Live Fences Research Articles

Silvopastoral systems for offsetting livestock emissions in the tropics: a case study of a dairy farm in Costa Rica

Ways are being sought to reduce the environmental impact of ruminant livestock farming. Integration of trees into farming systems has been advocated as a measure to deliver ecosystem services, inter alia climate regulation and adaptation, water quality regulation, provisioning of fibre, fuel and habitats to support biodiversity. Despite the rapid expansion of cattle farming in the tropics, notably in Latin America, there is little robust evidence on the extent to which trees are able to mitigate the effects of cattle farming in this ecological zone. This article describes a case study conducted on a large, specialised dairy farm in Costa Rica, where two-thirds of the field boundaries are live tree fences. For the first time, this study quantifies the offset potential of trees by estimating rate of carbon sequestration in a silvopastoral system (SPS) in the tropics. It was found that over a 30-month interval, trees sequestered 1.43 Mg C ha−1 year−1 above and below ground. Attributional life cycle assessment (LCA) (cradle to farm gate) was applied to calculate the carbon footprint of milk produced on the farm for the years 2016 to 2018. Trees in live fences offset 21–37% of milk footprints, resulting in residual net footprints of 0.75±0.25 to 0.84±0.26 kg CO2 eq. kg−1 milk. Exclusion of life cycle emissions that may not fall within national emission inventory accounting (e.g. fertiliser manufacture and feed production) increased the mean offset from 27 to 34% of gross milk footprint. Although based on temporally limited data (30 months), our findings indicate that a live fence SPS could play an important role in short- to medium-term climate mitigation from livestock production, buying time for deployment of long-term mitigation and adaptation planning.

The “Guamúchil” cultivation in a Mexican cultural landscape: A wild food source for people and birds

Indigenous management of biocultural resources can influence behavior of non-target animals. Hence, identifying shared resources between indigenous communities and fauna is essential to understand the ecological relationships that occur within cultural landscapes and promote sustainable practices. In this ethnoecological research we analyzed the feeding importance of a wild food that is used by both people and birds. We employed unstructured interviews and a survey to learn about food resources used by people of a Nahua community in western Mexico. Trees were frequently mentioned by locals; thus, we determined salience and cultural meaning of arboreal feeding sources for the indigenous community. The “Guamúchil” or Manila tamarind (Pithecellobium dulce) was the most bioculturally salient tree for the feeding and economy of local people, and we evaluated its significance for birds too. We analyzed avian foraging behavior to estimate the number of species that used the tree as a food source, the relevance of Guamúchil as foraging substrate, food types provided by this tree, and the avian feeding use of Guamúchil when it was locally employed as a live fence. We observed that local people tracked fruiting Guamúchil across the landscape and cultivated it in homegardens to facilitate fruit access. Seed pods were locally appreciated for direct consumption by households and commercialization. Guamúchil’s cover was low in the surrounding forest (mean: 0.4, standard deviation: 0.7), but much higher in homegardens (mean: 20.9, standard deviation: 16.3). We estimated that about a fourth of the avian species that foraged across the cultural landscape during our sampling feed on Guamúchil. Birds prey on invertebrates associated with this tree, but Guamúchil was mostly important to avian foraging for the fruit it produces. We determined that live fences of Guamúchil functioned as complementary food sources to birds. Our research shows how humans and birds share key feeding resources within cultural landscapes. Also, we depict how indigenous agroforestry practices positively impact wildlife foraging, which should be promoted as conservation and restoration tools to support sustainability. Identifying key foods and analyzing their use might facilitate the development of activities aimed to benefiting both humans and animal communities.

Adoption of Silvopastoral Agroforestry System for a Sustainable Cattle Production in Nigeria

Silvopastoral systems are agroforestry systems that involves a combination of tree growing with the production of livestock. This type of agroforestry system has the potential to improve hydric balance, enhances biodiversity conservation, increases organic livestock proximity index, allows cleaner cattle production, improves cattle production per hectare, improves carbon sequestration, reduce greenhouse gases and significantly reduce /eliminate herder -farmer conflicts in Nigeria . Hence, this paper reviews and introduces the adoption of silvopastoral agroforestry system for a sustainable cattle production in Nigeria using literatures. Types of silvopastoral systems includes Fodder bank systems, live fence or boundary systems, hedgerow intercropping systems and tree plantation with animal grazing systems. There is limited information on silvopastoral system in Nigeria, hence the need to carry out more research and studies on its acceptability and sustainability in the future.

VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION OF THREE TREE SPECIES WITH CULTURAL AND ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE FROM THE TROPICAL DRY FOREST

The tropical dry forest is a diverse ecosystem, but it is poorly protected. In Mesoamerica, this forest is among the most threatened by anthropogenic activities, which makes necessary agricultural practices that incorporate local germplasm preservation. We propose the propagation with stakes of Bursera copallifera, B. fagaroides, and Ipomoea pauciflora, three tree species of the tropical dry forest of Morelos, Mexico. We evaluated if stake survival was related to their diameter, height, and leave's presence for each tree species in a one-year greenhouse experiment. After one year, 79%, 39%, and 9% of the stakes of B. fagaroides, B. copallifera, and I. pauciflora became established, respectively. Only the leaf's presence influences stake survival. The propagation of stakes is a highly viable method for the two Bursera species. With stakes, peasants can develop live fences inside agricultural fields, preserve local germplasm, and simultaneously, the ecological interactions and the ecosystem functions of the species in the landscape. Our work contributes original and transferable knowledge for the vegetative propagation of tree species of the tropical dry forest. This knowledge can help with the conservation of the tropical dry forest and the sustainable management of tree species with ecological and cultural importance.

Improving Physic Nut (Jatropha curcas) – a Bio-fuel and Multipurpose Crop Production in Sub-Saharan Africa through Appropriate Nursery Media

Physic nut (Jatropha curcas) is a bio-fuel and multipurpose crop that can be used to produce biodiesel, biogas and latex. The toxic substances – curcin and diterpenoids in raw Jatropha leaves and seeds can scare grazing animals away and this suggests the possibility of using the plant as live fence to curb cattle menace which is one of the major constraints facing crop production in Sub-Saharan Africa especially in Nigeria. Despite its nutritive, medicinal and economic values, Jatropha is one of the most neglected crops in Nigeria and in sub-Sahara Africa at large. There is often loss of vigour of Jatropha seedlings due to high seed oil content which results in rancidity and weak seedling growth. An experiment was conducted at Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo, Enugu state, Nigeria to determine the appropriate nursery media towards improving the production of Jatropha curcas in sub-Saharan Africa. Four nursery media viz: 3:2:1; 1:2:1; 0:0:1 and; 1:0:0 of top soil, organic manure and river sand respectively, were evaluated. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Data on emergence percentage, seedling height, number of leaves per seedling and seedling girth were collected and analyzed using Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for CRD. The treatment means with significant differences were separated using least significant difference at 0.05 probability level. The results showed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) among the treatments in emergence percentage of Jatropha curcas. However, there were significant differences (p<0.05) among the treatments in seedling height and stem girth with the highest values obtained in 1:2:1 of top soil, poultry droppings and river sand, respectively and the least in 0:0:1 of top soil, poultry droppings and river sand, respectively. It could be concluded that the use of 1:2:1 of top soil, organic manure and river sand, respectively significantly improved seedling growth of Jatropha curcas compared to the other treatments and could therefore be recommended for Jatropha curcas nursery for improved production of the crop in sub-Sahara Africa.

Agroforestry as an Agro-Ecological Pathway to phase-out chemical Fertilizer Application in Smallholder Farms in Cameroon: State-of-the-Art and Policy Implications

