Grazing Animals Research Articles

Metagenomics and selective culture reveal the major transfer and prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes in Tibetan Plateau animals

The Tibetan Plateau, despite being the highest and least populated plateau on the Earth, harbors antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARBs) as well as antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in its pristine environment and animals. There is, however, limited knowledge regarding antibiotic resistance in Tibetan Plateau animals. Here, fecal samples of grazing yaks and intestinal content samples of wild rats were collected at altitudes of 2920m and 4360m and subjected to selective culture, PCR, and metagenomic sequencing. The results revealed a higher antibiotic resistance rate in low-altitude regions than in high-altitude regions. The simultaneous presence of bacteria exhibiting different antibiotic resistance phenotypes across multiple samples suggests the potential emergence of multidrug-resistant strains within the animal gut microbiota. Pseudomonas spp. and Escherichia coli were the predominant ARBs. In contrast to low-altitude regions with frequent human activities, ARG dissemination in the Tibetan Plateau did not show a significant correlation with mobile genetic elements. ARGs in high-altitude regions relied more on vertical gene transmission. This study expands our knowledge of antibiotic resistance in grazing and wild animals inhabiting the Tibetan Plateau, thereby highlighting the potential threat posed by antibiotic resistance in this region.

Canopy structure and herbage intake rate of three tropical forage grasses cultivated as pure or mixed stands

Context Using forage grass species with complementary growth and resource-use strategies to enhance forage plant diversity in pastures may be an alternative to traditional monocultures in tropical regions. Aims This study aimed to determine whether a mixture of three perennial tropical forage grasses (Andropogon gayanus cv. Planaltina, Panicum maximum cv. Massai, and Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Piatã) could be an alternative to enhance herbage intake rates relative to their respective monocultures. Methods The treatments corresponded to three perennial tropical forage grasses cultivated as monocultures and as a mixture composed of all three species. Defoliation management corresponded to a pre-cutting height of 35 cm and post-cutting height of 17.5 cm. Key results The botanical composition of the mixture was dynamic throughout the experimental period, with variations in the proportion of species across seasons. The upper half of the canopy predominantly comprised leaves for all treatments. The canopy structure of the mixture allowed for greater herbage intake rates than monocultures during winter/early spring. Andropogon gambagrass showed lower herbage intake rates than the other treatments. Conclusions The findings of this study indicate that it is possible to combine tropical forage grass species without compromising canopy structure and grazing animal responses, compared with single-species grass pastures. Implications The selection of forage species for mixed pastures should consider their phenological cycle, growth, and resource-use strategies to achieve temporal complementarity and provide an optimal grazing environment for animals throughout the year.

Unveiling Misconceptions among Small-Scale Farmers Regarding Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases in Balochistan, Pakistan

Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) pose potential health threats to small-scale farmers of grazing animals in the upper highlands of Balochistan, Pakistan. This study was conducted based on a questionnaire survey involving 153 farmers of grazing animals in seven districts to access their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding ticks and TBDs. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals, based on Fisher’s test, were used to assess risk factors for determining preventive measures. The findings revealed a low level of knowledge among the participants. For instance, there was a lack of awareness of the effects of climate change and the economic impact of ticks on animal health. The essential precautions, such as the non-indiscriminate use of acaricides, wearing dark-colored clothing, and limiting children’s interaction with grazing animals, were often overlooked. However, the farmers had a positive attitude towards tick control, but they mostly relied on the knowledge of local communities. The neglect of such measures places these farmers and their children at risk of contracting TBDs. This study also indicates minimal involvement from the government in educating farmers and controlling ticks. The role of stakeholders, including the government, non-governmental organizations, veterinary doctors, and local farmer communities, is crucial to address these issues and to implement effective training programs that address misconceptions about ticks and TBDs. Overall, this study highlights the importance of implementing awareness and education programs to address the misconceptions about ticks and TBDs among farmers.

