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Projecting authenticity is crucial for athletes engaged in personal branding. Prior scholarship has emphasized the "frontstage" of authenticity: what tactics athletes use to present themselves and how audiences perceive such tactics. But it has not yet examined the "backstage": why athletes pursue authenticity and the strategic considerations involved in such ongoing self-presentations. Using a constructivist grounded theory that draws on interviews with 30 elite athletes engaged in personal branding, we unpack these backstage processes, which are not straightforward but entail an ongoing cycle of authenticity negotiation. Our model of authenticity negotiation identifies conflicting authenticity demands and constraints imposed by various actors, which athletes attempt to resolve over time using a range of authenticity management tactics. By modeling the backstage processes in authenticity negotiation, our research integrates, contextualizes, and suggests extensions to the existing frontstage work on authenticity. It offers guidance to athletes and practitioners on managing athlete brands and stakeholder collaborations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grasslands are highly vulnerable to climate and changes in grazing management, yet little is known about the national rangeland response to long-term (>18 years) grazing management that may confound climate effects. This study assessed the correlation between Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), i.e., productivity and Rangeland Condition Index (RCI) i.e., quality and predicted historical grazing management (26 years) using Ecological Index Method (EIM) analysis of 72 relevés in the Highland Sourveld (HSV). Relationships between 150 NDVI and 72 RCI samples showed a rate of 0.125 change in NDVI for every 12.5% change in RCI. In 1983, the HSV’s rangeland carrying capacity (RCC) ranged from 2.0 - 2.2 ha/AU/yr (land required to support one mature bovine for 1 year), with an NDVI of 0.43, like the benchmark. site. By 2009, the RCC decreased to 3.2 ha/AU/yr, with NDVI <0.30. Selective overgrazing, reduced RCC by increasing Increaser II species and reducing Decreaser species presence. Findings suggest combining NDVI and RCI is more effective than using either alone. Integrating remote sensing with traditional ecological data (Ecological Remote Sensing - eRS) improves our understanding of rangeland vulnarability, thus, ideal for permanent monitoring of public rangelands in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aim Location Taxon Methods Results and Main Conclusions In mobile species, individual movement decisions based on biotic and abiotic conditions determine how individuals interact with the environment, heterospecifics and conspecifics. Accordingly, these decisions underpin all ecological principles and structure broader spatial patterns at the population and species level. Species distribution models (SDMs) are therefore paramount in ecology, with implications for both fundamental and applied studies. There are many robust SDM techniques, from individual‐scale (Lagrangian) to population‐scale (Eulerian) models. Their outputs routinely support wildlife management, conservation, or risk assessments. Yet, it remains unclear whether SDMs built at individual and population scales infer the same processes, and whether the spatial distributions they predict are comparable. Here, we address this key question with a simulation exercise.Virtual environment.Virtual species.First, we simulated the individual movements of two highly mobile species, one central‐place forager and one free ranger. Second, we surveyed the species at the individual‐scale, replicating Lagrangian studies by tracking individual movements, and at the population‐scale, replicating Eulerian surveys by censusing the study area with standardised protocols. The resulting data were analysed following well‐established statistical methods to assess species abundance distribution. We used Resource Selection Functions (RSFs) for Lagrangian data and Density Surface Models (DSMs) for Eulerian data.Both Lagrangian and Eulerian SDMs adequately estimated the species' relationship with environmental conditions. Although some fine‐scale differences occurred, both perspectives yielded highly correlated spatial distributions (correlations of 0.8–1.0 between pairs of models), and successfully predicted true abundance distributions (correlations of 0.6–0.7 with the true abundance distribution). Our results demonstrate that Lagrangian and Eulerian SDMs are statistically consistent and directly comparable, which is of great importance for conservation science. This provides crucial guidance for the combination of predictions from both model types to inform spatial planning within a wide range of management contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individual grazing patterns among cattle can contribute to sustainability of land use, however, little is known about the consistency of these grazing patterns. To address this knowledge gap, fifty Angus x Hereford cows were observed in repeated assays: A management assay (handling procedure, narrow chute, hydraulic squeeze), a social-feed trade-off assay (SFTA; choice between social mates and feed item), and novel approach assay (choice between social mates and feed item with novel pattern). The same cattle were tracked with GPS collars over two grazing seasons (June-August 2021 and 2022) and average grazing-related metrics (e.g., elevation used, distance traveled) were calculated within each season. Cows with a more passive response in the chute were found at higher elevation (p = 0.017), further from water (p = 0.043), and closer to supplement sites (p = 0.029). Cows that had higher latency to supplement in the SFTA traveled shorter distances on rangeland (p = 0.035). Thus, there was some evidence that cows with a more passive response to isolation and management had more optimal grazing patterns (grazed underutilized areas of the range at higher elevations and further from water sources). Selecting cattle with more optimal foraging patterns based on observable behaviors during handling and isolation could improve the sustainability of rangeland grazing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Pineal apoplexy, alternatively referred to as pineal hemorrhage or pineal gland hemorrhagic stroke, is an infrequent pathologic condition characterized by bleeding within the pineal gland. In this review, we encompass the primary factors contributing to this uncommon ailment. Methods The retrieval of pertinent research, including patients with pineal apoplexy, was conducted through PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases. This study exclusively incorporated comprehensive articles written in the English language. The search encompassed the MeSH terms "pineal apoplexy" and "pineal hemorrhage." Results A total of 41 articles were identified, encompassing a collective sample size of 57 patients. The median age of the patients in the study was 30 years, with a range spanning from 1 to 73 years. There were 27 males, representing 47.4% of the participants. The study identified the most often reported symptoms as headache (49; 86%), nausea/vomiting (19; 33.3%), and Parinaud's syndrome (16; 28.1%). The treatment options encompass several approaches, including open resection, shunting, ventriculostomy, endoscopic aspiration, and conservative care. In the conducted study, a notable number of patients, amounting to 45 cases (78.9%), indicated an amelioration of their symptoms upon their discharge. Conclusion Data from a cohort of 57 cases provide insights into symptoms, lesions, treatments, and outcomes. Management approaches range from conservative measures to surgical interventions, with prognosis hinged on timely intervention. This investigation serves as a valuable resource for clinicians and researchers, underscoring the need for early diagnosis before permanent neurologic dysfunction happens and tailored treatments for optimal outcomes in pineal apoplexy cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Spatiotemporal interactions between predators and prey are central to maintaining sustainable functioning ecosystems and community stability. For wild ungulates and their predators, livestock grazing is an important anthropogenic disturbance causing population declines and modifying their interactions over time and space. However, it is poorly understood how fine‐scale grazing affects the spatiotemporal responses of predators, prey, and their interactions. Two opposing hypotheses describe a dichotomy of possible effects. The human shield hypothesis states that people can protect prey because predators avoid areas with high human‐induced mortality risk, whereas in the human competitor hypothesis, humans compete for prey and negatively impact predators through reduced prey availability. We used camera‐trapping data from the Gansu Qilianshan National Nature Reserve in Northwest China to measure occupancy, daily activity patterns, and spatiotemporal interactions between snow leopards (Panthera uncia), the dominant predator, and their ungulate prey in areas with contrasting grazing intensities. The results of grazing were consistent with both the human‐shield and human‐competitor hypotheses, affecting spatiotemporal patterns and interactions of predators and prey. For the primary prey species, blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur), their spatial and temporal patterns were affected by grazing, which led to a reduction in interaction frequencies with snow leopards. For secondary prey, grazing led to reduced interaction frequencies with snow leopards for white‐lipped deer (Przewalskium albirostris) and red deer (Cervus yarkandensis), but increased frequencies for alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster). Our results indicate how both competition among livestock and prey and predator or prey avoidance of grazed areas can impact populations and predator–prey interactions. Our findings are relevant to grazing management and snow leopard conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices (CSAPs) at the plot level is a promising yet underutilized strategy in Ethiopia, where subsistence farming predominates. This study investigates the factors influencing the intensity of CSAPs on homesteads and identifies key barriers to their broader adoption. Methods: Quantitative data were collected through household surveys. Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) analysis was employed to examine the relationship between the independent variables and farmers' decisions to intensify CSAPs. Results: The findings reveal that slope gradient, extension contacts, farming experience, dependency ratio-induced labor, and livestock diversity significantly impact farmers' decisions to enhance CSAPs. Major barriers include insecure land tenure, poor management of open grazing, labor-intensive practices, and limited access to agricultural inputs. Discussion: To promote the widespread implementation of CSAPs, it is imperative that these variables are prioritized in agricultural extension policies. Addressing these barriers is essential for enhancing the adoption of CSAPs, which will significantly contribute to sustainable agricultural development in Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical disturbances typically cause ecological impacts within areas of direct contact (primary disturbances) but can also impact surrounding areas through other mechanisms (secondary disturbances). Secondary disturbances are often overlooked, especially in marine ecosystems where sufficiently detailed observation can be difficult to obtain. For example, boat moorings create circular clearings in seagrass meadows by physically scouring the seabed, but visible impacts extend beyond this into surrounding areas due to disturbances such as increased sediment transport, edge effects, and shading from boats. Previous studies on impacts of moorings have not distinguished between primary and secondary disturbances, and secondary disturbances are rarely accounted for in environmental management. We used spatial modelling to examine the primary and secondary disturbances associated with moorings in a meadow of the threatened seagrass Posidonia australis. We compared the disturbance from traditional 'swing' moorings with 'environmentally friendly' moorings (EFM) designed to reduce scour. Within the scour zone (0-5 m from moorings), we compared seagrass cover around swing moorings with cover around EFM. Further from moorings (5-25 m), we tested the degree of association between seagrass cover and secondary disturbances that may accumulate with mooring density and be influenced by mooring design. We found that mooring design affected the degree of direct disturbance, with cover of P. australis in the scour zone of standard moorings ~49% lower than that of EFMs (p < 0.01). Mooring density had cumulative negative effects on P. australis cover in the surrounding meadow, but the influence of mooring density was reduced when most moorings were EFMs. This suggests that secondary effects contingent on direct physical disturbance (e.g. sediment transport, fragmentation, edge effects) may be stronger than the general influence of moored boats (shading). We use the findings to simulate two broad policy scenarios for mooring designs in P. australis meadows: installing only EFM, or only traditional moorings. The simulations suggest that using only EFM would lead to a 14.2% increase (~164 m2), whereas installing only traditional moorings would lead to a 16% (~187 m2) loss of P. australis cover in this already highly disturbed meadow. Synthesis and applications: We demonstrate a nondestructive approach to assessing primary and secondary disturbances driving the distribution of a threatened seagrass and simulate a range of potential management scenarios that could assist in conserving the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diet selection and composition of sheep target grazing plains larkspur (Delphinium geyeri Greene) in northern mixed-grass prairie were evaluated during a drought year (2022). Thirteen Rambouillet ewes (3-to 6-year-old, body weight (BW) 76 kg ± 2.9), 14 Dorper ewes (3-to 6-year-old, BW 47 kg ± 1.8), and 123 Dorper ram lambs (<1 year-old, BW 25 kg ± 0.4) were used for targeted grazing. Over the 20-day first phase (mid-May to early June), sheep were subjected to three stock density treatments: (1) high, 40 animal units (AU)/ha, (2) moderate, 20 AU/ha, and (3) light, 13 AU/ha. In the second phase (21 d, early-to late-June), the same sheep grazed four 1.5 ha paddocks sequentially at a very light stock density of 7 AU/ha. Dietary composition was assessed through focal bite count observations at the plant functional group level for phase one only, and dietary composition was estimated through fecal DNA metabarcoding (f.DNA) at the plant species level for both phases. Results indicated a uniformly low preference for larkspur (< 1% in diets). There were no significant effects of breed or age on focal bite count observations of plant functional groups (grasses, forbs, and larkspur), nor were there significant effects of breed or age on f.DNA diet proportions of plant functional groups (p > 0.05). Stock density did influence focal bite count observations, with higher forb intake (p = 0.0004) and lower grass intake (p = 0.009) observed at the moderate density compared to the high density. In phase two, grass and larkspur intake decreased while forb intake increased according to f.DNA (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that moderate stock density, combined with an understanding of plant phenology, precipitation variability, and animal forage preferences can optimize vegetation and animal performance in adaptive targeted grazing management within this ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the impacts of policy and governance institutions on rangeland management practices in southern Africa. A scoping review was conducted, using literature from Web of Science, JSTOR, Scopus and Africa-wide bibliographic databases in the past three decades. The results revealed that several initiatives have been implemented in southern Africa to improve the condition of rangelands, including livestock destocking policies, grazing schemes, improved forage grasses, veld legume reinforcement, high-market beef value chains and agroforestry technology. However, the success of these initiatives has been limited due to a lack of meaningful participation in rangeland management. Moreover, the absence of responsive policies to support communal rangeland management in southern Africa has led to their transformation into unsustainable systems. Additionally, commercial interests often drive national-level policies and tend to disempower traditional institutions, causing conflicts and discord in rangeland management. Therefore, unrolling participatory bottom-up approaches will be essential for inclusive and sustainable rangeland management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lymphatic complications are becoming increasingly identified in cancer patients. Chylous ascites, chylothorax, lymphoceles, and lymphorrhea are common in cancer patients and can occur due to traumatic injury during surgeries or infiltrative effects of the tumors themselves. Recently, some anti-neoplastic medications are also thought to result in lymphatic complications. Management options range from conservative options to minimally invasive interventions, to surgical interventions with no standardized management strategy. Imaging techniques such as dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance lymphangiography and intranodal computed tomography or fluoroscopic lymphangiography are becoming more valuable in diagnosis and treatment planning. Minimally invasive interventions are rapidly evolving and have become the first-line intervention in most cases. Current research, however, faces limitations due to study design and variability. Standardized reporting and prospective studies are needed to advance the field. This review summarizes some of the latest literature on lymphatic interventions in cancer patients and provides reporting recommendations for future studies on lymphatic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In the Neotropical temperate grasslands of southern Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, bird populations are known to be affected by cattle grazing practices. We conducted a quantitative review in order to assess how different grazing management practices impact bird abundance and richness. We compared ranches under continuous grazing management (control, CGM) to (1) ranches under technological inputs management (TIM, herbicides and exotic pastures) and (2) ranches under ecological process-based management (EPM), which include ranches that utilise controlled and rotational grazing. Our analysis showed that TIM had greater negative impacts on both bird abundance and richness than did CGM, which can be attributed to the fact that TIM simplifies vegetation structure. Compared with CGM, the effect of EPM on bird abundance is more dependent on grass height: EPM decreases the number of birds in short grasslands but increases bird abundance in tall grasslands, which can be attributed to differences in avian composition. Our results show that EPM practices contribute to the conservation of endangered tall-grass birds. Bird populations inhabiting the Rio de la Plata Grasslands in southern Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay are known to be affected by livestock grazing practices. Cattle grazing can lead to changes in bird assemblages by affecting the heterogeneity of vegetation structures. We