scholarly journals Grassland Restoration at a Graded Ski Slope: Effects of Propagation Material and Fertilisation on Plant Cover and Vegetation

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 381
Author(s):  
Michele Scotton
Keyword(s):  
Plant Cover ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Grassland Restoration ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Gravelly Soil ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Gravelly Soils ◽  
Natural Grassland ◽  
Lower Plant ◽  
Propagation Material

The increasing anthropisation of mountain regions is a cause of soil degradation, which needs to be addressed. Conventional methods of ski slope revegetation often fail to stabilise the soil and recover natural vegetation. To test alternative methods to create a persistent, biodiversity-friendly plant cover, different sowing (site-adapted native propagation materials vs. forage cultivars vs. no sowing) and fertilisation treatments were compared over nine years at a graded ski slope. Because of the gravelly soil, the ninth-year plant cover was only 65%, which was sufficient to prevent erosion. All native propagation materials were equally efficient at recreating a semi-natural grassland. Except for Festuca rubra, the forage cultivars did not persist. However, native volunteer species from close natural ecosystems efficiently colonised plots sown with forage cultivars and plots that were not sown. This resulted in a lower plant cover but a high similarity to the surrounding vegetation. Fertilisation had a positive but transient effect on plant cover and a little negative effect on species richness. High-altitude sites with gravelly soils should be revegetated with native propagation materials. Using forage cultivars can attain a persistent plant cover only if the sown non-persistent cultivars are replaced by the species arriving from nearby surrounding vegetation.

Productivity Growth, Structural Change and Informality: The Case of Russia

2015 ◽  
pp. 30-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Voskoboynikov ◽  
V. Gimpelson
Keyword(s):  
Structural Change ◽  
Productivity Growth ◽  
Labour Productivity ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Industry Effects ◽  
Labour Productivity Growth ◽  
Russian Economy ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Total Labour

This study considers the influence of structural change on aggregate labour productivity growth of the Russian economy. The term "structural change" refers to labour reallocation both between industries and between formal and informal segments within an industry. Using Russia KLEMS and official Rosstat data we decompose aggregate labour productivity growth into intra-industry (within) and between industry effects with four alternative methods of the shift-share analysis. All methods provide consistent results and demonstrate that total labour reallocation has been growth enhancing though the informality expansion has had a negative effect. As our study suggests, it is caused by growing variation in productivity levels across industries.

scholarly journals Post-fire management and recovery of a pine forest in Greece

Web Ecology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Spanos ◽  
Y. Raftoyannis ◽  
P. Platis ◽  
E. Xanthopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Woody Plant ◽  
Pinus Halepensis ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Control Site ◽  
Plant Composition ◽  
Northern Greece ◽  
Pine Regeneration ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Treatment Application

Abstract. The effects of management after fire in Pinus halepensis forests were assessed in northern Greece. Seeding, logging and building of log barriers were applied in burned sites and compared to a control site. Two years after treatment application, 70–80% of the ground in all sites was covered with vegetation. Seeding with herbaceous plants did not increase plant cover. Logging and building of log barriers negatively affected herbaceous species but increased woody species. During the first spring after fire, the highest numbers of P. halepensis seedlings were observed in the control site and the lowest number in the logged site. Logging and log barrier building had a negative effect on pine regeneration compared to control and seeding treatments. Woody plant composition was similar in control and seeding sites, with dominance of P. halepensis and Cistus species. A different pattern was observed in the logging and log-barrier sites with a low number of seeders and a high number of resprouter species.

scholarly journals La utilización de la cámara oculta en el periodismo de investigación : ¿El fin justifica los medios?

2012 ◽  
pp. 515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Magdaleno Alegría
Keyword(s):  
The Self ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Freedom Of Information ◽  
Constitutional Court ◽  
Investigative Journalism ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Right To Privacy ◽  
The Press ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
The Right

