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Long-Term Deer Exclusion Releases Dwarf Bamboo, Reducing Vascular Plant Diversity
Full text linkAimsOvergrazing by excessive deer populations harms native plant communities across most north temperate and boreal regions. In regions where deer impact is particularly severe, fencing is sometimes employed as a conservation measure to safeguard rare and threatened species and ecosystems. Here we examine how forest vascular plant communities have been affected by 21 years of sika deer exclusion by fencing of a 900 ha area.LocationNikko National Park, Tochigi prefecture, Japan.MethodsWe surveyed vascular plant cover in 240 plots and measured forest density on both sides of the fence in stands dominated by larch (Larix kaempferi) and oak (Quercus crispula).ResultsVascular plant species richness was found to be lower in forest areas protected by the fence. At the same time, dwarf bamboo, often the most abundant understory component in Japanese open forests, was taller and denser inside the fence where deer had been excluded. In addition, the lack of natural tree regeneration inside the fence, likely due to strong dwarf bamboo competition, was also notable. This suggests that deer exclusion has benefitted dwarf bamboo while inhibiting the competition of other species, thereby lowering vascular plant richness. Vascular plant communities outside the fence instead seem to be strongly shaped by abundant sika deer; several species found there are known to be unpalatable or grazing tolerant, and there were few tree seedlings.ConclusionThese results show that fencing to protect forest flora against overgrazing may have unintended consequences where there is a risk that competitive species can dominate understory plant communities. Instead of fencing, improved game management to maintain moderate deer populations may be a better strategy for large-scale conservation of forest flora and for promoting natural tree regeneration
Solar radiation shapes the spatial pattern of spring phenology on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Full text linkThe spatial pattern of phenology reflects long-term plant adaptation to local environments, yet the drivers of these patterns remain poorly understood. Using satellite data from 2001 to 2018, this study employed the normalized difference vegetation index for vegetation structural greenness and solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence for vegetation functional photosynthesis to analyze spring phenology on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (hereafter, QTP). A machine learning method, Boosted Regression Trees (BRT), was applied to evaluate the contributions of 19 abiotic and biotic factors to the spring phenology. The results showed that both the spring leaf phenology (SOSNDVI) and photosynthesis phenology (SOSCISF) exhibited a delayed trend decreasing from east to west across the QTP. BRT analysis demonstrated shortwave radiation or/and elevation as key drivers, with higher radiation or elevation associated with more delayed spring phenology spatially, likely due to the constraints of extreme radiation and elevations on spring phenology. Furthermore, we also noted that plants were acclimated to strong radiation to some extent with increasing elevation, namely declined negative effect of radiation/elevation on spring phenology. This acclimation likely enhances plant fitness in the harsh environments of the QTP. Our study provides novel insights into plant phenology on the QTP and highlights the importance of integrating spatial and temporal analysis to improve the localization of phenology models.(sic)(sic) (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic) (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)2001-2018(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(NDVI)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(SIF)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(BRT)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)19(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(SOSNDVI)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(SOSSIF)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)/(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)
The Effect of Environmental Protection Expenditures on Industrial Employment in Sweden
Full text linkIn this paper, we empirically investigate how environmental protection expenditures affect sector-level employment within manufacturing industries, using detailed firm-level data for Sweden for the years 2002-2021. We use a structural model that allows for a decomposition of the total employment effect of environmental protection expenditures within a sector into a cost effect, a factor shift effect, and a demand effect. We add to previous literature by using instrumental variables in our empirical framework, to account for endogenous environmental spending stemming from, e.g., corporate social responsibility and self-regulation. Our results reveal that increased environmental protection expenditures generally have no statistically significant effect on employment among the sectors studied, with the paper and pulp sector being the exception, showing non-negligible negative effects on employment
Divergent regional volume growth responses of Scots Pine and Oak stands to climate change in Europe
