Presence Of Livestock Research Articles

Pastoralist activities affect the movement patterns of a large African carnivore, the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta)

Abstract Populations of large carnivores are declining in many parts of the world due to anthropogenic activity. Some species of large carnivores, however, are able to coexist with people by altering their behavior. Altered behaviors may be challenging to identify in large carnivores because these animals are typically cryptic, nocturnal, live at low densities, and because changes in their behavior may be subtle or emerge slowly over many years. We studied the effects of livestock presence on the movements of one large carnivore, the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta). We fit 22 adult female spotted hyenas with GPS collars to quantify their movements in areas with and without livestock or herders present, in and around a protected area in southwestern Kenya. We investigated anthropogenic, social, and ecological effects on the speed of movement, distances traveled, long-distance movements, and extraterritorial excursions by spotted hyenas. Hyenas living primarily within the protected area, but in the presence of livestock and herders, moved faster, traveled over longer distances, and were more likely to be within their territories than did conspecifics living in areas without livestock and herders. Hyenas of low social rank were more likely than hyenas of high social rank to engage in long-distance travel events, and these were more likely to occur when prey were scarce. The movement patterns of this large African carnivore indicate a flexibility that may allow them to persist in landscapes that are becoming increasingly defined by people.

Multi-proxy evidence of late-Holocene paleoenvironmental change at Princessvlei, South Africa: The effects of fire, herbivores, and humans

A multi-proxy approach conducted on a sediment core from a small lake in the Cape Flats (Princessvlei, South Africa), supported by five AMS dates, reveals the paleoenvironments over the last 3900 years. Despite some gaps in the records, phytoliths, diatoms, δ18Odiatom, pollen, coprophilous fungus spores, microscopic charred particles (micro-charcoal), and burnt-grass phytoliths, indicate vegetation disturbances caused by climatic changes, anthropogenic influences, fire, and herbivore activity. Pollen spectra indicates a moist period (3600-2600 cal yr BP), which co-occurs with an increase in fires, possibly due to greater biomass fuel loads coupled with the moderate presence of large herbivores. Subsequently, a dry period (2600-1900 cal yr BP) saw a rapid increase of large herbivores probably congregating around the lake, a contention supported also by the occurrence of nutrient-rich waters. This dry period saw reduced fires and a decline of C3 grasses in favor of C4 grasses. The arrival of herders in the Cape after 2000 cal yr BP is not immediately apparent in the multiple records, except for minor vegetation changes and regional fires c. 1200–1400 cal yr BP. However, a more consistent presence of livestock in the immediate area of Princessvlei occurs only after c. 600 cal yr BP, when peak frequencies of coprophilous spores coincide with changes in vegetation composition and occurrence of more eutrophic waters in the lake. The introduction of exotic flora, fire suppression, and a reduction of herding activities, characterizes the period of European settlement (c. 300 BP to present).

Relating microalgal response to nutrient status in a mangrove-dominated estuary

Mangrove-dominated estuaries are highly dynamic and productive systems. The Mngazana Estuary occurs in the sub-tropical biogeographical region along the east coast of South Africa. The present study assessed the water column dynamics in the mangrove-dominated estuary by investigating the response of phytoplankton to the variability in environmental factors and nutrient concentrations in 2014–2015. Freshwater flow into the estuary was variable with a peak at 0.90 m3 s−1 and a monthly average flow of approximately 0.86 m3 s−1. Nutrient concentrations showed seasonal fluctuations in the estuary and are likely derived from both allochthonous (terrestrial runoff) and autochthonous (internal cycling) sources. Results indicate significant, yet unpredictable spatial and temporal variability in phytoplankton, with the main channel exhibiting higher phytoplankton biomass (~ 15 µg l−1) compared to the tidal creeks (~ 8 µg l−1) and phytoplankton composition shifting from pronounced diatom presence (summer 2015) along the main channel to dinoflagellate dominance along the tidal creeks (winter 2015). The potential influences of human activities, ranging from livestock presence to road bridge construction during this study are noted. This study confirms the need for further investigation on mangrove nutrient fluxes to understand their role on the water column microalgal dynamics particularly when freshwater abstraction is high.

