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Leite, Jacinara Hody Gurgel Morais, Débora Andréa Evangelista Façanha, Juan Vicente Delgado Bermejo, Magda Maria Guilhermino, and Luis Alberto Bermejo. "Adaptive assessment of small ruminants in arid and semi-arid regions." Small Ruminant Research 203 (October 2021): 106497. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2021.106497.
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Gorlov, I. F., G. V. Fedotova, M. I. Slozhenkina, N. I. Mosolova, Ya I. Gishlarkaev, T. A. Magomadov, Yu A. Yuldashbaev, and D. A. Mosolova. "Adaptation features of sheep of the Edilbaev breed reared in the agroecological conditions of the arid zones of Southern Russia." South of Russia: ecology, development 14, no. 3 (October 10, 2019): 71–81. http://dx.doi.org/10.18470/1992-1098-2019-3-71-81.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
Aim. The aim of the research was to study the features of formation of adaptive ability, meat productivity and quality indicators of mutton obtained in the arid conditions of the Volga region from sheep of the Edilbaev breed of different genotypes. Material and Methods. A package of teaching materials has been developed concerning an increase in the productive qualities of different genotypes of the studied breed in the conditions of arid regions of southern Russia. Results. The authors’ research has demonstrated the high adaptive abilities of animals of the Edilbaev breed, their economic and biological qualities, food and taste indicators of their meat, as well as the possibility of further development of the breed in the arid conditions of southern Russia. As a research base, we selected the Volgograd‐Edilbay LLC breeding farm (the world's only breeding and genetic center for raising Edilbaev sheep) which is located in the Volgograd region and specializes in breeding pure‐bred animals in arid steppe, semi‐desert and desert zones. Due to the great demand for the livestock of this breed from farms located in arid territories, this study of the comparative aspects of production characteristics of animals of original and new types in the arid conditions of the Volga region is of interest to both science and practical animal husbandry. Conclusion. An assessment of the nutritional value of mutton obtained from animals of the Edilbaev breed has shown its high nutritional and biological qualities.
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Niemi, Jarkko K., Kari Hyytiäinen, Astou Diao Camara, Cheickh Sadibou Fall, and Siwa Msangi. "Simulated impacts of weather variability on seasonally moving pastoral livestock in northern Senegal." Suomen Maataloustieteellisen Seuran Tiedote, no. 33 (January 31, 2016): 1–7. http://dx.doi.org/10.33354/smst.75213.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
Households in the arid or semi-arid regions often practice transhumance, which means that the household or part of it moves seasonally with animals from a common pasture to another. Semi-arid regions in the Sahel have faced increasing environmental pressure due to population growth and decreasing rainfall. In northern Senegal this has changed the pattern of movement and stocking densities in the area. Pastoral livestock which utilizes common rangeland is heavily exposed to weather variability. The goal of this paper is to examine how potential changes in weather variability and rainfall could affect the decisions to move animals in an extensive pastoral livestock system across two regions. Building on earlier research we develop a stochastic dynamic programming model that describes extensive, common-pasture-based livestock under stochastic and spatially varying weather. We extend previous research by allowing animal’s movements between two regions and take into account that decisions can be adjusted when new information about the weather arrives. Decision rules to sell and move animals under exogenous price, market and climate scenarios are investigated. The results show that in the absence of efficient feed markets and under unpredictable weather, transhumance can be a rational livestock management strategy. Weather has an important role in the herder’s decision-making especially in years when the rainfall turns out to be below that of an average year. By contrast, economic variables play an important role when rainfall is not limiting herd sales decisions. Increased frequency of extreme weather conditions, such as heavy drought or rainfall, may have more severe impacts on livestock husbandry than gradual changes in the mean annual rainfall or temperature suggest. Hence, policies should aim at mitigating the negative consequences of extreme weather
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Zhang, Lyubing, and Zhigang Jiang. "Unveiling the status of alien animals in the arid zone of Asia." PeerJ 4 (January 12, 2016): e1545. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.1545.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
Biological invasion is one of the most threatening factors for biodiversity conservation. Lacking information on alien species in certain regions of the world hampers a balanced understanding of invasion processes and efficient data exchange among stakeholders. Current knowledge gaps are in need of urgent concern. We therefore conducted a review on alien animals in Xinjiang, an unknown region of invasion ecology. Xinjiang lies in the heartland of the Asian continent, covering an area of 1,664,900 km2. In the past 64 years, 128 alien animal species were recorded in this region, 39% of which became invasive and led to loss of native biodiversity. Most of these species were introduced through diversification of local agriculture and aquaculture. This process was aggravated by improving transportation and flourishing trade. Multiple linear regression models and correlation analysis were run for explaining influence of environmental and anthropogenic factors on status of alien animals: economically developed areas with abundant water resource, oases in particular, were prone to be hotspots of alien animal species in this arid and semi-arid region. This study also revealed that taxonomically biased and lagged research were critical problems that impeded studies on biological invasions in Xinjiang, and proposed feasible solutions.
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Dean, W. Richard J., Colleen L. Seymour, Grant S. Joseph, and Stefan H. Foord. "A Review of the Impacts of Roads on Wildlife in Semi-Arid Regions." Diversity 11, no. 5 (May 19, 2019): 81. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/d11050081.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
Roads now penetrate even the most remote parts of much of the world, but the majority of research on the effects of roads on biota has been in less remote temperate environments. The impacts of roads in semi-arid and arid areas may differ from these results in a number of ways. Here, we review the research on the impacts of roads on biodiversity patterns and ecological and evolutionary processes in semi-arid regions. The most obvious effect of roads is mortality or injury through collision. A diversity of scavengers are killed whilst feeding on roadkill, a source of easily accessed food. Noise pollution from roads and traffic interferes with vocal communication by animals, and birds and frogs living along noisy roads compensate for traffic noise by increasing the amplitude or pitch of their calls. Artificial light along roads impacts certain species’ ability to navigate, as well as attracting invertebrates. Animals are in turn attracted to invertebrates at streetlights, and vulnerable to becoming roadkill themselves. Genetics research across taxa confirms a loss of genetic diversity in small populations isolated by roads, but the long-term impact on the fitness of affected populations through a reduction in genetic diversity is not yet clear. Roads may rapidly cause genetic effects, raising conservation concerns about rare and threatened species. We assess mitigation measures and collate methods to identify the impact of roads on wildlife populations and their associated ecosystems, with a particular focus on recent advances.
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Almeida, Gledson L. P. de, Héliton Pandorfi, Fátima Baptista, Cristiane Guiselini, and Janice M. C. Barnabé. "Thermal efficiency of individual shelters for girolando calves in brazilian semi-arid regions." Engenharia Agrícola 36, no. 1 (February 2016): 13–23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1809-4430-eng.agric.v36n1p13-23/2016.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to evaluate the thermal efficiency of roofs used on individual shelters during milk-feeding stage of Girolando calves. The research was conducted at a farm located in a dry region of Pernambuco state, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized, with 27 Holstein × Gir dairy crossbred calves housed in shelters with three roofing materials (fibre cement tile, recycled tile, and thatched roofs). The recycled tiles and thatched roofs provided reductions of 18.7 and 14.6% in radiant thermal load, respectively. Regardless the roofing material, all animals increased their respiratory rate to maintain thermal equilibrium.
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Chedid, Mabelle, Lina S. Jaber, Sylvie Giger-Reverdin, Christine Duvaux-Ponter, and Shadi K. Hamadeh. "Review: Water stress in sheep raised under arid conditions." Canadian Journal of Animal Science 94, no. 2 (June 2014): 243–57. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/cjas2013-188.
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Chedid, M., Jaber, L. S., Giger-Reverdin, S., Duvaux-Ponter, C. and Hamadeh, S. K. 2014. Review: Water stress in sheep raised under arid conditions. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 243–257. Sheep breeds which are indigenous to arid and semi-arid regions are known for their ability to adapt to rustic environments, to climatic variations as well as to shortages in resources. Water scarcity, often combined with heat stress, is a common challenge facing these animals, causing physiological perturbations and affecting the animal's productivity. This review reports the effect of different forms of water stress on physiological indicators, blood parameters, thermoregulation and immunological status in sheep. Although the breed effect may be significant, the following are generally observed common responses: drop in feed intake and weight loss, increase in evaporative cooling through panting, production of a small volume of highly concentrated urine, haemoconcentration, high blood osmolality, and immunosuppression. Prolonged water shortage may affect lamb birth weight and survival, and lead to a decrease in milk production, especially in non-adapted breeds, which could lead to important economic losses, as reported in heat-stressed sheep husbandries. Novel stress alleviation approaches are also presented, such as vitamin C supplementation.