Man and ecosystems are highly threatened by the abusive application of chemical fertilizers in a bid to enhance soil fertility and improve crop productivity. These chemical fertilizers pose serious health risks to farmers and the population at large and contribute to short and long-term soil degradation. Thus, this study was initiated to examine how agroforestry can contribute towards phasing out chemical fertilizers application in smallholder farms in the south west region of Cameroon. Data collection was done from secondary and primary sources and analyzed using inferential and descriptive statistics. Microsoft Excel 2013 and SPSS version 17 were used to run the descriptive and inferential statistics. It was found that silvopastoral, agrosilvopastoral and agrosilvicultural systems were the most dominant agroforestry systems, with different agroforestry practices like coffee-based agroforestry plantations, cut and carry fodder, home gardens, trees/shrubs on farmlands, cocoa-based agroforestry plantations, live fences, improved fallows and home gardens with livestock characterizing these three agroforestry systems. These agroforestry systems provided different ecosystem services to agroforestry practitioners with the most common being food, fuelwood, finance/income, and climate moderation. Besides food and soil fertility enhancement, very limited or no chemical fertilizer was used to obtain the other ecosystem services. There was an inverse relationship (p<0.05) between ecosystem services of agroforestry systems and chemical fertilizer application, demonstrating that chemical fertilizers are not needed to enhance the ecosystem services of agroforestry systems. There was equally an inverse relationship (p<0.05) between agroforestry systems and chemical fertilizer application, indicating that farmers’ practice of agroforestry reduces chemical fertilizer application on farms. Agroforestry is therefore recommended as a sustainable pathway to limit and/or eradicate farmers’ application of chemical fertilizers.

Live Fences as Refuges of Wild and Useful Plant Diversity: Their Drivers and Structure in Five Elevation Contrast Sites of Veracruz, Mexico

Background and Research One noteworthy element found throughout the tropical anthropogenic mosaic is the live fence, which is established within agricultural matrices and its structure within the landscape retains ecological processes, but few are recognized as elements of biological and cultural conservation. Methods In this study, we have researched plant diversity and anthropic management of live fences in five sites surrounded by contrasting vegetation references: Tropical evergreen forest; tropical deciduous forest; cloud forest; and pine–oak and pine forests. We recorded the type of management by interviews with peasants. We established thirty 2 × 50 m transects within each site and sampled two strata: trees and saplings. Also, we documented seed dispersal mechanism, life form, local use, and origin of each species. Importance Value Index and diversity metrics were estimated for each site. Results 253 plant species were registered (181 genera/74 families). While fences associated with the tropical deciduous forest showed the greatest species richness (109 species), the pine forest fences showed the lowest richness (21 species). Zoochory was the main type of seed dispersal mechanism. Conclusions Independent to the site and the altitude, the configuration of living fences is structured by three processes: the selection of the initial trees, the availability of the arrival of zoochory species, and the tolerance of the owners for the plant species. Implications for Conservation Based on our results, live fences can be considered important tools for landscape management in Mexico.

Assessment of Existing Agroforestry Practices in East Hararghe Zone Oromia, Ethiopia

An agroforestry practice produces different benefits, which enhance household incomes and diversification of products. This study was aimed to identifying existing agroforestry practices and to identify perception behind of agroforestry practice and to identify the opportunities and major constraints related to agroforestry practices in Fedis, Kersa and Jarso Districts of the lowland, midland and highlands agro ecologies, of East Hararghe Zone, oromia, Ethiopia. The study was based on a household survey conducted on 154 farm household heads; focus group discussions, key informant interviews and direct field observations were applied. The data were analyzed using analytical (SPSS 20.0) software packages to calculate descriptive statistics. Chi-squared tests were used to compare the agroforestry practices and agro ecologies. The result indicates that six AFPs exist in the study area namely; scattered trees on croplands (58%), hedge row intercropping (33%), home garden (22%), multipurpose trees on farmland (19%), live fence /boundary planting (18%), and wind breaks (4%) were dominant. Significant respondent number (51.96%) of practices is involved in agri-silvicultural system, most of the farmer’s (45.12%) have positive attitude towards Agroforestry practices in the study area. Most of the respondents agreed on agro-forestry practices increased the construction input, soil fertility, food, and fodder. On the other hand, sacristy of land, moisture stress, diseases and pests, inadequate seedlings availability, and inadequate extension services are the major constraints . Results of the socio-economic characteristics respondents showed that gender, age, family size, and land holding positively and significantly influence the decision of the determined practice of household’s and were significantly affected the choice of agroforestry practice by the households. Based on the survey, it is concluded that scattered trees on farmland, hedge row intercropping, and home garden AFP dominant practices across agro ecologies and were the most appropriate agro-forestry practices. This agro-forestry practices increased the construction input, soil fertility, food, and fodder in the area of land sacristy, moisture stress, diseases and pests. Therefore, further the tree integration efforts of farmers should be guided by scientific principles, the interaction tree species with annual crops and economic analysis of the individual agroforestry practices, domestication of nitrogen fixing trees, fruit tree species, and promoting sustainable agroforestry should be carried out. Keywords: Agroforestry practices, indigenous knowledge, scattered trees on crop land, multipurpose tree, small holder farmers, and cash crops DOI: 10.7176/DCS/12-3-03 Publication date: March 31 st 2022

