scholarly journals Seasonal availability of edible underground and aboveground carbohydrate resources to human foragers on the Cape south coast, South Africa

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan C De Vynck ◽  
Richard M Cowling ◽  
Alastair J Potts ◽  
Curtis W Marean
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Marine Invertebrates ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Cape Floristic Region ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
South Coast ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Resource Base ◽  
Edible Plant

The coastal environments of South Africa’s Cape Floristic Region (CFR) provide some of the earliest and most abundant evidence for the emergence of cognitively modern humans. In particular, the south coast of the CFR provided for hunter-gatherers a uniquely diverse resource base, namely marine shellfish, game, and carbohydrate-bearing plants, especially those with underground storage organs (USOs). It has been hypothesized that these resource underpinned the continuity of human occupation in the region since the Middle Pleistocene. Very little research has been conducted on the foraging potential of carbohydrate resources in the CFR. This study focuses on the seasonal availability of plants with edible carbohydrate by assessing their visibility to foragers at six-weekly intervals over a two-year period in four vegetation types on South Africa’s Cape south coast. A total of 52 edible plant species were recorded across all vegetation types. Of these, 33 species were geophytes with edible USOs and 21 species had aboveground edible carbohydrates. Limestone Fynbos had the richest flora, followed by Strandveld, Renosterveld and lastly, Sand Fynbos. The availability of USO species differed across vegetation types and between survey years. The number of available USO species was highest for a six-month period from winter to early summer (Jul-Dec) across all vegetation types. Months of lowest species’ availability were in mid-summer to early autumn (Jan-Apr); the early winter (May-Jun) values were variable, being highest in Limestone Fynbos. However, even during the late summer carbohydrate “crunch”, 25 carbohydrate bearing species were visible across the four vegetation types. Overall, the plant-based carbohydrate resources available to Stone Age foragers of the Cape south coast, especially USOs belonging to the Iridaceae family, are likely to have comprised a reliable and nutritious source of calories over most of the year. The winter and early spring months likely coincided with a scarcity of protein, especially marine invertebrates, but an abundance of carbohydrates. At these times, plant carbohydrates, especially USOs, may have comprised 100% of dietary intake. However, recognising which vegetation types are most productive, identifying hotspots of productivity and distinguishing between edible and toxic USOs must have required considerable cognitive skills.

scholarly journals Seasonal availability of edible underground and aboveground carbohydrate resources to human foragers on the Cape south coast, South Africa

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan C De Vynck ◽  
Richard M Cowling ◽  
Alastair J Potts ◽  
Curtis W Marean
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Marine Invertebrates ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Cape Floristic Region ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
South Coast ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Resource Base ◽  
Edible Plant

The coastal environments of South Africa’s Cape Floristic Region (CFR) provide some of the earliest and most abundant evidence for the emergence of cognitively modern humans. In particular, the south coast of the CFR provided for hunter-gatherers a uniquely diverse resource base, namely marine shellfish, game, and carbohydrate-bearing plants, especially those with underground storage organs (USOs). It has been hypothesized that these resource underpinned the continuity of human occupation in the region since the Middle Pleistocene. Very little research has been conducted on the foraging potential of carbohydrate resources in the CFR. This study focuses on the seasonal availability of plants with edible carbohydrate by assessing their visibility to foragers at six-weekly intervals over a two-year period in four vegetation types on South Africa’s Cape south coast. A total of 52 edible plant species were recorded across all vegetation types. Of these, 33 species were geophytes with edible USOs and 21 species had aboveground edible carbohydrates. Limestone Fynbos had the richest flora, followed by Strandveld, Renosterveld and lastly, Sand Fynbos. The availability of USO species differed across vegetation types and between survey years. The number of available USO species was highest for a six-month period from winter to early summer (Jul-Dec) across all vegetation types. Months of lowest species’ availability were in mid-summer to early autumn (Jan-Apr); the early winter (May-Jun) values were variable, being highest in Limestone Fynbos. However, even during the late summer carbohydrate “crunch”, 25 carbohydrate bearing species were visible across the four vegetation types. Overall, the plant-based carbohydrate resources available to Stone Age foragers of the Cape south coast, especially USOs belonging to the Iridaceae family, are likely to have comprised a reliable and nutritious source of calories over most of the year. The winter and early spring months likely coincided with a scarcity of protein, especially marine invertebrates, but an abundance of carbohydrates. At these times, plant carbohydrates, especially USOs, may have comprised 100% of dietary intake. However, recognising which vegetation types are most productive, identifying hotspots of productivity and distinguishing between edible and toxic USOs must have required considerable cognitive skills.

