Peatlands are a globally important, terrestrial store of carbon and the UK is recognised as an internationally significant holder of peatlands. Of all the kinds of peatland found in the UK, blanket bogs are dominant, representing 87% of the UK’s peatland area. The UK’s peatlands, in contrast to many other areas of boreal/temperate peat, are relatively accessible and as such have been subject to land-management pressures for many thousands of years. These management pressures have led to the deterioration of many peatlands in the UK, with only 1% of England’s peatlands being considered ‘pristine’ in a Natural England report (Natural England, 2010). Climate change and increasing land-use pressures are predicted to affect all UK peatlands in coming years. As such, studies of the drivers of carbon cycling on UK peatlands are being undertaken in order to help in the construction of models to predict the dynamics of peatland carbon balance. These models will subsequently enable land-managers and policy makers to take informed decisions regarding peatland management and carbon storage. One such model of peatland carbon balance is the Durham Carbon Model, which uses a mass balance between fluxes of carbon in and out of a peatland in order to estimate its net carbon budget. While the Durham Carbon Model is able to deal with the effects of some aspects of land-management on peatland carbon balance, there remain a number of important drivers as yet unaccounted for in the model. As such, the remit of this thesis was to conduct in-situ, experiments in order to provide additional data on peatland carbon cycling with a view to incorporating these drivers into the model. Specifically, this research examines three areas as yet unaccounted for in the Durham Carbon Model: altitude, vegetation and diurnal processes. These factors are considered relative to CO2 flux and, in some cases, soil pore water dissolved organic carbon concentration. Additional experiments were also performed to determine whether empirical models of CO2 flux can be physically interpretable. Results obtained for this thesis suggest that the most important factor in predicting CO2 flux on blanket peat soils is vegetation type and vegetation mediated processes, i.e. photosynthetic controls on respiration. Moreover, the relationship between respiration and photosynthesis was found across a range of other factors and temporal scales. In addition to vegetation, altitude was found to significantly affect CO2 for some vegetation types. Therefore, both of these factors are to be incorporated into the Durham Carbon Model. Experiments suggested that empirical models of CO2 flux can be physically interpretable. The results of the diurnal experiment gave evidence to support the hypothesis that some component of the relationship between photosynthesis and respiration is temporally lagged, perhaps by 3 hours. However, the results were not unequivocal and thus further work is needed to fully examine some of the results presented herein.

Master of Science / Department of Biology / Brett K. Sandercock / The native grasslands of North America are highly fragmented, and remaining tracts are intensively managed for grazing. Loss of tallgrass prairie and changing land management practices has caused many grassland birds that rely on these areas for breeding to decline in population numbers. To investigate resource selection and area use requirements of the upland sandpiper, we outfitted birds with radio transmitters at the experimentally managed Konza Prairie Biological Station in northeast Kansas. Two logistical challenges for wildlife telemetry projects are: minimizing the impact of radios on survival and movement, and optimizing the duration of transmitter attachment. We compared 4 methods of radio attachment for upland sandpipers under field conditions at breeding sites in tallgrass prairie. The daily probabilities of radio retention (DRR) for our 4 attachment methods were: 0.9992 (SE = 0.0005, n = 85) for a leg loop harness, 0.9801 (SE = 0.0099, n = 11) for radios glued to clipped feathers, 0.9627 (SE = 0.0085, n = 25) for radios glued directly to feathers and 0.8538 (SE = 0.0322, n = 20) for radios glued to plucked skin. The expected duration of radio attachment ranged from 1290 days for the leg loop harness, and 6 to 50 days for the glue attachment techniques. Survival rates of males (DSR = 0.9987, SE = 0.0009, n = 53) and females (DSR = 0.9988, SE = 0.0008, n = 71) were similar, and the probability of surviving the 90-day breeding season was about 0.90 in both sexes. We recommend attaching radios with glue to clipped feathers for short-term telemetry studies and a leg loop harness if longer retention is desired. The unique landscape of Konza Prairie allowed us to investigate specific tallgrass management strategies, and their impact on the range and habitat requirements of a bird that relies on the prairie for breeding. We found that upland sandpipers have large home ranges during the breeding season (male: = 199.0 ha ± 40.5 SE, n = 21, female: = 247.7 ha ± 51.7 SE, n = 23). Male home ranges were twice as large during brood-rearing ( = 200.8 ha ± 69.1 SE, n = 9) than during the nesting period ( = 67.02 ha ± 11.84 SE, n = 14, 1 = 5.14, P = 0.023). Upland sandpipers selected home range sites that had been burned the same spring (n = 44, ²3 = 31.65, P < 0.001), but did not show preference for certain habitat types within their home range ( ²3 = 1.49, P = 0.685). During brood rearing upland sandpipers used sites with higher percentages of bare ground, herbaceous and short woody vegetation, and low amounts of vegetative litter. Management strategies for the upland sandpiper should seek to preserve large contiguous tracts of tallgrass prairie that receive a heterogeneous mix of burning and grazing.

