Spatial and temporal evaluation of soil erosion in Turkey under climate change scenarios using the Pan-European Soil Erosion Risk Assessment (PESERA) model

The impacts of climate change on soil erosion are mainly caused by the changes in the amount and intensity of rainfall and rising temperature. The combination of rainfall and temperature change is likely to be accompanied by negative or positive variations in agricultural and forest management. Turkey contains vast fertile plains, high mountain chains and semi-arid lands, with a climate that ranges from marine to continental and therefore is susceptible to soil erosion under climate change, particularly on high gradients and in semi-arid areas. This study aims to model the soil erosion risk under climate change scenarios in Turkey using the Pan-European Soil Erosion Assessment (PESERA) model, predicting the likely effects of land use/cover and climate change on sediment transport and soil erosion in the country. For this purpose, PESERA was applied to estimate the monthly and annual soil loss for 12 land use/cover types in Turkey. The model inputs included 128 variables derived from soil, climate, land use/cover and topography data. The total soil loss from the land surface is speculated to be approximately 285.5 million tonnes per year. According to the IPCC 5th Assessment Report of four climate change scenarios, the total soil losses were predicted as 308.9, 323.5, 320.3 and 355.3 million tonnes for RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5 scenarios respectively from 2060 to 2080. The predicted amounts of fertile soil loss from agricultural land in a year were predicted to be 55.5 million tonnes at present, and 62.7, 59.9, 61.7 and 58.1 under RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5 respectively. This confirms that approximately 30% of the total erosion occurs over the agricultural lands. In this respect, degraded forests, scrub and arable lands were subjected to the highest erosion rate (68%) of the total, whereas, fruit trees and berry plantations reflected the lowest erosion rates. Low soil organic carbon, sparse vegetation cover and variable climatic conditions significantly enhanced the erosion of the cultivated lands by primarily removing the potential food for organisms. Finally, process-based models offer a valuable resource for decision-makers when improving environmental management schemes and also decrease uncertainty when considering risks

Evaluation of host-derived volatiles for trapping Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopognidae) cause pain and distress through blood feeding, and transmit viruses that threaten both animal and human health worldwide. There are few effective tools for monitoring and control of biting midges, with semiochemical-based strategies offering the advantage of targeting host-seeking populations. In previous studies, we identified the host preference of multiple Culicoides species, including Culicoides impunctatus, as well as cattle-derived compounds that modulate the behavioral responses of C. nubeculosus under laboratory conditions. Here, we test the efficacy of these compounds, when released at different rates, in attracting C. impunctatus under field conditions in Southern Sweden. Traps releasing 1-octen-3-ol, decanal, phenol, 4-methylphenol or 3-propylphenol, when combined with carbon dioxide (CO2), captured significantly higher numbers of C. impunctatus compared to control traps baited with CO2 alone, with low release rates (0.1 mg h−1, 1 mg h−1) being generally more attractive. In contrast, traps releasing octanal or (E)-2-nonenal at 1 mg h−1 and 10 mg h−1 collected significantly lower numbers of C. impunctatus than control traps baited with CO2 only. Nonanal and 2-ethylhexanol did not affect the attraction of C. impunctatus when compared to CO2 alone at any of the release rates tested. The potential use of these semiochemicals as attractants and repellents for biting midge control is discussed

Impact of temperature, feeding preference and vaccination on Schmallenberg virus transmission in Scotland

First identified in 2011, Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is principally transmitted by Culicoides midges and affects ruminants. Clinical presentation is typified by foetal abnormalities, but despite very high infection rates, relatively few animals present with clinical signs. In this paper we further develop a previously published stochastic mathematical model of SBV spread to investigate the optimal deployment of a vaccine for SBV in Scotland, a country that has experienced only sporadic and isolated cases of SBV.We consider the use of the vaccine under different temperatures and explore the effects of a vector preference for feeding on cattle. We demonstrate that vaccine impact is optimised by targeting it at the high risk areas in the south of Scotland, or vaccinating only cattle. At higher than average temperatures, and hence increased transmission potential, the relative impact of vaccination is considerably enhanced. Vaccine impact is also enhanced if vectors feed preferentially on cattle. These findings are of considerable importance when planning control strategies for SBV and also have important implications for management of other arboviruses such as Bluetongue virus. Environmental determinants and feeding preferences should be researched further to inform development of effective control strategies

Heritability parameters for some body measurements in Turkish Arabian foals

cilek, suleyman/0000-0002-2352-649XWOS: 000327690900008The aim of the present study was to estimate genetic parameters of body measurements in Turkish Arabian foals. Records of wither height, front cannon circumference, heart girth, and body length were used for body measurements at birth, 6 months of age, 1-year-old and 2-year-old. Heritability of body measurements of Turkish Arabian foals was estimated by using records of foals sired by stallions which had at least 5 foals. Body measurement records at birth of 1597 foals sired by 40 stallions were used in heritability calculation of withers height, front cannon circumference, and heart girth. Heritability of all body measurements was estimated by paternal half-sib method. Estimated heritability ranged from 0.05 (heart girth) to 0.58 (wither height). Heritability estimates can be used to improve body measurements of Turkish Arabian horses. These results indicate that mass selection method based on the individual phenotype of the horses at different ages can provide genetic improvement in the herd. Phenotypic correlations between body measurements at consecutive age periods were all positive, ranging from 0.22 to 0.63. Thus, early body measurements of the Turkish Arabian foals can be used for prediction of the size of the adult horse

Effective factors on survival rate of Malya lambs (11/16 Akkaraman × 5/16 deutsches merinofleischschaf)

This study was conducted to investigate effect of some factors on survival rate of Malya lambs. The survival rate of 302 lambs at different sex, birth weight, maternal age and birth type was determined. The effects of twins, maternal age, birth weight and sex on lamb survival rate until 180 d of age were investigated using the Chi-square test. The effects of twins, maternal age, and lamb sex on the survival rate were not significant, whereas the effect of birth weight was significant. The means of survival rates for 30 d, 60 d, 90 d, 120 d, and 180 d were 94.70%, 90.73%, 88.74%, 86.75% and 83.11%, respectively. Lambs having a birth weight of less than 4 kg showed a lower survival rate than those having higher birth weight. Effect of birth weight of survival rate in all age periods was statistically significant except those of 30 d. The main factor affecting survival rate until weaning was underweight at birth. Survival rate for 4 kg birth weight was the lowest limit value and the optimum birth weight value was 4-5 kg. The survival rate can increase obtaining optimal birth weight with improvements in feeding and care of pregnant ewes and additional special care of lambs with low birth weight