Analyzing the relative importance of habitat quantity and quality for boosting pollinator populations in agricultural landscapes.

To increase pollinator populations, international policy targets minimum levels of seminatural habitat cover, but it is unknown whether improving the quality of existing habitats could bring similar benefits without the need of reducing cropland area. Using data we collected in 26 Italian agricultural landscapes during the entire flying season, we explored the relative importance of habitat quantity (seminatural habitat cover) and quality (flower availability) on pollinator densities in seminatural habitats. We obtained transect-based counts and estimated the effect of habitat quantity (proportion of seminatural habitat) and quality (flower cover and richness) on wild bee and hoverfly densities. We used the relationships revealed in the data to simulate pollinator population sizes in landscapes with varying habitat quantity and quality. Wild bee densities were only related to flower availability, whereas hoverfly densities were additionally related to seminatural habitat cover. We found that in complex agricultural landscapes (above 15% seminatural habitat cover), improving habitat quality increased pollinator populations more effectively than increasing habitat quantity. However, increasing habitat quantity was by far the most effective approach for boosting pollinator populations in simple landscapes.

Análisis de la importancia relativa de la cantidad y calidad del hábitat para incrementar las poblaciones de polinizadores en los paisajes agrícolas Resumen Las políticas internacionales buscan que existan niveles mínimos de cobertura seminatural del hábitat para incrementar las poblaciones de polinizadores y se desconoce si mejorar la calidad de los hábitats existentes podría brindar beneficios similares sin tener que reducir el área de cultivo. Usamos datos recolectados en 26 paisajes agrícolas de Italia durante la temporada de vuelo para analizar la importancia relativa de la cantidad (cobertura de hábitat seminatural) y calidad (disponibilidad de flores) del hábitat para la densidad de polinizadores en los hábitats seminaturales. Obtuvimos conteos basados en transectos y estimamos el efecto de la cantidad (proporción del hábitat seminatural) y calidad (riqueza y cobertura de flores) del hábitat sobre la densidad de las abejas silvestres y los sírfidos. Usamos la relación revelada por los datos para simular el tamaño poblacional de los polinizadores en los paisajes con diferente calidad y cantidad de hábitat. La densidad de las abejas silvestres sólo se relacionó con la disponibilidad de flores cuando la densidad de sírfidos se relacionó con la cobertura del hábitat seminatural. Descubrimos que en los paisajes agrícolas complejos (por encima del 15% de cobertura de hábitat seminatural) cuya calidad mejoraba, las poblaciones de polinizadores incrementaban de manera más eficiente que cuando se mejoraba la cantidad. Sin embargo, incrementar la cantidad del hábitat fue por mucho la estrategia más efectiva para acrecentar las poblaciones de polinizadores en paisajes simples.

Land-use change from market responses to oil palm intensification in Indonesia.

Oil palm is a major driver of tropical deforestation. A key intervention proposed to reduce the footprint of oil palm is intensifying production to free up spare land for nature, yet the indirect land-use implications of intensification through market forces are poorly understood. We used a spatially explicit land-rent modeling framework to characterize the supply and demand of oil palm in Indonesia under multiple yield improvement and demand elasticity scenarios and explored how shifts in market equilibria alter projections of crop expansion. Oil palm supply was sensitive to crop prices and yield improvements. Across all our scenarios, intensification raised agricultural rents and lowered the effectiveness of reductions in crop expansion. Increased yields lowered oil palm prices, but these price-drops were not sufficient to prevent further cropland expansion from increased agricultural rents under a range of price elasticities of demand. Crucially, we found that agricultural intensification might only result in land being spared when the demand relationship was highly inelastic and crop prices were very low (i.e., a 70% price reduction). Under this scenario, the extent of land spared (∼0.32 million ha) was countered by the continued establishment of new plantations (∼1.04 million ha). Oil palm intensification in Indonesia could exacerbate current pressures on its imperiled biodiversity and should be deployed with stronger spatial planning and enforcement to prevent further cropland expansion.

Cambios en el uso de suelo causados por la reacción del mercado a la intensificación de la palma aceitera en Indonesia Resumen La palma aceitera es una de las principales causas de la deforestación. Una intervención importante propuesta para reducir la huella de esta palma es la intensificación de la producción para que el suelo sobrante sea usado por la naturaleza, pero se sabe muy poco sobre las implicaciones del uso indirecto de suelo de la intensificación a través de las fuerzas del mercado. Usamos un marco de modelos de renta de suelo espacialmente explícito para caracterizar la oferta y demanda de la palma aceitera en Indonesia bajo varios escenarios de mejoras en la producción y elasticidad de demandas y exploramos cómo los cambios en el equilibrio del mercado alteran las proyecciones de la expansión agrícola. La oferta de palma aceitera fue susceptible a los precios de los cultivos y a las mejoras en la producción. La intensificación elevó la renta agrícola y redujo la efectividad de la reducción de la expansión agrícola en todos nuestros escenarios. El aumento en la producción bajó los precios de la palma, pero estas caídas no fueron suficientes para evitar la expansión agrícola a partir de las rentas agrícolas elevadas bajo un rango de elasticidad de precios de demanda. Más importante, descubrimos que la intensificación agrícola puede sólo resultar en que sobre el suelo cuando la relación de demanda casi no sea elástica y los precios de las cosechas sean muy bajos (una reducción del 70% en los precios). Bajo este escenario, la extensión de suelo sobrante (∼0.32 millones de ha) fue contrarrestado por el establecimiento continuo de nuevos sembradíos (∼1.04 millones de ha). La intensificación de la palma aceitera en Indonesia podría agravar las presiones existentes sobre su biodiversidad en peligro y debería implementarse con una mayor planeación espacial y aplicación para prevenir una expansión agrícola superior.

Description of Flavobacterium agricola sp. nov., an auxin producing bacterium isolated from paddy field.