scholarly journals Seasonal availability of edible underground and aboveground carbohydrate resources to human foragers on the Cape south coast, South Africa

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e1679 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan C. De Vynck ◽  
Richard M. Cowling ◽  
Alastair J. Potts ◽  
Curtis W. Marean
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Cape Floristic Region ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
South Coast ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Human Occupation ◽  
Resource Base ◽  
Edible Plant

The coastal environments of South Africa’s Cape Floristic Region (CFR) provide some of the earliest and most abundant evidence for the emergence of cognitively modern humans. In particular, the south coast of the CFR provided a uniquely diverse resource base for hunter-gatherers, which included marine shellfish, game, and carbohydrate-bearing plants, especially those with Underground Storage Organs (USOs). It has been hypothesized that these resources underpinned the continuity of human occupation in the region since the Middle Pleistocene. Very little research has been conducted on the foraging potential of carbohydrate resources in the CFR. This study focuses on the seasonal availability of plants with edible carbohydrates at six-weekly intervals over a two-year period in four vegetation types on South Africa’s Cape south coast. Different plant species were considered available to foragers if the edible carbohydrate was directly (i.e. above-ground edible portions) or indirectly (above-ground indications to below-ground edible portions) visible to an expert botanist familiar with this landscape. A total of 52 edible plant species were recorded across all vegetation types. Of these, 33 species were geophytes with edible USOs and 21 species had aboveground edible carbohydrates. Limestone Fynbos had the richest flora, followed by Strandveld, Renosterveld and lastly, Sand Fynbos. The availability of plant species differed across vegetation types and between survey years. The number of available USO species was highest for a six-month period from winter to early summer (Jul–Dec) across all vegetation types. Months of lowest species’ availability were in mid-summer to early autumn (Jan–Apr); the early winter (May–Jun) values were variable, being highest in Limestone Fynbos. However, even during the late summer carbohydrate “crunch,” 25 carbohydrate bearing species were visible across the four vegetation types. To establish a robust resource landscape will require additional spatial mapping of plant species abundances. Nonetheless, our results demonstrate that plant-based carbohydrate resources available to Stone Age foragers of the Cape south coast, especially USOs belonging to the Iridaceae family, are likely to have comprised a reliable and nutritious source of calories over most of the year.

Effects of Dried Distillers’ Grains Cube Supplementation for Steers Grazing Introduced Pastures on Animal Performance and Forage Production

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 12-13
Author(s):  
Jordan Adams ◽  
Rodney Farris ◽  
Scott Clawson ◽  
Earl Ward ◽  
Paul Beck
Keyword(s):  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Distillers Grains ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Trenbolone Acetate ◽  
Dried Distillers Grains

Abstract We evaluated the effects of supplementing dried distillers’ grains cubes (DDGS) and re-implantation of steers (n = 149; BW = 238 ± 13.8 kg) grazing tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea)/bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) pastures (n = 9 pastures, 7.2 ± 2.90 ha) from 14 April to 17 September 2020 (n = 155 d) in a split-plot design on steer performance and forage production. Main plot supplemental treatments (n = 3 pastures/treatment) included 1) Fertilized Control (FC), no supplementation on fertilized pastures (112 kg N/ha); 2) Fertilized Supplement (FS), supplemental DDGS fed at 2.9 kg 3-d/wk on fertilized pastures; and 3) Supplement (S), supplemented DDGS at 0.75% BW/d on unfertilized pastures prorated for 5-d/wk feeding. Steers were previously implanted during receiving with 40 mg trenbolone acetate and 8 mg estradiol (REV-G; Revalor G, Merck Animal Health). On July 7, steers in each pasture were randomly assigned to one of three re-implant treatments: 1) no re-implant; 2) REV-G; or 3) 200 mg progesterone and 20 mg estradiol (Synovex S, Zoetis Animal Health). Steers in FS and S gained more (P < 0.01) than FC throughout the trial and final BW was greater (P < 0.01) for FS and S compared with FC. Unexpectedly, re-implanting had no effect on ADG (P = 0.57) or BW (P = 0.34), but statistical power may be lacking. Supplemental efficiency was greater in the late summer for FS (P = 0.05) compared to S. Fertilizing pastures in FS and FC did not affect biomass (P = 0.39), however, CP was increased (P = 0.01) and acid and neutral detergent fibers tended to decrease (P = 0.06) relative to S in the early summer (April, May, June, and July), but did not differ in late summer (August and September). Based upon our analysis, DDGS is a suitable supplement and can replace N fertilizer for steers grazing introduced pastures.

