bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Managing fodder trees as a solution to human–livestock food conflicts and their contribution to income generation for smallholder farmers in southern Africa
Authors: Chakeredza Sebastian , Hove Lewis , Akinnifesi Festus K. , Franzel Steven , Ajayi Oluyede C. , Sileshi Gudeta 
Published: August 2010

Abstract Livestock production is an integral part of smallholder farming systems in southern Africa. While goats and sheep play some role in the smallholder farmer household economy, cattle are the predominant livestock species supplying draught power, milk, manure and meat. Production of cattle is based on range grazing. However, the nutritive value of the range is generally low depending on vegetation type and season. With the rapid increase in human population in southern Africa and the increasing need to produce staple food on a sustainable basis, smallholder farmers are increasingly encroaching onto lands formerly reserved for livestock grazing. Therefore, livestock subsisting on the range require supplementation. Conventional bought‐in supplements are expensive. Fodder trees and shrubs have been integrated within some farming systems of southern Africa as fodder banks with varying degrees of success. Work carried out in Tanzania, Malawi and Zimbabwe is reviewed to provide evidence on how the fodder tree technology has impacted on livestock production with special reference to smallholder dairy production, human food production and smallholder farmers’ income. For the wider adoption of the technology, a synopsis of the different scaling up pathways and approaches adopted by research and development agencies is presented.
Sustainable agriculture and eradication of rural poverty in Pakistan
Authors: Bhutto Abdul Waheed , Bazmi Aqeel Ahmed 
Published: August 2010

Abstract Poverty is rampant in the rural areas of Pakistan, where people are in a state of deprivation with regard to incomes, clothing, housing, healthcare, education, sanitary facilities and human rights. Agriculture generates nearly 20.9 percent of the country's GDP and provides employment for 43.4 percent of its workforce. Most importantly, 65.9 percent of the population living in rural areas is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. Rising population, shrinking agricultural land, increasing demand for water resources, widespread land degradation and inadequate infrastructure appear to be major concerns of the agriculture sector in Pakistan. An attempt has been made to examine the population growth–agriculture growth–poverty alleviation linkage. It is argued that agriculture will continue to be one of the most important sectors of Pakistan's economy for years to come. To alleviate poverty, it is suggested that Pakistan enhance the productivity of the agriculture sector through the provision of a series of inputs including provision of easy credit to the small farmer, availability of quality fertilizers and pesticides, tractor and harvester services, improvement in the effectiveness of the vast irrigation system and, finally, farmer education. It is concluded that the high rate of population growth needs to be curbed for increased agricultural productivity to have any significant effect on poverty in rural areas of Pakistan.
Enhanced learning from multi‐stakeholder partnerships: Lessons from the Enabling Rural Innovation in Africa programme
Authors: Sanginga Pascal C. , Chitsike Colletah A. , Njuki Jemimah , Kaaria Susan , Kanzikwera Rogers 
Published: August 2010

Abstract Despite increasing interest and support for multi‐stakeholder partnerships, empirical applications of participatory evaluation approaches to enhance learning from partnerships are either uncommon or undocumented. This paper draws lessons on the use of participatory self‐reflective approaches that facilitate structured learning on processes and outcomes of partnerships. Such practice is important to building partnerships, because it helps partners understand how they can develop more collaborative and responsive ways of managing partnerships. The paper is based on experience with the Enabling Rural Innovation (ERI) in Africa programme. Results highlight the dynamic process of partnership formation and the key elements that contribute to success. These include: (i) shared vision and complementarity, (ii) consistent support from senior leadership; (iii) evidence of institutional and individual benefits; (iv) investments in human and social capital; (v) joint resources mobilization. However, key challenges require coping with high staff turnover and over‐commitment, conflicting personalities and institutional differences, high transaction costs, and sustaining partnerships with the private business sector. The paper suggests that institutionalizing multi‐stakeholder partnerships requires participatory reflective practices that help structure and enhance learning, and incrementally help in building the capacity of research and development organisations to partner better and ultimately to innovate.
Six major steps in animal evolution: are we derived sponge larvae?
