Litter Reduction Research Articles

Role of asymmetry in competition for light in a model of annual plants

We propose and discuss a model describing dynamics of annual plants competing with their nearest neighbours for sunlight. The effect of the competition determines the size, or equivalently, the biomass of each plant and the number of seeds it produces. At the end of a period (year) plants distribute their seeds over the sites in the Moore neighbourhood and then die. They leave their biomass in the form of litter, which hinders germination of the seeds.We show that the dynamical behaviour depends crucially on two parameters—litter reduction rate and the plants’ growth rate. Larger litter reduction rate and smaller growth rate lead to the population of few plants, producing more biomass than when more smaller plants are present and the litter reduction rate is low and growth rate is high. We show that asymmetry in the competition, which could favour bigger plants, have rather weak effect on the dynamical behaviour. The distribution of the biomass depends on the asymmetry. When larger plants receive much more sunlight than the smaller ones, the latter are quite often eliminated from the neighbourhood. For weaker asymmetry smaller plants could survive, producing however less biomass than the larger plants.

Operational performance indicators for litter management at festivals in semi-natural landscapes

Huge open-air festivals with more than 50,000 visitors have become a common but scarcely studied land-use practice in many countries of the world. The environmental consequences of crowds such as litter accumulation and damage to vegetation are increasingly being taken into account by event managers. At present, many festivals use overall solid waste amount as an indicator of their waste management performance. However, these operational performance indicators (OPIs) do not reflect either the success of individual litter reduction measures or the damage to valuable habitats. We developed specific OPIs for solid waste littering and compared absolute littering and littering per person at three open-air festivals in Germany across different festival zones and phases. For one festival, we established a GIS to relate sensitive habitats to waste littering. Differences in litter indicators across event zones and phases as well as the impact of litter-reducing measures were tested using generalized linear mixed models (GLMM). Waste littering reached values up to 350 g h −1 m −2, mainly in the form of glass bottles. Stage, path, food, and sanitation zones showed significantly higher littering per hour and per area than entrance zones, and littering was significantly lower during the arrival phase than during the event and departure phases. Fencing in combination with entrance controls, bin allocation, and participatory litter collection systems decreased overall littering significantly. In addition, requiring deposits for cups and providing visitor information on banners significantly impacted littering of residual (non-glass) waste. Festivals led to a clear short-term decrease in vegetation cover. Mapping waste littering in relation to valuable habitats highlights the conflict between festival use and nature conservation. We conclude that fencing, bin allocation, and participatory litter collection systems are the most efficient measures to reduce littering at festivals and should have high priority in valuable habitats. In particular, event planners should develop specific measures for waste-intensive stage, path, food, and sanitation zones. Overall, the study provides evidence that specific OPIs are more effective at assessing litter management at huge festivals than general OPIs.

Reducing ammonia emissions and volatile fatty acids in poultry litter with liquid aluminum chloride

This study was a pen trial in which the effects of adding different rates of liquid aluminum chloride (AlCl3) on litter pH, total volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and ammonia (NH3) fluxes was evaluated. Liquid AlCl3 treatments used in this study were sprayed on the rice hull surface at rates of 100 g, 200 g, and 300 g liquid AlCl3/kg rice hulls; untreated rice hulls served as controls. Litter pH, total VFAs, and NH3 fluxes were all lowered (P< 0.05) by all of the liquid AlCl3 treatments compared with controls during certain times of the 5 week study. However, there were no significant differences among treatments on litter pH at the end of the study (from 3 to 5 weeks) or NH3 fluxes at beginning of the study (0 to 3 weeks). Total VFAs were reduced 16 %, 29 %, and 53 % by 100 g liquid AlCl3/kg rice hulls, 200 g liquid AlCl3/kg rice hulls, and 300 g liquid AlCl3/kg rice hulls, respectively. Liquid AlCl3additions reduced NH3 fluxes by 35 %, 57 % and 67 %, respectively, at the low, medium and high rates. In summary, these results indicate that adding liquid aluminum chloride to rice hulls would be a useful tool in reducing the negative environmental impact of poultry litter. It should be noted that the decreased VFA production and NH3 volatilization was chiefly associated with reduction in litter pH.

