Pasture Areas Research Articles

Experimental Study on Phase Change Energy Storage Flooring for Low-Carbon Energy Systems in Grassland Pastoral

Phase change energy storage technology enhances the integration of renewable resources into low-carbon energy systems for grassland pastoral settlements, further addressing the balance between energy needs and environmental sustainability. This study examines a heating system using an experimental platform in an environmental chamber, where the thermal storage and release processes of phase change energy storage flooring were monitored. The results revealed that phase change energy storage flooring exhibits higher heat transfer efficiency and faster heating rates. Under 40 °C heating conditions, the heating rate of the thermal storage layer increased by 12.5% within 1 h. The flooring also demonstrated superior heat release performance, with the peak heat flux of the thermal storage layer delayed by 15 min. Higher heating temperatures shortened the heating time and extended the heat release duration of the phase change energy storage flooring. Under 45 °C heating conditions, the heat transfer efficiency of the surface temperature of the thermal storage layer increased by 38% within 1 hour and by 24.7% over 4 h. In addition, energy consumption in different tests was analyzed, and thermal conductivity was discussed according to the heat transfer model. Phase change energy storage flooring, when coupled with the abundant solar energy resources available in grassland pastoral areas, presents a viable option for the construction of low-carbon energy systems in grassland pastoral settlements.

Analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in yak ghee from different pastoral areas of China based on GC-IMS

In this study, for the first time, gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) was used to analyze the differences of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in 12 ghee samples from different pastoral areas of China. A total of 72 VOCs from different pastoral areas were identified in ghee. The topographic maps and fingerprints showed the differences in VOCs in ghee from different pastoral areas of China. It can be found that the ghee in the Xizang pastoral area contained the most esters, and the ghee in the Qinghai pastoral area contained the most ketones. Xizang and Qinghai also had the highest total VOCs, but Gansu had the lowest. In addition, there were significant differences in VOCs between Xinjiang cattle ghee and yak ghee. PLS-DA can distinguish ghee from different pastoral areas. In summary, GC-IMS technology can be used to construct ghee flavor fingerprints in different pastoral areas of China, which provides a theoretical basis and data support for the traceability of ghee origin.

Epidemiological investigation of allergic rhinitis in children aged 6-12 years in Bayannur City, China.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an inflammatory condition of the nasal mucosa triggered by exposure to non-harmful substances. Over the past decade, the prevalence of AR in Chinese children has been steadily increasing. However, detailed epidemiological data on AR in children from Bayannur City are lacking. This study randomly selected six primary schools in Bayannur City. Electronic questionnaires were distributed via the web, and parents and children completed the questionnaires by scanning the two-dimensional code within a designated timeframe. Statistical analysis was performed on the collected data. A total of 4,754 valid responses were obtained. The self-reported prevalence of AR among children in Bayannur city was 39.79%. Multivariate analysis revealed that male gender, belonging to an ethnic minority, a history of food or drug allergies, frequent antibiotic use (≥3 times per year in the past two years, with each course lasting ≥3 days), and residence in urban or pastoral areas was associated with an increased prevalence of AR in children. The proportion of children experiencing moderate to severe AR hat impacted their studies or daily life was 48.78%. Chronic AR was reported in 56.71% of cases. Among AR patients with other allergic conditions, the incidence rates were as follows: bronchial asthma 35.99%, upper airway cough syndrome (UACS) 64.32%, secretory otitis media (SOM) 22.41%, obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea-syndrome (OSAHS) 49.58%, allergic dermatitis (AD) 48.72%, and allergic conjunctivitis (AC) 85.20%. The prevalence of AR was 50.30% in urban areas, 13.733% in rural areas and 20.90% in pastoral areas. Seasonal effects on AR prevalence were notably significant in urban and pastoral regions. The prevalence of AR among children in Bayannur city was 39.80%. Of those with AR, 48.72% experienced significant impacts on their learning or daily life, while only 14.80% had no other allergic conditions. There were significant variations in the prevalence and onset of AR among children between urban, agricultural and pastoral areas.

