The Use Of Ecological Indicators In Studies Of Ecological Recovery For Sustainable Management Of Grazed Grassland Ecosystems,
2023
Gorgan University of Agricultural and Natural Resources Sciences, Iran
The Use Of Ecological Indicators In Studies Of Ecological Recovery For Sustainable Management Of Grazed Grassland Ecosystems, G. A. Heshmati
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Early warning systems that depend on the selection of suitable indicators of thresholds are useful (Friedel, 1991). An ideal indicator should be unbiased, sensitive to changes, predictive, referenced to threshold values, data transformable, integrative and easy to collect and communicate (Liverman et al., 1988). Methods for selection of indicators for assessing ecosystem health are being developed (Pyke et al., 2002). This paper examines the situation in grassland vegetation grazed by sheep in a semi arid region of northeastern Iran.
Investigation On The Temporal Variation Of Vegetation Cover In Karaj River Basin (1973-1993),
2023
University of Tehran, Iran
Investigation On The Temporal Variation Of Vegetation Cover In Karaj River Basin (1973-1993), M. Mohseni Saravi, A. Malekian, B. Mohammadi Golrang
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Area changes in vegetation cover depend on several climatic and edaphic factors as well as direct and indirect human activities. Vegetation maps in a region are mosaics of various associations and types, which clearly show their characteristics and provide a useful tool for classification purposes. Kochler (1967) suggested that vegetative forms and species are 2 most important factors for descriptive purposes. This research aimed mainly to determine the vegetation types based on floristic-physiognomic forms and comparison of vegetation cover maps of 2 different dates to clarify the temporal variations of vegetation cover over this period. This detection of change would …
Operating Systems Of The Meadows In Semi-Arid Region Of Algeria,
2023
INRAA, Algeria
Operating Systems Of The Meadows In Semi-Arid Region Of Algeria, K. Abbas, M. Abdelguerfi-Laouar, Aissa Abdelguerfi, T. Madani, A. Mebarkia
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Permanent meadows are the base of the fodder resources and also provide environmental services (MAP France, 2002). The function of fodder production is no longer solely to ensure bulk agricultural production. It must also allow the development of livestock products of good quality, contribute to environmental protection, the quality of the landscape and ensure a viable economic activity in the rural areas. These areas have decreased greatly (from 1 million ha at the beginning of the century (Lapeyronie, 1982) to less than 300,000 ha in 2000), in particular in the semi-arid zones at high altitude; however they contribute very effectively …
Protection Of Agrobiodiversity: Model Calculations In Rhineland-Palatia: Costs And Implications For Farmer,
2023
University of Göttingen, Germany
Protection Of Agrobiodiversity: Model Calculations In Rhineland-Palatia: Costs And Implications For Farmer, H. Bergmann
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Biological conservation and production use the same areas of land in less favoured areas. Grassland in these areas makes an important contribution to the protection of agro-biodiversity. However, under existing market conditions and production needs, the use of low yielding grasslands is not economically efficient. The objective of this study was to analyze the economic consequences of different mowing strategies in a small region in Rhineland-Palatia (Germany) that served the protection of two butterfly species.
The Victorian Volcanic Plains Grassland: Past, Present And Future,
2023
Department of Primary Industries, Australia
The Victorian Volcanic Plains Grassland: Past, Present And Future, Steve G. Clark, J. Crosthwaite, J. Dorrough, J. R. Hirth, Y. Ingeme, J. Mavromihalis, V. Turner
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The Grasslands of the Victorian Volcanic Plains have been replaced with introduced pastures and crops since European settlement with the loss of many plant and animal species. What remains, on public and private land, has high conservation value and needs urgent protection.