Understory response to varying fire frequencies after 20 years of prescribed burning in an upland oak forest

Ecosystems in the eastern United States that were shaped by fire over thousands of years of anthropogenic burning recently have been subjected to fire suppression resulting in significant changes in vegetation composition and structure and encroachment by invasive species. Renewed interest in use of fire to manage such ecosystems will require knowledge of effects of fire regime on vegetation. We studied the effects of one aspect of the fire regime, fire frequency, on biomass, cover and diversity of understory vegetation in upland oak forests prescribe-burned for 20 years at different frequencies ranging from zero to five fires per decade. Overstory canopy closure ranged from 88 to 96% and was not affected by fire frequency indicating high tolerance of large trees for even the most frequent burning. Understory species richness and cover was dominated by woody reproduction followed in descending order by forbs, C3 graminoids, C4 grasses, and legumes. Woody plant understory cover did not change with fire frequency and increased 30% from one to three years after a burn. Both forbs and C3 graminoids showed a linear increase in species richness and cover as fire frequency increased. In contrast, C4 grasses and legumes did not show a response to fire frequency. The reduction of litter by fire may have encouraged regeneration of herbaceous plants and helped explain the positive response of forbs and C3 graminoids to increasing fire frequency. Our results showed that herbaceous biomass, cover, and diversity can be managed with long-term prescribed fire under the closed canopy of upland oak forests.

The effects of laurel ( Laurus nobilis L.) on development of two mycorrhizal fungi

Hundreds of aromatic plant species are growing naturally around Mediterranean. Plant essential oils are incorporated in aromatic plant material and follow the litter fall. During litter degradation, the presence of essential oils can affect soil microorganisms. Mycorrhizal fungi have never been investigated so far under the presence of volatile oils. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of aromatic Laurus nobilis L. on development of two mycorrhizal species Glomus deserticola and Glomus intraradices. The response of fungi colonization and host growth were monitored under different concentrations of L. nobilis leaves and essential oil. The major compounds of L. nobilis essential oil were 1,8-cineole (49.6%), sabinene (7.8%), α-pinene (6.0%), eugenole (5.6%), α-terpinyl acetate (5.2%) and β-pinene (5.1%). Both mycorrhizal fungi colonized successfully the host plants whose growth was positively influenced by mycorrhizal fungi. G. deserticola presented higher infection level than G. intraradices. The addition of L. nobilis leaves in the soil resulted in mycorrhiza inhibition. The level of inhibition was positively correlated with the added amount of aromatic leaves in the soil. The essential oil presented a little higher inhibition than the leaves. The presence of this aromatic plant in many different ecosystems could contribute in mycorrhiza inhibition and it is suggested, when it’s possible, reduction of laurel litter before reforestation programs.

Community-level changes in Banksia woodland following plant pathogen invasion in the Southwest Australian Floristic Region

Question: Does the introduced pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi change Banksia woodland α- or β-diversity and what are the implications for species re-colonization? Location: High rainfall zone of the Southwest Australian Floristic Region (SWAFR). Methods: We measured pathogen-induced floristic change along a disease chronosequence, and re-sampled historic quadrats in Banksia attenuata woodlands of the SWAFR. The chronosequence represents three disease stages: (1) healthy vegetation with no disease expression; (2) the active disease front; and (3) diseased vegetation infected for at least 15 years. Comparative data were obtained by resampling diseased plots that were historically disease-free when established in 1990. Results: β-diversity differed substantially for both chronosequence and historic data, while α-diversity was maintained, as measured by plot species richness and Simpson's reciprocal index. Species of known pathogen susceptibility were significantly reduced in cover-abundance, including the structurally dominant species; Banksia attenuata, B. ilicifolia and Allocasuarina fraseriana. Although these species remained present on diseased sites, there were overall reductions in canopy closure, leaf litter and basal area. These declines were coupled with an increase of species with unknown susceptibility, suggesting potential resistance and capacity to take advantage of altered site conditions. Conclusions: This study highlights the ability of an introduced plant pathogen to alter community floristics and associated stand variables. Species cover-abundances are unlikely to recover due to a reduced seed source, altered site conditions and pathogen persistence at the landscape level. However, maintenance of α-diversity suggests continued biological significance of Phytophthora-affected sites and the formation of novel ecosystems, themselves worthy of conservation.

