The role of agroforestry practices in a healthy farm

Paper presented at the 11th North American Agroforesty Conference, which was held May 31-June 3, 2009 in Columbia, Missouri.In Gold, M.A. and M.M. Hall, eds. Agroforestry Comes of Age: Putting Science into Practice. Proceedings, 11th North American Agroforestry Conference, Columbia, Mo., May 31-June 3, 2009.The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is developing a Healthy Farm Index that reflects a vision of sustainable farming. The index uses multiple indicators within ecological, environmental, and socio-economic categories to assess production, biodiversity, and ecosystem services provided by sustainable farm systems. The value of various agroforestry practices is reflected in these indicators as a component that improves farm profitability, conserves biological diversity, and enhances ecosystem services to and from agroecosystems. Agricultural systems are typically managed to maximize the provision of food and fiber. In contrast, proponents of sustainable agricultural systems seek to optimize long-term outcomes that include multiple components of agroecosystems and rewards for farmers who use sustainable practices. Understanding how shape, arrangement, and management of agroforestry landscape features affect different components of the farm system is important, as is recognizing tradeoffs. Understanding tradeoffs requires whole farm analysis and management. Management objectives help plan the shape and arrangement of landscape features. In this paper we will discuss how the use and arrangement of woody landscape features will be included in the Healthy Farm Index. Four participating organic farms in eastern Nebraska provide examples of the influence of woody land cover on the index scores. The structure of the index allows for the integration of current and future components. The index will be a mechanism for communicating interdisciplinary data toward farm practices and policy that optimize food production, biodiversity, and ecosystem services.James R. Brandle (1), Ron. J. Johnson (2), and John E. Quinn (1) ; 1. School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Lincoln, NE. 2. Department of Forestry & Natural Resources, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.Includes bibliographical references

A farm-scale biodiversity and ecosystem services assessment tool: The healthy farm index

Farm management focused on maximizing biomass production results in biological simplification and ultimately a degraded production potential for the future. Despite the large and growing body of evidence pointing to the need to restore biodiversity to farm systems, incorporation of biodiversity and ecosystem services into local agricultural land use decision- making remains limited. The lack of planned and associated biodiversity may reduce resiliency of local managed ecosystems and add management costs; however, the trade-off for individual landowners of greater diversity is increased management complexity and uncertainty. To assist farmers in managing biodiversity and to encourage ecological thinking, we developed the Healthy Farm Index, a farm-scale tool that complements existing farm assessment tools by integrating multiple metrics and outputs suitable for applied decision-making and annual evaluation. In this article, we describe the impetus for the index development and the structure of the index and through a case study apply the index and discuss its varied outputs and applications

Biotic interactions in organic farm systems

Paper presented at the 11th North American Agroforesty Conference, which was held May 31-June 3, 2009 in Columbia, Missouri.In Gold, M.A. and M.M. Hall, eds. Agroforestry Comes of Age: Putting Science into Practice. Proceedings, 11th North American Agroforestry Conference, Columbia, Mo., May 31-June 3, 2009.Fire, drought, and grazing were primary ecological drivers of the historical Great Plains' prairie ecosystem. The suppression of fire, a shift in grazing and cropping systems, and the introduction of windbreaks and other woody vegetation altered the landscape. The abundance, vertical diversity, and composition of woody species have noticeably increased. A subsequent shift has been documented in relative abundance of bird species in the state, with shrubland and edge species filling the ecological niche created with the conversion of many cropland acres to woodland. Shrubland and edge birds may fill an important functional role in agroecosystems. Organic farms frequently have greater habitat heterogeneity then other farm types. Agroforesty is an important component of this habitat diversity. To quantify the effect of woody land-use and land-cover on biodiversity and to assess the functionality of avian species as predators in organic farm systems, avian and insect diversity were sampled on 23 organic farms in eastern Nebraska and Kansas in 2007 and 2008. Species response to the presence and arrangement of woodland cover on farms is of great interest. An N-mixture model was used to estimate abundance and detectability of farmland bird species. Results from these analyses will be used to assess the functional role of birds and explore relationships between insect and bird communities to determine whether woodland edge bird species have the potential to effectively suppress crop pests on organic farms.John E. Quinn (1), Ron. J. Johnson (2), and James R. Brandle (1) ; 1. School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Lincoln, NE. 2. Department of Forestry & Natural Resources, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.Includes bibliographical references

Petrological and chronological considerations on the hercynian granitic rocks from Galicia (NW Spain)