A study of composition and diversity variation of avifauna along with different types of agroforestry system in Kibet town, Southern Ethiopia

BackgroundAgroforestry is an integrated land-use system that plays a great role in the conservation of landscape biodiversity. The study aimed to assess the composition and diversity of avian species along with different habitat types of agroforestry in Kibet Town, Southern Ethiopia.MethodsFour habitat types of agroforestry system which are home gardens, live fences, parkland, and eucalyptus woodlot were identified. Line transects were used for bird surveys. The Shannon diversity index (H′) and species evenness index (E) were used to compare diversity among habitat types. A similarity percentages (SIMPER) test was carried out to identify the main species and feeding guild that typified each habitat type. The overall significance was assessed with the ANOSIM test using PAST (version 4.03).ResultsA total of 50 bird species belonging to 28 families and 10 orders were recorded. Order Passeriformes (67.3%) had the highest number of species. Bird community composition differed among habitat types. The dissimilarity was mainly due to White-browed robin-chat (Cossypha heuglini), Streaky seed-eater (Serinus striolatus), Village Weaver (Ploceus cucullatus), African Paradise-Flycatcher (Terpsiphone viridis), and Black-Headed Paradise Flycatcher (T. rufiventer). The finding also revealed that insectivore was the dominant feeding guild.ConclusionsThe present study shows evidence that more insectivore bird species use different types of agroforestry as habitat and foraging sites. So, any concerned bodies who have engaged in avian conservation should give special consideration to this modified landscape.

Assessment of Existing Agroforestry Practices in East Hararghe Zone Oromia, Ethiopia

An agroforestry practice produces different benefits, which enhance household incomes and diversification of products. This study was aimed to identifying existing agroforestry practices and to identify perception behind of agroforestry practice and to identify the opportunities and major constraints related to agroforestry practices in Fedis, Kersa and Jarso Districts of the lowland, midland and highlands agro ecologies, of East Hararghe Zone, oromia, Ethiopia. The study was based on a household survey conducted on 154 farm household heads; focus group discussions, key informant interviews and direct field observations were applied. The data were analyzed using analytical (SPSS 20.0) software packages to calculate descriptive statistics. Chi-squared tests were used to compare the agroforestry practices and agro ecologies. The result indicates that six AFPs exist in the study area namely; scattered trees on croplands (58%), hedge row intercropping (33%), home garden (22%), multipurpose trees on farmland (19%), live fence /boundary planting (18%), and wind breaks (4%) were dominant. Significant respondent number (51.96%) of practices is involved in agri-silvicultural system, most of the farmer’s (45.12%) have positive attitude towards Agroforestry practices in the study area. Most of the respondents agreed on agro-forestry practices increased the construction input, soil fertility, food, and fodder. On the other hand, sacristy of land, moisture stress, diseases and pests, inadequate seedlings availability, and inadequate extension services are the major constraints. Results of the socio-economic characteristics respondents showed that gender, age, family size, and land holding positively and significantly influence the decision of the determined practice of household’s and were significantly affected the choice of agroforestry practice by the households. Based on the survey, it is concluded that scattered trees on farmland, hedge row intercropping, and home garden AFP dominant practices across agro ecologies and were the most appropriate agro-forestry practices. This agro-forestry practices increased the construction input, soil fertility, food, and fodder in the area of land sacristy, moisture stress, diseases and pests. Therefore, further the tree integration efforts of farmers should be guided by scientific principles, the interaction tree species with annual crops and economic analysis of the individual agroforestry practices, domestication of nitrogen fixing trees, fruit tree species, and promoting sustainable agroforestry should be carried out.

