Impacts of Climatic Variabiity and Population Growth on Virgin Branch Anasazi Cultural Developments

1990 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel O. Larson ◽  
Joel Michaelsen
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Great Basin ◽  
Culture Change ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Adaptive Strategies ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Precise Nature ◽  
Extreme Climatic Event ◽  
Extreme Climatic Events ◽  
Climatic Event

Two major drought episodes, A.D. 1000 to 1015 and A.D. 1120 to 1150, contributed to significant change in adaptive strategies of the Virgin Branch Anasazi, a prehistoric population that occupied the southwestern Great Basin between A.D. 100 and A.D. 1150. The first extreme climatic event promoted the adoption of several alternative buffering strategies including intensive agricultural practices, increased reliance on storage, and the organization of large residential labor groups. The second drought, which followed 150 years of favorable climatic conditions and high levels of population growth, had a devastating impact upon the Virgin Branch Anasazi resulting in the complete abandonment of the southwestern Great Basin by that group. These two climatic events required entirely different responses, which suggest that shifts in climate are best viewed as triggering culture change. The preconditions of population growth set the various levels of sensitivity to extreme climatic events and determine the precise nature of the culture changes.

scholarly journals How birds cope physiologically and behaviourally with extreme climatic events

2017 ◽  
Vol 372 (1723) ◽  
pp. 20160140 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Wingfield ◽  
Jonathan H. Pérez ◽  
Jesse S. Krause ◽  
Karen R. Word ◽  
Paulina L. González-Gómez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
Life History Stage ◽  
Extreme Climatic Event ◽  
Life History Stages ◽  
Extreme Climatic Events ◽  
Climatic Event ◽  
The Individual

As global climate change progresses, the occurrence of potentially disruptive climatic events such as storms are increasing in frequency, duration and intensity resulting in higher mortality and reduced reproductive success. What constitutes an extreme climatic event? First we point out that extreme climatic events in biological contexts can occur in any environment. Focusing on field and laboratory data on wild birds we propose a mechanistic approach to defining and investigating what extreme climatic events are and how animals cope with them at physiological and behavioural levels. The life cycle of birds is made up of life-history stages such as migration, breeding and moult that evolved to match a range of environmental conditions an individual might expect during the year. When environmental conditions deteriorate and deviate from the expected range then the individual must trigger coping mechanisms (emergency life-history stage) that will disrupt the temporal progression of life-history stages, but enhance survival. Using the framework of allostasis, we argue that an extreme climatic event in biological contexts can be defined as when the cumulative resources available to an individual are exceeded by the sum of its energetic costs—a state called allostatic overload. This allostatic overload triggers the emergency life-history stage that temporarily allows the individual to cease regular activities in an attempt to survive extreme conditions. We propose that glucocorticoid hormones play a major role in orchestrating coping mechanisms and are critical for enduring extreme climatic events. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Behavioural, ecological and evolutionary responses to extreme climatic events’.

Input Use and Productivity across Farm Sizes: A Comparison of the Two Punjabs

1988 ◽  
Vol 27 (4II) ◽  
pp. 595-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eshya Mujahid Mukhtar ◽  
Hanid Mukhtar
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Distribution Networks ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Government Policies ◽  
Economic Costs ◽  
Land Distribution ◽  
Input Use ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
Ideal Framework ◽  
Productivity Gains

Agricultural production depends upon certain crucial inputs e.g., water, fertilizer etc. In the less developed regions of South Asia in general, and the indo-Pakistan sub-continent in particular, the use of these inputs depends not only upon the financial affordability but also upon the institutional accessibility of farmers to these inputs. Besides high economic costs, bureaucratic controls and corruption regarding the distribution of inputs have created problems of limited accessibility, especially to the small farmers. In the absence of any credit, information and/or input distribution networks, the use of these inputs, and related productivity gains, become confined to that class of farmers which not only has better access to these inputs but is capable of using them in the best possible way e.g. use of water and fertilizer in the appropriate amount and at the appropriate time. This paper attempts to study how input use and input productivity vary across farm sizes, with some reference to the infrastructural and institutional factors, whose development play an important role in improving the distribution and productivity of inputs. For such an analysis, a comparison of the two Punjabs i.e. Pakistani and Indian Punjabs, presents an ideal framework, Separated by a national boundary since 1947, the two Punjabs enjoy a common history and culture, similar agricultural practices and agro-climatic conditions, Government policies in the two Punjabs, however, have not only differed between the two provinces at the same time, but also over time in the same province. It may be noted that due to certain policy measures, land distribution, tenancy conditions, promotion of agricultural co-operatives and provision of infrastructural features, such as roads and electricity, are relatively more improved in Indian than Pakistani Punjab.