[Resumen] Se realiza un estudio sobre más de 600 análisis químicos correspondientes a los diversos grupos de granitoides hercínicos de Galicia, y se establecen valores medios representativos para la composición química mayoritaria de estos grupos. La comparación con las medias previamente establecidas para el N. O. de Galicia, permite observar un desplazamiento hacia términos composicionales más ácidospara el conjunto de los granitoides sincinemáticos más profundos, que resulta notablemente más acentuado en el grupo de los granitoides sincinemáticos predominantemente biotíticos. Para los granitoides postcinemáticos, las desviaciones observadas son en cambio poco significativas. El examen de los datos normativos medios, pone en evidencia un carácter peralumínico generalizado para todo el conjunto, apreciándose no obstante un drástico descenso en el contenido en corindón para los granitoides postcinemáticos, que marca una distribución bimodal para este componente normativo. La clasificación petrológica con base en la mineralogía normativa pone de manifiesto un espectro composicional que fluctúa esencialmente entre granitos y monzogranitos, con muy escasa representación de los términos granodior1ticos. La variabilidad observada para los elementos mayores más signiflcativos presenta pautas poco dispersivas. Los espectros de tierras raras tienen una configuración muy similar para los granitoides precoces predominantemente biotíticos, los granitos de dos micas sincinemáticos y los granitoides inhomogéneos, con anomalías negativas de Eu poco acentuadas. Por el contrario, los granitoides tardicinemáticos someros y los granitoides post-cinemáticos, presentan también espectros bastante similares entre sí, con anomalís negativas de Eu que pueden ser considerables. Las dataciones cronológicas efectuadas por el método de Rb-Sr en roca total en algunos de los plutones post-cinemáticos se encuentran en un intervalo aproximado de 275-287 m. a., mientras que la mayoría de las dataciones sobre unidades sincinemáticas de dos micas y predominantemente biotíticas fluctúan entre 295 y 323 m. a., aunque se encuentran algunos datos fuera de este entorno, que precisan futuras verificaciones..[Abstract] A survey over more than 600 chemical analysis of Hercynian granitic rocks from Galicia is presented, and a new set of representative mean compositional values of the main groups is calculated. In general, these new mean values are richer in Si02 than the previously available ones. This difference is more conspicous in the biotite rich synkinematic group, and is minium in the postkynematic granitoids. The average normative compostion, shows a systematic peraluminous character for aH the granitoids. However, the group of postkynematic granitoids, are poorer in normative corundum than the other groups, which results in a bimodal distribution of this normative component. The normative petrological c1assification shows a compositional spectrúm ranging mainly from granites to monzogranites. The Granodioritic rocks are very scarce. The variation trends for the main mayor elements display patterns with little dispersion. The REE spectra for the biotite rich synkinematic granites, two mica synkinematic granites and inhomogenous granites are very similar, and show negligible Eu anomalies. By contrast, the shaHow level intrusion late-kynematic and postkynematic granites, display conspicous Eu anomalies and have similar spectra patterns, but different from the previously referred ones. Whole-rock-Rb-Sr ages for the postkynematic plutons range from 287 to 275 M. y. The majority of the data the synkinematic units range from 323 to 295 M. y. However, sorne chronological data faH out of these intervals, showing the need of further studies

SPATIAL MODELING OF BIOMASS IN NEBRASKA WINDBREAKS

Field windbreaks have the potential of sequestering large amounts of carbon. Predicting how much carbon would be sequestered in a newly planted windbreak after ten or more years is of interest. The amount of carbon in a tree depends on its biomass. In a pilot study of Nebraska windbreaks, a Markov random field was used to predict the biomass of green ash in windbreaks as a function of soil and climate conditions. The spatial dependence parameter was significantly different from zero, indicating the presence of small scale variation. In addition to age, the 30 year average summer precipitation and the windbreak growth condition code were included in the final model. Future directions for improving the model are discussed

Tree Growth and Cattle Weight Gain in a Ponderosa Pine System

Integrated timber and livestock systems (silvopastoral) are common in several regions of the United States. Grazing of three timber stands in eastern Nebraska showed no signs of tree damage due to rubbing or soil compaction. Steer gains were lower under the silvopastoral system compared to a typical pasture system (1.05 lb/day versus 1.70 lb/day). Growth of timber in silvopastoral stands was reduced (35.0 cubic feet per year versus 37.8 cubic feet per year); however, total productivity of the silvopastoral system (timber plus livestock) was greater ($20.98/acre) than with traditional timber systems

Avian Foraging Patterns in Crop Field Edges Adjacent to Woody Habitat

As natural predators of pest insects, woodland birds provide biological pest suppression in crop fields adjacent to woody edges. Although many birds using these habitats forage widely, earlier studies have found that most foraging activity occurs within 50 m of the woody edge. The goals of this study were to determine the primary area of use, or functional edge, for birds foraging in crop fields adjacent to woody edges, and to evaluate their foraging distance patterns. During the summers of 2005 and 2006, avian foraging behavior was observed at 12 research sites in east central Nebraska that contained either a shelterbelt or woody riparian edge. At each site, perches were provided at 10 m intervals out from the edge and insect larvae were placed in feeders at random locations to simulate a pest insect food resource. Birds were recorded foraging in five distance categories out from the edge (0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40, and 40–50 m). Seven species foraged primarily within 20 m of the edge (72% all observations; 79% without perch or feeder observations). Ten species foraged throughout the plots but six of these generally foraged more often (45% and 49%) and four less often (30% and 30%) within 20 m of the edge. The 13 species that tended to forage more often within 20 m of the edge, with 56% of their foraging overall in this area, also tended to forage farther when perch and feeder observations were included, indicating willingness to forage farther when food resources were available. Based on a repeated measures analysis of variance, foraging distances appeared to be greater at sites with soybean as the planted crop, although this apparent trend was significant for only some species. There was no clear difference in foraging distances outward from shelterbelt versus riparian sites. These results indicate that conservation efforts within the 20 m functional edge offer potential to enhance the sustainability of both birds and crops in agricultural

