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Background Few studies have quantified dynamic balance in fencers despite previous suggestions that balance training may be beneficial for these athletes. Generally, asymmetry in dynamic balance performance between the left and right legs can be an indicator of lower extremity injury risk and used to monitor rehabilitation progress. Fencing is recognized as an asymmetric sport, therefore, differences in dynamic balance may exist among uninjured athletes. Hypothesis/Purpose The primary objective of this investigation was to evaluate whether asymmetry of dynamic balance is present in uninjured national-level fencers. It was hypothesized that elite uninjured fencers would demonstrate superior dynamic balance on the lead-leg of their fencing stance. A secondary objective was to compare dynamic balance performance of elite fencers to previously published data from high-level athletes participating in other sports. Study Design Descriptive Laboratory Study Methods Fourteen uninjured elite competitive fencers were recruited. Subjects self-reported the lead leg of their fencing stance. Each participant performed the Y-Balance test (YBT), which represented a measurement of dynamic balance control, on both legs. Reach distances were recorded directly from a commercially available YBT apparatus. Four reach distances were recorded: anterior, posteromedial, posterolateral, and a composite measure was calculated. Distances were leg length-normalized and expressed as a percentage. Sample averages and standard deviations were derived for the four YBT measurements. Results There were no significant differences in reaching distance between the lead and trail legs in any of the four YBT measures (p ≥ 0.65). Fencers appeared to demonstrate larger normalized reach distances in the posterolateral and posteromedial directions than other athletes. Conclusions The results of this study indicate that dynamic balance is not significantly different between the lead and trail legs in elite fencers, despite the asymmetrical nature of their sport. The apparent symmetry of dynamic balance control in uninjured fencers means that the YBT could be used in this population for monitoring progress during training and rehabilitation. Level of Evidence 2b

Sorghum is the most well-known helpful cereal crop for poor farmers in Ethiopia’s dry lowland areas due to it’s a high yielding, drought tolerant, nutrient use efficiency crop that can be grown over 80 % of the worlds’ cultivated land. It has many advantages in the economic lives of the farmers in the highlands of the country. It is a source of food, feed, fuel, construction, fencing to poor farmers of Ethiopia. Though, many biological and environmental stresses are reducing grain yield increment. Foliar and grain diseases are one of the main biological stresses limiting sorghum production and productivity in the high and intermediate rainfall areas of Ethiopia. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to review the current state of highland sorghum improvement in Ethiopia’s highlands. Breeders, pathologists, agronomists, and research extension workers have all worked hard to overcome the constraints. In addition, the national sorghum research program is focusing on developing tolerant varieties that can withstand a variety of pressures by backcrossing tolerant characteristics into existing potential landraces and elite advanced lines. Due to many yield-limiting conditions, the crop’s production is well below its potential. Sorghum breeding began in Ethiopia in the early 1950s to solve important production difficulties that contributed to low productivity, and as a result, a number of improved varieties have been offered to farmers. Since 1978, research and development efforts previous to Ethiopian sorghum enhancement have been studied. Generally, believe that future productivity will most likely increase as a result of the integration of a diverse collection of mutually beneficial disciplines and organizations with varying priorities in technology development, advancement, promotion, and market/product production. Multidisciplinary methodologies, system sustainability with temporal and spatial intensification, and participation of essential stakeholders, including farmers, in the technological development, increase, promotion, and proper intervention in production are also of interest.

Managers of threatened species in remote protected areas play a pivotal role in shaping the outcomes of management and conservation programmes. The island of Java supports the last remaining population of the Javan rhinoceros Rhinoceros sondaicus, a Critically Endangered megaherbivore with only 72 individuals persisting in the wild, in Ujung Kulon National Park. Substantial resources are being invested to manage the Javan rhinoceros and it is difficult to monitor it in the rainforest to assess whether management actions have been successful. Insights from frontline staff into the outcomes of past conservation actions and the future actions required may be key to enhancing the outcomes of conservation actions for threatened species. To study the perceptions of frontline staff towards the conservation of the Javan rhinoceros, management actions and their outcomes, we surveyed all 36-frontline staff in Ujung Kulon National Park. Although staff perceptions of conservation outcomes were generally positive, they noted key anthropogenic threats and challenges to rhinoceros protection inherent to the survival of the last Javan rhinoceros population. Staff identified increased threat of disease transfer from domestic stock to the rhinoceros, in spite of protective fencing, and the combined effects of illegal firewood collection and agricultural encroachment on rhinoceros habitat. Systematically recording and incorporating the perceptions of frontline staff in remote and often inaccessible protected areas can help identify important areas for future conservation and threat mitigation that can facilitate better protection for the Javan rhinoceros and other iconic species.

