Earthworm populations in conventional/organic arable-based systems and their contribution to soil fertility OF0117T

The project aimed to characterise earthworm population dynamics and behaviour under rotational cropping, comparing organic and conventional systems. Benefits arising from earthworm activity in terms of soil fertility were also assessed. Although some difficulties were encountered with details of the work, these problems did not affect the overall reliability of research findings and the broad aims were achieved. Earthworm populations, casting and burrowing, and selected soil or cast properties (microbial biomass, available P and K, organic content and aggregate stability) were monitored on three pairs of matched organic-conventional farms over a two year period. Farm pairs represented a gradation from stockless to ley-arable systems. The survey was extended in the final year to include a further four farm pairs sampled on a single occasion. Population data indicated the marked beneficial effect of leys within rotations and their key role in maintaining high earthworm densities in organic systems. Although there were some indications of species differences between systems, patterns of variation were essentially similar for the biomass and abundance of the total population and of individual species. Tillage did not appear to have a large or persistent effect on earthworms. Populations increased under leys, approaching the size and species composition of permanent pasture after 3-4 years. There were, however, examples where low populations of earthworms failed to respond to favourable ley management. Much of the beneficial effect of leys was dissipated after one year of cereal cropping. There was some evidence of increased surface burrowing in organic compared with conventional systems, a feature explained partly by higher densities of the more shallow dwelling species and partly by higher levels of activity for a given population density. Efforts to relate burrowing activity to water infiltration were only partially successful, the technique used being ineffective on cereals or recent leys. Earthworm casts had higher organic and nutrient contents, microbial biomass and aggregate stability than underlying soil. These differences tended, if anything, to be greater in conventional compared with organic systems. A high proportion of the variation in earthworm populations could be accounted for by soil and agronomic factors within individual sites. However, the importance and direction of individual factors varied between sites. Given the benefits arising from large and active populations, for soil fertility and within the larger agricultural ecosystem, there are sound reasons for encouraging systems of farming which favour earthworms. Organic farming is one such system, although including or increasing the proportion of leys in rotations may achieve many of the benefits associated with organic husbandry. Within organic rotations, the key role of leys, their management and break up, is clear. The need for further work is indicated in several areas including: • minimum populations require to deliver soil/environmental benefits and to ensure sustainable use of soil resources; • system differences in earthworm impacts on nutrient cycling; • agronomic options within organic farming as they affect populations; • interactions with other soil organism

Assessing the Extent of Human Trafficking: Inherent Difficulties and Gradual Progress

This article explores some of the key current research and statistical evidence available on the global scale of trafficking in human beings, and considers the assumption that the occurrence of trafficking is increasing. The value and limita-tions of this statistical data is identified, as is the relationship between the research base and the resulting legal and policy responses. This allows an assessment of whether there is a connection between the perceived problem and the responses to trafficking victims’ circumstances. It questions whether assumptions, generalisations and policies can be based around the available data and the responsibilities of individual countries, including the UK and the wider interna-tional community, in relation to the improvement of data collection. The article also considers signs of progress in terms of data collection and suggests further future improvements that need to be made to the approach taken

An empirical study of the repatriation of female managers : an emerging issue for European multinationals

In recent years, researchers have paid considerable attention to the issues of adjustment to international assignments, while comparatively little research activity has been paid to the topic of repatriation. Despite the growth in numbers of women in international management, very few studies have been conducted outside North America on the topic of repatriation of female corporate executives. This paper reports on the experiences of re-entry to home organizations and home countries by an exclusively senior sample of female international managers based in western Europe. The findings establish that the repatriation stage of an international career move may be even more stressful than expatriation. The findings also establish that female international managers experience more difficulties than their male counterparts because of their pioneering roles. The paper suggests that home-based mentors and access to networks while abroad are important factors in contributing to the successful repatriation of international managers

Migrant workers in Liverpool: A study of A8 and A2 nationals

This study focuses on the needs and experiences of Central and Eastern European migrants living and working in Liverpool. It was funded by Liverpool City Council and formed the evidence base for their successful application for Migration Impact Funding

Inland fisheries co-management in East Africa

The importance of inland fisheries resources to the East Africa Community Partner States of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda is highlighted. Efforts and achievements to improve utilisation and management of fisheries resources for lasting social and economic benefits in the region are examined. Experiences from two projects, the Integrated Lake Management project in Uganda and the on-going implementation of a Fisheries Management Plan project on Lake Victoria are examined. Key achievements are examined and lessons learned for within and beyond the region are identified.Inland fisheries, Fishery management, Africa, Victoria L.,

‘Doing research’ with gypsy-travellers in England: reflections on experience and practice

In order to bring the lives of Gypsy–Travellers in line with the sustainable communities’ agenda, there is now a duty for local planning authorities in England to assess the accommodation and related needs of Gypsy–Travellers. As such, there has been an increase in research, which aims to ‘find out’ more about these communities. This article explores some of the issues that researchers should consider when carrying out research with Gypsy– Travellers. It focuses specifically on issues around identifying and engaging with members of the Gypsy and Traveller communities, offering some strategies and solutions based on the experiences of the authors and other researchers

A study of A8 and A2 migrants in Nottingham

The research was commissioned by Nottingham City Council and One Nottingham in August 2008 and was conducted by a team of researchers from the Salford Housing & Urban Studies Unit at the University of Salford. The study was greatly aided by research support from Nottingham City Council Children’s Services Asylum Seeker/Refugee Support Team, as well as a number of community interviewers. The project was managed by a steering group composed of officers representing Nottingham City Council, One Nottingham, Nottingham City Homes, NHS Nottingham City, Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service, Nottinghamshire Police and Basic Educational Guidance in Nottinghamshire (BEGIN). The main objective of this research was to explore the needs and experiences of A8 and A2 migrants living and working in Nottingham

The management of expatriates : contemporary developments and future challenges

The rapid growth of international business at a time when many multinational companies (MNCs) are under increasing cost pressures has led these organisations to take a much closer look at their expatriation policies and practices. Faced with unprecedented levels of foreign competition at home and abroad, firms are beginning to recognise not only that international business is high on top management's list of priorities but that finding and nurturing the human resources required to implement an international strategy is of critical importance (Dowling et al., 1994). Much of the research on the management of expatriates currently available is drawn from research focused on North American multinationals. Adler (1997) commented that most research on international human resource management was concerned with American expatriates and continues to be written from an American rather than an international perspective. This introduction seeks to highlight the growth of research into expatriation to set the context for the five papers in this special edition that both add to some traditional areas of expatriate research and open up new fields relevant to this area of enquiry in international management and international business

Special issue of International Journal of Human Resource Management. A contextualized approach to Talent Management: Advancing the field

Postprint (published version