Contributions Of The United States Department Of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service To Conserving Grasslands On Private Lands In The United States, L. P. Heard
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The future of biodiversity in the USA is tied inseparably to activities taking place on private lands. Agriculture is by far the most important user of these lands, with about 50% or 900M acres managed as private cropland, grassland or rangeland. Decisions made by America's farmers and ranchers directly affect grasslands and their impact on food supply, biodiversity, soil protection and water quality. Agricultural programs and policies in the USA have had a large influence on the choices available to farmers and ranchers in land management. Since the 1930s, USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) has been working with farmers, …
Biodiversity In Grassland: Bangladesh Perspective,
2023
Institute for Environment and Development Studies, Bangladesh
Biodiversity In Grassland: Bangladesh Perspective, B. Hossain
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The rapidly increasing human population in Bangladesh has caused widespread damage to and disturbance of natural habitats and a loss of indigenous wildlife. There are now very few, if any, extensive patches of grassland in Bangladesh and any that might remain are inundated for two-thirds of the year with no alternative refugia available. Most remaining grassland areas are fragmented, heavily used and harvested up to three times a year. Furthermore, the reed lands of northeast Bangladesh were leased out for paper production and are reported to have been entirely destroyed and settled by encroachers. Tall grasslands around rivers and lakes …
The Global Environment Programme (Gef) And United Nations Development Programme (Undp) Supporting The Conservation Of Grassland Systems In Africa,
2023
UNDP GEF, Kenya
The Global Environment Programme (Gef) And United Nations Development Programme (Undp) Supporting The Conservation Of Grassland Systems In Africa, W. A. Rodgers, M. Niamir-Fuller
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) was created after the World's Environmental Summit in Rio in 1992. The GEF provides funding for developing countries to meet their responsibilities and commitments under global conventions. The GEF is the financing mechanism for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the United Nations Framework Convention for Combating Desertification (CCD). The conservation and wise use of grasslands can be supported through a variety of funding opportunities. The GEF channels support through Implementing Agencies, of which UNDP specialises in technical assistance and capacity building. The HQ of UNDP is in New York. There are Regional Offices …
Undp-Gef Grasslands Project: Conserving Mountain Biodiversity In Southern Lesotho,
2023
UNDP GEF, Kenya
Undp-Gef Grasslands Project: Conserving Mountain Biodiversity In Southern Lesotho, W. A. Rodgers
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The Kingdom of Lesotho contains some 70% of the Drakensberg-Maloti Mountains, recognised as the Eastern Mountains "Centre of Biodiversity and Endemism" of southern Africa. The Mountains have globally significant plant diversity, with unique habitats and high endemism. These resources have been increasingly degraded by a grazing regime based on communal access, with reduced regulatory capability. Lack of ownership has restricted investment in conservation. Lesotho has the lowest Protected Area coverage of any nation in Africa (<0.4%). Biodiversity is thus at risk.
Undp-Gef Grasslands Project: The Southern Africa Botanical Network "Sabonet",
2023
SANBI, South Africa
Undp-Gef Grasslands Project: The Southern Africa Botanical Network "Sabonet", Y. Steenkamp, W. A. Rodgers
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
This six-year biodiversity capacity building project closes at the end of June 2005. The principal outcomes have been greatly strengthened capacities within, and interaction between, the national herbaria of southern Africa, in order to improve plant taxonomic outputs to better serve the needs of conservation end-users. Grassland plants have in many ways been the main regional focus. The project was based in the National Botanical Institute (NBI) of Southern Africa (now the South Africa Biodiversity Institute - SANBI) and had components in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The NBI provide regional coordination and technical support.