Amphibian responses to livestock use of wetlands: new empirical data and a global review.

Pastureland currently occupies 26% of Earth's ice-free land surface. As the global human population continues to increase and developing countries consume more protein-rich diets, the amount of land devoted to livestock grazing will only continue to rise. To mitigate the loss of global biodiversity as a consequence of the ever-expanding amount of land converted from native habitat into pastureland for livestock grazing, an understanding of how livestock impact wildlife is critical. While previous reviews have examined the impact of livestock on a wide variety of taxa, there have been no reviews examining how global livestock grazing affects amphibians. We conducted both an empirical study in south-central Florida examining the impact of cattle on amphibian communities and a quantitative literature review of similar studies on five continents. Our empirical study analyzed amphibian community responses to cattle as both a binary (presence/absence) variable, and as a continuous variable based on cow pie density. Across all analyses, we were unable to find any evidence that cattle affected the amphibian community at our study site. The literature review returned 46 papers that met our criteria for inclusion. Of these studies, 15 found positive effects of livestock on amphibians, 21 found neutral/mixed effects, and 10 found negative effects. Our quantitative analysis of these data indicates that amphibian species that historically occurred in closed-canopy habitats are generally negatively affected by livestock presence. In contrast, open-canopy amphibians are likely to experience positive effects from the presence of livestock, and these positive effects are most likely to occur in locations with cooler climates and/or greater precipitation seasonality. Collectively, our empirical work and literature review demonstrate that under the correct conditions well-managed rangelands are able to support diverse assemblages of amphibians. These rangeland ecosystems may play a critical role in protecting future amphibian biodiversity by serving as an "off-reserve" system to supplement the biodiversity conserved within traditional protected areas.

Effects of altitude, land use and microsites on early life performance of a high mountain tree: Insights from an in situ sowing experiment

AbstractAimUnderstanding the forces that drive range shifts in forest landscapes is imperative for predicting species distributions under anthropogenic climate and land use change. However, empirical studies exploring how these components jointly influence critical early life stages of mountain tree species across environmental gradients are scarce. We used the high mountain tree Polylepis australis as model species to investigate the relative importance of altitude and associated climatic conditions, land use for livestock and microsite characteristics on early life performance.LocationCórdoba Sierras, central Argentina.MethodsWe set up an extensive in situ sowing experiment with a robust split‐plot design that integrated spatial scales ranging from 0.4 m2 subplots at the microsite level (associated with vegetative and microtopographic structures), to livestock exclosure and enclosure plots of several hectares, to an altitudinal gradient of 1,000 m. Components of early life performance were monitored across two subsequent growing seasons.ResultsMicrosite characteristics played a fundamental role in P. australis establishment, whereby interactions with altitude and/or land use suggested alternate mechanisms: facilitation (likely reduced desiccation) dominated at low altitude while at high altitude, abiotic stress (likely intensive frost and radiation) overruled any microsite effects. At mid‐altitude, benefits of competition release prevailed over facilitation and microsite effects gained importance under livestock presence. Inconsistencies between pre‐ and post‐emergence responses illustrated potential trade‐offs between beneficial and detrimental effects of microsite conditions upon performance throughout early life: a favourable location for seeds may abruptly turn adverse for seedlings.Main conclusionsWe unravel how changes in altitude, anthropogenic disturbances and microsite characteristics jointly modulate P. australis performance across stages of early establishment. Such information is fundamental when categorizing specific microhabitats as “safe sites” for tree regeneration especially in mountain environments with high spatio‐temporal heterogeneity.