Outcomes of an agri-environmental scheme in the management of common pastures in northern Portugal: Social benefits and effects on local capacity for collective action

Baldios are wide areas, integrated in extensive farming systems, historically held and managed by local communities for animal grazing and other extractive activities in support of their livelihoods. This land tenure regime persisted despite successive political and socioeconomic changes that threatened its communitarian nature, profoundly influencing the socioeconomic structure of rural areas. Today, use and possession of the baldios by the local communities is safeguarded by formal legal rights. In 2007 an agri-environmental scheme (AES) designed for managing the pastures in the baldios was proposed to the commoners of two protected areas. While one was successfully implemented and is still active, the other was discontinued. This study focuses on the Peneda-Gerês National Park experience, where the AES was widely adopted, aiming to understand the effects of its implementation on local dynamics for management of baldios, looking at its social and cultural benefits, particularly regarding local capacity for collective action. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in all the baldios in the park, and a period of stay in one of the villages allowed an opportunity for deeper analysis. Other stakeholders were also interviewed (e.g., state institutions). We argue that the benefits of this scheme went beyond the direct monetary payouts, playing an important role in the revitalization of local institutions. Moreover, we conclude that in depopulated and aging rural areas, top-down site-specific agri-environmental schemes that rely on existing social and institutional structures to operate are critical to recover and/or recreate institutions and practices for local collective landscape management.

Should we value rain harvesting more in Türkiye for mitigating precipitation extremes

Mitigating precipitation extremes is a major issue due to destructive global warming and climate change. Heavy rainfall and drought have posed a threat to human life and ecology. That said, new strategies and new action plans are needed at local and global levels through needed cooperation from different stakeholders to handle the possible risks associated with precipitation extremes. Turkey has become one of the most vulnerable countries involved in climate change due to its geographical location, rapid urbanization, and deforestation. Many forests have been destroyed to make room for agriculture, animal grazing as well as for manufacturing and construction. The impact has caused complications in landscapes. Precipitation extremes, such as heavy rainfalls and drought, are posing significant threats for many cities in Turkey. In recent years Turkey has faced a large number of extreme events regarding precipitation. In this line, the present study aims to explore the potential benefits of rainwater harvesting (RHH) in mitigating precipitation extremes by overviewing regulatory actions of rainwater harvesting and best practices worldwide. In addition an interview-based survey was conducted with domain experts in the water management field to better understand the current challenges of stormwater management in Turkey and discuss the role of rainwater harvesting against precipitation extremes. The results of the study have shown that Turkey has several problems with infrastructure to mitigate precipitation extremes, such as shortcomings in capacity and old water management systems, unseparated water collection and sewage systems, and lack of green infrastructure. In addition to urbanization, expansion in industry and tourism may cause water unavailability. The study has also indicated that many authorities around the globe try to boost RWH use by stipulating or encouraging RWH through incentives to save a large amount of water by implementing different projects. This research has argued that RWH promises several benefits thanks to its cost-effectiveness and contribution to water storage. Therefore, this study has recommended that policymakers should take immediate action against precipitation extremes by introducing new regulations, such as mandating rainwater harvesting for old buildings, industrial and touristic places. Preparing new guidelines and applying rooftop RWH systems that comply with Building Code requirements should also be considered for the widespread use of rainwater in rural and urban areas.

Study of the gonadotrophic cycle of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus (Say, 1821) (Acari: Ixodidae) in laboratory conditions

The purpose of the research is to determine the physiological characteristics of the single-host tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus depending on environmental factors, including the season of the year.Materials and methods. The study of the gonadotrophic cycle and fertility of B. annulatus was carried out during their seasonal activity from March 2022 to November 2023. The work consisted of two stages: field and laboratory. Ticks were collected manually from cattle in different settlements. Material was collected in natural biotopes according to the generally accepted method using a standard flag and drag. Nourished females were selected for oviposition and kept in laboratory conditions while maintaining optimal temperature and humidity. A total of 1,743 specimens were collected and identified. The sex ratio was 1: 7 with a predominance of females.Results and discussion. The gonadotrophic cycle and reproductive potential of B. annulatus vary by season. In autumn, the oviposition period, taking into account the incubation period, extends to an average of 28 days. The reproductive potential of females varied from 23 to 2194 eggs/ind. In spring, the cycle duration is comparatively shorter and, on average, does not exceed 25 days. Tick fertility can range from 19 to 5503 eggs/ind. which determines their abundance in summer and autumn months. The data obtained confirm the need for acaricidal treatment of animal grazing areas in the foothill zone in late autumn in order to reduce the number of B. annulatus both after winter diapause and throughout the year.