Authors: Nielsen Claus 
Published: August 2010

SUMMARYA review of the old and new literature on animal morphology/embryology and molecular studies has led me to the following scenario for the early evolution of the metazoans. The metazoan ancestor, “choanoblastaea,” was a pelagic sphere consisting of choanocytes. The evolution of multicellularity enabled division of labor between cells, and an “advanced choanoblastaea” consisted of choanocytes and nonfeeding cells. Polarity became established, and an adult, sessile stage developed. Choanocytes of the upper side became arranged in a groove with the cilia pumping water along the groove. Cells overarched the groove so that a choanocyte chamber was formed, establishing the body plan of an adult sponge; the pelagic larval stage was retained but became lecithotrophic. The sponges radiated into monophyletic Silicea, Calcarea, and Homoscleromorpha. Homoscleromorph larvae show cell layers resembling true, sealed epithelia. A homoscleromorph‐like larva developed an archenteron, and the sealed epithelium made extracellular digestion possible in this isolated space. This larva became sexually mature, and the adult sponge‐stage was abandoned in an extreme progenesis. This eumetazoan ancestor, “gastraea,” corresponds to Haeckel's gastraea.Trichoplaxrepresents this stage, but with the blastopore spread out so that the endoderm has become the underside of the creeping animal. Another lineage developed a nervous system; this “neurogastraea” is the ancestor of the Neuralia. Cnidarians have retained this organization, whereas the Triploblastica (Ctenophora+Bilateria), have developed the mesoderm. The bilaterians developed bilaterality in a primitive form in the Acoelomorpha and in an advanced form with tubular gut and long Hox cluster in the Eubilateria (Protostomia+Deuterostomia).It is indicated that the major evolutionary steps are the result of suites of existing genes becoming co‐opted into new networks that specify new structures.The evolution of the eumetazoan ancestor from a progenetic homoscleromorph larva implies that we, as well as all the other eumetazoans, are derived sponge larvae.
Application of Assisted Natural Regeneration to Restore Degraded Tropical Forestlands
Authors: Shono Kenichi , Cadaweng Ernesto A. , Durst Patrick B. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractAssisted natural regeneration (ANR) is a simple, low‐cost forest restoration method that can effectively convert deforested lands of degraded vegetation to more productive forests. The method aims to accelerate, rather than replace, natural successional processes by removing or reducing barriers to natural forest regeneration such as soil degradation, competition with weedy species, and recurring disturbances (e.g., fire, grazing, and wood harvesting). Compared to conventional reforestation methods involving planting of tree seedlings, ANR offers significant cost advantages because it reduces or eliminates the costs associated with propagating, raising, and planting seedlings. It is most effectively utilized at the landscape level in restoring the protective functions of forests such as watershed protection and soil conservation. ANR techniques are flexible and allow for the integration of various values such as timber production, biodiversity recovery, and cultivation of crops, fruit trees, and non‐timber forest products in the restored forest. This paper describes the steps of applying ANR and conditions under which it will be most effective. It also discusses ANR’s comparative advantages as well as some of its constraints.
Recipient Environment More Important than Community Composition in Determining the Success of an Experimental Sponge Transplant
Authors: Johnston Emma L. , Clark Graeme F. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract Human activities have inflicted profound damage upon many ecosystems, and ecologists are now seeking effective means of restoring ecosystems to their natural state. Industrial ports and harbors are highly modified and often depauperate in native fauna. They are typically characterized by poor water quality and modified community composition, both of which may hinder attempts to reintroduce native species. Here, we conducted a field experiment to separate the effects of the recipient environment and community composition on the success of endemic sponge explants in Port Kembla Harbor, NSW, Australia. A reciprocal transplant was conducted between communities originating from six sites that varied in water quality and community composition, enabling us to assess the relative factors simultaneously. A colony of the endemic sponge Tedania anhelans was then inserted into the center of each community, and we quantified the survival, growth, and metal bioaccumulation of sponges over three months. Endemic sponges consistently performed better against resident assemblages when water quality was good. Sponges transplanted to cleaner sites had over double the survivorship and approximately three times the surface area of sponges transplanted to disturbed sites. These patterns were independent of community composition. Bioaccumulation of metals in sponges was correlated with survival; however, other factors such as turbidity may be required to explain sponge mortality at some sites. This study adds to evidence that remediation of the physical and chemical environments may be a prerequisite for biological remediation and demonstrates the value of experimental transplants in assessing restoration potential.
Restoration of Prairie Community Structure and Ecosystem Function in an Abandoned Hayfield: A Sowing Experiment
Authors: Foster Bryan L. , Murphy Cheryl A. , Keller Kane R. , Aschenbach Todd A. , Questad Erin J. , Kindscher Kelly 
Published: August 2010

AbstractUsing a multispecies seed sowing experiment, we investigated the roles of seed and microsite limitation in constraining the restoration of native prairie diversity and ecosystem function in an abandoned upland hayfield in northeastern Kansas. Seeds of 32 native and naturalized plant species from the regional pool were sown into undisturbed and experimentally disturbed field plots. After six growing seasons, experimental sowing led to major shifts in species and functional group composition, increases in native species abundance and floristic quality, declines in abundance of non‐native species, and increases in plant diversity. These changes in community structure led to significant changes at the ecosystem level including increases in light capture, peak biomass, primary production, litter biomass, root biomass, and C storage in roots. Our findings reveal the importance of seed limitations in constraining the natural recovery of prairie vegetation, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning in this grassland and confirm broadcast sowing as a useful tool for the restoration of upland hayfield sites.
