Academic literature on the topic 'Agriculture, Plant Culture|Natural Resource Management|Agriculture, Range Management'

South Asian countries have made remarkable advances in food production accompanied by a dramatic reduction of poverty during the past two decades. This has been due to the result of trade and investment reforms, which have generated economic growth in this region. Despite these changes South Asia generates only 2% of the global income, yet supports 22% of the world’s population and 44% of the world’s poor. Over 75% of the population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture for their livelihoods. Therefore, agriculture will play a major role in the future and massive productivity increases and product diversification will be required. Due to escalating population and urbanization, natural resources are gradually depleting posing major challenges to reduce poverty in this region. The problems confronting these countries are complex and enormous of which the major issues are; declining agricultural land and agricultural population, marginal producers with small land holdings, decreasing per capita land availability, conflicting demands for scarce water resource, urbanization and youth evading traditional farming. This region will be required to produce food for larger and larger populations from less and lees land. The biggest challenge is how to increase output from the shrinking agricultural sector, while sustaining the productivity potential of the available natural resources. The agricultural production systems are changing rapidly in these countries, trend being intensive agriculture using high- tech that provides maximum potential benefit of improved crop germplasm. Agriculture is the largest contributor to the economies of many countries of the developing world. Agricultural biotechnology, which comprises a wide range of biological disciplines, offers enormous potential to speed up the development of plant varieties with pro-poor traits such as drought tolerance, pest resistance or tolerance, higher yields, increased nutritional value, among others. While biotechnology does not provide the ‘silver bullet’ for poverty alleviation, it does enhance the effectiveness of other disciplines such as plant breeding, integrated pest and nutrient management, and livestock breeding, feeding and disease management.

Open aquatic system such as beel is an important freshwater resource for agriculture and aquaculture.This study was conducted (July-December 2014) to describe the beel aquaculture management practices in the Hagla Beel at Bagmara upazila under Rajshahi district.The Beel fish farming area was 20.25 ha and irregular in shape with average depth 1.5 m. During the study period, the measured water quality parameters of the beel were within the suitable range for aquaculture. Eight genera of phytoplankton and eight genera of zooplankton were identified from the beel water body. Four native and 4 exotic fish species with sizes ranging from 0.15-1.11 kg were stocked for growing in the beel. At the end of culture period, the production of fish was 2,622.15 kg/ha and cost-benefit ratio (CBR) was 1:1.42. Environmental problems such as increasing of water temperature and decreasing of water level during summer, and parasitic diseases were some of the risks in beel fish farming system. The results of this study should be useful for beel aquaculture, and for the farmers and resource manager for harnessing maximum benefits from the beel resources in Bangladesh.
 J. bio-sci. 28: 43-50, 2020

The commercially valuable root hemiparasite Santalum spicatum (R.Br.) A.DC. (sandalwood) once grew throughout the medium- to low-rainfall areas of the south-western agricultural region of Australia; however, this resource has been exhausted by over-exploitation and clearing for agriculture. There has been growing interest from the farming community and other investors in the development of a plantation Santalum spicatum industry in southern Western Australia. This study investigated the distribution of remnant S. spicatum within the Pallinup River catchment and assessed the risk of S. spicatum population decline due to salinity. The natural range of host species at different sites (river catchments) across the south coast was also investigated. Remnant populations of S.�spicatum within and adjacent to the Pallinup River catchment were small (1–70 trees) and highly fragmented. The risk of further population decline due to salinity was concluded to be small because remnant trees were generally growing in well drained, sandy soils that were elevated above (median 9 m) their immediate drainage line. Across the seven river catchments surveyed, S. spicatum occurred in a range of vegetation associations and parasitised numerous species (68) from a wide range of genera and families. The suite of species exploited varied within and between catchments. Thirty species, including most monocots and Myrtaceae, were not successfully parasitised. Remnant S. spicatum always occurred on well drained soil types that supported open-woodland or mallee–heath communities. Sandalwood plantations, supported by numerous individuals of a range of host species (10–40 species), were shown to be productive in terms of sandalwood growth. The scale of the developing sandalwood plantation industry is likely to be small and unlikely to cover large areas of catchments. Thus, this industry alone is unlikely to address the salinity crisis through broadscale recharge management. However, additional to on-site recharge reduction, biodiverse host plantations may improve the prospects for biodiversity and rivers in salinising landscapes through the protection and enhancement of natural biodiversity, creation of new habitat, conservation of plant species and by providing a commercial incentive to protect biodiversity.