Upland peatlands provide vital ecosystem services, especially carbon storage and biodiversity. However, large areas of peatland are heavily degraded in the UK. When peat becomes exposed the potential for it to actively sequester carbon is greatly reduced and carbon stores are rapidly lost through erosion. Peatland restoration is a tool that addresses the government public service agreement targets for biodiversity, and soil and water protection in uplands. Blanket bogs are a UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority habitat. Many areas fall under designations for sites of protection under the EU habitats directive which is aimed at bringing the areas into ‘favourable condition’.The Moors for the Future Partnership is restoring large areas of badly eroded peat in the Peak District National Park to stabilise the surface and re-establish ecosystem functions. Monitoring is of pivotal importance to judge the success of the restoration work. This project assesses the suitability of high resolution remote sensing as an alternative monitoring tool to traditional field based plot surveys which are both time consuming and expensive. Remote sensing has been seen as a potential tool for mapping and monitoring peatlands, but to date the application of high spatial and spectral resolution remote sensing to monitoring peatland restoration has not been fully investigated. A floristic restoration trajectory has been established using a statistical classification (TWINSPAN) of vegetation cover data combined with expert knowledge of previous restoration, and autecology of the moorland species. Hyperspectral classification techniques were applied, including: Spectral Angle Mapping (SAM); Support Vector Machines (SVM); and maximum likelihood classification using both Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF), and narrow band vegetation indices. A successful classification of the restoration succession has been achieved. A predictive model for vegetation cover of plant functional types has been produced using a Partial Least Squares Regression and applied to the whole restoration site at the landscape-scale. RMSEs of between 10 and 16% indicate that the models can be used as a useful operational tool. A spectral library of key moorland species and their phenological response has been established using field spectroscopy in parallel to the image analysis. This has enabled the suggestion that the species are most separable from one another in July and it is recommended that this is the optimal month for remote sensing monitoring. This has facilitated the development of a set of recommendations for the most appropriate vegetation indices to use throughout the year depending species to be differentiated. High spatial and spectral resolution remote sensing data is needed to successfully characterise the vegetation response to restoration management in the upland peatland environment.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-26T18:56:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao.pdf: 249370 bytes, checksum: bb3ab2f95decedaeb7a114dc63aae796 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-01-25 / The production cost of new areas in the cerrado presents high values due to larger amount of farming operations when compared to conventional crops. The cerrado soils have low natural fertility and require large quantities of limestone for its correction significantly increasing the cost of production. The objective this study was to evaluate whether the Boro when applied in the cultivation of upland rice with low technological level, increases the productivity rice. The field work was conducted in the municipality of Nova Xavantina - MT in 2009/10 in two areas (first and second year of production). We used six treatments of boron in the source of boric acid (17 % of B), with doses of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 kg B per ha. The plots were 10 m long and 3.4 m wide with 20-sowing rows, with spaced at 0.17 m. The fertilization of 160 kg of 08-28-16 fertilizer was formulated according to the results of soil analysis and used the cultivar BRS Sertaneja in amount of 115 kg of seeds per ha. Among the variables analyzed the productivity in the area of the first year was influenced by boron fertilization, whre the treatment that used a dose of 2.5 kg B hit productivity of 2.677 kg/ha-1. The cost analysis positive for both areas, where in