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Yifru, Bisrat Ayalew, Min-Gyu Kim, Jeong-Woo Lee, Il-Hwan Kim, Sun-Woo Chang, and Il-Moon Chung. "Water Storage in Dry Riverbeds of Arid and Semi-Arid Regions: Overview, Challenges, and Prospects of Sand Dam Technology." Sustainability 13, no. 11 (May 24, 2021): 5905. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13115905.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
Augmenting water availability using water-harvesting structures is of importance in arid and semi-arid regions (ASARs). This paper provides an overview and examines challenges and prospects of the sand dam application in dry riverbeds of ASARs. The technology filters and protects water from contamination and evaporation with low to no maintenance cost. Sand dams improve the socio-economy of the community and help to cope with drought and climate change. However, success depends on the site selection, design, and construction. The ideal site for a sand dam is at a transition between mountains and plains, with no bend, intermediate slope, and impermeable riverbed in a catchment with a slope greater than 2°. The spillway dimensioning considers the flow velocity, sediment properties, and storage target, and the construction is in multi-stages. Recently, the failure of several sand dams because of incorrect siting, evaporation loss, and one-stage construction were reported. Revision of practitioners’ manuals by considering catchment scale hydrological and hydrogeological characteristics, spillway height, and sediment transport are recommended. Research shows that protected wells have better water quality than open wells and scoop holes. Therefore, the community should avoid open defecation, pit latrines, tethering of animals, and applying pesticides near the sand dam.
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Mgode, Georgies F., Ginethon G. Mhamphi, Apia W. Massawe, and Robert S. Machang’u. "Leptospira Seropositivity in Humans, Livestock and Wild Animals in a Semi-Arid Area of Tanzania." Pathogens 10, no. 6 (June 3, 2021): 696. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10060696.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
Background: Leptospirosis is among the major neglected zoonoses in developing countries. The prevalence of leptospirosis remains underestimated in many African countries because of limited diagnostic facilities. We studied Leptospira seropositivity prevalence in humans, sheep, goats and rodents in a semi-arid region of central Tanzania and compared findings with reports from humid tropical areas. The aims were to establish the disease burden in different settings; understand circulating Leptospira serovars and potential major reservoirs for establishing appropriate control measures. Methods: Humans, sheep, goats, rodents and shrews (insectivores) were sampled from Bahi district, a semi-arid area in central Tanzania. Samples were tested for leptospiral antibodies using microscopic agglutination test (MAT) consisting of Leptospira serovars mainly reported in Tanzania and reference strains. Findings were compared with previous data to determine the disease epidemiological patterns. Results and conclusion: Semi-arid area showed high Leptospira seropositivity prevalence in humans and domestic animals due to intensive human–animal interactions at scarce water points and by flash flooding which occur in the area. Rodent population in the semi-arid areas was relatively low due to flooding. Leptospira seropositivity in rodents was also slightly lower, and the rodents appeared to be prolific breeders, probably as a means to compensate for the lost population during extreme drought as well as during short spells of floods. Intensive human–animal interaction in the semi-arid areas especially, in water sources in valleys where human and animals often meet, likely increased the risk of leptospirosis transmission to rice farmers in the area. Goats and sheep which are kept around homesteads had higher leptospiral antibodies prevalence (62%), nearly double of the 38% reported in same species in humid tropical regions of Tanzania. Livestock, especially goats and sheep, could be the major source of leptospirosis transmission to humans. Vaccination of livestock with vaccines against local Leptospira strains should be encouraged, and rodent control emphasized, as part of a management strategy against leptospirosis. Public awareness of leptospirosis must also be raised and supported by availability of rapid test kits in clinics for preliminary testing of leptospirosis in people with fevers of unknown origin.
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Siqueira, Thamires Damascena Quirino, João Paulo Ismério dos Santos Monnerat, Juana Catarina Cariri Chagas, Maria Gabriela da Conceição, Michelle Christina Bernardo de Siqueira, Thays Bianca Lira Viana, and Marcelo de Andrade Ferreira. "Cactus cladodes associated with urea and sugarcane bagasse: an alternative to conserved feed in semi-arid regions." Tropical Animal Health and Production 51, no. 7 (April 25, 2019): 1975–80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11250-019-01895-1.
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Silva, A. H. S., P. A. Castelo Branco, M. V. S. Santos, W. G. Vale, and A. A. Brêtas. "Intensive pasture termination (IPT): perspective for the Sergipe semi-arid." Scientific Electronic Archives 13, no. 11 (October 29, 2020): 110. http://dx.doi.org/10.36560/131120201143.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
The objective of this review was to approach the intensive pasture termination system (IPT) as a possible alternative for the development of beef cattle in the semiarid region. Pasture are still the cheapest and most practical way in livestock as a source of food for cattle. In semi-arid regions, seasonality causes forage productivity to be low, causing a nutritional deficit in the animals. Strategies and technologies are developed to promote alternatives that supply nutritional deficiencies with forms of supplementation. One of them, TIP, brings the concept of confinement to the pasture, bringing good results and low structural and operational cost.
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Ayeb, Naziha, Margherita Addis, Myriam Fiori, Naziha Atti, Ahmed Barmat, Mohamed Hammadi, Hager Boukhris, Chokri Damergi, and Touhami Khorchani. "Effect of local diets on nutritional and sensory quality of meat of indigenous goats in Tunisian arid regions." Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 103, no. 6 (August 7, 2019): 1637–45. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jpn.13168.
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Sallam, S. M. A., M. M. H. Khalil, M. F. A. Attia, H. M. El-Zaiat, M. G. Abdellattif, H. M. Abo-Zeid, and Moustafa M. Zeitoun. "Utilization of blue panic (Panicum antidotale) as an alternative feed resource for feeding Barky sheep in arid regions." Tropical Animal Health and Production 51, no. 8 (June 7, 2019): 2351–60. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11250-019-01963-6.
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Smith, D. G., and R. A. Pearson. "A Review of the Factors Affecting the Survival of Donkeys in Semi-arid Regions of Sub-Saharan Africa." Tropical Animal Health and Production 37, S1 (January 2005): 1–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11250-005-9002-5.
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GALLO, VALERIA, LEONARDO S. AVILLA, RODRIGO C. L. PEREIRA, and BRUNO A. ABSOLON. "Distributional patterns of herbivore megamammals during the Late Pleistocene of South America." Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências 85, no. 2 (June 2013): 533–46. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s0001-37652013000200005.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
The geographic distribution of 27 species of the South American megafauna of herbivore mammals during the Late Pleistocene was analyzed in order to identify their distributional patterns. The distribution of the species was studied using the panbiogeographical method of track analysis. Six generalized tracks (GTs) and two biogeographic nodes were obtained. The GTs did not completely superpose with the areas of open savanna present in Pleistocene, nor with the biotic tracks of some arthropods typical of arid climate, indicating that these animals avoided arid environment. Overall, the GTs coincided with some biogeographic provinces defined on the basis of living taxa, indicating that certain current distributional patterns already existed in Pleistocene. The biogeographic nodes coincided with the borders between the main vegetal formations of the Pleistocene, showing that the type of vegetation had great influence in the distribution of the mammalian megafauna. The node 1 confirmed the existence of contact zones between paleobiogeographic regions near Argentina-Uruguay border. The node 2 connects the Brazilian Intertropical regions.
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Alves, José Romero Alexandre, Areano Ethério Moreira de Farias, Geilson Manoel de Souza Lima, Clecio Henrique Limeira, Francisco Selmo Fernandes Alves, Raymundo Rizaldo Pinheiro, Patrícia Yoshida Faccioli-Martins, Sérgio Santos de Azevedo, and Clebert Jose Alves. "Seroprevalence of caseous lymphadenitis in goats sold in an animal fair in the northeastern semi-arid region of Brazil." Semina: Ciências Agrárias 39, no. 3 (May 4, 2018): 1067. http://dx.doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2018v39n3p1067.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
Goat farming in the northeastern regions of Brazil plays an important role in the socio-economic functions of the country. However, high rates of morbidity and mortality occur in the animals, caused primarily by infectious diseases like caseous lymphadenitis, which is widespread in goat herds; this causes serious economic losses to the farming business. Although events such as animal fairs are common in the region, wherein most of the goats and sheep are sold, the risk of disease transmission remains, since the health condition of the animal is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of anti-Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis antibodies present in the goats sold at the animal fair of Tabira - PE, Northeastern semi-arid. Serum samples from 233 goats were collected from the period of November 2014 to June 2015. The diagnosis of infection by C. pseudotuberculosis was made using the indirect ELISA technique. The number of goats seropositive for C. pseudotuberculosis was identified as 87 (37.34%; 95% CI = 31.38 - 43.71%). Of the nine flocks evaluated, five (55.55%) were positive. Thus, it is suggested that infection by C. pseudotuberculosis is widespread in the goats sold at the animal fairs in the semi-arid Northeastern, reinforcing the need for disease diagnosis in goat herds in the region for the possible implementation of disease control programs.
