Are there benefits of pasture species diversity in hill country?

2003 ◽  
pp. 127-132
Author(s):  
M.B. Dodd ◽  
D.J. Barker ◽  
M.E. Wedderburn
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Functional Groups ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Weed Invasion ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
The North ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Pasture Plant ◽  
Pasture Yield

We conducted an experiment at two hill country sites in the North Island to determine whether more diverse pasture swards were beneficial in terms of pasture herbage yield and resistance to weed invasion. In this study diversity was characterised by variation in the number (between 0 and 8) of functional groupings of pasture plant species. Seed mixtures were oversown into sprayed resident pastures in low and high fertility paddocks and steep and easy slopes within those paddocks. We measured pasture yield in terms of net herbage accumulation in spring and autumn of 1999-2000 and the botanical composition of the harvested material, identifying unsown species in the plots. The dominant influences on pasture yield were site, fertility and slope, rather than species diversity. The presence of particular functional groups was also weakly associated with differences in pasture yield. Increasing the number of functional groups sown had a negative effect on the invasion of unsown species, and their contribution to yield, and this may be the main benefit of pasture diversity. Keywords: functional groups, hill country, pasture yield, species diversity, weed invasion

GRAZING MANAGEMENT FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF BROWNTOP PASTURES IN HILL COUNTRY : A PROGRAMME

1976 ◽  
pp. 87-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.S. Bircham
Keyword(s):  
Field Trial ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
The South ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
North West ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
The North ◽  
Improvement Programme ◽  
Improved Pasture

The effects of summer spelling, frequency and severity of defoliation on improved pasture which had reverted to browntop dominance in spite of adequate topdressing were investigated on northwest and south-east aspects in North Wairarapa hill country pastures. Frequency and severity of defoliation affected both pasture production and botanical composition on the south-east aspect but had little significant effect on the north-west aspect. A pasture improvement programme based on the field trial results was devised and applied. The interim results of this programme are given.

Resident pasture growth and the micro-environment beneath young, widespaced poplars in New Zealand

2001 ◽  
pp. 131-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.B. Douglas ◽  
A.S. Walcroft ◽  
B.J. Wills ◽  
S.E. Hurst ◽  
A.G. Foote ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Soil Conservation ◽  
Seasonal Effects ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
The North ◽  
North And South

Poplar (Populus spp.) trees are planted on pastoral hill country throughout New Zealand, primarily for soil conservation. The effect of wide-spaced trees (16-100/ha) aged 8-15 years on understorey pasture growth, botanical composition, and microenvironmental characteristics, was determined at Pohangina (1997-2000) and Lawrence (1998- 2000) in the lower North and South Islands, respectively. Relative to environments without trees, at Lawrence pasture growth (13 100 kg dry matter (DM)/ha/yr) was reduced by 20% and 34% on north and south sides of trees, respectively. At Pohangina (7915 kg DM/ha/yr), trees had less influence (7% and 14% reduction) on understorey pasture growth. There were also strong seasonal effects at both sites, corresponding to when the trees were foliated. Swards at each site comprised 81-93% grass. At Lawrence, swards had similar botanical composition beneath and beyond trees. Swards on the north side of trees at Pohangina comprised relatively high grass and low legume content compared with those on the south side and in the open. Compared with open pasture, areas beneath young poplars received up to 24% less rainfall and 31% less solar irradiance, and soil water content (0-200 mm depth) was up to 33% lower in summer and autumn. At intermediate soil water contents (0.25-0.35 m3/m3), the profile of soil water content around trees during drying was frequently U-shaped, being lowest beneath the stem and increasing with distance away from the tree. Likely reasons for the pasture responses and variation in tree-pasture interactions between sites are discussed. The results will be used to model changes in tree-pasture interactions over time. Keywords: agroforestry, poplar, Populus, silvopastoralism, soil conservation, soil water, treepasture interactions

