19366 research outputs found
Sort by
Sauvignon blanc grape marc feeding for sheep and dairy cows in New Zealand : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Lincoln University
No full textThe objective of this research was to evaluate the nutritional value of ensiled sauvignon blanc grape
marc (GM) as a supplement for sheep and dairy cows in New Zealand pasture based systems, establish
the limitations of use in these systems, and to evaluate any advantage in feed value gained by
physically transforming this GM. This was achieved with three separate experiments. The first
experiment compared this GM without physical transformation with three common supplements
using lactating cows grazing high quality pasture. The second experiment evaluated physically
transformed and non-transformed GM as a supplement to lucerne in a digestibilty study with sheep,
and the third experiment used rumen fistulated, non-lactating cows with an in sacco assessment of
physically transformed and non-transformed GM. The first experiment evaluated the effect of non-transformed
GM fed as a supplement at 25 % of the diet on milk production, milk fatty acid profile,
rumen function (pH, volatile fatty acid and ammonia concentration), and urinary and faecal nitrogen
concentrations. Supplement treatments were GM, grass silage (GS), canola meal (CM) and palm kernel
expeller (PKE). Milk yield and milk fat percentage were greater in cows fed CM (P=0.01) but not
different between other treatment groups. Milk total FA concertation was not affected by dietary
treatments (P=0.13). Total C18`s were significantly greater in CM (P=0.002), but there was no
difference between other treatment groups. Rumen pH, ammonia concentration and volatile fatty
acids concentration were not different among treatments (P>0.05). Urinary nitrogen, NH3 and urea
also were not affected by dietary treatments (P>0.05). The faecal N was significantly lowest in cows
fed GM (2.68 %; P=0.01), compared to cows fed PKE (2.97 %), GS (2.85 %) and CM (2.86 %). It was
concluded that ensiled sauvignon blanc GM use as a supplement at 25 % of the diet for periods of less
than 30 d in mid-lactation dairy cows in a pasture-based system had no adverse impact on milk
production, milk composition or rumen function compared with common supplements.
The second experiment evaluated ensiled sauvignon blanc GM component digestibility and the effect
of physically transforming the GM by roller milling to disrupt seed coats and stem material. Thirty-two
sheep were used in a nested design with four groups of eight sheep fed a basal diet (lucerne) with 0,
5, 10 and 30 % inclusion of GM. Groups fed GM were divided into two subgroups of four sheep fed
either physically transformed or non-transformed GM. The experiment had three runs, with Run 1 as
a control, and Runs 2 and 3 with sheep groups fed as per diet treatments. Sheep were kept 14 d in
metabolism crates with the first 7 d as an adaption period and the next 7 d for collecting and sampling.
Whole tract apparent dry matter digestibility (DMD %) and neutral detergent fibre digestibility (NDFD
%) were significantly (P<0.001) reduced with increasing inclusion of GM in the diet, but no difference
between physically transformed or non-transformed GM treatments was observed. The nitrogen (N)
efficiency decreased with increasing inclusion of GM in the diet, with 30 % GM treatments significantly
lower than control (P<0.05), with no difference between physically transformed and non-transformed
subgroups. The whole tract apparent ether extract digestibility (EED %) increased with increasing GM
inclusion in Run 1 (P=0.03) and Run 2 (P=0.04), but no difference between physically transformed and
non-transformed GM treatments was observed. The urinary and faecal N output (g/d) were not
affected by inclusion of GM (P>0.05), and the faecal N : urine N ratio was not different (P>0.05) but
tended to be greater in physically transformed treatments at the 30 % inclusion. It was concluded this
GM component digestibility decreased with increasing GM inclusion to 30 % of the diet, which may be
due to the high lignin and NDF content or the effect of GM tannins and seed oil on NDF degradation.
However, there was no observed feed value advantage with physically transformed GM treatments,
so no practical use in transforming this GM when feeding sheep. This may be due to a more efficient
grape seed coat disruption by chewing in sheep compared with cattle.