Les sécheresses successives, aggravées par les activités anthropiques et les effets du changement climatique, entrainent la disparition effrénée de plusieurs espèces végétales locales, adaptées selon les zones avec une importance sociale et économique avérée pour nos campagnes. Si le rythme de disparition noté n’est pas stoppé ou freiné, il s’en suivra la perte de l’essentiel de nos ressources végétales céréalières, fourragères et forestières locales. Certes, la recherche agricole s’évertue à trouver des solutions pour disposer de nouvelles variétés végétales adaptées. Mais, ce n’est pas toujours le cas pour les espèces fourragères. Ainsi, dans le cadre des activités de recensement et de collecte multi-spécifiques de ressources phytogénétiques pour l’alimentaire et l’agriculture, une synthèse spécifique a été consacrée au ressources fourragères des zones visitées. L’objectif visé est de recensé les ressources fourragères (naturelles ou cultivées) disponibles et leur méthode de gestion. Il ressort que les méthodes et le niveau d’exploitation des ressources fourragères naturelles et des résidus de récolte diffèrent d’une zone à l’autre. Le parcours naturel plus ou moins bien fourni dans les régions sud et est, constitue la principale ressource alimentaire des animaux au niveau de toute la zone d’étude. Les résidus de récolte bien qu’abondants et variés, ont peu d’intérêt chez les éleveurs du sud du Sénégal où la diversité qui est l’indice de qualité et le volume des pâturages sur le parcours naturel sont abondants. Certes, l’inventaire des espèces fourragères ne peut se faire selon la même méthodologie que celle des espèces agricoles et maraîchères. Mais, la photographie obtenue devrait servir de guide à un recensement des espèces fourragères herbacées et ligneuses les plus consommées sur le parcours naturel, tout en étudiant les méthodes de conservation et de production des espèces recensées afin, de dégager les meilleures méthodes de gestion et d’utilisation durable.Mots clés : Ressources fourragères, régions sud et est du Sénégal, ligneux et herbacés, résidus de culture.
 
 English Title: Forage resources, feeding and grazing in the South, and East of SenegalSuccessive droughts, aggravated by anthropogenic activities and the effects of climate change, lead to frantic disappearance of several local plant species, adapted according to the areas, and with proven social and economic importance for our countryside. If the rate of disappearance noted, is not stopped or slowed, it will follow the loss of most of our local grain, fodder and forest plant resources. Certainly, agricultural research is struggling to find solutions to have new adapted plant varieties; this is not always the case for forage species. Thus, within the framework of multi-specific census and collection activities of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, a specific summary was devoted to the fodder resources of the areas visited. The objective is to identify the fodder resources (natural or cultivated) available and their management method. It appears that the methods and level of exploitation of natural fodder resources and crop residues differ from one area to another. The more or less well supplied natural route in the south and east regions constitutes the main food resource for animals throughout the study area. Crop residues, although abundant and varied, are of little interest to breeders in the south of Senegal where the diversity which is the quality index and the volume of pastures on the natural range are abundant. Of course, the inventory of fodder species cannot be done according to the same methodology as that of agricultural and market garden species. However, the photograph obtained should serve as a guide for a census of herbaceous and ligneous fodder species most consumed by animals on natural route, while studying the methods of conservation and production of the listed species; in order to identify the best methods of management and sustainable use.Keywords: Fodder resources, southern and eastern regions of Senegal, ligneous and herbaceous plants, crop residues.

Current state of the development of agricultural business is characterized by negative trends caused by the prevalence of extensive production systems and the reduction of investments into agricultural research, while the influence on the environment and natural resources is constantly increasing. Besides, climate change is one of the greatest challenges of the XXI century, which exerts a negative influence on social-economic and natural systems and requires the development of the ways for the industry to adapt to climate changes. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the main areas of innovative development of agricultural business in the context of climate change. System approach as well as the application of a wide range of general scientific and special methods make up the framework of the research. It has been established that climate changes directly affect the agriculture of the country that greatly depends on climate and weather conditions. The main tool to adapt agriculture to climatic changes should be the introduction of innovations resulting in its innovative development. The article also presents the systematization of the main directions of innovative development of agricultural business in the context of climatic changes: biological (new cultivars, hybrids of agricultural crops, new types and breeds of agricultural animals), technical and technological (advanced technologies in plant and animal production), chemical (fertilizers, plant protection agents, plant growth regulators), organizational and economic (business organization, management, and marketing), social (social development of a person), development directions of alternative energy (energy production from renewable sources), and digitalization (digit transformation of production processes).

Riparian Ecological Infrastructures are networks of natural and semi-natural riparian areas located in human-dominated landscapes, crucial in supporting processes that directly or indirectly benefit humans or enhance social welfare. In this study, we developed a novel multimetric index, termed Habitat Ecological Infrastructure’s Diversity Index (HEIDI), to quantify the potential of Riparian Ecological Infrastructures in supporting biodiversity, and related ecosystem services, in three managed landscapes: Intensive Agriculture, Extensive Agriculture, and Forest Production. Metrics describing the structure, composition, and management of riparian vegetation and associated habitats were used to derive the potential of Riparian Ecological Infrastructures in supporting three distinct biological dispersal groups: short-range dispersers (ants), medium-range dispersers (pollinators), and long-range dispersers (birds, bats, and non-flying small mammals). The composition of floristic resources, assessed by identifying trees and shrubs at the species and genus level, and herbaceous plants at the family level, was used as a proxy to evaluate the potential of Riparian Ecological Infrastructures in promoting seed dispersal and pollination ecosystem services provided by the three biological communities. Our research evidenced that Riparian Ecological Infrastructures located in the Forest Production and Intensive Agriculture landscapes exhibited the highest and lowest potential for biodiversity-related ecosystem services, respectively. The Forest Production landscape revealed higher suitability of forage resources for short- and medium-range dispersers and a higher landscape coverage by Riparian Ecological Infrastructures, resulting in more potential to create ecological corridors and to provide ecosystem services. The Riparian Ecological Infrastructures located in the Extensive Agriculture landscape seemed to be particularly relevant for supporting long-ranges dispersers, despite providing less habitat for the biological communities. Land-use systems in the proximity of Riparian Ecological Infrastructures should be sustainably managed to promote riparian vegetation composition and structural quality, as well as the riparian width, safeguarding biodiversity, and the sustainable provision of biodiversity-related ecosystem services.

