Review
Ecology
Craig D. Morris
Summary: Regenerative grazing management aims to restore degraded soils and ecological processes by mimicking natural grazing dynamics and enhancing biodiversity. Rapid rotation of dense livestock herds through multiple paddocks in short bouts of grazing followed by long recovery periods boosts soil regeneration and ecosystem services. However, the impact on vegetation and biodiversity varies, with some benefiting and others being depleted.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Olli Hyvarinen, Mariska te Beest, Elizabeth le Roux, Graham I. H. Kerley, Nicola Findlay, Walter D. C. Schenkeveld, Victor Trouw, Joris P. G. M. Cromsigt
Summary: Recent studies suggest that wild animals can promote ecosystem carbon sinks, but there are concerns that rewilding with large grazers may affect carbon storage. This study used white rhinoceros as a model to study the impact of wild grazing on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. The results show that wild grazing does not reduce SOC, and woody encroachment can have different effects on SOC depending on soil texture.
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
M. Boval, D. Sauvant
Summary: The meta-analysis revealed the impact of sward characteristics on the feeding behavior responses of cattle and small ruminants, highlighting the key influence of bite mass on intake rate. The study also showed fundamental differences in behavior between cattle and small ruminants.
ANIMAL FEED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
David J. Augustine, Sean P. Kearney, Edward J. Raynor, Lauren M. Porensky, Justin D. Derner
Summary: Sustainable management of grazinglands requires understanding how management practices affect livestock movements. An experiment was conducted to compare the foraging behavior of cattle in a collaborative, adaptive rangeland management (CARM) system and a traditional rangeland management (TRM) system. CARM cattle showed more linear grazing pathways, slower grazing speed, and longer grazing bouts early in the season compared to TRM cattle.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Soren Krabbe Staahltoft, Magnus Fjord Aaser, Jakob Nodgaard Strange Jensen, Ismat Zadran, Emil Birkmose Sorensen, Anders Esbjerg Nielsen, Aage Kristian Olsen Alstrup, Dan Bruhn, Anne Cathrine Linder, Christian Sonne, John Frikke, Cino Pertoldi
Summary: Virtual fencing is a new method of containing livestock using GPS technology and auditory warnings and electric impulses. This study examines the effectiveness of one such system in a rotational strip grazing regime with 17 Angus bull calves, and aims to determine which calves are more likely to receive electric impulses. The system proves effective at containing the bull calves and they learn to associate the warnings with the impulses. However, there are individual differences in the number of warnings and impulses received.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Edgar J. Sabina del Castillo, Ricardo J. Diaz Armas, Desiderio Gutierrez Tano
Summary: This study examines the background of local wine consumption behavior and confirms the relationship between intention and perceived behavioral control, as well as the impact of personal norms and place identity on attitudes. It also finds that ethnocentric personality has a positive influence on consumption, while cosmopolitan personality has a negative influence.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Tianci Hu, Ruirui Yan, Chengxiang Jiang, Nividita Varun Chand, Tao Bai, Leifeng Guo, Jingwei Qi
Summary: This study proposes an enhanced sheep behaviour recognition algorithm based on the YOLOV5 model. The algorithm investigates the effect of different shooting methodologies on sheep behaviour recognition and the model's generalisation ability under different environmental conditions. The study also presents an improved YOLOV5 model with higher accuracy and suggests a cloud-based structure for real-time behaviour recognition.
Article
Business
Clare D'Souza
Summary: This study investigates the reasons why consumers choose or buy game meats and examines the moderating influence of food neophobic/neophiliac behavior. The findings reveal that epistemic and social value are significant factors influencing consumer choice. Additionally, consumer perceived well-being mediates the relationship between intention and purchase behavior.