Impacts of Market Gardening Practices on Environmental Resources: The Case of Irrigable Lands in Bonkoukou (Imanan Rural Municipality, SW Niger Republic)

Due to increasingly extreme climatic conditions in the Sahel, irrigated crops are emerging as imperative innovations for agricultural transformation and resilience. This study is designed to assess the impact of market gardening on soil, water and plant cover in the western Niger Republic. Semi-structured survey data were collected from 78 site operators in the Imanan rural municipality (Filingué, Tillabéry). In addition to the survey, a photographic collection illustrated certain observable facts in the field. The survey shows that the wooden enclosures (70.65% of respondents) around the fields are renewed every year. The impacts are then substantial: deforestation of plateaus, clearing of valleys for new extensions, loss of wildlife habitat, changes in the water flow regime resulting from a geomorphological change in the commune. Itou, the preparation of the planks consumes a lot of water. Thus, the new sinking of water points and the load pressure increase the drawdowns of wells and boreholes in the sites (75.46% of respondents). The frequent spills of waste oil on the sites, as well as the numerous potato storage pits, are among the factors and vectors most likely to contaminate the soils and aquifers of the study area. Market gardening destabilizes the soils and induces regressive erosion as well as area runoff of rainwater on all sites and on the slopes. On the other hand, slash-and-burn practices, drying of branches intended for fences, as well as rain-fed cowpea crops, promote improved physical properties and soil fertilization. To reduce the risks of disintegration and especially of silting up of sites, the study suggests a policy of live hedges and wire fences so that common spaces can be imposed on operators.

Cuajilote (Parmentiera aculeata (Kunth) Seem.): A Potential Fruit for Ruminant Feed

Objective: to review previous researches about the use of the fruits of the cuajilote tree (Parmentiera aculeata) as ovine feed. Design/Methodology/Approach: this research was conducted, using all the available sources: science articles, conference reports, and books. Results: P. aculeata (cuajilote) is generally used to provide shade, and as live fence, wood or firewood. However, it can also be used as forage. Both the foliage and the fruit have excellent nutritional qualities; additionally, the fruits are available during the dry season and free grazing cattle avidly eat them. Nevertheless, the nutritional value and the ruminal availability of this fruit’s dry matter—during various ripeness stages— are unknown; it is also said to have medicinal properties. Study Limitations and Implications: the cuajilote fruit was used in in vitro tests to remove protozoa from the ruminal fluid of bovines (defanuation); therefore, there are few in vitro researches about the use of cuajilote in a wholemeal diet as animal feed and about its maximum inclusion tolerance in ruminants. Findings/Conclusions: as a result of its nutritional and medicinal benefits, the cuajilote fruit shows great potential as livestock feed. Additionally, it is available all year round, particularly during the dry season, when production expenses increase as a result of the lack of other food sources.

Local knowledge and use of cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-dyck) as feed for small ruminants in rural communities of Malawi and Mozambique / Conhecimento local e uso de cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-dyck) como suplemento para pequenos ruminantes em comunidades rurais do Malawi e Moçambique

The present research was conducted to determine the knowledge of farmers from Malawi and Mozambique on the use of cactus (Noppolea Cochenillinifera L. Sam-Dyck) as fodder for small ruminants in dry season. The study took place in Mzimba, Mchinji and Chikwawa districts (in Malawi) and Manhica, Changara and Lichinga districts (in Mozambique), where 450 farmers keeping ruminants were surveyed through semi-structured interviews. Each respondent was interviewed alone in Chewa and/or English (in Malawi) and Tsonga, Nyungwe, Yao and/or Portuguese (in Mozambique). During the interview, farmers were shown pictures stuck on a poster and numbered (no name), where they recognized the species, mentioned the local name and shared their experience on cactus as fodder. The legend of the images on the poster were listed on separate page to which farmers did not have access. Respondents were allowed to explain the preparation procedure before cacti were given to animals. They were asked to mention other uses of cactus in their region. Related uses were grouped in terms of frequency of mention. Interviews were recorded as audios on a Samsung Galax J1 cellular phone and a notepad. In addition, a literature search was undertaken in order to find some of the most common species of cactus in Africa (emphasis was given to East and Southern Africa). Images displaying stems, spines, leaves, flowers and fruits of cacti were collected. The study concluded that most farmers and probably other residents from the districts and villages where the present study was conducted knew cactus as medicine, edible fruit, ornament and live fence. The knowledge of cacti as fodder both in Malawi and Mozambique was negligible.