The “one health”-concept and organic production of vegetables and fruits

Although the organic production concept is characterised by an efficient and environmentally sound production that is based on a few off-farm inputs as well as recycling organically grown products. Organic products are often perceived as safer and more promotive to consumers' health as compared to products from conventional or integrated production systems. However, from a hygienic point of view, animal husbandry and plant crop production can share a larger contact interface in organic farming than in conventional or integrated production systems due to a higher usage of animal waste products and composts which are mainly used for soil health and fertility purposes. Furthermore, animals may also play an integral part in crop rotation/management (i.e., pasture) in organic horticulture. However, there are also organic systems which exclude any livestock inputs (vegan organic). This paper assesses the organic production of fruits and vegetables in light of the “one health”-concept. The “one health”-concept encompasses human medicine, veterinary medicine and husbandry science with zoonoses as the linking element. However, this concept does not consider plant foods as a potential health hazard. In light of the “one health”-concept, the organic production of fruits and vegetables, in particular for products that are consumed raw or after minimal processing, is a hotspot for the transmission of fecal pathogens and completes the pathogens' transmission cycle between animals and humans and/or humans and humans. This review focuses on four critical routes of transmission (i) soil and soil fertility management, ii) irrigation water, iii) presence of livestock and wildlife, iv) humans) and discusses the measures (risk assessment, hurdle concept, guidelines and risk based inspection regimes) to be taken for the organic (and conventional with livestock inputs) production of safe fruits and vegetables. We concluded that a mixture of measures is available to manage risks within the “one health”-concept and this includes a choice for consumers to source more vegan organic products that are produced without any animal inputs.

The respiratory tract microbiome and its relationship to lung cancer and environmental exposures found in rural china.

We previously reported that bacterial diversity in sputum samples from never-smoking women in rural China varied by lung cancer status and household air pollution (HAP) exposure type. Here, we expand on our associations between environmental exposures and respiratory tract microbiota with an additional 90 never-smoking women from Xuanwei, China. DNA from sputum samples of cases (n = 45) and controls (n = 45) was extracted using a multistep enzymatic and physical lysis, followed by a standardized clean up. V1-V2 regions of 16S rRNA genes were Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified. Purified amplicons were sequenced by 454 FLX Titanium pyrosequencing and high-quality sequences were evaluated for diversity and taxonomic membership. In our population of never-smokers, increased risk of lung cancer was associated with lower alpha diversity compared to higher alpha diversity (Shannon: ORhigh = 1.00 [reference], ORmedium = 3.84 [1.02-14.48], ORlow = 3.78 [1.03-13.82]; observed species: ORhigh = 1.00 [reference], ORmedium = 2.37 [0.67-8.48], ORlow = 2.01 [0.58-6.97]; Phylogenetic Diversity (PD) whole tree: ORhigh = 1.00 [reference], ORmedium = 3.04 [0.85-10.92], ORlow = 2.53 [0.72-8.96]), as well as a decreased relative abundance of Fusobacteria (ORhigh = 1.00 [reference], ORmedium = 1.24 [0.42-3.66], ORlow = 2.01 [0.63-6.44], ptrend = 0.03). Increasing alpha diversity was associated with smoky coal use compared to clean fuel use among all subjects (observed species, P = 0.001; PD whole tree, P = 0.006; Shannon, P = 0.0002), as well as cases (observed species, P = 0.02; PD whole tree, P = 0.03; Shannon, P = 0.03) and controls (observed species, P = 0.01; PD whole tree, P = 0.05; Shannon, P = 0.002). Increased diversity was also associated with presence of livestock (observed species, P = 0.02; PD whole tree, P = 0.02; Shannon, P = 0.03) in the home for cases. Our study is the first to report that decreased microbial diversity is associated with risk of lung cancer. Larger studies are necessary to elucidate the direct and indirect effects attributed to the disease-specific, HAP-specific, and animal-specific associations. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Factors affecting diversity and distribution of threatened birds in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Factors affecting diversity and distribution of globally threatened birds were studied by dividing Chitwan National Park (CNP) into five study blocks consisting of 17 birding routes. CNP provides major habitats for the feeding and breeding of a large number of migratory birds from many parts of the globe and also plays a vital role in the conservation of threatened species. We recorded a total of 437 individuals of globally threatened birds belonging to 19 species of nine families and eight orders. There was considerable variation (F=2.94, df=44.43, p=0.05) in species diversity of threatened birds in different study blocks: the highest diversity was in Block E (Pithauli, Amaltari, and Narayani Island area; H=2.108), followed by Block C (Kasara to Sukibhar area; H=2.047), Block B (Barandabhar Corridor Forest; H=2.033), Block A (Khagendra Malli, Kathar, Sauraha to Old Padampur; H=1.744), and Block D with the least diversity (Madi area; H=1.69). The higher dominance index was found in blocks A (D=0.2407) and D (0.2361) compared to other blocks. The lower diversity of threatened birds was reported in those blocks (A & D) located nearer to human settlements that experienced higher disturbance. Presence of livestock and people caused significantly negative effects on species richness and abundance of threatened birds, mainly in Block A. Distance from roads and villages also had a negative effect on the diversity and abundance of most of the threatened birds. This study suggests that human disturbance caused a significantly negative impact on the presence, distribution, diversity, and abundance of threatened birds in CNP and adjoining areas.

