scholarly journals Disturbances of Biological Soil Crust by fossorial birds increase plant diversity in a Peruvian desert

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Cristina Rengifo ◽  
Cesar Arana
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Biological Soil Crust ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
The Other ◽  
Herbaceous Plant ◽  
Ecosystem Structure ◽  
Natural Disturbances ◽  
Caco3 Content ◽  
Field Samples

Abstract. The Lomas Formation are fog-dependent oases within the hyper arid band of the Peruvian coast. Biological soil crusts (BSC) form in the Lomas and interact with their fauna and flora. Here we asked if natural disturbances – biopedturbations – made by fossorial birds have an effect on seedlings emergence in the Lomas Formations in the National Reserve of Lachay in Lima, Peru. We analysed active and inactive avian biopedturbations, BSC and bare soil field samples for moisture content. Soil chemical properties were also analysed including organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, electrical conductivity (EC), pH and CaCO3 content, from BSC, the soil beneath the BSC and soil from biopedturbations. Furthermore, we looked into the seedbank and the field emergence of seedlings in plots with BSC and with active and inactive biopedturbations. The results revealed that active biopedturbations had the highest soil moisture content and BSC showed the lowest values. Moreover, organic matter and potassium content were significantly higher in the BSC than the soil beneath it and the bare soil. On the other hand, CaCO3 content and EC were higher in bare soil than the other treatments, and no significant differences were found in soil pH or phosphorus content between treatments. In the seedbank experiment, 13 herbaceous plant species were found; furthermore, biopedturbations had a higher diversity but lower abundance than the BSC. However, in the field observations biopedturbations had a higher diversity and abundance of seedlings than BSC and only 8 herbaceous species were found. The species Fuertesimalva peruviana (L.) Fryxell, Exodeconus prostratus (L'Hér.) Raf., Cryptantha granulosa I. M. Johnst. Solanum phyllanthum Cav. and Calandrinia alba (Ruiz & Pav.) D. C increase their abundance in some type of biopedturbations. Our results showed the positive effect on seed germination and diversity of vascular plants by the natural disturbances made by fossorial birds in a unique ecosystem of the Peruvian desert, and remarks the importance of spatial and temporal heterogeneity for ecosystem structure and functioning.

scholarly journals Natural Changes in a Soil of the Mediterranean Climate Under Low Agronomic Inputs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonietta Napolitano ◽  
Luigi Santonicola
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Sandy Soil ◽  
Temporal Variability ◽  
Mediterranean Climate ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Great Variability ◽  
The Other ◽  
Cyclical Pattern ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Set Up

: This study was conducted to evaluate the behavior of nitrate, moisture and organic matter in a soil with low agronomic input. The test was conducted on silty-sandy soil, a temporal variability of the variables in the different seasons was observed in the three theses. The theses were observed in parallel twice a week. Nitrates showed an increase during the summer-autumn season with higher values ​​in the thesis containing organic matter, “bare soil” followed by the thesis “fallow” and finally by the “cultivated” (see below in experimental set up). The humidity was higher in the “bare soil” thesis followed by “fallow” and “cultivated” one during the summer, in winter the “cultivated” showed the lowest humidity compared to the other two theses. The organic matter does not show great variability in the seasons but is higher in the “fallow” thesis followed by “bare soil” and “cultivated” one. The Montecarlo test informed us that organic matter and humidity were autocorrelated within 5-7.5 m of distance (10-15 lag) while nitrates even if they seemed to be not autocorrelated with each other and have a cyclical pattern.

The digestion of dry-matter, organic matter and nitrogen in calves fed diets containing broiler-house litter

1978 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 367-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. L. Jacobs ◽  
Jane Leibholz
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Poultry Litter ◽  
The Other ◽  
Microbial Protein ◽  
Total Flow ◽  
Bull Calves ◽  
Hind Gut ◽  
Broiler House

SummaryFour diets were fed to two Friesian bull calves fitted with re-entrant duodenal cannulae. The diets contained no poultry litter (diet 0); 30% poultry litter (diet 30 D); 50% poultry litter (diet 50 D) or 30% poultry litter which had been ensiled at 45% moisture content for 3 weeks (diet 30 W). The total flow of digesta from the abomasum was measured over four 24 h periods for each diet.The flow of dry matter and organic matter to the duodenum was similar on all four diets but the percentage of apparent digestion occurring in the stomach was higher when the diets containing poultry litter were fed.Less nitrogen was digested in the hind gut on diet 30 W than the other three diets. Greater amounts of the nitrogen ingested and also of the nitrogen flowing to the duodenum were apparently digested in the hind gut on the diet containing no poultry litter. Microbial protein synthesized/100 g organic matter apparently digested in the stomachs was lowest when the calves were fed the 30 W diet.The results obtained in these experiments were then used to evaluate the results of growth trials previously reported.