Avian Foraging Patterns in Crop Field Edges Adjacent to Woody Habitat

As natural predators of pest insects, woodland birds provide biological pest suppression in crop fields adjacent to woody edges. Although many birds using these habitats forage widely, earlier studies have found that most foraging activity occurs within 50 m of the woody edge. The goals of this study were to determine the primary area of use, or functional edge, for birds foraging in crop fields adjacent to woody edges, and to evaluate their foraging distance patterns. During the summers of 2005 and 2006, avian foraging behavior was observed at 12 research sites in east central Nebraska that contained either a shelterbelt or woody riparian edge. At each site, perches were provided at 10 m intervals out from the edge and insect larvae were placed in feeders at random locations to simulate a pest insect food resource. Birds were recorded foraging in five distance categories out from the edge (0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40, and 40–50 m). Seven species foraged primarily within 20 m of the edge (72% all observations; 79% without perch or feeder observations). Ten species foraged throughout the plots but six of these generally foraged more often (45% and 49%) and four less often (30% and 30%) within 20 m of the edge. The 13 species that tended to forage more often within 20 m of the edge, with 56% of their foraging overall in this area, also tended to forage farther when perch and feeder observations were included, indicating willingness to forage farther when food resources were available. Based on a repeated measures analysis of variance, foraging distances appeared to be greater at sites with soybean as the planted crop, although this apparent trend was significant for only some species. There was no clear difference in foraging distances outward from shelterbelt versus riparian sites. These results indicate that conservation efforts within the 20 m functional edge offer potential to enhance the sustainability of both birds and crops in agricultural

Petrological and geochronological study of the postkinematic pluton of Neira (Lugo, Spain)

[Resumen] El plutón granítico de Neira intruye discordantemente en metasedimentos precámbricos y cámbricos y en granitoides sincinemáticos de dos micas, con posterioridad al desarrollo de las fases deformativas hercínicas principales. En este macizo plutónico se distinguen dos unidades intrusivas principales y el espectro litológico fundamental fluctua entre granodioritas biotíticas y leucogranitos moscovíticos-biotíticos, con predominio de las variedades graníticas (adamellíticas). Estos términos petrol6gicos están relacionados entre sí a través de un proceso evolutivo controlado fundamentalmente por cristalización fraccionada, desempeñando un importante papel los minerales accesorios. La datación de esta unidad plutónica por el procedimiento Rb-Sr en roca total, proporciona una edad de 287 ± 5 Ma, con una relaci6n inicial 87 Sr /86 Sr de 0.7074 ± 0.0004, que corresponde a un episodio intrusivo Estefaniense[Abstract] Neira granitic pluton intrudes in cambrian and precambrian metasediments and in synkinematic two mica granites after the development of the two main hercynian tectonic phases. Two intrusive units are distinguished in this pluton and its petrological composition ranges from biotitic granodiorites to two mica leucogranites, predominating biotitic adamellites. This suite of rocks is related by an evolution process mainly ruled by crystal fractionation. The accesory minerals play an important role in this process. Rb-Sr dating of this plutonic unit gives and age of 287 ± 5 M y and an initial 87 Sr/86 Sr = 0.7074 ± 0.0004

Adoption of Riparian Forest Buffers on Private Lands in Nebraska, USA

Pesticide and nutrient runoff from agricultural fields is a socio-environmental problem in the Midwestern United States. Riparian forest buffers (RFBs) are a proven conservation practice that effectively manage this problem, though adoption rates are low. A mail survey was conducted to determine differences between adopter and nonadopter characteristics and attitudes with regard to the use of RFBs. Data were collected from 48 RFB adopters and 261 RFB nonadopters in two Nebraska watersheds. Inferential and multivaririate statistics were used to identify differences between adapter status and producer status groups. About half (50.8%) the respondents were nonproducers. Nonproducers are agricultural landowners not farming that make decisions about whether to install conservation practices on their land. Among the adopter respondents, non-farming agricultural landowners (nonproducers, n=25) were as likely to adopt RFHs as producers (n=23). Adopters were more informed about RFBs and willing to accept government payments. Receiving technical and financial assistance was a major key to adoption. The research has identified important opportunities for more effective and targeted RFB extension education programming