scholarly journals 179 Using a 100% Dried Distillers Grains Cube as a Supplement for Steers Grazing Mixed Grass Prairie in Oklahoma

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 46-46
Author(s):  
Zane N Grigsby ◽  
Paul A Beck ◽  
Stacey A Gunter
Keyword(s):  
Animal Health ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Estradiol Benzoate ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Trenbolone Acetate ◽  
Mixed Grass Prairie ◽  
Mixed Grass ◽  
Main Plot

Abstract This research was conducted to determine effects of supplementation and implanting on BW gain by steers grazing mixed grass prairie (n = 12 pastures, 19.9 ± 0.7 ha) in northwest Oklahoma. Three main plot treatments were: 1) Negative Control (NC), no supplementation, 2) Positive Control (PC), supplemented with DDGS cubes, 1.8 kg/steer on alternate days in late summer, 3) High Supplement (HS), 1/3 increase in stocking rate with 0.75% BW supplemental DDGS cubes all season. Steers (n = 125, BW = 223.1 ± 23.2 kg) were stocked at 2.2 ha/steer for PC and NC, 1.3 ha/steer for HS. Grazing was from May 17 – September 27 (132 d). All steers were implanted with 200 mg progesterone and 20 mg estradiol benzoate (SYN, Synonvex S, Zoetis Animal Health) on May 17. On July 18 three reimplant treatments were applied: 1) no reimplant; 2) SYN; or 3) 40 mg trenbolone acetate and 8 mg estradiol (Revalor G, Merck Animal Health). Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED in SAS as a split-plot experimental design. In early summer HS had 0.26 kg greater (P < 0.01) ADG than NC and PC. Late summer gains of PC were 0.33 kg/d more (P ≤ 0.01) than NC; and HS gained 0.49 and 0.16 kg/day more (P ≤ 0.04) than NC and PC, respectively. Gain per hectare for PC (46 kg/ha) were greater (P < 0.01) than NC (35 kg/ha) and more than doubled (P < 0.01) with HS (89 kg/ha). Reimplanting had no effect on ADG (P ≥ 0.28). Late season supplementation with PC resulted in supplemental efficiency of 2.7 kg supplement/kg added gain compared with NC. Increased stocking rates with season long supplementation in HS resulted in supplemental efficiency of 3.8 kg supplement/kg added gain per hectare. Based on these data, a 100% DDGS cube is an effective supplement option to increase BW gain during the late summer or increase carrying capacity and gain during the summer grazing period in northwestern Oklahoma.

Replacing synthetic N with clovers or alfalfa in bermudagrass pastures. 1. Herbage mass and pasture carrying capacity

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 539 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Beck ◽  
T. Hess ◽  
D. Hubbell ◽  
M. S. Gadberry ◽  
J. Jennings ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Trifolium Repens ◽  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Fertilisation Rate ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Trifolium Repens L

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of including alfalfa (ALF, Medicago sativa L.) or a combination of white (Trifolium repens L.) and red (Trifolium pretense L.) clovers (CLVR) inter-seeded into bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.) on herbage nutritive value compared with monocultures of bermudagrass fertilised with 0 (0N), 56 (56N), or 112 (112N) kg nitrogen (N)/ha over four grazing seasons. In autumn, at the end of the fourth year and in the spring before the fifth grazing season, alfalfa and clover plants were killed and the carryover N benefit of CLVR or ALF was compared with N fertilisation rates during the fifth year. Across years, N fertilisation rate increased herbage mass and carrying capacity linearly; whereas herbage production from CLVR and ALF swards was equivalent to 56N, were greater than 0N and less than 112N. Herbage mass in CLVR and ALF swards was greater than fertilised bermudagrass swards in the spring and did not differ from fertilised bermudagrass in the early summer. In late summer herbage accumulation of CLVR and ALF swards appeared to decrease, limiting the herbage mass in the legume pastures compared with 56N and 112N. Carrying capacity of CLVR and ALF swards was greater than fertilised bermudagrass in the spring and early summer, but did not differ from fertilised swards in the late summer. The N benefit of including legumes in bermudagrass swards can alleviate the reliance on synthetic N fertilisation with little overall effect on pasture carrying capacity.