JOURNAL OF RETAILING AND CONSUMER SERVICES
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Saroj Raj Kafle, Anamika Kushwaha, Lalit Goswami, Anoth Maharjan, Beom Soo Kim
Summary: Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) was efficiently produced intracellularly in a high cell density bioreactor using an engineered Escherichia coli strain via exponential feeding of co-substrates, leading to the highest NMN concentration of 19.3 g/L with a conversion rate of 98% from nicotinamide.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
David Kitto, Jovan Kamcev
Summary: Ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) play a crucial role in electrochemical membrane-based technologies. The charge and water content of IEMs significantly affect their performance. Most IEMs currently have low charge densities, which limit their performance. Design strategies for next-generation IEMs with higher charge densities are proposed.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xinyue Zhou, Xiaojie Li, Xiaoming Zhang, Dabao Yin, Junjie Wang, Yan Zhao
Summary: A high-density genetic map with high-quality SNP markers was constructed using genomic DNA from 79 F1 plants in Medicago falcata L. QTL analysis identified 63 QTLs for grazing tolerance associated traits, with 10 candidate genes identified.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Acoustics
Huina Mao, Mathieu Gaborit, Eva Lundberg, Romain Rumpler, Binglun Yin, Peter Goransson
Summary: The dynamic behavior of a novel anisotropic cellular micro-structural geometry derived from the basic symmetric Kelvin cell is studied in varying relative densities, showing interesting agreement between cellular and equivalent solid models.
JOURNAL OF SOUND AND VIBRATION
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mohamed Aboelmaged
Summary: This study found that recycling habits and perceived attitudes are strong predictors of young consumers' e-waste recycling intention in an emerging economy context. Contrary to expectations, constructs involving subjective norms and behavioral control in the theory of planned behavior have no significant influence on young consumers' e-waste recycling intention.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elvira Sales-Baptista, Maria Isabel Ferraz-de-Oliveira, Marina Terra-Braga, Jose Antonio Lopes de Castro, Joao Serrano, Manuel Cancela d'Abreu
Summary: This study used animal-borne video cameras to capture grazing behavior and diet selection of sheep in response to different sward conditions. The results showed that sheep adjust their behavior and select different types of forage based on the quantity and quality of the sward. The use of animal-borne video cameras proved to be a suitable method for studying sheep grazing behavior in complex grazing systems.
Article
Ecology
Bradford P. Wilcox, Samuel D. Fuhlendorf, John W. Walker, Dirac Twidwell, X. Ben Wu, Laura E. Goodman, Morgan Treadwell, Andrew Birt
Summary: The conversion of open grasslands and savannas to woodlands is a major threat to grassland biomes globally, particularly in the Great Plains of the US. Utilizing pyric herbivory and mixed-species grazing can improve resilience to woody plant encroachment, increase biodiversity, enhance ecosystem function, and benefit livestock production. However, widespread adoption of these management strategies is hindered by cultural constraints, and efforts to save natural grasslands will require a shift in cultural norms facilitated by government incentives and regional research, extension, and education programs involving farmers and ranchers as key stakeholders.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Andrew M. Cunliffe, Karen Anderson, Fabio Boschetti, Richard E. Brazier, Hugh A. Graham, Isla H. Myers-Smith, Thomas Astor, Matthias M. Boer, Leonor G. Calvo, Patrick E. Clark, Michael D. Cramer, Miguel S. Encinas-Lara, Stephen M. Escarzaga, Jose M. Fernandez-Guisuraga, Adrian G. Fisher, Katerina Gdulova, Breahna M. Gillespie, Anne Griebel, Niall P. Hanan, Muhammad S. Hanggito, Stefan Haselberger, Caroline A. Havrilla, Phil Heilman, Wenjie Ji, Jason W. Karl, Mario Kirchhoff, Sabine Kraushaar, Mitchell B. Lyons, Irene Marzolff, Marguerite E. Mauritz, Cameron D. McIntire, Daniel Metzen, Luis A. Mendez-Barroso, Simon C. Power, Jiri Prosek, Enoc Sanz-Ablanedo, Katherine J. Sauer, Damian Schulze-Bruninghoff, Petra Simova, Stephen Sitch, Julian L. Smit, Caiti M. Steele, Susana Suarez-Seoane, Sergio A. Vargas, Miguel Villarreal, Fleur Visser, Michael Wachendorf, Hannes Wirnsberger, Robert Wojcikiewicz
Summary: This study developed a new protocol for photogrammetric height using UAV images to standardized measurements of biomass across a globally distributed field experiment. Canopy height inferred from UAV photogrammetry was found to strongly predict aboveground biomass across different plant species, providing accurate estimates. The photogrammetric approach proved to be sensitive to wind speed but robust in providing generalizable measurements across different growth forms and environments, demonstrating its potential for accurately estimating biomass in various ecosystems.