The third experiment evaluated the rumen degradation of GM components of physically transformed
and non-transformed GM for cattle, and the effect of greater rumen availability of seed tannin and oil
content on this degradation. The effect of physically transformed GM compared to non-transformed
GM was quantified in in sacco trials in a cross-over design to compare the DM, NDF, N and EE
degradation rate. Six multiparous, non-lactating, ruminally fistulated cows were used in sequential
runs (1 and 2) of 17 d each with a 30 d washout, where the cows in two fixed, random groups of three
were fed a base forage at 8 kg DM plus either physically transformed or non-transformed GM (feed
treatment) at 3 kg DM daily, then reversed in Run 2. The DM, NDF, N and EE disappearance was
significantly (P=0.001) higher in physically transformed GM than non-transformed GM bag
treatments. However, the feed treatments did not significantly affect DM, NDF, N and EE rumen
degradation (P<0.05), suggesting there was no effect of any tannin or seed oil made rumen available
with physical transformation on these component degradations. It was concluded physical
transformation could improve feed value in cattle, where typically grape seed rupture by chewing may
be poor, by increasing available oil and rumen degradation of NDF, and that the typical tannin and
LCFA profile of this GM had no effect on rumen NDF degradation.
This research has shown that New Zealand ensiled sauvignon blanc GM can be safely fed to lactating
cows and to sheep as a supplement to a forage diet to 25 – 30 %, respectively, but even when
physically transformed to disrupt the seed coat the feed value was restricted by a low NDF digestibility
and N efficiency. These low effective digestibilities did not appear to be the result of this GM tannin
or oil content, and may be due simply to a highly lignified seed and stem content. Future research
requirements identified are: a primary investigation of NZ sauvignon blanc tannin content and
composition across different operations and regions, before and after ensiling; the specific effects of
these tannins in vitro on NDF and protein degradation; the assessment of the effects of physical
transformation of this GM in lactating cows on milk fat LCFA PUFA content, and N partitioning; and
the advantage in feed value of alternative processing methods to increase NDF degradation using
heat, pressure and some hydroxide treatments with ensiled, sauvignon blanc GM of New Zealand
Smallholder Ghanaian rice farmers’ preferences for a joint venture inclusive business model : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Commerce
No full textThis study employed a discrete choice experiment method to understand farmers' preferences for the attributes of a joint venture (JV) model, estimate their willingness to participate in the model and determine the broader factors influencing their willingness to participate. The data were attained from a survey conducted with 250 Ghanaian smallholder rice farmers. The Multinomial, Mixed and Latent Class Models were estimated with the data. The results indicated that the majority of the respondents were willing to participate in a joint venture model. Farmers who preferred the JV structure appeared favourable to a model that had no or minimal levels of investment (despite the lower profits and dividends), where voting and decision rights were not proportional to their investment. They also preferred not to comply with any quality specifications. However, they were more dissatisfied with the idea of complying with a less strict quality standard that is associated with a lower premium. They preferred a flexible pricing system, disliked delayed payments, and would prefer to make cropping decisions with other farmers from their producer group rather than with strategic partners or buyers. The results from the latent class model found two classes that best-captured the preferences’ heterogeneity. Class 1 represents 45% of the respondents who are less likely to adopt the JV model. Farmers in this segment were relatively less educated, older, had shorter rice farming experience, have larger farm sizes, had no experience with contractual arrangements, never had invested in purchasing processing equipment but were adept in adopting new production practices. The second class represents 55% of the sample who were more willing to participate in the JV model. This group was relatively more educated, younger, had more experience with rice farming, had smaller farm sizes, had experience with contracts, had invested in purchasing processing equipment, but rarely adopted new production practices. This study explores a joint venture model as a potential way to address the quality issues associated with locally grown rice. This is because it includes farmers in processes further along the value chain (milling, packaging, value addition, or transformation), they are embedded in but are currently excluded from
Polar impact: Utilising Self-Determination Theory to maximise the proenvironmental potential of youth expeditions
No full textOur research explores the impact of educational polar expeditions on youth by assessing participants’ pro-environmental behaviour, career choices and ambassadorial activities, up to 18 years after their polar voyage
Growth form and functional traits influence the shoot flammability of tropical rainforest species