scholarly journals Effects of Environmental Temperature onCapnodis tenebrionisAdult Phenology

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmelo Peter Bonsignore
Keyword(s):  
Late Summer ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Adult Density ◽  
Degree Days ◽  
Continuous Increase ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Average Annual Temperature ◽  
Activity Temperature ◽  
The Difference ◽  
New Generation

The phenology ofCapnodis tenebrionisadults was presented with reference to two different climate conditions. In a temperate moderate-warm climate, adult density showed two separate peaks during the year: one in early summer of the overwintering generation and one with beetles emerging in the late summer. In a warmer semiarid climate, the overwintering adults and the new generation overlapped during summer with a continuous increase of adult density. The difference in the average annual temperature between areas during the study period was almost3∘C, and, in the warmer area, the new generation ofC. tenebrionisemerged at least one month earlier. To make a prediction of adult presence, a model utilizing degree-days was developed from data collected over a five-year period. Models obtained from equations (Logistic 4-parameter,y(x)=yo+a/(1+(x/xo)b)) of each year were developed to describe the relationship between degree-day accumulation (with a minimal threshold activity temperature of14.21∘Ccalculated in the laboratory) and the cumulative percentage of adult presence. According to the overall model, the 50% of overwintering beetles occurred at 726 degree-days (Biofix: 1st March) and the emerging beetles occurred at 801 degree-days (Biofix: 1st July). The results show that a change in temperature is an important aspect that highlights the adaptability of this species.

Impact of extrafloral nectar availability and plant genotype on ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) visitation to quaking aspen (Salicaceae)

2015 ◽  
Vol 148 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathon R. Newman ◽  
Diane Wagner ◽  
Patricia Doak
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Quaking Aspen ◽  
Plant Genotype ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Natural Induction ◽  
Formica Fusca ◽  
Time Of Year ◽  
Nectar Availability

AbstractFor quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michaux; Salicaceae) the rate of extrafloral (EF) sugar secretion is increased by defoliation and decreased by drought. Although wholesale blocking of EF nectar has been shown to reduce ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) visitation to aspen, the effect of more subtle and realistic variations in nectar availability on ant recruitment is unknown. Working in Alaskan boreal forest (United States of America), we reduced and supplemented EF nectar availability on potted aspen ramets of three genotypes and surveyed visitation by free-living Formica fusca (Linnaeus) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Ants were more responsive to a subtle increase in sugar availability than to a decrease. While nectar reduction had no effect on ant visitation, nectar supplementation increased ant visitation to one aspen genotype by 70% during an early summer trial. Average ant visitation to different aspen genotypes varied during the late summer, indicating that aspen genotype can influence attractiveness to ants. We conclude that natural induction of EF secretion in response to herbivory may benefit aspen through improved ant recruitment, though the response is dependent on aspen genotype and time of year. Differences among aspen genets in attractiveness to ants could influence the relative success of genotypes, especially in settings in which aspen regenerates from seed.

scholarly journals Diatoms as a paleoproductivity proxy in the NW Iberian coastal upwelling system (NE Atlantic)

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1165-1179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Zúñiga ◽  
Celia Santos ◽  
María Froján ◽  
Emilia Salgueiro ◽  
Marta M. Rufino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Column ◽  
Surface Sediment ◽  
Sediment Trap ◽  
Coastal Upwelling ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Marine Diatom ◽  
Photic Zone ◽  
Upwelling System ◽  
Water Column Stratification