Relations between fish abundances, summer temperatures, and forest harvest in a northern Minnesota stream system from 1997 to 2007

Merten EC, Hemstad NA, Eggert SL, Johnson LB, Kolka RK, Newman RM, Vondracek B. Relations between fish abundances, summer temperatures, and forest harvest in a northern Minnesota stream system from 1997 to 2007. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 63–73. 2009 John Wiley &amp; Sons A/SAbstract – Short‐term effects of forest harvest on fish habitat have been well documented, including sediment inputs, leaf litter reductions, and stream warming. However, few studies have considered changes in local climate when examining postlogging changes in fish communities. To address this need, we examined fish abundances between 1997 and 2007 in a basin in a northern hardwood forest. Streams in the basin were subjected to experimental riparian forest harvest in fall 1997. We noted a significant decrease for fish index of biotic integrity and abundance of Salvelinus fontinalis and Phoxinus eos over the study period. However, for P. eos and Culaea inconstans, the temporal patterns in abundances were related more to summer air temperatures than to fine sediment or spring precipitation when examined using multiple regressions. Univariate regressions suggested that summer air temperatures influenced temporal patterns in fish communities more than fine sediment or spring precipitation.

Direct Measures in Environmental Education Evaluation: Behavioral Intentions versus Observable Actions

The objective of many environmental education programs is to promote pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors in students. However, evaluation of these programs has focused on asking participants what they think (attitudes) and what they do (behaviors) regarding the environment problems through self-report questionnaires and interviews. These methods of collecting information provide data on the participants' perspective based on their reported behavior, which in many cases is not the same as their actual behavior. Unfortunately, few evaluations use direct measures of behavior instead of self-reports. This article reviews existing research on evaluation of environmental education programs, and proposes alternatives that incorporate direct measures of observable behavior as an additional evaluation tool. Examples of situations where direct measures are adaptable include assessment of students' learning after a stream ecology activity through a performance assessment, observations of students' behaviors related with litter reduction and water pollution, and observtions of students' disposal of liquids into storm drains. Direct measures provide first-hand information about the impact of environmental education programs and specific feedback on how these programs are or are not accomplishing their goals.

Reintroduction of Wild Lupine (Lupinus perennis L.) Depends on Variation in Canopy, Vegetation, and Litter Cover

Abstract We experimentally examined the effects of canopy, vegetation, and leaf litter cover on the demography of Wild lupines (Lupinus perennis) in a central North American oak savanna spanning 9 years. We also compared the distribution of Wild lupine across the landscape to results predicted by the demographic experiments. With less canopy cover, soil temperatures were warmer and seedlings emerged earlier. Seedling survival increased 14% with each additional leaf grown. Seedling survival was four times greater in openings and partial shade than in dense shade. Seedling survival was also influenced by interactions between canopy cover and vegetation cover, between canopy cover and leaf litter, and among canopy cover, vegetation cover, and litter cover. In openings, seedlings had higher survival when vegetative cover was present, suggesting a positive shading effect on survival, but with greater canopy cover vegetative cover reduced survival. Seedling survival was greater for plants that experienced herbivory, a result that was probably related to plant size and quality rather than having been eaten. Survival of lupines to 9 years after seed planting was greatest in the partial shade, moderate in openings, and least in dense shade. Wild lupine cover across the landscape was greatest when litter cover was low and canopy cover and ground layer cover were moderate. Reduction of canopy cover by burning or cutting, and reduction of leaf litter by prescribed burning will benefit the reintroduction of Wild lupine by increasing light, reducing litter cover, and creating disturbances; however, the reduction of vegetation cover in openings may hinder lupine reintroduction.