No full textCanopy fires are increasing globally with anthropogenic climate and land-use changes, even in fire-sensitive rainforest ecosystems. Identifying the ecological drivers that may be aiding canopy fires, such as species or growth form flammability, is crucial to recognising and mitigating fire risks. To address this, we quantified the shoot-flammability of 124 rainforest plant species using an experimental approach. We compared three flammability measures (burnt biomass, total burn time and maximum temperature reached) with plant functional traits across seven different growth forms (i.e., canopy, pioneer, and understory trees; pioneer, understory and invasive shrubs, and vines) and nine common plant families and other higher-level clades, such as conifers, hereafter abbreviated to families. From burning > 600 sun-exposed shoots, we found trees were higher in flammability than shrubs and vines, and the plant families: Sapindaceae, Proteaceae, Fabaceae, and Lauraceae, had especially high flammability, whereas Moraceae was very low. Of the functional traits examined, leaf dry matter content was consistently and significantly positively associated with species flammability. Invasive shrubs as a group were not particularly flammable, although there were exceptions, e.g., wild tobacco (Solanum mauritianum) was highly flammable. This study has two important implications for the management of fire in rainforests. First, we have demonstrated that many tropical rainforest trees may readily burn under severe fire conditions if fire were to reach the rainforest canopy. Second, a large proportion of the > 1 million rainforest trees planted in the Wet Tropics under restoration planting schemes are from our most flammable rainforest plant families, as these families are often recommended for their carbon sequestration potential. Hence, these plantings may be highly vulnerable to fire and if planted along the borders of primary forest they may carry fire into their canopies. Therefore, where fire risk is high, we recommend planting species with low flammability along borders of plantings and forests to act as ‘green firebreaks’ to reduce the risk of fire incursions
Characterising cane pruning and grapevine physiological responses to retained node numbers : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Lincoln University
No full textIn most New Zealand vineyards planted in Sauvignon blanc, cane pruning is an essential management practice with direct consequences on yield, ripeness, and balance. In Marlborough, the largest wine grape producing region of New Zealand, Sauvignon blanc is generally pruned to three or four canes contrary to the traditional two-cane pruning system. Not only is four-cane pruning more labour demanding and more challenging for the selection of fruiting canes, but also it results in the production of more above-ground biomass as the vine is loaded with more nodes compared with two-cane pruning. Cane pruning requires skilled labour, which has become a rare commodity to find and retain. Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies can support least skilled human pruners and guide automated pruning systems, thus alleviating this labour shortage. However, training an AI system in cane pruning requires learning from the decisions of expert human pruners. Besides being a specialised task, cane pruning also ensures that grapevines are kept in balance, and node number retention is one of the initial and cost-effective ways of achieving it. At the pre-flowering growth stage, the vine budburst percentage is used to assess capacity and infer balance, with values around 100% being regarded as optimal. However, this metric does not accurately account for other underlying physiological conditions such as number, distribution and location of double shoots, non-count shoots and blind nodes, which are also key indicators of potential balance. From veraison to harvest, ratios such as LA/FM – leaf area to fruit mass, ELA/FM – exposed leaf area to fruit mass, FM/PM – fruit mass to pruning mass, FM/CM – fruit mass to cane mass as well as fruit composition through ripening provide measures of the vine performance and balance. The interpretation of these metrics requires their comparison with optimal ranges, which in most cases, are often non-existent for many grapevine cultivars and vineyard conditions. When such metrics exist, their wide range makes their use impractical for specific growing conditions warranting research to find optimal values that are specific to cultivars, locations, and growing conditions. Therefore, to train an AI system in cane pruning and to enhance the monitoring and assessment of vine balance, retained dormant shoot attributes were characterised and the effect of retained node numbers on the vegetative and reproductive growth of Sauvignon blanc were analysed.
To characterise winter cane pruning decisions for the selection of fruiting canes and renewal spurs, eight dormant shoot attributes – diameter, length, vertical distance from the bottom fruiting wire (VD), horizontal distance from the vine trunk (HD), node count, internode length, origin, and position relative to bottom fruiting wire (PFW) – were measured before and after pruning. This first experiment was conducted in two vineyard sites located in the Awatere Valley, Marlborough (New Zealand) over two growing seasons (2019/20-2020/21). In one site (Site 1), vine canopies were modified according to a 5 [total node numbers on canes: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50] x 3 [total node numbers on spurs: 1, 2, 3] factorial design and in the other site (Site 2) there was no canopy modification. The second experiment was conducted to investigate the physiological response of Sauvignon blanc to retained node numbers at budburst, pre-flowering, veraison, harvest, and winter dormancy in three different sites over two growing seasons (2019/20-2020/21). For this second experiment, the three sites used were coded Site 1, Site 2 and Site 3. Site 1 was the same as in the first experiment (site with vine canopies modified), Site 2 was located within the same vineyard row as Site 1, and Site 3 was in a vineyard block in Waipara, Canterbury. At Site 1, vine node numbers were set according to the same factorial design as in the first experiment (i.e. 5 [total node numbers on canes: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50] x 3 [total node numbers on spurs: 1, 2, 3]). At Site 2 and Site 3 vine node numbers were set according to a 5 [total node numbers on canes: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50] x 2 [total node numbers on spurs: 1, 2] factorial design.