An auxin-producing bacterial strain, CC-SYL302T, was isolated from paddy soil in Taiwan and identified using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The cells were observed to be aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming rods, and tested positive for catalase and oxidase. Produced carotenoid but flexirubin-type pigments were absent. Optimal growth of strain CC-SYL302T was observed at 25 °C, pH 7.0, and with 2% (w/v) NaCl present. Based on analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, it was determined that strain CC-SYL302T belongs to the genus Flavobacterium of the Flavobacteriaceae family. The closest known relatives of this strain are F. tangerinum YIM 102701-2 T (with 93.3% similarity) and F. cucumis R2A45-3 T (with 93.1% similarity). Digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values were calculated to assess the genetic distance between strain CC-SYL302T and its closest relatives, with mean values of 21.3% for F. tangerinum and 20.4% for F. cucumis. Strain CC-SYL302T exhibited the highest orthologous average nucleotide identity (OrthoANI) values with members of the Flavobacterium genus, ranging from 67.2 to 72.1% (n = 22). The dominating cellular fatty acids (> 5%) included iso-C14:0, iso-C15:0, iso-C16:0, iso-C15:0 3-OH, iso-C17:0 3-OH, C16:1 ω6c/C16:1 ω7c and C16:0 10-methyl/iso-C17:1 ω9c. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminolipid, an unidentified aminophospholipid, and nine unidentified polar lipids. The genome (2.7 Mb) contained 33.6% GC content, and the major polyamines were putrescine and sym-homospermidine. Strain CC-SYL302T exhibits distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic characteristics, as well as unique results in comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence, OrthoANI, dDDH, and phylogenomic placement. Therefore, it is proposed that this strain represents a new species of the Flavobacterium genus, for which the name Flavobacterium agricola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-SYL302T (= BCRC 81320 T = JCM 34764 T).

Importancia biológica de la microcistina en aguas de riego y alternativas en su detección y degradación / Biological importance of microcistin in irrigation and alternative waters in its detection and degradation

Introducción: Las cianobacterias son microrganismos fotosintéticos, con capacidad de sintetizar una gran diversidad de metabolitos secundarios de interés para la industria, pero también han llamado la atención en las últimas décadas las toxinas denominas cianotoxinas, metabolitos que causan distintas alternaciones fisiológicas hasta llegar ocasionar la muerte de diferentes especies. Metodología: La determinación del estado de arte para el tema de cianobacterias se basó en una búsqueda bibliográfica en la base de datos especializada como Elservier, Springer, Google académico y MDPI basadas en palabras clave en español e inglés "microcistinas", "degradación de MC" y "cuantificación y detección de MC". Resultados: En la presente revisión considera dos áreas de caracterización de la microcistinas (MCs) las propiedades fisicoquímicas y propiedades biológicas, para entender su comportamiento e importancia tóxica en los sembradíos agrícolas y en la salud humana. Además de comprender alternativas para su degradación, por métodos fisicoquímicos como fotocatálisis y la gradación biológica por bacterias. Finalmente se mencionará algunos métodos actuales y en desarrollo, para la detección y cuantificación de estas MCs en ambientes acuáticos. Conclusiones: Las MCs tienen el potencial contaminar fuentes de agua como ríos y lagunas, causando daños a la salud humana y a las plantas agrícolas, tienen la capacidad de tolerar distintos cambios drásticos en factores fisicoquímicos y biológicos. Entre las alternativas reportadas la degradación bacteriana promete ser la más confiable. Finalmente, entre los distintos métodos para la detección de MCs, entre los métodos más aplicados son los inmunoensayos, debido a su versatilidad y estabilidad del método.

Introduction: Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic microorganisms, with the capacity to synthesize a great diversity of secondary metabolites of interest to the industry, but toxins called cyanotoxins have also attracted attention in recent decades, metabolites that cause different physiological alterations until they cause the death of different species. Methodology: The determination of the state of the art for the subject of cyanobacteria was based on a bibliographic search in specialized databases such as Elservier, Springer, Google Scholar and MDPI based on keywords in Spanish and English "microcystins", "MC degradation " and "quantification and detection of MC". Results: In the present review, two areas of characterization of microcystins are considered: the physicochemical properties and biological properties of microcystins (MC), to understand their behavior and toxic importance in agricultural crops and in human health.In addition to understanding alternatives for their degradation, by physicochemical methods such as photocatalysis and biological grading by bacteria.Finally, some current and developing methods will be mentioned for the detection and quantification of these MCs in aquatic environments. Conclusions: MCs have the potential to contaminate water sources such as rivers and lagoon, causing damage to human health and agricultural plants, they have the ability to tolerate different drastic changes in physicochemical and biological factors. Among the reported alternatives, bacterial degradation promises to be the most reliable. Finally, among the different methods for the detection of MCs, among the most applied methods are immunoassays, due to their versatility and stability of the method.

Validación de un modelo para la estimación del contenido de agua del suelo mediante espectroscopía en el infrarrojo cercano

El monitoreo del contenido de humedad en el suelo es especialmente importante, ya que proporciona información relevante para tomar decisiones acertadas, en cuanto a riego, fertirriego y manejo del estrés hídrico. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo validar un modelo de estimación del contenido de agua en el suelo, mediante espectroscopía de reflectancia difusa en el rango del infrarrojo cercano. Los suelos evaluados provienen de los municipios de Puerto Gaitán (Meta), Espinal (Tolima) y Mosquera (Cundinamarca). En los dos primeros se establecieron redes rígidas, para seleccionar los puntos de muestreo y empleando dos profundidades en cada caso (0-10 y 10-30; 0-10 y 10-25 cm, respectivamente). Para el tercero, se describieron 77 calicatas y se tomaron muestras a 0-10 y 10-35 cm de profundidad. Posteriormente, se evaluó el contenido de humedad considerando 0, 15 y 30 % de humedad. Los datos obtenidos se analizaron con estadística descriptiva. Se empleó la validación cruzada y externa para cada modelo y se obtuvo un modelo general, a partir de los datos de los tres sitios. Los modelos obtenidos para cada sitio de muestreo y el modelo general tienen buena capacidad predictiva. Según los resultados, se afirma que la espectroscopía de reflectancia difusa NIR es una excelente opción para determinar el contenido de agua en el suelo. De igual manera, a partir del análisis de componentes principales, se identificó una diferenciación entre contenidos de agua de los suelos estudiados.