scholarly journals A Fumonisin Prevention Tool for Targeting and Ranking Agroclimatic Conditions Favoring Exposure in French Maize-Growing Areas

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 214
Author(s):  
Agathe Roucou ◽  
Christophe Bergez ◽  
Benoît Méléard ◽  
Béatrice Orlando
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Fusarium Verticillioides ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Agricultural Cooperatives ◽  
Mixed Model Approach ◽  
Food And Feed ◽  
Model Approach

The levels of fumonisins (FUMO)—mycotoxins produced by Fusarium verticillioides—in maize for food and feed are subject to European Union regulations. Compliance with the regulations requires the targeting of, among others, the agroclimatic factors influencing fungal contamination and FUMO production. Arvalis-Institut du végétal has created a national, multiyear database for maize, based on field survey data collected since 2003. This database contains information about agricultural practices, climatic conditions and FUMO concentrations at harvest for 738 maize fields distributed throughout French maize-growing regions. A linear mixed model approach highlights the presence of borers and the use of a late variety, high temperatures in July and October, and a water deficit during the maize cycle as creating conditions favoring maize contamination with Fusarium verticillioides. It is thus possible to target a combination of risk factors, consisting of this climatic sequence associated with agricultural practices of interest. The effects of the various possible agroclimatic combinations can be compared, grouped and classified as promoting very low to high FUMO concentrations, possibly exceeding the regulatory threshold. These findings should facilitate the creation of a national, informative and easy-to-use prevention tool for producers and agricultural cooperatives to manage the sanitary quality of their harvest.

scholarly journals Effect on nitrate concentration in stream water of agricultural practices in small catchments in Brittany: I. Annual nitrogen budgets

2002 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 497-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Ruiz ◽  
S. Abiven ◽  
P. Durand ◽  
C. Martin ◽  
F. Vertès ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Nitrate Concentration ◽  
Stream Water ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Nitrogen Budgets ◽  
Annual Variations ◽  
Nitrate Concentrations ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Small Catchments

Abstract. The hydrological and biogeochemical monitoring of catchments has become a common approach for studying the effect of the evolution of agricultural practices on water resources. In numerous studies, the catchment is used as a "mega-lysimeter" to calculate annual input-output budgets. However, the literature reflects two opposite interpretations of the trends of nitrate concentration in streamwater. For some authors, essentially in applied studies, the mean residence time of leached nitrate in shallow groundwater systems is much less than one year and river loads reflect annual land use while for others, nitrate is essentially transport limited, independent of soil nitrate supply in the short term and annual variations reflect changes in climatic conditions. This study tests the effect of agricultural land-use changes on inter-annual nitrate trends on stream water of six small adjacent catchments from 0.10 to 0.57 km2 in area, on granite bedrock, at Kerbernez, in Western Brittany (France). Nitrate concentrations and loads in streamwater have been monitored for nine years (1992 to 2000) at the outlet of the catchments. An extensive survey of agricultural practices from 1993 to 1999 allowed assessment of the nitrogen available for leaching through nitrogen budgets. For such small catchments, year-to-year variations of nitrate leaching can be very important, even when considering the 'memory effect' of soil, while nitrate concentrations in streamwater appear relatively steady. No correlation was found between the calculated mean nitrate concentration of drainage water and the mean annual concentration in streams, which can even exhibit opposite trends in inter-annual variations. The climatic conditions do not affect the mean concentration in streamwater significantly. These results suggest that groundwater plays an important role in the control of streamwater nitrate concentration. Keywords: nitrate, diffuse pollution, agricultural catchment, nitrogen budget, leaching, Kerbernez catchments

scholarly journals ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF TABLE GRAPEVINE VARIETIES’ CULTIVATION