Harnessing virtual fencing for more effective and adaptive agri-environment schemes to conserve grassland biodiversity

Virtual fencing (VF) is an emerging technology that creates virtual boundaries for livestock. Collars equipped with positioning systems, such as GPS, emit acoustic warning signals if an animal approaches the virtual fence and an electric impulse if it continues to move forward, deterring it from crossing the virtual fence. Compared to physical fences, virtual fences, combined with positioning systems, enable precise tracking of individual animals and fencing out small areas within pastures at high spatio-temporal resolutions and low cost. VF has the potential to enhance agri-environment schemes (AES) aimed at conserving biodiversity in three ways. (1) Many existing grassland AES focus on limiting livestock density and/or regulating the timing of grazing. Monitoring compliance with these contract conditions is costly, which puts compliance at risk. GPS tracking can help overcome compliance issues by continuously monitoring grazing animals at low cost. (2) Grazing on pastures at even and high livestock densities leads to low levels of biodiversity. Applying VF to exclude small areas from grazing provides structural and associated organismic diversity. AES could incentivise farmers to fence out such small areas to enhance biodiversity. (3) Grazing on patches with endangered plants or nests of meadow birds may negatively affect small-scale populations of endangered grassland species. Unmanned aerial vehicles and automated picture analyses could be used to detect valuable patches, transmit the information to VF systems, and AES could remunerate farmers for fencing them out. The article will explore these ideas on a conceptual level and discuss their potential benefits and drawbacks.

Ecotoxicological assessment of nano-remediated crude oil contaminated soil using Zea mays

The germination of seedlings is hindered in soil due to the excessive presence of petroleum hydrocarbons resulting from crude oil spill. This contamination not only pollutes the environment but also renders it unsuitable for habitation, inhibits animal grazing, and results in the degradation of natural beauty and aesthetic appeal. In this work, the ecotoxicological effect of nanoremediated soil previously contaminated with crude oil was assessed. Petroleum hydrocarbons were eliminated from crude oil contaminated soil through the utilization of nanomaterial adsorbents namely: Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs), MWCNTs + IONP (Iron Oxide Nanoparticle), and P.N.C (Polymer Nanocomposite) followed by the cultivation of Zea mays seedling on the nanoremediated soils then observed over a period of seven days. Both the contaminated and treated samples were evaluated for their respective functional groups, structural morphology and elemental compositions using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (ED XRF) techniques. The seedlings were then harvested, and the lengths of their leaves, shoots, and roots were measured and recorded. Results indicated a germination rate of over 70 % achieved for seedlings cultivated in the nanoremediated soils, in contrast to a germination rate of only 40 % for seedlings grown in untreated crude oil contaminated soil. Seedlings from the soil treated with P.N.C exhibited the most favorable growth parameters, with leaf, shoot, and root lengths measuring 7.64, 4.83, and 8.04 cm respectively. In comparison, seedlings germinated in crude oil contaminated soil displayed measurements of 3.4, 2.79, and 5.32 cm for leaf, shoot, and root lengths, respectively. The pH levels of the treated soils were raised from 5.7 to 6.9, 6.3, and 6.7 for MWCNTs only, MWCNTs + IONP, and P.N.C, respectively. This augmentation had a positive impact on the uptake of nutrients through the root hairs. Additionally, it was noted that the presence of MWCNTs did not impede the germination and growth of Zea mays seedlings. This technique exhibits considerable potential for widespread adoption by farmers, oil companies, and environmental agencies as a rapid and effective nano-remediation method.

Cover crop grazing effects on soil properties in no-tillage dryland cropping systems in the central Great Plains