Asymptomatic Leishmania infection in blood donors from the Southern of Spain.

To investigate the proportion of asymptomatic infection among blood donors in a region endemic for Leishmania; and to ascertain epidemiological and genetic factors associated with this condition. We studied 1260 blood donors in the Province of Granada in the Southern Spain. After obtaining informed consent in each participant, a poll about habits, housing and contact with animals were carried out. Blood samples were obtained for determining antileishmanial antibodies and a PCR assay. HLA typing was performed in a randomly sample among the donors with positive serology. We have found that L. infantum antibodies were present in 7.9% of blood donors and DNA in blood was detected in 2.5% of donors. There was no concordance between both determinations, except in one patient. Taking into consideration both techniques, 129 participants were considered to have asymptomatic Leishmania infection. No participant in this study developed clinical leishmaniasis during a follow-up period of 2 years. HLA were typed in 51 donors. Asymptomatic Leishmania infection might be associated with certain HLA antigens. A multivariate analysis was done with the variables obtained through the participants' interview. The contact with livestock (goats, pigs, and sheep), but not dogs, either at home or in the environment, was significantly and independently associated with asymptomatic leishmania infection. Asymptomatic leishmanial infection among blood donors is frequent in the Granada Province, south of Spain. The presence of livestock in this region is related to this infection, perhaps influencing vector density of this disease. Some HLA genes might be associated with asymptomatic leishmanial state.

Vigilance Behaviour of Wild Herbivores when Foraging With or Without Livestock

In African savannas, and many other rangelands around the world, wildlife presently find themselves interacting with livestock. Many studies have been conducted on vigilance behaviour in response to presence of predators on foraging grounds, but few scientists have included the presence of livestock and how this affects vigilance when foraging together with wild herbivores. As Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) is an important example of wildlife grazing together with livestock, this phenomenon must be understood to achieve a sustainable land use management plan, particularly in Ngorongoro Conservation Area and in other protected areas. Behavioral observations of wildlife and livestock species were conducted from a vehicle driving along transects within NCA. Once a group was sighted the vehicle was stopped and sighting information recorded. Four species of wild herbivores including plains zebra (Equus burchelli), Thomson’s gazelle (Gazella thomsonii), Grant’s gazelle (Gazella granti) and Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) were studied together with the following livestock species including cattle (Bos taurus), goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) and sheep (Ovis aries), in different seasons. 158 groups were recorded. In dry season 47 non –mixed groups (without livestock) and 30 mixed groups (with livestock) were recorded, while, during wet season 49 non -mixed groups and 32 mixed groups were recorded. Behavior was classified as feeding, grooming, laying down, ruminating, grooming, moving, and looking with head up (vigilance) with the use of the focal animal sampling method. Wildlife decreased their foraging time while they increased vigilance behavior when livestock were present; however, more studies are still for a wider conclusion.

Seasonal diet composition of Pyrenean chamois is mainly shaped by primary production waves.