Participation by local communities in management is widely considered a means of sustaining protected areas. In parts of the world with a history of armed conflict, the chances of such an approach being successfully adopted might seem remote. One such area is the Maputo Elephant Reserve in southern Mozambique. The aim was to improve understanding of the local people's use of natural resources and perceptions of the Reserve's impact. Interviews and questionnaires distributed in four different villages were used to estimate the relative value of these resources in relation to the attitude of the local people towards the Reserve. The people gave a relative value rank for each specific use of each plant, animal and fish resource. On average 60% of the households exploited more than two different resource categories. The plant resources of the Reserve were used by 71% of the households and were valued more highly than animal and fish resources. Plants were used for many purposes; construction material, fuelwood and fruits had the highest relative values. Antelopes, hippopotamus and elephants were valued highest amongst a range of animal species which were hunted by 21% of households. Amongst uses of animals, consumption, use of the skins and commercial sale of the meat were especially important. When asked if they liked the Reserve, 88% of respondents answered positively. The attitude towards the Reserve was correlated with crop damage experiences; people with crop damage caused by elephants, hippos or bushpigs, were more negative. Attitude of respondents was inversely related to the number of species invading their agricultural fields. Resource use intensity, use purpose, resource value and attitude were different amongst sites and dependent on site-specific circumstances, different management strategies could be necessary for the four sites. A resource management plan should be drawn up, local people should be included in the management team and steps should be taken to improve the relationship between the Reserve's authorities and the local population generally.

Land, as a valuable natural resource, is an important pillar of Rwanda’s sustainable development. The majority of Rwanda’s 80% rural population rely on agriculture for their livelihood, and land is crucial for agriculture. However, since a high population density has made land a scarce commodity, growth in the agricultural sector and plans for rapid urbanisation are being constrained, and cross-sectoral trade-offs are becoming increasingly important, with a risk that long-term sustainability may be threatened if these trade-offs are not considered. To help track land value trends and assess trade-offs, and to help assess the sustainability of trends in land use and land cover, Rwanda has begun developing natural capital accounts for land in keeping with the United Nations’ System of Environmental-Economic Accounting. This paper reports on Rwanda’s progress with these accounts. The accounting approach adopted in our study measures changes in land use and land cover and quantifies stocks for the period under study (2014–2015). Rwanda is one of the first developing countries to develop natural capital accounts for land, but the wide range of possible uses in policy analysis suggests that such accounts could be useful for other countries as well.

The adaptation of the Russian traditional industrial structure to the natural environments of the region is analyzed. Agriculture was propelled by the relief and microclimate’s particular qualities. Trade pressure on the animality and plant life was predicated upon economic needs and market conditions. There is a regional specialization in collecting wild herb and in hunting animals. Trade activity had an impact on the animal numbers and the forests health. The inclusion of natural features in the range of trade interests of the peasantry depended on many factors. In general, the high adaptation level of the Russian traditional industrial structure to the natural conditions of the region should be recognised.

Natural Resources are essential for security and sustainable development of each country. Therefore, in order to reach sustainable development, conservation as well as optimum utilization of natural resources, executing of natural resources cadastral plan is necessary and essential. Governments conduct lands management in Iran, so there is a need for comprehensive plan with arranged program for best evaluation. In this research as a pilot, Pasargadae city is opted. Pasargadae region is located in north-east of Shiraz in Fars province with Latitude and longitude of 30° 15 ́ 53 ̋ N and 53° 13 ́ 29 ̋ E respectively. In order to generate the cadastral maps, Firstly, images from QuickBird satellite with 50-60 centimeters resolution were georeferenced by utilizing ground control points with accurate GPS coordinates. In addition to satellite images, old paper maps with 1:10000 scale in local coordinate system from agriculture ministry in 1963 were digitized according to 1:25000 scale map from army geographical organization with AutoCad software. Beside, paper maps with 1:50000 scale and Google Earth were used to find the changes during time. All the above maps were added to QuickBird images as new layers by using ArcMap software. These maps also were utilized to determine the different land-uses. Thus, by employing ArcMap software lands divide into 2 groups: firstly, lands with official document, which is owned by either natural or legal persons, and secondly national lands under different uses such as forestry, range management and desertification plans. Consequently, the generation of cadastral maps leads to better difference between private and national lands. In addition, producing cadastral maps prevent the destruction and illegal possession of natural lands by individuals.