LIVE FENCES HAVE GREATER DIVERSITY OF BIRD ASSEMBLAGES THAN GALLERY FORESTS IN HUMAN-MODIFIED ECOSYSTEMS

Anthropogenic activities have led to changes in land use resulting in fragmented areas with a reduction of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Gallery forests and live fences are common elements in Neotropical agricultural landscapes that could contribute to the conservation of bird species and the services they provide. However, we need to better understand how different tree cover types influence bird assemblages in order to conserve biodiversity. I analysed the diversity of bird assemblages in space and time across two cover types in three agricultural-livestock farms in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Bird assemblages were sampled during 2019 using transects, covering both the dry and rainy season. I estimated richness and relative abundance of bird assemblages at each tree cover type and site. To characterize vegetation structure, I calculated plant richness, diameter at breast height and tree height. Patterns in bird diversity changed at a spatial scale, whereas remained similar in time. Bird assemblages had consistently higher richness and abundance in live fence than in gallery forest in the three study sites. In addition, live fences resulted in a less structural complexity compared to gallery forest, as indicated by decreased plant richness and tree height. My results show that live fences play an important role for birds, allowing for more diverse avian assemblages in human-modified ecosystems. Although live fences are less structurally complex and may offer less suitable habitats for birds than gallery forests, they might provide complementary food resources and act as stepping-stones for both resident and migratory bird species. Thus, live fences may perform as corridors for birds increasing connectivity in rural landscapes, which make them an essential tool for bird conservation.

Do sexual gonadic maturity and age determine habitat occupancy ofCanthon cyanellusLeConte, 1859 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)?

AbstractHigh-quality habitats presumably have the resources required to sustain relatively high rates of survival and reproduction. We assessed how habitat type and local environmental conditions determine the distribution of individuals ofCanthon cyanellus(Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), an eurytopic dung beetle, according to age category and sexual gonadic maturity. Beetles were surveyed in forest fragments, live fences, and pastures in Mexico. Individuals were categorised into six age categories according to the glandular volumes in males and oocyte number and length in females. Mature females in forest fragments were the most abundant females found among the habitats. Air humidity and soil hardness were positively and negatively related to mature female abundance, respectively. Mature beetles were the most abundant among males, and higher abundance of males occurred in forest fragments than in live fences and pastures. Light quantity was negatively related to the abundance of young males. Compared to forest fragments, females in pastures had larger oocytes. However, sites with higher soil hardness and air humidity had females with lower numbers of oocytes. Our results demonstrate that, althoughC. cyanellusoccurs across a wide range of habitats, forest habitats might host sexually mature individuals, which translates into more effective individual dispersion and potential reproduction.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal status of Erythrina brucei in different land use types in Ethiopia

