scholarly journals The Economic Cost of Noxious Weeds on Montana Grazing Lands

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane M. Mangold ◽  
Kate B. Fuller ◽  
Stacy C. Davis ◽  
Matthew J. Rinella
Keyword(s):  
Weed Management ◽  
Economic Cost ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Spotted Knapweed ◽  
Grazing Land ◽  
Centaurea Diffusa ◽  
Noxious Weeds ◽  
Noxious Weed ◽  
Grazing Lands ◽  
Privately Owned

AbstractWe distributed a 16-question survey concerning noxious weed abundance, impacts, and management to livestock producers grazing on privately owned or leased grazing lands in Montana. The noxious weeds most commonly reported as being present on respondents’ grazing units were Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.] (64% of grazing units) and leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) (45% of grazing units), and these species also reportedly caused the greatest reductions in livestock forage. Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale L.) was more prevalent than either spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe L.) or diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa Lam.) (39% vs. 32% and 10%, respectively, of grazing units), but collectively C. stoebe and C. diffusa were reported to cause greater forage reductions than C. officinale. The top three strategies used to manage noxious weeds were chemical control, grazing, and biological control. Combining survey responses with forage-loss models derived from field data for C. stoebe and E. esula, we estimated the combined cost of noxious weed management and forage losses on privately owned rangeland to be $3.54 ha−1 yr−1, or $7,243 annually for an average size grazing unit (i.e., 2,046 ha [5,055 ac]). Our estimates of economic losses are lower than many estimates from previous studies, possibly because we focused only on direct costs related to private grazing land, while other studies often consider indirect impacts. Nonetheless, our estimates are substantial; for example, our estimated loss equates to 24% of the average per-hectare lease rate for Montana grazing land.

Distribution, Biology, and Management of Diffuse Knapweed (Centaurea diffusa) and Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea maculosa)

1998 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 353-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger L. Sheley ◽  
James S. Jacobs ◽  
Michael F. Carpinelli
Keyword(s):  
Weed Management ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Integrated Weed Management ◽  
Competitive Balance ◽  
Spotted Knapweed ◽  
Centaurea Diffusa ◽  
Diffuse Knapweed ◽  
Associated Species

Diffuse knapweed, a biennial or short-lived perennial, and spotted knapweed, a perennial, are taprooted Eurasian weeds invading rangeland in the western United States and Canada. Knapweed (Centaureaspp.) invasion is associated with reductions in biodiversity, wildlife, and livestock forage, and increased erosion. Spotted knapweed grows to about 1 m and usually has purple flowers, whereas diffuse knapweed is slightly shorter, usually with white flowers. Persistent flower bracts on diffuse knapweed bear a rigid terminal spine about 8 mm long with four or five pairs of shorter lateral spines. Bracts on spotted knapweed have dark spotted tips. Knapweed management involves a combination of containing infestations and control efforts. Hand pulling in areas with small infestations can be effective for controlling spotted and diffuse knapweeds. Picloram applied at 0.28 kg ha−1provides control for about 3 yr. Effective long-term control of knapweeds requires periodic applications of picloram, which are only cost-effective on highly productive range sites with a residual grass understory. About 12 insect species have been released for knapweed biocontrol. Seed production has been reduced by 46% by insects feeding in the flower heads. Although insects have not reduced spotted knapweed densities, they may stress the weed and shift the competitive balance to associated species. Sheep grazing reduces the density of very young seedlings and may limit seedling recruitment into the population. In areas without a residual understory of desired plant species, revegetation of knapweed-infested rangeland is required. Components of any integrated weed management program are sustained effort, constant evaluation, and the adoption of improved strategies.

scholarly journals The Economic Effects of COVID-19 on the Producers of Ethanol, Corn, Gasoline, and Oil

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Schmitz ◽  
Charles B. Moss ◽  
Troy G. Schmitz
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Economic Cost ◽  
The United States ◽  
Welfare Economic ◽  
Economic Effects ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Corn Ethanol ◽  
Empirical Estimation ◽  
Total Oil

AbstractThe COVID-19 crisis created large economic losses for corn, ethanol, gasoline, and oil producers and refineries both in the United States and worldwide. We extend the theory used by Schmitz, A., C. B. Moss, and T. G. Schmitz. 2007. “Ethanol: No Free Lunch.” Journal of Agricultural & Food Industrial Organization 5 (2): 1–28 as a basis for empirical estimation of the effect of COVID-19. We estimate, within a welfare economic cost-benefit framework that, at a minimum, the producer cost in the United States for these four sectors totals $176.8 billion for 2020. For U.S. oil producers alone, the cost was $151 billion. When world oil is added, the costs are much higher, at $1055.8 billion. The total oil producer cost is $1.03 trillion, which is roughly 40 times the effect on U.S. corn, ethanol, and gasoline producers, and refineries. If the assumed unemployment effects from COVID-19 are taken into account, the total effect, including both producers and unemployed workers, is $212.2 billion, bringing the world total to $1266.9 billion.

