Search Results (171)

As an important ecological barrier and animal husbandry resource base in arid and semi-arid areas, grassland degradation directly affects regional ecological security and sustainable development. Ili Prefecture is located in the western part of Xinjiang, China, and is a typical grassland resource-rich area. However, in recent years, driven by climate change and human activities, grassland degradation has become increasingly serious. In view of the lack of comprehensive evaluation indicators and the inconsistency of grassland evaluation grade standards in remote sensing monitoring of grassland resource degradation, this study takes the current situation of grassland degradation in Ili Prefecture in the past 20 years as the research object and constructs a comprehensive evaluation index system covering three criteria layers of vegetation characteristics, environmental characteristics, and utilization characteristics. Net primary productivity (NPP), vegetation coverage, temperature, precipitation, soil erosion modulus, and grazing intensity were selected as multi-source indicators. Combined with data sources such as remote sensing inversion, sample survey, meteorological data, and farmer survey, the factor weight coefficient was determined by analytic hierarchy process. The Grassland Degeneration Comprehensive Index (GDCI) model was constructed to carry out remote sensing monitoring and evaluation of grassland degradation in Yili Prefecture. With reference to the classification threshold of the national standard for grassland degradation, the GDCI grassland degradation evaluation grade threshold (GDCI reduction rate) was determined by the method of weighted average of coefficients: non-degradation (0–10%), mild degradation (10–20%), moderate degradation (20–37.66%) and severe degradation (more than 37.66%). According to the results, between 2000 and 2022, non-degraded grasslands in Ili Prefecture covered an area of 27,200 km², representing 90.19% of the total grassland area. Slight, moderate, and severe degradation accounted for 4.34%, 3.33%, and 2.15%, respectively. Moderately and severely degraded areas are primarily distributed in agro-pastoral transition zones and economically developed urban regions, respectively. The results revealed the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of grassland degradation in Yili Prefecture and provided data basis and technical support for regional grassland resource management, degradation prevention and control and ecological restoration. Full article

In the Sahelian context characterized by the increasing scarcity of forage resources, this study investigated how climate change perceptions influence the adoption of cottonseed cake in pastoral and agro-pastoral systems in the Hauts-Bassins region of Burkina Faso. Drawing on the Subjective Expected Utility (SEU) theory and using a logit model estimated from survey data collected from 366 livestock farms, the analysis reveals that the perceived degradation of rangelands due to climate change is a key determinant of adoption. Over 40% of surveyed herders believed that climate change is negatively affecting the availability of natural forage. This heightened awareness is significantly associated with a greater likelihood of adopting cottonseed cake as a feed supplementation strategy. This study highlights the crucial role of cognitive factors in shaping adaptation decisions, beyond traditional economic and structural determinants. It underscores the importance of incorporating environmental perceptions into public policies supporting livestock systems and technological innovations in pastoral. Full article

Rural settlements in agro-pastoral ecotones reflect the complex interplay between natural constraints and human land use, particularly in ecologically sensitive and climatically transitional regions. This study investigated the agro-pastoral ecotone of eastern Inner Mongolia, a representative region characterized by environmental heterogeneity and competing land use functions. Landscape pattern indices, ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, and geographically weighted regression (GWR) were employed to analyze settlement morphology and its environmental determinants. The results reveal a distinct east–west spatial gradient: settlements are larger and more concentrated in low-elevation plains with favorable hydrothermal conditions, whereas those in mountainous and pastoral areas are smaller, sparser, and more fragmented. OLS regression revealed a strong positive correlation between arable land and settlement density (r > 0.8), whereas elevation and slope were significantly negatively correlated. GWR results further highlight spatial non-stationarity in the influence of key environmental factors. Average annual temperature generally shows a positive influence on settlement density, particularly in the central and eastern agricultural areas. In contrast, forest cover is predominantly negative, especially in the Greater Khingan Mountains. Proximity to water resources consistently enhances settlement density, although the magnitude of this effect varies across regions. Based on spatial characteristics and land use structure, rural settlements were categorized into four types: alpine pastoral, agro-pastoral transitional, river valley agricultural, and forest ecological. This study provides empirical evidence that natural factors (topography, climate, and hydrology) and land use variables (farmland, pasture, and woodland) collectively shape rural settlement patterns in transitional landscapes. The findings offer methodological and practical insights for targeted land management and sustainable rural development in agro-pastoral regions under ecological and socioeconomic pressures. Full article