Stakeholder analysis and their roles in livestock disease reporting and response in Northern Kenya

IntroductionLivestock are central to pastoral livelihoods. A major constraint in pastoral production is livestock diseases, which is often exacerbated by inadequate surveillance systems. Reporting of disease outbreaks from pastoral communities to animal health workers is one of the challenges that affects effective and timely response to disease outbreaks. This study aimed to understand animal disease reporting and response in pastoral areas of Northern Kenya. Stakeholders, their roles, information flow among them and methods used for both livestock disease reporting and response and their strengths and challenges were identified.MethodsThe study was carried out in Marsabit County, a pastoral county in Kenya. Pretested tools were used to guide data collection through Focus Group Discussions, Narrative and Key Informant Interviews with pastoralists, County government Animal Health Workers, agrovets and private animal health workers, Community Disease Reporters, Chiefs, County Public Health Officers and local Non-Governmental Organization staff. Net mapping was further used where participants drew links among the various stakeholders and assigned them perceived influence and power. Output from thematic analysis, notes taken during data collection and net maps were used to produce a network of stakeholders and their links using Gephi software. Centrality measures were generated and recorded. Perceived power and influence scores were used to produce a graph and the reasons for the scores documented. Methods used for livestock disease reporting and response were obtained from thematic analysis.ResultsA network of 19 stakeholders with 67 links among them was identified. Major stakeholders were the Animal Owners/Pastoralists, Government Animal Health Workers, County Director of Veterinary Services, the Chief and radio based on network indices of Total degree and Betweenness Centrality, and also based on perceived scores of influence and power. Pastoralists had pivotal roles in both livestock disease reporting and response, Government Animal Health Workers (GAHWs) were mainly involved in disease surveillance and mass interventions including treatment and vaccinations. Non-state actors like NGOs and iNGOs collaborated and supported the County Government with resources to manage outbreaks. Various methods were used for reporting diseases, with use of mobile phones highly mentioned while for response to disease occurrences, the methods included trainings and treatment by both Government and Private AHWs and use of alternative veterinary practices by pastoralists. Various challenges constraining livestock disease response were highlighted, the most frequent challenges centered around low numbers and under resourcing of Animal Health Workers.ConclusionThese findings show that designing an efficient livestock disease surveillance system in pastoral areas requires recognition and utilization of all stakeholders and understanding of their roles. Gaps highlighted in disease response should be prioritized by the government and its development partners for improved animal health service delivery in pastoral areas. These inadequacies in livestock disease response have a direct effect on veterinary practice as mandated by the Government of Kenya Veterinary Surgeons and Para-professionals Act. The results are important for guiding policy formulation to support mitigation of disease impacts in similar areas with limited access to quality veterinary services.

The research trend on neurobrucellosis over the past 30 years (1993-2023): a bibliometric and visualization analysis.

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Brucella infection, which is common in pastoral areas. Neurological involvement in brucellosis is relatively rare. But since 1993, continuous studies have been reporting neurological complications of brucellosis, collectively referred to as neurobrucellosis. A bibliometric analysis of existing literature outlines current research progress and gaps and provides guidance for the clinical treatment of neurobrucellosis, promoting patient health in the process of guiding clinical practice, and improving their quality of life. CiteSpace and VOSviewer are software tools to visualize research trends and networks. By selecting specific areas of interest and configuring the right parameters, the tools can visualize past research data. The study retrieved the literature from the Web of Science Core Collection Database and downloaded it in plain text file format. Citespace6.1.6, VOSviewer v1.6.20, and Microsoft Excel 16.59 were used for analyzing the following terms: countries, institutions, authors' cooperation, journals, keywords, and co-citation. There are eight key results. (1) The publication volume shows a general upward trend. (2) Turkey is the country with the highest publication volume and contributing institutions. (3) Giambartolomei GH, Gul HC, and Namiduru M are the authors with the highest number of publications. (4) Neurology is the journal that published the highest number of related articles (n = 12). (5) "Diagnosis," "meningitis," and "features" are the top three frequently occurring keywords. (6) Keyword clusters show "antibiotic therapy" and "cerebrospinal fluid" have future study value. (7) The burst analysis of the keywords also indicates that "cerebrospinal fluid" may become a prominent keyword in future research. (8) The co-citation analysis concludes three categories of the cited articles, which are diagnosis, therapy, and complications, indicating the past research direction. This study highlights the complexity of neurobrucellosis, presenting the need for advanced diagnostic techniques and multifaceted treatment approaches. While antibiotics remain the cornerstone of therapy, the use of corticosteroids to mitigate inflammatory responses shows promise, albeit with concerns about potential sequelae and relapse. Future research should focus on refining therapeutic strategies that address both the direct effects of infection and the broader immunological impacts to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Spatio-temporal human snow leopard (Panthera uncia) conflicts and mitigation measures in Baltistan - free-livestock grazing pastoral areas