conducted a meta-analysis using studies that reported bird richness and abundance under different grazing management practices. We compared ranches under continuous grazing management (control, CGM) to (1) ranches under technological inputs management (TIM, herbicides and exotic pastures) and (2) ranches under ecological process-based management (EPM), which include ranches that utilise controlled and rotational grazing. We used random effects multilevel linear models to evaluate grazing regimen impacts. Our results indicate a negative impact of TIM on both bird abundance and richness (mean ± SE: −0.25 ± 0.07 and −0.92 ± 0.10, respectively) since the use of inputs simplifies vegetation structure and results in the loss of ecological niches. Compared to CGM, the influence of EPM on total bird abundance appears to be more dependent on grassland height, as evidenced by a decline in short grasses and increase in tall grasses. Our meta-analysis suggests that EPM practices may be beneficial for the conservation of endangered tall-grass birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Grasslands play important roles in production as well as having ecological functions. Grazing affects grassland ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF). However, the underlying grazing processes that influence grassland ecosystems in the agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China remain unclear. Methods: We conducted a three-year (2018–2020) in-situ experiment under four grazing intensities: no grazing, light grazing, moderate grazing, and heavy grazing. Plant community structure, productivity, and plant–soil–microbial stoichiometric characteristic indices were monitored throughout the study to compute nutrient storage. We then analyzed the effects of grazing intensity and the number of grazing years on EMF. Results: Short-term grazing during the growing season lowers multiple functional indicators and multifunctionality of grassland ecosystems. Moreover, the negative effects of grazing on grassland EMF were primarily related to grazing intensity. Moderate grazing had the least impact on EMF, whereas heavy grazing had the greatest impact. Grazing intensity substantially diminished aboveground multifunctionality, whereas the interannual impact of grazing years on belowground multifunctionality was modified by growing season precipitation. Short-term grazing mostly reduced nutrient storage by reducing dominant species (Leymus secalinus) biomass and litter biomass, thereby diminishing grassland EMF. Conclusion: Short-term grazing during the growing season could reduce grassland EMF, further highlighting that grazing intensity indirectly controls grassland EMF by reducing dominant species biomass. When grazing production activities were conducted in the study region, moderate grazing could preserve critical ecological functions. Our study contributes to the sustainable use and ecological protection of agro-pastoral ecotone grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Omega-3 in pasture-fed beef and lamb is related to its availability in the forage species grazed. The variation in omega-3 content of several forages has been examined in the USA and UK, but not in south-eastern Australia across different stages of maturity. Aims: This study aimed to determine the change in omega-3, at different stages of plant development, in four species of forage commonly grazed by ruminants in south-eastern Australia. Methods: Four species, oats (Avena sativa L. cv. Eurabbie), annual ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. cv. Rambo), phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L. cv HoldfastGT) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterrraneum L. cv. Coolamon) were grown in a replicated pot trial and harvested at seven stages of maturity corresponding to early vegetative, late vegetative, stem elongation, boot, anthesis, soft dough and ripening for oats, phalaris and ryegrass, or relative to day of flowering in clover. Proximate analysis and the concentration of fatty acids including C18:3n-3 and C18:2n-6 as well as the ratio of n-6:n-3 was determined. Key results: The mean (±s.e.) proportion of C18:3n-3 was highest in clover (50.6 ± 0.8), and higher in ryegrass (45.1 ± 0.5) and phalaris (44.0 ± 0.6) compared with oats (39.4 ± 0.5). Omega-3 proportion decreased with increasing maturity for oats (13.9 ± 0.86 vs 64.3 ± 0.68), ryegrass (17.3 ± 0.86 vs 68.2 ± 0.65) and phalaris (21.6 ± 1.63 vs 65.1 ± 0.79) but not to the same extent for sub clover (41.5 ± 1.38 vs 57.4 ± 0.79). The proportion of omega-3 was positively correlated with crude protein content. Conclusions: Omega-3 levels decreased in forages during development and was positively related to crude protein content, which is likely associated with total leaf chloroplasts. Although crude protein content remained higher for clover compared with other species, this did not translate to a higher proportion of omega-3 for any crude protein level. Implications: Grazing forages at earlier stages of maturity and maximising the amount of crude protein available for growth will increase the amount of omega-3 in plant material. The availability of this omega-3 for incorporation into meat and milk should be examined. Omega-3 levels in pasture-fed beef and lamb are related to its availability in the forage plants grazed by livestock. We measured how omega-3 levels changed at different stages of plant development in four species of forages in south-eastern Australia. Omega-3 was richest in clover and least abundant in oats, diminishing as plants matured. Grazing forages at earlier developmental stages and maximising the amount of crude protein available for growth will increase the amount of omega-3 in plant material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) is an endangered shorebird in Hungary, which disappeared as a character breeding species from its sodic grassland habitats during the mid-1990s. Therefore, it was a positive experience to witness the return of this species to its natural habitats, which we observed and documented in 2022 and 2024, and suggested in 2023. During the 2022 observation, one of the three pairs nesting in the Alsó-Szúnyog-puszta reached the chick-rearing stage. We have summarised twenty-one observations of the species in its natural habitat during the breeding season between 2013 and 2024. Based on our data, Collared Pratincole has been confirmed to breed three times in Hungary in its natural habitats, with five additional instances of assumed breeding between 1995 and 2021. In 2022, the species bred in sodic grassland (Camphorosmetum annuae) grazed with livestock. Pratincoles nested in colonies mixed with Kentish Plovers (Charadrius alexandrinus) and other shorebirds, such as Northern Lapwings (Vanellus vanellus), Black-tailed Godwits (Limosa limosa), and Common Redshanks (Tringa totanus). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey was conducted on 302 Sweden dairy farms (response rate 98%) to identify grazing and grassland management strategies and main challenges to grazing in northern Sweden. The most common grazing strategy on all dairy farms was continuous grazing (59%) followed by rotational grazing (45%), while organic dairy farms preferentially adopted rotational grazing (69%). The main challenges reported in grazing dairy cows on temporary grasslands on conventional farms were trampling damage and seasonal variations in grass growth, while for organic dairy farmers, the primary challenge was weed control. Only a few farms had grazing on semi-natural grasslands. Future sustainable grazing should focus on optimising grazing strategy in relation to on-farm grazing locations and nutrient supply for high-yielding dairy cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Aquatic‐terrestrial transition zones contain features essential for many species that often benefit wetland biodiversity. Shallow flood‐zone areas and reed beds are indicative of natural wetland habitats; however, how such features affect the native arthropod biodiversity in constructed wetlands is scarcely investigated. We asked how these shoreline features, as well as wetland shoreline properties and grazing management, influence riparian arthropod diversities and habitat specializations. Location: Constructed wetlands, Sweden. Taxa: Araneae, Coleoptera, Diptera. Methods: Taxonomic‐, phylogenetic‐ and trait diversities, along with habitat specialist species richness, were measured in riparian spiders, beetles and selected Diptera in 68 constructed wetlands in two regions of Sweden. We ran structural equation models to estimate direct and indirect effects from shoreline slope, flooded grassland, reed areas and grazing management on group diversities, and used multivariate models to determine drivers on habitat specialist species richness. Results: Flooded grassland and reed area, along with shoreline slope influenced arthropod diversities, and responses differed between arthropod groups and diversity metrics. Spider trait diversity was greater in wetlands with larger flooded grassland areas, whilst beetle trait diversity was reduced. Spider phylogenetic diversity was greater in wetlands containing larger reed areas and in wetlands with steeper shorelines. However, species richness in predatory flies was greater in wetlands with more gentle shorelines. Grazing management had limited effects on arthropod diversities; however, species richness in wetland specialist and generalist predatory dipterans was greater in the absence of grazers in wetlands with greater flooded grassland areas. Main Conclusions: As requirements vary considerably among arthropods, care must be taken when constructing and managing wetlands to benefit arthropod biodiversity. The present results suggest wetlands with a varied shoreline, albeit with greater proportions of flood areas, or multiple adjacent wetlands with varying shores in