryopreservation of grass carp sperm.     

The harvest of the freshwater crayfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Astacus leptodactylus</Emphasis> Eschscholtz in Turkey: harvest history,impact of crayfish plague,and present distribution of harvested populations

This review focuses on the present distribution of populations of the crayfish Astacus leptodactylus that are harvested in Turkey. It also examines the history of this harvest and the impact that crayfish plague has had on them. Crayfish plague, caused by the fungus-like organism, Aphanomyces astaci Schikora, 1906, is a severe parasite of freshwater crayfish and has caused a lot of damage to A. leptodactylus populations in Turkey since 1984. Turkey was the largest provider of A. leptodactylus to Western Europe from 1970 (or possibly earlier) until 1986. For example, the peak production was reached in the early 1980s, with over 5,000 tonnes being exported in 1984. On the other hand, as a result of the crayfish plague the harvest of A. leptodactylus was reduced severely in most populations in Turkey after 1985. The harvest was only 320 tonnes in 1991. After the occurrence of crayfish plague in Turkey, in order to increase crayfish production uncontrolled A. leptodactylus stockings have been carried out in many waterbodies throughout Turkey. These introductions have caused an increase in the number of A. leptodactylus populations, but exploitation of A. leptodactylus is still under the pressure of the plague, although there has been a steady increase in crayfish production in recent years. The harvest increased to 2,317 tonnes in 2004. Fortunately, among those populations affected by crayfish plague, large amounts of A. leptodactylus can still be harvested from three lakes, ?znik (Bursa), E?irdir (Isparta) and Çivril (Denizli). Thus, it seems that A. leptodactylus has a degree of resistance to crayfish plague. It is therefore interesting to investigate the resistance of A. leptodactylus caught from these populations to crayfish plague.     

Deficit irrigations during soybean reproductive stages and CROPGRO-soybean simulations under semi-arid climatic conditions

This study was carried out to determine the effect of water stress on five different generative stages of soybeans and to evaluate the CROPGRO-soybean model under semi-arid climatic conditions. The study was conducted at the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Harran University research field in 2003 and 2004 growing seasons. Plants received full irrigation during vegetative stages, after which it was cut off at different reproductive stages (treatments): R_1-2, beginning of flowering and full bloom; R₃, beginning of pod; R₄, full pod; R₅, beginning of seed; and R₆, full seed. The control treatment was full irrigation throughout. Observed yields ranged from 1955 (R₆) to 3684 kg ha⁻¹ (control) in 2003, and from 1867 (R₆) to 3952 kg ha⁻¹ (control) in 2004, respectively. Generally, in both of the years any water stress imposed on soybeans in three different generative stages (R₃, R₅, and R₆) resulted in substantial yield reduction compared with full irrigation; yield reduction was greatest at the R₆ stage. Biomass and 1000 seed weight also showed significant difference. Overall, CROPGRO-soybean simulated parameters from all treatments were higher compared with observed ones. Although simulated yield results were close to measured ones, they could not track observed yield patterns. Generally, the CROPGRO-soybean simulation model failed to satisfactorily mimic observed soybean yield, biomass, and 1000 seed weight and therefore it is suggested not to be used for similar scenarios and climatic conditions.