Los métodos que utilizan algunos periodistas para recabar información generan importantes conflictos. En nuestro país, las técnicas de investigación periodísticas han cobrado interés como consecuencia de que la STC 12/2012 ha determinado la prohibición constitucional del uso de la cámara oculta. Se trata de una decisión polémica, pues algunos profesionales de la información consideran que dicho pronunciamiento supone el fin del periodismo de investigación, con los consecuentes efectos negativos para el funcionamiento del sistema democrático. Si bien se considera que en los casos estudiados por el TC hasta el presente momento deben prevalecer los derechos a la intimidad y a la propia imagen sobre la libertad de información, no se comparte su prohibición total, pues pueden existir casos límite que, como consecuencia de la imposibilidad de utilizar otros métodos alternativos para obtener la información y de la gran relevancia pública de lo informado, podrían justificar la utilización de la cámara oculta. De no admitir esta posibilidad, se impediría a la prensa ejercer su papel de «perro guardián público» y, por ende, no serían de conocimiento público muchas cuestiones esenciales para el autogobierno de los ciudadanos.The methods used by some journalists to get information generate important conflicts. Journalistic investigation techniques have gathered interest in our country due to the constitutional prohibition of the use of hidden camera in the STC 12/2012. It is a polemic decision, as some professionals of information consider it implies the end of investigative journalism and therefore a negative effect on democratic system’s running. Up to now, in the cases studied at the Constitutional Court, it has been considered that the right to privacy and one’s own image should prevail over the freedom of information. Even so, the complete prohibition of the hidden camera is not shared as there may be extreme cases in which its use could be justified both due to the impossibility of using other alternative methods as well as to the public relevance of the information. If that possibility was not to be admitted, the press could not practice its role as «public watchdog» and therefore essential matters for the self-government of citizens may not be public.

scholarly journals Effect Of Agrotechnical Measures And Varieties On Seasonal Dynamics Of Tetranychus Urticae Koch (Acari, Trombidiformes, Tetranychidae) On High Tunnel-Cultivated Garden Strawberries

2015 ◽  
Vol 69 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 45-49
Author(s):  
Ineta Salmane
Keyword(s):  
Tetranychus Urticae ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Spider Mite ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Early Season ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Two Spotted Spider Mite

Abstract The aim of the present study was to determine the seasonal pattern of two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae on strawberries cultivated in polythene-covered high tunnels in temperate climatic conditions. Various cultivars were used and the effect of modification of plant covering indices on abundance and incidence of these mites was also tested. The number of two-spotted spider mites was relatively low at the beginning of the vegetation season and started to increase when average air temperature rose above 20 to 25 °C. In the experiment two types of tunnels differing in additional plant cover were used. The maximum mite abundance did not significantly vary between varieties in tunnel 1 conditions, but it was significantly lower for variety 'Sonata' in tunnel 2 conditions. Mite numbers significantly declined after strawberry foliage mowing and removal of polythene cover. Mite development was prolonged in tunnel 1, where additional cover of plants was used and higher early season air temperature was recorded in comparison to tunnel 2. It was concluded that increase in early season temperature can increase two-spotted spider mite abundance and have a more negative effect on strawberry plants in respect of foliage damage by mites.

Managing bird populations: for whom and at what cost?

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 172 ◽  
Author(s):  
John L. Craig
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
The Other ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
Single Factor ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
Economic Attitudes ◽  
Negative Effect

Conservation is a necessary component of sustainable development. Human activities have had and continue to have a negative effect on natural ecosystems. There is a need to move to a more co-operative, effective and accountable management of "communal resources" including fauna and flora. Many issues negatively influence the ability of conservation managers to perform well and for all stakeholders. Society's underlying philosophic and economic attitudes are important. Most contemporary Southern Hemisphere societies see nature as separate from people and manage with a welfare mentality. Most financial incentives favour degraders of natural values and penalize those who conserve or behave sustainably. The other major issue which precludes effective management is the approach of government managers. Performance tends to be patchy, unaccountable and often based on simplistic single factor notions. There appears to be a general failure to provide diversified products to different stakeholders. These issues with suggestions for improvement are discussed with special reference to the management of rare bird populations and of fire.

scholarly journals Entomopathogens : role of insect pest management in crops

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
AMAR BAHADUR BAHADUR
Keyword(s):  
Pest Management ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Insect Pest Management ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Chemical Pesticides

Entomopathogens are microorganisms that pathogenic to insect pest. Several species of naturally occurring viz; fungi, bacteria, viruses and nematodes, infect a variety of insect pests and play an important role in agricultural crops controlling insect pest management.  This kind of biopesticide has many advantages and alternative to chemical insecticides, highly specific, safe, and environmentally sustainable. Pest problems are an almost inevitable part of agriculture. They occur largely because agricultural systems are simplified and modifications of natural ecosystems. Viruses, bacteria are host specific and fungi generally have broader host range and can infect both underground and aboveground pests, soil-dwelling nature nematodes are more suitable for managing soil pests. Growing crops in monoculture provides concentrated food resource that allows pest populations to achieve higher densities in natural environments. Some of the most important problems occur when pests develop resistance to chemical pesticides. These cause highly significant damage to crops, there are also threats from emerging new strains of pests. Crops cultivation can make the physico-chemical environment more favourable for pest activity. Agricultural pests are reducing the yield and quality of produce by feeding on crops, transmitting diseases. Agricultural production significantly loss crop yields, suggest that improvements in pest management are significant forward for improving yields. Crop growers are under immense pressure to reduce the use of chemical pesticides without sacrificing yields, but at the same time manage of pests is becoming difficult due to pesticide resistance and the decreasing availability of products. Alternative methods are needed urgently. These need to be used as part of Integrated Pest Management safety and environmental impact.  