Background and Study Aim. The aim of the research is to investigate the efficiency of designed complexes of training exercises aimed to improve the coordination abilities of qualified athletes in fencing. Material and Methods. 22 qualified athletes specializing in fencing aged from 15 to 18 took part in the research. The study design included the sequential pedagogical experiment that was realized through the several stages. At the first stage, the preliminary testing of the athletes’ coordination abilities (n=22) was conducted. During the preliminary testing the following tests were applied: jumps to the line; shuttle run (4x9 m.); T-test, straight touch from en-garde position to the target of 10 cm in diameter from close range (10 attempts); straight lunge attack from en-garde position to the target of 10 cm (10 attempts). At the second stage of the pedagogical experiment two complexes of exercises aimed at developing the coordination abilities of the athletes were applied for 3 months. The experimental complexes of exercises were used twice a week. At the third stage, the efficiency of experimental complexes aimed at the developing of coordination abilities of qualified athletes in fencing was checked through a control testing. The Statistica 10 software created by the StatSoft Company was used for statistical processing of data. Results. It was established that during the process of coordination abilities development, the greatest attention should be given to the athletes’ ability to control timing, spatial and physical parameters of moves and moves consistency. To improve the process of developing the coordination abilities of the qualified athletes in fencing two complexes of training exercises were developed. The results of the pedagogical experiment confirmed the statistical differences in the levels of the athletes’ coordination abilities manifestation before and after using experimental training complexes (p, Передумови та мета дослідження. Мета дослідження - вивчити ефективність розроблених комплексів тренувальних вправ, спрямованих на поліпшення координаційних здібностей кваліфікованих спортсменів з фехтування.Матеріал і методи. У дослідженні взяли участь 22 кваліфікованих спортсмена з фехтування у віці від 15 до 18 років. Дизайн дослідження включав послідовний педагогічний експеримент, який проводився в кілька етапів. На першому етапі було проведено попереднє тестування координаційних здібностей спортсменів (n = 22). В ході попереднього тестування застосовувалися такі тести: стрибки на лінію; човниковий біг (4х9 м.); Т-тест, пряме дотик з вихідної позиції мішені діаметром 10 см з близької відстані (10 спроб); прямий випад атака від ан-авангардистами положення до мішені 10 см (10 спроб). На другому етапі педагогічного експерименту застосовувалися два комплексу вправ, спрямованих на розвиток координаційних здібностей спортсменів протягом 3 місяців. Експериментальні комплекси вправ використовувалися два рази в тиждень. На третьому етапі через контрольне тестування перевірялася ефективність експериментальних комплексів, спрямованих на розвиток координаційних здібностей кваліфікованих спортсменів з фехтування. Для статистичної обробки даних використовувалася програма Statistica 10, створена компанією StatSoft.Результати. Встановлено, що в процесі розвитку координаційних здібностей найбільшу увагу слід приділяти вмінню спортсменів контролювати тимчасові, просторові і фізичні параметри рухів і узгодженість рухів. Для поліпшення процесу розвитку координаційних здібностей кваліфікованих спортсменів з фехтування були розроблені два комплексу тренувальних вправ. Результати педагогічного експерименту підтвердили статистичні відмінності в рівнях прояву координаційних здібностей спортсменів до і після використання експериментальних тренувальних комплексів (p, Предпосылки и цель исследования. Цель исследования - изучить эффективность разработанных комплексов тренировочных упражнений, направленных на улучшение координационных способностей квалифицированных спортсменов по фехтованию.Материал и методы. В исследовании приняли участие 22 квалифицированных спортсмена по фехтованию в возрасте от 15 до 18 лет. Дизайн исследования включал последовательный педагогический эксперимент, который проводился в несколько этапов. На первом этапе было проведено предварительное тестирование координационных способностей спортсменов (n = 22). В ходе предварительного тестирования применялись следующие тесты: прыжки на линию; челночный бег (4х9 м.); Т-тест, прямое касание из исходной позиции мишени диаметром 10 см с близкого расстояния (10 попыток); прямой выпад атака от ан-авангардистами положения к мишени 10 см (10 попыток). На втором этапе педагогического эксперимента применялись два комплекса упражнений, направленных на развитие координационных способностей спортсменов в течение 3 месяцев. Экспериментальные комплексы упражнений использовались два раза в неделю. На третьем этапе через контрольное тестирование проверялась эффективность экспериментальных комплексов, направленных на развитие координационных способностей квалифицированных спортсменов по фехтованию. Для статистической обработки данных использовалась программа Statistica 10, созданная компанией StatSoft.Результаты. Установлено, что в процессе развития координационных способностей наибольшее внимание следует уделять умению спортсменов контролировать временные, пространственные и физические параметры движений и согласованность движений. Для улучшения процесса развития координационных способностей квалифицированных спортсменов по фехтованию были разработаны два комплекса тренировочных упражнений. Результаты педагогического эксперимента подтвердили статистические различия в уровнях проявления координационных способностей спортсменов до и после использования экспериментальных тренировочных комплексов (p

Faidherbia albida is one of the scattered trees commonly intercropped with most cereals in Ethiopia due to its positive impacts. The tree is pruned for various purposes including for fencing and fuelwood. In this study, the impact of pruning on water relations of F. albida and on understorey wheat productivity was investigated. The on-farm study was conducted in Ejerssa Joro, semi-arid Ethiopia. Six mature trees were selected; three were fully pruned and three were left unpruned. Sap flow and leaf water potential were measured on these trees. Crop gas exchange, aboveground biomass and grain yield were measured under and outside tree canopies. The highest and the lowest sap volumes, recorded from unpruned F. albida, during the dry period, were 153 L day−1 and 20 L day−1, respectively. The highest and the lowest sap volumes were 13.4 L day−1 and 0.04 L day−1 recorded during the wet period. Wheat CO2 assimilation was highest (7.8 µmolm−2 s−1) at 1 m distance and declined away from the tree trunk under unpruned trees. Aboveground biomass and grain yield under unpruned treatments were significantly (P

