Harvest Intensity Research Articles

Promoting the seasonal succession of submerged macrophytes by regulating the harvesting intensity of Potamogeton crispus.

Harvesting is a direct and simple artificial method to regulate submerged macrophyte communities. However, there is still a gap in whether the succession of different seasonal submerged macrophytes can be achieved by harvesting. The morphological, physiological index, competition intensity of Hydrilla verticillata (H. verticillata) and underwater light under different harvesting intensities of Potamogeton crispus (P. crispus) was studied by a controlled experiment. Under moderate harvesting intensity (harvest 30% and 45% of plant height) of P. crispus, H. verticillata was the least inhibited, resulting in accumulating more Chl a and higher plant height. The underwater light created by moderate-intensity harvesting was favorable for H. verticillata to compete with P. crispus. Thus, moderate-intensity harvesting of P. crispus can promote the growth of H. verticillata. In practice, moderate harvesting intensity of P. crispus can be used to create conditions for the growth of summer species to achieve seasonal succession of submerged macrophytes and maintain the clear-water state of the lake.

Subtle changes in topsoil microbial communities of drained forested peatlands after prolonged drought.

A major consequence of anthropogenic climate change is the intensification and extension of drought periods. Prolonged drought can alter conditions in drained peatlands and cause disturbances in microbial communities in the topsoil layer of the peat. Varying environmental conditions throughout the growing season, such as the availability of organic matter and nutrients, temperature and water table, further impact these communities and consequently affect carbon and nutrient cycles. The impact of drought and new forestry practices is largely unknown in drained peatland forests. We examined how microbial communities change over a growing season in different harvesting intensities (continuous cover forestry, clear-cut and uncut) in a drained peatland site using bacterial 16S and fungal ITS2 rRNA analysis. We found seasonal differences in bacterial and fungal diversity and species richness, and subtle changes in microbial communities at the phylum and genus levels when comparing various environmental factors. Diversity, species richness and relative abundance differed in spring compared to summer and autumn. However, significant differences in the microbial community structure were not detected. Understanding the responses of microbial communities to disturbances like drought and other environmental factors provides new insights into the consequences of climate change on drained forested peatlands.

A Study on the Growth Model of Natural Forests in Southern China Under Climate Change: Application of Transition Matrix Model

This study establishes a climate-sensitive transition matrix growth model and predicts forest growth under different carbon emission scenarios (representative concentration pathways RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5) over the next 40 years. Data from the Eighth (2013) and Ninth (2019) National Forest Resource Inventories in Chongqing and climate data from Climate AP are utilized. The model is used to predict forest growth and compare the number of trees, basal area, and stock volume under different climate scenarios. The results show that the climate-sensitive transition matrix growth model has high accuracy. The relationships between the variables and forest growth, mortality, and recruitment correspond to natural succession and growth. Although the number of trees, basal area, and stock volume do not differ significantly for different climate scenarios, the forest has sufficient seedling regeneration and large-diameter trees. The growth process aligns with succession, with pioneer species being replaced by climax species. The proposed climate-sensitive transition matrix growth model fills the gap in growth models for natural secondary forests in Chongqing and is an accurate method for predicting forest growth. The model can be used for long-term prediction of forest stands to understand future forest growth trends and provide reliable references for forest management. Forest growth can be predicted for different harvesting intensities to determine the optimal intensity to guide natural forest management in Chongqing City. The results of this study can help formulate targeted forest management policies to deal more effectively with climate change and promote sustainable forest health.

Congruent Long-Term Declines in Carbon and Biodiversity Are a Signature of Forest Degradation.

Recent global policy initiatives aimed at reducing forest degradation require practical definitions of degradation that are readily monitored. However, consistent approaches for monitoring forest degradation over the long term and at broad scales are lacking. We quantified the long-term effects of intensive wood harvest on above-ground carbon and biodiversity at fine resolutions (30 m2) and broad scales (New Brunswick, Canada; 72,908 km2). Model predictions for above-ground biomass were highly correlated with independent data (r = 0.77). After accounting for carbon stored in wood products, net CO2 emissions from forests for the region from 1985 to 2020 were 141 CO2e Tg (4.02 TgCO2e year-1; 32% of all reported emissions). We found strong positive correlations between locations with declines in above-ground carbon and habitats for old-forest bird species, which have lost > 20% habitat over 35 years. High congruence between biodiversity and forest carbon offers potential for policy incentives to conserve both objectives simultaneously and slow rates of forest degradation. These methods could be used to track forest degradation for managed forest regions worldwide.

