Characterising marine mollusc exploitation in the eastern African Iron Age: archaeomalacological evidence from Unguja Ukuu and Fukuchani, Zanzibar

Molluscan remains from archaeological contexts have the potential to provide information related to a range of issues, including but not limited to settlement and economic structures, and local environmental conditions. Shell deposits are ubiquitous along the eastern African coast and offshore islands, with previous archaeological research highlighting the prevalence of these deposits in conjunction with providing some discussion on the variable contribution or role of molluscs within the economy. In general, marine molluscs have been viewed as a secondary or fall-back resource with largely opportunistic harvesting in the intertidal zone. In addition, there is a general expectation that there would be significant variability in exploitation depending on settlement structure, the availability of domesticates, and with status differences. With few exceptions, however, the scale and resolution of archaeomalacological analyses across the broader region have tended to be relatively coarse, making it difficult to adequately assess these interpretations. Here we consider these issues based on detailed analyses of the sites of Unguja Ukuu and Fukuchani situated on the island of Unguja (Zanzibar), providing an assessment of the relative importance of the exploited taxa and ecological niches, in combination with species richness and diversity. These analyses provide a comparative framework for other sites in the region, and a baseline understanding of human interactions with coastal environments through molluscan exploitation

Wildflower Strip Establishment for the Delivery of Ecosystem Services in Sweet Cherry Orchards

The practice of introducing wildflower habitats in cropped areas is an approach that can be used to enhance ecosystem services. The value of such an approach will be affected by the establishment success of the sown species. To investigate this, 12 strips of wildflower habitat were established in alleyways between rows of cherry trees at three sites in the West Midlands (UK). The establishment of plants in sown strips was compared to six untreated alleyways that received conventional management. Eight forb species and one grass species was sown in strips measuring 1 m × 95 m. The establishment success of the sown species and their contribution to the vegetation of the alleyway was determined using percentage cover assessments in replicate quadrats. Dactylis glomerata, Leucanthemum vulgare, Prunella vulgaris and Lotus corniculatus established most consistently and with greater cover values in the sown strips. However, the sown strips were also associated with a greater abundance of unsown species, some of which are classed as weeds

Causal and functional interpretation of mu- and delta-opioid receptor profiles in mesoaccumbens and nigrostriatal pathways of an oral stereotypy phenotype

Spontaneous stereotypic behaviours are repetitive, compulsive, topographically invariant response patterns commonly observed in captive or domestic animals, which have been linked to dysfunction of basal ganglia input/output pathways. There is evidence that endogenous opioids play a key regulatory role in basal ganglia direct and indirect pathways, but their precise role, both causally and functionally, in spontaneous stereotypic behaviour is unclear. Here we examined the profile of mu- and delta-opioid receptors (density [Bmax] and affinity [Kd]) of basal ganglia structures in stereotypy (n = 10) and non-stereotypy (n = 10) animals using a competitive ligand binding approach. Mu receptor densities were significantly higher in the nucleus accumbens (p  0.15). Receptor binding affinity was only found to be significantly different between control and stereotypy animals for mu receptors on the caudate region; (p < 0.001). Our findings suggest that increased inhibition (via mu-opioid receptors) of the indirect (dorsal striatopallidal) pathways are associated with spontaneous stereotypy development. Data also suggested that different types of spontaneous stereotypies (e.g. oral versus locomotor) within or a cross species may have a different neurological basis. This may have important implications for understanding the aetiology and function of these behaviours. In some instances (oral stereotypy), the behaviour may be associated with allostasis, a process that could enhance the reward value of appetitive behaviour performance (as a starting point of stereotypy development)

The use of red clover (Trifolium pratense) in soil fertility-building: A Review

Red clover cultivation made significant contributions to soil fertility prior to the introduction of mineral nitrogen fertilizers. Its modern usage lies primarily in forage production, but reintegration into arable systems can enhance sustainability and preserve environmental integrity. Here we review red clovers nitrogen (N) contribution to subsequent crops, its capacity to fix N, and how this N is transferred to subsequent crops. The senescence of the root system following cultivation also contributes to soil organic matter, providing a suite of ecosystem services which are also reviewed. Potential contributions to allelopathic weed control and how this may be utilized to improve weed control is also discussed. Red clover varieties are diverse and can be split into categories of early/late flowering, erect/prostrate and diploid/tetraploid. This use of this diversity to different ends and purposes in fertility-building and the role of plant breeding in optimizing use of genetic resources is reviewed. Management strategies are also diverse; red clover can be grown in monoculture or with companion grasses, it can be harvested for forage or green manured (which can include or omit herbicides) and the consequence of this for soil fertility is discussed. High protein forage production is also a key benefit of red clover cultivation and the economic incentive this may provide to farmers is also reviewed