Knowledge of soil N cycling and the associated functional microbial groups of N2O production under different management measures could provide clues for the restoration of degraded meadows in alpine ecosystems. We investigated soil N2O emissions, the genes related to N2O production and reduction (AOA-amoA, AOB-amoA, nirK, nirS, and nosZ), and associated microbial communities in four meadows (continuous grazing, grazing exclusion by fencing, grazing exclusion by combined fencing and reseeding, and undisturbed meadow) in the Tibetan Plateau to reveal the mechanism underlying potential N2O emissions in alpine meadows. Compared to the grazing meadow, fencing and fencing + reseeding meadows had lower N2O emissions and lower abundances of AOA-amoA, AOB-amoA, nirK, nirS, and nosZ genes, suggesting that grazing exclusion could decrease the soil N-turnover potential. However, the higher N2O emissions compared to those of undisturbed meadows indicated that longer restoration periods were necessary. Seeding the fenced meadow did not alter soil N2O emission or the abundance of AOA-amoA, AOB-amoA, nirK, nirS, and nosZ genes, possibly owing to the similar soil nutrient status compared to that of the fencing meadow. Grazing exclusion also resulted in significant changes in the community diversity and composition of microbes harboring these functional genes, especially nirK and nosZ communities. N2O emissions were significantly associated with microbial communities involved in N2O production and reduction but not with the gene abundance of AOA-amoA, AOB-amoA, nirK, nirS, and nosZ. Soil dissolved organic nutrients, including C and N, and soil moisture were the controlling factors for N2O production by altering the community composition of nirK- and nosZ-type denitrifiers, such as Bradyrhizobiaceae, Rhizobiaceae, Brucellaceae, Ochrobactrum, and Proteobacteria. Our results indicated that grazing-induced elevation of potential N2O emissions from meadow soil could be alleviated by grazing exclusion, including sole fencing and a combination of fencing and reseeding, by changing soil dissolved organic nutrients and moisture thus regulating the microbial communities.

Human–wildlife conflicts have intensified by many folds and at different levels in recent years. The same is true in the case of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH), the roof of the world, and a region known for its wealth in biodiversity. We present a systematic literature review (SLR) using the search, appraisal, synthesis, and analysis (SALSA) framework; and for spatial and network analysis, we employed the VOSviewer software. The review—covering 240 peer—articles within a span of 27 years (from 1982 to 2019)—revealed that in the last decade, there was a 57% increase in publications but with a disproportionate geographical and thematic focus. About 82% of the research concentrated on protected areas and large carnivores and mega herbivores played a big role in such conflicts. About 53% of the studies were based on questionnaires, and the main driver reported was habitat disturbance of animals due to land‐cover change, urbanization, and increase in human population. On the management front, the studies reported the use of traditional protection techniques like guarding and fencing. Our analysis of 681 keywords revealed a prominent focus on ‘human‐wildlife conflict,’ ‘Nepal,’ ‘Bhutan,’ ‘Snow Leopard,’ and ‘Leopard’ indicating the issue linked with these species and countries. The involvement of 640 authors from 36 countries indicates increasing interest, and Nepal and India are playing key roles in the region. As for the spatial analysis that was conducted, while it showed regional variations, there were conspicuous limitations in terms of having a transboundary focus. Thus, particular attention ought to be paid to building transboundary partnerships and improving management interventions; there is also a pressing need to understand the patterns of human–wildlife convergence, especially involving meso‐mammals., We present a systematic review on human–wildlife conflict from the roof of the world. The review presents results from 240 peer‐reviewed articles with an increasing trend of publications. About 82% of the research reported cases from protected area indicating conservation challenges. Scholars highlight habitat disturbance through land‐cover change, urbanization, and human population increase as major drivers. More focus on pattern of interactions at transboundary level and effective mitigation measures are recommended.

In forests affected by heavy fires and continuous grazing of exotic herbivorous mammal species, Nothofagus pumilio (lenga) cannot recover naturally. The main factors that hinder the natural recovery of these forests and the feasibility of native tree plantations are the exotic herbivorous pressure, like that produced by Lepus europaeus (European hare), and the environment degradation degree by anthropic disturbances. The objective of this study was to evaluate different plantation efforts to recover N. pumilio forests degraded by fires in Chilean Patagonia. The plantation actions also included wire fences for sapling protection in 100 ha, where 60 ha were established during autumn (May 2012), and 40 ha were established during spring (October 2012). In March 2013 we recorded the height annual growth (cm year−1), the section browsed at each sapling, the modification of plant form (number of new branches), and the vigor expression. We evaluated the data using one- and two-way ANOVAs, Cohen’s d effect size, and chi-square analyses. We measured a total of 872 plants, where 42% presented damages caused by European hare browsing. These results indicated that the wire fences were not completely useful to stop the damage on saplings (Cohen’s d effect size =

SIGNIFICANCE Perceptual-cognitive skills are the capacity of athletes to identify task-relevant information in the environment and integrate information with the knowledge available for decision making or controlling motor responses. Gaze behavior is one performance-related perceptual skill and a key factor affecting expertise affecting referee performance. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to compare visual search behavior and decision-making accuracy of expert and novice fencing referees. METHOD Twenty-eight referees were divided into expert (n = 14) and novice (n = 14) groups. Participants were fitted with mobile eye trackers and participated in tests that consisted of five blocks of 10 video clips. Videos are provided annually by the World Fencing Federation for referee testing. RESULTS The results showed a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the accuracy of decision making, number, duration, and location of fixations. Expert referees had higher decision-making accuracy compared with novice referees. Expert referees had fewer fixations than did novice referees. Fixations of expert referees were longer than those of novice referees, and the locations of fixations of expert and novice referees were different. CONCLUSIONS According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that the difference in visual search behavior of expert and novice referees was one of the factors contributing to better decision making of expert referees.