The Effect of Transition to Close-to-Nature Forestry on Growing Stock, Wood Increment and Harvest Possibilities of Forests in Slovakia

The aim of the study is to quantify the impacts of a possible transition to close-to-nature forestry in Slovakia and to compare the expected development of the total volume production, growing stock, merchantable wood increment and harvesting possibilities of forests in Slovakia with current conventional management using the FCarbon forest-growth model and available data from the Information System of Forest Management. The subject of the study was all forest stands available for wood supply (FAWS). The simulations were run in annual iterations using tree input data aggregated over 10-year-wide age classes. The calculation of wood increments was based on available growth models. In the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, stock losses were based on the actual intensity of wood harvesting in the reference period 2013–2022. In the scenario of the transition to close-to-nature forest management, the losses were specifically modified from the usual harvesting regime at the beginning, to the target harvesting mode in selective forest at the end of the simulated period. With the modelling method used, a gradual increase in forest stocks occurred in both evaluated scenarios in the monitored period, namely by 10% in the case of BAU and by 23% in the case of close-to-nature forest management until 2050. In absolute mining volume, CTNF is by 5–10% lower than BAU management, with the difference gradually decreasing. The results show that the introduction of close-to-nature forest management will temporarily reduce the supply of wood to the market, but this reduction will not be significant and will be compensated by a higher total volume production, and thus also by increased carbon storage in forests.

Honeycomb worm bioconstructions persist under combined human and wave-related disturbances

Marine bioconstructions and their ecological functions are increasingly threatened by compounded natural disturbances and direct and indirect impacts of anthropogenic activities. Through a manipulative experiment in the field, we assessed the response of intertidal biogenic patches built by the honeycomb worm, Sabellaria alveolata, to combined disturbances. Repeated battering events, simulating those associated with waves, were applied on intact or previously damaged bioconstructions, mimicking those impacted by harvesting of infaunal organisms. Descriptors of reef status, including the total patch size, the percentage cover of intact bioconstruction, tube density and diameter were examined as response variables to test two hypotheses: i) multiple disturbances would result in disproportionate effects on S. alveolata structures compared to isolate perturbations; ii) the structural stability of bioconstruction would be increasingly undermined by physical impacts with the increasing degree of reef damage from previous harvesting disturbance. When applied separately, intermediate intensity of harvesting and battering were associated with a larger size of S. alveolata patches compared to the unmanipulated control, while the cover of intact bioconstruction tended to decline over time in all experimental conditions. Such a reduction was particularly small under the high level of harvesting. The density and the diameter of sabellariid tubes were not significantly affected by any treatment. The difference between the effect of battering combined with each level of harvesting and the cumulative effect of each disturbance applied separately did not deviate from what would be expected by chance. Our findings highlight the ability of the examined bioconstructions to withstand and potentially thrive under compound disturbances, offering crucial insights for the implementation of sustainable conservation strategies in a threatened biogenic habitat.

Impact of climate, land management and harvesting patterns on the ecological traits and the population structure of Pterocarpus lucens in West African semi-arid areas

Multipurpose woody plant species experience severe pressure owing to human overexploitation, land management and climate change. In response to their inability to cope with environmental disturbances in their natural range, some species such as Pterocarpus lucens migrate to more suitable areas. To better conserve P. lucens, this study examined the impacts of climate, land management and harvesting practices on its natural populations.This study was conducted in Burkina Faso using a combined gradient approach involving two climatic zones and two land management types. Data on the biological age classes, structural traits and intensities of harvesting were collected on each individual of the species. Linear models were used to assess the effects of the investigated gradients on structural traits of the species. The diameter and height class size distributions were evaluated using the least squares method.The results showed that the species’ pre-reproductive individuals increased significantly (p < 0.05) with climatic and the protection gradient, resulting in an invasive trend of P. lucens in the Sudano-Sahelian protected areas. The species is overexploited in unprotected areas, with the majority of individuals undergoing all pruning intensities. However, while in the Sahelian climatic zone, decreasing pruning rates were observed according to the severity gradient (low intensity 36.02 %, moderate intensity 27.47 %, and severe intensity 19.73 %), an increasing pruning rate was observed in the Sudan-Sahelian climatic zone (low intensity 16.49 %, moderate intensity 17.38 %, severe intensity 24.48 %, and very severe intensity 35.79 %). Linear regression analysis showed a significant effect (p < 0.05) of climate, land management, pruning, and debarking on the structural traits of the species. The diameter class structure revealed unstable populations of the adult stratum in the Sahelian climatic zone, regardless of the land management types. The juvenile stratum of this species exhibited an unstable structure in unprotected areas, regardless of climatic zone.This study highlights the urgent need to implement effective management strategies to mitigate the decline of P. lucens populations in the Sahelian climatic zone and in unprotected areas through its integration in reforestation programmes.

