Effects of no‐take area size and age of marine protected areas on fisheries yields: a meta‐analytical approach

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are often promoted as tools for biodiversity conservation as well as for fisheries management. Despite increasing evidence of their usefulness, questions remain regarding the optimal design of MPAs, in particular concerning their function as fisheries management tools, for which empirical studies are still lacking. Using 28 data sets from seven MPAs in Southern Europe, we developed a meta‐analytical approach to investigate the effects of protection on adjacent fisheries and asking how these effects are influenced by MPA size and age. Southern European MPAs showed clear effects on the surrounding fisheries, on the ‘catch per unit effort’ (CPUE) of target species, but especially on the CPUE of the marketable catch. These effects depended on the time of protection and on the size of the no‐take area. CPUE of both target species and the marketable catch increased gradually by 2–4% per year over a long time period (at least 30 years). The influence of the size of the no‐take area appeared to be more complex. The catch rates of the entire fishery in and around the MPA were higher when the no‐take areas were smaller. Conversely, catch rates of selected fisheries that were expected to benefit most from protection increased when the no‐take area was larger. Our results emphasize the importance of MPA size on its export functions and suggest that an adequate, often extended, time frame be used for the management and the evaluation of effectiveness of MPAs.     

Effects of skirting on processing characteristics of Targhee wool.

Ninety mature Targhee ewes were randomly allocated to nine lots. Lots were randomly assigned to three fleece preparation treatments: 1) nonskirted (control); 2) bellies removed, in which bellies and topknots were removed on the shearing floor; and 3) skirted, in which bellies and topknots were removed and remaining fleece was thrown on a table and lightly skirted. Bellies and topknots composed about 6 to 7% of the fleece weight. An additional 6.6% was removed when fleeces were skirted. Top fiber diameters were not affected (P greater than .10) by skirting. Although not significant (P greater than .10), percentage yield, vegetable content, percentage of noilage, top fiber length, and yellowness indexes tended to be most desirable for skirted lots and least desirable for unskirted lots. Lots with bellies removed were intermediate. Removal of bellies reduced vegetable contamination by 8.4%, with an additional reduction of about .5% by further skirting. Skirting reduced the number of fibers less than 25.4 mm (P less than .10) by 42%. Minimal colored fiber contamination of top was observed. One colored fiber per 15 g of top was detected in two lots of the treatment with bellies removed. All other lots contained no colored fibers. All wools evaluated were well below industry limits set for use in high-quality white or pastel fabrics. All skirted lots of wool evaluated in this study had improved processing characteristics for all processing traits evaluated.     

Effects of sulphur on yield and malting quality of barley

Eight field experiments were conducted at four sites in the UK in 2003 and 2004 to investigate the effects of sulphur (S) application on yield and malting quality of barley. Significant yield responses to S additions were obtained in five out of the eight experiments, with yield increases ranging from 0.2 to 1.2 t/ha (4.7–22.5%). At the two most S-deficient sites, S application significantly increased malt diastatic power, alpha-amylase activity, friability and homogeneity, and decreased (1→3,1→4)-β-glucan concentration in the wort, indicating an improved endosperm modification during malting. Sulphur applications also significantly increased the concentration of S-methylmethionine (the precursor of dimethylsulphide) in kilned malt, which could impact on beer flavour. When the supply of N was limiting, S applications decreased grain N concentration due to a dilution effect as a result of increased grain yield. In some cases, S applications resulted in decreased grain size. At sites non-deficient or marginally deficient in S, applications of S had little effect on grain or malting quality parameters. The need to maintain an adequate S supply to barley for both yield and malting quality was demonstrated.     