Erythrina brucei is a leguminous tree commonly used in agro-forestry practices in southern and southwestern Ethiopia. It has desirable agro-forestry attributes that make it a good candidate for agro-forestry systems. However, there is a scarcity of information regarding species diversity and spore density of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) associated with E. brucei growing in different land use types. Therefore, this study was initiated to determine species diversity and richness in trap cultures of AMF associated with E. brucei growing in different geographic locations in various land use types of Ethiopia. Soil samples were collected from various E. brucei growing areas with different land use patterns. Trap culture was established using a portion of each soil sample by planting E. brucei as the host plant. AMF spore extraction was carried out in field and trap culture soils, and AMF species identification was done using spore morphology. Erythrina brucei root colonization with AMF structures was studied using trap culture, and AMF spore density in both field and trap culture soil samples was determined. A total of 11 AMF genera and 33 AMF species were recovered. The highest number of genera was recovered from forest land use type at Rebu Gebeya, followed by Adiskdam, live fence land use type. Glomus and Acaulospora were the dominant AMF genera covering 73% of the samples and contained 10 and 9 AMF species, respectively. All the soil samples contained indigenous AMF spore populations regardless of their origin and land use types. The highest mean AMF spore density in a field soil sample was recorded at a farmland in Bodite (280 spores 100 g−1 of dry soil), while the lowest was from Hossana (172 spores 100 g−1of dry soil). However, the highest mean AMF spore density in trap culture was detected from a farm land at Humbo (715 spores 100 g−1 of dry soil) and the lowest from Dhakallo (217 spores 100 g−1 of dry soil). Direct extraction of AMF from field soil samples showed lesser AMF spore density compared with trap culture in the same soil sample. All E. brucei root segments were colonized with the AMF structures, and the colonization status ranged from 34.4% to 49.1%. Both geographic location and land use type significantly affected AMF species richness (p < 0.05). Undisturbed land use types were characterized by high species richness. The soil pH and available phosphorus were negatively correlated to AMF spore density (p < 0.05), but AMF root colonization did not show any significant correlation. Moreover, significant correlations were also not observed between spore number and root colonization, and available phosphorus and root length colonization. We conclude that diverse and dominant AMF genera inhabited the rhizosphere of E. brucei, which can be used for the enhancement of host plant growth. To explore AMF species diversity and richness across geographic location and land use types in detail enhanced area coverage and the combination of both direct field soil and trap culture techniques are recommended.

Species diversity, composition, structure and management in agroforestry systems: the case of Kachabira district, Southern Ethiopia

Agroforestry is increasingly being identified as an integrated land use enhancing plant diversity while reducing habitat loss and fragmentation. This paper examined species diversity, composition, structure and management in agroforestry systems. Two Kebeles (Kachabira and Mesafe) were purposively selected for this study. Then, farmers who dominantly practiced agroforestry practices such as home garden, parkland and live fence were stratified based on wealth categories. Ten percent of the sample households were randomly selected from each wealth category. Accordingly, a total of 83 households were selected. Inventories of plant species were done by sampling one plot of each farm management type. A total of 59 plant species, belonging to 56 genera and 36 families were recorded across the home gardens, parklands and live fences in the study area. Among the plant species, trees constituted 42%, shrubs 27%, herbs 29% and climber 2%. From recorded plant species, 66% were native and the remainders 34% were introduced species. From the native species recorded in this study, Lippia adoensis and Millettia ferruginea were endemic to Ethiopia. The mean Shannon diversity index of rich, medium and poor households in the three different agroforestry practices were 1.75, 1.57 and 1.62 in home garden, 0.36, 0.30 and 0.49 in parkland and 0.84, 0.99 and 1.00 in live fence respectively. The largest tree basal area was recorded in the live fence (14.7 m2ha-1), followed by home garden and parkland. The study revealed that agroforestry plays an important role in the conservation of biodiversity, and also by providing food, income and a wide range of other products such as fuel wood, construction material, fodder, spices and medicinal plants. Farm household landholding size, species preference and management found to be the most important influencing factors that affect the diversity of plant species. Further detailed study of explicit examining of the factors such as socio-ecological effects that determine species diversity and the contribution of different functional groups to livelihood is needed to fully understand the agroforestry system.

Diversity and use of trees and shrubs in smallholder farming systems in the Colombian Andes

This article describes the diversity and use of trees and shrubs in smallholder farming systems in three municipalities of the department of Boyacá in the Colombian Andes, and tests the relations between species richness, use, and a set of socio-economic and structural variables. We conducted ethnobotanical walks and semi-structured interviews on 24 farms to characterize all tree and shrub species. In total, we recorded 142 species with a predominance of natives (88) versus exotics (54). Species richness ranged between four and 40 (X = 25.17; SD = 10.13) per farm and was homogeneous among the municipalities (P &gt; 0.05, Kruskal-Wallis test). We recorded 52 wild species, eight of them endemic, all representative of the surrounding native flora, of which 23 % had some type of use. Cultivated species were mostly represented by exotics that had been planted primarily as live fences, ornamentals, or edibles. Species richness was positively correlated with the size of the farms (rs = 0.664, P&lt;0.001) and negatively with their proximity to areas with natural vegetation (rs = -0.515, P = 0.010). Smallholder agriculture favors the establishment of trees and shrubs; we, therefore, stress the important role of these productive systems for the conservation of biodiversity in the Colombian Andes.