In alpine habitats, the seasonally marked climatic conditions generate seasonal and spatial differences in forage availability for herbivores. Vegetation availability and quality during the growing season are known to drive life history traits of mountain ungulates. However, little effort has been made to understand the association between plant phenology and changes in the foraging strategies of these mountain dwellers. Furthermore, this link can be affected by the seasonal presence of livestock in the same meadows. The objective of this work was to study the seasonal changes in diet composition of Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra p. pyrenaica) and its relationship to primary production trends in a Mediterranean alpine environment. Moreover, diet composition in two populations with contrasting livestock pressure was compared in order to study the effect of sheep flocks on the feeding behaviour of chamois. From 2009 to 2012, monthly diet composition was estimated by cuticle microhistological analysis of chamois faeces collected in the eastern Pyrenees. The primary production cycle was assessed by remote sensing, using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. Additionally, the diet of sheep sharing seasonally the subalpine and alpine meadows with chamois was analysed. Diet selection of chamois and sheep and their overlap was also assessed. Our results show an intra-annual variation in the diet composition of Pyrenean chamois and demonstrate a strong relationship between plant consumption dynamics and phenology in alpine areas. In addition, Calluna vulgaris, Cytisus spp. and Festuca spp., as well as forbs in the summer, are found to be key forage species for Pyrenean chamois. Furthermore, this study couldn’t detect differences between both chamois populations despite the presence of sheep flocks in only one area. However, the detection of a shift in the diet of chamois in both areas after the arrival of high densities of multi-specific livestock suggest a general livestock effect. In conclusion, Pyrenean chamois are well adapted to the variations in the seasonal availability of plants in alpine habitats but could be disturbed by the seasonal presence of livestock. Due to the key plants in their diet, we suggest that population management programmes should focus on the preservation of mixed grasslands composed of patches of shrubs and herbs. The effects of climate change and shrub expansion should be studied as they may potentially affect chamois population dynamics through changes in habitat composition and temporal shifts in forage availability.

Comparison of Sporormiella dung fungal spores and oribatid mites as indicators of large herbivore presence: evidence from the Cuzco region of Peru

The ability of sedimentary proxies (especially dung fungal spores) to reflect the past presence and density of large herbivores on a landscape has been receiving increasing scrutiny. Here we examine the Sporormiella spore record from a well-dated, multi-proxy, highly organic sedimentary record from the small lake basin of Marcacocha in the Cuzco region of Peru. The basin, a wetland since ca. AD 1840, existed as a small lake for at least 4000 years prior. Previous work at Marcacocha has shown that changes in herbivore densities reflect the abundances of oribatid mites preserved in the lake sediments. This study tests the assumption that both the Sporormiella and the oribatid mite records responded in broadly the same way to changes in herbivore densities over the past 1200 years.Analysis reveals a very low covariance between concentrations of Sporormiella spores and the two major components of the oribatid mite assemblage: a single aquatic species of Hydrozetes and a less abundant, wider grouping comprising members of the mostly terrestrial superfamily Ceratozetoidea (referred to as the ‘ceratozetoids’). Variations in the Hydrozetes assemblage clearly dovetail with known historical events, including the massive decline of indigenous and camelid populations following the collapse of the Inca Empire in the mid-sixteenth century. Comparison with other environmental proxies from the Marcacocha sequence, including diatoms and charophyte oospores, suggests that the ceratozetoids appear to reflect increasing terrestrialization. In contrast, although the Sporormiella record indicates the presence of livestock, it fails to register the major historical changes in herbivore presence, though reflects well episodes of lake-level lowering. In small lake settings, therefore, the use of Sporormiella to estimate the density of herbivores in the catchment might be considered a relatively blunt instrument when compared with some other indicators.

Threats and the active protection of birds in a riverbed: postulates for the strategy of the preservation of the middle Vistula River avifauna

Over the past 34 years, threats to Charadriiform birds inhabiting islands in the Vistula riverbed, mainly gulls, terns and plovers, have changed considerably. While in 1985-1994 the main risks for their breeding were found to be flood waters, predation by the hooded crow Corvus corone cornix and the Eurasian magpie Pica pica, as well as, locally, uncontrolled livestock grazing, in 2005-2014 they were primarily predation pressure from the American mink Neovision vision and the red fox Vulpes vulpes and massive outbreaks of black flies Simuliidae. These threats led to a reproductive outcome of nearly zero and increased the mortality of adults in their breeding areas. As a result, there was a sharp decline in numbers of the majority of gull, tern and plover species nesting there. In 2015-2018, apart from mammalian predation, key threats included the pressure of feral cats and dogs and the growing presence of people on the islands. In a situation that may lead to the extinction of first the mew gull, Larus canus, and later other species of birds, in 2005-2006, we began the active protection of endangered species on the middle Vistula River islands. This effort included (a) reducing the number of American minks and red foxes, (b) neutralising the presence of predators and livestock at the nesting sites with electric fences and the use of incubators and dummy eggs and (c) restoration of the nesting habitat, as well as, in the case of mew gulls, (d) increasing the genetic diversity within colonies. The most important demand is the conducting of the active protective measures in a comprehensive way and continuously for at least five years (until 2023), optimally throughout the decade (2019--2028). In addition, it will be also necessary to carry out wildlife monitoring in this area. The other important task for the coming years will be to oppose plans for extensive engineering in the middle section of the river, which will irreversibly destroy this unique ecosystem.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH HAZARDS EXPOSURE AMONG FARM WORKERS AT AHERO IRRIGATION SCHEME, KENYA