Tracing gender variation in traditional knowledge: participatory tools to promote conservation in a Quilombola community in Brazil

BackgroundBased on participatory research tools and analysis with a gender focus, we aim to identify the knowledge associated with native plants of the Atlantic Forest in one Quilombola community whose territory is juxtaposed with a protected area, in South Brazil.MethodsThrough the perception of the residents of the Quilombola community of São Roque, we classified the availability, harvesting intensity, abundance, and importance of fourteen plants native to the Atlantic Forest found in their territory. These fourteen plants were selected after initial interviews with a free listing of plants done with all adults (44 people), followed by plant collection and identification. A participatory workshop was built with the community to collect data through three activities: four-cell tool, environment matrix, and importance matrix. To identify the gender nuances in the knowledge within this community, all activities were separated into two groups based on the gender of the 22 participants (9 women and 13 men) and the researchers.ResultsThe species Pau-pra-tudo (Picrasma crenata), Quina (Coutarea hexandra), and Cipó-milome (Aristolochia triangularis) were similarly classified as important by both groups, which indicates the cultural and environmental relevance associated with them regardless of gender. The perceptions of other species were expressed differently between the groups, showing the variance of the ecological knowledge and the relationship between the sociocultural contexts of gender and the knowledge manifested. The final part of the workshop was a lecture given by two community experts about herbal medicines based on forest species found in the territory.ConclusionsBased on the multiple forms of results recorded in the workshop, we discuss the demand for inclusion of the traditional community in land management plans of environmental agencies, highlighting how individual characteristics, such as gender, can fill gaps in data about local biodiversity.

Variability in fine root decomposition after forest thinning: effects of harvest intensity and root size

Variability in fine root decomposition after forest thinning: effects of harvest intensity and root size

The Morphometrics of Mangrove Crabs (Scylla serrata) in the Essential Ecosystem Area (KEE) of Bagek Kembar Mangrove Forest, Sekotong, West Lombok

The intensive harvesting of Mangrove Crabs (Scylla serrata) has led to a significant decline in the population density of Scylla serrata in mangrove areas. Overfishing has resulted in a decrease in both the number and size of individual Mangrove Crabs and has altered the structure and composition of the population. This research aims to understand the morphometric characteristics of Scylla serrata, which will help sustain the population and protect mangrove areas as the native habitat for Scylla serrata and other organisms. Therefore, this study contributes to conservation and sustainable management efforts to ensure biodiversity. This type of research is descriptive-exploratory and aims to identify and analyze the size variations of Scylla serrata. The study was conducted at four points in the Essential Ecosystem Area (EEA) of Bagek Kembar Mangrove Forest, Sekotong, West Lombok, in both natural and rehabilitated zones. The results of this study found that the ratio of female to male Mangrove Crabs is 36:32, with females being more dominant in number. The morphometric characteristics of Mangrove Crabs in the Bagek Kembar Essential Ecosystem Area showed relatively uniform sizes across all sampling points, but some characteristics such as dactyl length, weight, and dactyl width showed significant differences, which may be influenced by the physiological condition of Scylla serrata and habitat conditions.

Multi-objective optimization of forest structure for broadleaf mixed forest under different CMIP5 scenarios