In agro-pastoral transitional zones, monitoring vegetation fraction coverage (FVC) and understanding its relationship with land use and climate change are crucial for comprehending how complex land-use/land-cover change (LUCC) improves ecological restoration and land management. This study focuses on the agro-pastoral transitional zone of Inner Mongolia, aiming to analyze vegetation cover changes from 2000 to 2020 using the Mann–Kendall (MK) significance test, Theil–Sen median trend analysis, and coefficient of variation (CV) analysis. Additionally, the study explores the impacts of LUCC, precipitation, and temperature on vegetation cover using methods such as geo-detector, pixel-based statistical analysis, and univariate linear regression. Based on the PLUS land-use prediction model and linear regression results, vegetation cover was simulated under different land-use scenarios for the future. The main findings are as follows: first, from 2000 to 2020, the spatial distribution of vegetation cover in the study area showed a distinct pattern of higher vegetation cover in the east compared to the west, with significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity. Although the overall vegetation cover slightly increased, there were notable differences in the trend across regions, with some areas experiencing a decrease in FVC. Second, LUCC is the most significant explanatory factor for vegetation cover changes, and the interactions between LUCC and other factors have a particularly notable impact on vegetation cover. Third, scenario simulations based on the PLUS model indicate that, by 2040, vegetation cover will perform optimally under the farmland protection and sustainable development scenarios. Particularly under the farmland protection scenario, the conversion of cropland, forestland, and grassland is notably suppressed. In contrast, the unmanaged natural development scenario will lead to a decline in vegetation cover. The results of this study show that vegetation cover in the agro-pastoral transitional zone of Inner Mongolia exhibits substantial fluctuations due to land-use change. Future ecological restoration policies should incorporate land-use optimization to promote vegetation recovery and address ecological degradation. Full article

Ethiopian pastoralist communities are facing a recurrent drought crisis that significantly affects the availability of water and pasture resources for communities dependent on livestock. The increasing intensity, duration and frequency of droughts in the pastoral community in Ethiopia have drawn the attention of multiple stakeholders and increased stakeholder debates on the role of early warning systems (EWSs) for anticipatory action to build climate resilience in the pastoral community. The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), in collaboration with various partners, has developed an interactive web-based digital EWS to provide near real-time information on water and pasture conditions in pastoral and agro-pastoral regions of Ethiopia. In this study, a stakeholder analysis was conducted to identify key stakeholders, understand stakeholder needs, and facilitate collaboration towards sustaining the EWS. The stakeholder analysis revealed the roles and information needs of key actors engaged in livestock water and pasture monitoring and early warning systems aimed at improving the pastoral communities’ resilience. The analysis showed a pressing need for access to real-time information on water and pasture availability and seasonal climate forecasts by local communities for effective and optimal resources management. Local and national governments need similar data for evidence-based decision-making in resource allocation and policy development. International and non-governmental organizations (INGOs) require the same information for efficient humanitarian responses and targeted development interventions. The private sector seeks insights into market dynamics to better align production strategies with community needs. An EWS serves as a vital tool for development partners, facilitating improved planning, coordination, and impact assessment. It also emphasizes the importance of proactive collaboration among stakeholders, including local communities, government bodies, INGOs, and academic and research institutions. Enhanced communication strategies, such as partnerships with local media, are essential for timely information dissemination. Ultimately, sustained collaboration and adaptive strategies are crucial for optimizing the impact of an EWS towards improving the livelihoods and resilience of pastoral communities amid climate variability. Full article

Water resource management is crucial for sustainable agricultural and ecological development, particularly in regions with complex land-use patterns and sensitive eco-systems. The Bashang region of Zhangjiakou city, located in the agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China, is an ecologically fragile area that is currently undergoing significant land use and climate changes. Despite the importance of understanding the interplay between land use, climate change, and water conservation, few studies have comprehensively evaluated their combined effects on regional water resources. This study addresses this gap by investigating the spatiotemporal changes in the water yield (WY) and water conservation capacity (WCC) of the Bashang region under different land use and climate scenarios for the year 2035. This research employs the FLUS model to predict the future land use and the InVEST model to estimate the WY and WCC under a natural development scenario (NDS), an agricultural production scenario (APS), an ecological protection scenario (EPS), and a land planning scenario (LPS). The results reveal that the WCC is primarily influenced by precipitation, land use, and the topography. This study finds that scenarios which focus on ecological protection and land use optimization, such as the EPS and LPS, significantly enhance the water conservation capacity of the study region Notably, the LPS scenario, which limits urban expansion and increases the amount of ecological land, provides the best balance between the water yield and conservation. The findings highlight the need for integrated approaches to land use and water resource management, particularly in agro-pastoral transitional zones. The unique contribution of this research lies in its comprehensive modeling approach, which combines land use, climate data, and water resource analysis, and which provides valuable insights for sustainable land and water management strategies. Full article