Genetic structure and diversity among sheep breeds in the United States: identification of the major gene pools

Understanding existing levels of genetic diversity of sheep breeds facilitates in situ and ex situ conservation activities. A comprehensive evaluation of US sheep breeds has not been previously performed; therefore, we evaluated the genetic diversity among and within 28 US sheep breeds. Both major and minor breeds were included in the analysis and consisted of 666 animals from 222 producers located in 38 states. The level of within-breed genetic diversity was variable and not dependent upon status of a breed as a major or minor breed. Bayesian cluster analysis indicated the breeds were grouped more by physiological differences (meat vs. wool production) rather than geographic origin. Results suggest several actionable items to improve in situ and ex situ conservation. The results clearly identify breeds in need of increased in situ and ex situ management (e.g., Hog Island and Karakul) and allow several suggestions for in situ management of flocks. Conversely, several of the breeds appear genetically similar and therefore require less emphasis on collecting germplasm samples for the gene bank. Commercially important breeds (e.g., Rambouillet and Suffolk) were found to have substantial variation, which should enable breeders to proceed, unencumbered by genetic diversity concerns, with selection strategies that maximize profit.     

Influence of two levels of enzyme preparation on ruminal fermentation, particulate and fluid passage and cell wall digestion in wether lambs consuming either a 10% or 25% grain diet

Effects of a fungal enzyme preparation on ruminal fermentation, digesta kinetics and cell wall digestion were studied. Either 0, 22 or 25 g/d of enzyme preparation was offered to nine ruminally cannulated Rambouillet or Columbia wether lambs (avg wt 28.6 kg) in two randomized complete block experiments. An alfalfa hay-corn mixture at 2.1% of body weight (10% corn) was used in Exp. 1. In Exp. 2, 2.7% of body weight (25% corn; Exp. 2) was fed. Ruminal samples were collected at 0, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h postfeeding on d 17 of each 22-d period to measure fluid dilution rate and fermentation characteristics. An intraruminal dose of Yb-labeled hay followed by fecal sampling on d 19 through 22 was used to estimate particulate passage and fecal output. Ruminal pH, NH3 concentrations, total volatile fatty acid and proportion of individual acids were not influenced (P greater than .10) by the addition of either level of enzyme preparation in either Exp. 1 or 2. Dry matter digestibility also showed no effect (P greater than .10) of enzyme preparation added to either diet. In Exp. 1, wethers receiving 35 g/d of the enzyme preparation had greater cell wall digestion (49.8%; P less than .05) than wethers receiving either 22 g/d or no enzyme preparation (45.7 and 42.9%, respectively). In Exp. 2, with a 25% corn diet, no influence (P greater than .10) of enzyme preparation was noted on cell wall digestibility. Particulate and ruminal fluid passage rate parameters remained unchanged (P greater than .10) by the addition of either level of enzyme preparation, regardless of the diet fed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

An analysis of body weights and maturing patterns in western range ewes

The objectives were to determine the association of maturing patterns with growth rates and body weights and to estimate heritabilities and genetic and phenotypic correlations among these characters of sheep. Records of 1,109 range ewes from the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station Red Bluff Research Ranch at Norris were analyzed. Body weight and degree of maturity of body weight at birth, weaning, 12 mo of age, 18 mo of age and maturity (body weight only), and absolute growth rate (AGR), absolute maturing rate (AMR) and relative growth rate (RGR) over various age intervals were examined. Mature weight, required to calculate degree of maturity and AMR, was estimated by the average of the fall weights taken at 42, 54, 66 and 78 mo of age. Heritability estimates were .53 +/- .12 for mature weight and from .26 to .46 for immature weights. Genetic correlations among body weights at all ages were positive and generally large between immature weights and mature weights. Heritability estimates for degree of maturity ranged from .63 +/- .12 at 12 mo of age to .19 +/- .11 at 30 mo of age, at which time maturity was being approached. Genetic correlations between degree of maturity and body weight at the same age were positive; however, degree of maturity at all ages was negatively correlated with mature weight. Animals more mature at any age or stage during growth tended to be more mature at later stages, to be lighter at maturity, and to grow faster and weigh more up to 12 mo of age. Heritability estimates for AGR, RGR and AMR were moderate to high and were similar for the same age intervals. Selection for any one of the measures of growth rate would tend to expand the shape of the growth curve toward heavier weights and lower degree of maturity for any interval.     