Multi-algorithm comparison to predict soil organic matter and soil moisture content from cell phone images

Geoderma ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 385 ◽  
pp. 114863
Author(s):  
Perry Taneja ◽  
Hitesh Kumar Vasava ◽  
Prasad Daggupati ◽  
Asim Biswas
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Cell Phone ◽  
Soil Moisture Content ◽  
Algorithm Comparison

Partial cut harvesting and ectomycorrhizae: early effects in Douglas-fir-larch forests of western Montana

1980 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 436-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. E. Harvey ◽  
M. J. Larsen ◽  
M. F. Jurgensen
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
The Other ◽  
Western Montana ◽  
Root Tips ◽  
Residue Removal ◽  
Larch Forests ◽  
Early Effects

Numbers of ectomycorrhizae were assessed 3 years after harvesting approximately 50% of the overstory in two Douglas-fir-larch stands in western Montana, one was subjected to intensive residue removal, the other broadcast burned 1 year after harvest. Numbers of active ectomycorrhizal root tips were significantly reduced in the broadcast burned stand compared to either the intensively utilized stand or to an adjacent, undisturbed stand. This indicates that on difficult-to-regenerate sites, particularly where soil organic matter is low, it may be advantageous to dispose of slash created in partial cuts by means other than burning.

scholarly journals ESTIMATION OF PHOSPHORUS AND NITROGEN RELEASED BY THE BREEDING OF OREOCHROMIS NILOTICUS IN CAGES IN THE TOHO AND TODOUGBA LAGOONS(SOUTHER BENIN) BETWEEN 2017 AND 2020

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 422-430
Author(s):  
Achoh Mardochee Ephraim ◽  
◽  
Agadjihouede Hyppolite ◽  
Gangbe Luc ◽  
Aizonou Romaric ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Water Column ◽  
Oreochromis Niloticus ◽  
Nutrient Release ◽  
Laboratory Analysis ◽  
The Other ◽  
Production Data ◽  
Nitrogen Concentrations ◽  
High Production

The present study aim to estimate the ratio of aquaculture in the phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations determined in the Toho - Todougba lagoons. For this purpose, the two lagoons were subdivided into 7 stations for the determination of phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations in the water column. Production data from 2017 to 2019 were collected from the Direction of the Ficheries Production and from the literature. Data for 2020 were collected directly from fish farmers. Annual tilapia production was estimated by year and the amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen released from aquaculture are deduced based on the ratio of Montanhini Neto & Ostrensky (2013). The concentration of each of these nutrients was estimated by station and compared to the concentration determined by laboratory analysis of the water. This methodology shows that the amount of phosphorus and nitrogen released to the environment varies from 0.49 mg/L to 0.18 mg/L for phosphorus and from 1.53 mg/L to 0.58 mg/L for nitrogen. The lowest values are obtained in 2020 and differ significantly from the other years (p <0.05). The quantity of phosphorus discharged is higher at the high production stations (Tonon 0.20 mg/L and Lokohoue 0.11 mg/L). Some of this is stored in the sediment. The nitrogen generated by aquaculture is significantly lower than the average determined in water (p <0.05). However, the concentration determined is still related to the amount of organic matter released due to aquaculture. Although aquaculture is not the only source of nutrient release to water, strategies for aquaculture with less nutrient release should be determined.

scholarly journals Determination of Nutritional Composition of Ackee’s Apple Blighia sapida and Monkey Kola Cola millenii

2020 ◽  
pp. 127-136
Author(s):  
Oyetade Joshua Akinropo ◽  
Bello Lukman Abidemi ◽  
Adesiyan Blessing Adedayo
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin C ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Proximate Analysis ◽  
Nutritional Composition ◽  
The Other ◽  
Mineral Analysis ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
Fruit Samples