(1) Background: Ecological restoration is crucial to improve ecological functions and optimize its security patterns. The Zhangbei of Zhangjiakou, a typical agro-pastoral transition zone, was studied as an example to conduct ecological restoration suitability evaluation in northern China. (2) Methods: suitability of ecological restoration in Zhangbei was assessed by both single factor analysis and comprehensive factor analysis, which were based on the data of regional water resources, ecosystem service function, and ecosystem sensitivity obtained from a high-precision environmental survey. (3) Results and conclusions: The results show that in Zhangbei County, areas classified as important and extremely important for ecosystem service functions account for 50.32%, ecologically sensitive and highly sensitive areas represent 5.95%, and regions designated as important and extremely important for ecological protection cover 52.70%. Furthermore, ecological restoration of Zhangbei was divided into four ecological restoration zones: agro-forest–wetland ecological restoration and soil erosion control zone, agro-forest–wetland ecological restoration and water conservation zone, forest–grassland soil erosion and soil–water conservation zone, and mountain forest conservation and biodiversity maintenance zone. The study can be a scientific case study for local ecosystem restoration and conservation. In the future, this study will further explore multi-source data fusion, the establishment of a multi-scale evaluation system, and the trade-off analysis between conservation and development. Full article

The agro-pastoral ecotone of Gansu Province, a critical component of the ecological security barrier in northern China, is characterized by pronounced ecological fragility and climatic sensitivity. Investigating vegetation dynamics in this region is essential for balancing ecological conservation and sustainable development. This study integrated MODIS/NDVI remote sensing data (2000–2020), climate, land, and anthropogenic factors, employing Sen’s slope analysis, coefficient of variation (Cv), Hurst index, geodetector modeling, and partial correlation analysis to systematically unravel the spatio-temporal evolution and driving mechanisms of vegetation coverage. Key findings revealed the following: (1) Vegetation coverage exhibited a significant increasing trend (0.05 decade⁻¹), peaking in 2018 (NDVI = 0.71), with a distinct north–south spatial gradient (lower values in northern areas vs. higher values in southern regions). Statistically significant greening trends (p < 0.05) were observed in 55.42% of the study area. (2) Interannual vegetation fluctuations were generally mild (Cv = 0.15), yet central regions showed 2–3 times higher variability than southern/northwestern areas. Future projections (H = 0.62) indicated sustained NDVI growth. (3) Climatic factors dominated vegetation dynamics, with sunshine hours and precipitation exhibiting the strongest explanatory power (q = 0.727 and 0.697, respectively), while the elevation–precipitation interaction achieved peak explanatory capacity (q = 0.845). (4) NDVI correlated positively with precipitation in 43.62% of the region (r_mean = 0.47), whereas average temperature, maximum temperature, ≥10 °C accumulated temperature, and sunshine hours suppressed vegetation growth (r_mean = −0.06 to −0.42), confirming precipitation as the primary driver of regional vegetation recovery. The multi-scale analytical framework developed here provides methodological and empirical support for precision ecological governance in climate-sensitive transitional zones, particularly for optimizing ecological barrier functions in arid and semi-arid regions. Full article

Social innovation has emerged as a prominent strategy in development practice, attracting substantial scholarly attention. In Ethiopia’s pastoral and agro-pastoral areas, characterized by vulnerability and persistent development challenges, non-governmental organizations have begun implementing social innovations as alternatives to traditional interventions. However, the empirical understanding of the uptake of these innovations and the degree to which communities perceive ownership is limited. This study aims to investigate the adoption patterns of social innovations and evaluate community ownership of these innovations towards sustainability in specific Ethiopian contexts. Methods included partial participant observation, 12 case studies, 33 key informant interviews, and a sample survey of 392 respondents. The findings indicate that the average age of respondents is approximately 41 years old, with the youngest being 15 and the oldest being 94. Descriptive and inferential statistics showed that social innovations improved the management of the water system in Meda Wollabu and the enhanced goat market in Dasenech, with a developed sense of ownership benefitting and improving communities’ livelihood and sustainable development. The study concludes that developed sense of community ownership effective information dissemination, relative advantage and participation in training, highlighting the importance of tailored social innovation strategies that enhance community resilience and sustainability. Full article

