Net phytoplankton and zooplankton in the New York Bight, January 1976 to February 1978, with comments on the effects of wind, Gulf Stream eddies, and slope water intrusions

Results are given of monthly net phytoplankton and zooplankton sampling from a 10 m depth in shelf, slope, and Gulf Stream eddy water along a transect running southeastward from Ambrose Light, New York, in 1976, 1977, and early 1978. Plankton abundance and temperature at 10 m and sea surface salinity at each station are listed. The effects of atmospheric forcing and Gulf Stream eddies on plankton distribution and abundance arc discussed. The frequency of Gulf Stream eddy passage through the New York Bight corresponded with the frequency of tropical-subtropical net phytoplankton in the samples. Gulf Stream eddies injected tropical-subtropical zooplankton onto the shelf and removed shelfwater and its entrained zooplankton. Wind-induced offshore Ekman transport corresponded generally with the unusual timing of two net phytoplankton maxima. Midsummer net phytoplankton maxima were recorded following the passage of Hurricane Belle (August 1976) and a cold front (July 1977). Tropical-subtropical zooplankton which had been injected onto the outer shelf by Gulf Stream eddies were moved to the inner shelf by a wind-induced current moving up the Hudson Shelf Valley. (PDF file contains 47 pages.

Control of pollen beetle in organic farming with plant protecting agents

Pollen beetle (Meligethes spp.) is a major yield-limiting factor in organic oilseed production. Currently there are no effective methods available to control this beetle in organic agriculture. From 2006 to 2008 work was carried out at Agroscope ARTReckenholz to find suitable organically compatible plant protecting agents which are effective against the beetle. A partial reduction in beetle infestation was observed when liquid manure, lavender oil and rapeseed oil was applied. Dusting agents such as ash and substances containing silicate (stone meal) were very efficient, almost completely removing the beetle after application. However, beetle infestation increased again after one or two days following application. Dusting substances in combination with pine oil and rapeseed oil produced the best results with an effective period of action of up to five days. The addition of vegetable oil is assumed to improve the adhesiveness of these agents. None of the methods showed any significant effects on oilseed yield. Practical use will require further tests and investigations into economic feasibility and application technology

Variability of Temperature and Salinity in the Middle Atlantic Bight and Gulf of Maine

Monitoring of the waters of the Middle Atlantic Bight and Gulf of Maine has been conducted by the MARMAP Ships of Opportunity Program since the early 1970's. Presented in this atlas are portrayals of the temporal and spatial patterns of surface and bottom temperature and surface salinity for these areas during the period 1978-1990. These patterns are shown in the form of time-space diagrams for single-year and multiyear (base period) time frames. Each base period figure shows thirteen-year (1978-1990) mean conditions, sample variance in the form of standard deviations of the measured values, and data locations. Each single-year figure displays annual conditions, sampling locations, and departures of annual conditions from the thirteen-year means, expressed as algebraic anomalies and standardized anomalies. (PDF file contains 112 pages.

Accompagner sa classe lors d'un deuil: rôle et attitude de l'enseignant, référentiel d'activités susceptibles d'être conduites

La mort est un sujet très complexe et tabou dans notre civilisation occidentale. Il est utopique d’en donner une définition unique alors que l’école est friande de savoirs scientifiques et avérés. Ce travail, à travers une approche philosophique et religieuse, montre à quel point la mort est peu définissable. Pourtant, elle survient souvent lorsqu’on s’y attend le moins et en tant qu’enseignant, nous avons à répondre aux besoins et aux questions de nos élèves. N’ayant pas de vérité sur le sujet, il est parfois difficile de se positionner. Le but n’est selon moi pas d’apporter des réponses exhaustives aux élèves mais plutôt de leur permettre de se sentir mieux face aux événements. Ce mémoire propose quelques pistes et donne différents conseils aux enseignants qui vivent un deuil avec le groupe-classe. Il tend également à les rendre attentifs aux comportements susceptibles d’être observés chez les élèves et donne quelques éléments théoriques quant au stade de compréhension de la mort chez l’enfant, en fonction de son âge

Leguminosen als Zwischenbegrünung im ökologischen Ackerbau mit konservierender Bodenbearbeitung

In large-plot field trials leguminous cover crops were examined under conservation tillage systems in organic farming conditions for their ability to suppress weeds. Cover crops were directly drilled after wheat harvest into the field. Suitability of cover crop was estimated by assessing their growth, soil coverage, biomass, biomass of weeds, mulch layer and yield of the main crop, which was either maize or sunflower. Fast growing cover crops, which had a high biomass, reduced weed growth most. Any cover crops grown reduced weed biomass significantly compared to the control without cover crop. Effects on the main crops will be determined after harvest in autumn 2010

