Abstract: Uplands and peatlands are of international ecological importance and heavy grazing pressure has been implicated in a decline in their condition. Therefore, a better understanding of grazer behaviour could aid the design of conservation strategies. The objective of this study was to test whether the same resource selection results were obtained from direct flock observations as simultaneously-run GPS tracking studies. Direct flock observations were conducted on 50 sampling days, June 2004-July 2005. Habitat, habitat condition and grazing lawn frequency maps were produced. Resource use and availability were estimated using range analysis and GIS, and resource selection was analysed using weighted compositional analysis. Flock distribution was uneven with a mean of 0.0-8.9 sheep/ha observed based on a 1 ha grid system. Habitat selection based on direct observations varied seasonally with acid grasslandrelated habitats selected most in spring, summer and autumn, and wet heath and blanket bog selected most in winter. Moderately damaged areas and grid squares containing numerous/extensive grazing lawns were consistently selected most (P0.05). Resource selection findings based on direct flock observations were consistent with those obtained using detailed GPS tracking data from fewer individuals. Resource management recommendations are discussed.

Keywords: agriculture; ecology; environment; resource management; resource selection

Abstract: We examined in our study the theoretical catching distance and the catching results of the Járfás and Jermy type light-traps in the function of the moon phases and the clouds. The clouds determine the theoretical catching distances of both the Járfás and Jermy type light-traps fundamentally. The ratio of theoretical catching distances of completely overcast and clear sky is approximately 2.4:1. This difference does not appear however in the catching results. The catching of Turnip Moth (Agrotis segetum Den. et Schiff.) in moonless hours is the most successful when the sky is totally through, if it is not raining. In opposition to this, the catch decreases by the increase of the cloud cover in moonlit hours. The most moths were found in the light-trap when the sky was almost clear. The increase of cloud cover results in a reduction of the catch. The number of the Macrolepidoptera individuals and species are higher when the sky is clear than overcast in the event both the all and low clouds. It was also found that the height of cloud base also modify the light-trap catch. If the cloud base is low the light-trap catch is also low, in the opposite it is high.

Keywords: Light-trap, moon phases, clouds, catching distance

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Abstract: The investigation highlights results of a field experiment conducted in an Inceptisol in the Lower Gangetic Plain of India to evaluate the sole and interactive effect of different degree of puddling through various tillage implements and farm yard manure (FYM) on carbon and nitrogen transformation in the rice rhizosphere over two seasons. Three methods of puddling viz., (1) Light puddling with country plough, (2) Moderate puddling with tractor drawn cultivator and (3) Intensive puddling with power tiller, were employed in specified triplicate plots with and without application of FYM and their effect on organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, NH4+-N, NO3--N and total nitrogen in the rice rhizosphere soil were assessed. The results of this study revealed that while light puddling induced the highest build up of soil organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon and total nitrogen. Moderate puddling effectuated the highest level of NH4+-N and NO3--N suggesting the highest rate of mineralization of organic-N in rice rhizosphere. Irrespective of puddling intensity, FYM escalated its positive effects. The highest level of NO3-- N was induced through the rhizosphere during flowering stage. All the chemical and biochemical attributes of the soil, except NO3– N, were stimulated to the greatest extent during tillering stage. From this research results moderate puddling could be suggested for the best nitrogen availability during the critical growth stages of rice.

Keywords: Tillage, Organic matter, N transformation, rice, rhizosphere

Abstract: Moringa peregrina which is one of the most valuable and economically important medicinal species in the Egyptian desert has become one of the most endangered trees due to unmanaged grazing and over-collection. The present study aims to provide ecological assessment of the species and to investigate whether progeny from the remnant fragmented populations show reduced fitness. Sixteen sites containing a total of 197 trees were sampled upon survey of Wadis in South Sinai, where vegetation parameters and associated species were recorded. Variation in edaphic factors, phenotypic traits, germination, and early life-history fitness were assessed and analyzed. The results indicated that M. peregrina has narrow distribution and grows on cliffs and at the base of hills (300 - 800 m a.s.l.) with very rugged topography. Almost all the reproductive trees grow on south facing slopes and crevices of metamorphic rocks. The study clearly showed that the studied populations have very low early stage fitness estimated as an index of maternally affected life-history characters. The study suggested that the deteriorated environmental circumstances have affected negatively the fitness of maternal plants in small populations and the performance of their offspring. It concluded that direct protection is urgently needed to stop further deterioration of the populations and to improve their number and size.

Keywords: Sinai, Moringa peregrina, conservation, fitness, medicinal plants

Abstract: Climate change is one of the biggest environmental problems of the 21st century. The most sensitive indicators of the effects of the climatic changes are phenological processes of the biota. The effects of climate change which were observed the earliest are the remarkable changes in the phenology (i.e. the timing of the phenophases) of the plants and animals, which have been systematically monitored later. In our research we searched for the answer: which meteorological factors show the strongest statistical relationships with phenological phenomena based on some chosen plant and insect species (in case of which large phenological databases are available). Our study was based on two large databases: one of them is the Lepidoptera database of the Hungarian Plant Protection and Forestry Light Trap Network, the other one is the Geophytes Phenology Database of the Botanical Garden of Eötvös Loránd University. In the case of butterflies, statistically defined phenological dates were determined based on the daily collection data, while in the case of plants, observation data on blooming were available. The same meteorological indicators were applied for both groups in our study. On the basis of the data series, analyses of correlation were carried out and a new indicator, the so-called G index was introduced, summing up the number of correlations which were found to be significant on the different levels of significance. In our present study we compare the significant meteorological factors and analyse the differences based on the correlation data on plants and butterflies. Data on butterflies are much more varied regarding the effectiveness of the meteorological factors.

Keywords: climate change, phenophases, meteorology, correlation, Lepidoptera

Abstract: The soil microbial biomass of soil is being increasing recognized as sensitive indicator of soil quality. Its knowledge is fundamental for sustainable environment management. The soil microbial biomass C, N and P were studied in four different land uses of dry tropical forest of Udaipur, Rajasthan, Western India to assess the influence of abiotic, physico-chemical variables and difference in different land uses (mixed forest, butea plantation, grassland and agricultural lands) on the seasonal variation in soil microbial biomass. Microbial biomass C, N and P were highest during rainy season and lowest during winter in all the four different land use with the exception of microbial N which was lowest in summer in mixed forest and butea plantation. Microbial biomass C and N were shown to be significantly correlated to the abiotic and physico-chemical variables of the soil, such as soil temperature, relative humidity, soil moisture, organic C, total N, clay, and pH. Present study clearly shows that land use has a significant effect on microbial biomass C, N and P in soil by altering natural soil characteristics under the same ecological conditions.

Keywords: Soil microbial biomass, soil nutrient pool, dry tropical forest, land use type, soil