Integrating ruminant livestock such as beef cattle (Bos taurus L.) to graze cover crops (CCs) could balance goals of short-term profitability and long-term environmental sustainability when CCs are grown in water-limited environments like the central Great Plains (CGP), USA. However, little information currently exists about the effects of CC grazing on soil properties in no-tillage (NT) dryland cropping systems, especially after multiple cycles of grazing. This study was conducted from 2018 to 2021 to evaluate the effects of beef cattle grazing CCs on residue return, soil bulk density (BD) and penetration resistance (PR), water stable aggregates (WSA) and wind-erodible fraction (WEF), as well as soil pH and nutrient concentrations on three producer fields in central and western Kansas. Across sites, CC biomass left as residue post-grazing was similar to pre-grazing and was 60 % of the ungrazed CCs (3704 kg ha−1) because of CC regrowth after the 30–40 day grazing period. Soil BD, PR, WSA, WEF, pH, particulate organic carbon, nitrate-nitrogen, and phosphorus concentration were not different between grazed and ungrazed CCs. However, soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and potassium concentrations were greater with grazed CCs compared to ungrazed CCs possibly due to substantial CC residue retention following grazing coupled with manure and urine deposition. Regression and correlation analyses showed that increased SOC was associated with decreased soil BD and increased WSA, which suggests decreased soil erosion potential as well as possible improvements in water infiltration and underscores the importance of SOC for overall soil health in this water-limited environment. Based on these results, we conclude that grazing of CCs is a viable management option for producers to intensify NT dryland cropping systems to improve soil health and maintain or increase overall system profitability in the CGP. Longer (>3 years) grazing studies are needed, and results are likely to vary based on grazing animal stocking rate, categories, duration of grazing, and available CC biomass for grazing.

Use of ITK in Animal Management by Maldharis in Banni Area of Kachchh

The present investigation was conducted in the Banni area of Kachchh during 2008 to 2012, which is a vast grazing land spread on the 3847 sq km area. The main source of livelihood in the region is rearing of livestock, handicraft and contract based animal grazing system. While the education level of Maldharis is 26.50% and lower than national average, their use of ITK in restraining of animals and conservation of natural resources is unique. Various restraining tools used by them are Dan and Nunjan, Vano / Bagari, Pavro, Kutopado, Ango Mochi and Bundho. They also use “kudo” in goat and “Dan” to restrain the movement of camel for grazing and “Bagari” to protect the camel from suckling by the calf. The use of psychological tools like voice produced by different size of bells (mutter or matri) and keeping all the animals in the herd intact during grazing either during day or night hours without any human assistance is the best example of management of animals on the scientific principles. Similarly, harvesting and conservation of rain water in the “Khuriya” is also a unique example of conservation of natural resources. They allow their buffaloes in the dry pond which prevent heat stress and also protection from mosquitoes. They use Khurjadi for transportation of small ruminants, “Dambh” for identification of animals and for housing the calves under the tree shade by making the enclosure called as “Vado.” These techniques are based on scientific principles and have very good impact on animal management.

Comparison Between the Sustainably- and Unsustainably-Managed Pastures: The Case of Urad-Middle Banner in Inner Mongolia, China

In order to compare the herd size, income level, and the vegetation in the sustainably-managed grazing pasture with unsustainably-managed grazing pasture, this study selected the two pastures that receive heavy-load of camel population and other two pastures receiving light-load of camel herds. In desert having xerophyite Zygophyllum xanthoxylum, the pastures were classified into unsustainably-managed herdsman pasture (UHPZ) and sustainably-managed herdsman pasture (SHPZ). In addition, pastures were ccategorized into unsustainably-managed herdsman pasture (UHPK) and sustainably-managed herdsman pasture (SHPK) in deserts dominated by Krascheninnikovia ceratoides. The vegetation volume of Zygophyllum xanthoxylum at SHPZ, UHPZ and the gravelization sample at UHPZ is 1560 cm3, 480 cm3 and 4 cm3, respectively. On the other hand, the vegetation volume of Krascheninnikovia ceratoides at SHPK, UHPK and the gravelization sample at UHPK is 840 cm3, 510 cm3 and 8 cm3, respectively. In addition, the herdsmen grazing animals in UHPZ and UHPK responded almost no income obtained over the past five years. In conclusion, the vegetation situation and the income level of the sustainable-managed pasture are significantly better than the unsustainable-managed pastures. The local ecological community maybe the major player in decision-making in favour of the Indigenous people, pastures’ vegetation management, and the livelihoods.

Wireless Underground Sensor Communication Using Acoustic Technology.