The effects of phosphorus, sulphur and stocking rate on the yield, chemical and botanical composition of natural pastures, North-West Slopes, New South Wales

1979 ◽  
Vol 19 (101) ◽  
pp. 698 ◽  
Author(s):  
GM Lodge ◽  
EA Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Natural Pasture ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Pasture Yield

The effects of phosphorus (P), sulphur (S) and stocking rate on the dry matter yield, and chemical and botanical composition of natural pasture were examined from November, 1971 to May, 1976 in a 20 point central composite design. P and S were applied annually at five levels (0, 6, 15, 23, 29 kg P ha-1; 0, 14, 34, 54, 67 kg S ha-1) and the plots were grazed continuously at five stocking rates (2.2, 3.2, 4.8, 6.3, 7.3 dry ewes ha-1). Each of the factors, P, S, and stocking rate affected total dry matter. At 4.8 and 6.3 sheep ha-1 the optimum rate of P was 15 kg ha-1, but at 3.2 sheep ha-1 it increased from 15 kg ha-1 to 23 kg ha-1 over the period. S had little effect on yield at the start and end of the experiment, but in between its effect depending on stocking rate; at 3.2 sheep ha-1 low levels (<I4 kg ha-1) were optimal, but at 4.8 and 6.3 sheep ha-1 very high levels (>54 kg ha-1) were needed. The quantity of green grass and legume was low in winter and was not consistently affected by any of the factors. The level of N in the green grass remained at less than 2%. Over the period of the experiment the basal cover of perennial grass and the frequency of annual legume declined, while the percentage of bare ground and annual grass increased. These changes over time could not be related to any of the factors, except that the percentage of A. ramosa declined at the higher stocking rates. In some years high stocking rate decreased the percentage of A. ramosa and S. variabilis, and increased that of C. truncata, D. linkii, K. phleoides and T. glomeratum. In terms of pasture yield, fertilized perennial grass pastures on the North-West Slopes have potential carrying capacities of at least 4.8 dry sheep ha-1. However, to support this high stocking rate without significantly affecting pasture yield high levels of S, around 54 kg ha-1, and moderate levels of P, around 15 kg ha-1, are required. At this higher stocking rate no major changes in botanical composition occurred.

Quantifying the value proposition for white clover persistence on a New Zealand summer-dry hill-country farm

2020 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
pp. 199-209
Author(s):  
Mike B. Dodd ◽  
Katherine N. Tozer ◽  
Iris Vogeler ◽  
Rose Greenfield ◽  
David R. Stevens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Moisture Stress ◽  
Simulation Modelling ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
System Modelling ◽  
Value Proposition ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
The North ◽  
Farm System

The improvement in forage quality and quantity of summer-dry hill country pasture resulting from the introduction of clover is well recognised. However, ensuring the persistence of the commonly availablecultivars is challenging, in the face of seasonal moisture stress, intensive grazing, competition from established well-adapted pasture species, low soil fertility and low soil pH – conditions typical of the East Coast of the North Island. Here we quantify the value proposition associated with the introduction of white clover into a case study on a Gisborne sheep and beef farm, using a six-step process. A topographically explicit approach is taken, using an understanding of the underlying spatial variability, based on a combination of soil and pasture measurements, APSIM simulation modelling of pasture growth and farm system modelling of enterprise performance. We show that from a baseline of a typical low-fertility, diverse species hill country pasture, white clover introduction can increase spring and summer forage consumption by 17%, enabling inclusion of an additional 6-month bull finishing enterprise generating a 32% greater carcass weight production and leading to a 49% improvement in farm system EBIT. This represents a positive net present value of over $360,000 for the original investment in white clover establishment into existing pastures.