Agriculture is one of the three most hazardous occupations in terms of safety and health due to,among others, the physical strain and repetitive movements associated with its tasks. This study was conducted to evaluate the exposure to occupational safety and health hazards among farm workers in Ahero irrigation schemes, Kenya. The findings will inform development of mitigation measures to support the government’s goal of attaining food security. A sample of 38 farm workers were randomly selected across the scheme comprising of 7 villages. The data collected was sorted, edited coded and analyzed using SPSS ver. 20 and presented in descriptive statistics. Statistical tests for correlation was carried out using Pearson’s correlation and the results presented using charts and tables. The study established that about 71% of the respondents were aged above 46 years. Most of the workers had attained a primary level education. Biological hazards were found to be more prevalent due to the presence of livestock, blood sucking pests and deficiency of clean drinking water in the farms and poor sanitation. Majority of the farm workers lifted heavy weights with over 40% of the farm workers lifting 86 Kgs and above. There was widespread use of agrochemicals that included organophosphates (31.6%) without adequate protection in a very hot environment. The study concludes that farm workers at Ahero irrigation scheme are exposed to myriads of occupational hazards which can be an impediment to food security and achievements of the government’s vision 2030.

A geographical study of livestock resources in Goa 1988-2016

Livestock is one of the prominent resources, people soon realised the importance of livestock (animals) in their life and started to domesticate to fulfill the needs of multiple nature from the resource. The rearing of domesticated and semi domesticated animals has prominent expectations of direct and indirect nature viz dairy, farm activities, food, industry related products i.e. wool, fur, hair, feather etc. to extract and to satisfy the needs. This resource plays avital role in the lively hood of people in general and economic development of the people of a region/nation in particular. Moreover, the demand for protein derived from livestock products added more attention towards the resource in the world, which account for about two-thirds output in the developed as well as developing world apart from economic and cultural role in a region.The study area displays selectivelivestock resources and its distribution i.e. cattle, buffaloes, pigs, and other animals. One of the reasons was to explore spatial distribution and growth within the taluks. The presence of livestock in the state had noticed variation in bothfrom 1988 - 2016.The prevailing facts reveal that talukawise and year wise distribution of livestock in the state confined to interior taluks vizSattari, Sanguem, Canacona and Quepem. In these taluks rearing of livestock was meant for farm activities, later on the attention of the people leads to intensify the same to get gainful employment and to supplement the economic standard through milk, manure, and sale at the time of urgency. In course of time people found out the scope in dairy farming, market-based livestock rearing with the incentives by the government, and cooperation by the fellow people etc have led people of the rural settlements to explore the resource. Keywords: Livestock; resource distribution spatial/temporal variation

Concentration Of Cortisol Metabolites In Captive Sumatran Elephants At Elephant Conservation Facilities In Aceh

This study was conducted to validate the DRG Cortisol ELISA EIA-1887 Germany kit for measure the concentration of stress hormone metabolites (cortisol) from the feces and its correlation to the stressor factor in captive elephants in PKG and CRU of Aceh. These factors are location, diet and presence of livestock. There is no special treatment, observation based on the activity, behavior or natural condition of the animals. The sampling technique was non invasive, fresh dung samples of each (±20 gram) were collected from 25 elephants in CRU and PKG. Feces taken in the morning (before the animals are bathed) along with the observation of animal behavior. All samples were collected and stored at -200C until the analysis process. The validation test are analytic (parallelilmsm) and biological validation test. The analytic test result (paralillsm), showed that the sample curve was not parallel to the standard curve, but crossed the standard curve. While the results of biological validation test, DRG Cortisol ELISA EIA-1887 Germany kit can measure the concentration of cortisol hormone feces of Sumatran elephant and able to describe the difference of cortisol concentration relation to physiological events (stress vs non-stress). The mean values of cortisol metabolite concentrations from PKG Saree (Komplek PKG and Hutan Seunapet), Sampoiniet CRU, Cot Girek, Das Peusangan, Meulaboh and Aceh Timur were (577 ng/g and 400 ng/g), 435ng /g, 419ng /g, 517ng / g, 401ng/g and 425ng /g. The measurement results correlate with the physiological conditions and observed factors.