Experimental restoration using tree seedlings is a common strategy for accelerating succession on degraded post-agricultural land formerly occupied by Cerrado vegetation. Seedling growth in degraded tropical lands is constrained by various factors. The goal of this study was to evaluate the seedling growth and survival of seven native tree species used to accelerate forest recovery in a gully area with stressful environmental conditions. The experimental design involved fenced and unfenced blocks, presence and absence of fertilization and use of an adhesive to prevent ant herbivory (four treatments with four replicates). Seedlings were planted in December 2006 and collection of data on seedling basal diameter, height, mortality and herbivory started on January 24th 2007 and continued every three months, until final data collection on January 31st 2009 (9 measurement dates). Overall seedling survival was 38 % and protecting seedlings did not influence growth, but seedlings grew faster in response to the addition of fertilizer containing N, P and K. The use of the adhesive Tanglefoot to exclude leaf cutter ants had no influence on growth. Fencing reduced seedling mortality, but combining fencing with Tanglefoot did not. Nutrient availability limits seedling growth and survival in the gully. Direct planting of seedlings of native trees may accelerate succession in degraded Cerrado lands subject to interventions that overcome constraints on seedling growth and survival.

This study was conducted to identify major livestock production constraints and improved forage production efforts in the Damot Gale district. Four representative kebeles, two associated with our NGO project and two from nonproject outreach activities, were selected. Forty farmers from each kebele were randomly chosen for the purpose of individual interviews using a semistructured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS (version 20) and Excel. The topmost livestock production constraint was feed shortage where a larger proportion of farmers (75.6%) suffered from the problem with higher ( p ≤ 0.01) severity in nonproject intervention areas. Of these, 38.6% were challenged for a period of three months while another 61.4% suffered for about four months. Purchasing grass (31.4%) and concentrate (33.5%) and feeding enset (Ensete ventricosum) leaf (21.49%) were the most commonly adopted coping mechanisms to alleviate feed shortages during the dry season, while using purchased grass and enset leaf was the main coping strategy in nonproject intervention ( p ≤ 0.01) areas. The majority of households (90.75%) participate in improved forage production regardless of farm size. Desho grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum) (71.38%) and elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) (42.63%) are the most common improved forages in both study areas. These forages are produced for the purpose of two or more functions (feed, cash, and preventing erosion) that vary ( p ≤ 0.01) among intervention status. Major niche locations adopted for improved forage production include farm land, soil and water conservation structures, and perimeter fencing. Greatest constraints on improved forage production were seed/material shortage followed by land shortage and lack of awareness. Project intervention ( p ≤ 0.01), tropical livestock unit (TLU) holding ( p ≤ 0.01), and forage seed/planting material access ( p

Understanding the performance of agroforestry woody species in controlled and free grazing systems is crucial for scaling up agroforestry practices. The objective of this study was to identify and evaluate the determinants of agroforestry woody species composition and regeneration in free and controlled grazing systems in the Ethiopian highlands. Household and field surveys were conducted on 83 and 171 households selected from controlled grazing (CG) and free grazing (FG) systems, respectively. Woody species performance was compared between the two grazing systems using independent T-test. Seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) was used to identify the factors determining woody species density/abundance, diversity and regeneration. Most trees were grown for fuel wood and timber rather than for fodder. CG users owned more diversified species and abundant regenerates and mature trees/shrubs than FG users. The SUR results showed that herd size, farmland size, fencing, plantation of seedlings, education, wealth, grazing system, farmland distance from homestead and slope were the major factors affecting the composition and regeneration of species. Specifically the SUR results per-household indicated that woody species regeneration was highly affected by grazing system. Fencing is the common underlying factor positively affecting species diversity, regeneration and density of mature trees. Homestead distance from road and number of planted seedlings significantly affected density of regenerates and mature trees. Density of mature trees and species diversity were significantly affected by agroecology and slope. Woody species diversity was significantly affected by education, wealth, farmland size and project participation. Our findings revealed that the scaling up of woody species in agroforestry requires not only CG and favorable agroecology but also matching of agroforestry options with household and farmland characteristics.

Анотація. Еволюція змагальної діяльності у фехтуванні, неможливість збільшення обсягів та інтенсивності тренувальних навантажень фехтувальників на шпагах обумовлює пошук нових шляхів та резервів до вдосконалення різних сторін їх підготовленості. За останні роки, у зв’язку з активними процесами комерціалізації в спорті, суттєво збільшилася кількість змагань, у яких беруть участь висококваліфіковані спортсмени. Як наслідок – зросла інтенсивність змагальної діяльності та підвищились вимоги до підготовленості спортсменів. Тренери та науковці почали шукати нові шляхи підвищення результативності змагальної діяльності спортсменів, серед таких підходів можна виділити дослідження психофізіологічних характеристик та врахування їх під час побудови підготовки спортсменів у єдиноборствах. Мета. Визначити психофізіологічні характеристики фехтувальників на шпагах на етапах спеціалізованої базової підготовки та максимальної реалізації індивідуальних можливостей спортсменів. Методи. Теоретичний аналіз та узагальнення, документальний метод, метод вимірювання та математичної статистики. Результати. Для визначення психофізіологічних характеристик фехтувальників на шпагах нами було використано комплекс для психофізіологічного тестування «Нейрософт-психотест». У дослідженні взяли участь 15 фехтувальників на шпагах на етапі максимальної реалізації індивідуальних можливостей, а також 15 фехтувальників на шпагах на етапі спеціалізованої базової підготовки. За допомогою цього комплексу було здійснено вимірювання простої зорово-моторної реакції, реакції розрізнення, вибору, на рухомий об’єкт, силової витривалості кисті та стійкості до перешкод. Для фехтувальників на етапі максимальної реалізації індивідуальних можливостей характерний високий рівень простої зорово-моторної реакції, реакції розрізнення та реакції вибору, висока стійкість до перешкод, а також під час реалізації реакції на рухомий об’єкт переважає кількість випереджень над кількістю запізнень. Ключові слова: психофізіологія, фехтування на шагах, спортивні єдиноборства, етап багаторічної підготовки.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the personal characteristics supporting Paralympic athletes’ self-realization in sports. The study involved 106 members of the Paralympic and Deaflympic teams of Ukraine (16-53 year-old, the average age of 28.3 ± 7.2 years; 84 men with the average age of 27.7 ± 6.7 years and 22 women with the average age 30.3 ± 8.3 years) in different sports (football, fencing, power-lifting, sitting volleyball, judo, canoeing in pairs, swimming). It is determined that the most important personal factor supporting Paralympic athletes’ self-realization in sports is their psychological hardiness. Their self-efficacy, capacity for self-organization of their activities and psychological well-being can also be considered as significant personal characteristic necessary for their self-realization in sports.