Relationships between growth and productivity of range ewes

The relationships between various measures of growth and productivity of range sheep were investigated, utilizing records of 1,109 range ewes sired by 269 rams. Body weights and degree of maturity of body weight at birth, weaning, 12 mo, 18 mo, 30 mo and absolute growth rate, absolute maturing rate and relative growth rate over various age intervals were studied relative to their relationship with productivity characters. Measures of ewe productivity were average annual production for the 4-yr period, 2 through 5 yr of age, for grease fleece weight, number of lambs born, number of lambs weaned and weight of lambs weaned. Heritability estimates were .31 +/- .11 for grease fleece weight, .42 +/- .12 for number of lambs born, .08 +/- .10 for number of lambs weaned and .03 +/- .10 for weight of lambs weaned. All production characters had positive phenotypic correlations (.04 to .22) with body weight at all ages. Both number of lambs born and weight of lambs weaned had small positive phenotypic correlations with growth rates over the 12- to 18-mo age interval. The genetic correlations between ewe productivity and weights at different ages were variable, ranging from -.71 between weaning weight and grease fleece weight to values greater than 1.00 for correlations between weight of lambs weaned and weights at birth, weaning and 18-mo. Degree of maturity at 12 mo had positive genetic correlations with all production characters. Estimated genetic correlations between number of lambs born and absolute growth rate, relative growth rate and absolute maturing rate over the 12- to 18-mo age interval were positive.     

可变压缩比对增压中冷柴油机性能影响的模拟分析

为计算可变压缩比技术对柴油机燃油经济性和排放性能的影响,该文通过GT-Power软件,对一台装备有中冷废气再循环系统和可变几何涡轮增压系统的C6.6重型柴油机进行了建模和仿真分析,并采用了直喷燃烧预测模型对模型的有效性进行了验证。研究结果表明,可变压缩比技术使柴油机中、低负荷下燃油经济性的改善可达7.2%,再结合适当的废气再循环(exhaust gas recirculation,EGR)率和可变几何涡轮增压系统(variable geometry turbocharger,VGT)控制策略,柴油机的NOx和颗粒物的排放性能可达到欧洲5号标准瞬态测试循环(european transient cycle,ETC)中的排放要求。因此,可变压缩比技术可以有效改善直喷柴油机的燃油经济性,提高排放性能。     

Variable impacts of reduced and zero tillage on soil carbon storage across 4–10 years of UK field experiments

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Reduced tillage has been advocated as a practical measure to increase soil carbon in long-term cropping soils. We examine three medium-term experiments in sites...     

The incidence of genotypes at codon 171 of the prion protein gene (PRNP) in five breeds of sheep and production traits of ewes associated with those genotypes

Scrapie is one of several transmissible spongiform encephalopathies of livestock. Disease susceptibility is linked to polymorphisms in the normal prion protein gene that encodes the mammalian prion precursor. Codon 171 of this gene is a major determinant of scrapie susceptibility. Selection for arginine (R) at codon 171 is encouraged by the USDA to decrease the incidence of scrapie. Objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of R allele variants at codon 171 in a sample of sheep from five breeds (Columbia, Hampshire, Rambouillet, Suffolk, and Targhee) and western white-faced commercial ewes and to determine whether the R allele is associated with ewe and lamb production traits. Genotyping was performed on 532 ewes and 901 lambs from the University of Wyoming flock, in addition to 820 rams from 52 sheep producers from Wyoming and surrounding areas, using a DNA mismatch assay that discriminated the R allele from others at codon 171. Genotyping was performed by DNA sequencing on 127 rams representing all breeds, except Hampshire from the USDA Sheep Experiment Station at Dubois, ID. The 171R allele was found in all five breeds and in the commercial western white-faced ewes. Genotype frequencies varied (P < 0.001) by breed in ewe and ram populations. Influence of R-allele frequency on ewe lambing records and individual lamb records was analyzed for Columbia (62, 161, 121), Hampshire (89, 193, 162), Rambouillet (87, 179, 133), Suffolk (67, 178, 161), and commercial sheep (227, 463, 324) for numbers of ewes, total number of ewe production records, and individual lamb records, respectively. Suffolk ewes without the R allele (non-R/non-R) gave birth to more (P or= 0.08) by ewe genotype. Lamb birth and weaning weights were not influenced (P >or= 0.12) by lamb genotype in any of the breeds or in the commercial flock. In this population, ultimate lamb production was only influenced by genotype at codon 171 in the Suffolk flock.