Full text linkEuropean climatic change has been proposed to induce many changes to forests, about factors such as tree species distributions, site productivity, groundwater availability, outbreaks of forest pests, and damage from wind-breakage of trees. Novel approaches to empirical tree growth modelling using re-measurements over large climatic gradients capture variability associated with long-term climatic conditions as well as weather during the growth period. Using the latest version of the individual tree-based forest simulator, PrognAus, which has been outfitted with a climate-sensitive basal area increment module, we forecast growth of trees in pure and mixed stands of Pinus sylvestris L. and Quercus spp. across a network of 23 European sites between 2017 and 2100 under current climate and RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 climatic scenarios. By training a stand-level static reduced model (SRM) from these local level results, we forecast widespread future growth changes for stands of Pinus sylvestris and Quercus spp. across Europe. Our SRM predicts stand gross-volume relative growth (ratio of the gross volume production in a given growth year to the gross volume production until the start of the growth year) with a generalized additive mixed model (GAMM). We decomposed overall growth into tensors capturing variation associated with stand species mixture type (pure P. sylvestris, mixed P. sylvestris- Q. spp., pure Q. spp.), age, and weather conditions during the growth year and the preceeding year. Wall-to-wall predictions based on the SRM are presented for a high-resolution 30-arcsecond grid spanning most parts of Europe
A comparison of two cleaning methods applied in a small animal hospital
Full text linkBackground Environmental cleaning of near-patient surfaces in animal healthcare is an important infection prevention and control measure to lower the risk of spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). There is a lack of reports on the effect of cleaning of near-patient surfaces in animal hospital wards. The aims of this study were to (1) determine bacterial load before cleaning, on near-patient surfaces in dog cages in a mixed medical and surgical ward and investigate factors associated with this bacterial load (2) compare the bacterial reduction on these surfaces after cleaning with (a) a scrubbing brush with detergent and rinsing before and after cleaning, and (b) a microfibre mop moistened with water, and after disinfection carried out after each cleaning method. In each cage the floor and the wall were sampled before cleaning, after cleaning, and after disinfection. Bacterial load and reduction were log10-transformed and for comparisons t-test, one-way Anova and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used. A generalized additive model was performed for analysis of the association between factors and bacterial load. Results The bacterial load in dog cages before cleaning varied, higher loads were noted after longer stay in the cage. The bacterial reduction was in most cases more effective after cleaning with scrubbing brushes with detergent compared to cleaning with damp microfibre mops. After cleaning, a majority of the samples were below the suggested threshold value 2.5 CFU/cm2 , except for floor samples after microfibre cleaning. No significant difference in bacterial load, between cleaning methods was noted after disinfection. Overall, the bacterial load was significantly lower on walls than on floors. Conclusions Overall, the bacterial load was below the suggested threshold value after decontamination, except after microfibre cleaning of the floor. Scrub cleaning with a detergent should be considered for cleaning of anti-slip surfaces like the cage floor. The study shows a need for evidence-based cleaning and disinfection routines for nearpatient surfaces and evidence-based threshold values for bacterial load, to reduce the risk of HAIs
Methods to assess on-farm biosecurity in Europe and beyond
Full text linkThe aim of this study was to identify which biosecurity assessment methods (BAMs) are currently used in practice in animal farms. To address this, a structured questionnaire was developed to gather information such as the animal species, main objectives, type of enforcement, output generated and feedback of the result. In the context of the BETTER Cost Action project, country representatives identified in each of their countries which BAMs were used and completed an online survey. The survey was prepared and translated in 23 languages. Besides a descriptive analysis, clusters of BAMs were determined using a multiple correspondence analysis. Responses, collected between December 2022 and July 2023, included 74 BAMs used in 28 countries. Most of them were used in a single country while three were used in multiple countries. This study provides a comprehensive picture of existing BAMs and insights into their diversity, such as variations in objectives, implementation, evaluators, respondents, feedback, or assessment outputs. Moreover, we identified four BAMs clusters differentiated by their objective, evaluator and type of feedback provided. This study might also represent the basis for future research on strengths and weaknesses of different BAMs
What is reinforced? The timing of the release of rein tension and the horse's response latency for trot to walk transitions
Full text linkRein tension signals are commonly used to communicate with a horse during riding. In accordance with the principles of negative reinforcement, tension on the reins acts as signals and motivates a horse to change behavior, while release of rein tension reinforces the correct behavior. The aim of this study was to investigate if the features of rider rein tension signals and timing of the release have effects on the magnitude of rein tension, horse response latency, as well as horse behavior and head posture, during downward transitions. Nine riders rode the same eight horses in a crossover design, making eight transitions from trot to walk with each horse. Rein tension was measured and from video recordings the timing of the riders' application of the decelerating rein signal and of the release were registered along with gait, behavior and head posture. Analyzing data using linear mixed models, it was found that median and minimum rein tension (p = 0.001) increased during the rein tension signal, compared to in trot before the transition. During the release median (p < =0.001) and maximum rein tension (p < 0.0001) decreased compared to during the rein tension signal. Interestingly, the timing of the release in relation to the downward transition varied among riders. The release was, in most cases, given 'during' the downward transition (70 %). However, in 19 % of the trials, the release was given 'before' the transition had begun, during the trot, and in 11 % the release was given 'after' the transition had ended, during the walk. Releasing rein tension 'before' the transition had begun was associated with longer response latency (p < 0.05). Maximum rein tension was lower at the fifth and eighth trial compared to the first (p = 0.02). Horse head movements were generally associated with lower magnitudes of rein tension when present compared to absent, while open mouth was associated with higher maximum rein tension. Since rein tension acts on the sensitive structures of the horse's mouth and/or head/nose, further research on ways of reducing rein tension magnitude would benefit equine welfare. There is also room for further research on the implementation of cues, in isolation and together, to investigate riders' communication via the reins as well as how to effectively implement learning theory into practice for riders on all levels
Meat Quality of Dairy and Dairy × Beef Steers Reared in Two Production Systems Based on Forages and Semi-Natural Pastures
Full text linkTo safeguard an agricultural landscape with high biodiversity, livestock grazing on semi-natural pastures is crucial, and steers are well suited to such production systems. This study compared meat quality, including technological traits, sensory attributes, and fatty acid composition, of purebred dairy steers (D) and dairy × beef crossbreed steers (C), reared in two distinct production systems. Sixty-four steers (thirty-two per breed type) were included. Half were kept in a production system that had relatively high feed intensity (H), with one grazing summer on semi-natural pastures and slaughtered at 21 months of age. The other half were kept in a production system that had low feed intensity (L), with two grazing summers on semi-natural pastures and slaughtered at 28 months. Colour, water holding capacity, Warner–Bratzler shear force, sensory attributes, and fatty acid profiles were measured on the Musculus longissimus lumborum. Meat from L steers with two grazing seasons was darker (p = 0.003) and contained a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids (p = 0.006) than meat from more intensively reared H steers. Meat from C steers was perceived as having a coarser fibre structure (p = 0.022) with an acidic odour (p = 0.040) compared to D steers. Additionally, cooked meat from L steers was evaluated as having a pinker appearance by an analytical sensory panel (p = 0.008). In summary, breed type and production system had no major effect on technological and sensory attributes for forage and pasture-fed steers, but fatty acid composition was improved with more unsaturated lipids in meat from L steers
Sow vaccination with a novel recombinant protein vaccine protects piglets against Streptococcus suis infection
Full text linkStreptococcus suis is a severe zoonotic pathogen affecting weaned piglets. No commercial vaccine that provides protection against S. suis is available. A prototype vaccine, tentatively called VASIP (Vaccine Against Streptococcus suis Infection in Pigs), composed of five recombinant fusion proteins, encompassing 23 different protein domains, was used in this study. Pregnant sows were vaccinated on three occasions, at 68, 47 and 19 days prior to farrowing, resulting in high antibody levels, both in sera and in colostrum. Antibodies were transferred to the litter via colostrum. The litters from VASIP-vaccinated and placebo-vaccinated sows were challenged intravenously with S. suis at four or seven weeks of age in two different arms of the study. Body temperature and clinical signs (demeanour, behavioural CNS, and mobility) of infection showed that piglets from vaccinated sows were significantly protected against S. suis infection in the 4-week-old group and that the incidence of severe clinical signs was lower in the 7-week-old group compared with piglets from placebo sows. The study demonstrates the feasibility of vaccinating sows, rather than piglets, using recombinant fusion proteins to maximise protection against S. suis during the period in which they are most at risk of disease
The impact of scale and frass recirculation on pathogen inactivation dynamics in black soldier fly larvae bioconversion
Full text linkA promising waste management technology that has emerged within the past decade is bioconversion of waste with the larvae of the black soldier fly (BSFL). Regarding waste management purposes, hygiene is central. At present, most studies on BSFL conversion have been performed in small-scale laboratory settings, and the mechanisms behind the documented inactivation of microorganisms remain unclear. In this study, the inactivation dynamics of pathogens and indicator organisms during BSFL bioconversion of food waste was investigated. Two trials were conducted: one mimicking a large-scale industrial setup and another evaluating the impact of frass recirculation on pathogen reduction to better understand the potential role of bioactive compounds in frass. The results indicate that pathogen inactivation observed in small-scale setups is also applicable to large-scale systems, with no significant scale impact on inactivation. The primary difference between scales was increased water evaporation in larger systems, leading to higher electrical conductivity in the frass. Increased solid retention time through frass recirculation did not significantly affect pathogen inactivation but considerably improved the yield of larvae per treated tonne of food waste. The results clearly show that inactivation is linked to larval presence and activity. However, the specific mechanisms driving this effect remain unclear—whether due to bioactive compounds produced by the larvae, physico-chemical changes induced by their activity, or a combination of both. Future research should focus on the microbial risks associated with long-term frass recirculation and further explore the balance between biological and chemical inactivation factors