a wet landscape and a mild grazing regiment, would accommodate a more diverse arthropod fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive livestock production in South Africa depends on rangeland productivity and effective livestock management practices. This study aims to identify various processes to mitigate the adverse effects of droughts on livestock farming in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Stocking rates on land-reform farms during drought, rangeland management impacts on the reproduction performance of beef cattle and rangeland condition and soil data were investigated. The results showed a significant difference between rangeland condition and soil carbon, demonstrating the essential role of rangeland management in carbon sequestration. In conclusion, knowledge regarding stocking rates and prudent rangeland management practices (condition and carbon sequestration) is paramount for sustainable livestock farming during climate change. Intensive training of farmers in sustainable rangeland management is recommended to mitigate the effect of droughts and to ensure sustainable livestock production with a minimised carbon footprint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grassland bird populations are declining steeply, reflecting the degradation and loss of native grassland habitats. To assess how grazing management affects declining grassland bird populations, we compared breeding avifaunal communities in adaptive multi‐paddock (AMP) grazed and continuously grazed (CG) pastures in the Southeastern United States. AMP grazing involves alternating very short grazing periods at high animal densities with prolonged recovery periods across many small paddocks. Both the AMP and CG paddocks attracted obligate grassland birds during the breeding season; however, AMP‐grazed paddocks supported significantly higher detection of four obligate grassland breeding bird species. We used distance sampling techniques to account for differences in detectability for each species. The resulting densities for the grassland guild and Eastern Meadowlark as a species both revealed significantly higher densities within the AMP versus CG paddocks. Despite significantly more unadjusted detections of confirmed breeding ecotonal species, such as Blue Grosbeak, Eastern Bluebird, Brown Thrasher, Yellow‐breasted Chat, Eastern Towhee, Loggerhead Shrike, and Field Sparrow in AMP versus CG paddocks, no significant difference was found in the ecotonal guild after adjusting densities using effective detection radii. The CG paddocks supported fewer obligate grassland and ecotonal birds, with some exceptions (e.g., higher adjusted density of Eastern Bluebirds in CG) but supported comparable overall bird species richness. AMP grazing practices offer a viable strategy for increasing the diversity and abundance of obligate grassland and ecotonal breeding birds within existing cattle‐grazed landscapes in the Southeastern United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arid and semiarid regions cover more than one‐third of the land surface, where the interplay between water, land use, and management strongly influences carbon (C) sequestration. Yet, information on the C management practices and how local biophysical conditions affect the C sequestration potential is limited. We explored the opportunities, research gaps, and future directions of land C sequestration in arid and semiarid regions, using New Mexico as an example. We also identified the major land use types and their potential for C storage and sequestration. Our results showed that innovations in cropland and rangeland management, protection of existing forests, and restoration of degraded forest lands after drought and wildfire enhanced C sequestration in arid and semiarid lands. Landscape‐scale C balance studies with fine‐scale mapping, improving water and nutrient use efficiency, and policy incentives to support farms will unlock the full potential of C sequestration in croplands, rangelands, and forest lands. Future research should focus on the response of land management practices to climate anomalies and their potential to sequester C and offset greenhouse gas emissions as a natural climate solution in arid and semiarid regions. Core Ideas: We reviewed C sequestration through sustainable land management practices in arid and semiarid regions.Regenerative cropland and rangeland management can enhance C sequestration in dry areas.Restoration of degraded forest lands after drought and wildfire is critical for forest C sequestration.Incentivizing farmers to adopt regenerative practices is necessary to maximize C sequestration in arid lands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mediterranean landscapes are shaped by natural disturbances such as herbivory and fire that regulate vegetation structure and fuel loads. As a result of the cessation of traditional agricultural practices, land abandonment is a widespread phenomenon in these landscapes, leading to shrub encroachment and heightened fire hazard. This study reports the effects of grazing by domestic herbivores on vegetation structure in transitional woodland–shrubland systems across three case study areas in Portugal. The effects of low and moderate grazing intensity by cattle and horses on vegetation structure were assessed on three vegetation strata—canopy, shrubs, and grasses—using indicators to evaluate the influence of grazing on both horizontal and vertical vegetation structure. Moderate grazing shaped vertical vegetation structure by reducing shrub and grass height and by browsing and thinning the lower branches, creating a discontinuity between understorey and canopy layers. These effects on vertical fuel continuity are anticipated to limit the upward spread of flames and reduce the potential for crown fires. In contrast, low-intensity grazing showed limited effects on both vertical and horizontal vegetation structure. This work highlights the potential of using domestic herbivores as a tool to manage vegetation structure and its contribution to mitigating local wildfire hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Theories are crucial for addressing research questions and advancing the boundaries of knowledge. However, in the field of strategic management, the existence of diverse schools of thought from various disciplines, including economics, politics, and sociology, poses significant challenges for researchers seeking to develop theories for argumentation and theorization. In this study, we have conceptualized a novel approach to selecting an appropriate theory for addressing specific research questions. Design/methodology/approach: Thought experiment, disciplined imagination, and a conceptual examination of a diverse set of theories. Findings: Because the central focus in the field of strategic management revolves around how firms achieve sustainable high performance, a research question should initially clarify the fundamental phenomenological issues it aims to address. Subsequently, the process of problematization should identify the ontological assumptions and premises that establish a connection between the research question and existing theories. Finally, the identification and abstraction of rhetorical concepts derived from these assumptions and premises lead to theory selection criteria, namely connectedness, reliability, parsimoniousness, and falsifiability. Research limitations/implications: Although we believe that our model for theory selection is generalizable to a wide range of management disciplines, we have primarily focused on its application in the field of strategic management. Future work could validate and further explore the applicability and effectiveness of this model in selecting appropriate theories for conceptual development in other domains. Originality/value: While many researchers have proposed methods for writing theoretical papers, few have provided suggestions specifically focused on theory selection. This paper stands out as one of the few that not only attempts to address this gap but successfully develops a comprehensive model for theory selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of virtual fencing in cattle farming is beneficial due to its flexibility, not fragmenting the landscape or restricting access like physical fences. Using GPS (Global Positioning System) technology, virtual fence units emit an audible signal and a low-energy electric shock when crossing a predefined border. In large remote grazing areas and complex terrains, where the performance of the GPS units can be affected by landscape structure, increased positioning errors can lead to unnecessary shocks to the animals leading to animal welfare concerns. This study aimed to explore factors affecting the GPS performance of commercially available virtual fence collars for cattle (NoFence©), both using static tests and mobile tests, i.e., when deployed on free-ranging cattle. Results: The static tests revealed generally high fix success rates (% successful positioning attempts), and a lower success rate at four of 30 test locations was most likely due to a lack in GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) coverage. On average the GPS precision and accuracy errors were 3.3 m ± 2.5 SD and 4.6 m ± 3.2 SD, respectively. We found strong evidence that the GPS precision and accuracy errors increased errors under closed canopies. We also found evidence for an effect of the sky-view on the GPS performance, although at a lesser extent than canopy. The direction of the accuracy error in the Cartesian plane was not uniform, but biased, depending on the aspect of the test locations. With an average of 10.8 m ± 6.8 SD, the accuracy error of the mobile tests was more than double that of the static tests. Furthermore, we found evidence that more rugged landscapes resulted in higher GPS accuracy errors. However, the error from mobile tests was not affected by canopy cover, sky-view, or cattle behaviors. Conclusions: This study showed that GPS performance can be negatively affected by landscape complexity, such as increased ruggedness and covered habitats, resulting in reduced virtual fence effectiveness and potential welfare concerns for cattle. These issues can be mitigated through proper pasture planning, such as avoiding rugged areas for the virtual fence border. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land management by seasonal migratory herding, traditionally implemented by pastoralists, has allowed semi-arid rangeland ecosystems to remain productive and resilient to highly erratic, seasonal rainfall patterns. Changing pastoralist practices and rainfall patterns due to climate change have the potential to negatively influence the resilience of rangelands. To test the impact of different communal rangeland practices and increasing frequency of disturbance on the rangelands' vegetation, we established a clipping experiment in three rangeland management types: rainy season rangeland, dry season rangeland and seasonal exclosures, in the Maasai Steppe, northern Tanzania. Across these rangeland management types, we tested two clipping frequencies monthly vs. once per growing period and either fenced or open to grazing (herbivory) over two consecutive growing periods. We found that rainy season rangeland exhibited lowest regrowth rates and highest proportion of bare ground across herbivory, clipping frequency and growing period. When rainfall was low, seasonal exclosures showed lowest proportion of bare ground across herbivory and clipping frequency and plots that were seasonally clipped and excluded herbivores generated significantly more grass biomass, higher grass regrowth rates and lowest proportion of bare ground compared to all other treatments. Excluding herbivores had little impact on the vegetation biomass and cover but had a positive impact on grass regrowth rates when rainfall was high. Seasonal clipping allowed for lower proportion of bare ground, and in most cases higher regrowth rates and higher biomass compared to monthly clipping. We conclude that traditional seasonal migratory herding is a relevant concept to sustain rangeland productivity and resilience under increasing intensity of disturbance if grazing pressure on rainy season rangelands is adapted to rainfall conditions and sufficient resting time after heavy defoliation is granted. Dry season grazing (including rainy season resting) proved to be the most sustainable concept to maintain regrowth and control erosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non‐native annual grasses are degrading rangelands in the western United States and of vital management importance. Novel management strategies are needed to extend current approaches. The aim of this study was to determine if biofumigation was a viable strategy to manage non‐native annual grasses (cheatgrass, Bromus tectorum and ventenata, Ventenata dubia). We tested the effect of Brassica juncea as ground seed meal, seed meal leachate, mustard straw, mustard straw leachate and cereal straw at increasing rates on the two non‐native species and two native perennial grasses (Idaho fescue, Festuca idahoensis and bluebunch wheatgrass, Pseudoroegneria spicata) in a growth chamber experiment. A solarization split treatment was applied using a clear cover to determine if solarization enhanced the biofumigant effect. We recorded the number of emergent seedlings after a 3‐week growth period, determined the effective dose 50%, and the above‐ and belowground biomass. Emergence was inhibited for all species using ground seed meal and seed meal leachate, with lower rates and higher consistency achieved with ground seed meal. Three species were inhibited using mustard straw leachate (not F. idahoensis). Mustard straw reduced emergence in all species but was not different from cereal straw. Solarization did not enhance the effects of the biofumigant for seed meal or mustard straw; conversely, emergence increased from the seed meal and mustard straw leachates under solarization. Responses in biomass varied across species and treatment. Biofumigation applied as ground seed meal may be a viable option for integrated weed management in rangelands, but field experimentation is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leizhou goats can be classified into tall and short types based on their size and habits. The tall Leizhou goats are well-suited for grazing management due to their robust physique, while the dwarf types are smaller, grow rapidly, and are more appropriate for feeding management systems. In this study, whole-genome resequencing was conducted to identify genomic variants in 15 Tall-legged (TL) and 15 Short-legged (SL) Leizhou goats, yielding 8,641,229 high-quality SNPs in the Leizhou goat genome. Phylogenetic tree and principal component analyses revealed obvious genetic differentiation between the two groups. Fst and θπ analyses identified 420 genes in the TL group and 804 genes in the SL group. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses indicated that the phosphatidylinositol signaling system is associated with growth and development. Additionally, Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) analysis identified eight genes linked to leg length, including B4GALT7 and NR1D1. Notably, the NC_030818.1 (g.53666634T > C) variant was significantly associated with leg length traits, where the CC genotype was linked to shorter legs and the TT genotype to longer legs. This study identifies candidate genes and molecular markers, serving as a reference point for breeding and genetic improvement efforts in Leizhou goats and other goat breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the availability of non-alcoholic wines and spirit substitutes in various distribution channels and understand the factors shaping store assortments to identify potential product strategies in category management. Design/methodology/approach: A literature review using desk research and a two-part study on the availability of non-alcoholic substitutes, utilizing observation and interview methods. Findings: The highest availability of non-alcoholic equivalents of alcoholic beverages is in large-format stores, while the lowest is in small-format stores. Based on the analysis of the conditions for shaping the assortment of these products, it can be concluded that when shaping the offer, representatives of selected stores apply specific strategies towards this group of products, including competitiveness of the offer or size of the assortment. Research limitations/implications: A limitation of the research is the relatively short implementation time and the subjective nature of the responses of store employees, which may result in an incomplete picture of reality. For a more complete verification of the results, it is advisable to conduct the survey on a larger sample. Practical implications: The results can guide organizations that want to increase flexibility by introducing a more comprehensive range of non-alcoholic beverages. Social implications: The analysis can also be used to identify priorities for manufacturers and retailers in the context of managing this product category, and can be used by companies in the implementation of ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) areas related to responsible consumption and promoting safety. Originality/value: Defining product category management strategies in this emerging market can enhance a company's competitiveness in non-alcoholic beverage equivalents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting resilience is highly relevant to preserving biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. For coral reefs, parrotfish protection emerged as a mainstream action for reversing the degradation experienced by these systems. The rationale is that restoring their populations will increase grazing activity and reinforce control of fast‐growing macroalgae, facilitating coral cover recovery. A lack of a link between parrotfish trends and macroalgae and coral cover trends at a large scale has, however, often been the case. Suggesting more complex underlying dynamics that should be reexamined. In this review, we discuss how lumping parrotfish species as if they were functionally redundant may obscure trends. And how a lack of appreciation of other functions around the parrotfish paradigm, specifically bioerosion, may have unforeseen and potentially adverse effects on degraded reefs. We show that bioerosion responded more directly and quickly to spatial and temporal changes in parrotfish assemblages than macroalgae consumption, arguably due to the varying vulnerability among Caribbean parrotfishes to fisheries and habitat loss. For highly degraded reefs, positive changes in parrotfish populations could hence compromise the remaining coral skeleton structures and the reef framework, further accentuating reef degradation, where increases in macroalgae consumption could not necessarily compensate for higher rates of bioerosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tracking environmental change is important to ensure efficient and sustainable natural resources management. Eastern Africa is dominated by arid and semi-arid rangeland systems, where extensive grazing of livestock represents the primary livelihood for most people. Despite several mapping efforts, eastern Africa lacks accurate and reliable high-resolution maps of rangeland health necessary for many management, policy, and research purposes. Earth observation data offer the opportunity to assess spatiotemporal dynamics in rangeland health conditions at much higher spatial and temporal coverage than conventional approaches, which rely on in situ methods, while also complementing their accuracy. Using machine learning classification and linear unmixing, we produced rangeland health indicators – Landsat-based time series from 2000 to 2022 at 30 m spatial resolution for mapping land cover classes (LCCs) and vegetation fractional cover (VFC; including photosynthetic vegetation, non-photosynthetic vegetation, and bare ground) – two important data assets for deriving metrics of rangeland health in eastern Africa. Due to the scarcity of in situ measurements in the large, remote, and highly heterogeneous landscape, an algorithm was developed to combine high-resolution WorldView-2 and WorldView-3 satellite imagery at < 2 m resolutions with a limited set of ground observations to generate reference labels across the study region using visual photo-interpretation. The LCC algorithm yielded an overall accuracy of 0.856 when comparing predictions to our validation dataset comprised of a mixture of in situ observations and visual photo-interpretation from high-resolution imagery, with a kappa of 0.832; the VFC returned a R2=0.795 , p < 2. 