Monitoring soil moisture content is especially important as it provides relevant information for making informed decisions regarding irrigation, fertigation, and water stress management. This study aims to validate a model for estimating soil water content using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in the near-infrared range. The evaluated soils come from the municipalities of Puerto Gaitán (Meta), Espinal (Tolima), and Mosquera (Cundinamarca). In the first two municipalities, rigid networks were established to select sampling points, with two depths considered for each case (0-10 and 10-30 cm; 0-10 and 10-25 cm, respectively). For the third municipality, 77 soil pits were described, and samples were taken at depths of 0-10 and 10-35 cm. Subsequently, moisture content was evaluated at 0, 15, and 30 % moisture levels. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Cross-validation and external validation were applied to each model, and a general model was developed based on the data from all three sites. The obtained models for each sampling site and the general model demonstrated good predictive capacity. Based on the results, it is affirmed that near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy is an excellent option for determining soil water content. Similarly, principal component analysis identified differentiation between water contents of the studied soils.

Paenibacillus agricola sp. nov., isolated from agricultural soil.

A white-coloured, rod-shaped, motile, aerobic, and Gram-stain-positive bacterial strain S3N08T was isolated from agricultural soil. The strain grew at temperature 10-40 °C, at 0-1.0% (w/v) NaCl concentration, and at pH 6.5-8.0. Catalase was negative and oxidase was positive. The phylogenetic analysis inferred that the strain S3N08T belonged to the genus Paenibacillus, with the closest relative being Paenibacillus periandrae PM10T (95.6% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). The only menaquinone was MK-7 and the major polar lipids were phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine. The predominant fatty acids were antiso-C15:0, C16:0, and iso-C15:0. The DNA G + C content was 45.1%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain S3N08T and with closest members were < 72.0% and < 19.0%, respectively. Altogether, the phylogenetic, genomics, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic evidence illustrated in this study suggested that strain S3N08T represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus agricola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S3N08T (= KACC 19666 T = NBRC 113430 T).

Análisis prospectivo y líneas estratégicas de acción para la producción agraria colombiana en un entorno pos-COVID-19 / Prospective analysis and strategic lines of action for colombian agricultural production in a pos-COVID-19 environment

El artículo desarrolla un análisis prospectivo exploratorio, orientado a la identificación de elementos de análisis, escenarios y líneas de acción estratégicas sobre la producción agraria colombiana en un entorno pos COVID-19. El método empleado desarrolló revisión de literatura, análisis estructural para la identificación de escenarios y la enunciación de líneas de acción. Los hallazgos sugieren que la crisis de demanda es el elemento más influyente, y que posibles transformaciones del sector tendrían que pasar por cambios en el uso de los territorios agrarios, en la subordinación institucional y en una novedosa perspectiva de seguridad alimentaria.

The purpose of the article was to develop a prospective exploratory analysis, oriented to the identification of elements of analysis, scenarios and strategic lines of action, on Colombian agricultural production in a post Covid-19 environment. The method used developed a literature review, structural analysis for the identification of scenarios and the enunciation of strategic lines. The findings suggest that the demand crisis is the most influential element, and that transformations in the sector would have to go through changes in the use of agrarian territories, in institutional subordination and in a novel perspective of food security.

Menos acidentes, mais mortes. A mecanização agrícola nos canaviais brasileiros e seus reflexos sobre os trabalhadores, no período de 2012 a 2020 / Fewer accidents, more deaths. Agricultural mechanization in Brazilian sugarcane plantations and its effects on workers from 2012 to 2020

Resumo A expansão do uso de máquinas no campo tem promovido alterações no mundo do trabalho canavieiro. Frente a este cenário, lança-se a questão: Como se comportam os acidentes de trabalho e as mortes na realidade mecanizada dos canaviais brasileiros? Predominantemente quantitativa, a investigação que subsidia este texto se vale de dados secundários levantados junto à Plataforma Smartlab e a bases oficiais do governo ligadas ao mercado de trabalho formal (RAIS). Os resultados indicam que o conjunto de atividades agrícolas (manuais e mecanizadas) experimentou queda na incidência de acidentes de trabalho, mas não apresentou redução da taxa de mortes relacionadas ao trabalho. Como resultado, a letalidade foi ampliada no período demonstrando a preservação da superexploração dos trabalhadores. Espera-se que este texto possa lançar luz sobre os desdobramentos gerados pelo processo de mecanização agrícola, no que diz respeito a saúde e segurança dos canavieiros.

Abstract The expansion of the use of machines in the field has promoted changes in the world of sugarcane work. Faced with this scenario, the question arises: How do work accidents and deaths behave in the mechanized reality of Brazilian sugarcane plantations? Predominantly quantitative, the research that supports this text uses secondary data collected from the Smartlab Platform and official government databases, linked to the formal labor market (RAIS). The results indicate that the set of agricultural activities (manual and mechanized) experienced a decrease in the incidence of work accidents, but did not show a reduction in the rate of work-related deaths. As a result, lethality increased in the period, demonstrating the preservation of the overexploitation of workers. This text is expected to shed light on the consequences generated by the agricultural mechanization process regarding the health and safety of sugarcane workers.

Efecto de la deforestación ribereña sobre la materia orgánica particulada gruesa en quebradas con influencia ganadera de la región Andina de Colombia / Effect of riparian deforestation on coarse particulate organic matter in streams with livestock influence in the Andean region of Colombia

Introducción: La materia orgánica particulada gruesa originada en la vegetación ribereña es la fuente principal de energía en muchas cuencas de cabecera. Sin embargo, la transferencia de dicha materia es alterada por la destrucción de los bosques. Objetivo: Evaluar diferencias en la materia orgánica en quebradas con bosques y con pastizales. Métodos: Comparar las entradas, el almacenamiento y la exportación de esta materia orgánica en el cauce de quebradas con bosques y con pastizales, en la región central de los Andes de Colombia. En cada quebrada, se midieron los aportes verticales y laterales de hojarasca con canastas; hojarasca del lecho de las quebradas con cuadrantes, y la exportación de material con redes de deriva, con un alcance de 100 m. Resultados: Las quebradas con bosques ribereños recibieron un promedio anual de 915 g m-2 de materia orgánica particulada gruesa, exportando un total de 334 g m-3 y almacenando 732 g m-2, valores que fueron significativamente más altos que en quebradas con pastizales, donde los valores correspondientes fueron: 125.4 g m-2; 128 g m-3 y 205.5 g m-2. Conclusiones: La remoción de cobertura boscosa de la zona ribereña reduce la materia orgánica en estas cuencas de cabecera en Colombia.