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Rekik, M., A. Gonzalez-Bulnes, N. Lassoued, H. Ben Salem, A. Tounsi, and I. Ben Salem. "The cactus effect: an alternative to the lupin effect for increasing ovulation rate in sheep reared in semi-arid regions?" Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 96, no. 2 (May 6, 2011): 242–49. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0396.2011.01145.x.
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Brooks (Turner), Rachel J., Douglas R. Tolleson, George B. Ruyle, and Dan B. Faulkner. "A production-scale evaluation of nutritional monitoring and decision support software for free-ranging cattle in an arid environment." Rangeland Journal 43, no. 1 (2021): 35. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj20116.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
Range cattle in semi-arid regions are commonly limited by lack of nitrogen and other nutrients from grazing low-quality forage, with managers needing to monitor diet quality to address nutrient limitations. Near-infrared spectroscopy of faecal samples (FNIRS) is an accurate method used to determine diet quality in grazing animals. When combined with a nutritional balance software such as the Nutritional Balance Analyser (NUTBAL), FNIRS can monitor nutritional status and estimate weight change. We aimed to test the ability of NUTBAL to predict animal performance as represented by body condition score (BCS) in cattle grazing on a semi-desert rangeland. BCS and faecal samples were collected from a Red Angus herd (n=82) at the Santa Rita Ranch (June 2016–July 2017). Standing biomass and botanical composition were measured before each grazing period, and relative utilisation was measured following each grazing period. During the midpoint of grazing in each pasture, 30 BCS and a faecal composite of 15 samples were collected. Faecal derived diet quality varied between a maximum of 10.75% crude protein (CP) and 61.25% digestible organic matter (DOM) in early August 2016, to a minimum value of 4.22% CP and 57.68% DOM in January 2017. Three NUTBAL evaluations were conducted to determine the likelihood of accurately predicting animal performance: one with typical user defined inputs; one with improved environment and herd descriptive inputs; and one with these improvements plus the use of metabolisable protein in the model. This third evaluation confirmed the ability of FNIRS:NUTBAL to predict future BCS within 0.5 BCS more than 75% of the time. With this information, cattle managers in semi-arid regions can better address animal performance needs and nutrient deficiencies.
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Joel, Anna-Christin, and Margret Weissbach. "Same Principles but Different Purposes: Passive Fluid Handling throughout the Animal Kingdom." Integrative and Comparative Biology 59, no. 6 (March 28, 2019): 1673–80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icb/icz018.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
Abstract Everything on earth is subject to physical laws, thus they influence all facets of living creatures. Although these laws restrain animals in many ways, some animals have developed a way to use physical phenomena in their favor to conserve energy. Many animals, which have to handle fluids, for example, have evolved passive mechanisms by adapting their wettability or using capillary forces for rapid fluid spreading. In distinct animals, a similar selection pressure always favors a convergent development. However, when assessing the biological tasks of passive fluid handling mechanisms, their diversity is rather surprising. Besides the well-described handling of water to facilitate drinking in arid regions, observed in, e.g., several lizards, other animals like a special flat bug have developed a similar mechanism for a completely different task and fluid: Instead of water, these bugs passively transport an oily defense secretion to a region close to their head where it finally evaporates. And again some spiders use capillary forces to capture prey, by sucking in the viscous waxy cuticle of their prey with their nanofibrous threads. This review highlights the similarities and differences in the deployed mechanisms of passive fluid handling across the animal kingdom. Besides including well-studied animals to point out different mechanisms in general, we stretch over to not as extensively studied species for which similar mechanisms are described for different tasks. Thus, we provide an extensive overview of animals for which passive fluid handling is described so far as well as for future inspiration.
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Illa, Satish Kumar, Gangaraju Gollamoori, Fernando Brito Lopes, Sapna Nath, and Thiruvenkadan A.K. "Multi trait genetic evaluation of growth traits in Nellore sheep raised on pasture in semi-arid regions of India using Bayesian approach." Small Ruminant Research 192 (November 2020): 106224. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2020.106224.
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Maurya, V. P., S. M. K. Naqvi, and J. P. Mittal. "Effect of dietary energy level on physiological responses and reproductive performance of Malpura sheep in the hot semi-arid regions of India." Small Ruminant Research 55, no. 1-3 (October 2004): 117–22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2003.12.008.
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LAGARDE, F., T. LOUZIZI, T. SLIMANI, H. EL MOUDEN, K. BEN KADDOUR, S. MOULHERAT, and X. BONNET. "Bushes protect tortoises from lethal overheating in arid areas of Morocco." Environmental Conservation 39, no. 2 (January 19, 2012): 172–82. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0376892911000634.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
SUMMARYArid Mediterranean regions that shelter unique biodiversity are threatened by increasing anthropogenic pressures, such as urbanization, overgrazing and climate change. In Morocco, one of the main bush species in arid areas, the jujube (Ziziphus lotus), suffers from officially promoted programmes of removal. The Moorish tortoise (Testudo graeca soussensis) is threatened by such habitat loss. Like most animals, the Moorish tortoise must navigate between microhabitats to find essential feeding resources and thermal refuges. This study combined radio-tracking of free-ranging individuals, microhabitat temperature monitoring and transects in a range of habitats. Tortoises were found to depend on the occurrence of large and relatively abundant bushes to escape lethal overheating. Thus, (1) current official encouragements for the destruction of the jujube bushes should be reappraised; (2) habitat restoration relying on replanting jujube bush should be encouraged; and (3) large-scale monitoring of critical bush densities should be used to better organize conservation plans (protection and/or restoration of areas) for the Moorish tortoise.
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Micklin, Philip P. "The Water Management Crisis in Soviet Central Asia." Carl Beck Papers in Russian and East European Studies, no. 905 (January 1, 1991): 131. http://dx.doi.org/10.5195/cbp.1991.105.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
Water is biologically essential to all life. Without an adequate supply plants and animals soon perish. But an abundant and assured supply of fresh water is also an economic and social necessity to modem industrial societies which withdraw prodigious amounts of it, chiefly for industrial, agricultural, and municipal purposes. Massive water withdrawals are particularly essential in arid regions where irrigation has been extensively developed. However, since irrigation is a major consumptive user of water (i.e., a large proportion of water withdrawn is not returned directly to the supply source), rivers and ground water suffer significant depletion with attendant ecological, economic, and social consequences.
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Pollock, David. "Managing the unmanageable: reinstating the dingo for pastoral sustainability in Australian rangelands." Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 133, no. 1 (2021): 27. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rs21005.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
The predominant grazing management system used in the arid rangelands regions of Australia, set stocking, is not conducive to sustainable land management. More appropriate grazing management systems based upon periodic rest periods for important pasture species have not been adopted by pastoralists because the unmanaged grazing pressure from animals such as goats and kangaroos has been too high. Dingoes are the only cost-effective and long-term management solution to the effect of unmanaged grazing by goats and kangaroos. Yet government funding targets dingo eradication in pastoral areas, and it does so by adopting misleading and scientifically inaccurate terms for describing dingoes.