Manipulating the Quantity, Quality, and Manner of C Addition to Reduce Soil Inorganic N and Increase C4:C3 Grass Biomass
Authors: Bleier Jonathan S. , Jackson Randall D. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractApplying C to soils has been proposed as a plant community restoration tactic because it has been shown to immobilize inorganic N, which should confer a competitive advantage to slower growing plants that are often key components of the desired plant community. Disparate experimental and survey results have led to questions about the appropriate quality and quantity of C to apply. We conducted a single‐season glasshouse experiment in three soil types to determine how the quality (sugar, sawdust, sugar + sawdust), quantity (1 and 5 kg sugar or sawdust/m2), and mode of application (surface applied or mixed into soil) of C affected soil inorganic N pools, net mineralization rates, and aboveground biomass of coexisting C3 and C4 plant species. Carbon applied as sawdust mixed into the soil resulted in the highest level of immobilization in the short term (6 weeks), but all combinations and rates of sugar and sawdust application resulted in immobilization over this period. In the long term (24 weeks), most amendments immobilized N and suppressed aboveground biomass of the C3 grass,Bromus inermis, but the high rate of sugar resulted in the strongest immobilization and C3 suppression. However, this treatment also maintained the highest soil inorganic N pool at season’s end, which calls into question its effectiveness if longer‐term benefits are desired. Neither net mineralization rates nor soil inorganic N pools were correlated to the ratio of C4 to C3 plant biomass at season’s end indicating that the mechanisms for favorable plant response to C addition are not understood.
Common and Uncommon Understory Species Differentially Respond to Restoration Treatments in Ponderosa Pine/Douglas‐Fir Forests, Montana
Authors: Dodson Erich K. , Metlen Kerry L. , Fiedler Carl E. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractRestoration treatments have been widely advocated to address declining conditions inPinus ponderosaforests throughout the western United States. However, few studies have examined treatment effects on individual plant species or whether responses differ for common species and uncommon species (those with low abundance in the community)—information that may be critical in managing for long‐term biodiversity. We investigated understory species responses to restoration treatments in ponderosa pine/Douglas‐fir forests using a randomized block experimental design with three blocks and four treatments (control, burn‐only, thin‐only, and thin‐burn). Understory vegetation was sampled before treatment and for three consecutive years after treatment. We used richness and an index of uniqueness to compare responses of common and uncommon native understory species among treatments, and indicator species analysis to identify individual species that responded to each treatment. Treatments that included thinning had significantly more unique species assemblages than the control. The thin‐only treatment increased common native species richness, whereas all active treatments significantly increased uncommon native species richness over the control, especially the thin‐burn. Generally, life‐forms did not explain the responses of individual species, though in the final sampling year several graminoids were exclusively indicative of treatments that included thinning. Very few species had reduced abundance in the thinning and burning treatments by the final sample year, whereas many uncommon and short‐lived species benefited from active treatments, especially the combined thin‐burn treatment. Active restoration treatments in these forests may foster plant diversity by minimally impacting common species while significantly benefiting disturbance‐dependent native species.
Estimating the Effect of Cropland to Prairie Conversion on Peak Storm Run‐Off
Authors: Gerla Philip J. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract Much of the original U.S. grassland has undergone conversion to cropland. During the last few years, large first‐ and second‐order watershed scale projects have begun to reconstruct the native tallgrass prairie cover and biodiversity. The effect on watershed hydrological budget is largely unknown, especially concerning storm run‐off. Curve number variability is used to estimate the uncertainty of peak run‐off following the change in cover, given rainfall recurrence and watershed size. The method involves three steps: (1) estimate the time‐of‐concentration for many similar sized watersheds in the region, (2) define the probability distribution for time‐of‐concentration, curve numbers, and watershed area, (3) with these data, generate input variables for a Monte Carlo analysis, which can then be used to predict the mean and confidence interval of peak run‐off. As an example, spatial and hydrological characteristics of first‐ and second‐order watersheds ranging from 2 to 50 km2 in the Red River of the North basin provide a log normal probability distribution for time‐of‐concentration. Using the range of watershed area and a β probability distribution for curve number uncertainty, the analysis predicts the change in peak run‐off from an ensemble of watershed realizations that characterize cropland to grassland conversion. Results suggest that given five‐ and 25‐year, 24‐hour rainfall recurrence, average reduction in peak run‐off will range from 50 to 55% and 40 to 45%, respectively, for the basin. A large range of uncertainty at the 80% confidence interval, however, indicates that an accurate prediction requires analysis for specific watersheds.