scholarly journals Engineering Characteristics of Natural Wide Grading Gravelly Soil in Construction of Extra-High Earth-Rockfill Dam

CONVERTER ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 209-218
Author(s):  
Zhan Zhenggang, Et al.
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Soil Material ◽  
Numerical Tests ◽  
Engineering Characteristics ◽  
Rockfill Dam ◽  
Gravelly Soil ◽  
Gravel Soil ◽  
Gravelly Soils ◽  
At Home

Wide grading gravelly soil is an advantageous anti-seepage material in construction of high earth-rock dam. From the experience of earth-rockfill dam construction at home and abroad, it is more and more common to use wide grading gravelly soils such as moraine soil, weathered rock and gravel soil as anti-seepage material in construction of high earth-rockfill dams. Regarding the engineering characteristics of natural wide grading of soil material for 300m core-wall earth-rockfill dams in this paper, a series of physical and numerical tests were carried out to study its permeability and mechanical properties. By comparing the characteristics of impermeable soil materials of the projects already built and to be built at home and abroad, the preliminary indicators of impermeable soil materials are as follows: 1) Combined with the existing engineering experience and test results, the content of particles with particle size greater than 5mm should be neither over 50% nor lower than 30%. The content of particles with particle size less than 0.075mm should not be less than 15%; the content of clayey particles with particle size less than 0.005mm should not be less than 6%. 2) It is appropriate to control the permeability coefficient of impermeable soil material at less than 1×10-5cm/s.

scholarly journals Limited evidence for the use of livestock for the conservation management of exotic plant cover

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
David J. Eldridge ◽  
Ian Oliver ◽  
James Val ◽  
Samantha K. Travers
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Management ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Black Box ◽  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Exotic Plant ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Limited Evidence ◽  
Domestic Livestock ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Cypress Pine

Livestock grazing has been used for conservation management in some situations to reduce exotic plant cover, but supporting empirical evidence is scant. This is particularly true for eastern Australian semiarid woodlands and forests. We surveyed 451 sites across three broad semiarid vegetation communities (cypress pine, black box, red gum) in eastern Australia to examine the effects of recent and longer-term (historic) grazing by livestock on exotic (and native) plant cover. Because our focus was the use of domestic livestock for conservation management, our sites were mostly located in conservation reserves, travelling stock routes and native production forests where domestic grazing is approved via permit. We also included recent grazing by kangaroos and rabbits, which occur widely with livestock across the study sites. Structural equation modelling revealed that recent sheep and cattle grazing was associated with increased exotic plant cover in two of the three communities (cypress pine, black box), and historic grazing was associated with lower exotic (and native) plant cover across all communities. Recent cattle grazing-induced reductions in exotic plant cover in the red gum community resulted from declines in the palatable exotic annual grass Ehrharta longiflora. Higher intensity grazing by rabbits, sheep and cattle in the cypress pine community increased exotic plant cover by suppressing the negative effect of native cover on exotic cover. Higher intensity rabbit grazing reinforced the negative effect of nitrogen on native plant cover, resulting in increases in exotic cover. Overall, we found strong evidence that domestic livestock grazing reduces native plant cover either directly or indirectly in all three communities, but limited evidence that it would be a useful conservation management strategy to reduce exotic plant cover in these communities.

A Neural Network Model for Evaluating Gravel Liquefaction Using Dynamic Penetration Test

2013 ◽  
Vol 275-277 ◽  
pp. 2620-2623
Author(s):  
Qing Xu ◽  
Fei Kang ◽  
Jun Jie Li
Keyword(s):  
Neural Networks ◽  
Earthquake Engineering ◽  
Soil Liquefaction ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Penetration Test ◽  
Liquefaction Potential ◽  
Gravelly Soil ◽  
Gravelly Soils ◽  
Dynamic Penetration

Evaluation of liquefaction potential of soils is important in geotechnical earthquake engineering. Significant phenomena of gravelly soil liquefaction were reported in 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. Thus, further studies on the liquefaction potential of gravelly soil are needed. This paper investigates the potential of artificial neural networks-based approach to assess the liquefaction potential of gravelly soils form field data of dynamic penetration test. The success rates for occurrence and non-occurrence of liquefaction cases both are 100%. The study suggests that neural networks can successfully model the complex relationship between seismic parameters, soil parameters, and the liquefaction potential of gravelly soils.

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