scholarly journals Effects of the veterinary anthelmintic moxidectin on dung beetle survival and ecosystem functioning

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Manning ◽  
Owen T. Lewis ◽  
Sarah A. Beynon

AbstractMacrocyclic lactones (MLs) are a class of chemical compounds administered to livestock for parasite control. These compounds are poorly metabolized and are predominately excreted in dung.When coprophagous insects such as dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) are exposed to ML residues, lethal and sublethal effects are often observed. Indirectly this can lead to ML residues impairing ecosystem functions that underpin production. A strategy to reduce these negative effects involves selecting compounds that offer lower risk to non-target invertebrates such as the ML moxidectin.Considering two dung beetle species with differing sensitivities to agricultural intensification, we asked whether exposure to moxidectin residues influenced survival, reproductive output, and functioning (short- and long-term estimates of dung removal).When exposed to moxidectin, adults of the sensitive species (Geotrupes spiniger Marsham) experienced a 43% reduction in survival. In contrast, survival of the non-sensitive species (Aphodius rufipes L.) was unaffected. We were unable to determine whether exposure affected reproductive output of either species.We found little evidence to suggest moxidectin impaired dung removal. We found however, that high densities of a species with relatively low functional importance (A. rufipes) can compensate for the loss of a functionally dominant species (G. spiniger). Over a longer timeframe, earthworms fully decomposed dung irrespective of moxidectin residues.

PLoS ONE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. e0125773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Håkon Holand ◽  
Henrik Jensen ◽  
Jarle Tufto ◽  
Henrik Pärn ◽  
Bernt-Erik Sæther ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Fiedler ◽  
José A.F. Monteiro ◽  
Kristin B. Hulvey ◽  
Rachel J. Standish ◽  
Michael P. Perring ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTEcological restoration increasingly aims at improving ecosystem multifunctionality and making landscapes resilient to future threats, especially in biodiversity hotspots such as Mediterranean-type ecosystems. Successful realisation of such a strategy requires a fundamental mechanistic understanding of the link between ecosystem plant composition, plant traits and related ecosystem functions and services, as well as how climate change affects these relationships. An integrated approach of empirical research and simulation modelling with focus on plant traits can allow this understanding.Based on empirical data from a large-scale restoration project in a Mediterranean-type climate in Western Australia, we developed and validated the spatially explicit simulation model ModEST, which calculates coupled dynamics of nutrients, water and individual plants characterised by traits. We then simulated all possible combinations of eight plant species with different levels of diversity to assess the role of plant diversity and traits on multifunctionality, the provision of six ecosystem functions (covering three ecosystem services), as well as trade-offs and synergies among the functions under current and future climatic conditions.Our results show that multifunctionality cannot fully be achieved because of trade-offs among functions that are attributable to sets of traits that affect functions differently. Our measure of multifunctionality was increased by higher levels of planted species richness under current, but not future climatic conditions. In contrast, single functions were differently impacted by increased plant diversity. In addition, we found that trade-offs and synergies among functions shifted with climate change.Synthesis and application. Our results imply that restoration ecologists will face a clear challenge to achieve their targets with respect to multifunctionality not only under current conditions, but also in the long-term. However, once ModEST is parameterized and validated for a specific restoration site, managers can assess which target goals can be achieved given the set of available plant species and site-specific conditions. It can also highlight which species combinations can best achieve long-term improved multifunctionality due to their trait diversity.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonie Schönbeck ◽  
Charlotte Grossiord ◽  
Arthur Gessler ◽  
Jonas Gisler ◽  
Katrin Meusburger ◽  
...  

SummaryThe future climate will be characterized by an increase in frequency and duration of drought and warming that exacerbates atmospheric evaporative demand. How trees acclimate to long-term soil moisture changes and whether these long-term changes alter trees’ sensitivity to short-term (day to months) variations of vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and soil moisture is largely unknown.Leaf gas exchange measurements were performed within a long-term (17 years) irrigation experiment in a Scots pine-dominated forest in one of Switzerland’s driest areas on trees in naturally dry (control), irrigated, and‘irrigation-stop’ (after 11 years of irrigation) conditions.Seventeen years of irrigation increased photosynthesis (A) and stomatal conductance (gs) and reduced the gs sensitivity to increasing VPD but not to soil drying. Following irrigation-stop, gas exchange did not decrease immediately, but after three years, had decreased significantly in irrigation-stop trees. Vcmax and Jmax recovered after five years.These results suggest that long-term release of soil drought reduces the sensitivity to atmospheric evaporative demand and that atmospheric constraints may play an increasingly important role in combination with soil drought. In addition, they suggest that structural adjustments lead to an attenuation of initially strong leaf-level acclimation to strong multiple-year drought.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesús Aguirre-Gutiérrez

It is argued that forest fragmentation has negative effects on biodiversity at the short and long term; however, these effects might be dependent on the specific vegetation of the study area and its intrinsic characteristics. The processes leading to fragmentation are very diverse and many of them have anthropogenic causes as logging actions and clearings for agricultural fields. Furthermore, it is thought that scale plays an important role in the expected effects of fragmentation on biodiversity. In this study the effect of forest fragmentation and its impact on the woody plants species, richness and diversity are analysed considering three vegetation types in a poorly studied and difficult access biodiversity hotspot in northern Mexico. The results show that the effects of fragmentation are dependent on the vegetation type and that these are not strongly related to the species richness, and diversity in a microscale (100 m2). Fragmentation effects on biodiversity must be analysed in a broad scale, considering the fragment as a whole. Furthermore, conservation priority should be given to the larger fragments, which could potentially maintain a higher portion of biodiversity. Management should also be focused on increasing the connectivity between these big and medium size forest patches.