In temperate Europe, oak-dominated forests are widespread, supporting high biodiversity and providing important ecosystem services. Insufficient natural regeneration has, however, been a concern for over a century. The objective of this study was to gain insights into differences in regeneration success using artificial and natural regeneration techniques for reforestation of oak (Quercus robur L.) stands. We monitored seedlings following planting, direct seeding and natural regeneration over five years in a randomized block experiment in southern Sweden with fenced and non-fenced plots. Fencing had a strong positive effect on height growth, especially for planted seedlings that were taller than the other seedlings and more frequently browsed in non-fenced plots. In contrast, there was little effect of fencing on survival, establishment rate and recruitment rate of seedlings. Due to aboveground damage on seedlings from voles, protection of acorns did not improve establishment rate following direct seeding. Under current circumstances at the site with a sparse shelterwood of old oaks, we conclude that natural regeneration was the most cost-efficient regeneration method. It resulted in the most seedlings at the lowest cost. However, regeneration success was heavily influenced by interference from herbaceous vegetation. With a small additional investment in vegetation control, the results might have been improved for planting and direct seeding.

This article considers the history of labour relations within Namibia’s agricultural sector, with specific emphasis on the karakul sheep industry. It examines debates concerning shortages of shephe...

Human-wildlife conflicts (HWCs) may arise when expanding human populations and activities overlap or compete for space and resources with wildlife. They may also be due to growing wildlife populations that encroach on human settlements or other areas of human development. Forms of human-wildlife conflict include livestock predation, harassment, property damage, habitat loss due to human activities, and interpersonal conflict over wildlife issues resulting in injuries or mortalities. The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) is among animals involved in livestock predation for many reasons thus leading to conflicts with livestock owners. This study focused on the causes of human-hyena conflict and the socio-economic impacts of hyena predation on livestock. The study adopted a survey research design. Data were collected using an interview schedule and key informant meetings, targeting different segments of the community. Purposive sampling was employed in data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that poor park fencing is the major cause of human hyena conflict with a representation of 40% (125 respondents). Despite the fact that LNNP is fenced, community members still raise complaints about porosity. On the other hand, 60% of Soysambu Conservancy is not fenced, potentially giving hyenas freedom to move from the conservancy to the community. The total estimated cost that is lost to hyena predation in this region as per the responses received in the surveys is approximately $74,740 USD annually. A total of 1020 shoats were either wounded or killed. Our results suggest that one potential solution is to completely fence both protected areas and maintain the fences to reduce if not halt human-hyena conflicts and perceptions of hyenas as a conflict-prone species.

Wildlife population density estimates provide information on the number of individuals in an area and influence conservation management decisions. Thus, accuracy is vital. A dominant feature in many landscapes globally is fencing, yet the implications of fence permeability on density estimation using spatial capture-recapture modelling are seldom considered. We used camera trap data from 15 fenced reserves across South Africa to examine the density of brown hyaenas (Parahyaena brunnea). We estimated density and modelled its relationship with a suite of covariates when fenced reserve boundaries were assumed to be permeable or impermeable to hyaena movements. The best performing models were those that included only the influence of study site on both hyaena density and detection probability, regardless of assumptions of fence permeability. When fences were considered impermeable, densities ranged from 2.55 to 15.06 animals per 100 km2, but when fences were considered permeable, density estimates were on average 9.52 times lower (from 0.17 to 1.59 animals per 100 km2). Fence permeability should therefore be an essential consideration when estimating density, especially since density results can considerably influence wildlife management decisions. In the absence of strong evidence to the contrary, future studies in fenced areas should assume some degree of permeability in order to avoid overestimating population density.

Rural communities in Kenya largely depend on plant resources for their livelihood. The utilization of these resources depends on the availability of plant resources and the level of knowledge of the residents. We conducted an ethnobotanical study in Tharaka-Nithi County in Kenya to determine the knowledge and utilization of various plant species by the local communities. The study was conducted in four major administrative regions from June 2018 to February 2019, involving interview schedules using semi-structured open-ended questionnaires and guided field collections with 48 informants. A total of 214 plant species distributed in 73 families and 169 genera with 616 Use Reports (URs) were documented. Fabaceae was the highest family cited by the informants (31 species) followed by Lamiaceae and Euphorbiaceae (each with 11 species). Trees (49%) and shrubs (32%) were the top life forms of the plants frequently utilized by the local residents. The general plant uses reported were medicinal, food, fodder, construction, fuel, pesticidal, religious, live fencing, and making crafts. Zanthoxylum gilletii, Prunus africana, and Solanum incanum were found to be highly valued by the local communities. Plant utilization as food and medicinal uses against snake-bite related problems had the highest Informant Consensus Factor (ICF). Only 29 (13.6%) of the species reported had their status assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Conservation measures, alongside awareness creation in this region, are highly recommended for the species endemic to the region, highly depended on by the community, and those threatened according to IUCN standards.