Cane pruning stripped the vine of 82% dormant shoots, the remaining 18% formed the next season’s canes and spurs. Retained and non-retained dormant shoots significantly differed in all their attributes except for node count. On average, retained dormant shoots at Site 1 were 9.2±0.07 mm diameter, 104.7±0.93 cm long, 11.4±0.65 cm HD and 83.2±0.54 cm VD. Retained dormant shoots that formed spurs had the shortest HD (9.8±0.93 cm) and VD (77.8±0.7 cm) and originated by order of preference from the vine head, basal nodes or first nodes on old spurs and old canes. Still at Site 1, retained dormant shoots that formed fruiting canes were 9.1±0.08 mm diameter, 106.4±0.89 cm long, 85.7±0.69 cm VD, 12.2±0.85 cm HD and originated by order of preference from old canes, old spurs and vine head. Increasing the vine node load in 2019 resulted the following winter (2020) in more dormant shoots for spurs being selected from old canes (49%), less from the vine head (25% reduction) and old spurs (14% reduction). Moreover, the number of spurs retained on old canes in winter 2020 increased with node load. Retained dormant shoots on 50-node vines compared with 10-node vines increased in VD (from 83.8 to 87.8 cm; p<0.05) and HD (9.3 to 12.8 cm; p<0.05) but decreased in diameter (9.6 to 9.3 mm; p<0.05). PFW was the only attribute that remained unchanged despite change in node load (canopy modification). Characterising cane pruning by quantifying dormant shoot attributes revealed that: (1) retained, non-retained dormant shoots, canes and spurs exhibited distinct attributes, and that (2) dormant shoot selection in commercial vineyards was a consistent knowledge-based process that followed strict rules. These rules could be used to train inexperienced human pruners, AI pruning systems and fully autonomous pruning robots.
Retaining low node numbers (10 nodes) resulted in a very high vine budburst (>100%), a cane budburst close to 100%, the growth of numerous non-count shoots on the vine head (29.5±3.0 shoots, p<0.001) likely caused by an imbalance between potentially more carbohydrate reserves (source) for fewer active count buds (sink). On 50-node vines the response was characterised by vine budburst percentage close to 100%, low cane percent budburst (<<100%), the appearance of several blind nodes (7.6±0.3 nodes, p<0.001) mainly located at the cane’s proximal section to the head. Blind nodes were likely caused by the manipulation of the source-sink resulting in inadequate carbohydrate reserves to stimulate growth at budburst. However, additional experimentation is required to quantify the carbohydrate deficit. Cane percent budburst provided a more accurate assessment of the vine capacity than vine budburst. The number of double shoots was not associated with the vine node load as they appeared on both low-node and high-node vines. Three-node spurs developed more blind nodes than one-node and two-node spurs (p<0.001). Budburst start date was unaffected by node load, commencing at the cane’s most distal nodes to the vine head, and resulting in shoot growth non-uniformity along canes. Cane percent budburst seemed to reflect better the vine capacity than vine budburst at pre-flowering. Results of this research also justified the practice of retaining spurs of one or two nodes at cane pruning.