2×10-16 , and normalized root mean squared error (nRMSE) = 0.123 when comparing predicted bare-ground fractions to visual photo-interpreted high-resolution imagery. Our products represent the first multi-decadal Landsat-resolution dataset specifically designed for mapping and monitoring rangelands health in eastern Africa including Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia, covering a total area of 745 840 km2. These data can be valuable to a wide range of development, humanitarian, and ecological conservation efforts and are available at 10.5281/zenodo.7106166 (Soto et al., 2023) and Google Earth Engine (GEE; details in the "Data availability" section). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grazing is a major ecological driver that influences vegetation dynamics globally. We investigated the long‐term effects of different grazing regimes on the vegetation structure of the Central Anatolian steppes, a region characterized by its unique convergence of biogeographical influences and historical land use. We employed the spatially explicit FATELAND model to simulate vegetation dynamics over a 50‐year period under three distinct grazing scenarios: no grazing, moderate grazing, and overgrazing. Our simulations incorporated a range of plant functional traits to predict changes across five different vegetation types in Central Anatolia, including woodland steppes and treeless steppes. The simulations revealed that moderate grazing supports the diversity and abundance of various plant functional groups, excluding resprouter trees, which flourish under no grazing conditions. In contrast, overgrazing leads to significant reductions in the abundance of perennial forbs and both spiny and non‐spiny subshrubs, often resulting in a shift toward grassland dominated by resprouter gramineae or an annual herb‐dominated grassland, depending on the initial abundance of gramineae. Our findings highlight the critical role of grazing management in maintaining biodiversity and ecological stability in steppe ecosystems. While moderate grazing can enhance plant functional group diversity, overgrazing significantly threatens the ecological integrity of the Central Anatolian steppes. In conclusion, our modeling approach reveals that the grazing regime is a major driver in shaping the vegetation structure of Central Anatolian steppes. Grazing management strategies that are adjusted to the ecological characteristics and historical context of specific regions are required to prevent degradation and promote sustainable grassland vegetation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the role of prescribed grazing as a sustainable fire prevention strategy in Mediterranean ecosystems, with a focus on Sardinia, an area highly susceptible to wildfires. Using FlamMap simulation software, we modeled fire behavior across various grazing and environmental conditions to assess the impact of grazing on fire severity indicators such as flame length, rate of spread, and fireline intensity. Results demonstrate that grazing can reduce fire severity by decreasing combustible biomass, achieving reductions of 25.9% in fire extent in wet years, 60.9% in median years, and 45.8% in dry years. Grazed areas exhibited significantly lower fire intensity, particularly under high canopy cover. These findings support the integration of grazing into fire management policies, highlighting its efficacy as a nature-based solution. However, the study's scope is limited to small biomass fuels (1-h fuels); future research should extend to larger fuel classes to enhance the generalizability of prescribed grazing as a fire mitigation tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Wolves across borders" discusses the recovery of wolf populations in Eurasia and North America, highlighting the complex issues surrounding wolf ecology, management, and conservation. The special issue compiles papers from the 'Wolves Across Borders' conference, offering diverse perspectives on wolf research and management. Topics covered include the regulation of wolf populations, human-wolf conflicts, wolf behavior in human-dominated landscapes, feeding habits, predation effects, and the human dimensions of wolf management. The article emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary approaches to understand and manage wolf populations effectively in the face of diverse ecological, social, and political challenges. [Extracted from the article]

Over the last decades, wolves have considerably expanded their distribution in Europe. Their range expansion even led to recolonizing densely human‐populated countries such as Belgium and the Netherlands. The few available studies on the effects of returning wolves in these landscapes focus primarily on the behavioral responses of wild ungulates, such as deer. While livestock in intensive farming practices can be protected against wolves, free‐ranging cattle in nature areas often have to protect themselves. How these cattle respond to the returned wolves is thus far unclear, yet highly relevant for conservation management. There is very little information about how free‐ranging cattle respond to the re‐appearance of wolves in terms of anti‐predator behavior and ability to defend themselves. In June 2022, a newly established wolf pair was located in a natural area in Drenthe. This natural area is grazed year‐round by free‐ranging Galloway cattle, a small and hornless primitive breed commonly used in conservation management. Here, we reported on the behavioral responses of the herd following two wolf attacks that occurred at nighttime in April 2023, the first caught on wildlife cameras in the Netherlands. During these events, the Galloways showed a clear behavioral response: they became active, restless and vigilant, and showed grouping behavior, presumably to protect the calves. Chasing behavior towards the attacking wolf was even exhibited by some individuals. The reported attacks did not result in killed or injured cattle. These two well‐documented wolf–cattle interactions show promising information as they highlight anti‐predator behaviors from an unexperienced cattle breed, all within a year of the wolves' return. We broadly discuss the relevance of these findings for grazing management, including selection for breeds, anti‐predator behaviors, and impact of herd structure and size, and we provide avenues for future research to address current knowledge gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical information has provided key insights into long‐term ecological change to marine species and ecosystems, with value to fisheries. Yet, pathways to integrate these diverse data sources into fisheries decision‐making have not been clear. Here, we identify an array of biological, ecological, and social information suitable for contemporary science‐based decision‐making, derived from local ecological knowledge, historical archives, archaeological middens and palaeoecological material. We outline two broad pathways to integrate these historical data into fisheries decision‐making, demonstrating that data‐driven use of historical information is relevant across a range of management contexts. First, historical information can inform fisheries assessments that range from simple to complex, affecting indicators of stock status. Second, it can inform estimates of biological potential and social preference, affecting the choice of fisheries reference points. Using the Caribbean Sea as an example, we illustrate these ideas with case studies representing diverse species and historical data types. Integrating historical data can improve indicators of the current state of fish populations and result in management decisions based on a more complete understanding of a potential range of variation, avoiding shifted baselines. The urgency of this work is underscored by accelerating environmental changes and the rapid loss of invaluable historical information sources. By illuminating pathways, our goal is to increase the accessibility of these types of information and to underscore that scientists, managers, and resource users have roles to play in identifying and integrating relevant long‐term data at various spatial and temporal scales to sustainably manage marine fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate predictions of herbage biomass are important for efficient grazing management. Small‐scale farms face challenges using remote sensing technologies due to insufficient resources. This limitation hinders their ability to develop machine learning‐based prediction models. An alternative is to adopt less expensive measurement methods and readily available data such as weather data. This study aimed to examine how different temporal aggregations of weather data combined with compressed sward height (CSH) affect the prediction performance. We considered weather features based on different numbers of weather variables, statistical functions, weather events, and