Spatial variation in leopard (Panthera pardus) site use across a gradient of anthropogenic pressure in Tanzania's Ruaha landscape.

Understanding large carnivore occurrence patterns in anthropogenic landscapes adjacent to protected areas is central to developing actions for species conservation in an increasingly human-dominated world. Among large carnivores, leopards (Panthera pardus) are the most widely distributed felid. Leopards occupying anthropogenic landscapes frequently come into conflict with humans, which often results in leopard mortality. Leopards’ use of anthropogenic landscapes, and their frequent involvement with conflict, make them an insightful species for understanding the determinants of carnivore occurrence across human-dominated habitats. We evaluated the spatial variation in leopard site use across a multiple-use landscape in Tanzania’s Ruaha landscape. Our study region encompassed i) Ruaha National Park, where human activities were restricted and sport hunting was prohibited; ii) the Pawaga-Idodi Wildlife Management Area, where wildlife sport hunting, wildlife poaching, and illegal pastoralism all occurred at relatively low levels; and iii) surrounding village lands where carnivores and other wildlife were frequently exposed to human-carnivore conflict related-killings and agricultural habitat conversion and development. We investigated leopard occurrence across the study region via an extensive camera trapping network. We estimated site use as a function of environmental (i.e. habitat and anthropogenic) variables using occupancy models within a Bayesian framework. We observed a steady decline in leopard site use with downgrading protected area status from the national park to the Wildlife Management Area and village lands. Our findings suggest that human-related activities such as increased livestock presence and proximity to human households exerted stronger influence than prey availability on leopard site use, and were the major limiting factors of leopard distribution across the gradient of human pressure, especially in the village lands outside Ruaha National Park. Overall, our study provides valuable information about the determinants of spatial distribution of leopards in human-dominated landscapes that can help inform conservation strategies in the borderlands adjacent to protected areas.

Stunting, Beyond Acute Diarrhoea: Giardia Duodenalis, in Cambodia.

Background: The adverse outcomes of malnutrition on the development of a child are well acknowledged as are the broad variety of contextual factors that may impact child nutritional status. Adequate nutrient intake and the adoption of appropriate water, sanitation and hygiene measures are largely documented for their positive influence on health. Improved sanitation and protection from human feces can significantly lower the incidence of diarrhea and environmental enteropathy. However, the impact of excessive exposure to animal feces on child health is less well documented. Objectives: This study tests the hypothesis that there is a positive association between exposure to animal feces, morbidity and anthropometric outcomes in children under 5 years of age, in Cambodia. It aims to improve insights that can contribute to discerning high-impact policies that promote children can develop to their full potential. Methods: Data for this study was drawn from the third follow-up round of the MyHealth project cohort study that is conducted in six districts of three Cambodian provinces (Phnom Penh, Kratie and Ratanak Kiri). The analysis included a sample of 639 children under 5 years of age. Results: The presence of livestock and more particularly, pigs near the main household dwelling was found a risk factor associated with Giardia duodenalis infection (23%). Giardia duodenalis infection was found to be a protective factor for acute diarrhea, yet, associated with stunting in the univariate model. Conclusions: Preventive measures that protect from extensive exposure to animal feces may be most effective to prevent infection with Giardia duodenalis and consequent stunting, thereby improving the potential for a healthy development in young Cambodian children. The results support the need for cross-sector policy measures that reinforce comprehensive early childhood interventions towards improving nutritional status as part of a wider set of child welfare and development measures.