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Abensperg-traun, M., G. W. Arnold, D. E. Steven, G. T. Smith, L. Atkins, J. J. Viveen, and M. Gutter. "Biodiversity indicators in semi-arid, agricultural Western Australia." Pacific Conservation Biology 2, no. 4 (1995): 375. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/pc960375.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
The predicted future loss of native Australian species of plants and animals, in part as a result of adverse land management strategies, has led to attempts to identify areas of high biotic richness (numbers of species). Bioindicators are measures of the physical environment, or of a subset of the plants or animals, that best predict biotic richness. Ideally, bioindicators should aim at predicting as large a component of the plant or animal fauna as is possible at minimum cost. For two contrasting vegetation types, we examined remnant area, vegetation structural diversity, species richness of plants, lizards and terrestrial arthropods, and the relative abundance of individual arthropod species, as indicators of faunal richness, using correlation, principal component regression and stepwise regression analyses. The study was carried out in gimlet Eucalyptus salubris woodlands (29 sites) and shrublands (27 sites) in semi-arid, agricultural Western Australia. Sites varied considerably in grazing history (woodland) and in farming history (shrubland). Fauna sampled were lizards (woodland), scorpions (woodland), isopods (woodland), cockroaches (woodland), termites (woodland, shrubland), earwigs (woodland), hemipterans (shrubland), beetles (woodland, shrubland), butterflies (shrubland) and ants (woodland, shrubland). None of the indicator variables in any analyses effectively predicted total faunal richness for either vegetation type (<35% of variation in total richness explained). In correlation analyses for woodlands, vegetation structural diversity and plant richness, but no fauna variable, explained a high percentage of the variation in the richness of lizards (56% explained by richness of native plants, +ve), scorpions (48%, richness of native plants, +ve), termites (55%, vegetation structural diversity, +ve) and beetles (59%, litter, –ve). The richness of the shrubland fauna was poorly predicted by all indicator variables (<25% explained). When using the total richness and abundance of ant functional groups, the abundance of a subset of species within ant functional groups, and of termite and beetle species, in principal component regressions, various ant functional groups explained 42% each of the richness of scorpions and beetles, and eight beetle species explained 50% of termite richness. When remnant area, vegetation structural diversity and the richness of native plants in woodland were tested in step-wise regressions as indicators of total faunal richness, remnant area was the only significant indicator variable, explaining 33% of total richness. The richness of native plants and vegetation structural diversity explained a total of 76% of the pooled richness of lizards + scorpions + termites. No significant indicator variable was found by regression procedures for total richness, or for a subset, of the shrubland fauna. We argue that differences in the predictive qualities of vegetation structure and plant richness between the vegetation types was due, in part, to differences in the spatial heterogeneity of biotic richness, and possibly the scale at which structure was measured. The use of structural diversity or plant richness as predictors of faunal richness for different woodland types, or those with different disturbance histories, or in different geographic or climatic regions, should not be adopted without verification of their efficiency at predicting the richness of the local fauna.
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S., Suresh Ramanan, and Kunhamu T.K. "Need and scope for agroforestry in Disaster Management Plan for Animals." Annals of Plant Sciences 6, no. 10 (October 1, 2017): 1694. http://dx.doi.org/10.21746/aps.2017.6.10.2.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
Disaster causes threat to life and property. Management and mitigation measures have been primarily focused around human life. Technically, the post disaster management is centered on reviving the livelihood and often the poor and vulnerable sections of the society are affected much. Apart from agricultural farming, livestock rearing is major source of livelihood of farmers. With nearly 70% of the livestock owned by the marginal farmers, any disaster that cause a loss in livestock do affect these dependent people. Considering this reality, Government of India instituted “National Disaster Management Plan for Animals (DMP)”. The entire DMP has been forged to provide guidance for the wellbeing of animals that got entangled in disaster in form of pre-disaster preparedness, disaster response and post disaster plan. In this context, ensuring adequate quantity of quality fodder and vital veterinary care assumes primary concern in post disaster response. In this context agroforestry, tree fodder assumes greater significance owing to their round-the-year availability and quality of fodder. There are many fodder based agroforestry systems that can withstands and maintain reasonable productivity even during extremes disaster situations like floods, drought and cyclones. A classical success model is the Acacia leucophloea and Prosopis cineraria based silvopastoral models for fodder production in arid and semi-arid regions and ngitili as a silvopastoral practice of Tanzania to evade the drought. Similarly, in flood condition trees are the only means for green fodder supply. Studies need to be initiated on the planning, implementation and management strategies to be followed for optimizing the productivity and quality of fodder through community involvement. Hence the information gap has to be suitability filled though proper research as well as extension through interdisciplinary approach. So that agroforestry based livestock management strategies can incorporated into DMP, so that not only protecting our precious livestock wealth and also to ensure the livelihood security of millions of marginal farmers. Agroforestry is potential approach for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and help to mitigate the extremes of perceived disaster and incorporating agroforestry will a bottom to top approach.
27
Gurera, Dev, and Bharat Bhushan. "Passive water harvesting by desert plants and animals: lessons from nature." Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences 378, no. 2167 (February 3, 2020): 20190444. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2019.0444.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
Fresh water sustains human life and is vital for human health. For some of the poorest countries, 1 in 10 people do not have access to safe and easily accessible water sources. Water consumption by man continues to grow with an increasing population. The current supply of fresh water needs to be supplemented to meet future needs. Living nature provides many lessons for water harvesting. It has evolved species which can survive in the most arid regions of the world by passively collecting water from fog and condensation of water vapour in the night. Before the collected water evaporates, species have mechanisms to transport water for storage or consumption. These species possess unique chemistry and structures on or within the body for collection and transport of water. Among the high diversity of species surviving in deserts, only a handful of species have been studied. Based on lessons from nature, bioinspired water harvesters can be designed. In this paper, an overview of various desert plants and animals is given and known water harvesting mechanisms of some are presented. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Bioinspired materials and surfaces for green science and technology (part 3)’.
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Bezerra, Cinara Wanderléa Felix, and Luciana de Matos Andrade. "Interaction of macroinvertebrates in leaf litter in forest ecosystems: a review." Journal of Environmental Analysis and Progress 6, no. 2 (June 30, 2021): 153–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.24221/jeap.6.2.2021.3365.153-166.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
The leaf litter consists of vegetable fragments/waste (e.g., leaves, fruits, twigs) and animals. Acting on soil fertilization through its decomposition and fragmentation by abiotic factors (for example, bacteria, fungi, invertebrates, and vertebrates), helping in the process of nutrient cycling, becoming an alternative in the recovery of degraded areas. Its production varies according to the climatic conditions of the region, being the observation as greater leaf litter production in tropical and subtropical areas, as well as the semi-arid regions, where the plants in greater depth lose their leaves allowing a higher deposition of the biomass in the soil. The leaf litter still acts, as it applies to a diversity of animals that they use as a means to develop. Among the most representative animals are the Annelida (Oligochaeta), Myriapoda (Chilopoda and Diplopoda), Hexapoda (Diptera, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, Coleoptera, Blattodea, Isoptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Isopoda, Thysanura), Cheliceriformes Araneae, Scorpiones, Pseudoscorpiones and Opiliones), Mollusca (Gastropoda). All these factors make the leaf litter, a source of nutrients rich in organic compounds that help improve soil fertility and provides the animals that live in it a universe of ecological niches that suit the needs of each species.
29
Almathen, Faisal, Pauline Charruau, Elmira Mohandesan, Joram M. Mwacharo, Pablo Orozco-terWengel, Daniel Pitt, Abdussamad M. Abdussamad, et al. "Ancient and modern DNA reveal dynamics of domestication and cross-continental dispersal of the dromedary." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 113, no. 24 (May 9, 2016): 6707–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1519508113.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
Dromedaries have been fundamental to the development of human societies in arid landscapes and for long-distance trade across hostile hot terrains for 3,000 y. Today they continue to be an important livestock resource in marginal agro-ecological zones. However, the history of dromedary domestication and the influence of ancient trading networks on their genetic structure have remained elusive. We combined ancient DNA sequences of wild and early-domesticated dromedary samples from arid regions with nuclear microsatellite and mitochondrial genotype information from 1,083 extant animals collected across the species’ range. We observe little phylogeographic signal in the modern population, indicative of extensive gene flow and virtually affecting all regions except East Africa, where dromedary populations have remained relatively isolated. In agreement with archaeological findings, we identify wild dromedaries from the southeast Arabian Peninsula among the founders of the domestic dromedary gene pool. Approximate Bayesian computations further support the “restocking from the wild” hypothesis, with an initial domestication followed by introgression from individuals from wild, now-extinct populations. Compared with other livestock, which show a long history of gene flow with their wild ancestors, we find a high initial diversity relative to the native distribution of the wild ancestor on the Arabian Peninsula and to the brief coexistence of early-domesticated and wild individuals. This study also demonstrates the potential to retrieve ancient DNA sequences from osseous remains excavated in hot and dry desert environments.