The current study examined how two high-level coaches in fencing and football perceived the challenges that emerged during a three-month coach education programme aimed at them delivering psychological skills training to athletes. We used action research as the study design and collected data using observations, six semi-structured interviews, and one focus group. We analysed the data using a thematic content analysis. Our findings showed that the coaches struggled with role clarity. The psychological impact was that coaches struggled with identifying the borders between delivering psychological skills training as a part of their coaching and when to refer athletes to sport psychology experts. The coaches also suggested that gaining more knowledge in sport psychology allowed them to analyse the athletes. However, the coaches viewed this as a potential area for abusing trust in the coach-athlete relationship. We suggest that coach education programmes should include content on ethical dilemmas to safeguard against potential abuse of the coach-athlete relationship.

We used multiple methods to examine livestock depredation by African lions (Panthera leo), spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta), leopards (Panthera pardus) and black‐backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) in livestock enclosures across the Maasai steppe of Northern Tanzania. In this landscape, pastoralists keep cattle, goats, sheep and donkeys. All are vulnerable to depredation by carnivores. Various factors, such as boma characteristics, landscape attributes and attacks by multiple carnivores, were analysed to understand the best predictors of livestock loss at a boma. We found that livestock depredation was significantly correlated with the number of carnivore species that attacked the boma, the number of boma fences and proximity to protected areas, rivers and roads. Bomas with one fence experienced more loss than those with two walls of fencing. We also found that livestock depredation increased farther from protected areas (β = 0.50, SE = 0.10) and rivers (β = 0.39, SE = 0.10) and closer to roads (β = −0.28, SE = 0.11). These results highlight the complex interaction of fine‐scale factors that influence carnivore depredation of livestock at any given boma. We recommend that mitigation address the range of factors, including the structural integrity of a boma, landscape attributes and multiple carnivore raids.

Wildlife road mortality is a worldwide problem. In tropical developing countries, it is urgent to implement and test mitigation measures to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, especially because financial resources are limited and alternatives should be considered such as retrofitting of existing underpasses. We assessed herein the use of 12 unfenced crossing structures, including drainage culverts and cattle boxes, by medium and large mammals along a highway in the Brazilian Cerrado. Underpass usage was monitored for 3682 trapping nights from September 2017 to May 2018. We recorded 20 species of medium and large wild mammals in a total of 4212 events. The most frequent mammals were lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris, n = 1154), followed by capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, n = 910), and crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous, n = 271). Underpass usage did not differ between drainage culverts and cattle boxes, but species composition differed among the structures, suggesting that terrestrial mammals prefer cattle boxes while some semiaquatic species used only culverts. We identified 28 different individual tapirs using the underpasses and we estimated over 180 tons of tapir biomass crossing under the highway. Tapir underpass usage did not differ between cattle boxes and culverts, but it was negatively associated with the presence of pasture area around the structures. Our study suggests that, although underpasses show high mammal usage suggesting a satisfactory level of connectivity, combining this method with fencing would be critical to substantially decrease wildlife road mortality and increase human safety.

Background: Sports injury is critical for elite athletes, especially those in combat sports, which have high injury risk as the athletes attack their opponents' bodies to win. The purpose of this study was to examine the injury frequency according to the injured area and injury rate on two occasions (training and competitions) by age and sports in male combat athletes.Methods: The subjects in this study comprised 1,263 athletes who were registered as athletes in middle school, high school, university, and professional levels in men's combat sports (boxing, fencing, judo, taekwondo, and wrestling) at the Korean Sports and Olympic Committee. An online-based survey was conducted. We carried out a frequency analysis using the R statistics program, and calculated a 95% confidence interval.Results: The highest injury experience rates were in boxing (59.3%) and taekwondo (72.7%) for professional level, in judo (60.5%) and wrestling (57.7%) for university level, and in fencing (54.8%) for high school level. The results of the analysis showed that injury occurred least frequently in the following body parts: the head in fencing (19.1%) and judo (18.0%), torso in taekwondo (14.1%) and wrestling (18.1%), and lower extremities in boxing (13.7%). The most frequently injured body parts werethelowerextremitiesinfencing(33.1%)andtaekwondo(38.9%), upperextremitiesinjudo(30.5%)andwrestling(31.9%), and head in boxing (37.4%). The injury incidence rates during competitions, by age, were 0.03, 0.11, 0.14, and 0.14 for the middle school, high school, university, and professional levels, respectively. The injury incidence rates during competitions, by sports, were 0.06, 0.07, 0.14, 0.15, and 0.16 in judo, wrestling, taekwondo, boxing, and fencing, respectively. The injury incidence rates during training, by age, were 1.33, 1.46, 1.71, and 1.75 for the middle school, high school, university, and professional levels, respectively. The injury incidence rates during training, by sports, were 1.25, 1.36, 1.57, 1.79, and 1.86 in judo, wrestling, fencing, taekwondo, and boxing, respectively. The overall analysis of injury incidence rate is 0.10 during competitions, and 1.52 during training, irrespective of age and sports type.Conclusion: The area of injury and proportion vary according to the type of sports. However, in accordance with the definition of time loss, the injury incidence rate during training was tenfold compared to the IR during competitions, and the injury incidence rate in striking sports was higher than in grappling sports during both training and competitions.