Introduction: Coarse particulate organic matter originated in riparian vegetation is the main source of energy in many headwater streams. However, the transfer of such material is altered by the destruction of forests. Objective: To assess flow differences of this organic matter in streams with forests and grasslands. Methods: We compared input, storage and export of this organic matter in the riparian belts of streams with forests, and streams with grasslands, in the central Andean region of Colombia. For each stream, we measured vertical and lateral litter with baskets; stream bed litter with a quadrant, and matter export with drift nets, in a 100 m reach. Results: The streams with riparian forest received an average of 915 g m-2 of coarse particulate organic matter annually, exported a total of 334 g m-3 and stored 732 g m-2, values that were significantly higher than in grassland streams, where the corresponding values were: 125.4 g m-2; 128 g m-3 and 205.5 g m-2. Conclusions: The removal of tree cover from the riparian zone reduced the organic matter in these headwater streams of Colombia.

Niabella agricola sp. nov., isolated from paddy soil.

A polyphasic taxonomic approach was used to characterize a Gram-stain-negative, orange-coloured bacterium (designated strain CC-SYL272T) isolated from paddy soil. Cells were observed to be strictly aerobic, non-motile and non-spore-forming rods, exhibiting positive catalase and oxidase. Strain CC-SYL272T was found to grow optimally at 20-40 °C, pH 6.0-8.0 and NaCl 0-2 % (w/v). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain CC-SYL272T belongs to the genus Niabella, family Chitinophagaceae, and is most closely related to Niabella pedocola (97.8 %) followed by Niabella drilacis (97.2 %) and established a distinct taxonomic lineage associated with these species. The highest orthologous average nucleotide identity (OrthoANI) values were recorded for strain CC-SYL272T versus Niabella species (69.1-83.5 %, n=8). The mean digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) value obtained for strain CC-SYL272T against N. pedocola was 27.3 %. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine and five unidentified lipids. The major polyamines were putrescine and sym-homospermidine. The dominating cellular fatty acids (>5 %) included iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C17 : 0 3OH and C16 : 1 ω6c/C16 : 1 ω7c. The draft genome (6.25 Mb) of strain CC-SYL272T spanned three contigs having 47.1 mol% DNA G+C content, 5087 protein-encoding genes, 10 rRNA genes and 44 tRNA genes. The genome harboured genes involved in the depolymerization of both animal and plant polysaccharides. Based on its distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits together with results of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence, OrthoANI, dDDH and the phylogenomic placement, strain CC-SYL272T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Niabella, affiliated to the family Chitinophagaceae, for which the name Niabella agricola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-SYL272T (=BCRC 81319T=JCM 34758T).

Uso de la prospectiva estratégica, ordenación territorial y evaluación de impacto como base para la sostenibilidad de los sistemas agrícolas / Use of strategic foresight, spatial planning and impact assessment for the sustainability of agricultural systems

RESUMEN La complejidad e incertidumbre de transformar los sistemas de producción agrícola futuros en sistemas sostenibles requiere de evaluaciones holísticas y prospectivas, que involucren las interacciones dinámicas, entre agricultura, economía, sociedad y medio ambiente. En este sentido, se requieren modelos holísticos, que incluyan la prospectiva estratégica y el desarrollo territorial en la evaluación de la sostenibilidad de estos sistemas, a escala regional. Este documento, a través de análisis bibliográfico 1) identifica los avances en prospectiva estratégica, ordenación territorial y evaluaciones de impacto territorial en el contexto agrícola y los enfoques integrales de evaluación de la sostenibilidad agrícola a escala regional y 2) genera las bases para una nueva aproximación de la evaluación de la sostenibilidad del sistema agrícola a escala regional y del desarrollo territorial, con base en los avances identificados. Los resultados muestran que la prospectiva estratégica, la ordenación del territorio y las evaluaciones de impacto territorial han avanzado en un enfoque integral proporcionando, además, una visión y evaluación estratégica de los sistemas. Así, también, se mencionan como factores de éxito, el establecimiento de una buena gobernanza, la co-creación de los escenarios estratégicos, el uso de unidades homogéneas en la planificación, una amplia disponibilidad de datos ambientales y sociales con resolución espacial y temporal y la inclusión de nuevas herramientas analíticas y computacionales. La proyección del trabajo vincula los objetivos de la evaluación de los sistemas agrícolas para el desarrollo territorial sostenible, en un marco de acción integral.

ABSTRACT The complexity and uncertainty of transforming future agricultural production systems into sustainable systems require holistic and prospective evaluations that understand the dynamic interactions between agriculture, the economy, society, and the environment. In this sense, holistic models need that include strategic foresight and territorial development in evaluating the sustainability of these systems on a regional scale. This document, through bibliographic analysis: 1) identifies the advances in strategic foresight, land use planning, and land impact assessments in the agricultural context and comprehensive approaches to assessing agricultural sustainability at a regional scale; and, 2) it generates the bases for a new approach to the evaluation of the sustainability of the agricultural system on a regional scale and territorial development based on the advances identified. The results show that strategic foresight, spatial planning, and territorial impact evaluations have advanced in a comprehensive approach, providing a vision and strategic evaluation of the systems. The establishment of good governance, the co-creation of strategic scenarios, homogeneous units in planning, the wide availability of environmental and social data with a spatial and temporal resolution, and the inclusion of new ones are considered success factors-analytical and computational tools. The projection of the work links the objectives of the evaluation of agricultural systems for sustainable territorial development in a comprehensive action framework.

Agonistic behaviour of dairy goats and sheep during feeding - A pilot study on Swiss farms with mixed rations.