30
Diab, Mohamed Said, Reda Tarabees, Yasser F. Elnaker, Ghada A. Hadad, Marwa A. Saad, Salah A. Galbat, Sarah Albogami, Aziza M. Hassan, Mahmoud A. O. Dawood, and Sabah Ibrahim Shaaban. "Molecular Detection, Serotyping, and Antibiotic Resistance of Shiga Toxigenic Escherichia coli Isolated from She-Camels and In-Contact Humans in Egypt." Antibiotics 10, no. 8 (August 23, 2021): 1021. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10081021.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
This study aims to determine the prevalence of STEC in she-camels suffering from mastitis in semi-arid regions by using traditional culture methods and then confirming it with Serological and molecular techniques in milk samples, camel feces, as well as human stool samples for human contacts. In addition, an antibiotic susceptibility profile for these isolates was investigation. Mastitic milk samples were taken after California Mastitis Test (CMT) procedure, and fecal samples were taken from she-camels and human stool samples, then cultured using traditional methods to isolate Escherichiacoli. These isolates were initially classified serologically, then an mPCR (Multiplex PCR) was used to determine virulence genes. Finally, both camel and human isolates were tested for antibiotic susceptibility. Out of a total of 180 she-camels, 34 (18.9%) were mastitic (8.3% clinical and 10.6% sub-clinical mastitis), where it was higher in camels bred with other animals. The total presence of E. coli was 21.9, 13.9, and 33.7% in milk, camel feces, and human stool, respectively, whereas the occurrence of STEC from the total E. coli isolates were 36, 16, and 31.4% for milk, camel feces, and stool, respectively. Among the camel isolates, stx1 was the most frequently detected virulence gene, while hlyA was not detected. The most detected virulence gene in human isolates was stx2 (45.5%), followed by stx1. Camel STEC showed resistance to Oxytetracycline only, while human STEC showed multiple drug resistance to Amoxicillin, Gentamycin, and Clindamycin with 81.8, 72.7, and 63.6%, respectively. Breeding camels in semi-arid areas separately from other animals may reduce the risk of infection with some bacteria, including E. coli; in contrast, mixed breeding with other animals contributes a significant risk factor for STEC emergence in camels.
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Arsenopoulos, Konstantinos V., George C. Fthenakis, Eleni I. Katsarou, and Elias Papadopoulos. "Haemonchosis: A Challenging Parasitic Infection of Sheep and Goats." Animals 11, no. 2 (February 1, 2021): 363. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani11020363.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
The paper reviews the challenges about haemonchosis—a significant and common parasitic infection of small ruminants. Haemonchus contortus is a highly pathogenic parasite that localises in the abomasum of affected animals and exerts its pathogenicity by blood-sucking activity, adversely affecting the health and productivity of animals. The first challenge is the uneven distribution of the infection globally, this being more prevalent in tropical and subtropical and warm temperate and summer rainfall regions than in cool and cold temperate and arid regions; hence, this leads in differences in the approaches required for its control. Another challenge is the widespread presence of Haemonchus strains resistant to the various anthelmintics available: Benzimidazoles, imidazothiazoles, macrocyclic lactones, closantel and monepantel, which makes the control of the infection difficult. The third challenge refers to the difficulty of diagnosing the disease, given that field evidence can provide suspicion about the infection, which needs to be subsequently confirmed by laboratory tests through parasitological or molecular techniques. The final challenge relates to the difficulties in the control of the infection and the necessity to use pharmaceutical products cautiously and with a planned approach, to avoid further development of anthelmintic resistance, also given that use of a recently licenced vaccine is not widespread. In conclusion, at the moment, we should be concerned, but not worried, about this infection, and apply correctly the appropriate health management plans.
32
Santos, Maria V. B., Ana K. S. Cavalcante, Juliana T. S. A. Macêdo, Marilúcia C. Santos, Laiara F. Rocha, Alessandro L. Machado, and Pedro M. O. Pedroso. "Testicular and seminal evaluation of goats fed hay Cenostigma pyramidale." Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 40, no. 12 (December 2020): 963–69. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1678-5150-pvb-6674.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
ABSTRACT: This study aimed to assess the possible occurrence of reproductive changes in male goats associated with ingestion of Cenostigma pyramidale hay. Sixteen animals divided into two experimental groups, G1 and G2 (control group) were used. Animals in G1 received 2% of forage, based on live weight (LW), composed of 100% of C. pyramidale, and animals in G2 received 2% of Panicum maximum “Massai’ grass hay, based on LW. Both groups received 1% of concentrated feed supplementation based on LW, along with mineralized salt and water ad libitum. The goats were subjected to weighing, testicular biometry, and semen and blood collection every 30 days. After 120 days, the animals were castrated and their testes were collected. Testicular measurements were performed and fragments were collected for histological processing to determine the gonadosomatic index (GSI), diameter of the seminiferous tubules, height of the germinal epithelium (HGE), volumetric proportion and volume of the testicular parenchyma components, total length of the seminiferous tubules, length of the seminiferous tubules per gram of testis, and leydigosomatic and tubulosomatic indexes. The data were evaluated for normality using the Student’s t-test. Data with normal distribution were assessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the non-parametric data were evaluated using the Kruskal-Wallis test, both at 5% probability. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were observed for GSI (G1=0.48 ±0.08 and G2=0.34 ±0.09) and HGE (G1=52.95 ±2.99 and G2=.47.63 ±2.67) between treatments. Consumption of C. pyramidale hay increased LW and, consequently, testicular weight, contributing to high GSI. In conclusion, ingestion of C. pyramidale has no toxic effect on the testicular, seminal and histological parameters of goat testis. Due to its nutritional characteristics, consumption of this plant improves animal body development. Because C. pyramidale is adapted to semi-arid regions, it can be an alternative source of feed for goats during periods of shortage.
33
Mezhzherin, S. V., Yu Yu Chayka, R. P. Vlasenko, E. I. Zhalay, O. V. Rostovskaya, and O. V. Garbar. "The Alternative Distribution of Related Earthworms Aporrectodea caliginosa and A. trapezoides (Oligochaeta, Lumbricidae) in Ukraine as a Case of Geographical Parthenogenesis." Zoodiversity 55, no. 3 (2021): 185–94. http://dx.doi.org/10.15407/zoo2021.03.185.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
Geographical parthenogenesis describes phenomenon when parthenogenetic hybrid forms or species have larger distribution areas or higher abundance than their amphimictic parental species, especially in climatically unfavorable conditions. This phenomenon was studied in Ukraine for the pair species of earthworms Aporrectodea сaliginosa (Savigny, 1826) s. l. We found that the hermaphroditic amphimictic A. caliginosa clearly predominates in the northern and western regions, and the apomictic parthenogenetic A. trapezoides (Duges, 1828) in the southern and eastern regions with a continental arid climate. In the sample sets of A. сaliginosa–A. trapezoides group, usually one of the species sharply predominated, and the equality of their abundance was very rare. The reason for this fact is both the alternative geographical distribution and the ability of A. trapezoides to form populations in habitats unfavorable for A. caliginosa. In general, the situation in this group agrees with the classical model of geographic parthenogenesis and confirms the high adaptive potential of apomictic organisms. This fact once again raises the question of non-adaptive reasons for the exclusion of the apomictic reproduction in highly organized animals.
34
Nilsson, Jan-Åke, and Andreas Nord. "Testing the heat dissipation limit theory in a breeding passerine." Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 285, no. 1878 (May 16, 2018): 20180652. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2018.0652.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
The maximum work rate of animals has recently been suggested to be determined by the rate at which excess metabolic heat generated during work can be dissipated (heat dissipation limitation (HDL) theory). As a first step towards testing this theory in wild animals, we experimentally manipulated brood size in breeding marsh tits ( Poecile palustris ) to change their work rate. Parents feeding nestlings generally operated at above-normal body temperatures. Body temperature in both males and females increased with maximum ambient temperature and with manipulated work rate, sometimes even exceeding 45°C, which is close to suggested lethal levels for birds. Such high body temperatures have previously only been described for birds living in hot and arid regions. Thus, reproductive effort in marsh tits may potentially be limited by the rate of heat dissipation. Females had lower body temperatures, a possible consequence of their brood patch serving as a thermal window facilitating heat dissipation. Because increasing body temperatures are connected to somatic costs, we suggest that the HDL theory may constitute a possible mediator of the trade-off between current and future reproduction. It follows that globally increasing, more stochastic, ambient temperatures may restrict the capacity for sustained work of animals in the future.
