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Agricultural Region (agricultural + region)
Selected AbstractsImpacts of nonpoint inputs from potato farming on populations of slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus)ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 9 2005Michelle A. Gray Abstract The potential influence of agricultural activity, particularly potato cultivation, on slimy sculpin populations (Cottus cognatus) was examined at 19 rivers of New Brunswick, Canada. Comparisons with forested streams resulted in differences in fish density, size, and reproductive performance. Young-of-the-year (YOY) sculpin were present only at two of 11 agricultural sites, though they were present at all nine forested sites. Sediment deposition was greatest at agricultural sites, with increased fine sediments deposited. Larger, coarse sands were deposited at two sites with active forest operations. Temperature had a stronger correlation than sedimentation with sculpin size and density in the agricultural region. Agricultural catchments were warmer than in forested catchments (median = 16.0 and 13.3°C, respectively). Body size of slimy sculpin was correlated positively and YOY densities correlated negatively with temperature, and sites with temperatures ,25°C were devoid of YOY sculpin. Our data indicate there is a significant effect of temperature on slimy sculpin populations in rivers of potato farming areas, highlighting the importance of examining indirect factors when investigating possible impacts of nonpoint source agricultural inputs. Indirect factors such as sediment deposition and temperature need to be considered in order to discriminate accurately the chronic impacts of agricultural chemicals on fish populations. [source] Structure and organization of warning services in Rheinland-Pfalz (Germany),EPPO BULLETIN, Issue 1 2000E. Jörg Rheinland-Pfalz, a federal state in the south-western part of Germany, is an agricultural region with high crop diversity. For each branch of agriculture (arable, fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants), specific warning and information services have been installed. Advisory work, including warning services, is done by a central (LPP) and eight regional state institutions (SL V As). LPP provides the infrastructure for information dissemination, organizes data acquisition and supplies the farmers with general information on crop protection (availability of plant protection products, control strategies, etc.), SL V As collect data on current pest development and elaborate regional recommendations on field assessments and control measures to be taken by the farmers. Warning service information is transmitted to the farmers by info post (periodic letters), telephone-answering machines, fax services and, lately, via the Internet. Farmers are mainly interested in current disease and pest severity data, preferably on a local basis, to aid their decision-making in crop protection. The forecasting models and computer-aided decision-support systems run by the state crop protection service have become essential tools during the last four years. Their results, supplemented by field-monitoring data, serve as the main input for the warning services. The Internet, in conjunction with computerized decision-support systems, provides the means of ensuring an adequate supply of warning service information at a time when crop protection services are undergoing severe staff reductions. [source] Controls on Ground Water Chemistry in the Central Couloir Sud Rifain, MoroccoGROUND WATER, Issue 2 2010Lahcen Benaabidate Irrigation, urbanization, and drought pose challenges for the sustainable use of ground water in the central Couloir sud rifain, a major agricultural region in north-central Morocco, which includes the cities of Fès and Meknès. The central Couloir is underlain by unconfined and confined carbonate aquifers that have suffered declines in hydraulic head and reductions in spring flow in recent decades. Previous studies have surveyed ground water flow and water quality in wells and springs but have not comprehensively addressed the chemistry of the regional aquifer system. Using graphical techniques and saturation index calculations, we infer that major ion chemistry is controlled (1) in the surficial aquifer by cation exchange, calcite dissolution, mixing with deep ground water, and possibly calcite precipitation and (2) in the confined aquifer and warm springs by calcite dissolution, dolomite dissolution, mixing with water that has dissolved gypsum and halite, and calcite precipitation. Analyses of 2H and 18O indicate that shallow ground water is affected by evaporation during recharge (either of infiltrating precipitation or return flow), whereas deep ground water is sustained by meteoric recharge with little evaporation. Mechanisms of recharge and hydrochemical evolution are broadly consistent with those delineated for similar regional aquifer systems elsewhere in Morocco and in southern Spain. [source] The use of SST and SOI anomalies as indicators of crop yield variabilityINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Maria I. Travasso Abstract Interannual climate variability accounts for most of the observed crop yield fluctuations in the main agricultural region of Argentina. Moreover, in this region climatic variations are related to sea surface temperatures (SST) and the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI). In the present study, we aimed to obtain indicators of crop yield variability based on these drivers. For this purpose, monthly anomalies corresponding to SSTs from the Equatorial Pacific (SSTN3) and South Atlantic (SSTSA) Oceans and the SOI were related to maize, sunflower and soybean grain yield anomalies. Historical data (1923,2000 for maize, 1934,2000 for sunflower and 1969,2000 for soybean) were used to obtain grain yield anomalies at the county level after removing technology trends by smoothing techniques. By means of correlation analysis, we obtained the counties presenting significant association (p < 0.05) between monthly SST/SOI anomalies and yield anomalies, for the period 1950,1997. Those indicators showing spatial consistency were classified in percentiles, and the values corresponding to the upper and lower terciles showed to be useful to discriminate between positive and negative yield anomalies (high and low yields). In general, SOI for maize and SSTSA for soybean and sunflower were the best indicators of crop yield variability. SOI corresponding to September and May were useful in counties contributing to 71% of maize production. SSTa_SA (June) was the best for soybean in the main producing region, which includes 72% of the total production. SSTa_SA (March) could be useful for sunflower in the northern part of the region, which accounts for 27% of the regional production. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society [source] A multiscale approach for reconstructing archaeological landscapes: Applications in Northern Apulia (Italy)ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROSPECTION, Issue 3 2009Marcello Ciminale Abstract This paper is focused on the joint use of multiscale remote sensing technologies for supporting archaeological prospection. Satellite imagery, aerial photographs and high-resolution magnetic surveys were adopted for studying the Tavoliere, an extended agricultural region located in Northern Apulia (Italy) that is characterized by an abundant presence of archaeological sites. A first recognition of the archaeological features was performed by historical aerial photographs and satellite QuickBird images were used to obtain an up-to-date synoptic view of the study area. Archaeological features extracted from both aerial and satellite images, were further investigated by high-resolution magnetic survey, which provided detailed identification of buried remains. All data were stored in a GIS in order to integrate them properly. This database was used to cross-check information of different types and determine significant correlations. The multilayer analysis in the GIS environment allowed for a comprehensive reconstruction of ancient landscapes and their palaeoenvironmental context, as well as the present geomorphological and territorial setting. Moreover it represents an open information system that could always be upgraded by inputting new data from future studies. Results from our analyses suggest that this multidisciplinary and multiscale approach, in addition to its important scientific implications, could yield meaningful information for the preservation, monitoring and management of the cultural resource, from a single site to a landscape perspective; thus this integrated tool could play a strategic role in defining proper policies of sustainable development in this region. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | |||||||||||||