In light of current global challenges of climate change, the over-exploitation of natural resources, and increasing demand for livestock products, the exploration of excellent forage crop resources holds great potential for development. Therefore, selecting forage crops that are high-yield, high-quality, and have excellent resistance to pests and diseases can greatly promote the development of the livestock industry. Oat (Avena sativa L.), a dual-purpose crop for grain and forage, plays a vital role in the development of animal husbandry. Autumn-sown oats have a significantly longer growth cycle than spring-sown oats, ensuring a year-round forage supply and achieving higher yields. The agropastoral transitional zone in southwest China is a key region for autumn-sown oats, but the systematic evaluation of oat germplasm there is still limited. Therefore, we conducted a two-growing-season (2022–2024) field experiment across four locations to evaluate nine oat genotypes for growth phenotypes, forage productivity, and nutritional quality through 11 agronomic traits and nutritional parameters during the filling stage (Zadok’s 75). The results revealed the following: (1) agronomic performance: dry matter yield (DMY) ranged from 10.72 to 14.58 t/ha, with line ‘WC109’ achieving the highest DMY (14.58 t/ha) and crude protein (CP, 9.66%); (2) nutritional quality: CP exhibited a significant negative correlation with fiber content (NDF: r = −0.72, p < 0.01; ADF: r = −0.68, p < 0.01), highlighting a yield–quality trade-off; ‘WC109’ demonstrated superior forage value, with the highest relative forage quality (RFQ: 115.45) and grading index (GI: 19.30); (3) environmental adaptation: location-specific climatic conditions significantly influenced productivity, with Wenjiang (WJ) showing optimal performance due to favorable temperature and precipitation. These results position ‘WC109’ as a promising candidate for autumn-sown cultivation in southwest China, addressing winter forage shortages while enhancing livestock nutrition. Our findings further elucidate the mechanisms linking yield and feeding value to growth performance indicators, providing references for trait-based measures to enhance forage oat productivity and quality. Full article

This study aims to assess how the supply of straw feed in China has changed over time and how this affects cattle and sheep farming. This paper takes the 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government) in China as basic units. Based on the grass-to-grain ratios of different crops, the analysis includes estimating the theoretical supply of straw feed, evaluating its livestock carrying capacity, and examining the spatial distribution of supply and demand. From 1978 to 2023, the adaptability of the supply and demand of crop straws has shown a significant upward trend, but the overall adaptability is still low. Differences in the spatial layout of agriculture and animal husbandry have led to the emergence of advantageous areas for the allocation of the supply and demand of straw feeds, which are shifting from the east to the west and from the south to the north and concentrating from the planting areas to the livestock breeding areas. This study finds that climate warming has shifted the centroid of theoretical straw supply northward, resulting in higher straw–livestock compatibility in agriculturally developed regions but lower compatibility in unbalanced agro-pastoral zones, primarily due to high transport costs for straw and roughage, which constrain sustainable agro-pastoral circular development. Therefore, it is recommended that all countries (regions) actively implement the “Straw-to-Meat” policy in agriculturally advanced zones, while proactively adapting to climate warming by optimizing agro-pastoral spatial planning and exploring alternatives to roughage or expanding feed grain cultivation. Full article

Avian colibacillosis caused by avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) strains is a bacterial disease responsible for enormous economic losses in the poultry industry, due to high mortality rates in farms, antibiotic therapy costs, and seizures at slaughterhouses. The aim of this study was to characterize the serogroups and molecular features of extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing APEC isolates recovered from 248 liver samples of 215 broilers and 33 turkeys with colibacillosis lesions in northeast Algeria. For this, microbiological tests were carried out, according to the recommended standards: E. coli isolates were recovered using standard microbiological protocols, and identification was carried out by MALDI-TOF MS. Serogrouping was performed using a rapid agglutination slide and the antisera of three O somatic groups (O1, O2, O78). Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the disk diffusion method. PCR assays and sequencing were used to detect antimicrobial resistance genes, integrons, phylogrouping, and MLST. Conjugation experiments were also conducted to determine the transferability of the retrieved ESBL-encoding genes. Overall, 211 (85.1%) APEC isolates were collected (one per positive sample), and 164 (77.7%) of them were typable. The O2 and O1 serogroups were the most detected (46.1% in broiler typable isolates and 61.5% in turkey typable isolates). Seventeen APEC isolates were ESBL-producers and harbored the following genes (number of isolates): bla_CTX-M-1 (14), bla_CTX-M-15 (2), and bla_SHV-12 (1). They belonged to phylogroups D (10 isolates), B1 (6 isolates), and B2 (1 isolate). The MLST of 13 ESBL producers revealed seven STs: ST23, ST38, ST48, ST117, ST131, ST1146, and ST5087. The ESBL-encoding genes were transferred by conjugation among 15 ESBL-producing isolates, and transconjugants acquired either the IncK or IncI1 plasmids. Concerted efforts from all poultry actors are needed to establish surveillance monitoring strategies to mitigate the spread of ESBL-producing isolates implicated in avian colibacillosis. Full article

