Groves are of ecological importance, but can reduce the productivity of pastures. They may be used by cattle for nutrition as well as for comfort and shelter. To describe the importance and to estimate the influence of cattle on groves, the behavior of cattle around trees and shrubs was observed on six semi-open pastures in the mountain range of Thuringia and the Southern Black Forest (Germany)...

We examined spatial genetic structure (SGS) in Enterolobium cyclocarpum (the Guanacaste tree), a dominant tree of Central American dry forests in 4 sites in Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica. In disturbed dry forest sites (e.g., pastures), E. cyclocarpum is primarily dispersed by cattle and horses, whose movements are restricted by pasture boundaries. The study sites varied in tree densities and ...

A s DEFINED by law, the Conservation and Survey Division of the University includes the following state departments and surveys: Service. Its major purpose is to study and describe the state's resources and industries for use and development. Reports of the Division are published in three series, Nebraska Geological Survey Bulletins , Nebraska Geological Survey Papers, and Nebraska Conservation...

The uti l ization of minerals in orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) fertilized with kieserite (2,240 kg/ha) was examined in spring with lactating beef cows and wether lambs. Kieserite increased the concentration of Mg in vegetative herbage from .22 to .29% (P<.01) and of S from .20 to .29% (P<.01), with little effect on other minerals. Fert i l ization also increased (P<.01) apparent absorpti...

Regular worm counts were done post-mortem on sheep that had grazed on Kikuyu pastures at the Elsenburg Research Station near Stellenbosch, a winter rainfall region. Major species were Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Trichostrongylus axei, while Ostertagia circumcincta was usually present in large numbers. Minor species were Haemonchus contortus, Nematodirus spathiger, Dictyocaulus filaria, Oeso...

Grazing management affects ecosystem function through impacts on soil condition. We investigated the effects of long-term (over 70 years) grazing on soil properties and nitrous oxide (N2O) emission within a moderately grazed native vegetation pasture (MGP), heavily grazed native vegetation pasture (HGP), and a fertilized crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum (Fisch. ex. Link) Schult.) pastur...

Three trials were conducted to determine if low ingestion of some leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) by sheep is primarily due to differences in sheep or in leafy spurge. In the first trial, pastures in Idaho and North Dakota were grazed by sheep originating from both states. Generally, sheep from both states grazed the leafy spurge growing in the Idaho pastures reluctantly but grazed the leafy ...

Environmental stress triggers substantial alterations in animal physiology and, in some cases, brain structure. Using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a new study reports that unfavorable conditions lead to dramatic dendrite remodeling in neurons that mediate an adaptive dispersal behavior.

In the past two centuries the New Zealand environment has changed dramatically under the impact of European colonisation and the establishment of intensive agricultural systems. This massive environmental shift has led to major changes in the abundance of our native fauna. Many previously abundant species have been reduced to low numbers or even extinction, but a few endemic species have manage...

There is an urgent global need for the ecological intensification of agricultural systems to reduce negative impacts on environment while meeting rising demand products. Enriching grasslands with floral species a tool promote diversity and associated services at higher trophic levels, ultimately, enhance landscape matrix. Here, we studied organic pastures-based dairy production system plant enh...