Declines in Woodland Salamander Abundance Associated with Non‐Native Earthworm and Plant Invasions

Factors that negatively affect the quality of wildlife habitat are a major concern for conservation. Non-native species invasions, in particular, are perceived as a global threat to the quality of wildlife habitat. Recent evidence indicates that some changes to understory plant communities in northern temperate forests of North America, including invasions by 3 non-native plant species, are facilitated by non-native earthworm invasion. Furthermore, non-native earthworm invasions cause a reduction in leaf litter on the forest floor, and the loss of forest leaf litter is commonly associated with declines in forest fauna, including amphibians. We conducted a mark-recapture study of woodland salamander abundance across plant invasion fronts at 10 sites to determine whether earthworm or plant invasions were associated with reduced salamander abundance. Salamander abundance declined exponentially with decreasing leaf litter volume. There was no significant relationship between invasive plant cover and salamander abundance, independent of the effects of leaf litter loss due to earthworm invasion. An analysis of selected salamander prey abundance (excluding earthworms) at 4 sites showed that prey abundance declined with declining leaf litter. The loss of leaf litter layers due to non-native earthworm invasions appears to be negatively affecting woodland salamander abundance, in part, because of declines in the abundance of small arthropods that are a stable resource for salamanders. Our results demonstrate that earthworm invasions pose a significant threat to woodland amphibian fauna in the northeastern United States, and that plant invasions are symptomatic of degraded amphibian habitat but are not necessarily drivers of habitat degradation.

Effect of Various Litter Amendments on Ammonia Volatilization and Nitrogen Content of Poultry Litter

Ammonia volatilization from poultry manure contributes to atmospheric N pollution, negatively affects poultry performance, and decreases the fertilizer value of manure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of alum [Al 2 (SO 4 ) 3 ·14H 2 O], liquid alum, high acid alum (A7), aluminum chloride (AlCl 3 ·6H 2 O), fly ash, Poultry Litter Treatment (PLT), and Poultry Guard (PG) litter amendments on NH 3 volatilization and N contents in litter. Two laboratory studies were conducted for 42 d each. The treatments in experiment 1, which were mixed in the upper 1 cm of litter, were 4 g of alum, 8 g of alum, 8.66 g of liquid alum, 17.3 g of liquid alum, 11.2 g ofA7, 22.4 g ofA7, 4 g of PG, 4 g of PLT, 4 g of fly ash, and 4 g of AlCl 3 /100 g of litter. The treatments for experiment 2 were identical to experiment 1, except the fly ash treatment was dropped and an additional 4 g of alum/100 g of litter treatment was added, which was incorporated totally within the litter. The various rates of dry alum, liquid alum, and A7 significantly decreased NH 3 volatilization compared with the controls, with reductions ranging from 77 to 96% for experiment 1 and from 78 to 96% for experiment 2, respectively. Poultry Litter Treatment decreased NH 3 volatilization by 76 and 87% for experiment 1 and 2, respectively. Aluminum chloride decreased NH 3 volatilization by 48 and 92% for experiment 1 and 2, respectively. Litter treated with alum, liquid alum, A7, PLT, and AlCl 3 had a lower pH and a greater N content than the controls in experiment 1 and 2. In contrast, PG and fly ash resulted in a greater pH and were ineffective in decreasing NH 3 volatilization and increasing N contents in experiment 1. However, in experiment 2, PG was effective in reducting NH 3 loss. In this study, the decreased NH 3 volatilization was chiefly associated with reduction in litter pH.

Ecological Factors Affecting Response of Dark-Eyed Juncos to Prescribed Burning

We compared abundance, daily survival rate, nest site characteristics, food availability, nest activity, and nestling size of Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hymenalis) between burned and unburned mechanically-thinned ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forest units. Dark-eyed Junco territory density, number of detections in point counts, and daily nest survival were similar between treatments. Average bare ground was 4.8 times higher and litter cover was 2.6 times lower at nest sites in burned units compared to unburned nest sites. However, there was 28% less burned area around nests compared to random points in burned units, indicating that juncos placed nests in unburned portions of burned units. They also selected non-traditional nesting sites in burned units such as root holes and in trees. Arthropod abundance was higher in burned units 1-year post burn although numbers were similar in the second-year post burn. Nest attentiveness and feeding rates were three times higher in burned units, possibly in response to increased food availability. The potentially negative effect of prescribed burning through reduction of litter and increase in bare ground was offset by novel nesting strategies and increased food availability.