Apex predators are essential for maintaining ecosystem balance by controlling biotic communities. The spatio-temporal grazing of livestock in pastoral areas can pose threats to endangered carnivores and their prey resulting in resource competition, conflicts and increased disease transmission. Our research aimed to assess the spatio-temporal distribution of snow leopards and livestock determine factors causing snow leopard-livestock conflicts identify seasonal conflict zones through public claims and interviews and evaluate conservation benefits and challenges. In this study, camera traps were used in 20 villages of Baltistan from November to April resulting in 720 snow leopard sightings and 8277 livestock events. Snow leopards preyed on 195 livestock in the 2022–2023 period resulting in an estimated loss of $225,004.51 USD including sheeps, goats, cows and yaks.We utilized the Generalized Linear Regression Model to examine snow leopard attacks finding that the timing of attacks was not significant. Proximity to predator-proofed corrals, traditional corrals, bite marks and distance to the nearest village or shepherd huts were positively correlated with attacks, while small stock body size was not significant. Through 110 public interviews we discovered that awareness campaigns and avoidance strategies successfully mitigated human-snow leopard conflicts. In conclusion, our results found that livestock attacks occur in pastures during both day and night with the size and sex of the livestock affecting the likelihood of attacks. Snow leopard attacks were linked to increased grazing and poorly constructed corrals. Snow leopards targeted vulnerable areas of their prey including the neck, mouth, ears and anal region. Compensation claims and field visits were used to identify conflict areas and public perception. In the future research should prioritize the use of camera traps to study prey and snow leopard density, grazing effects, food habits using genetic tools and sex determination.

Livestock in Riparian Areas: A Neglected Environmental Issue.

The presence of livestock in riparian areas raises several questions about the conservation and sustainable use of water resources and biodiversity in Brazil. Although the Native Vegetation Protection Law (No. 12,651) focuses on riparian vegetation, protected as Permanent Preservation Areas (APPs), it does not exclude the presence of livestock in these fragile areas. Here, we provide an overview of APPs in Brazil and analyze the legal instruments that enable livestock in these areas, gathering the scientific evidence on associated environmental impacts. Currently, cattle in riparian areas represent a direct threat to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning and services, especially because these animals promote trampling, loss of vegetation, soil erosion, siltation, and pollution through urine and feces. To avoid cattle in APPs, legislation should be revised to implement more stringent restrictions; in parallel, alternatives for watering the animals must be sought, such as, for example, the installation of artificial ponds and drinking fountains. It would be appropriate to propose legislation or create incentives to fence livestock in pasture areas to preventing it from accessing APPs. Increasing cattle confinement is an alternative measure to traditional ranching in open pasture. Riparian zones represent a critical environment for biodiversity and society, so the presence of cattle and its associated negative impacts should be seriously considered by authorities.