Climate change is an important global research topic and one of the most pressing issues facing the world today. It significantly impacts forest distribution, species composition, stand structure, growth, and other functions, therefore, it is crucial to simulate the dynamic changes of forest structure under future climate change and develop optimized solutions to adapt to it. Combined with the various stand structural parameters, based on the equal or unequal weights of each parameter at the stand level, to establish a dynamic stand spatial structure multi-objective optimization index (L-index) under different climate changes, and to implement broadleaf mixed forest spatial structure optimization research in Yanan Forest Farm under RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, RCP 8.5 climate scenarios after 5 years. The results indicated that the L-index showed an increase ranging from 13.8 % to 35.7 % under equal weights in different climate scenarios. Additionally, the optimal harvesting intensity ranged from 13.2 % to 20.5 %, with the highest intensity observed in the RCP4.5 climate scenario; compared to the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climate scenarios, the RCP2.6 scenario shows the largest trend and magnitude of change in the indicators, suggesting that the state of stand growth is more sensitive under the RCP2.6 scenario. The L-index showed an increase ranging from 13.7 % to 34.4 % under the unequal weights in different climate scenarios, in which the optimal harvesting intensity ranged from 14.6 % to 19.8 %. More importantly, it should be noted that the values of the increases in the L-index and the relative increased proportion (RIP) were both higher than those when unequal weights were employed. Moreover, it should be highlighted that the increments in the L-index and RIP were both greater than those observed when unequal weights were applied for all three plots under different climate scenarios. Overall, the adjusted the complete mixing degree index (Mc) increased, angle index (W), dominance ratio index (U), and Hegyi competition index (CI) decreased compared to before optimizing with the equal or unequal weights of the stand structural variable, which is evident that the adjustments made to the stand’s structure have resulted in a significant improvement. Thus, the multi-objective optimization for forest spatial dynamics constructed is both reasonable and effective, and it more scientific forest management under different climatic scenarios.

Improved keypoint localization network for tea bud based on YOLO framework

The precise localization of picking points is the primary challenge that should be addressed by the robotic tea bud harvester. The efficient identification and accurate positioning of picking points directly affects the efficiency of tea buds harvesting. Compared with the target detection and semantic segmentation algorithms, the keypoint detection algorithms do not require to incorporate target shape features for accurately localizing the picking point, which allows to significantly decrease the computational load, and thus facilitates the subsequent point cloud processing. This study introduces a tea bud keypoint detection network referred to as TBKNet. This model uses the concept of structural reparameterization to reconstruct the CSPDarknet53 backbone network, and constructs an asymptotic parallel feature fusion network by incorporating the CA attention mechanism into the asymptotic feature pyramid network. In addition, in order to accelerate the convergence of the model, a keypoint regression loss function, which considers the angle and Euclidean distance, is proposed. The experimental results show that TBNKet reaches the highest accuracy with an average precision of 87.1 % for keypoint detection. It has 5.7 %, 16.9 %, and 3.3 % higher mAP values compared with the DEKR, YOLOPose, and YOLOPv8-Pose models, respectively. This is efficient in identifying and localizing keypoints of tea buds, and it can provide guidance for similar intensive harvesting tasks.

Effects of harvesting techniques and intensities on productivity of Oxytenanthera abyssinica in Pawe district, North-western Ethiopia

Bamboos are naturally fast-growing species in tropical and non-tropical regions, with some species growing more than 1 m per day. Oxytenanthera abyssinica is an important bamboo species that could help meet current and future needs worldwide. This study was designed to assess the effects of harvesting techniques and intensities on sustainable utilization of O. abyssinica. Clumps that had a similar number culms were used to conduct the experiment. A factorial experiment with two harvesting techniques (X-shape and Horse-shoe shape) and five levels of harvesting intensities (25, 50, 75, 100 and 0 % harvesting of mature culms) was conducted for five successive years in the dry season. Sprouted and dead shoots, recruited culms, and mean culm diameter at breast height were recorded. Data were analysed using two-way-ANOVA. Culm/shoot sprouting had significantly different values with harvesting techniques; the X-shape harvesting technique produced a higher number culms than horse-shoe harvesting technique. Interaction effects between harvesting techniques and harvesting intensities on shoot sprouting, culm recruitment and shoot abortion were not observed. Both harvesting techniques and intensities had a significant effect on mean culm diameter; i.e., 25 % and 75 % of the mature culms harvested under the X-shape and horse-shoe harvesting techniques, respectively, produced thicker bamboo culms than the unharvested clump (control). Culm recruitment decreased in the second year, and then increased in the third year, subsequently showed a decreasing trend for all treatments. This may have been related to repeated culm harvesting. The population structure has also varied with harvesting technique and intensity. To utilize this species sustainably, the species may need a specific cutting cycle. This study suggests the need for further study through incorporating cutting cycles with different levels of harvesting intensity to develop a sustainable management method.