Undp-Gef Grasslands Project: Mainstreaming Biodiversity Into Productive Landscapes: The Southern African Grasslands Programme,
2023
South Africa Biodiversity Institute, South Africa
Undp-Gef Grasslands Project: Mainstreaming Biodiversity Into Productive Landscapes: The Southern African Grasslands Programme, C. Maze, W. A. Rodgers
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
This is an exciting new initiative under the second strategic priority for the Global Environment Programme (GEF)'s Biodiversity Focal Area: Mainstreaming biodiversity into productive landscapes and sector. The rationale is that whilst grassland biomes cover some 30% of South Africa, (within montane, coastal and high-veld systems) less than 3% is formally protected at national, provincial or private land-owner levels. Over 40% of the grasslands have been totally converted to other land usages and 30% is degraded. Forces of degradation and conversion (cultivation, forests, urban spread) continue. The issues of conservation are of land use and putting in place incentives to …
Undp-Gef Grasslands Project: The Tanzania Montane Grasslands Project,
2023
Wildlife Conservation Society, Tanzania
Undp-Gef Grasslands Project: The Tanzania Montane Grasslands Project, T. Davenport, W. A. Rodgers
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The Tanzania Southern Highlands and adjacent Nyika montane grasslands in Malawi form a distinct centre of plant diversity and endemism. The area is characterised by complex geology with old basement mountains and much more recent volcanoes (Mount Rungwe) adjacent to the rift valet faulting with Lakes Malawi (Nyasa) and Rukwa. Lake proximity generates rainfall up to 3,000 mm per annum. The maximum altitude is 3,000 m asl.
Long Term Results For The Naturalisation Of River Valley Grassland In The Lower Floodplains Of The River Oder,
2023
Centre for Agricultural Landscapes and Land Use Research Müncheberg, Germany
Long Term Results For The Naturalisation Of River Valley Grassland In The Lower Floodplains Of The River Oder, G. Schalitz, A. Behrendt
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The flooded grassland area in the lower reaches of the River Oder covers about 10,000 ha, of which 4,000 ha are situated on the German side and the remainder in Poland. In spite of extreme flooding conditions (annual winter flooding from 15 Dec. to 15 April and occasional summer flooding) the area was used very intensively in GDR times. After the political change in 1989, the management of the cross-border GermanPolish National Park, which was situated in this area, was changed abruptly to extensive grassland utilisation. This paper reports on changes in the composition and productivity of the grassland.
The Effects Of Water Availability On Plant Growth In Sesleria Albicans - Dominated Grasslands In The Burren, Co. Clare,
2023
University College Dublin, Ireland
The Effects Of Water Availability On Plant Growth In Sesleria Albicans - Dominated Grasslands In The Burren, Co. Clare, Patrick Moran, S. Ryal, B. Osborne
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
The Burren is a karstic region in the west of Ireland characterised by large areas of exposed limestone pavement with sparse vegetation. Despite the prevailing oceanic climate and high rainfall, substrate volumetric water content values are similar to those of semi-arid habitats due to high run-off. As a consequence, plants growing on the pavement regularly experience water deficit during the summer months. S. albicans, a species reported to be tolerant of water deficits, is one of the most abundant species growing on the limestone pavement. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of water availability on …
Forage Yield And Soil Moisture Content In Panicum Maximum Cv. Tanzania Monoculture And In A Mixture With Leucaena Leucocephala With Different Densities In Mexico,
2023
Universidad del Zulia, Mexico
Forage Yield And Soil Moisture Content In Panicum Maximum Cv. Tanzania Monoculture And In A Mixture With Leucaena Leucocephala With Different Densities In Mexico, H. J. Delgado Gómez, Juan C. Ku-Vera, J. Ku Vera, J. Escamilla Bencomo, P. A. Velázquez Madrazo
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Cattle production is limited by forage availability during the dry season since water and soil fertility are the main factors limiting production. Leucaena leucocephala has good nutritive value (24-30% CP). It can stand drought and grazing and so its introduction into pastures is recommended as an alternative to forage production during the dry season. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the introduction of L. leucocephala with different densities on biomass production of P. maximum and soil water content.