Does livestock protect from malaria or facilitate malaria prevalence? A cross-sectional study in endemic rural areas of Indonesia

BackgroundEver since it was discovered that zoophilic vectors can transmit malaria, zooprophylaxis has been used to prevent the disease. However, zoopotentiation has also been observed. Thus, the presence of livestock has been widely accepted as an important variable for the prevalence and risk of malaria, but the effectiveness of zooprophylaxis remained subject to debate. This study aims to critically analyse the effects of the presence of livestock on malaria prevalence using a large dataset from Indonesia.MethodsThis study is based on data from the Indonesia Basic Health Research (“Riskesdas”) cross-sectional survey of 2007 organized by the National Institute of Health Research and Development of Indonesia’s Ministry of Health. The subset of data used in the present study included 259,885 research participants who reside in the rural areas of 176 regencies throughout the 15 provinces of Indonesia where the prevalence of malaria is higher than the national average. The variable “existence of livestock” and other independent demographic, social and behavioural variables were tested as potential determinants for malaria prevalence by multivariate logistic regressions.ResultsRaising medium-sized animals in the house was a significant predictor of malaria prevalence (OR = 2.980; 95% CI 2.348–3.782, P < 0.001) when compared to keeping such animals outside of the house (OR = 1.713; 95% CI 1.515–1.937, P < 0.001). After adjusting for gender, age, access to community health facility, sewage canal condition, use of mosquito nets and insecticide-treated bed nets, the participants who raised medium-sized animals inside their homes were 2.8 times more likely to contract malaria than respondents who did not (adjusted odds ratio = 2.809; 95% CI 2.207–3.575; P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe results of this study highlight the importance of livestock for malaria transmission, suggesting that keeping livestock in the house contributes to malaria risk rather than prophylaxis in Indonesia. Livestock-based interventions should therefore play a significant role in the implementation of malaria control programmes, and focus on households with a high proportion of medium-sized animals in rural areas. The implementation of a “One Health” strategy to eliminate malaria in Indonesia by 2030 is strongly recommended.

Prairie dogs and wildfires shape vegetation structure in a sagebrush grassland more than does rest from ungulate grazing

AbstractUnderstanding drivers of vegetation structure has direct implications for wildlife conservation and livestock management, but the relative importance of multiple disturbances interacting within the same system to shape vegetation structure remains unclear. We investigated the separate and interactive effects of multiple disturbance drivers on vegetation structure through a three‐tiered, large‐scale manipulative experiment in northeast Wyoming, USA. We used nested grazing exclosures to isolate the effects of herbivory from livestock, wild ungulates, or small mammals within areas affected by either historical wildfire, black‐tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies, or neither disturbance. We analyzed the interactive effects of disturbance history and contemporary herbivory by either small mammals alone, small mammals + native ungulates, or small mammals + native ungulates + livestock on vegetation structure by quantifying vegetation height, visual obstruction, shrub density, shrub canopy, and shrub leader growth. The exclusion of wild ungulates and lightly to moderately stocked livestock for two years did not significantly affect herbaceous vegetation structure, shrub density, or shrub canopy cover. Maximum vegetation height, visual obstruction, and heights of grasses and forbs were ~50% lower on black‐tailed prairie dog colonies than in undisturbed areas. Prairie dog colonies contained 71% lower shrub densities than undisturbed sites. Sites with wildfire or black‐tailed prairie dogs had 89% lower canopy cover of shrubs and Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis), when compared to undisturbed sites. Shrub leaders experienced over 4.5 times more browsing on prairie dog colonies, when compared to undisturbed areas. For most metrics, disturbance history did not modify the effects of contemporary herbivory on vegetation structure. However, shrubs on prairie dog colonies experienced significantly more leader browsing in the combined presence of livestock, native ungulates, and small mammals than in treatments where livestock were excluded. Our research has direct implications for wildlife conservation and rangeland management by demonstrating that short‐term (1–2 yr) rest from large ungulate grazing may not substantially alter vegetation structure in this system. Instead, structural variation is strongly driven by black‐tailed prairie dog colonization and historical wildfire. Understanding and managing multiple, potentially interacting disturbances is critical for maximizing wildlife conservation and livestock production in heterogeneous landscapes.