1963 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 311-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Härkönen ◽  
E. Kontinen ◽  
M. Kormano ◽  
M. Niemi

ABSTRACT The effect of short- and long-term muscular work on the Leydig cells of the rat was studied. The rats were allowed to run in a rotating wire cylinder for various periods. The amount of stress was evaluated by the involution of the thymus, ulceration of the gastric mucosa, enlargement of adrenal glands and their lipid and catecholamine contents. After a short-term experiment, periods of 16 + 10 hours' running with rest for 10 hours in between, accessory genital organs were slightly involuted 4 to 8 days following the stress. The testes were histologically and histochemically intact. Similar results were obtained after a long-term experiment, comprising continuous daily running for 10 hours over a period of 12 days. In a progressive long-term experiment, viz. daily running until exhaustion for 14 days, temporary degeneration of the Leydig cells occurred: the percentage of interstitial tissue and the size of the nuclei of the Leydig cells diminished and the number of degenerating Leydig cells significantly increased. Oxidative enzyme activity was markedly suppressed. DPN-diaphorase and β-hydroxybutyric dehydrogenase activity were very markedly decreased. The involution of the accessory genital organs was more pronounced than in the two former experiments. All these phenomena reverted to normal within ten days. In every experiment the seminiferous tubules remained histologically normal.


2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 315
Author(s):  
Junaidi Junaidi ◽  
Jogiyanto Hartono ◽  
Eko Suwardi ◽  
Setiyono Miharjo ◽  
Bambang Hartadi

This study aims to empirically test the effects of auditor rotation and auditor tenure on an auditor’s independence in companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange during the years 2002-2010. This study using logistic regression estimation technique. The results show that, statistically, the auditor’s tenure has significant negative effects on the auditor’s independence, measured by the tendency to give a ‘going concern’ opinion. Furthermore, the results also show significant differences between the effects of short and long term tenures on the auditors’ independence. Auditor rotation has significant positive effects on the auditors’ independence.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandy M Garrett Kluthe ◽  
Diana K Chen

Members of the genus Eucalyptus are popular on small farms throughout Kenya, and include species such as Eucalyptus saligna, Eucalpytus globulus, and Eucalyptus grandis. Although they are fast-growing and perform well on marginal land, these trees are associated with negative environmental effects in Africa and elsewhere they have been introduced. In-person surveys were conducted with small farmers in Kenya to determine patterns of Eucalyptus sp. stand use and cultural importance. It was found that despite acknowledged short and long term environmental consequences, Eucalyptus sp. remains popular for medium term economic investment. These findings are consistent with other reports of Eucalyptus sp. woodlots serving as funding sources for education, health emergencies, etc., in parts of the world where bank loans are unavailable. Further, it was found that some farmers are using modified silviculture practices to ameliorate the negative effects of Eucalyptus sp., and others are seeking indigenous alternatives.           


Author(s):  
Carol M. Wagner

Although bullying has occurred for generations, movement to fully understand the effects of the dangerous behavior has recently been ignited. While much research has focused on the negative effects of bullying on victims, little research has focused on the effects bullying behavior has on the bully. The following is an examination of research regarding the short and long term negative effects bullying has on both bullies and victims. In addition, research regarding the influence of familial, peer and romantic relationships on the engagement of bullying behavior is also addressed, as well as the influence bullying behavior has on the formation and quality of these relationships. The utilization of this research to create anti-bullying programs in schools, homes and informal social situations may help to eradicate bullying behavior.


Author(s):  
Carol M. Wagner

Although bullying has occurred for generations, movement to fully understand the effects of the dangerous behavior has recently been ignited. While much research has focused on the negative effects of bullying on victims, little research has focused on the effects bullying behavior has on the bully. The following is an examination of research regarding the short and long term negative effects bullying has on both bullies and victims. In addition, research regarding the influence of familial, peer and romantic relationships on the engagement of bullying behavior is also addressed, as well as the influence bullying behavior has on the formation and quality of these relationships. The utilization of this research to create anti-bullying programs in schools, homes and informal social situations may help to eradicate bullying behavior.


Author(s):  
Anthony Pak-Hin Kong

Purpose Enhancing social participation and reducing emotional distress in persons with aphasia (PWA) are a critical rehabilitation goal. Social relationships and meaningful activities performed by PWA are also crucial to promote positive psychosocial well-being. As a precautionary measure specific to the COVID-19 pandemic, most PWA worldwide have generally followed the guidelines of going out less, restricting when and where to gather with friends and peers, reducing social activities, and maintaining appropriate social distance; these acts are contrary to the traditional principles of managing aphasia. This article aims to (a) highlight and add to our understanding of issues related to the impact of the currently evolving COVID-19 pandemic on PWA, (b) direct readers to relevant reports in the literature of telerehabilitation for aphasia to look for useful information regarding remote assessment and therapy to be considered during the pandemic, (c) summarize support initiatives developed and resources compiled thus far as well as provide links for caregivers and PWA to find more information about COVID-19 in their communities, and (d) offer recommendations to potentially move the field of aphasia research and clinical PWA services forward in a positive way to endure the pandemic and in the forthcoming post-COVID world. Conclusions At present, there are significant knowledge gaps regarding the short and long-term impacts of COVID-19 on PWA and their caregivers. It is crucial that different stakeholders be sensitive and flexible when addressing the psychosocial and rehabilitation needs of PWA to mitigate the negative effects during and after the COVID-19 era.


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