REMOTE SENSING IN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Heidi-Jayne Hawkins, Nompendulo Mgwali, Susanne Vetter
Summary: Short-duration overnight kraaling has been suggested as an effective tool for restoring degraded rangelands, but its impact on different plant types and communities may vary depending on the local context. This study found that the effects of kraaling on soil and vegetation were strongly influenced by initial conditions. Kraaling increased grass and forb cover if initial basal cover was low, but decreased it if initial values were high. In mesic grasslands, short-duration overnight kraaling can be used to rehabilitate degraded sites or fertilize abandoned cropland, but should be avoided in areas with intact grass sward. The suitability of kraaling should be evaluated based on vegetation type and local context.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF RANGE & FORAGE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
M. A. K. Sydenham, Z. S. Venter, S. R. Moe, K. Eldegard, M. Kuhlmann, T. Reitan, C. Rasmussen, R. Paxton, Y. L. Dupont, A. B. Skrindo, S. J. Hegland, A. Nielsen, J. M. Olesen, M. Nowell, G. M. Rusch
Summary: Understanding the contributions of niche-based and neutral processes to the spatial variation in plant-pollinator interactions is crucial for designing effective pollination conservation schemes. This study found that both niche-based and neutral processes are important factors in the spatial distribution of plant-pollinator interactions, suggesting that conservation actions should focus on areas with high concentrations of rare bees, mild climate conditions, and heterogeneous landscapes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zander S. Venter, David N. Barton, Tirthankar Chakraborty, Trond Simensen, Geethen Singh
Summary: This study compares and evaluates global land use and land cover maps from Google, ESA, and Esri, finding a strong spatial correspondence among water, built area, trees, and crops. However, there are biases in estimating certain categories. Based on global and European ground truth data, Esri has the highest accuracy, especially in capturing details, while WC has the highest accuracy in European data. The study also emphasizes the importance of evaluating the suitability of these maps based on their application purpose and considering trade-offs between thematic resolution and accuracy.
Article
Ecology
Heidi-Jayne Hawkins, Liaan Minnie, H. N. (Walter) van Niekerk, H. O. de Waal, Dave Balfour, Graham I. H. Kerley
Summary: Predation poses a threat to livestock farming and lethal predator management may have negative impacts on wildlife ecology. Non-lethal methods of livestock protection are gaining interest, but a systematic comparison is lacking. In this study, we found that the presence of shepherds significantly reduced predation of small livestock compared to areas without shepherds. Our findings suggest that shepherding is a viable approach for managing predation not only in South Africa but also in other regions.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF RANGE & FORAGE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
T. K. Aikins, M. D. Cramer, R. L. Thomson
Summary: In arid environments, the presence of sociable weaver nests alters soil properties and enhances nutrient concentrations under trees, but the area under the nests remains devoid of vegetation due to physiological drought and nutrient toxicity.