INTRODUCTION: Feeding mixed rations is a widely used practice for cattle to ensure the intake of a balanced diet and to reduce competition for food. It is unknown, whether mixed rations have the same advantages for small ruminants because they differ from cattle in their feeding and social behaviour. In this observational pilot study, an array of feeding and social behaviour of dairy goats and sheep fed ad libitum with mixed rations on Swiss farms was investigated. Twelve dairy goat and 12 dairy sheep farms feeding mixed rations were visited once during the winter feeding period. Data on the feeding management, feeding place design and the composition of the mixed rations were collected. The number of animals feeding simultaneously and the number and type of agonistic interactions during feeding were assessed by direct observations for 6 hours after the morning feed-distribution. The feeding management and the composition of the mixed rations were very heterogeneous among farms. The feed rations were mostly well balanced in relation to energy and protein and covered the requirements for the daily production of about 2,5 kg of milk. In terms of feeding simultaneously, sheep were more synchronous than goats. The mean number of agonistic interactions per feeding place within 6 hours were 3,8 in goats and 1,8 in sheep; thus, the probability to observe agonistic behaviour is higher in goats than in sheep. Goats and sheep also differed in the frequency of types of agonistic interactions. Overall, the occurrence of agonistic interactions between animals during feeding decreased with higher numbers of feeding places per animal and longer periods of time since the feed distribution. To conclude, when feeding mixed rations, agonistic interactions related to feeding are more frequent in goats but also occur in sheep to a considerable extent. They can be decreased by offering more feeding places.

INTRODUCTION: L'alimentation avec des rations mixtes est une pratique largement utilisée pour les bovins afin de garantir l'apport d'une alimentation équilibrée et de réduire la concurrence pour la nourriture. On ignore si les rations mixtes présentent les mêmes avantages pour les petits ruminants, car ils diffèrent des bovins en matière de comportement alimentaire et social. Dans cette étude observationnelle pilote, un éventail de comportements alimentaires et sociaux de chèvres et de moutons laitiers nourris ad libitum avec des rations mixtes dans des fermes suisses a été étudié. Douze exploitations de chèvres laitières et 12 exploitations de moutons laitiers, utilisant des rations mixtes, ont été visitées une fois pendant la période d'alimentation hivernale. Des données sur la gestion de l'alimentation, la conception du lieu d'alimentation et la composition des rations mixtes ont été recueillies. Le nombre d'animaux s'alimentant simultanément et le nombre et le type d'interactions agonistiques pendant l'alimentation ont été évalués par des observations directes pendant 6 heures après la distribution matinale des aliments. La gestion de l'alimentation et la composition des rations mélangées étaient très hétérogènes entre les exploitations. Les rations alimentaires étaient généralement bien équilibrées en termes d'énergie et de protéines et couvraient les besoins pour la production quotidienne d'environ 2,5 kg de lait. En termes d'alimentation simultanée, les moutons étaient plus synchrones que les chèvres. Le nombre moyen d'interactions agonistiques par place d'alimentation dans les 6 heures était de 3,8 chez les chèvres et de 1,8 chez les moutons ; la probabilité d'observer un comportement agonistique est en conséquence plus élevée chez les chèvres que chez les moutons. Les chèvres et les moutons diffèrent également dans la fréquence des types d'interactions agonistiques. Dans l'ensemble, l'occurrence des interactions agonistiques entre les animaux pendant l'alimentation a diminué avec un nombre plus élevé de places d'alimentation par animal et des périodes plus longues depuis la distribution des aliments. En conclusion, lors de la distribution de rations mixtes, les interactions agonistiques liées à l'alimentation sont plus fréquentes chez les chèvres mais se produisent également dans une large mesure chez les moutons. Elles peuvent être réduites en offrant davantage de places d'alimentation.

Sorção de fósforo de efluente doméstico tratado em lodo de estação de tratamento de água e aplicação do resíduo em solo cultivado com milho / Phosphorus sorption from treated domestic effluent in water treatment plant sludge and residue application in soil cultivated with corn

RESUMO Estudos de remoção de fósforo de efluentes por sorção em resíduos têm ganhado destaque na literatura. Entre estes resíduos, destaca-se o lodo de estação de tratamento de água rico em oxi-hidróxidos de alumínio e ferro. O presente estudo teve como objetivos remover, por sorção, fosfato de esgoto sanitário em reator de escoamento ascendente preenchido com lodo de estação de tratamento de água e comparar a cultura de milho submetida a diferentes fontes de fósforo: adubação convencional (Fonte 1); adubação convencional e lodo de estação de tratamento de água utilizado na sorção do fosfato (Fonte 2); e lodo de lodo de estação de tratamento de água utilizado na sorção do fosfato (Fonte 3). A remoção do fosfato, a partir do lodo de estação de tratamento de água, ocorreu nos três testes. No ensaio de sorção, após tempo de detenção hidráulica de 2,8 h, verificou-se remoção média de 96% de fosfato. Em relação ao aporte de fósforo por diferentes fontes, verificou-se que o emprego do lodo, nos tratamentos Fonte 2 e 3, aumentou o teor de matéria orgânica do solo e proporcionou maior tamponamento dele. Os teores foliares de macro e micronutrientes na cultura apresentaram valores satisfatórios, apesar da senescência de algumas plantas em Fonte 2 e 3. O reaproveitamento do lodo, nas doses aplicadas, foi suficiente para que o material vegetal analisado atingisse teores de chumbo consideráveis, o qual deve ser monitorado na utilização do resíduo no cultivo agrícola.