Impact of climatic seasons on the dynamics of carbon, nitrogen and mercury in soils of Brazilian biomes affected by gold mining

Land use change, especially mining activities, contributes to anthropic CO2 emissions, leading to decreased carbon (C) storage and loss of biodiversity. Artisanal gold mining associated with the use of mercury (Hg) for amalgamation may change soil organic matter (SOM) contents, and the release of Hg into the environment generates serious environmental problems. Changes in soil biogeochemistry due to C loss and seasonal climate fluctuations affect Hg dynamics and can either increase or decrease its availability. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the impact of mining on SOM and Hg geochemistry in four Brazilian biomes. We evaluated the dynamics of C and Hg in the dry and rainy seasons of mining and pasture areas by combining spectroscopic, thermogravimetric, and chemical extraction. The critical role of SOM in Hg retention and the influence of climatic seasons on C and nitrogen (N) stocks were highlighted, along with the availability of Hg in solution. Key findings indicated a 50 % reduction in soil C stocks in mined areas, exacerbated during dry seasons, which also saw up to a 70 % increase in bioavailable Hg. SOM played a critical role in Hg retention, with Hg availability closely linked to soil C stability. These results highlight the environmental degradation linked to mining and suggest strategies to mitigate these impacts by increasing SOM and immobilizing Hg. Amalgamation of gold directly into ore, as in the Amazon, has generated great soil Hg stocks, while Hg availability appeared to be governed by soil C stability. This information can serve as a basis for choosing strategies to mitigate environmental degradation caused by changes in land use in mining activities to promote increase in SOM and to immobilize Hg contents.

PSIX-23 Evaluation of number of goats grazing grass-based pasture for estimation of methane emission using GreenFeed system

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the number of goats in pasture grazing on methane (CH4) emissions estimates using the GreenFeed system (GFS). The study involved growing meat goats, approximately 1.2 yr old and body weight (BW) of 23.9 ± 0.63 kg, over seven 2-wk periods. In periods 1, 2, and 3, 24 goats were used (Treatment 1: G-24), while periods 4 and 5 involved 18 goats (Treatment 2: G-18), and periods 6 and 7 used 12 goats (Treatment 3: G-12). The pasture area was divided into three paddocks for grazing, except during gas measurements in a stationary respiration calorimetry system (SCS) room for 2 d, where goats were fed fresh forage from the same pastureland. The GFS was programmed to dispense pellets and measured gas at specific intervals of the day (i.e., at 0700-0800 h, 1300-1400 h, 1900-2000 h, and 0100-0200 h), provided 120 g/d of concentrate pellets to attract goats for gas measurements. Statistical analysis using mixed model procedures of SAS included SCS data from preceding and succeeding periods as covariates for GFS gas data analysis. Daily dry matter (DM) intake was greater (P < 0.001) in G-12 compared with G-24 and G-18, but when expressed g/kg BW, intakes were similar (P = 0.081) across treatments. Conversely, digested DM and gross energy intakes were greater (P < 0.001) in G-24 than in G-18 and G-12 (494, 509, and 577 g/d and SE = 21.3 and 7.91, 8.10, and 9.20 MJ/d and SE = 0.359 for G-24, G-18, and G-12, respectively). Daily CH4 production was unaffected (P = 0.254) by treatment (26.6, 25.2, and 26.1 g/d; SE = 0.819), despite variations in daily GFS visits by goats (3.26, 2.61, and 2.53 visits/d and SE = 0.106 for G-24, G-18, and G-12, respectively; P < 0.001). However, CH4 emissions in g/kg DM intake or digestible DM intake differed among treatments, with G-18 intermediate between G-24 and G-12 (35.6, 33.4, and 32.0 g/kg DM intake, SE = 1.02, P = 0.024; 54.1, 51.2, and 48.9 g/kg digestible DM intake, SE = 1.71, and P < 0.001 for G-24, G-18, and G-12, respectively). Carbon dioxide production, expressed in g/d and g/kg DM intake, was greater in G-12 and G-18 compared with G-24. Heat production ranked greatest in G-12, followed by G-18 and G-24. Regardless of treatment, CH4 emissions in g/d, g/kg DM intake or g/kg digestible DM intake were greater in GFS than in SCS (25.5 and 9.56 g/d, 33.8 and 14.4 g/kg DM intake, and 51.2 and 23.8 g/kg digestible DM intake for GFS and SCS, respectively; P < 0.001). In conclusion, differences in CH4 emissions in g/kg DM intake and digestible DM intake among treatments suggests that number of animals in grazing pasture may influence CH4 emission estimates in goats.