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Stephni van der Merwe, Michelle Greve, Andrew Luke Skowno, Michael Timm Hoffman, Michael Denis Cramer
Summary: The updating and rethinking of vegetation classifications are crucial for monitoring ecosystems in a changing world. However, the assumption of discrete and persistent plant communities that can be efficiently monitored is rarely tested. This study tested the ability to classify species-poor vegetation on Marion Island using objective techniques and compared it to previous classifications. The results showed that species composition alone is not sufficient to classify plots into previously suggested vegetation units, suggesting that species-level monitoring may be more suitable in species-poor environments.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Mia Momberg, Anna Jean Haw, Perushan Rajah, Jacques van Rooyen, Heidi-Jayne Hawkins
Summary: Knowledge about the contribution of pastoralism and kraaling to global objectives such as soil fertility is at risk of being lost. A meta-analysis of 12 studies showed that short duration kraaling significantly increased soil fertility, doubling the concentrations of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. However, inconsistency in results suggests that the true outcome may vary, and kraal age did not predict soil fertility.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF RANGE & FORAGE SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Heidi-Jayne Hawkins, Rachael I. M. Cargill, Michael E. Van Nuland, Stephen C. Hagen, Katie J. Field, Merlin Sheldrake, Nadejda A. Soudzilovskaia, E. Toby Kiers
Summary: Mycorrhizal fungi play a crucial role in the emergence and functioning of global ecosystems. However, their contribution to global carbon dynamics through transporting carbon into soil systems has been under-explored. Through analyzing nearly 200 datasets, we estimate that plant communities allocate a significant amount of carbon to mycorrhizal fungi each year, making an important contribution to the global carbon cycle. Our conservative estimations suggest that mycorrhizal associations should be included in climate models and conservation policies.
Article
Ecology
Zander S. Venter, Vegard Gundersen, Samantha L. Scott, David N. Barton
Summary: Recreational activity is a valuable ecosystem service with benefits for public health, but crowdsourced data from apps like Strava have inherent biases that make it difficult to generalize. In Oslo, Norway, Strava data accurately captured spatial and temporal variations in recreational activity, but it exhibited biases towards certain groups such as cyclists, males, and middle-aged people. Future studies using Strava data need to consider these biases, especially the underrepresentation of vulnerable age and socio-economic groups.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Vegar Bakkestuen, Zander Venter, Alexandra Jarna Ganerod, Erik Framstad
Summary: In this study, a deep learning approach was implemented to map wetlands in southern Norway using Sentinel-2 and LiDAR data. The resulting wetland map showed a balanced accuracy rate of 90.9%, representing a significant improvement over manually digitized maps. The estimated total wetland coverage area in southern Norway was found to be double the previous benchmark estimates. This satellite-based wetland map has the potential for large-scale mapping and ecosystem assessment.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zander S. Venter, Ruben E. Roos, Megan S. Nowell, Graciela M. Rusch, Gunnar M. Kvifte, Markus A. K. Sydenham
Summary: Comparing three land cover maps, it was found that DW performed best in predicting wild bee species richness, followed by ELC10 and WC. These satellite-derived maps can provide support in species distribution modeling and contribute to biodiversity conservation.
Article
Ecology
James Bennett, Tawanda Marandure, Heidi-Jayne Hawkins, Cletos Mapiye, Anthony Palmer, Stefanie Lemke, Lianhai Wu, Mostafa Moradzadeh
Summary: Communal rangelands are valuable global resources that provide critical ecosystem goods and services to society. However, the trade-offs between these services and the diverse objectives of stakeholders are often not well understood due to a lack of stakeholder engagement. To address this issue, a framework is proposed that explores the links between different actors and trade-offs at three key levels. This framework can help inform decision-making and facilitate discussions among stakeholders in rangeland management.
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Michael D. Cramer, G. Anthony Verboom
Summary: The high species richness in Mediterranean ecosystems is attributed to multiple mechanisms, including resource availability, spatial and temporal heterogeneity, and biotic feedbacks. Water availability and nutrient scarcity are important factors influencing species richness.
Article
Plant Sciences
Timothy K. Aikins, Robert L. Thomson, Michael D. Cramer
Summary: Islands of fertility associated with tree/shrub patches in arid grasslands create spatial heterogeneity of soil nutrients. Faunal activities under these trees/shrubs may contribute to diverse characteristics of these fertile patches of soil due to different faecal inputs. We investigated the diversity in islands of fertility in the Kalahari Desert and found that the faecal input of sociable weavers accounts for the growth differences in these islands.