ABSTRACT Studies on the removal of phosphorus from effluents by sorption in residues have gained prominence in the literature. Among these residues, there is the sludge from a water treatment plant rich in oxyhydroxides of Aluminum and iron. The present study aimed to remove, by sorption, phosphate from sanitary sewage in upflow reactor filled with water treatment plant sludge, and to compare the corn crop subjected to different phosphorus sources: conventional fertilization (Source 1); conventional fertilization and water treatment plant sludge used in the sorption of phosphate (Source 2) and water treatment plant sludge used in the sorption of phosphate (Source 3). Removal of phosphate from the water treatment plant sludge occurred in all three tests. In the sorption assay, after 2.8 h hydraulic retention time, there was an average removal of 96% of phosphate. Regarding the contribution of phosphorus by different sources, it was found that the use of sludge, in treatments Source 2 and 3, increased the content of organic matter in the soil and provided greater buffering. The leaf contents of macro and micronutrients in the crop showed satisfactory values, despite the senescence of some plants in Source 2 and 3. The reuse of the sludge, in the applied doses, was enough for the analyzed plant material to reach considerable lead contents, which must be monitored when using the residue in agricultural cultivation.

Trabajo agrícola y migración en España: precariedad sociolaboral y salud (Proyecto AGROMISALUD) / Agricultural work and migration in Spain: socio-labour precariousness and health (AGROMISALUD project)

Objetivo: Valorar la influencia de la precariedad laboral y la exclusión social en la salud de hombres y mujeres migrantes que trabajan en el sector agrícola en España. Método: Se recogerán datos cualitativos y cuantitativos en cuatro comunidades autónomas (Cataluña, La Rioja, Murcia y Andalucía) entre 2021 y 2022. En una primera fase se realizarán entrevistas personales semiestructuradas, con un mínimo de 40 informantes clave profesionales o expertos (de ONG, asociaciones, sanidad, servicios sociales, sindicatos, cooperativas agrícolas, política y mediadores culturales). En una segunda fase se combinarán entrevistas personales con técnicas cualitativas participativas (body mapping y photovoice), con 40 hombres y mujeres migrantes jornaleros/as. En una tercera fase se realizará un estudio transversal con una muestra estimada de 400-500 migrantes jornaleros/as basada en la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y la Encuesta de Condiciones de Vida. (AU)

Objective: To assess the influence of job insecurity and social exclusion on the health of migrant men and women working in the agricultural sector in Spain. Method: Qualitative and quantitative data will be collected in four Spanish autonomous regions (Catalonia, La Rioja, Murcia, and Andalusia) between 2021 and 2022. First, semi-structured personal interviews with at least 40 professional key informants or experts (from NGOs, associations, health, social services, trade unions, agricultural cooperatives, politics, and cultural mediators). Second, semi-structured personal interviews combined with participatory techniques (body mapping and photovoice) will be conducted with 40 migrant men and women working in agriculture. Thirdly, a cross-sectional study with an estimated sample of 400-500 migrants working in agriculture, based on the National Health Survey and the Living Conditions Survey.

[Agricultural work and migration in Spain: socio-labour precariousness and health (AGROMISALUD project)]. / Trabajo agrícola y migración en España: precariedad sociolaboral y salud (Proyecto AGROMISALUD).

OBJECTIVE: To assess the influence of job insecurity and social exclusion on the health of migrant men and women working in the agricultural sector in Spain. METHOD: Qualitative and quantitative data will be collected in four Spanish autonomous regions (Catalonia, La Rioja, Murcia, and Andalusia) between 2021 and 2022. First, semi-structured personal interviews with at least 40 professional key informants or experts (from NGOs, associations, health, social services, trade unions, agricultural cooperatives, politics, and cultural mediators). Second, semi-structured personal interviews combined with participatory techniques (body mapping and photovoice) will be conducted with 40 migrant men and women working in agriculture. Thirdly, a cross-sectional study with an estimated sample of 400-500 migrants working in agriculture, based on the National Health Survey and the Living Conditions Survey.

Distribution of commensal rodents in rain-fed and irrigated areas of Swat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan / Distribuição de roedores comensais em áreas irrigadas e chuvosas do distrito de Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Paquistão

Distribution pattern and relative abundance of the agricultural rodent pests of rain-fed and irrigated areas of district Swat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan were recorded from April 2011 to November 2013 using wire mesh live traps. A total of 350 rodents (269 Rattus rattus and 81 Mus musculus) were captured under 2268 trap nights (trap success: 0.15). Regression of daily captures on cumulative captures revealed an estimate of 350 rodents from all the sampled structures with an average of 21.8 rodents per crop field. House rats (R. rattus; 76.8% of captures) were numerically dominant in almost all types of agricultural fields, and were significantly different from the mice (Mus musculus; 23.1% of captures). Both species were found together in some fields. The sex ratio revealed that males outnumbered the females in both of the reported species.

O padrão de distribuição e a abundância relativa de pragas de roedores agrícolas nas áreas irrigadas e irrigadas do distrito Swat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Paquistão foram registrados de abril de 2011 a novembro de 2013 usando armadilhas vivas de malha de arame. Um total de 350 roedores (269 Rattus rattus e 81 Mus musculus) foram capturados em 2268 noites de armadilha (sucesso da armadilha: 0,15). A regressão das capturas diárias em capturas cumulativas revelou uma estimativa de 350 roedores de todas as estruturas amostradas, com uma média de 21,8 roedores por campo agrícola. Os ratos domésticos (R. rattus; 76,8% das capturas) foram numericamente dominantes em quase todos os tipos de campos agrícolas e foram significativamente diferentes dos camundongos (Mus musculus; 23,1% das capturas). Ambas as espécies foram encontradas juntas em alguns campos. A proporção de sexo revelou que os machos superaram as fêmeas em ambas as espécies relatadas.