IOT USE IN A FARMING AREA TO MANAGE WATER CONVEYANCE

Agriculture is the most advanced civilian profession. However, farmers in India continue to use traditional agricultural supervision approaches, resulting in water failure problems. Currently, Automatic irrigation systems using humidity detectors, rain sensors, and temperature sensors are used for effectively managing water in an agricultural field where the perpetration of sensors that descry the humidity in the soil of a chosen agrarian field has been carried out. This system uses a wireless sensor network, in which sensors in the selected field are not activated until the field has enough water for the crops. Once the field gets dry, detectors smell the water demand in the field and shoot a signal to the Arduino which supplies water to that field which has water demand till the sensors are killed, considering the rainfall data using the installed rain sensor. In case, when there is more than one signal for water demand also the Arduino will prioritize the first entered signal and wash the fields consequently. This work has been enforced in a pastoral area with an agrarian field of 10 hectares and validated.

Prevalence of camel trypanosomosis and herders’ knowledge, attitude, and practices towards the disease in the pastoral area of southern Ethiopia

BackgroundSurra is a parasitic disease caused by Trypanosoma evansi that threatens the health and productivity of camels. Despite its significant impact on camels in Ethiopia, surra has not received as much attention as diseases in cattle and other domestic animals. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of surra, identify the potential risk factors and assess the traditional knowledge, attitude and practices of camel herders towards the disease.MethodsThe study used a parasitological and participatory epidemiological (PE) approach. Between February and July 2022, a total of 335 blood samples were collected from camels across three districts and tested using the buffy coat technique. The PE investigation involved six key informant groups consisting of 8 to 12 key persons, and used a semi-structured interview and various PE tools and principles.ResultThe study found that the prevalence of surra among examined camels was 3.9% (95% CI: 2.1–6.5). The prevalence was significantly higher in camels with a poor body condition score (BCS) (OR = 9.3; 95% CI: 1.8–47.5; p = 0.008) compared with camels with a good BCS. However, district, age, sex, and ethnicity had no effect on the prevalence of surra (p > 0.05). The study also found that the packed cell volume (PCV) was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) in parasitaemic animals (18.92 ± 2.63) than in aparasitaemic animals (25.13 ± 4.56). Camels with poor BCS (22.7 ± 3.5) had a significantly (p < 0.001) lower mean PCV than camels with good BCS (26.2 ± 5.0). The PE investigation showed that all the camel herders were well aware of surra, known locally as Dhukana. The clinical symptoms, the season of high incidence, routes of transmission, impact on production, and control methods were accurately described. Moreover, this study emphasized that surra is the primary disease affecting camel health and productivity.ConclusionThe study identified a moderate prevalence of surra in the research area. To reduce surra incidence and associated losses, enhancing veterinary services and providing support for proper camel husbandry practices in the region is recommended. Additionally, future studies should consider using more sensitive and specific techniques like serological and molecular assays, as this study relied on microscopy only.

Tree architecture and leaf morphometry of Qualea grandiflora Mart. (Vochysiaceae) in a fragment of dry forest and pasture in the State of Goiás, Brazil

Investigating the functional traits of plant communities is extremely important for conserving habitats and plant species. This study aimed to evaluate the tree architecture and leaf morphometry of Qualea grandiflora (Vochysiaceae) in a fragment of semideciduous dry forest and pasture in the Boa Esperança settlement, municipality of Piracanjuba, State of Goiás, Brazil. Environmental, tree architecture, and foliar morphometry data were collected for seven trees in the semideciduous dry forest and five in the pasture area. We used the Shapiro-Wilk test to assess the normality of the collected data. The student t-test was used to compare the means of the functional traits between the two environments (forest and pasture). The average value of canopy cover was 85% for the semideciduous dry forest and 0% for the pasture. The mean values for leaf length and width were lower in the pasture. There was no significant difference in the petiole length in the two evaluated environments and for none of the functional traits related to the tree architecture. However, individuals of Qualea grandiflora grow better in the seasonal semideciduous dry forest, probably as a response to less stressful environmental conditions for this species. Thus, for sustainable exploitation by the local community, it is recommended that the tree matrices be chosen within the semideciduous dry forest area.