DISTRIBUCIÓN DE HONGOS ENTOMOPATÓGENOS EN SUELOS DE UNIDADES DE PRODUCCIÓN BOVINA Y FACTORES ASOCIADOS A SU PRESENCIA EN EL TRÓPICO MEXICANO

&lt;strong&gt;Background. &lt;/strong&gt;Ticks are one of the main threats that affect cattle production in Mexico. In the ecosystems, these parasites are naturally regulated by microorganisms such as entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) and bacteria, wich are capable of causing them disease and death. However, some studies mention that the effects of climate change and wrong practices in the management of grasslands, trees and animals affect the distribution of these beneficial organisms in the livestock areas of Mexican tropic. &lt;strong&gt;Objectives.&lt;/strong&gt; 1) To determine the distribution of EPF in cattle farm soils from the Mexican Tropics, 2) to identify the sites within the cattle farms with greatest presence and richness of EPF and 3) to identify factors associated with their presence. &lt;strong&gt;Methodology.&lt;/strong&gt; Soil samples of seventy-two cattle farms from twelve municipalities of Veracruz, México, with high prevalence of ectoparasites, were collected. &lt;em&gt;Galleria mellonella&lt;/em&gt; larvae were used as bait in order to isolate EPF from soils; then, fungi were identified by molecular methods. &lt;strong&gt;Results.&lt;/strong&gt; Four genera of EPF were isolated and &lt;em&gt;M&lt;/em&gt;. &lt;em&gt;anisopliae&lt;/em&gt; was the most prevalent. Live fences soils showed the greatest EPF richness. The mountainous region (OR=2.25), cattle farm altitude (401-600 meters above sea level) (OR=3.81) and cattle farms where they do not use herbicides (OR=3.66) are factors associated to the presence of EPF in cattle farms soils (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt; &amp;lt; 0.05). &lt;strong&gt;Implications.&lt;/strong&gt; Information about distribution and diversity of EPF, as well as the knowledge of factors that may affect them, will help to understand their importance as natural regulators of pests in cattle farms, to regulate agronomic activities to optimize their survival and help to design strategies for isolation of native EPF with potential bio-regulatory effects of ectoparasites. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusions.&lt;/strong&gt; The isolation and richness of EPF in soils destined for the production of grazing cattle where &lt;em&gt;Metarhizium anisopliae&lt;/em&gt; was the most isolated is reported for the first time in Mexico. The live fences soils presented the greatest wealth of EPF and some management and geographic characteristics were identified as factors associated with the fungal presence.

Carbon contents and fine root production in tropical silvopastoral systems

AbstractOwing to the increasing extension of land for livestock production, silvopastoral practices have been among the promising approaches to enhance carbon (C) sequestration. However, the extent of C sequestration in different silvopastoral systems (SPS) and their relationship with fine root production (FRP) is not well understood. The objective of this research was to evaluate the changes in C storage, FRP, and turnover in a part of tropical SPS. We evaluated above‐ and belowground C storage, FRP and turnover in live fences (LF), dispersed tree (DT) silvopasture, and compared these with open pasturelands (OP) in Southeastern Mexico. We applied the stock change approach to calculate biomass growth rates and the ingrowth monolith method for FRP. Biomass stocks in the same plots are re‐measured over time in the stock change approach. Woody biomass stocks differed significantly between SPS (DT: 37.2, LF: 9.8 Mg ha−1) and the accumulation rates in both SPS were significantly higher than zero (0.2–2.2 Mg ha−1 yr−1). Soil organic carbon (SOC) contents were significantly higher in SPS (LF: 2.4%, DT: 3.1%) compared to OP (1.6%). FRP significantly differed between SPS (LF: 27.8, DT: 45.4, and OP: 9.4 g m−2 yr−1) and correlated positively with SOC content. Higher SOC reduced soil compaction in silvopastoral lands as indicated by lower soil bulk density. The results on C stocks change and fine root dynamics contribute to understanding C sequestration potential of tropical SPS, identifying ecologically sound strategies to mitigate greenhouse gases from the livestock sector, and aid restoration of ecosystem services for degraded pasturelands.