35
Bhushan, Bharat. "Design of water harvesting towers and projections for water collection from fog and condensation." Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences 378, no. 2167 (February 3, 2020): 20190440. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2019.0440.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
Fresh water sustains human life and is vital for human health. It is estimated that about 800 million people worldwide lack basic access to drinking water. About 2.2 billion people (nearly one-third of the global population) do not have access to a safe water supply, free of contamination. Also, over 2 billion people live in countries experiencing high water stress. Current supply of fresh water needs to be supplemented to meet future needs. Living nature has evolved species which can survive in the most arid regions of the world by water collection from fog and condensation in the night. Before the collected water evaporates, species have mechanisms to transport water for storage or consumption. These species possess unique chemistry and structures on or within the body for collection and transport of water. In this paper, an overview of arid desert conditions, water sources and plants and animals, lessons from nature for water harvesting, and water harvesting data from fog and condensation are presented. Consumer, emergency and defence applications are discussed and various designs of water harvesting towers and projections for water collection are presented. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Bioinspired materials and surfaces for green science and technology (part 3)’
36
Bennison, Kerrie, Christopher R. Dickman, and Robert Godfree. "Habitat use and ecological observations of the Ooldea dunnart (Sminthopsis ooldea) at Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory." Australian Mammalogy 35, no. 2 (2013): 175. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am12048.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
The Ooldea dunnart (Sminthopsis ooldea) is a small (10–11 g) and poorly known dasyurid marsupial that is endemic to the central and western arid regions of Australia. Surveys carried out at Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, from 1994 to 2010 yielded 37 captures of this elusive species, providing novel insights into its biology. Most captures were made in pitfall traps, with spring breeding confirmed by the presence of pregnant or lactating females during October and November. Animals were captured in mallee and mulga woodland and spinifex (Triodia spp.) dominated dune fields and sand plains. Capture rates were variable in most habitat types, but were relatively consistent in one site dominated by mulga (Acacia aneura). Although we found no consistent association between captures of S. ooldea and prior rainfall, fewest animals were captured in the two wettest years of the study. Ooldea dunnarts showed no clear response to fire. We suggest that mulga is a key habitat for S. ooldea, but also that the demography of this species may be shaped by biotic and/or abiotic factors that remain to be fully elucidated.
37
Buzan, J. R., K. Oleson, and M. Huber. "Implementation and comparison of a suite of heat stress metrics within the Community Land Model version 4.5." Geoscientific Model Development Discussions 7, no. 4 (August 8, 2014): 5197–248. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/gmdd-7-5197-2014.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
Abstract. We implement and analyze 13 different metrics (4 moist thermodynamic quantities and 9 heat stress metrics) in the Community Land Model (CLM4.5), the land surface component of the Community Earth System Model (CESM). We call these routines the HumanIndexMod. These heat stress metrics embody three philosophical approaches: comfort, physiology, and empirically based algorithms. The metrics are directly connected to CLM4.5 BareGroundFuxesMod, CanopyFluxesMod, SlakeFluxesMod, and UrbanMod modules in order to differentiate between the distinct regimes even within one gridcell. This allows CLM4.5 to calculate the instantaneous heat stress at every model time step, for every land surface type, capturing all aspects of non-linearity in moisture-temperature covariance. Secondary modules for initialization and archiving are modified to generate the metrics as standard output. All of the metrics implemented depend on the covariance of near surface atmospheric variables: temperature, pressure, and humidity. Accurate wet bulb temperatures are critical for quantifying heat stress (used by 5 of the 9 heat stress metrics). Unfortunately, moist thermodynamic calculations for calculating accurate wet bulb temperatures are not in CLM4.5. To remedy this, we incorporated comprehensive water vapor calculations into CLM4.5. The three advantages of adding these metrics to CLM4.5 are (1) improved thermodynamic calculations within climate models, (2) quantifying human heat stress, and (3) that these metrics may be applied to other animals as well as industrial applications. Additionally, an offline version of the HumanIndexMod is available for applications with weather and climate datasets. Examples of such applications are the high temporal resolution CMIP5 archived data, weather and research forecasting models, CLM4.5 flux tower simulations (or other land surface model validation studies), and local weather station data analysis. To demonstrate the capabilities of the HumanIndexMod, we analyze the top 1% of heat stress events from 1901–2010 at a 4 × daily resolution from a global CLM4.5 simulation. We cross compare these events to the input moisture and temperature conditions, and with each metric. Our results show that heat stress may be divided into two regimes: arid and non-arid. The highest heat stress values are in areas with strong convection (±30° latitude). Equatorial regions have low variability in heat stress values (±20° latitude). Arid regions have large variability in extreme heat stress as compared to the low latitudes.
38
Bojanich, María Viviana, José Mario Alonso, Nadina Ayelén Caraballo, Mercedes Itatí Schöller, María de los Ángeles López, Leandro Martín García, and Juan Ángel Basualdo. "ASSESSMENT OF THE PRESENCE OF Toxocara EGGS IN SOILS OF AN ARID AREA IN CENTRAL-WESTERN ARGENTINA." Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo 57, no. 1 (February 2015): 73–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s0036-46652015000100010.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
With the aim of studying the contamination of soils with eggs of Toxocara spp. in an arid area in the central-western region of Argentina, 76 soil samples were collected from 18 towns belonging to six provinces of central-western Argentina. They were processed by the centrifugal flotation method. No eggs of Toxocara spp. were found. It can be concluded that the negative results are directly related to the characteristics of the environment and climate present in the studied area. The finding of eggs in soils depends on several factors: the presence of canine or feline feces, the hygienic behavior of pet owners, the presence of stray animals without veterinary supervision, the weather and environmental conditions, and laboratory techniques used; and all these circumstances must be considered when comparing the results found in different geographical regions. In order to accurately define the importance of public spaces in the transmission of infection to humans, it is important to consider the role of backyards or green spaces around housing in small towns, where the population is not used to walking pets in public spaces, and in such cases a significant fraction of the population may acquire the infection within households.
39
Nascimento, Thiago, Edilson Soares Lopes Junior, Mayara De Souza Miranda, Thais Thatiane dos Santos Souza, Ana Arlete de Amorim Silva, Anny Graycy Vasconcelos de Oliveira Lima, Daniel Maia Nogueira, Mabel Freitas Cordeiro, Salete Alves de Moraes, and Tadeu Vinhas Voltolini. "Factors affecting postpartum ovarian activity of goats in tropical semi-arid region." Revista de la Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias UNCuyo 53, no. 1 (July 7, 2021): 330–45. http://dx.doi.org/10.48162/rev.39.032.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):

 There have been few studies on the use of diets and strategies to reduce the length of postpartum anoestrus in dairy goats, especially in tropical semi-arid regions. This review discusses the factors influencing the return of postpartum ovarian activity in goats. During the postpartum period, goats are in puerperal anoestrus and their reproductive tract is being prepared for a new conception. Anoestrus is necessary for tissue renewal in the uterus (uterine involution) associated with the return of cyclic ovarian activity, and is influenced by factors such as suckling of the offspring, social interactions, body condition score (BCS) before and after birth, intensity of negative energy balance (NEB) and stress from adverse climatic conditions. The anoestrus period can be extended by delays in the resumption of reproductive activity of females in puerperium. The duration of puerperal anoestrus in goats directly affects the productivity of the herd and is mainly influenced by nutrition, lactation period and heat stress. To minimize the negative effects of postpartum anoestrus on productivity, we recommend a mating season and a plan for the kidding period, as well as a program to monitor the body condition score during pregnancy so that the animals will have a better BCS at parturition. To minimize the effects of a negative energy balance, we suggest nutritional supplementation with levels of energy above the requirements for maintenance.
 Highlights
 
 The duration of postpartum anoestrus in goats is influenced by nutrition and body condition score.
 Heat stress can intensify the negative energy balance, consequently increased the period of anoestrus.
 Puerperal anoestrus occurs as a result of tissue renewal in the uterus.
 Suckling of the offspring associated with the period of lactation and social interactions can modified the puerperal anoestrus period.
 Use of diets and strategies to reduce the postpartum anoestrus in goats.
40
Domic, Alejandra, José Capriles, Katerine Escobar-Torrez, Calogero Santoro, and Antonio Maldonado. "Two Thousand Years of Land-Use and Vegetation Evolution in the Andean Highlands of Northern Chile Inferred from Pollen and Charcoal Analyses." Quaternary 1, no. 3 (December 19, 2018): 32. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/quat1030032.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
The European conquest of the New World produced major socio-environmental reorganization in the Americas, but for many specific regions and ecosystems, we still do not understand how these changes occurred within a broader temporal framework. In this paper, we reconstruct the long-term environmental and vegetation changes experienced by high-altitude wetlands of the southcentral Andes over the last two millennia. Pollen and charcoal analyses of a 5.5-m-long core recovered from the semi-arid puna of northern Chile indicate that while climatic drivers influenced vegetation turnaround, human land use and management strategies significantly affected long-term changes. Our results indicate that the puna vegetation mostly dominated by grasslands and some peatland taxa stabilized during the late Holocene, xerophytic shrubs expanded during extremely dry events, and peatland vegetation persisted in relation to landscape-scale management strategies by Andean pastoralist societies. Environmental changes produced during the post-conquest period included the introduction of exotic taxa, such as clovers, associated with the translocation of exotic herding animals (sheep, cattle, and donkeys) and a deterioration in the management of highland wetlands.