The Impact of Digital Inclusive Finance on the Sustainable Growth of Income of Herdsmen in China’s Pastoral Areas

The sustainable growth of income for farming households in pastoral areas represents a crucial challenge not only for China but also for other developing nations in the process of transition to ecologically friendly models. The scarcity of assets available for collateral, along with vulnerable production conditions and developmental shortcomings, pose significant barriers to the consistent expansion of herdsmen’s income. This paper analyzes the impact of digital financial inclusion on the income of herdsmen in ethnic minority regions using panel data models from nine major pastoral provinces in China from 2011 to 2022. Through a fixed-effects model approach, the analysis delves into the influence of digital financial inclusion and subjects it to multi-dimensional and robustness tests to ensure the reliability of the findings. Furthermore, the research explores the underlying mechanisms through which digital financial inclusion contributes to income enhancement for herdsmen in these areas, employing mediation effect techniques to provide deeper insights into the relationship between digital financial services and economic upliftment in remote ethnic communities. The research findings indicate that digital financial inclusion has a positive impact on the income of herdsmen in ethnic minority regions. The breadth of coverage, depth of usage, and level of digitalization of digital financial inclusion all play a significant role in enhancing the income levels of herdsmen. In terms of the degree of influence, the impact of digital finance on the income of ethnic minorities follows this order: depth of usage &gt; degree of digitalization &gt; breadth of coverage. Notably, through financial backing that catalyzes a shift in herdsmen’s production methodologies and propels industrial upgrading, there is a profound potential to increase herdsmen’s output efficiency. This, in turn, alleviates the ecological strain on China’s environmentally delicate zones. Moreover, financial backing can condense the breeding periods for herdsmen, thereby ameliorating the ecological degradation associated with excessive grazing in pastoral regions. A mediating-effect analysis reveals that digital financial inclusion can boost economic development in ethnic minority regions by increasing wage income, raising per capita GDP levels, and promoting industrial structure upgrading. This, in turn, leads to an improvement in the income of herdsmen in these regions. This is particularly pertinent in China, where the eco-fragility of pastoral regions coincides with the modest income of herdsmen, underscoring the critical importance of herdsmen’s finance. To foster sustainable progress in these regions, financial backing is imperative to elevate herdsmen’s income and to induce a transformative shift in production approaches and industrial layout, paving the way for the sustainable development of these pastoral regions.

Impact of temperatures on grassland transfer strategy: Evidence from the Qinghai-Tibet plateau in China

The increasing severity and complexity climate change present significant challenges to agricultural and social activities. This study investigates the effects of extreme temperatures on grassland transfer strategies, utilizing micro-level survey datasets obtained from pastoral areas of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China, which are then matched with weather data. Employing the piecewise linear method and the temperature bins approach, the results reveal that extreme high temperature weather has a positive and significant effect on grassland transfer decisions. Specifically, each additional day of high-temperature weather throughout the year increases the overall probability of grassland transfer by 0.52%. Additionally, the analysis reveals a U-shaped relationship between temperature and grassland transfer-in decision, with the turning point occurring in the of 5–8 °C range. Furthermore, the findings indicate that grassland transfer decisions are predominantly influenced by moderating effects of factors such as the grassland quality and non-pastoral income. Moreover, herder households characterized by high income levels and younger demographics exhibit a notable capability in rapidly applying adaptive strategies to cope with temperature variations. Projections for future climate change scenarios indicate that extreme temperatures will significantly negatively impact grassland transfer-out, while positively influencing transfer-in.

Carbon and Nitrogen Stocks in Soil under Native Pastures in the Pantanal Wetland Biome, Brazil