scholarly journals Estimating Economic Losses Caused by COVID-19 under Multiple Control Measure Scenarios with a Coupled Infectious Disease—Economic Model: A Case Study in Wuhan, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (22) ◽  
pp. 11753
Author(s):  
Xingtian Chen ◽  
Wei Gong ◽  
Xiaoxu Wu ◽  
Wenwu Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Economic Model ◽  
Control Measure ◽  
Central Valley ◽  
Economic Cost ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Multiple Control ◽  
Health Crisis

Background: The outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic has caused an unprecedented public health crisis and drastically impacted the economy. The relationship between different control measures and economic losses becomes a research hotspot. Methods: In this study, the SEIR infectious disease model was revised and coupled with an economic model to quantify this nonlinear relationship in Wuhan. The control measures were parameterized into two factors: the effective number of daily contacts (people) (r); the average waiting time for quarantined patients (day) (g). Results: The parameter r has a threshold value that if r is less than 5 (people), the number of COVID-19 infected patients is very close to 0. A “central valley” around r = 5~6 can be observed, indicating an optimal control measure to reduce economic losses. A lower value of parameter g is beneficial to stop COVID-19 spread with a lower economic cost. Conclusion: The simulation results demonstrate that implementing strict control measures as early as possible can stop the spread of COVID-19 with a minimal economic impact. The quantitative assessment method in this study can be applied in other COVID-19 pandemic areas or countries.

scholarly journals Herbaceous plant species diversity in communal agro-pastoral and conservation areas in western Serengeti, Tanzania

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 502-518
Author(s):  
Pius Yoram Kavana ◽  
Anthony Z. Sangeda ◽  
Ephraim J. Mtengeti ◽  
Christopher Mahonge ◽  
John Bukombe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Plant Species Diversity ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Herbaceous Plant ◽  
Herbaceous Species ◽  
Grazing Land ◽  
Grazing Lands

Agro-pastoralism involves the growing of crops and keeping of livestock as a livelihood strategy practiced by communities in rural areas in Africa and is highly dependent on environmental factors including rainfall, soil and vegetation. Agro-pastoral activities, e.g. livestock grazing and land clearing for crop cultivation, impact on environmental condition. This study evaluated the impacts of agro-pastoral activities on herbaceous plant species diversity and abundance in western Serengeti relative to conservation (protected) areas. A vegetation survey was conducted along the grazing gradients of ten 4 km transects from within village lands to protected areas. A total of 123 herbaceous species belonging to 20 families were identified. Higher herbaceous species diversity and richness were found in protected areas than in communal grazing lands. Similarly, the number of perennial herbaceous species was higher in the former than the latter, while occurrence of annuals was higher in the village areas. This observation indicates poor rangeland condition in village communal grazing lands as compared with protected areas. It is obvious that current agro-pastoral activities have contributed to a reduction in herbaceous species diversity in village lands in western Serengeti. However, the array of pasture species, especially desirable perennial species, still present in communal grazing areas, suggests that rejuvenation of these areas is possible. Resting of grazing land is recommended to reverse the trend towards diversity reduction and ensure future availability of feed resources for grazing animals in village lands.

scholarly journals Changes in Regulating Ecosystem Services following Establishing Exclosures on Communal Grazing Lands in Ethiopia: A Synthesis

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolde Mekuria
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Plant Species Richness ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Grazing Land ◽  
Ecosystem Carbon ◽  
Total Soil ◽  
Soil N Stock ◽  
Degraded Ecosystems ◽  
Grazing Lands

In four separate studies undertaken in the northern highlands of Ethiopia, changes in regulating ecosystem services, economic viability, and the perception of local communities following establishing exclosures on communal grazing lands were investigated. Replicated 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year-old exclosures were selected and paired each exclosure with an adjacent grazing land. All exclosures displayed higher ecosystem services than communal grazing lands. Differences between exclosures and grazing lands varied between 29 (±4.9) and 61 (±6.7) Mg C ha−1 for ecosystem carbon stock (ECS), 2.4 (±0.6) and 6.9 (±1.8) Mg ha−1 for total soil N stock, and 17 (±3) to 39 (±7) Kg ha−1 for the available P stock, and all differences increased with exclosure duration. Differences in plant species richness and biomass between an exclosure age and communal grazing land were higher in oldest than in youngest exclosures. Over a period of 30 years, sequestered carbon dioxide was 246 Mg ha−1, total soil nitrogen increased by 7.9 Mg ha−1, and additional available phosphorous stocks amounted to 40 kg ha−1. The Net Present Value of exclosures ecosystem services under consideration was about 28% (837 US$) higher than alternative wheat production indicating that exclosures are competitive to alternative land uses. There are substantial opportunities to mobilize the local communities in efforts to establish exclosures, given that more than 75% had a positive view on exclosures effectiveness to restore degraded ecosystems. Establishing exclosures on communal grazing lands can be effective for restoring degraded ecosystems and the services that they provide.