the area of the first year, the cost benefit of boron fertilization was R$169,44 (with a dose of 1 kg B/ha). As for the second year the area of greatest cost benefit was obtained with a dose of 2.5 kg B, which resulted in na increase in productivity of 11.80 bags (60 kg) and therefore a cost benefit of R$333.83 per hectare. The use of boron into new areas of cerrado compensated the low technological level that was used in the formation of the crops, providing positive results in the cost benefit of the crop without significant increases inproduction costs. / O custo de produção de áreas novas no cerrado apresenta valores elevados devido á maior quantidade de operações agrícolas, quando comparado a lavouras convencionais. Os solos do cerrado apresentam baixa fertilidade natural e exigem grandes quantidades de calcário para sua correção, aumentando significamente o custo de produção. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar se o Boro quando aplicado na cultura do arroz de terras altas com baixo nível tecnológico, proporcionaria um ganho de produtividade na cultura do arroz. O trabalho foi conduzido a campo no município de Nova Xavantina MT na safra 2009/10 em duas áreas (primeiro e segundo ano de produção). Foram utilizados 6 tratamentos de boro na fonte de ácido bórico (17% de B), sendo as doses de: 0; 0,5; 1,0; 1,5; 2,0; e 2,5 kg de B por ha. As parcelas tiveram 10 m de comprimento por 3,4 m de largura com 20 linhas de plantio no espaçamento de 0,17 m. A adubação de 160 kg do adubo formulado 08-28-16 foi em função dos resultados da análise do solo e utilizou-se a cultivar BRS Sertaneja na quantidade de 115 kg de sementes por ha. Dentre as variáveis avaliadas a produtividade da área de primeiro ano foi influenciada pela adubação boratada, onde o tratamento que utilizou a dose de 2,5 kg de B atingiu a produtividade de 2.677 kg/ha-1. A análise de custo foi positiva para as duas áreas, onde na área de primeiro ano, o custo beneficio da adubação boratada foi de R$169,44 (com a dose de 1 kg B/ha). Já para a área de segundo ano o maior custo beneficio foi obtido com a dose de 2,5 kg de B, que proporcionou um aumento na produtividade de 11,80 sacas (60 kg) e conseqüentemente um custo beneficio de R$333,83 por hectare. O uso do boro em áreas novas do cerrado compensou o baixo nível tecnológico que foi empregado na formação das lavouras, proporcionando resultados positivos no custo beneficio da lavoura sem acréscimos significativos no custo de produção.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-18T17:51:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao.pdf: 249370 bytes, checksum: bb3ab2f95decedaeb7a114dc63aae796 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-01-25 / The production cost of new areas in the cerrado presents high values due to larger amount of farming operations when compared to conventional crops. The cerrado soils have low natural fertility and require large quantities of limestone for its correction significantly increasing the cost of production. The objective this study was to evaluate whether the Boro when applied in the cultivation of upland rice with low technological level, increases the productivity rice. The field work was conducted in the municipality of Nova Xavantina - MT in 2009/10 in two areas (first and second year of production). We used six treatments of boron in the source of boric acid (17 % of B), with doses of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 kg B per ha. The plots were 10 m long and 3.4 m wide with 20-sowing rows, with spaced at 0.17 m. The fertilization of 160 kg of 08-28-16 fertilizer was formulated according to the results of soil analysis and used the cultivar BRS Sertaneja in amount of 115 kg of seeds per ha. Among the variables analyzed the productivity in the area of the first year was influenced by boron fertilization, whre the treatment that used a dose of 2.5 kg B hit productivity of 2.677 kg/ha-1. The cost analysis positive for both areas, where in the area of the first year, the cost benefit of boron fertilization was R$169,44 (with a dose of 1 kg B/ha). As for the second year the area of greatest cost benefit was obtained with a dose of 2.5 kg B, which resulted in na increase in productivity of 11.80 bags (60 kg) and therefore a cost benefit of R$333.83 per hectare. The use of boron into new areas of cerrado compensated the low technological level that was used in the formation of the crops, providing positive results in the cost benefit of the crop without significant increases inproduction costs. / O custo de produção de áreas novas no cerrado apresenta valores elevados devido á maior quantidade de operações agrícolas, quando comparado a lavouras convencionais. Os solos do cerrado apresentam baixa fertilidade natural e exigem grandes quantidades de calcário para sua correção, aumentando significamente o custo de produção. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar se o Boro quando aplicado na cultura do arroz de terras altas com baixo nível tecnológico, proporcionaria um ganho de produtividade na cultura do arroz. O trabalho foi conduzido a campo no município de Nova Xavantina MT na safra 2009/10 em duas áreas (primeiro e segundo ano de produção). Foram utilizados 6 tratamentos de boro na fonte de ácido bórico (17% de B), sendo as doses de: 0; 0,5; 1,0; 1,5; 2,0; e 2,5 kg de B por ha. As parcelas tiveram 10 m de comprimento por 3,4 m de largura com 20 linhas de plantio no espaçamento de 0,17 m. A adubação de 160 kg do adubo formulado 08-28-16 foi em função dos resultados da análise do solo e utilizou-se a cultivar BRS Sertaneja na quantidade de 115 kg de sementes por ha. Dentre as variáveis avaliadas a produtividade da área de primeiro ano foi influenciada pela adubação boratada, onde o tratamento que utilizou a dose de 2,5 kg de B atingiu a produtividade de 2.677 kg/ha-1. A análise de custo foi positiva para as duas áreas, onde na área de primeiro ano, o custo beneficio da adubação boratada foi de R$169,44 (com a dose de 1 kg B/ha). Já para a área de segundo ano o maior custo beneficio foi obtido com a dose de 2,5 kg de B, que proporcionou um aumento na produtividade de 11,80 sacas (60 kg) e conseqüentemente um custo beneficio de R$333,83 por hectare. O uso do boro em áreas novas do cerrado compensou o baixo nível tecnológico que foi empregado na formação das lavouras, proporcionando resultados positivos no custo beneficio da lavoura sem acréscimos significativos no custo de produção.

Soil erosion is one of the major threats to soil functions in many parts of the world. To- day’s challenge is to adapt agriculture practices in order to reduce soil erosion and at the same time consider local conditions. One solution that has been proposed for hilly regions is agroforestry, a land-use system in which woody perennials are grown on the same piece of land as agricultural crops and/or animals. This Master thesis was conducted in two sites in Northwest Vietnam, in Son La and Dien Bien province. Northwest Vietnam is characterized by a mountainous landscape and agri- culture is practiced in the hills, often as monoculture of sole crops. This type of land use in combination with seasonal large high-intensity rains aggravates soil erosion. In this study, agroforestry (AF) practices’ capacity for erosion control was evaluated, and compared to sole crops of the dominant species in the area. An Experimental Trial in form of replicated field plots of block design and a larger Exemplar Landscape were used. The Experimental Trials and the Exemplar Landscape had two treatments, one AF system and one control treatment with sole crops. The AF system included crops, fruit trees and grass strips with the aim to form terraces naturally. To evaluate the AF’s capacity for erosion control, average amount of lost soil was es- timated in the Experimental Trials by three methods; erosion traps, erosion pins (both field methods) and a WEPP model. Another function of the erosion pins was to evaluate the movement of soil along the hillside. Soil texture, structure, color and signs of bio- logical activity were analyzed from soil profiles. Soil samples were also taken for soil analyzes of parameters needed for calculations and the WEPP model. A method was also developed to assess the terrace formation over a longer a time scale. Results of this study showed that agroforestry in combination with grass strips perform well in decreasing soil loss in the Son La study site. The soil loss in Son La was found to be 43% less two years after establishment compared to the sole maize system figuring as the control. The results also showed that grass strips have the ability to start forming terraces already one year after establishment of the Experimental Trial in both study sites. The terraces showed further development several years after the establishment at land- scape level.