The Pantanal has a high diversity of native pastures that provide food for many wild and domestic animals. Pantanal cattle raising is practiced in an extensive grazing-based system that varies according to the flood levels in the area. This study aimed to evaluate the fractions of soil organic matter in areas of native pastures under different uses and to quantify C and N stocks in sandy soils of the Pantanal. Soil samples from three native pastures differentiated by the predominance of Hymenachne amplexicaulis, Axonopus purpusii, and Mesosetum chaseae under different land use systems (continuous grazing and no grazing for five years) were collected and used to quantify the contents of carbon, nitrogen, and humic fractions. The dynamics of SOM are modified in grazed areas of the Pantanal, with influence on C and N, including their stocks. Native pastures of Axonopus purpusii and Hymenachne amplexicaulis showed an increase in organic matter after five years without grazing, while Mesosetum chaseae showed lower soil density and nitrogen levels. The highest C stock was observed in ungrazed areas of H. amplexicaulis (127.41 Mg ha−1 in the 0–40 cm layer). The dynamics of nitrogen in Pantanal pastures are influenced by the type of vegetation and land management, with higher nitrogen content in the surface layer (0–10 cm) and an increasing C/N ratio with soil depth, indicating lower nitrogen availability.

Investigating the environmental capacity of soil heavy metals and its determinants in agro-pastoral regions of the qinghai-tibetan plateau.

Environmental capacity (EC) serves as the basis for environmental planning and management, as a key indicator for assessing environmental risk and quality, and as a foundation for achieving sustainable development. Studies on EC typically address agricultural or urban rather than pastoral areas, with few examining agro-pastoral areas. The EC of the Tibetan Plateau is particularly important, considering its importance as an agricultural area and ecological reserve. To address this gap, the Qingshizui area in Menyuan County, a typical agro-pastoral area on the Tibetan Plateau, was selected to quantify soil EC and its spatial distribution. In terms of the dynamic and static annual soil EC for this region, the heavy metals were ranked as follows, in ascending order: Cd, Hg, Co, As, Sb, Ni, Cu, Pb, Cr, and Zn. Most of the areas with high residual EC were in the west. For the 10 heavy metals, residual EC was significantly affected by geological background. For all the heavy metals except Zn and Hg, residual EC was significantly affected by soil type. The heavy metal elements in the agro-pastoral area's soil are mildly enriched, suggesting minimal human impact. The composite EC index of this soil is 0.98, indicating an intermediate EC and low health risk. This study underscores that integrating agriculture and pastoralism can optimize land use and mitigate ecological pressures associated with these practices when done separately. Our research provides valuable insights for resource optimization, environmental conservation, and enhancing the welfare of farmers and herders in the Qinghai-Tibet region.

Identification of Pasture Degradation Using Remote Sensing Data and Machine Learning: A Case Study of Obichnik

The degradation of pastures and meadows is a global problem with a wide range of impacts. It affects farmers in different ways, such as decreases in cattle production, milk yield, and forage quality. Still, it also has other side effects, such as loss of biodiversity, loss of resources, etc. In this study, the degradation of a semi-natural pasture near the village of Obichnik, Bulgaria, was evaluated using machine learning algorithms, and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) obtained visual spectrum images. A high-quality (HQ) orthomosaic of the area was created and numerous regions of interest were manually marked for training and validation purposes. Three machine learning algorithms were used—Maximum likelihood, Random trees (RT), and Support Vector Machine (SVM). Furthermore, object-based and pixel-based approaches were utilized. The obtained results indicate that the object-based RT and SVM models provide significantly better accuracy, with their Cohen’s Kappa reaching 0.86 and 0.82, respectively. The performed classification showed that approximately 61% of the investigated pasture area is covered with grass, which indicates light-to-medium degradation.

Exploring Varicella Vaccine Coverage and Influencing Factors in Rural and Pastoral Children of Qinghai Province: A Cross-Sectional Catch-Up Vaccination Study