Significant challenges to the sustainability of the California coast considering climate change

Climate change is an existential threat to the environmental and socioeconomic sustainability of the coastal zone and impacts will be complex and widespread. Evidence from California and across the United States shows that climate change is impacting coastal communities and challenging managers with a plethora of stressors already present. Widespread action could be taken that would sustain California’s coastal ecosystems and communities. In this perspective, we highlight the main threat to coastal sustainability: the compound effects of episodic events amplified with ongoing climate change, which will present unprecedented challenges to the state. We present two key challenges for California’s sustainability in the coastal zone: 1) accelerating sea-level rise combined with storm impacts, and 2) continued warming of the oceans and marine heatwaves. Cascading effects from these types of compounding events will occur within the context of an already stressed system that has experienced extensive alterations due to intensive development, resource extraction and harvesting, spatial containment, and other human use pressures. There are critical components that could be used to address these immediate concerns, including comanagement strategies that include diverse groups and organizations, strategic planning integrated across large areas, rapid implementation of solutions, and a cohesive and policy relevant research agenda for the California coast. Much of this has been started in the state, but the scale could be increased, and timelines accelerated. The ideas and information presented here are intended to help expand discussions to sharpen the focus on how to encourage sustainability of California’s iconic coastal region.

Impact of Management Measures on Multiple Ecosystem Function Trade-Offs and Their Dynamics in Subtropic Pinus massoniana Plantations

With the changing demands imposed on forests by human beings, optimizing forest management to fully utilize their multifunctionality has become a priority. Reasonable forest management measures can maintain stable forest ecosystems that fully coordinate the balance between ecological, societal, and economic aspects. As planted forests are the main application scenario of forest management worldwide, it is of great importance to understand the trade-offs between ecosystem functions and their dynamic changes in planted forests. This paper investigates the effects of different management measures on the ecosystem function of Pinus massoniana plantation forests in the subtropics. It examines four different management measures and explores how they impact multiple ecosystem function indexes and the trade-offs between ecosystem functions during forest restoration. The different management measures effectively promoted the studied ecosystem functions, with higher annual growth rates of the integrated functional indices for timber production, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity compared to the control. Over time, the ecosystem function interactions under the different management measures alternated between trade-offs and synergistic. Only the stand with a 65% harvesting intensity and replanting of various native broadleaf species was able to sustain the synergistic relationships among ecosystem functions, and the dominant function trended toward biodiversity. These observations of dynamic changes and interactions in ecosystem functions of Pinus massoniana plantation forests under various management measures will serve as a valuable reference for the sustainable management of these forests in subtropical regions.

Influence of Urea Foliar Nutrition and Leaf Harvesting Intensity on Growth, Yield Attributes and Yield in Cowpea [Vigna unguiculta (L.) Walp.

A field experiment was undertaken at Farming Systems Research Station (FSRS), Sadanandapuram, Kollam district, Kerala Agricultural University in summer 2022 for studying the effect of growth, yield attributes and yield of cowpea through foliar application of 2% urea and intensity of leaf harvesting. Experimental treatments comprised of 4 levels of foliar nutrition management (2% urea spray at vegetative stage (f1), 2% urea spray at flowering stage (f2), 2% urea spray at vegetative stage and flowering stage (f3), water spray control (f4) and 3 levels of leaf harvest (20% leaf harvest (l1), 40% leaf harvest (l2), and no leaf harvest (l3). Among the foliar nutrition management treatments, f3 showed significantly the taller plants (91.97 cm), more number of branches (15.13), leaves (34.76), leaf area/ plant (884.29 cm2), leaf area index (1.96) dry matter production (42.39 g) and chlorophyll content (3.544 mg/g) and were comparable with f1. The nodule parameters such as nodule number (37.44) and effective number of nodules (32.11) were the highest in treatment f3 and was on par with f1. Further, days to 50 per cent flowering (53.65 days), pod length (17.27 cm), 100 seed weight (12.40 g), pod number (24.58), foliage yield (1484.57 kg ha-1), grain yield (925.85 kg ha-1) and haulm yield (2722.70 kg ha-1) were the highest in treatment f3 and was on par with f1 except for pod weight (21.19 g). Among the leaf harvest intensity, treatment l3 recorded the taller plants (92.45 cm), leaf area per plant (902.71cm2) leaf area index (2.01), less days to 50% flowering (47.60 days) and haulm yield (2754.85 kg ha-1). It was on par with l1 pertaining to plant height. The number of branches (15.03), dry matter production per plant (40.78g), pod weight/plant (19.43 g), pod number/plant (23.59) and grain yield (925.85 kg ha-1) were the highest in treatment l1.