Effects Of Supplemental Irrigation On Berseem Seed Crop In A Semi-Arid Mediterranean Environment,
2023
Università degli Studi di Palermo, Italy
Effects Of Supplemental Irrigation On Berseem Seed Crop In A Semi-Arid Mediterranean Environment, G. Amato, D. Giambalvo, C. Scarpello, P. Trapani
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Berseem seed production in Mediterranean environments is strongly influenced by soil water availability, particularly during spring growth. A long-term study (11 years) in Sicily recorded seed yields of between 0 and 1600 kg/ha, for an annual rainfall range of 289 to 867 mm (Stringi et al., 2001). It was proposed that water irrigation during sensitive growth stages could increase and stabilize seed yield. This research investigated the response of berseem seed crop to low levels of irrigation applied at different growth stages.
Primary Productivity And Water Use Of The Perennial Grass, Cenchrus Ciliaris, In Arid Environments,
2023
University of Sfax, Tunisia
Primary Productivity And Water Use Of The Perennial Grass, Cenchrus Ciliaris, In Arid Environments, L. Mnif, Mohamed Chaieb
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Cenchrus ciliaris is a perennial grass that may be suitable for the restoration of Rhanterium steppes (Chaieb et al., 1991). In this study, four Cenchrus ciliaris accessions from Tunisia from a range of climate and soil conditions, likely to vary in their adaptation to drought, were evaluated for productivity, rainuse-efficiency and reproductive output at Sfax in southern Tunisia. The suitability of these accessions for the restoration of Rhanterium steppes is considered.
Evaluation Of Sweet Grain Sorghum Silage For Dairy Cows As An Alternative To Irrigated Maize Silage,
2023
Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, France
Evaluation Of Sweet Grain Sorghum Silage For Dairy Cows As An Alternative To Irrigated Maize Silage, W. G. Do Nascimento, Y. Barrière, X. Charrier, Christian Huyghe, J. C. Emile
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Under European dairy cattle rearing conditions, whole plant maize silage is the main part of the dairy cow's diet especially during the winter season. Nevertheless maize production can be limited in some areas because summer rainfall is insufficient and so irrigation is necessary. Grain sorghum hybrids, and especially sweet sorghum types, are potentially of great interest to avoid this water consumption (Lemaire et al., 1996, Legarto, 2000). For this reason we evaluated in 2003 the benefits and limits of a sweet grain sorghum silage for dairy milk production, compared to an irrigated maize silage. We paid particularl attention to …
Enhancing Water Use Efficiency On Irrigated Dairy Pastures With Nitrogen Fertiliser,
2023
Department of Primary Industries, Australia
Enhancing Water Use Efficiency On Irrigated Dairy Pastures With Nitrogen Fertiliser, Frank R. Mckenzie, J. L. Jacobs, G. N. Ward
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Low summer rainfall in southwest Victoria, Australia, restricts pasture growth and limits milk production. One fifth of dairy farmers in the region have some capacity to irrigate during summer. Irrigated dairy pastures are relatively poor utilisers of water with water use efficiencies (WUE) of about 1 t DM/ML water (Ward et al. 1998). Using nitrogen (N) fertiliser may increase dry matter (DM) yields for a given amount of water. Data on N response efficiencies from irrigated pasture in southwest Victoria are lacking. Two experiments determined the potential of N fertiliser to maximise the conversion of irrigated water to pasture …
Responses Of Irrigated Pasture Nutritive Characteristics To Summer Nitrogen Fertiliser,
2023
Department of Primary Industries, Australia
Responses Of Irrigated Pasture Nutritive Characteristics To Summer Nitrogen Fertiliser, Frank R. Mckenzie, J. L. Jacobs, G. N. Ward
IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)
Low summer rainfall in southwest Victoria, Australia, restricts pasture growth and reduces pasture nutritive value thereby limiting potential milk production. One fifth of dairy farmers in the region have some capacity to irrigate during summer and nitrogen (N) fertiliser is used to enhance pasture dry matter (DM) yield. Data on the effects of N fertiliser on irrigated pasture nutritive characteristics during summer in southwest Victoria are lacking. Two experiments determined the potential of N fertiliser to improve pasture nutritive (crude protein, CP and metabolisable energy, ME) value during summer.