다양한 깔짚 첨가제 이용이 단 기간 깔짚내 pH와 수용성 인에 미치는 영향에 관한 연구

The objective of this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of poultry litter amendments on pH and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) in poultry litter. Two laboratory studies were conducted for 42 d in Exp. 1 and for 10 d in Exp. 2, respectively. The poultry litter was treated with various amendments which included 4 g fly ash and 4 g <TEX>$AlCl_3\;(AlCl_36H_2O)/100g$</TEX> litter in Exp. 1 and 4 g alum<TEX>$(Al_2(SO_4){_3}\;14H_2O)$</TEX>, 8 g alum, 8.66 g liquid alum, and 17.3 g liquid alum/100 g litter in Exp. 2; untreated litter served as controls. There were no differences in pH between control and T1(4 g fly ash) and SRP contents between T1(4 g fly ash) and T2(4 g <TEX>$AlCl_3$</TEX>) in Exp. 1. A significant difference in pH and SRP contents in Exp. 2 was observed among all treatments(P< 0.05). In experiment 1, T1(4 g fly ash) and T2(4 g <TEX>$AlCl_3$</TEX>) at 42 d decreased SRP in litter by 47.1% and 62.6% of that from litter alone, respectively. In experiment 2, T1(4 g alum), T2(8.66 g liquid alum), T3(8 g alum), and T4(17.3 g liquid alum) treatments at 10 days reduced SRP contents by up to 36.2%, 62.9%, 87.0%, and 83.9%, respectively, when compared with the controls. Decrease in SRP contents was chiefly associated with reduction in litter pH. These results indicate that use of various litter amendments to limit P solubility has potential and should be pursued as a means of reducing soluble reative phosphorus during short term.

Immunological Mechanisms Affecting Angiogenesis and Their Relation to Porcine Pregnancy Success

Prenatal mortality due to loss of lymphocyte-promoted endometrial angiogenesis is being investigated as a major cause of litter reductions during pregnancy in pigs. This review discusses immune mechanisms influencing porcine endometrial angiogenesis as well as additional signalling molecules that may play important roles in the compromise of peri-implantation and mid-gestation fetal pig survival. These include dendritic cells, signalling molecules such as toll-like receptors, chemokines and ficolins. Together these cells and molecules regulate immune responses and, ideally, protect the mother and prevent immune-based conceptus losses. Dendritic cells were recently shown to be angiogenic. Their tolerogenic role at the maternal-fetal interface coupled with the ability to secrete and respond to angiogenic factors suggests that dendritic cells are the key coordinators of angiogenesis at the porcine maternal-fetal interface. Chemokines coordinate the localization of immune effector and endothelial cells. The balance between pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic chemokines is addressed in relation to conceptus viability. Ficolins, components of the lectin-mediated complement activation pathway, are used for self/non-self recognition. Together, these components of the immune system could regulate lymphocyte- and non-lymphocyte-promoted endometrial angiogenesis to determine conceptus survival.

The reduction of urban litter in the stormwater drains of South Africa

Urban litter (alternatively called trash, debris, flotsam, jetsam, floatables, gross pollutants, rubbish or solid waste) is a major problem in South Africa. It accumulates in public areas until either someone removes it, or it is transported by the wind and/or stormwater runoff into the drainage system. The current paper summarises the results of research into the control of urban litter in urban catchments, and the cost-effective removal of that portion that makes it way into separated stormwater drainage systems.