Russian vine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 85-89
Author(s):  
N.A Tikhomirova ◽  
◽  
M.R. Beibulatov ◽  
N.A. Urdenko ◽  
R.A. Buival ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Efficiency ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Cost Of Care ◽  
Important Condition ◽  
High Productivity ◽  
Care Technology ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Grape Varieties ◽  
Intensive Development

The economic efficiency of the cultivation of grapes as a branch of agriculture depends on the adaptation of grape varieties to the soil and climatic conditions of the place of growth. When developing new agricultural practices and technological solutions for the cultivation of grapes, it is necessary to assess the econom-ic efficiency of the proposed innovative ap-proaches. The cultivation of such grape varie-ties is becoming important and relevant, which, with high productivity and the use of differen-tiated care technology, require minimal costs when servicing the bushes and harvesting. In-creasing labor productivity in the viticulture industry is the most important condition for the intensive development of production. One of these conditions today is the formation of a bush according to the technology element, the shape of a bush AZOS-1, which allows to re-duce the cost of care and harvesting of grapes. The conducted research on the technology of cultivation of table grape varieties in connec-tion with the use of a new form of bush made it possible to economically substantiate the economic efficiency of growing grapes.

scholarly journals Dynamical mechanisms associated to the occurrence of an extreme climatic event of precipitation in the city of Salvador-BA

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Paula Paes dos Santos ◽  
Maria Regina da Silva Aragão ◽  
José Guilherme Martins dos Santos ◽  
Francisco José Lopes de Lima ◽  
Sérgio Rodrigo Quadro dos Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extreme Climatic Event ◽  
Climatic Event ◽  
The City

scholarly journals Reproductive performance of female swamp buffalo in West Sumatra

2021 ◽  
Vol 748 (1) ◽  
pp. 012025
Author(s):  
R Reswati ◽  
BP Purwanto ◽  
R Priyanto ◽  
W Manalu ◽  
R I Arifiantini
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Farming Practices ◽  
Age At First Calving ◽  
West Sumatra ◽  
Swamp Buffalo ◽  
Different Altitudes ◽  
Better Than

Abstract The swamp buffalo population in West Sumatra Province decline continuously due to the low female reproductive performance. This research was conducted to identify female buffalo reproductive performance, which could be used as baseline data to enhance its population growth. A survey research method was conducted in two subdistricts, namely Lubuk Basung and Matur, located at different altitudes. Data were collected by interviewing farmers and observing their farms. The parameters observed were age at first mating, age at first calving, calving interval, service per conception, and buffalo farming practices. Significant differences in reproductive performances of female buffalo were observed. Age at first mating 39.04 ± 9.91 and 33.67 ± 5.3 mo., age at first calving 51.61 ± 9.95 and 45.71 ± 5.58 mo., calving interval 27.26 ± 8.84 and 24.17 ± 7.06 mo., and services per conception 1.82 ± 0.82 and 1.55 ± 0.78 were represented buffalo in Lubuk Basung and Matur, respectively. The buffalo reproductive performances in both locations were not optimal; however, Matur’s buffalo reproductive performances were better than those in Lubuk Basung due to its better farming practices and more comfort climatic conditions. Therefore, improving farming practice is essential to enhance buffalo’s reproductive performance and population growth.

scholarly journals Estimation of Maize (Zea mays L.) Yield Per Harvest Area: Appropriate Methods

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liliane Ngoune Tandzi ◽  
Charles Shelton Mutengwa
Keyword(s):  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Estimation Methods ◽  
Agricultural Policies ◽  
Yield Estimation ◽  
Yield Parameters ◽  
Attainable Yield ◽  
Complex Methods