The rapid advancement toward smart cities has accelerated the adoption of various Internet of Things (IoT) devices for underground applications, including agriculture, which aims to enhance sustainability by reducing the use of vital resources such as water and maximizing production. On-farm IoT devices with above-ground wireless nodes are vulnerable to damage and data loss due to heavy machinery movement, animal grazing, and pests. To mitigate these risks, wireless Underground Sensor Networks (WUSNs) are proposed, where devices are buried underground. However, implementing WUSNs faces challenges due to soil heterogeneity and the need for low-power, small-size, and long-range communication technology. While existing radio frequency (RF)-based solutions are impeded by substantial signal attenuation and low coverage, acoustic wave-based WUSNs have the potential to overcome these impediments. This paper is the first attempt to review acoustic propagation models to discern a suitable model for the advancement of acoustic WUSNs tailored to the agricultural context. Our findings indicate the Kelvin-Voigt model as a suitable framework for estimating signal attenuation, which has been verified through alignment with documented outcomes from experimental studies conducted in agricultural settings. By leveraging data from various soil types, this research underscores the feasibility of acoustic signal-based WUSNs.

Adaptive grazing enhances plant species richness and density in the soil seed bank in a semi-arid grassland

The soil seed bank plays a key role in vegetation resilience under environmental disturbances, and is especially important for the restoration of degraded vegetation. However, the responsive dynamics of the soil seed bank to animal grazing and its potential in the restoration of grazing degraded steppe grassland remain unclear. Here we examined the changes in plant species diversity and density in both the soil seed bank and the aboveground vegetation of a natural grassland along an experimental gradient of four grazing intensities (nil, light, moderate and heavy grazing) in an adaptive grazing management system that ensures grassland residual cover was always above a certain criteria. The grassland is a typical steppe dominated by Leymus chinensis, Stipa grandis, and Cleistogenes squarrosa in central Inner Mongolia, China. We found that (i) plant species richness and density of the seed bank in the top 10 cm soil layer increased with grazing intensity, though the density of the seed bank in the top 5 cm soil layer showed an decrease. (ii) Moderate and heavy grazing significantly decreased the density of perennial but increased annual and biennial plants in the top 5 cm soil layer, which dominate the changes in the top 10 cm soil layer. (iii) Plant species richness and density in the aboveground vegetation also increased with grazing intensity, so did the similarity between the species composition of the soil seed bank and aboveground vegetation in the top 10 cm. The increase in the richness and density of annual and biennial species dominated the responsive changes to grazing of the soil seed bank and aboveground vegetation in the studied grassland. Our results provide a reference basis for grazing management in the region from the perspective of the soil seed bank, and suggest that the adaptive grazing system with grassland residual height controlled above a criterion benefits to the soil seed bank thus the re-generation of vegetation.

Heavy steers and heifers run at low stocking rates enhance drought resilience in a pastoral region of Australia

CONTEXTThe semi-arid mulga lands of the Southern Rangelands of Western Australia experience frequent droughts. Maintaining a profitable animal grazing enterprise whilst preserving rangeland condition requires selecting an appropriate stocking rate and herd structure. OBJECTIVEWe construct and apply bioeconomic models of beef enterprises for the semi-arid Southern Rangelands of Western Australia, to assess the profitability and relative riskiness of three different livestock production systems and three different stocking rates when exposed to different frequencies of drought. METHODSWe construct bio-economic models of herd structures that separately focus on producing either: (i) 200 kg heifers and 210 kg steers (ii) live export of 340 kg heifers and 380 kg steers, or (iii) 500 kg heifers and 560 kg steers for local slaughter. The models are applied to assess the financial and production resilience of each herd structure for three different stocking rates, given the incidence of drought and various price scenarios. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSComparing the three herd structures, option (iii) produces more kilograms of beef at an equivalent grazing pressure and recovers fastest from drought. Considering cattle prices over the 7-year period ending in 2021, live export and slaughter production systems generate comparable financial returns to graziers' actual reported results. Under two different scenarios of future prices, option (iii) provides the most profitable outcome. Applying a stocking rate that is 66% of a recommended stocking rate allows use of residual rangeland feed (known as ‘haystack’) during drought, generates greater profit, and produces a more stable herd size and income. Not matching the haystack with the longest modelled drought reduces the grazier's average annual profit by $172,000. The optimum herd structure identified in this study targets the production of 500 kg heifers and 560 kgs steers for local slaughter, and relies on a conservative stocking rate that leaves enough haystack to increase resilience if ever consecutive droughts occur. SIGNIFICANCEIn the Southern Rangelands of Western Australia, there are financial and environmental merits in a herd structure that produces heavy steers and heifers for local slaughter yet is underpinned by conservative stocking rates.