ON-FARM FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS FOR NORTHLAND

1986 ◽  
pp. 27-32
Author(s):  
J.S. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Joint Ventures ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
Financial Returns ◽  
Farm Forestry ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Financial Position ◽  
On Farm

Agroforests and woodlots offer Northland hill country farmers investment and diversification opportunities. Agroforests have less effect on the "whole farm" financial position than woodlots, especially where a progressive planting regime is adopted and where no further borrowing is required. Establishment and tending costs for agro-forests are lower, and returns come much sooner. The proven opportunity for continued grazing under trees established in this manner, apart from a short post-planting period, further enhances the agroforesty option. Even where there is reluctance on a farmer's part to plant trees on high fertility land, the expected financial returns from agroforests on low and medium fertility land will increase the overall long-term profitability and flexibility of the whole farming operation. Woodlots may be more appropriate on low fertility areas where weed reversion is likely. Joint ventures may be worth considering where farm finances are a limited factor. Keywords: On-farm forestry development, Northland hill country, agroforestry, woodlots, diversification, joint ventures, progressive planting regimes, grazing availability.

Vocation Education Quality from Demand Side’s Perspective: The Case of Transport Technology Universities in the North of Vietnam

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1089-1097
Author(s):  
Nguyen Quynh Hoa ◽  
◽  
Phung Chu Hoang ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Vocational Training ◽  
Vocational Education And Training ◽  
Quality Outcomes ◽  
The North ◽  
Job Opportunities ◽  
Management Capacity ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Training Quality ◽  
And Training

Quality outcomes from vocational education and training (VET) are fundamental to ensuring a skilled workforce and supporting a productive economy. The quality of vocational training from the demand’s perspective is defined as meeting the customer specification, needs or requirements. Using the method of Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Multiple Regression Analysis to get the analytical results of 275 respondents as graduates of University of Transport and Communication, University of Transport Technology (the two universities training on transportation in the North of Vietnam), the results show that factors are measured by the observed variables in the study that ensure reliability and relevance. The descriptive statistics result of vocational training quality is 3.28, while all independent variables are at average level (between 3.1 to 3.48) with the highest value related to the quality of the teacher and the lowest are facilities and training programs and management capacity of university. However, the regression results show that the qualification of the teacher, material facilities and training program, management capacity and job opportunities at the training school do not affect the quality of the training while “Learners-NH” have a great positive effect and the labor market information has a negative effect on the training quality of the school significantly. Base on those data, some policy recommendations have been given out in order to improve the training quality of transport technology universities in the north of Vietnam in particular and the vocational training quality of Vietnam in general.

Plant diversity and species richness of Ljubljana marsh grasslands under the influence of different cutting and fertilizing regimes

2009 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Sinkovč
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Grassland Management ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Significant Negative Effect ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Cutting Regimes ◽  
N Rates ◽  
Exploitation Intensity ◽  
Plot Design

The botanical composition of grasslands determines the agronomic and natural values of swards. Good grassland management usually improves herbage value, but on the other hand it frequently decreases the plant diversity and species richness in the swards. In 1999 a field trial in a split-plot design with four replicates was therefore established on the Arrhenatherion type of vegetation in Ljubljana marsh meadows in order to investigate this relationship. Cutting regimes (2 cuts — with normal and delayed first cut, 3 cuts and 4 cuts per year) were allocated to the main plots and fertiliser treatments (zero fertiliser — control, PK and NPK with 2 or 3 N rates) were allocated to the sub-plots. The results at the 1 st cutting in the 5 th trial year were as follows: Fertilising either with PK or NPK had no significant negative effect on plant diversity in any of the cutting regimes. In most treatments the plant number even increased slightly compared to the control. On average, 20 species were listed on both unfertilised and fertilised swards. At this low to moderate level of exploitation intensity, the increased number of cuts had no significant negative effect on plant diversity either (19 species at 2 cuts vs. 20 species at 3 or 4 cuts). PK fertilisation increased the proportion of legumes in the herbage in the case of 2 or 3 cuts. The proportion of grasses in the herbage increased in all the fertilisation treatments with an increased numbers of cuts. Fertiliser treatment considerably reduced the proportion of marsh horsetail ( Equisetum palustre ) in the herbage of the meadows. This effect was even more pronounced at higher cut numbers. The proportion of Equisetum palustre in the herbage was the highest in the unfertilised sward with 2 cuts (26.4 %) and the lowest in the NPK-fertilised sward with 4 cuts (1.4%).