scholarly journals The economic cost of seabird bycatch in Argentinean longline fisheries

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
PATRICIA GANDINI ◽  
ESTEBAN FRERE
Keyword(s):  
Economic Cost ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Fishing Vessels ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Patagonian Toothfish ◽  
Catch Rates ◽  
Longline Fisheries

SummarySeabird mortality in longline fisheries is believed to be an important cause of the reductions in many seabird populations worldwide, and results in reduced fishing efficiency and economic losses for fishing companies. We estimated the economic cost of not using seabird bycatch deterrents in Argentinean longline fisheries, with the intention of encouraging adoption of mitigation measures in those fisheries. We conducted the study in the Argentine ling Genypterus blacodes and Patagonian toothfish Dissostichus eleginoides fisheries from 2001 to 2006 on three fishing vessels. Data on the incidence of seabird bycatch were collected by seabird observers specially trained in seabird identification and data on the catch rates of target species, cost of bait and fish were provided by the fishing company, supervised by Federal Inspectors from the Provincial Fisheries Agency. To estimate the bait loss, we set lines both with and without the use of deterrents (streamer lines, night setting and strategic discharge of offal) in both fisheries. Seabird bycatch varies temporally and geographically, so to estimate economic losses using deterrents in each fishery, we used different bycatch rates/1000 hooks registered for different periods and fishing areas. Bycatch rates in the absence of deterrents were two birds/1000 hooks and 1.53 birds/1000 hooks for the Patagonian toothfish and ling fisheries, respectively. These rates equate to the loss of more than 1.5 and 2 million dollars over a 10 year period for each fishery. When estimations are made with lower mortality rates, economic losses declined abruptly and were in the order of hundreds of dollars/fishing trip, for the same period of time. Results show that using deterrents, long term profits for the fishing company increase at a considerably high rate (the decrease in monetary loss is an order of magnitude), and the mortality of seabirds decreases by the same proportion (CPUE of seabirds decreases from tens of thousands to a few hundred). In these fisheries, the use of mitigation measures that reduce bait loss and seabird mortality represents a win-win situation with benefits to conservation and fishing companies.

PRIMARY SEED DORMANCY IN DIFFUSE AND SPOTTED KNAPWEED

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 775-783 ◽  
Author(s):  
DARYL G. NOLAN ◽  
MAHESH K. UPADHYAYA
Keyword(s):  
Gibberellic Acid ◽  
Seed Dormancy ◽  
Red Light ◽  
Centaurea Maculosa ◽  
Spotted Knapweed ◽  
Centaurea Diffusa ◽  
Primary Dormancy ◽  
Pigment System ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Subsequent Exposure

Large numbers of viable, diffuse (Centaurea diffusa Lam.) and spotted knapweed (C. maculosa Lam.) seeds (achenes), collected in the interior of British Columbia, failed to germinate in darkness at 25 °C. This primary dormancy was released to varying degrees by gibberellic acid, exposure to red light, or excision of the distal end of the seed. The effect of red light was negated by subsequent exposure to far-red light. The demonstration of red/far-red reversibility implicates the phytochrome pigment system in the light-sensitive germination of knapweed seeds. Seeds collected from different sites, and from individual plants within sites, had different germination levels in darkness and following exposure to 2 min of red light. Three types of germination behavior were evident: nondormant seeds germinated in darkness; light-sensitive dormant seeds germinated in response to red light; and light-insensitive dormant seeds failed to germinate after 5 d of continuous red light. Seeds of all three germination types were found on individual plants.Key words: Centaurea diffusa, Centaurea maculosa, knapweed, seed dormancy, light-sensitive germination, germination polymorphism

Mapping Cynodon dactylon in vineyards using UAV images for site-specific weed control

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. I. de Castro ◽  
J. M. Peña ◽  
J. Torres-Sánchez ◽  
F. Jiménez-Brenes ◽  
F. López-Granados
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Object Based ◽  
Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Uav Images

In Spain, the use of annual cover crops is a crop management practice for irrigated vineyards that allows controlling vineyard vigor and yield, which also leads to improve the crop quality. Recently, Cynodon dactylon (bermudagrass) has been reported to infest those cover crops and colonize the grapevine rows, resulting in significant yield and economic losses due to the competition for water and nutrients. From timely unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery, the objective of this research was to map C. dactylon patches in order to provide an optimized site-specific weed management. A quadrocopter UAV equipped with a point-and-shoot camera was used to collect a set of aerial red-green-blue (RGB) images over a commercial vineyard plot, coinciding with the dormant period of C. dactylon (February 2016). Object-based image analysis (OBIA) techniques were used to develop an innovative algorithm for early discrimination and mapping of C. dactylon, which had the ability to solve the limitation of spectral similarity of this weed with cover crops or bare soil. As a general result, the classified maps of the studied vineyard showed four main classes, i.e. vine, cover crop, C. dactylon and bare soil, with 85% overall accuracy. These weed maps allow developing new strategies for site-specific control of C. dactylon populations in the context of precision viticulture.

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