Siblicide in the spotted hyena: analysis with ultrasonic examination of wild and captive individuals

Integrated field and laboratory studies of long-lived, large-bodied mammals are rare but offer unique opportunities to elucidate the behavioral ecology of these animals. Here, we used this approach to examine whether siblicide in spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) is obligate or facultative. First, we tested predictions of obligate and facultative hypotheses by using ultrasonography to compare litter size before and after parturition and identify potential causes of litter reduction. Second, we compared litter size and composition between wild and captive hyenas to assess variation in offspring sex ratios. Third, we used demographic data to compare survivorship among litters of various sizes and compositions. Fourth, we compared sex ratios within twin litters born in the wild under conditions of high population density and intense feeding competition with those born when population density and intensity of feeding competition were reduced. Our data were inconsistent with the obligate siblicide hypothesis. Litter reduction occurred during roughly one-third of pregnancies in both wild and captive hyenas, and all such reductions among captives were due to fetal resorptions or stillbirths. Litter sizes and compositions differed little between wild and captive hyenas. However, sex ratios in twin litters varied in the wild with intensity of feeding competition. In conjunction with captive data, longterm study of a wild hyena population under varying environmental conditions suggests facultative siblicide is most likely to occur when feeding competition is most intense, thus offering an ecological explanation for earlier conflicting reports on siblicide in this species. Key words: Crocuta, hyenas, siblicide, sibling rivalry, siblings. [Behav Ecol]

Beach Litter Deposition at a Selection of Beaches in the Firth of Forth, Scotland

Beach litter deposition at a selection of beaches in the Firth of Forth, Scotland, was studied between July 2001 and December 2003. The amount and types of beach litter is relatively consistent among beaches and over time, with an increased abundance of certain litter types at irregular intervals. Plastic is the most common litter type recorded. The amount of litter items per square metre is affected by Local Authority beach cleaning, community beach cleanings, and the presence of sewerage structures and takeaway facilities. Litter from fishing and shipping was relatively low compared with litter from recreation and sewage-related debris. It is likely that climatic conditions and tidal patterns are the greatest influence on the abundance of beach litter. Management actions are required to effect a reduction in beach litter. A combination of education, provision of adequate waste reception facilities, and enforcement of legislation is needed to tackle beach litter.

Siblicide in Serengeti spotted hyenas: a long-term study of maternal input and cub survival

In the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, large fluctuations of prey abundance alters the frequency at which spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) cubs are nursed and thus the total level of maternal input available to them. Maternal input is high when mothers feed on high densities of locally available migratory herbivores and low when mothers travel up to 70 km to forage. Using data from 19 cub cohorts on the incidence of siblicide (from monitoring the survival of 609 cubs in twin litters) and cub growth rates (from 195 cubs in twin litters) as a measure of maternal input, we demonstrate that the incidence of siblicide increased as average cohort growth rate declined. In total, there were 37 siblicides in 384 litters (9% of litters). When both cubs were alive, total maternal input in siblicidal litters was significantly lower than in non-siblicidal litters and the mean share of the dominant sib of 64.6% was significantly higher than the mean of 52.1% for dominant sibs of non-siblicidal litters. After siblicide, growth rates of siblicide victors substantially increased, demonstrating that mothers did not reduce maternal input after litter reduction. As a result, siblicide victors achieved a long-term growth rate similar to that of singletons and thus significantly increased their expected survival. We conclude that in spotted hyenas, high maternal input in lactation has favoured the evolution of facultative siblicide in populations inhabiting areas with low or fluctuating food resources.

Tools for successful ISWM in Ciudad Sandino, Nicaragua

In Nicaragua, people's involvement with solid waste management began with a survey. This article describes how, through stakeholder participation, their expectations are beginning to be met, and everyone is enjoying a reduction in litter.

Effect of experimental litter reduction in female rats on parameters of brain and endocrine gland development in the progeny

We studied the relationship between parameters of brain development, elevated plus-maze behavior, and the status of the endocrine glands in the progeny of 4.5-5- and 8-9-month-old females after litter reduction by removal of one uterine tube. The progeny of young experimental females differed from the progeny of control animals by brain weight (at the age of 1 day), morphometrical characteristics of the cortex and its neurons, activity of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the adrenal cortex (at the age of 1 and 40 days), and behavioral reactions in the elevated plus-maze (at the age of 30 days). The differences in these parameters between the progeny from old females with experimentally reduced litter size and control females were significantly less pronounced.