41
Al Farhan, Ahmed H., Ibrahim M. N. Aldjain, Jacob Thomas, Anthony G. Miller, Sabina G. Knees, Othman Llewellyn, and Ali Akram. "Botanic Gardens in the Arabian Peninsula." Sibbaldia: the International Journal of Botanic Garden Horticulture, no. 6 (October 31, 2008): 189–203. http://dx.doi.org/10.24823/sibbaldia.2008.43.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
Botanic gardens in the Arabian Peninsula and adjacent countries, along with institutions such as museums, universities and research centres, have long played a major role in the exploration, identification and conservation of this region’s flora and vegetation. The primary aim of botanic gardens in the past was to study the plant world from the horticultural point of view and to cultivate plants of economic or medicinal importance. However, at present, particularly in arid regions such as the Arabian Peninsula, the activities of botanic gardens are focused primarily on (i) the study and exploration of the region’s rapidly vanishing flora, thereby safeguarding gene pools of wild species, and (ii) the assessment and preservation of species that may be of importance to humans and animals for food, medicines, fibre and amenity. Recently established botanic gardens in the region, including the proposed King Abdullah International Gardens in Riyadh and Oman Botanic Garden near Muscat, will enhance existing conservation activities concerning the ailing and rapidly vanishing floristic components of the Arabian Peninsula.
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Bhushan, Bharat, and Wei Feng. "Water collection and transport in bioinspired nested triangular patterns." Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences 378, no. 2167 (February 3, 2020): 20190441. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2019.0441.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
To address water shortages worldwide, proactive measures are needed to supplement the water supply. In arid regions, many plants and animals use fog or the moisture in air as a source of water. An important consideration for efficient water collection is to transport collected water droplets as rapidly as possible to storage/use before they are evaporated. Triangular geometry has been used for faster transport of water droplets. In the case of a triangular geometry, if a droplet is placed at its apex, the droplet is driven across the triangular region by the Laplace pressure gradient. However, the magnitude of the gradient decreases along the triangle. In this study, nested triangles were designed to provide a higher pressure gradient. Water condensation and transport studies were carried out on the nested pattern at a temperature below the dew point in ambient air. It was found that the nested pattern increases the droplet travel speed. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Bioinspired materials and surfaces for green science and technology (part 3)’.
43
Noble, JC, MA Habermehl, CD James, J. Landsberg, AC Langston, and SR Morton. "Biodiversity implications of water management in the Great Artesian Basin." Rangeland Journal 20, no. 2 (1998): 275. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj9980275.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
The Great Artesian Basin (GAB) underlies a vast, mainly arid, region where most of the indigenous biota are not dependent upon surface water. In contrast, an important minority is dependent on refuges such as mound springs and their associated wetlands. In some parts of the GAB, such as western New South Wales, many springs have either ceased to flow, or are now barely detectable, because the proliferation of artesian waterbores has reduced groundwater pressures. Because of the rarity of species endemic to mound springs, and the damage they have suffered since pastoral settlement, emphasis should be directed towards conservation and possible rejuvenation of these ecosystems. Provision of artificial sources of water allows more widespread grazing by livestock, larger native and feral herbivores, thereby posing threats to native plants and animals that do not use the water. Because of the proliferation of artificial waters and the grazing they allow, terrestrial grazing-sensitive species now appear to be confined to tiny patches in the landscape. Some nature reserves within the GAB retain numerous artificial sources of water. Most of these should be closed over time to reduce negative impacts on grazing-sensitive plants and animals, especially where these species are inadequately protected elsewhere. In those regions where the ratio of artificial to natural waters is still low, consideration should be given to balancing provision of water for livestock with conservation of biological diversity, by maintaining a patchwork of areas remote from water. In regions where the density of artificial waters is high, conservation of biodiversity on freehold and leasehold lands might be enhanced with a mix of approaches accommodating the needs of the biota and the aspirations of landholders, tailored according to land type and condition. Key words: Great Artesian Basin, biological diversity, mound springs, refuges, rare biota, grazing impact, conservation management, groundwater.
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Abousoliman, Ibrahim, Henry Reyer, Michael Oster, Eduard Murani, Ismail Mohamed, and Klaus Wimmers. "Genome-Wide Analysis for Early Growth-Related Traits of the Locally Adapted Egyptian Barki Sheep." Genes 12, no. 8 (August 13, 2021): 1243. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/genes12081243.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
Sheep play a critical role in the agricultural and livestock sector in Egypt. For sheep meat production, growth traits such as birth and weaning weights are very important and determine the supply and income of local farmers. The Barki sheep originates from the northeastern coastal zone of Africa, and due to its good adaptation to the harsh environmental conditions, it contributes significantly to the meat production in these semi-arid regions. This study aimed to use a genome-wide SNP panel to identify genomic regions that are diversified between groups of individuals of Egyptian Barki sheep with high and low growth performance traits. In this context, from a phenotyped population of 140 lambs of Barki sheep, 69 lambs were considered for a genome-wide scan with the Illumina OvineSNP50 V2 BeadChip. The selected lambs were grouped into divergent subsets with significantly different performance for birth weight and weaning weight. After quality control, 63 animals and 40,383 SNPs were used for analysis. The fixation index (FST) for each SNP was calculated between the groups. The results verified genomic regions harboring some previously proposed candidate genes for traits related to body growth, i.e., EYA2, GDF2, GDF10, MEF2B, SLC16A7, TBX15, TFAP2B, and TNNC2. Moreover, novel candidate genes were proposed with known functional implications on growth processes such as CPXM2 and LRIG3. Subsequent association analysis showed significant effects of the considered SNPs on birth and weaning weights. Results highlight the genetic diversity associated with performance traits and thus the potential to improve growth traits in the Barki sheep breed.
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Clarke, Michael F., Sarah C. Avitabile, Lauren Brown, Kate E. Callister, Angie Haslem, Greg J. Holland, Luke T. Kelly, et al. "Ageing mallee eucalypt vegetation after fire: insights for successional trajectories in semi-arid mallee ecosystems." Australian Journal of Botany 58, no. 5 (2010): 363. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/bt10051.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
A critical requirement in the ecological management of fire is knowledge of the age-class distribution of the vegetation. Such knowledge is important because it underpins the distribution of ecological features important to plants and animals including retreat sites, food sources and foraging microhabitats. However, in many regions, knowledge of the age-class distribution of vegetation is severely constrained by the limited data available on fire history. Much fire-history mapping is restricted to post-1972 fires, following satellite imagery becoming widely available. To investigate fire history in the semi-arid Murray Mallee region in southern Australia, we developed regression models for six species of mallee eucalypt (Eucalyptus oleosa F.Muell. ex. Miq. subsp. oleosa, E. leptophylla F.Muell. ex. Miq., E. dumosa J. Oxley, E. costata subsp. murrayana L. A. S. Johnson & K. D. Hill, E. gracilis F.Muell. and E. socialis F.Muell. ex. Miq.) to quantify the relationship between mean stem diameter and stem age (indicated by fire-year) at sites of known time since fire. We then used these models to predict mean stem age, and thus infer fire-year, for sites where the time since fire was not known. Validation of the models with independent data revealed a highly significant correlation between the actual and predicted time since fire (r = 0.71, P < 0.001, n = 88), confirming the utility of this method for ageing stands of mallee eucalypt vegetation. Validation data suggest the models provide a conservative estimate of the age of a site (i.e. they may under-estimate the minimum age of sites >35 years since fire). Nevertheless, this approach enables examination of post-fire chronosequences in semi-arid mallee ecosystems to be extended from 35 years post-fire to over 100 years. The predicted ages identified for mallee stands imply a need for redefining what is meant by ‘old-growth’ mallee, and challenges current perceptions of an over-abundance of ‘long-unburnt’ mallee vegetation. Given the strong influence of fire on semi-arid mallee vegetation, this approach offers the potential for a better understanding of long-term successional dynamics and the status of biota in an ecosystem that encompasses more than 250 000 km2 of southern Australia.