periods. Between 2019 and 2021, data were collected from 11 organic dairy farms in Germany. Herbage biomass exhibited high variability (coefficient of variation [CV] = 0.65). Weather data were obtained from on‐farm and nearby public stations. Prediction models were learned on a training set (n = 291) and evaluated on a test set (n = 125). Random forest models performed better than models based on artificial neural networks and support vector regression. Representing weather data by a single feature for leaf wetness reduced the root mean square error (RMSE) by 12.1% (from 536 to 471 kg DM ha−1, where DM is dry matter) and increased the R2 by 0.109 (from 0.518 to 0.627). Adding features based on multiple variables, functions, events, and periods resulted in a further reduction in RMSE by 15.9% (R2 = 0.737). Overall, different aggregations of weather data enhanced the accuracy of CSH‐based models. These aggregations do not cause additional effort for data collection and, therefore, should be integrated into CSH‐based models for small‐scale farms. Core Ideas: Biomass prediction on small‐scale farms is challenged by a lack of required skills, equipment, and training data.Using multiple weather variables and multiple statistical functions enhanced the prediction performance.Including features for subperiods led to a further increase in performance but multiplied the number of features.Differentiated weather features can be a cost‐efficient addition to prediction models for heterogeneous pastures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Communally owned rangelands serve as critical grazing areas for mixed livestock species such as cattle and goats, particularly in the arid and semi-arid regions of Southern Africa. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional composition and woody species composition of communal rangelands where cattle and goat flocks graze together and to investigate the influence of grazing intensity on vegetation dynamics. Vegetation surveys were conducted across varying grazing intensities to assess species richness, biomass, and dietary preferences, while soil properties were analyzed to determine their interaction with vegetation attributes. Stepwise regression and path analyses were used to explore the relationships between soil characteristics, vegetation structure, and livestock dietary choices. The results revealed that high grazing pressure significantly reduced grass biomass (p = 0.003) and woody species density (p = 0.007) while increasing shrub cover (p = 0.018). Nutritional analysis indicated that goats preferred woody shrubs, which contributed 42.1% of their diet compared to 27.8% for cattle (p = 0.008). Regression analysis further showed that soil organic carbon (p = 0.002) and tree height (p = 0.041) were strong predictors of shrub cover. Seasonal variation significantly affected forage availability and nutritional content, with higher crude protein levels recorded during the wet season (p = 0.007). These findings suggest that grazing management strategies should be tailored to the distinct forage needs of cattle and goats to maintain the productivity and ecological stability of communal rangelands. A holistic approach that considers livestock dietary preferences, vegetation composition, and soil health is essential for sustainable rangeland management in mixed-species grazing systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mires are significant C-sinks and important habitats for biodiversity conservation. Particularly in the Alpine peatlands, grazing and trampling cause mires to degrade, causing changes in plant communities that increase bulk density, peat erosion, and nutrient excesses. We took sixteen samples of epipelic and epiphytic diatoms from mire pools subjected to varying degrees of grazing in the Adamello-Brenta Nature Park (Trento, Italy). We identified >100 diatom species (ca. 70% included in Red List threat categories). We used nMDS to identify groups of diatom species. Their statistical significance was checked with an ANOSIM and, to identify the species that contributed most to the difference between the two groups, a BEST-SIMPER procedure was carried out. The multivariate analyses allowed us to identify significant differences among the most and least grazed sites, and to select the species that contributed most to this distinction. We confirmed that some species were more frequent and abundant in the most grazed sites and behaved as opportunists in the presence of a greater nutrient input, to the detriment of rare and sensitive species, which were more numerous and abundant in the less grazed sites. We provided useful information on grazing effects, underlining the importance of managing and protecting habitats of unique environmental value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Wildfire on rangelands in the mixed grassland can severely disrupt livestock operations. Understanding how fire severity impacts post-fire production recovery is important for grazing management. Aims. We examined how topography and other environmental factors influence wildfire severity, or the consumption of biomass and exposure of soil, under extreme (>120 km h-1) wind conditions in native mixed grass prairie in western Canada. We also examined how variation in fire severity impacts grassland production recovery. Methods. Fire severity and production recovery were measured using the bare soil index (BSI) and normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI). Impacts of topography, wind exposure, and site capability on fire severity and production recovery were assessed using generalised additive models. Key results. Fire severity varied as a function of slope, wind exposure and fuel load. Severity peaked at NDVI between 0 and 0.4, values associated with high litter content and minimal green vegetation. Interactions between slope and aspect with respect to dominant wind direction generated very high fire severity on slopes greater than 15° that faced into the wind. Production recovery increased moderately with higher fire severity and recovery was generally higher on sites with lower potential productivity. Implications. Post-fire production recovery was rapid; fire severity and site capability had only modest impacts on recovery rates demonstrating the resilience of grassland ecosystems to even severe wildfire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food waste is a consequence of the contemporary retail environment, where maintaining high product availability and customer choice is considered the basis of competition. It has become an especially focal issue in recent years for grocery retailers. Despite the evidence of retailers adopting many good practices to mitigate food waste, there are still many challenges facing the sector. This paper thus conducted a qualitative study drawing on secondary data on the big four UK supermarkets and twelve in-depth interviews with high-level supply chain (SC) managers in one of those four supermarkets to investigate UK retailers' waste management practices and develop SC collaboration strategies for preventative waste management. The findings show that SC collaboration on the waste management needs to focus on forecasting, product range management, case size changes, performance measurement, information systems, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. This study recommends that retailers enhance their institutional collaboration with SC partners and social collaboration with other stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The semi-desert rangeland of Uzbekistan, characterized by gypseous and sandy soils, undergo significant changes due to grazing of different intensities. This study examines the water deficit characteristics of key plant species in these rangelands and focuses on how different grazing pressures affect plant water stress and overall ecosystem health. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate plant water potential parameters in fields with initial, low, medium and high grazing intensity. Our findings suggest that increased grazing intensity exacerbates plant water deficits, particularly in areas with sandy soils where water retention is inherently low. In contrast, gypseous soils showed higher resistance to grazing-induced water stress, but significant degradation was still observed under high grazing. These results highlight the critical need for sustainable grazing practices to mitigate adverse effects on plant water dynamics and ensure the long-term viability of these semi-desert ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used systems thinking (ST) to identify the critical components of beef cattle production through the lens of ecosystem services (ES), offering a holistic approach to address its adverse externalities. We identified eight critical feedback loops in beef production systems: (i) grazing and soil health, (ii) manure management and soil fertility, (iii) feed efficiency and meat production, (iv) water use and soil moisture, (v) cultural services and community engagement, (vi) energy use, (vii) carbon sequestration and climate regulation, and (viii) environmental impact. Our analysis reveals how these interconnected loops influence each other, demonstrating the complex nature of beef production systems. The dynamic hypothesis identified through the loops indicated that improved grazing and manure management practices enhance soil health, leading to better vegetation growth and cattle nutrition, which, in turn, have a positive impact on economic returns to producers and society, all of which encourage the continuation of interlinked beef and ecosystem stewardship practices. The management of beef production ES using ST might help cattle systems across the globe to contribute to 9 of the 17 different United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, including the "zero hunger" and "climate action" goals. We