Structural Optimization of an Unmanned Ground Vehicle as Part of a Robotic Grazing System Design

Unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) have gained increased attention in different fields of application; therefore, their optimization requires special attention. Lowering the mass of a UGV is especially important to increase its autonomy, agility, and payload capacity and to reduce dynamic forces. This contribution deals with optimizing a UGV unit prototype that, when connected with similar units, forms a moving electric fence for animal grazing. Together, these units form a robotic system that is intended to solve the critical problem of lack of human capacity in herding and grazing. This approach employs topology optimization (TO) and finite element analysis (FEA) to lower the mass of a UGV unit and validate the design of its structural components. To our knowledge, no optimization of this type of UGV has been reported in the literature. Here, we present the results of a case study in which a set of four load cases served as a basis for the optimization of the UGV frame. Response surface analysis (RSA) was used to identify the worst load cases, while substructuring was used to allow for more detailed meshing of the frame portion that was subjected to TO. Thereby, we demonstrate that the prototype of the UGV unit can be built using standard parts and that TO and FEA can be efficiently used to optimize the load-carrying structure of such a specific vehicle.

Gender Perspectives in Agriculture and Livestock Production: Insights from Garo Tribal Farm Households in West Garo Hills: Meghalaya

This study was conducted in two villages situated in the West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya in 2023, focusing on a sample of 60 tribal farm families. Respondents were randomly selected from the selected villages. Statistical analyses were performed using frequencies and percentage. The findings revealed that 80.0% of households had a nuclear family structure, with 61.67% being led by males. Agriculture was the primary occupation of 51.67% of households, and 33.33% reported an annual household income ranging from Rs. 85,001 to Rs. 150,000. Additionally, 78.33% of households possessed areca nut orchards and 60.0% utilized mobile phones for communication. Credit facilities were available to 31.67% of respondents. Regarding information sources, 98.33% of males and 96.67% of females relied on friends and neighbours for agricultural information. Decision-making was reported to be joint in 65.0% of households. Crop harvesting, which was primarily performed by females (55.0%), and the selling of harvests during financial needs, which were handled by males (35.0%) and females (38.33%), were identified as patterns. Revenue management from sales was undertaken by males (36.67%) and jointly (33.33%). In livestock-related decisions, 63.0% reported joint decision-making, and the grazing of animals was managed by children within households (68.33%). For healthcare, 63.33% of independent males consulted the veterinary department during instances of animal disease. Joint decisions were made for the purchase and sale of animals (81.76%). The present findings contribute valuable insights into gender in agricultural discourse, guiding informed and inclusive development in the North East Region. Practitioner Summary: The study was on 60 small Garo tribal farm families actively engaged in both agricultural and livestock activities. Study revealed that women has integral role in agriculture and livestocks then men. Joint decision making in agriculture collaborative farm management, males often takes lead in financial management and certain post-harvest processes.

Fingerprinting aeolian sediment sources in the Mu Us Sandy Land using the MixSIAR model

Understanding and quantifying aeolian sediment sources in sand seas is imperative to elucidate their formation mechanism and promote ecological restoration, particularly in transitional zones between agricultural farming and animal grazing. Despite considerable efforts to identify the provenance of the Mu Us Sandy Land (Mu Us), a clear boundary demarcating the provenance differences between its western and eastern regions remains elusive. Furthermore, the quantitative contributions of its potential source areas are yet to be determined. This study elucidated these aspects using robust source indicators and the MixSIAR fingerprinting model, underpinned by geochemical data. Utilizing provenance indicators such as the K/Ba, K/Rb, Ba/Sr, and Rb/Sr ratios, this study identified the line connecting Angsu and Huanghaojie Town as the clear boundary demarcating the provenance differences between the western and eastern Mu Us. The eastern Mu Us's coarse sand primarily derives from underlying sandstones (70.5%) and local fluvio-lacustrine deposits (29.5%), while the western region's coarse sand predominantly originates from Yellow River (YR) sediments in the Yinchuan Basin, transported from the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau (NTP) (82.2%), and local fluvio-lacustrine deposits (17.8%). Similarly, the Mu Us's fine sand mainly originates from local fluvio-lacustrine deposits, contributing 66.5% and 67.6% to the fine sand in the eastern and western regions, respectively. Under strong westerly winds, Gobi deposits from upwind areas contribute 33.5% and 32.4% of fine sediments to the eastern and western Mu Us, respectively. The spatial heterogeneity of material sources in the Mu Us highlights the combined influence of fluvial and wind processes. Lacustrine deposits play a crucial role in the sediment provenance of the Mu Us. This study demonstrates that the MixSIAR model constitutes an effective approach for quantitative provenance research in deserts located in climatic transitional zones worldwide.