Standardization of crop yield estimation methods at various levels of farming helps to obtain accurate agricultural statistics as well as assessing the suitability of agricultural practices under various production conditions. The current paper reviews various maize yield estimation methods, taking into account available yield parameters, and it also analyses the yield gap between maize potential and attainable yield. The easiest and more reliable methods of yield estimation are based on yield parameters collected from the field. However, farmer estimation methods are cheaper and faster compared to any other method of yield estimation from farmers’ fields. This paper also elaborates on the importance of the use of more complex methods for yield estimation, such as remote sensing and crop modelling. These complex methods are more accurate and can predict yield before field harvest with less deviation from the exact harvest yield. However, they are very expensive and not efficient for small plots of land (less than 1 ha). Factors that contribute to the gap between potential and actual yield include poor implementation of agricultural policies, strict regulation of fertilizer inputs, vulnerability of smallholder cropping systems to adverse climatic conditions, occurrence of biotic and abiotic constraints, as well as unavailability of seeds and labor.

scholarly journals Post-Wildfire Regeneration in a Sky-Island Mixed- Conifer Ecosystem of the North American Great Basin

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 900
Author(s):  
Mackenzie Kilpatrick ◽  
Franco Biondi
Keyword(s):  
Great Basin ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Ecosystem Responses ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
The North ◽  
Bristlecone Pine ◽  
Snake Range ◽  
Disturbance Processes ◽  
Sky Island

Information on wildfire impacts and ecosystem responses is relatively sparse in the Great Basin of North America, where subalpine ecosystems are generally dominated by five-needle pines. We analyzed existing vegetation, with an emphasis on regeneration following the year 2000 Phillips Ranch Fire, at a sky-island site in the Snake Range of eastern Nevada. Our main objective was to compare bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva; PILO) post-fire establishment and survival to that of the co-occurring dominant conifers limber pine (Pinus flexilis; PIFL) and Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii; PIEN) in connection with site characteristics. Field data were collected in 40 circular 0.1 ha plots (17.8 m radius) randomly located using GIS so that half of them were inside (“burned”) and half were outside (“unburned”) the 2000 fire boundary. While evidence of previous burns was also found, we focused on impacts from the Phillips Ranch Fire. Mean total basal area, including live and dead stems, was not significantly different between plots inside the burn and plots outside the fire perimeter, but the live basal area was significantly less in the former than in the latter. Wildfire impacts did not limit regeneration, and indeed bristlecone seedlings and saplings were more abundant in plots inside the 2000 fire perimeter than in those outside of it. PILO regeneration, especially saplings, was more abundant than PIFL and PCEN combined, indicating that PILO can competitively regenerate under modern climatic conditions. Surviving PILO regeneration in burned plots was also taller than that of PIFL. By contrast, PCEN was nearly absent in the plots that had been impacted by fire. Additional research should explicitly address how climatic changes and disturbance processes may interact in shaping future vegetation dynamics.

scholarly journals Nitrogen Utilization in a Cereal-Legume Rotation Managed with Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariangela Diacono ◽  
Paola Baldivieso-Freitas ◽  
Francisco Sans Serra
Keyword(s):  
Green Manure ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Farmyard Manure ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Residual Effect ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Sustainable Agricultural Practices ◽  
N Use

Optimization of the nitrogen (N) inputs and minimization of nutrient losses strongly affect yields in crop rotations. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of agricultural practices on yield and N use in a 4-year cereal-legume rotation in organic farming and to identify the best combination of these practices. The following treatments were compared: conventional plough (P) vs. reduced chisel (RC) tillage; composted farmyard manure (F) vs. unfertilized control (NF); and green manure (GM) vs. no green manure (NoM). No significant differences were found for N use efficiency between P and RC in each crop. The results suggested that legumes in the tested rotation do not need supplemental N fertilization, particularly if combining GM and F. The use of composted farmyard manure should be considered in a long-term fertilization plan for cereals, to allow a higher efficiency in N use. The residual effect of fertilization over time, along with the site-specific pedo-climatic conditions, should also be considered. In both tested tillage approaches, soil N surplus was the highest in plots combining GM and F (i.e., more than 680 kg N ha−1 in combination with RC vs. about 140 kg N ha−1 for RC without fertilization), with a risk of N losses by leaching. The N deficit in NoM–NF both combined with P and RC would indicate that these treatment combinations are not sustainable for the utilized crops in the field experiment. Therefore, the combination of the tested practices should be carefully assessed to sustain soil fertility and crop production.

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