&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Background: &amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;Varicella is a respiratory infectious disease caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection. Varicella vaccine has been shown to be highly effective in preventing varicella disease, however it is not included in Qinghai Province’s local immunization planning program and must be paid for by families. Its use in local areas is options instead of compulsory, so high coverage is difficult to guarantee. Starting in October 2021, one dose of live attenuated varicella vaccine was recommended at lest for 3-17-year-old children in Qinghai. In 2022, it was conducted that an investigation of varicella vaccine coverage and factors influencing coverage among children in rural rural and pastoral areas to determine the impact of this VarV catch-up policy. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Objective: &amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; To explore varicella vaccine coverage and factors influencing caverage among 3-17-year-old children in rural and pastoral areas of Qinghai province. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Methods:&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; A stratified cluster sampling method was used to select children aged 3-17 years from kindergartens and primary /secondary schools in rural and pastoral areas of Qinghai province for a questionnaire-based survey of their guardians. Coverage levels of one and two doses of VarV (VarV&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;1&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt; and VarV&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;2&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;) before and after a catch-up vaccination activity initiated in October 2021, and identified factors influenceing VarV&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;1&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt; coverage. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Results:&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; VarV&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;1&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt; and VarV&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;2 &amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;coverage levels after the catch-up activity were 79.06% (676/855) and 43.79% (363/829), respectively, and increased by 34.38 and 24.13 percentage points compared with before the catch-up activity. Multivariate logistic regression showed that VarV&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;1 &amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;coverage was higher in rural areas than in pastoral areas (OR=4.63, 95%&amp;lt;I&amp;gt;CI&amp;lt;/I&amp;gt;: 2.91-7.39), and higher among children whose guardians scored 4-6 or 7-10 points on knowledge about varicella and VarV than among children whose guardians scored 0-3 points (OR=8.61, 95%&amp;lt;I&amp;gt;CI&amp;lt;/I&amp;gt;: 4.73-15.69, OR=2.86, 95%&amp;lt;I&amp;gt;CI&amp;lt;/I&amp;gt;: 1.69-4.84). the main reasons for non-vaccination were guardians’ lack of understanding of VarV (48.6%, 87 children), guardians’ unawarness of the need for VarV vaccination (43.6%, 78 children), and unavailability of VarV at vaccination centers (31.3%, 56 children). &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Conclusions: &amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;The catch-up activity significantly increased VarV coverage among children in the surveyed areas. It should been strengthened that health education on knowledge about varicella and VarV among guardians of children in Qinghai, especially in pastoral areas, to promote VarV vaccination of age-eligible children.

PRODUÇÃO DE SILAGEM COM RESIDUO UMIDO DE CERVEJARIA PARA ALIMENTAÇÃO DE VACAS LEITEIRAS.

Dairy farming in the State of Amazonas only exists on an industrial scale because of the high cost and lack of availability of cattle feed imported into the State. There is a concrete difficulty in establishing quality forage plantations due to the inadequate climate and soils, causing livestock farming to cause environmental degradation and being considered an activity with a high negative impact due to fires to obtain new pasture areas. At the same time, waste from the local brewery industry is discarded when it could be used to feed dairy cows. The aim was to develop a simple way to use waste from a brewery located in the city of Manaus as an alternative to the high-cost feed used in industrial dairy farming and, possibly, to make family farming (Carvalho et al., 2021) viable through a methodology that defines the specific conditions for sun drying and proper storing of the wet waste, ensuring an increase in the product’s shelf life and enabling its river distribution to the inland of the state (Salman, 2020).

Spatio-Temporal Modeling of Land and Pasture Vulnerability in Dairy Basins in Northeastern Brazil

The objective of this study is to evaluate the spatio-temporal dynamics of land vulnerability and pasture areas in the dairy basins of the states of Pernambuco and Alagoas, which are part of the Ipanema River Watershed (IRW) in the Northeast Region of Brazil. Maps of the Land Use and Land Cover (LULC); the Index of Vulnerability to Degradation (IVD); the Land Vulnerability Index (LVI); time series of Effective Herd (EH), Milked Cows (MC), and Milk Production (MP); and Pasture Cover (PC) and Quality (PCQ) were created as parameters. An opposite pattern was observed between the land use classes of Livestock, Agriculture, and Forest. The IRW area has predominantly flat terrain with a very high risk of degradation. The analysis of MC was consistent with the information from the EH analysis as well as with MP. When assessing Pasture Quality, Severe Degradation areas increased from 2010 to 2014, decreased after 2015, and rose again in 2020. Moderate Degradation areas remained high, while Not Degraded pasture areas were consistently the lowest from 2012 to 2020. Over the 10 years analyzed (2010–2020), the area showed a strong degradation process, with the loss of approximately 16% of the native vegetation of the Caatinga Biome and an increase in pasture areas and land vulnerability.