Comparative Analysis of the Methanogen Microbiota Associated to Pasture and Stall Housing in Kazakh Cattle.

The microbial community of cattle rumen (archaea) are the key players in methane emissions. Methane pollutes the atmosphere and leads to the loss of feed energy. The aim of this study was to comparatively investigate the cattle microbiota, with a particular focus on archaea, in relation to the type of housing: pasture versus stall. A 16S metabarcoding analysis of the intestinal contents of cattle was carried out. Аlpha - diversity of grazing animals showed to be higher compared to animals in the stall period (p=0.002). Beta - diversity confirmed a difference in methanogens and microbiota between animals kept on pasture and those in a stall. Differential abundance analysis showed that the relative abundance of the Methanobacteriacea family in animals in the pasture period was significantly higher compared to animals in the stall period (FDR p = 0.00122). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the concentration of methanogens in the fecal contents of animals during pasture period was higher than that in animals during the stall period. We recommend feeding grazing animals with concentrates in the evening in order to mitigate methane emissions.

Impact of fly ash deposition on plants diversity, metal content, and associated risk on grazing ruminants in the vicinity of Morupule power station, Botswana

Fly ash (FA) deposition originating from power stations and unprotected dumpsites, have been found to affect plant communities, potentially causing environmental degradation and food chain contamination. An analysis of plant composition, heavy metal concentration in plants and soil within 40 kilometers of the Morupule dumpsite was conducted to evaluate the impact of FA disposal. In addition, risks to the ruminants grazing in this area, were assessed. The windward transect had significantly higher species diversity and richness than the leeward transect, especially in areas closer to the dumpsite. This could be attributed to the inability of some plants to tolerate higher concentrations of toxic metal and alkalinity in areas near the dumpsite. In this study, average concentrations in plants of Cr (546.11 mg kg−1), Mn (905.69 mg kg−1), and Cu (128 mg kg−1) were above toxicity levels of 75-100 mg kg−1 for Cr, 400 mg kg−1 for Mn, and 100 mg kg−1 for Cu. Although the quantities of these metals were above the maximum allowable daily consumption, calculations of the daily plant intake by grazing animals in this area revealed a potential danger of exposure to Cr and Cu. Particularly in areas that were nearest to the FA dumpsite, ruminants grazing on the leeward transect were more exposed to Cu than Cr toxicity. Overall, it was found that FA deposition damaged the plant community and put grazing ruminants at greater danger. However, more investigation is required to pinpoint the precise level of hazardous metals found in the grazing animals in this area.

Use and management of seagrass ecosystems in southwestern Madagascar

Madagascar’s seagrass meadows are among the least-studied ecosystems in the western Indian Ocean region. To facilitate sustainable management, understanding the traditional uses of seagrass areas in relation to current management policies is necessary. This study assessed the uses of, and policies relevant to, seagrass ecosystems off southwestern Madagascar. We interviewed 131 community members in five coastal villages around the Bay of Ranobe in Toliara Province. Answers to the survey revealed a good level of awareness of seagrass, though 55% of respondents perceived the status of the seagrass areas as deteriorating. Opinions varied on the source or degree of threats to seagrass, but 74.8% of respondents suggested destructive fishing methods or other factors, including natural phenomena and animal grazing. The responses highlight that seagrass meadows serve as areas important for fishing, seaweed cultivation or sea cucumber farming, and the passage of boat/pirogue transportation. There are currently no tangible policies that directly protect or manage the seagrass areas regarding these activities, although some national regulations and local management initiatives are indirectly relevant, notably no-take zones and the local-level codes known as Dina. Development and implementation of a national management plan for seagrass ecosystems is a key gap. This demands the collection of scientific data to support decision-making to ensure long-term provision of the services provided by seagrass meadows. The involvement of coastal communities in the management of seagrass ecosystems will be necessary for the success of any new policies.