The proximate analysis of the fruit sample that homogenously sampled from the wild was taken and quartered to get appreciable weight fit for analysis. Due to it perishable nature the quartered sample for each of the fruit was stored in an air tight container and kept in the refrigerator at a temperature of about 4°C. For the determination of the nutritional composition, parameters which include their proximate, minerals, and vitamin C were quantitatively determined while the anti-nutrient composition were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. Compared to ackee’s apple, monkey cola was found to consist of 64.41% moisture content, 1.69% ash, 10.21% crude fibre, 1.25% crude fat, 4.44% crude fibre, 18.06% carbohydrates while ackee’s apple consist of 73.21% moisture, 1.49% ash, 9.38 % crude protein, 13.98% crude fat, 2.08% crude fibre, 0.86% carbohydrates and 4.45% of vitamin C. The mineral analysis for both samples was quantitatively determined using Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The minerals determined for ackee’s apple and monkey cola were magnesium which was 1391.65 ppm, calcium 628.23 ppm, sodium 506.96 ppm, potassium 3976.14 ppm, iron 1.0 ppm, copper 5.00, zinc 4.00, cobalt 3.0 and phosphorus 2616.90 ppm the iron however, was not detected. Ackee’s apple on the other hand, consist of magnesium 498.01 ppm, calcium 478.56 ppm, sodium 398.80 ppm, potassium 4970.18 ppm, copper 2.00, zinc 5.00, cobalt 3.0 and phosphorus 373.84 ppm. The qualitative screening of the anti-nutrients revealed the absence of phenol from both fruit samples while tannins were present only in the monkey cola. The flavonoids, phytic acid and oxalate were quantitatively determined to be 1240 mg, 625 mg and 155 mg for Monkey kola and 640 mg, 340 mg and 65 mg for Ackee’s apple.

scholarly journals Impact of treated sewage on meiobenthic nematodes: a case study from the Tunisian Refining Industries Company

2022 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Hedfi ◽  
M. Ben Ali ◽  
A. Noureldeen ◽  
H. Darwish ◽  
T. Saif ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
The Other ◽  
Treated Sewage ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Bizerte Bay ◽  
De Man ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The main objective of the current study was to assess the impact of the water taken from the ‘Tunisian Refining Industries Company’ on meiobenthic nematodes, before and after a series of treatments in decantation basins followed by its discharge in Bizerte bay, Tunisia. The comparison of environmental parameters of the two types of water was clearly indicative of an improvement in the quality of treated waters after a significant reduction in their loads in hydrocarbons. Overall, the water retained a good quality after being treated by ‘Tunisian Refining Industries Company’ before discharge in the sea. At the end of the experiment, differential responses were observed according to the richness of sediment in organic matter and hydrocarbons. Thus, it was apparent that the nematode assemblage exposed to the treated waters was closer to controls and associated to higher values of abundance, than that under untreated ones. It was also assumed that the species Microlaimus honestus De Man, 1922, Paramonohystera proteus Wieser, 1956 and Cyartonema germanicum Juario, 1972 are sensitive bioindicators of bad environmental statues and of hydrocarbon presence in the environment. On the other hand, Metoncholaimus pristiurus (Zur Strassen, 1894) Filipjev, 1918 would rather be classified as a positive bioindicative species of this type of pollutants.

scholarly journals RESTORATION OF FORMER GRASSLAND IN SOUTH-CENTRAL TEXAS

2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy J. Leonard ◽  
O. W. Van Auken
Keyword(s):  
San Antonio ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Herbaceous Plant ◽  
Percent Cover ◽  
Juniperus Ashei ◽  
South Central ◽  
Central Texas

Abstract In the past, grasslands and savannas were common in many areas of south-central Texas, including the San Antonio area. With the advent of European settlers and their livestock, much of this area was converted to agriculture and rangeland. Today, most of San Antonio is developed, but some preservation has occurred. Restored grassland, mechanically cleared of Juniperus ashei (juniper, Ashe juniper) and other woody species in 2013, was examined and compared to adjacent non-cleared woodland. The woodland examined was dominated by Diospyros texana (Texas persimmon) and Juniperus ashei. Richness in the woodland canopy was 15 species. The understory below the canopy had 25 woody species. In the restored grassland area, herbaceous plant cover was 41.8%, woody plant cover 5.8%, bare soil 2.9%, and litter cover 49.5%. Species richness was 71, with 60 herbaceous and 11 woody species (percent cover of each from &lt;0.1–7.1%). The most common species in the restored grassland in descending order were Nassella leucotricha (Texas winter grass), Calyptocarpus vialis (straggler daisy), Carex planostachys (cedar sedge), Sporobolus crypandrus (sand dropseed), D. texana, and Verbesina virginica (frost weed). Several C4 grass species were present with low cover but may increase in abundance over time. Four of the six most common restored grassland species were present below the woodland canopy and 12 woody species were present in the restored grassland as juveniles. Cost of restoration was approximately $38,500 ($7,500 supplies, $31,000 labor).