Bauxite Mining Restoration by Alcoa World Alumina Australia in Western Australia: Social, Political, Historical, and Environmental Contexts
Authors: Gardner John H. , Bell David T. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract Alcoa World Alumina Australia mines bauxite under lease agreements with the Government of Western Australia. The leases lie in the Darling Range to the east of Perth, the capital and major population center. In addition to bauxite and other mineral ores, the Darling Range is a major potable water source and harbors a species‐rich forest dominated by Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata), a significant commercial timber. Conservation and recreation are important land uses in the region. Social and political pressures have led to stringent governmental requirements for restoration. In addition, a summer drought period, a soil deficient in most nutrients, water management challenges, an introduced disease, caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands, and a post‐mining ecosystem that must be conducive to the prescribed burning management of the region pose significant challenges to successful restoration. Alcoa presently mines and restores approximately 550 ha per annum. Although the “footprint” at the end of the life of the mining operations represents only about 4% of the total forest estate, Alcoa is committed to restoring the forest values of the region of all lands impacted by mining. The major objective of restoration is to enhance or maintain forest values by restoring habitat and structural characteristics of the native forest environment. Completion criteria for Alcoa’s mine restoration have been developed. The original Alcoa mine at Jarrahdale has been rehabilitated, and in 2005, a 975‐ha area received a “certificate of completion” and was returned to the management control of the State of Western Australia.
Restoring a Jarrah Forest Understorey Vegetation after Bauxite Mining in Western Australia
Authors: Koch John M. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract The Southwest of Western Australia is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. In the jarrah forest there are at least 300–400 plant species in vegetation that is typically mined and as many as 163 species per 0.1 ha. Hence, restoring the plant species to post‐mining areas is seen as a priority. Approximately 70% of understorey richness is returned via the direct transfer of fresh topsoil. Additions of provenance‐correct seeds of between 78 and 113 native jarrah forest species add significantly to post‐mining species richness. Many of the broadcast seeds receive a prebroadcast heat or smoke treatment to increase germinability. Approximately 20 additional species are produced by vegetative multiplication or tissue culture and planted into restored areas. Though sequential improvements during the past 30 years, Alcoa now achieves its target to establish in restored areas the same number of native plant species per 80 m2 as the natural forest. Resampling of permanent plots revealed that species composition of older post‐mining areas does not become more similar to unmined forest over one to three decades. Few species (mostly orchids) establish after the first year of restoration and adherence to the initial floristic composition model of forest succession applies to jarrah forest mine site restoration in Western Australia. Alcoa’s strategy, therefore, is to maximize the diversity of understorey species in newly restored sites at the first attempt. Future research will investigate methods to further increase the density of the fire resprouter species, a group of species currently under‐represented in the restored bauxite mining sites.
Minimizing the Spread of a Soil‐Borne Plant Pathogen during a Large‐Scale Mining Operation
Authors: Colquhoun Ian J. , Kerp Naomi L. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract The challenge for Alcoa’s mining operation is simply stated but not so simple to implement; to be able to extract bauxite in large open‐cut mine pits without spreading the soil‐borne pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi. The mining operation clears about 550 ha of Jarrah forest a year and moves about 6 million m3 of soil. Phytophthora cinnamomi has a scattered distribution in the Jarrah forest that results in most mine pits having infested and uninfested portions. Also, there are generally large areas of uninfested forest adjacent to mine pits. Consequently, the potential to spread the pathogen into uninfested forest is very high. This paper describes the development of protocols to prevent spread of P. cinnamomi during mining and restoration, and tools used to assess the success of the program. Monitoring 169 km of the perimeter of mine pits for the introduction of the pathogen to uninfested forest showed very low levels of spread; 0.0006 ha for every hectare mined. The potential for further spread from the new infestation was also estimated by calculating the area of uninfested forest directly downslope from the infestation; this level of spread was 0.002 ha for every hectare mined. We believe that the findings of this study go beyond the issue of disease management during mining. We believe that it is an example of the mining industry recognizing a large threat to the environment and, through a systematic and committed approach, dramatically decreasing the size of the threat to achieve a successful outcome.