Extreme climate events are increasing in severity and frequency and affecting the livelihood of pastoralists. Understanding these impacts is crucial for developing effective management strategies. Thus, this study examines the effects of drought on livestock production and market dynamics in semi-arid Ethiopia and explores the adaptation strategies employed by Borana pastoralists. Both the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) were used to calculate indicators of drought severity between 1993 and 2022. Surveys were also conducted in 244 selected households. In addition, focus group discussions and field observations were conducted to investigate the adaptation practices of Borana pastoralists to drought. A line graph was used to illustrate the relationship between the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and livestock market prices. The study found extreme drought in 1985, 2000, and 2011, with the most severe to moderate dryness occurring in the Arero, Elwaya, Dubuluk, Guchi, and Yabelo areas. The study found that severe droughts are increasing, affecting pastoralists’ livelihoods. The recurring drought led to a shortage of feed and water, which resulted in the starvation and death of livestock and jeopardized the livelihoods of pastoralists. In addition, the decline in milk production and falling market prices are said to have had a negative impact. Diversification of livelihood sources, mobility of livestock to seek out forage and water resources, and diversification of herd composition to take advantage of varying drought tolerance have been the usual long-term adaptation strategies of Borana pastoralists. Given the multiple negative impacts of climate change, development interventions in pastoral and agro-pastoral areas of Ethiopia should focus on proactive measures to reduce the impacts of climate change on livestock production. Full article

Perennial crops are crucial for enhancing soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks to mitigate climate change, yet the effects of planting duration on SOC stocks remain inconsistent. In the agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China, where soil degradation is a growing concern, daylily, a perennial crop cultivated for over 600 years, presents both ecological and agricultural potential. This study evaluates the impact of long-term (LD, >10 years) and short-term (SD, ~5 years) daylily cultivation on SOC stocks and identifies key drivers. Paired soil samples (0–100 cm) from eight sites under LD, SD, and long-term maize cultivation (CK) were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation analysis, random forest, and structural equation modeling (SEM). LD significantly increased SOC stocks by 19.63% compared to CK, while SD showed no significant difference. The sampling site had a greater impact on SOC stocks than the treatment across different geographic locations. At the same location, SEM revealed that soil factors influenced SOC differently across treatments: for LD, soil total nitrogen (TN) > pH > soil water content (SWC); for SD, TN > SWC > soil available phosphorus (AP); for CK, TN > soil available potassium (AK) > SWC. This study provides insights for regional soil management and carbon sequestration strategies, highlighting the role of LD in enhancing soil quality and promoting ecological restoration. Full article

Assessing the value of ecosystem products over time can reflect the effectiveness of ecosystem protection and serve as a measurable indicator in national park management. This study focuses on the Three-River-Source National Park (TRSNP), located in the Tibetan Plateau, the “Water Tower of China”. We developed an accounting system for ecosystem products in the TRSNP and assessed their value for 2015 and 2020. Key findings include the following. (1) The validation of the system’s scientific basis with a comprehensive indicator framework covering material products, regulating services, and cultural services. (2) The total value of ecosystem products in TRSNP increased by 31.19% from 2015 to 2020. Driven by policies such as grazing bans and the restoration of grasslands, the value of material products saw a decrease during the same period, while the value of regulating services experienced an increase. Notably, among the regulating services, the value associated with soil conservation emerged as the highest. (3) The value of regulating services varies across different regions due to the influences of land use types and soil erosion types. Among these, the value of regulating services per unit area is highest in the Lancang River source region, followed by the Yellow River source region, and the value was the lowest in the Yangtze River source region. (4) Recommendations include enhancing the value of agricultural and animal husbandry products to increase the overall agro-pastoral income, focusing on soil protection and restoration in the Yangtze and Yellow River source regions, and exploring strategies for the trading of ecological resource rights for soil retention in the Lancang River source region. This research offers a pertinent case study for ecosystem product value assessment, contributes a scientific ecological protection effect evaluation system for TRSNP, and provides a relevant scientific basis for the management of TRSNP. Full article