During ripening, 10-node vines accumulated higher concentrations of soluble solids as a result of a high source/sink ratio (ELA/FM) caused by lower yields whereas 50-node vines stored less sugar due to a low source/sink ratio driven by higher yields. The average berry mass, TA and pH were unaffected by node numbers in the first year. A low source/sink ratio induced by high node numbers not only reduced the vine capacity to fully ripen the current crop but also jeopardized the next season’s reproductive potential (1.6 bunches per shoot on high-node vines compared with 1.8 on low-node vines). Carbohydrate storage was not directly measured but inferred through average cane mass and fruiting cane mass which were significantly higher on 10-node vines (respectively 41.1±4.2 g and 126.0±11 g for Site 1 at the end of the first season) compared with 50-node vines (respectively 30.5±3.4 g and 90.2±7.2 g). The source/sink ratio (ELA/FM and LA/FM) for optimum berry ripening (TSS accumulation) at these sites located in Marlborough and North Canterbury was found to be 0.75 m2 kg-1 for ELA/FM and 2.0 m2 kg-1 for LA/FM. Although Ravaz indices (FM/PM and FM/CM) for optimum TSS could not be determined, the ELA/FM of 0.75 m2 kg-1 corresponded to an FM/CM of 3.0– 6.0 kg kg-1 and FM/PM of 2.5 – 4.5 kg kg-1. Moreover, values below or above FM/CM of 3.0 – 5.0 kg kg-1 and FM/PM of 2.0 – 4.0 kg kg-1 were an indication of imbalance: either excess vigour (high carbohydrate reserves), high capacity and non-limiting source size for values below these ranges, or reduced vigour, limited capacity and source restriction for values above these ranges.
Pruning decisions made by an AI system may have far reaching consequences which may extend over several seasons. Monitoring the outcome of these decisions is paramount for the success of an automated pruning system. Characterising the pruning decisions of an expert human pruner by quantifying retained dormant shoot attributes provided knowledge and data useful to initiate the training of AI systems. The outcome of pruning decisions on the grapevine vegetative and reproductive growth could be monitored and assessed at budburst with the composite metric for vine capacity (vine budburst, cane budburst, blind node count), at harvest with the source/sink balance metrics (LA/FM, ELA/FM) and at dormancy with Ravaz indices (FM/CM, FM/PM). This assessment of AI pruning decisions will enhance quality pruning and ensure the long-term success of wine grape production in New Zealand vineyards
Determinants of import and export flows between Cambodia and its major trading partners. A modified gravity approach : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Lincoln University
No full textCambodia began to liberalize its trade and re-integrate with the global economy in the early 1990s. Since then, the country’s imports and exports have increased dramatically with several new trading partners throughout the world. Cambodia has been developing its economic and trade policy over the past two decades to support trade growth. Although several empirical studies have investigated the factors that influence import and export flows, most have placed greater importance on economic factors while ignoring the significance of other external factors such as social, political and technological factors. There have been some econometric issues in the application of the gravity models in the literature.
The main objective of this research is to examine the determinants of Cambodia’s bilateral import and export and unilateral export flows using the modified gravity model. The study uses the
panel data from 1993 to 2017 covering 30 of Cambodia’s major trading partners. The models use the PPML method to estimate the bilateral import and export and unilateral export models. The study also examines the export expansion potential for Cambodia’s future export markets.
The results show that increases in GDP, GDP per capita, FDI, ICT, money supply, private credit will potentially increase Cambodia’s total import and export volume. However, distance, economic freedom and globalization are factors that may hamper import and export flows between Cambodia and its trading partners. The result also shows that Cambodia can still potentially increase its exports to non-ASEAN markets like the EU and US markets. However, the neighbouring ASEAN markets such as Vietnam and Thailand will become less significant to Cambodia’s exports. The other ASEAN markets which will become more potential are Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines
Development of a field bioassay for rapid detection of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (Lieft.) in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) leaves and tubers
No full textCandidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CaLso) is vectored by Tomato/Potato Psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli Sulc.). The bacterium spreads throughout the phloem and eventually infects underground tubers, which exhibit brown flecking throughout the perimedullary tissue. Upon deep-drying of tuber cross-sections in oil, this results in a characteristic zebra pattern, giving rise to the common name, Zebrachip. Currently, the only way to determine whether plants are infected with CaLso is by time-consuming and expensive PCR testing. Here, we developed an inexpensive bioassay that can be performed rapidly in the field. CaLso is known to degrade starch into amylose and amylopectin. The latter stains dark purple in iodine. Potato laminas were sliced parallel to, but 2 mm away from, the midrib. The smaller piece of the lamina was immersed in 3% iodine solution for 30 sec., rinsed for 5 sec in distilled water and cut surfaces photographed immediately. Similarly, cross-sections of tubers were stained in 3% iodine for 10 sec., rinsed in distilled water for 5 sec and photographed. Cut surfaces that stained dark purple were thought to be infected with CaLso. 100% of plants with dark flecked tubers had positively stained leaves and tubers. Of the healthy-looking plants, 25% of them were suspect for CaLso as those leaves and tubers exhibited partial staining of cut surfaces. PCR of all leaves and tubers were undertaken to confirm the presence or absence of CaLso. Results of the PCR study will be presented, along with a confidence interval for accuracy of the bioassay
The most carbon impactful consumer decision? Investigating people’s fertility intentions in times of a changing climate
No full textHaving children is not typically identified as a concern in (macro)marketing research or practice. However, in a discipline that aims to “improve the human condition, and to sustain the world humans inhabit” (Schultz et al., 2021, p. 5), the factors that threaten human survival due to driving overconsumption and overpopulation, warrant exploration. Interestingly, some research (e.g., Murtaugh and Schlax, 2009; Wynes and Nicholas, 2017) has pointed towards “having one less child” as consumers’ main contribution to decreasing their carbon impact, an idea broadly received and discussed in popular news and social media (Helm, Kemper & White, 2021; Miller, 2018). About 33% of American men and women, aged 20 to 45, cited climate change as a reason to have fewer children (Miller, 2018).