Exclusion fencing is a common tool used to mitigate a variety of unwanted economic losses caused by problematic wildlife. While the potential for agricultural, ecological and economic benefits of pest animal exclusion are often apparent, what is less clear are the costs and benefits to sympatric non-target wildlife. This review examines the use of exclusion fencing in a variety of situations around the world to elucidate the potential outcomes of such fencing for wildlife and apply this knowledge to the recent uptake of exclusion fencing on livestock properties in the Australian rangelands. In Australia, exclusion fences are used to eliminate dingo (Canis familiaris dingo) predation on livestock, prevent crop-raiding by emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae), and enable greater control over total grazing pressure through the reduction of macropods (Macropodidae) and feral goats (Capra hircus). A total of 208 journal articles were examined for location, a broad grouping of fence type, and the reported effects the fence was having on the study species. We found 51% of the literature solely discusses intended fencing effects, 42% discusses unintended effects, and only 7% considers both. Africa has the highest proportion of unintended effects literature (52.0%) and Australia has the largest proportion of literature on intended effects (34.2%). We highlight the potential for exclusion fencing to have positive effects on some species and negative effects on others (such as predator exclusion fencing posing a barrier to migration of other species), which remain largely unaddressed in current exclusion fencing systems. From this review we were able to identify where and how mitigation strategies have been successfully used in the past. Harnessing the potential benefits of exclusion fencing while avoiding the otherwise likely costs to both target and non-target species will require more careful consideration than this issue has previously been afforded.

Establishing mixed-species tree plantings and fencing them to protect seedlings from herbivory is a valuable strategy for reconnecting forest fragments separated by agropastoral lands. However, fencing may provide exotic plants with the escape from herbivory required to invade the understory of planted communities. Here we take advantage of such a situation to ask how the identity of planted species and the resulting canopy cover influenced invasion success by the Asian swordtail fern (Nephrolepis brownii Desv. Nephrolepidaceae) in a 13-year-old tropical restoration experiment. Through a seed addition experiment, we also evaluated the effects the ferns had on recruiting seedlings. We found that the invasion was most acute in the unplanted control plots where canopy cover was consistently scarce. Frond density correlated negatively with canopy cover, though most of the variance in the model is explained by the design of our experiment (r2m = .161, r2c = .460). Between planting treatments that differed in the dispersal mode of the planted trees, the wind-dispersed treatment had higher fern density and longer fronds than the animal-dispersed treatment. The animal-dispersed treatment had the highest recruiting species richness, which was negatively correlated with fern density (r2 = .748). The seed addition experiment confirmed that mortality rates increased where frond density was higher (F1,41 = 7.159, p = .011) and germination rates were lowered for the smaller-seeded species (F1,42 = 13.2, p = .002). To prevent recalcitrant understory layers from establishing in plantings in the future, we recommend: (1) establishing larger plantings or expanding existing ones to minimize edge effects (particularly light filtration), (2) supplementing young plantings with additional seedlings to prevent canopy gaps from forming, and (3) planting an assemblage of species that cover the full forest strata and have consistently full tree-canopies.

The distribution of wild boar (Sus scropa) in the Republic of Korea was forecasted using environmental factors. A species distribution model was applied with the standard normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), enhanced vegetation index (EVI), solar zenith angle (SUNZ), daytime land surface temperature (dTemp), and nighttime land surface temperature (nTemp). Understanding wild boar distribution is important for controlling African swine fever (ASF) because the disease could be endemic in wild boar or spread from wild boars to domestic pigs. Among the five predictors, the NDVI was the most influencing factor for the wild boar distribution. The relative contributions of the predictors were 67.4 for NDVI, 16.9 for dTemp, 10.5 for SUNZ, 4.4 for EVI, and 0.8 for nTemp. The area size under the receiver-operating curve of the receiver-operating characteristics for the current model was 0.62, but the real wild boar observation data overlapped with the predicted high-density wild boar distribution area. The wild boar distribution density was relatively higher in Gangwon-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, and Jeollanam-do. Given the ASF epidemics, contact between ASF-infected animals and ASF-susceptible animals in high-density wild boar distribution areas should be prevented by long-range fencing or active surveillance.

Background: Ankle sprain in the Lead Leg Side (ALLS) is common in fencing athletes, and studies comparing the ankle range of motion (ROM) and strength of both legs are insufficient. Objectvies: To compare the ankle ROM and hip strength between two legs in fencing athletes who has ankle instability in the lead leg side. Design: Cross-sectional design. Methods: Seven fencing athletes with ankle instability participated in this study, and they randomly assigned into ankle in the Lead Leg Side (ALLS) and ankle in the Rear Leg Side (ARLS). Instability was determined by the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT), and then joint ROM and hip muscle strength were measured. Results: There were significant differences in dorsiflexion ROM, hip strength (extension and abduction) between the ALLS with ankle instability and ARLS (P

Identifying factors promoting jaguar (Panthera onca) occupancy is crucial for planning effective conservation and management actions that can contribute to long-term population viability. We used camera-trapping and modeled factors affecting detection and occupancy for jaguars in Sonora at 149 sites during August-November 2008 and 2009. We measured 24 covariates presumed to affect detection (n = 6) and occupancy (n = 18) at camera sites, including sampling period and various habitat characteristics. We obtained 29 jaguar detections at 19 sites (naive occupancy = 0.12) in 5455 trap-days of effort. Jaguar detectability (p = 0.16 +/- 0.05) was negatively affected by human presence and varied by study year and sampling period. Jaguar occupancy (psi = 0.30 +/- 0.03) increased as prey richness, the abundance of calves of domestic cattle, and the proportion of subtropical vegetation increased. Jaguar occupancy was lower with increased abundance of adult cattle and peccary, and higher levels of fragmentation. Jaguar occupancy in Sonora was hence driven by a diverse combination of factors which should be considered when planning conservation actions. We suggest that managers mitigate the impact of livestock, especially on subtropical habitats, by employing appropriate fencing. Fencing may increase wildlife prey for jaguars, thereby reducing calf depredation by jaguars, while concurrently protecting habitat from overgrazing. Furthermore, providing financial support for ecotourism and compensation for depredation to offset potential jaguar impacts should be considered for jaguar conservation in Sonora.