An assessment of the urban water footprint and blue water scarcity: A case study for Van (Turkey) / Uma avaliação da pegada hídrica urbana e da escassez de água azul: um estudo de caso para Van, Turquia

Today, most of the world's population faces water scarcity, while global warming, urbanization, industrialization and population increases continue to increase the severity of the pressure on water resources. Management of water resources plays a key role in the sustainability of agricultural production. The water footprint (WF) is different in comparison to other water statistics because it takes direct and indirect water consumption into account, and helps in the management of water resources. Within this context, the WF of Van province, which is Turkey's most easterly located arid region, was calculated from 2004 to 2019. The study area covers lake Van, which is Turkey's largest lake, and the Van basin with an area of 23.334km2 and a population of 1.136.757 (2019). In the calculations, crop (WFcrop), livestock (WFlivestock), and domestic and industrial water footprints (WFdomestic+industrial) were evaluated separately, and blue and green water footprints (WFblue and WFgreen) were analyzed in detail. According to the results, the average WF of Van province was found to be 8.73 billionm3 year-1. Throughout the province, 87.6% of the WF is composed of WFcrop, 4.9% is WFlivestock and 7.5% is WFdomestic+industrial. Of the WFcrop, 62.5% depends on WFblue, i.e., freshwater. Most of the WFlivestock consisted of dairy cattle (49%) and sheep (38%). The average WFdomestic+industrial for 2004 to 2019 was 0.64billion m3 year-1. The average per capita water footprint of Van province was found to be 889.9m3 year-1 capita-1. In addition, the province is classified as severe water scarcity (257%). This study is one of the first province-based calculations of WF in Turkey and is the first study to bring a different aspect to published literature by including residual soil moisture from the winter months. As a result of this study, the WFblue of the WFcrop is above the worldwide average and should be reduced by changing the crop pattern or synchronizing the planting and harvest dates of the crops to a period that benefits from precipitation. In addition, this study is expected to contribute to new studies for calculating the provincial scale WF and will have positive effects on agricultural planning, water allocation and the sustainability of water resources.

Hoje, a maior parte da população mundial enfrenta a escassez de água, enquanto o aquecimento global, a urbanização, a industrialização e o crescimento da população continuam a aumentar a gravidade da pressão sobre os recursos hídricos. A gestão dos recursos hídricos desempenha papel fundamental na sustentabilidade da produção agrícola. A pegada hídrica (WF) é diferente em comparação com outras estatísticas hídricas porque leva em consideração o consumo direto e indireto de água e auxilia na gestão dos recursos hídricos. Nesse contexto, o WF da província de Van, que é a região árida localizada mais a leste da Turquia, foi calculado de 2004 a 2019. A área de estudo cobre o lago Van, que é o maior lago da Turquia, e a bacia de Van, com uma área de 23,334 km2 e uma população de 1.136.757 (2019). Nos cálculos, as pegadas hídricas de safra (WFcrop), pecuária (WFlivestock) e doméstica e industrial (WFdomestic+industrial) foram avaliadas separadamente, e as pegadas hídricas azul e verde (WFblue e WFgreen) foram analisadas em detalhes. De acordo com os resultados, o WF médio da província de Van foi encontrado em 8,73 bilhões de m3 ano-1. Em toda a província, 87,6% do WF são compostos por WFcrop, 4,9% são WFlivestock e 7,5% são WFdomestic+industrial. Do WFcrop, 62,5% dependem do WFblue, ou seja, de água doce. A maior parte do gado WFlivestock era composto por gado leiteiro (49%) e ovelhas (38%). O WFdomestic+industrial médio de 2004 a 2019 foi de 0,64 bilhão de m3 ano-1. A pegada hídrica per capita média da província de Van foi encontrada em 889,9 m3 ano-1 capita-1. Além disso, a região é classificada como grave escassez de água (257%). Este estudo é um dos primeiros cálculos de WF baseados em províncias na Turquia e é o primeiro estudo a trazer um aspecto diferente para a literatura publicada, incluindo a umidade residual do solo dos meses de inverno. Como resultado deste estudo, o WFblue do WFcrop está acima da média mundial e deve ser reduzido alterando o padrão de cultivo ou sincronizando as datas de plantio e colheita das safras para um período que se beneficie da precipitação. Além disso, espera-se que este estudo contribua para novos estudos para o cálculo da escala provincial WF e terá efeitos positivos no planejamento agrícola, alocação de água e a sustentabilidade dos recursos hídricos.

Occurrence of Hymenolepis diminuta: a potential helminth of zoonotic importance in murid rodents / Ocorrência de Hymenolepis diminuta: um helminto potencial de importância zoonótica em roedores murídeos

The study reveals the prevalence of a potential rodent-borne zoonotic helminth species, Hymenolepis diminuta in commensal rodents caught from irrigated and rain-fed areas of Swat, Pakistan. Three hundred and fifty rodents (269 rats and 81 mice) trapped during vegetative, flowering/fruiting and mature/harvesting stages of crops were studied from 2011-2013. Hymenolepisdiminuta eggs were identified on the basis of their shape, size, colour and markings on the surface of the egg shell and three pairs of embryonic hook-lets. Overall prevalence of H. diminuta was 3.14% (n=11/350). The highest prevalence 3.49% (n=5/143) of H. diminuta was noted at harvesting stages of the crops whereas the lowest 2.59% (n=2/77) during vegetative stage. Infection was higher in males 3.25% (n=7/215) than females 2.96% (n=4/135). Adult rodents were highly infected while no sub-adult was found infected. Infection was higher in mice 3.70% (3/81) than rats 2.69% (8/269) while no significance (p=1.0000:0.1250 to 32.00 CI). Rats and mice appears to show the most suitable reservoirs by hosting H. diminuta a zoonotic helminth. The presence of these rodents in all possible habitats can act as a main channel of transferring parasites through various habitats and can pose a hazard to humans in the area.

O estudo revela a prevalência de uma espécie potencial de helmintos zoonóticos transmitidos por roedores, Hymenolepis diminuta, em roedores comensais capturados em áreas irrigadas e alimentadas pela chuva de Swat, Paquistão. Trezentos e cinquenta roedores (269 ratos e 81 camundongos) presos durante os estágios vegetativo, floração/frutificação e maturidade/colheita das safras foram estudados de 2011-2013. Ovos de Hymenolepis diminuta foram identificados com base em sua forma, tamanho, cor e marcações na superfície da casca do ovo e três pares de anzóis embrionários. A prevalência geral de H. diminuta foi de 3,14% (n = 11/350). A maior prevalência 3,49% (n = 5/143) de H. diminuta foi observada na fase de colheita das lavouras, enquanto a menor 2,59% (n = 2/77) durante a fase vegetativa. A infecção foi maior nos homens 3,25% (n = 7/215) do que nas mulheres 2,96% (n = 4/135). Roedores adultos foram altamente infectados, enquanto nenhum subadulto foi encontrado infectado. A infecção foi maior em camundongos 3,70% (3/81) do que em ratos 2,69% (8/269), embora sem significância (p = 1,0000: 0,1250 a 32,00 CI). Ratos e camundongos parecem mostrar os reservatórios mais adequados hospedando H. diminuta um helmintos zoonótico. A presença desses roedores em todos os habitats possíveis pode atuar como um canal principal de transferência de parasitas através de vários habitats e pode representar um perigo para os humanos na área.