Die vielen Facetten von Zwischenfrüchten

Several studies indicate that cover crops can be used to enhance agricultural sustainability as they provide numerous ecological services in agro-ecosystems. They protect soil against erosion and nutrient losses and compete weeds. Moreover, legume species fix nitrogen (N) from the atmosphere and contribute to next crop nutrition. Hence, cover crops complement the ecological aims of organic agriculture. We investigated the impact of cover crops in different cropping systems (organic and conventional) and soil tillage intensities (plough, reduced and no-tillage) in various field experiments. Moreover, results from an experimental network, which has investigated the behavior of more than 11 cover crops, is included. Results show that the effects of cover crops were highest under conservation agriculture or organic farming, and decreased with increasing management intensity. The additional N input by legume cover crops increased the N uptake by the succeeding main crops and cover crops enhanced yield in most of the investigated systems. Cover crops also decreased weed abundance during the fallow period and, predominantly under organic reduced tillage, could reduce weed pressure in the succeeding main crop. Innovative cropping systems (e.g. organic or conservation agriculture) combined with ecological management tools, such as cover crops, have great potential to reduce environmental impact and maintain productivity

MENGELOLA KEUNGGULAN POSITIONING TOKO (STORE POSITIONING ADVANTAGE) (STUDI EMPIRIS : HYPERMART AMBON)

This study aims to test and analyze the effect of promotional discounts onstore image differentiation and store positioning advantage and its impact on theperformance of Ambon Hypermart stores. The sample in this study are consumerswho have visited Ambon Hypermart. Data was collected through distributingquestionnaires to 150 respondents using purposive sampling technique. While thedata analysis (Path Analysis).The results show that Promotional discounts have a positive andsignificant influence on Store Image Differentiation and Store PositioningAdvantages. It was also found that Store Image differentiation and StoreAdvantages had a positive and significant effect on the Performance of AmbonHypermart Store

Verschiedene Gründüngerpflanzen – Anbaueignung und Unkrautunterdrückung im Direktsaatsystem vor Winterweizen

In a small-plot field trial 33 green manure plants (GM) were examined for their ability to suppress weeds in a no-tillage system. A roll-chopper was used to suppress the GMs before seeding winter wheat. The success of this organic method to control GMs was compared to the standard method using a non selective herbicide. Species of the group brassicaceae, monocotyles and plant mixtures covered the soil faster, produced more biomass and suppressed weeds more efficiently than species of the group legumes and dicotyles. In spring, weed infestation in all roll-chopper treatments always exceeded economic threshold values whereas in the herbicide treatment weed infestations remained below these values. Additionally, wheat yield and density was reduced in the roll-chopper treatment compared to the herbicide treatment. Application of the roll-chopper together with a suitable GM for Swiss growing conditions will have to be improved before its introduction for no tillage agriculture in organic farming

Einfluss ökologischer Bewirtschaftung und verschiedener Kulturen auf die Regenwurmfauna

Problemstellung/Ziele:Vorkommen und Artenzusammensetzung der Regenwurmpopulation haben eine grosse Bedeutung im nachhaltigen Ackerbau. Als Architekten und Bauarbeiter des Bodens beeinflussen die Regenwürmer verschiedene Parameter der Bodenfruchtbarkeit und damit das Wachstums der Kulturpflanzen. Der Landwirt beeinflusst das Regenwurmvorkommen bei vorgegebenem Standort und Fruchtfolge vor allem durch Bewirtschaftungsmassnahmen wie Düngung, Pflanzenschutz und Bodenbearbeitung. Um Richtung und Ausmass dieser Einflüsse zu erkennen untersuchten wir von 1997 bis 2001 die Regenwurmpopulationen im ökologischen und den integrierten Anbausystemen des Vergleichsversuches Burgrain (D. Dubois, 1999). Fazit: Ökologische Bewirtschaftung förderte auf Burgrain spezifisch das Vorkommen von anözischen Lumbricus und endogäischen Arten; hingegen nicht das Vorkommen von anözischen Nicodrilus Arten. Letztere wurden hingegen sehr deutlich durch die kulturbedingten Bewirtschaftungsmassnahmen beeinflusst. Besonders das Pflügen im Oktober vor Winterweizen wirkte sich negativ auf die tiefgrabenden anözischen Nicodrilus Arten aus. Hier gilt es Verbesserungsmöglichkeiten zu prüfen