The current study investigates people’s decision (in a WEIRD context) to stay childfree because of climate change concerns from the perspective of resource consumption, as well as individual and collective wellbeing, central themes in Macromarketing discourse (DeQuero-Navarro, Stanton and Klein, 2020). Recognizing the unsustainability of the market system, some consumers consider their own impact, questioning if they should “produce another consumer” (Helm et al., 2021). Such societal dynamics affect marketing; if widespread, consumers’ decision to forgo childbearing can lead to serious implications for the viability of economic systems and societies. Even if only sporadic, consumers such as the participants in the Birthstrike movement direct public attention to overconsumption as the main driver of climate change, raising “profound questions with respect to responsibilities and ethics in marketing practice” (Hall, 2018, p. 4). Anti-consumption, boycotts, protest, calls for government action to regulate industries, and other possible consequences throw a spanner in the works of capitalism and the dominant marketing paradigm. Moreover, mental health issues in response to climate change also becomes a consumer well-being and quality of life (Macromarketing) issue
Effects of soil moisture on simulated methane flow under varying levels of soil compaction
No full textSoil density plays an important role in regulating the migration of greenhouse gases from terrestrial soils to the atmosphere. Soil moisture is one of the main soil physical controls determining the fate and transport of gases in soils. This study investigated the transport of methane (CH₄) originating from a simulated CH₄ source within a variably compacted pasture soil. Simulations were carried out for dry and variably saturated soils. Steady-state methane flow was simulated as a density-dependent, multiphase flow considering a multicomponent mixture of CH₄, water vapor and air, under different soil moisture conditions. We used measured soil–water characteristic (SWC) and gas diffusivity data at five density levels (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, and 1.5 Mg m‾³) to parameterize predictive models. Permeability was estimated using an existing SWC-based saturated hydraulic conductivity function. Results show a distinct effect of soil density on CH₄ concentration profiles within the soil. Clear effects of soil moisture on CH₄ transport could also be seen in differentially compacted soils. Relatively smaller CH₄ concentrations were observed in dry soils where permeability, gas diffusivity, and air-filled porosity were higher. With increasing density, the profile-accumulated concentrations >0.3% increased up to 200 times under the dry condition. In moist soils, on the other hand, smaller air-filled porosity and higher moisture-controlled tortuosity resulted in reduced permeability and gas diffusivity, yielding high CH₄ concentrations in the soil profile with only a maximum fivefold increase in the accumulated concentration with increasing density
Climate disasters and earnings management
No full textThis study examines whether managers use earnings management to manipulate earnings after climate disasters and how they choose different types of earnings management to achieve earnings targets. Using a large sample of climate disasters from 1989 to 2018 obtained from the Spatial Hazards Events and Losses Database for the United States (SHELDUS), we find that managers tend to exhibit opportunistic behaviors by using earnings management to adjust earnings upward after climate disasters. In addition, we find that managers favor the use of accrual-based earnings management and classification shifting over real earnings management to achieve earnings goals more quickly. Moreover, we document evidence that the relations between earnings management and climate disasters can be affected by other factors such as firm size, frequency of climate disasters, and institutional environment. Specifically, earnings management employed by managers after climate disasters are more likely to be present in small companies, companies located in states with a lower frequency of climate disasters and states with more corruption