Abstract. The objective of the current work is to improve our understanding of how water column diatom's abundance and assemblage composition is seasonally transferred from the photic zone to seafloor sediments. To address this, we used a dataset derived from water column, sediment trap and surface sediment samples recovered in the NW Iberian coastal upwelling system. Diatom fluxes (2.2 (±5.6) 106 valves m−2 d−1) represented the majority of the siliceous microorganisms sinking out from the photic zone during all studied years and showed seasonal variability. Contrasting results between water column and sediment trap diatom abundances were found during downwelling periods, as shown by the unexpectedly high diatom export signals when diatom-derived primary production achieved their minimum levels. They were principally related to surface sediment remobilization and intense Minho and Douro river discharge that constitute an additional source of particulate matter to the inner continental shelf. In fact, contributions of allochthonous particles to the sinking material were confirmed by the significant increase of both benthic and freshwater diatoms in the sediment trap assemblage. In contrast, we found that most of the living diatom species blooming during highly productive upwelling periods were dissolved during sinking, and only those resistant to dissolution and the Chaetoceros and Leptocylindrus spp. resting spores were susceptible to being exported and buried. Furthermore, Chaetoceros spp. dominate during spring–early summer, when persistent northerly winds lead to the upwelling of nutrient-rich waters on the shelf, while Leptocylindrus spp. appear associated with late-summer upwelling relaxation, characterized by water column stratification and nutrient depletion. These findings evidence that the contributions of these diatom genera to the sediment's total marine diatom assemblage should allow for the reconstruction of different past upwelling regimes.

scholarly journals Spatial and temporal distribution of phytoplankton in Lake Skadar

2012 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 585-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelena Rakocevic
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Heterogeneity ◽  
Phytoplankton Community ◽  
General Pattern ◽  
Seasonal Succession ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Quantitative Composition ◽  
Autumn And Winter ◽  
Lake Skadar

Phytoplankton seasonal succession and spatial heterogeneity were studied in Lake Skadar from February to December 2004. A total of 167 taxa from 6 algal divisions were observed, with Bacillariophyta being best represented (52.8%). The general pattern of phytoplankton seasonal succession in Lake Skadar was: Bacillariophyta in the spring, Chlorophyta in early summer, Cyanobacteria and Chlorophyta in late summer and Bacillariophyta and Chlorophyta in autumn and winter. Distinct spatial heterogeneity was observed. The central, open part of the lake (pelagic zone) was characterized by dominant euplanktonic species, mostly diatoms, whereas the western and northwestern parts (more isolated and shallower) had higher abundance of greens and blue-greens and a higher percentage of resuspended benthic-epiphytic forms in the phytoplankton community. Comparison with former phytoplankton data showed distinct differences in terms of the qualitative and quantitative composition of the phytoplankton community of Lake Skadar, which indicates lake deterioration.

scholarly journals ECOLOGY OF LEPIDOPTERANS OF SATYRIDAE FAMILY IN SOUTHERN TRANS-URALS

2018 ◽  
pp. 109-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatyana Aleksandrovna Khlyzova
Keyword(s):  
Late Summer ◽  
Steppe Zone ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Ecological Groups ◽  
Trophic Specialization ◽  
Turf Grass ◽  
Small Leaf ◽  
Fodder Plants ◽  
Small Forest

Satyr fauna of the Southern trans-Urals is represented by 24 species, 2 of which - P. afra and E. medusa - are included in the Red Book of the Kurgan region as species of vanishing number and range. In terms of the wintering phases of satyrs of the Kurgan region, they are possible to be divided into 2 ecological groups: wintering caterpillars (19 species) and wintering pupae (2 species). The hibernating phases of C. hero , P. afra and C. persephone haven’t been identified. Among satyrs divided by the wideness of trophic specialization of caterpillars there exist broad oligophages and broad polyphages. According to the flight terms of imago satyrs of the Southern trans-Urals, they can be divided into 3 phenological groups: early-summer (6 species), summer (15 species) and late-summer (1 species). Satyr fauna in the region generally can be called forest-steppe. According to the peculiarities of the passage of the main parts of the areas, the satyrs can be divided into 3 groups. The first group unites 4 species that are widespread in the northern and southern forest-steppe, the herbage-grass-turf-grass steppe. The second group includes 16 species that occur only in the forest-steppe zone. The third group consists of 4 species, whose most favorable habitats are located in the herbage-turf-grass steppe. According to the landscape-biotope confinement, regional satyrs can be divided into 4 ecological groups: inhabitants of pine-small-leaf forests, inhabitants of the small forest - campestral landscape, inhabitants of steppes and steppe areas, eurybionts. The fauna of glades of pine-small-leaf forests is mostly rich in species. The generality of the species composition of the satyrs of the small forest - campestral and steppe landscapes reaches 53%. First of all, this is due to the quick spread of cereals in these landscapes, which are fodder plants for caterpillars of most species of this family.

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