KELAYAKAN FINANSIAL AGROFORESTRI DAN KEBUTUHAN HIDUP LAYAK PETANI DI DESA LAMBUSANGO KECAMATAN KAPONTORI KABUPATEN BUTON

The increase in population and basic needs has led to an increase in the need for larger agricultural areas and to be cultivated more intensively. Based on this, optimal land processing activities are needed for maximum results to address increasing needs, by implementing an agroforestry system. Agroforestry provides increased harvest intensity which in the end is able to provide additional output, even though the area of ​​cultivated land is very limited. The aim of this research is to determine the financial feasibility of agroforestry and the needs for a decent living in Lambusango Village, Kapontori District, Buton Regency. The population in this study were people who had an agroforestry planting pattern in Lambusango Village, consisting of 25 heads of families (HoF). Thus, the sample size in this study was determined using the census method. The data analysis used is analysis of financial feasibility and decent living needs (DLN). The results of this research indicate that agroforestry activities in Lambusango Village are financially feasible, with the agroforestry pattern that provides the greatest benefits, namely the Agrosilvopostura II pattern with an NPV value of Rp. 121,310,123,- BCR value of 2.74 and IRR value of 9%. Business of agroforestry systems in Lambusango Village with net income of IDR. 10,576,369/year has not been met based on Decent Living Needs (KHL) of IDR 24,000,000/year. Keywords: Agroforestry, Decent Living Feasibility, Financial Feasibility, Lambusango Village

Archaeological evidence for long-term human impacts on sea turtle foraging behaviour.

Early conservation efforts to prevent the loss of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) from the Caribbean Sea jumpstarted marine habitat and biodiversity protection. However, even there, limitations on historical observations of turtle ecology have hampered efforts to contextualize foraging behaviours for conservation management. We integrate isotopic and zooarchaeological evidence from green sea turtles harvested at the Miskito Cays (Nicaragua) to assess foraging behaviour before and after a step change in harvesting intensity. Highly structured isotopic evidence shows greater foraging adaptability in earlier populations. This provides a counterpoint to recent synthesis, suggesting the ecological non-exchangeability of sea turtles, which complicates conservation planning focused on genetic-stock-based repopulation. In contrast, our results suggest future populations would have a capacity for higher degrees of ecological exchangeability than current perspectives allow. This highlights a need to consider the kinds of longer term perspectives, such as those offered by archaeological materials, when planning for future sea turtle recovery.

Evaluasi Kapasitas Jaringan Irigasi Lanrae Pada Kebutuhan Air Sawah di Kabupaten Barru

Irrigation is an infrastructure to increase land productivity and increase the intensity of annual harvests, the availability of adequately controlled irrigation water is an input to increase crop production. The Lanrae irrigation area which has 1400 Ha of agricultural rice fields that need water, Lanrae is one of the areas located in Nepo Village, Mallusetasi District, Barru Regency. This research aims to meet the needs of irrigation water for farmers who usually experience crop failure due to lack of irrigation water and to increase the potential of existing agricultural products in the Lanrae area in particular and in Barru Regency in general as well as to overcome complaints from farmer groups who experience a lack of water to increase yields. harvest. This research was conducted in the Lanrae Area, Mallusetasi District, Barru Regency, which was carried out from January to March 2017 using quantitative methods. The results of the research on weirs and irrigation in the Lanrae area of Barru Regency showed that the availability of water in the Lanrae river is currently still sufficient to meet the needs for irrigation water in the Lanrae irrigation area and the utilization of irrigation networks for irrigation water services is not optimal and the efficiency of irrigation water use is very low. As well as the use of irrigation water in the upstream areas tends to be excessive and the use of irrigation water in the middle and even downstream areas is very short of water.

Growth patterns and population dynamics of Chiton articulatus (Mollusca: Polyplacophora): A multi-decade study

The edible chiton Chiton articulatus is a commercially important mollusk found in the rocky intertidal zones of the Mexican tropical Pacific. Despite the intense harvesting in Acapulco Bay, Mexico, knowledge of its growth patterns is limited, hindering the development of effective management strategies. This study investigated the growth dynamics of C. articulatus using a multi-model inference approach based on size structure data collected in four sampling periods covering four decades. Results revealed continuous recruitment throughout the year, contributing to population resilience. The species exhibited growth plasticity, highlighting its adaptive potential. We found complex temporal patterns influenced mainly by climatic events. The El Niño event sowed higher growth rates and lower asymptotic length, while La Niña events showed the opposite pattern. This research provides insights into the growth dynamics of C. articulatus, highlighting the need for holistic management strategies for this commercially important species in the face of environmental change.