discussed the evaluation framework for agrifood systems developed by the economics of ecosystems and biodiversity to illustrate how ST in beef cattle systems could be harnessed to simultaneously achieve the intended environmental, economic, social, and health impacts of beef cattle systems. Our analysis of the literature for modeling and empirical case studies indicates that ST can reveal hidden feedback loops and interactions overlooked by traditional practices, leading to more sustainable beef cattle production outcomes. ST offers a robust framework for enhancing ES in beef cattle production by recognizing the interconnectedness of ecological and agricultural systems, enabling policymakers and managers to develop more effective and sustainable strategies that ensure the long-term health and resilience of humans and ES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Military activities in training areas can contaminate soil and groundwater through different persistent pollutants. This article reports the design of the operating procedure to assess and monitor the environmental impact of training activities carried out at the Capo Frasca military firing range (PCF) on the west coast of Sardinia. The procedure includes two steps: (i) a baseline investigation of soil to detect the impact of previous training activities at PCF, and (ii) the development of a post‐training monitoring plan. Results of the baseline investigations revealed that the activities conducted at PCF over many decades have not significantly affected the soil quality. Energetic compounds (ECs) were found below the limit of detection (LOD), and some low exceedances of the screening values (SVs) for Cd, Cu, and Ni were recorded in small areas that coincided with parts of two operational areas. A human health risk assessment (HHRA) identified no relevant issues. Results of baseline investigation allowed the planning of a light, noninvasive post‐training monitoring plan based on two levels, L1 and L2, where L1 involves only manual sampling of topsoil (0–0.2 m). If L1 reveals contamination, a more in‐depth and extensive L2 follow‐up monitoring will be implemented. Results of post‐training monitoring are not yet available. This environmental investigation protocol is intended to be a practical tool for regulatory provisions and is expected to be useful and effective for firing range management. This investigation also emphasized that, compared with the international state‐of‐the‐art, environmental surveys in Italian military ranges require the improvement of ECs set to be analyzed, lowering EC LOD, and establishing ECs SVs. In Sardinia, many military areas, including PCF, are considered areas of significant natural interest. Therefore, it is deemed beneficial to move beyond HHRA and undertake the ecological risk assessment. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:2060–2075. © 2024 SETAC Key Points: After years of operational activity at the Capo Frasca Range (CFR), baseline environmental investigations have identified a very limited impact on soil quality, attributable to few exceedances of the screening values (SVs) for Cd, Cu, and Ni; in addition, energetic compounds were not detected.Given the exceedance of the SVs, a site‐specific health risk analysis was conducted, revealing that the concentrations of metals (Cd, Cu, and Ni) found in the soils were below the acceptable contamination levels (ACLs).Based on the subsequent results, post‐training monitoring was planned.Compared with the international state‐of‐the‐art, environmental monitoring in Italian military ranges exhibits obvious deficits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Primary care physicians play an integral role in the identification and management of alcohol use disorder, which has implications for the safety and physical and mental health of patients, their families, and the public. Screening to identify risky drinking behavior is recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force but is not always performed consistently or correctly in primary care. When alcohol use disorder is identified, collaboration with patients is essential to determine an appropriate treatment approach. Abstinence may not always be the answer. Approximately one-half of patients with alcohol use disorder experience symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome when decreasing alcohol use abruptly or substantially. Physicians must be adept at recognizing and managing signs of alcohol withdrawal. They should be aware of the range of management options and recognize that pharmacotherapy has been underused. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grazing has been shown to impact the soil environment and microbial necromass carbon (MNC), which in turn regulates soil organic carbon (SOC). However, the carbon sequestration potential of fungi and bacteria under different stocking rates remains unclear, limiting our understanding of soil carbon sequestration in grazing management. In 2004, we established grazing experiments in the desert steppe of northern China with four stocking rates. Our findings indicate that MNC decreased under moderate and heavy grazing, while light grazing did not significantly differ from no grazing. Notably, the reduction in fungal necromass carbon, rather than bacterial necromass carbon, was primarily responsible for the decreased contribution of MNC to SOC. This difference is attributed to the varying effects of sheep grazing on fungal and bacterial community characteristics, including richness, diversity, and composition. Thus, to accurately predict carbon dynamics in grassland ecosystems, it is essential to consider that the ecological impacts and carbon sequestration potential of microbial communities may vary with different grazing management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rangelands represent about 25% of the Earth's land surface but are under severe pressure. Rangeland degradation is a gradually increasing global environmental problem, resulting in temporary or permanent loss of ecosystem functions. Ecological rangeland studies aim to determine the productivity of rangelands as well as the severity of their degradation. Rigorous in situ assessments comprising visual identification of plant species are required as such assessments are perceived to be the most accurate way of monitoring rangeland degradation. However, in situ assessments are expensive and time-consuming exercises, especially when carried out over large areas. In situ assessments are also limited to areas that are accessible. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of multispectral (MS) and hyperspectral (HS) remotely sensed, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based data and machine learning (random forest) methods to differentiate between 15 dominant Nama Karoo plant species to aid ecological impact surveys. The results showed that MS imagery is unsuitable, as classification accuracies were generally low (37.5%). In contrast, much higher classification accuracies (>70%) were achieved when the HS imagery was used. The narrow bands between 398 and 430 nanometres (nm) were found to be vital for discriminating between shrub and grass species. Using in situ Analytical Spectral Device (ASD) spectroscopic data, additional important wavebands between 350 and 400 nm were identified, which are not covered by either the MS or HS remotely sensed data. Using feature selection methods, 12 key wavelengths were identified for discriminating among the plant species with accuracies exceeding 90%. Reducing the dimensionality of the ASD data set to the 12 key bands increased classification accuracies from 84.8% (all bands) to 91.7% (12 bands). The methodology developed in this study can potentially be used to carry out UAV-based ecological assessments over large and inaccessible areas typical of Karoo rangelands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grazing management through pasture rotation has been mentioned as a viable alternative for the control of Rhipicephalus microplus; however, there is limited information on rotational grazing at field level. The objectives of this research were (1) to evaluate the effect of rotational grazing with 30 and 45 days of pasture rest and continuous grazing (without rest) on R. microplus tick loads in Brahman heifers and its most common crosses with Holstein; (2) to know the parasite dynamics of R. microplus under the three grazing systems in the humid tropics of Mexico; and (3) to determine the effect of the treatments on the characteristics of the pastures (availability of forage biomass, plant height, and soil cover). The experiment was carried out for 1 year from April 2022 to March 2023, with three grazing treatments: Treatments 1 and 2 considered rotational grazing with 30 (RT30) and 45 days of rest (RT45), respectively, and Treatment 3 as continuous grazing (CT00). Thirty calves from 8 to 12 months of initial age were distributed in each treatment (n = 10). Every 14 days, the number of engorged and semiengorged female ticks in cattle was determined. Concomitantly, the region's temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall were recorded, as well as the agronomic characteristics of the pasture. Rotational grazing animals with 30 days of rest had the highest number of ticks, while grazing animals with 45 days of rest had the least. Tick load dynamics among groups did not correlate with climatic variables (p > 0.05). The height and grass cover presented significant changes due to grazing (p < 0.05), which could influence the tick cycle by the exposure of the soil, modifying the microclimatic conditions and consequently harming the survival and development of R. microplus in the evaluated systems. The negative effect of rotational grazing on the nonparasitic phase of R. microplus deserves further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]