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Chauhan, R. P. S., and C. P. S. Chauhan. "Effect of fluorinated saline water on oats." Journal of Agricultural Science 106, no. 2 (April 1986): 429–31. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0021859600064054.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
Poor quality underground irrigation water occurs in most arid and semiarid regions. This water contains not only excessive amounts of soluble salts but also fluoride (F) from traces to 30 mg/1 in India, but usually the concentration of F is below 5 mg/1 (Gupta, 1979). The effect of F on plants is not well known but plants accumulate it when it is present in the soil or applied through irrigation water. Singh, Chhabra & Abrol (1980) found that soil-applied F at 50 mg/kg was toxic to rice and 32 mg/kg tissue content of F was toxic to wheat. Paliwal (1972) found that F content in berseem increased from 18·1 to 52·7 mg/kg when the crop was irrigated with F contaminated water. He further found that 10 mg F/kg inhibited germination and growth of wheat seedlings, and whilst low concentrations of F may not be toxic to plants they may be hazardous to animals continuously fed on fodders containing fluoride.The effect of fluoride-rich saline water on the yield and F content of fodder oats has therefore been determined.
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Msiza, Ntokozo Happy, Khuliso Emmanuel Ravhuhali, Hilda Kwena Mokoboki, Sydney Mavengahama, and Lebogang Ezra Motsei. "Ranking Species for Veld Restoration in Semi-Arid Regions Using Agronomic, Morphological and Chemical Parameters of Selected Grass Species at Different Developmental Stages under Controlled Environment." Agronomy 11, no. 1 (December 29, 2020): 52. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11010052.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
The establishment of complementary native grass species could be an ideal method of dealing with existing problems of veld degradation and inadequate forage quantity and quality of pastures. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of native grasses viz., Anthephora pubescens, Cenchrus ciliaris, Chloris gayana, Dactylis glomerata, Digitaria eriantha, Eragrostis curvula, Festuca arundinacea, Panicum maximum and Themeda triandra. Attributes at different growth stages on agronomy, morphology and chemical composition were checked. Panicum maximum had the broader (p < 0.05) leaves across all growth stages when compared to all other grass species. Festuca arundinacea had highest (p < 0.05) number of tillers than C. ciliaris, C. gayana, D. glomerata, D. eriantha, E. curvula, P. maximum and T. triandra at 2–4-months age. Within each species, all grasses had the highest (p < 0.05) number of leaves at maturity. Chloris gayana, D. glomerata and P. maximum had the highest (p < 0.05) biomass yield when compared to F. arundinacea at the elongation stage. Eragrostis curvula had the highest (p < 0.05) crude protein (CP) values when compared to all other grasses, except for D. glomerata, F. arundinacea and P. maximum at the elongation stage. Panicum maximum and T. triandra had the least (p < 0.05) acid detergent lignin (ADL) values when compared to all other grasses at both vegetative and the elongation stages. In the ranking, C. ciliaris, C. gayana, D. eriantha, E. curvula, P. maximum and A. pubescens outperformed the rest of the grasses on most parameters. With the low crude protein (CP) content of these grasses, protein supplementation is highly crucial for high performing ruminants, especially those animals that graze grasses as their sole diets.
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Kheloufi, Abdenour, Lahouaria Mounia Mansouri, Mohamed Djelilate, Mourad Touka, Abdallah Chater, and Charaf Dekhinet. "Nutritional Characteristics and Seed Germination Improvement of the Forage Shrub Retama sphaerocarpa (L.) Boiss." Contemporary Agriculture 69, no. 3-4 (December 1, 2020): 53–60. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/contagri-2020-0008.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
SummaryRetama sphaerocarpa shrubs form populations that can be an important forage resource during the dry season when pasture shortages are common in certain arid and semi-arid Mediterranean basin regions. The leaves of R. sphaerocarpa were analyzed for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) contents. Leaves were also analyzed for the concentration of macro- (P, K, Ca and Mg) and microelements (Mn, Zn, Fe, and Na). According to the contents of CP, NDF, ADF and ADL in the leaves examined, this species could strike an appropriate balance between available feed ingredients for daily nutritional needs of animals. The contents of Ca, K, Na, P, Fe, Mg, and Zn in Retama sphaerocarpa shrubs were found to be high, compared to a number of other forage shrub species. Conversely, the rate of natural regeneration of this shrub in situ was estimated at 2-5%. R. sphaerocarpa seeds are affected by seed coat dormancy that prevents seed germination under natural conditions. The seed germination was assessed at a laboratory after the chemical scarification of seeds by concentrated sulphuric acid in the duration range of 0 min and 240 min. The principal component analysis of data related to the germination ability and seedling emergence showed that the best pretreatment was 120 min immersion in sulphuric acid at 25°C (± 2°C), resulting in 86% of the final germination percentage (FGP) and 14.6 cm of the seedling length (SL). According to the results obtained, this species could be considered a ruminant feed of great nutritive value when drought decreases grazing herbaceous biomass yields. These results should encourage farmers and foresters to integrate R. sphaerocarpa into their planting programs.
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SHINDE, A. K., RAGHAVENDRA BHATTA, S. K. SANKHYAN, and D. L. VERMA. "Effect of season on thermoregulatory responses and energy expenditure of goats on semi-arid range in India." Journal of Agricultural Science 139, no. 1 (August 2002): 87–93. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0021859602002228.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
A study of the physiological responses and energy expenditure of goats was carried out from June 1999 to May 2000 by conducting two experiments: one on bucks maintained on stall feeding in autumn 1999 (Expt 1) followed by year-round grazing on native ranges over three seasons: monsoon, winter and summer (Expt 2). Physiological responses and energy expenditure (EE) measurements of housed and grazing goats were recorded at 06.00 h and 14.00 h for 5 consecutive days in each season. Goats were fixed with a face mask and meteorological balloon for collection of expired air and measurement of EE. Respiration rate (RR) at 06.00 h was similar in all seasons (14 respiration/min) except in the monsoon, where a significantly (P<0.05) higher value (26 respiration/min) was recorded. At 14.00 h, RR was higher in monsoon and summer (81 and 91 respiration/min) than in winter (52 respiration/min). Irrespective of the season, heart rate (HR) was higher at 14.00 h (86 beat/min) than at 06.00 h (64 beat/min). The rise of rectal temperature (RT) from morning (06.00 h) to peak daily temperature (14.00 h) was 0.9 °C in housed goats in autumn and 1.0, 2.1 and 2.0 °C in grazing goats during monsoon, winter and summer, respectively. The mean value was 1.7 °C. Skin temperature (ST) was lowest in winter (30.1 °C) and highest at 14.00 h in summer (40.3 °C). Energy expenditure of goats at 06.00 h was 32.7 W in winter and significantly (P<0.05) increased to 52.0 W in summer and 107.8 W in monsoon. At 14.00 h, EE was 140.2 W in winter and increased to 389.0 W and 391.3 W respectively in monsoon and summer. It is concluded that monsoon and summer are both stressful seasons in semi-arid regions. Animals should be protected from direct solar radiation during the hottest hours of the day to ameliorate the effect of heat stress.
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G.M, Greeshma, Manoj G.S, and Murugan K. "INSIGHT INTO PHARMACEUTICAL IMPORTANCE OF BRYOPHYTES." Kongunadu Research Journal 4, no. 2 (December 30, 2017): 84–88. http://dx.doi.org/10.26524/krj208.
Testo completoAbstract (sommario):
Historically, Bryophytes were accounted to be a monophyletic group and were placed in an inclusive Bryophyta. Some species are aquatic though some can adapt and live in arid regions. Bryophytes size ranges from microscopic to 12 inches in length, the average size is between 0.5 – 2 inches long and colors vary from green to black and sometimes colorless. Bryophytes plays a vital role in the biosphere even their size is insignificant. As a biotic factor in the environment, they provide food for numerous herbivorous birds and animals. They prevent soil erosion by carpeting the soil. Bryophytes cause the outer portion of rock to slowly crumble as they grow with lichens on rock surfaces. And because of it they contribute and help to soil formation. When mixed with the soil, bryophytes increase the water-holding capacity of the soil and the amount of organic matter in the soil. Some bryophytes like sphagnum or peat moss has some economicimportance. It is used as packing material for breakable or fragile objects such as figurines and dinnerware’s. It is also used as packing materials for transporting plants and plant parts, since sphagnum holds water and hence prevent plants from drying during transport. As a whole, bryophytes are of little economic importance to man.