Changes in demand for children between 2003 and 2013 in Nigeria: Evidence from survey data

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-29
Author(s):  
Stella Babalola ◽  
Joshua O. Akinyemi ◽  
Clifford O. Odimegwu
Keyword(s):  
Health Surveys ◽  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Religious Affiliation ◽  
Large Family ◽  
Fertility Rate ◽  
Demographic And Health Surveys ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
Fertility Desire ◽  
The North ◽  
Demand For Children

Abstract Nigeria has one of the highest fertility rates in Africa. Data from 2013 Demographic and Health Surveys indicate a virtual stagnation of fertility rate since 2003. Low contraceptive use and pronatalist attitudes are among the factors contributing to the high fertility rate in Nigeria. In this manuscript, we pooled data from three most recent waves of Demographic and Health Surveys to examine trends in demand for children over time and identify the factors associated with change in demand for children. The data show that demand for children has declined since 2003 although not monotonically so. Variables that were positively associated with increased likelihood of desiring no additional children were residence in the South-West (as opposed to residence in the North-Central), exposure to family planning (FP) messages on the mass media, number of children ever born, educational level, and urban residence. In contrast, uncertainty about fertility desire was more widespread in 2008 compared to 2013 although less widespread in 2003 than in 2013. The likelihood of being undecided about fertility desire was positively associated with discrepancies in family size desires between husband and wife, parity and Islamic religious affiliation. Programs should aim to increase access to effective contraceptive methods and promote demand for contraceptives as a way of fostering a sustainable reduction in demand for children. Furthermore, strategies that address uncertainty by fostering women’s understanding of the social and health implications of large family sizes are relevant.

scholarly journals Toward a global reference database of COI barcodes for marine zooplankton

2021 ◽  
Vol 168 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Bucklin ◽  
Katja T. C. A. Peijnenburg ◽  
Ksenia N. Kosobokova ◽  
Todd D. O’Brien ◽  
Leocadio Blanco-Bercial ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Reference Sequence ◽  
Global Ocean ◽  
Reference Database ◽  
Data Repositories ◽  
Marine Zooplankton ◽  
The North ◽  
Coi Sequences ◽  
Taxonomic Groups

AbstractCharacterization of species diversity of zooplankton is key to understanding, assessing, and predicting the function and future of pelagic ecosystems throughout the global ocean. The marine zooplankton assemblage, including only metazoans, is highly diverse and taxonomically complex, with an estimated ~28,000 species of 41 major taxonomic groups. This review provides a comprehensive summary of DNA sequences for the barcode region of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) for identified specimens. The foundation of this summary is the MetaZooGene Barcode Atlas and Database (MZGdb), a new open-access data and metadata portal that is linked to NCBI GenBank and BOLD data repositories. The MZGdb provides enhanced quality control and tools for assembling COI reference sequence databases that are specific to selected taxonomic groups and/or ocean regions, with associated metadata (e.g., collection georeferencing, verification of species identification, molecular protocols), and tools for statistical analysis, mapping, and visualization. To date, over 150,000 COI sequences for ~ 5600 described species of marine metazoan plankton (including holo- and meroplankton) are available via the MZGdb portal. This review uses the MZGdb as a resource for summaries of COI barcode data and metadata for important taxonomic groups of marine zooplankton and selected regions, including the North Atlantic, Arctic, North Pacific, and Southern Oceans. The MZGdb is designed to provide a foundation for analysis of species diversity of marine zooplankton based on DNA barcoding and metabarcoding for assessment of marine ecosystems and rapid detection of the impacts of climate change.

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