A preliminary study into the use of infrared thermography as a means of assessing the horse's response to different training methods

Infrared thermography (IRT) has been used as a non-invasive means of assessing stress responses in animals. Changes in surface temperature that relate to redirected blood flow have been associated with emotional responses in a range of species. For example, when horses were subjected to a sham clipping procedure, increases in eye temperature were found to correlate significantly with increases in salivary cortisol. The Pessoa Training Aid is claimed to enhance the physical development of the horse but may also increase the psychological stress associated with training. The aim of the current study was to use IRT to evaluate whether the use of this training device affected the stress response of horses during a lunge session. Riding school horses (n = 8) were used for the study. All had previously been lunged in the Pessoa. Each horse was lunged for two sessions of approximately 15 minutes, once with and once without the Pessoa using a cross-over design. In each session the horse was lunged on both reins at walk, trot, canter, trot and walk. With the Pessoa the horse was lunged initially with the device fitted loosely and it was only tightened for the second trot. Thermal images were taken from a distance of one metre after each gait and from each side of the horse using a Mobir GuidIR M4 thermal camera. Ambient temperature was also recorded. A digital rectal thermometer was used to measure core temperature. Thermal images were analysed using Guide IR analyser software. The same area around the eye, on the neck and around the ear was circled on each image and the maximum temperature recorded. Mean temperatures (eye, ear, neck and core) were calculated for each gait with and without the Pessoa. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was carried out on the mean temperatures to assess the effects of Pessoa and gait. Significantly higher eye temperatures were recorded with the Pessoa (30.59 ± 0.58°C) than without it (28.7 ± 0.83°C) (p < 0.05). There was also a significant effect of gait (p < 0.01), with the highest eye temperature being recorded following the second trot when the Pessoa was worn (32.34 ± 2.61°C) and the lowest at halt (27.5 ± 0.95°C). There was no significant effect of either gadget or gait on ear or neck temperature. Significantly higher core temperatures were found when the Pessoa was used (with: 37.11 ± 0.2°C; without: 36.7 ± 0.17°C) although this was not affected by gait. No correlation between ambient temperature and eye, ear or neck temperature was found. The results of this preliminary study indicate that the horses experienced more stress when lunged with the Pessoa than without it. The increased eye temperature that occurred in relation to gait and was highest after the second trot was accentuated by the use of the Pessoa following tightening of the device. The use of IRT offers an objective non-invasive method of assessing the horse's response to other training methods and a means of improving the welfare of the ridden horse

Ocean acidification and human health

The ocean provides resources key to human health and well-being, including food, oxygen, livelihoods, blue spaces, and medicines. The global threat to these resources posed by accelerating ocean acidification is becoming increasingly evident as the world’s oceans absorb carbon dioxide emissions. While ocean acidification was initially perceived as a threat only to the marine realm, here we argue that it is also an emerging human health issue. Specifically, we explore how ocean acidification affects the quantity and quality of resources key to human health and well-being in the context of: (1) malnutrition and poisoning, (2) respiratory issues, (3) mental health impacts, and (4) development of medical resources. We explore mitigation and adaptation management strategies that can be implemented to strengthen the capacity of acidifying oceans to continue providing human health benefits. Importantly, we emphasize that the cost of such actions will be dependent upon the socioeconomic context; specifically, costs will likely be greater for socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, exacerbating the current inequitable distribution of environmental and human health challenges. Given the scale of ocean acidification impacts on human health and well-being, recognizing and researching these complexities may allow the adaptation of management such that not only are the harms to human health reduced but the benefits enhanced.publishedVersio

Simulating the atmospheric response to the 11-year solar cycle forcing with the UM-UKCA model: the role of detection method and natural variability

The 11-year solar cycle forcing is recognised as an important atmospheric forcing; however, there remain uncertainties in characterising the effects of solar variability on the atmosphere from observations and models. Here we present the first detailed assessment of the atmospheric response to the 11-year solar cycle in the UM-UKCA (Unified Model coupled to the United Kingdom Chemistry and Aerosol model) chemistry–climate model (CCM) using a three-member ensemble over the recent past (1966–2010). Comparison of the model simulations is made with satellite observations and reanalysis datasets. The UM-UKCA model produces a statistically significant response to the 11-year solar cycle in stratospheric temperatures, ozone and zonal winds. However, there are also differences in magnitude, spatial structure and timing of the signals compared to observational and reanalysis estimates. This could be due to deficiencies in the model performance, and so we include a critical discussion of the model limitations, and/or uncertainties in the current observational estimates of the solar cycle signals. Importantly, in contrast to many previous studies of the solar cycle impacts, we pay particular attention to the role of the chosen analysis method in UM-UKCA by comparing the model composite and a multiple linear regression (MLR) results. We show that the stratospheric solar responses diagnosed using both techniques largely agree with each other within the associated uncertainties; however, the results show that apparently different signals can be identified by the methods in the troposphere and in the tropical lower stratosphere. Lastly, we examine how internal atmospheric variability affects the detection of the 11-year solar responses in the model by comparing the results diagnosed from the three individual ensemble members (as opposed to those diagnosed from the full ensemble). We show overall agreement between the responses diagnosed for the ensemble members in the tropical and mid-latitude mid-stratosphere to lower mesosphere but larger apparent differences at Northern Hemisphere (NH) high latitudes during the dynamically active season. Our UM-UKCA results suggest the need for long data sets for confident detection of solar cycle impacts in the atmosphere, as well as for more research on possible interdependence of the solar cycle forcing with other atmospheric forcings and processes (e.g. Quasi-Biennial Oscillation, QBO; El Niño–Southern Oscillation, ENSO)