Distribution of commensal rodents in rain-fed and irrigated areas of Swat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan / Distribuição de roedores comensais em áreas irrigadas e chuvosas do distrito de Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Paquistão

Distribution pattern and relative abundance of the agricultural rodent pests of rain-fed and irrigated areas of district Swat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan were recorded from April 2011 to November 2013 using wire mesh live traps. A total of 350 rodents (269 Rattus rattus and 81 Mus musculus) were captured under 2268 trap nights (trap success: 0.15). Regression of daily captures on cumulative captures revealed an estimate of 350 rodents from all the sampled structures with an average of 21.8 rodents per crop field. House rats (R. rattus; 76.8% of captures) were numerically dominant in almost all types of agricultural fields, and were significantly different from the mice (Mus musculus; 23.1% of captures). Both species were found together in some fields. The sex ratio revealed that males outnumbered the females in both of the reported species.

O padrão de distribuição e a abundância relativa de pragas de roedores agrícolas nas áreas irrigadas e irrigadas do distrito Swat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Paquistão foram registrados de abril de 2011 a novembro de 2013 usando armadilhas vivas de malha de arame. Um total de 350 roedores (269 Rattus rattus e 81 Mus musculus) foram capturados em 2268 noites de armadilha (sucesso da armadilha: 0,15). A regressão das capturas diárias em capturas cumulativas revelou uma estimativa de 350 roedores de todas as estruturas amostradas, com uma média de 21,8 roedores por campo agrícola. Os ratos domésticos (R. rattus; 76,8% das capturas) foram numericamente dominantes em quase todos os tipos de campos agrícolas e foram significativamente diferentes dos camundongos (Mus musculus; 23,1% das capturas). Ambas as espécies foram encontradas juntas em alguns campos. A proporção de sexo revelou que os machos superaram as fêmeas em ambas as espécies relatadas.

An assessment of the urban water footprint and blue water scarcity: A case study for Van (Turkey) / Uma avaliação da pegada hídrica urbana e da escassez de água azul: um estudo de caso para Van, Turquia

Today, most of the world’s population faces water scarcity, while global warming, urbanization, industrialization and population increases continue to increase the severity of the pressure on water resources. Management ofwater resources plays a key role in the sustainability of agricultural production. The water footprint (WF) is different in comparison to other water statistics because it takes direct and indirect water consumption into account, and helps in the management of water resources. Within this context, the WF of Van province, which is Turkey’s most easterly located arid region, was calculated from 2004 to 2019. The study area covers lake Van, which is Turkey's largest lake, and the Van basin with an area of 23.334km² and a population of 1.136.757 (2019). In the calculations, crop (WFcrop), livestock (WFlivestock), and domestic and industrial water footprints (WFdomestic+industrial) were evaluated separately, and blue and green water footprints (WFblue and WFgreen) were analyzed in detail. According to the results, the average WF of Van province was found to be 8.73 billionm3 year-¹. Throughout the province, 87.6% of the WF is composed of WFcrop, 4.9% is WFlivestock and 7.5% is WFdomestic+industrial. Of the WFcrop, 62.5% depends on WFblue, i.e., freshwater. Most of the WFlivestock consisted of dairy cattle (49%) and sheep (38%). The average WFdomestic+industrial for 2004 to 2019 was 0.64billion m³ year-¹. The average per capita water footprint of Van province was found to be 889.9m³ year-¹ capita-¹. In addition, the province is classified as severe water scarcity (257%). This study is one of the first province-based calculations of WF in Turkey and is the first study to bring a different aspect to published literature by including residual soil moisture from the winter months. As a result of this study, the WFblue of the [...].

Hoje, a maior parte da população mundial enfrenta a escassez de água, enquanto o aquecimento global, a urbanização, a industrialização e o crescimento da população continuam a aumentar a gravidade da pressão sobre os recursos hídricos. A gestão dos recursos hídricos desempenha papel fundamental na sustentabilidade da produção agrícola. A pegada hídrica (WF) é diferente em comparação com outras estatísticas hídricas porque leva em consideração o consumo direto e indireto de água e auxilia na gestão dos recursos hídricos. Nesse contexto, o WF da província de Van, que é a região árida localizada mais a leste da Turquia, foi calculado de 2004 a 2019. A área de estudo cobre o lago Van, que é o maior lago da Turquia, e a bacia de Van, com uma área de 23,334 km² e uma população de 1.136.757 (2019). Nos cálculos, as pegadas hídricas de safra (WFcrop), pecuária (WFlivestock) e doméstica e industrial (WFdomestic+industrial) foram avaliadas separadamente, e as pegadas hídricas azul e verde (WFblue e WFgreen) foram analisadas em detalhes. De acordo com os resultados, o WF médio da província de Van foi encontrado em 8,73 bilhões de m³ ano-¹. Em toda a província, 87,6% do WF são compostos por WFcrop, 4,9% são WFlivestock e 7,5% são WFdomestic+industrial. Do WFcrop, 62,5% dependem do WFblue, ou seja, de água doce. A maior parte do gado WFlivestock era composto por gado leiteiro (49%) e ovelhas (38%). O WFdomestic+industrial médio de 2004 a 2019 foi de 0,64 bilhão de m³ ano-¹. A pegada hídrica per capita média da província de Van foi encontrada em 889,9 m³ ano-¹ capita-¹. Além disso, a região é classificada como grave escassez de água (257%). Este estudo é um dos primeiros cálculos de WF baseados em províncias na Turquia e é o primeiro estudo a trazer um aspecto diferente para a literatura publicada, incluindo a umidade residual do solo dos meses de inverno. Como resultado deste estudo, o WFblue do WFcrop está [...].