scholarly journals Biodrying process: a sustainable technology for treatment of municipal solid wastes organic fraction

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nabil Kechaou ◽  
E Ammar
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Energy Recovery ◽  
Pollution Source ◽  
Solid Wastes ◽  
Waste To Energy ◽  
Organic Fraction ◽  
Municipal Solid Wastes ◽  
Moisture Contents ◽  
Forced Aeration

The Municipal Solid Waste of Agareb (Sfax –Tunisia), characterized by high organic fraction and moisture contents is the most worrying pollution source that must be managed by innovative treatment and recycling technologies. Bio-drying, as a waste to energy conversion technology, aims at reducing moisture content of this organic matter. This concept,  similar to composting, is accomplished by using the heat generated from the microbial degradation of the waste matrix, while forced aeration is used. The purpose of this work was to reduce the moisture content of the waste, by maximizing drying and minimizing organic matter biodegradation, in order to produce a solid recovered fuel with high calorific value.Keywords: Municipal solid wastes; organic matter; biodrying; composting; energy recovery.

scholarly journals Differences in soil organic matter and humus of sandy soil after application of biochar substrates and combination of biochar substrates with mineral fertilizers

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 117-124
Author(s):  
Dušan Šrank ◽  
Vladimír Šimanský
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Carbon Content ◽  
Humic Substances ◽  
Sandy Soil ◽  
The Other ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Sheep Manure ◽  
The Impact

The effort to achieve the sustainable farming system in arable soil led to the intensive search for a new solution but an inspiration can also be found in the application of traditional methods of soil fertility improvement as it is shown in numerous examples in history. Recently many scientific teams have focused their attention on the evaluation of biochar effects on soil properties and crop yields. Since there are a lot of knowledge gaps, especially in explanations how biochar can affect soil organic matter (SOM) and humus substances, we aimed this study at the solution of these questions. Therefore, the objective of the experiment was to evaluate the impact of two biochar substrates (B1 – biochar blended with sheep manure, and B2 – biochar blended with sheep manure and the residue from the biogas station) at two rates (10 and 20 t ha-1) applied alone or in combination with mineral fertilizers (Urea was applied in 2018, at rate 100 kg ha-1, and Urea at rate 100 kg ha-1 + AMOFOS NP 12-52 at 100 kg ha-1 were applied in 2019) on the quantity and quality of SOM and humus of sandy soil (Arenosol, Dolná Streda, Slovakia). The results showed that application of the biochar substrates together with mineral fertilizers (MF) had more pronounced effect on the organic matter mineralization in the sandy soil which resulted in low accumulation of soil organic carbon (Corg) and labile carbon compared to biochar substrates treatments without MF. The share of humic substances in Corg significantly decreased by 16, 50, 16 and 24% in B1 at 10 t ha-1, B1 at 20 t ha-1, B2 at 10 t ha-1 and B2 at 20 t ha-1 treatments, respectively, compared to the control. A similar tendency was observed for biochar substrates treatments + MF, compared to MF control. The carbon content of humic substances (CHS) was equal to 4.40 – 5.80 g kg-1 and the biochar substrates had statistically significant influence on CHS content. On average, there was a smaller decrease of CHS in B1 at rate 10 t ha-1 than at rate 20 t ha-1 and no effect of B2 compared to control. The carbon content of fulvic acid (CFA) was 9% higher in B1 at 10 t ha-1, and 20 t ha-1, 47% higher in B2 at 10 t ha-1 and 17% higher in B2 at 20 t ha-1 compared to control. As a result of biochar substrates + MF application, the reduction in CFA was observed. The results showed a decrease of CHA : CFA ratio with association to biochar substrates alone application compared to control on one hand, and a wider of CHA : CFA ratio in biochar substrates + MF treatments in comparison to MF control on the other hand. Humus stability was increased in biochar substrates alone treatments compared to control, on the other hand, compared to MF control, the application of biochar substrates + MF resulted in a lower humus stability.

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