Timonius kinabaluensis

Timonius kinabaluensis is only known from Ranau district, Sabah. The estimated area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are both 8 km2. The species is threatened by forest fire (Bukit hampuan forest reserve) with recurring fires occurring especially in the dry season. If these were to occur it could drive the species towards Critically Endangered or Extinct in the near future. Hence, it is assessed as Vulnerable. Timonius kinabaluensis is endemic to Sabah, Malaysia. It is restricted to the western and southern part of Kinabalu Park

Polyalthia montis-silam

Polyalthia montis-silam is restricted to Mount Silam area and Madai Hill in Lahad Datu district. The estimated area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence are 16 km2 and 47 km2, respectively. Due to land-use changes there has been an estimated decline of 20% in AOO. Fire is a potential threat that could drive this species to Critically Endangered or Extinct in the near future. Hence, it is assessed as Vulnerable. Polyalthia-montis-silam is endemic to Sabah, Malaysia. It was recorded from Lahad Datu district

Schefflera serpentinicola

Schefflera serpentinicola is only known from Wuluh river, Kinabalu Park. The estimated area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are both 4 km2. The most plausible threat that could affect this species is climate change, in the form of temperature extremes and droughts. If this was to occur it could rapidly drive the species towards Critically Endangered or Extinct within a short space of time. Hence it is assessed as Vulnerable. Schefflera serpentinicola is endemic to Sabah, Malaysia. It is only known from Wuluh river, Kinabalu Park

Timonius tambuyukonensis

Timonius kinabaluensis is only known from Ranau district, Sabah. The estimated area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are both 8 km2. The species is threatened by forest fire (Bukit hampuan forest reserve) with recurring fires occurring especially in the dry season. If these were to occur it could drive the species towards Critically Endangered or Extinct in the near future. Hence, it is assessed as Vulnerable. Timonius kinabaluensis is endemic to Sabah, Malaysia. It is restricted to the western and southern part of Kinabalu Park

Polyalthia lasioclada

Polyalthia lasioclada is restricted to the montane area in Kinabalu Park and Mensalong Forest Reserve, Sabah. The estimated area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are 16 km2 and 29 km2, respectively. Due to land use change, estimated past loss of the species' AOO and EOO has been about 20% and 22%, respectively. Decline has now ceased as the species is protected in situ in at least two Totally Protected Areas. However, the species is at risk from potential threats such as climate change and forest fire which if they occur could drastically change its conservation status to Critically Endangered or Extinct. Hence, it is assessed as Vulnerable. Polyalthia lasioclada is endemic to Sabah, Malaysia. It is only known from Mount Kinabalu and vicinity. It is estimated that at least 20% of the species' area of occupancy (AOO) and 22% of its extent of occurrence (EOO) has been lost (based on GeoCAT reduction analysis). However as the remaining individuals are in protected areas decline is not continuing. The species has a small remaining AOO and EOO of 16 km2 and 29 km2, respectively

Polyscias havilandii

Polyscias havilandii is a tree known from Mount Kinabalu and vicinity. The estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both 8 km2. Due to land use changes, a decline of at least 60% is inferred due to reductions in EOO and AOO over the past three generations (90 years). The remaining known individuals are within protected area (Kinabalu Park). Thus, it is assessed as Endangered. Polyscias havilandii is endemic to Sabah, Malaysia. This species is restricted to Kinabalu Park (Totally Protected Area)

Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi

Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi is a small tree, endemic to Sabah. The estimated area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are both 8 km2. Although the AOO may be larger with greater collection effort it is unlikely to exceed the boundaries of a threatened category. It is not known from any protected areas but one of its subpopulation is rather close to Hampuan Forest Reserve. The species experiences ongoing decline due to increased frequency of forest fire in its habitat. This species is assessed as Endangered. Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi is endemic to Sabah, Malaysia. It is only known from Ranau