No description available.

The American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) represents a vital sector of the economy of southeastern Massachusetts. Due to the hydrogeological and edaphic characteristics of peatlands, variations in soil drainage and soil moisture represent major management challenges for growers in Massachusetts. An emerging trend of upland (mineral soil) cranberry farms planted with new hybrid cultivars has the potential to enhance the profitability and long-term viability of cranberry production in Massachusetts. However, sparse data exist on soil moisture characteristics of peatland and upland cranberry farms. The purpose of this research was to elucidate the differences in soil moisture between upland and peatland cranberry farms, to evaluate the soil temperature-moisture relationship and its use for inferring soil moisture, and to explore the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) as a soil moisture management tool in cranberry agriculture.In this thesis, we found that volumetric soil water content (qv) in upland farms ranged from 5-15%, contrasting with values of 10-40% for peatland farms. In general, soil moisture in upland farms was two times drier and four times more uniform than peatlands farms. Our results suggest that open ditches should be dredged to at least 50 cm to obtain irrigation setpoints of -5 to -2 kPa for Massachusetts cranberry farms. We found that soil temperature and near-surface temperature were accurate predictors of soil moisture but were also strongly dependent on the magnitude of differences between air and water temperature. Soil and near-surface temperatures were also better predictors of moisture in soils with lower vegetation coverage and organic matter content. Near-surface temperature collected with a UAS was consistent with field measurements of qv, suggesting that UAS could be used to assist Massachusetts cranberry farmers by predicting large-scale variation in q v and offering management insights.

This study examines the effects of clearcut regeneration with whole-tree harvesting on plant diversity. Three approaches were used to study changes in species composition and structure: (1) forest level, (2) stand level, and (3) diversity indices. Within each approach the forest was stratified into three horizontal vegetative regions based upon height: herb (< 1 m), shrub (between 1 and 5 m), and tree (> 5 m). Between the pre-harvest and 17-year-old forest, the relative percent cover of 3 out of 45 herbaceous and 2 out of 34 woody species were found to be significantly different (df = 3; a = 0.10) in the herb stratum; the importance value (average of relative basal area and stem density) of 2 out of 25 woody species in the shrub stratum; and 1 out of 21 woody species in the tree stratum. Within stands, the three lower quality, 17-year-old stands (SI50 = 12.2, 15.2, and 18.3 m) most resembled their pre-harvest composition; however, increases in ericaceous species were observed in the herb and shrub strata potentially inhibit the future regeneration of tree species. The SI50 = 21.3 m stand incurred the greatest changes in composition potentially due to the lack of fire as a disturbance mechanism. The major mechanism that has caused the shifts in species composition and structure is the change in the microenvironment due to the removal of the overstory, which has shifted the competitive advantages from one species to another. In all cases, diversity indices were not found to be significantly different between the 17-year-old and pre-harvest forests. Diversity indices were therefore determined to have limited use if a manager wants to know specific compositions and/or abundance of species. / Master of Science

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第19325号 / 農博第2146号 / 新制||農||1036(附属図書館) / 学位論文||H28||N4953(農学部図書室) / 32327 / 京都大学大学院農学研究科地域環境科学専攻 / (主査)教授 縄田 栄治, 教授 舟川 晋也, 教授 神﨑 護 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DFAM