Failed oak regeneration is widely reported in temperate forests and has been linked in part to changed disturbance regimes and land‐use. We investigated if the North American fire–oak hypothesis could be applicable to temperate European oaks (Quercus robur, Quercus petraea) using a replicated field experiment with contrasting canopy openness, protection against ungulate browsing (fencing/no fencing), and low‐intensity surface fire (burn/no burn). Survival, relative height growth (RGRH), browsing damage on naturally regenerated oaks (≤300 cm tall), and changes in competing woody vegetation were monitored over three years. Greater light availability in canopy gaps increased oak RGRH (p = .034) and tended to increase survival (p = .092). There was also a trend that protection from browsing positively affected RGRH (p = .058) and survival (p = .059). Burning reduced survival (p, We investigated if the North American fire–oak hypothesis could be applicable to temperate European oaks. Although a low‐intensity fire reduced oak seedling survival, survival rates were relatively high across treatment combinations (54%–92%) and relative height growth was greater in burned plots after 2 years. Burning did not change relative density of oaks, but it had a clear effect on competing woody vegetation as it reduced the number of individuals and their heights, especially for conifers.

Fenced ecosanctuaries may reduce predator presence at reserves by incorporating deterrents into pest management programmes. We quantified rodent visits to the steel hood of ecosanctuary fencing and...

Restoration of areas used for intensive even-aged Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) plantations often involves felling and subsequent spontaneous vegetation succession. However, the accumulated litter layer may hamper vegetation development, and thereby postpone recovery or even change the outcome. We studied effects of the litter layer on vegetation establishment during two seasons following a clear-cut of Norway spruce in Denmark. We experimentally assessed the response of multiple vegetation properties to litter removal, with and without wildlife exclusion by fencing, and in combination with sowing of trees, while fencing. Burning was tested as an alternative way to remove the litter layer. Vegetation establishment was poor, when the litter layer was intact, and cover developed slowly remaining below 10% after two years, irrespective of fencing. In contrast, litter removal and fencing together gave significantly faster recovery and reached nearly 60% mean cover. Vegetation cover was driven by few dominant species, especially the sedge Carex pilulifera. Species richness was similar in all treatments, but increased with sowing of trees. Fencing resulted in taller birch seedlings independently of litter removal, but enhanced by seedling density. Litter removal seemed to favor species with lighter seeds, lower specific leaf area (SLA) and lower Ellenberg N value, i.e. associated with relative infertile conditions. Disturbing the litter by burning seemed to have an effect comparable to mechanical removal, and could be a management alternative. Our results showed that a persistent litter layer after spruce plantation removal may hamper the initial vegetation establishment. Actively removing litter may serve as an additional restoration intervention to overcome this legacy. However, as grazing can keep this potential in check, wildlife exclusion may be necessary as well. To speed up recovery and diversify vegetation structure after spruce plantation removal, we suggest patchy disturbance of the litter, essentially combined with wildlife exclusion.

Indian crested porcupine is the largest rodent pest that damages a wide variety of crops, vegetables, and tree species which ultimately causes huge economic loss in Pakistan, which is an agricultural country. It prefers to live in hilly terrain but common in temperate and tropical forests, shrublands, and grasslands. This study focused on the identification and assessment of crops damaged along with the main precautionary measures used by the local farmers. The data was collected from twenty-four villages of two union councils i.e. Chamhad and Slahad of district Abbottabad. Two types of data (primary and secondary) were collected from the study area. Primary data was collected for identification and estimation calculation of total crop damaged through direct field observation by taking random quadrates in each village of the study area. The damage in the crop was assessed by randomly selecting a quadrate of 1x1 m2 for the wheat, pearl millet, and Sorghum fields. While 4x4 m2 quadrates were taken for maize and vegetables. At least three quadrate samples were taken from each field including one quadrate taken from the center of the field area. In union council Chamhad, damage to maize (11.31%) and wheat (0.73%) by the Indian crested porcupine while in union council Salhad, damage of maize (6.95%) and wheat (1.6%) was observed. In the entire study area, overall damage to maize crop (8.01%) and wheat (0.88%) was calculated. Based on information obtained from the farmers, the Indian porcupine inflicted damage to potato, tomato, cauliflower, chili pepper, turnip, radish, pea, and onion, etc. Secondary data obtained through a questionnaire survey to explore the human porcupine conflict and precautionary measures used by the farmers and landowners. Open and close-ended questionnaires (159) highlighted the presence of Indian crested porcupine in the study area and 96% of the respondents have seen porcupine directly. Many types of precautionary measures were used by the farmers such as fencing, night stay, night firing, and dogs to decrease the crop damage, respondents (63.91%) use guns for hunting. however, due to the largely agricultural area and nocturnal behavior of Indian crested porcupine majority of the respondents (51.57%) did not use any precautionary measure. Biological control of Indian porcupine is recommended in the study area. Farmers should be encouraged and provide incentives and killing through current should be banned while proper hunting license should be issued to overcome overhunting. Scientific studies are required to control the reproduction of porcupine specifically in the more damaged areas. O porco-espinho indiano é a maior praga de roedores que danifica uma grande variedade de culturas, vegetais e espécies de árvores, o que acaba por causar enormes perdas econômicas no Paquistão, que é um país agrícola. Prefere viver em terrenos montanhosos, mas comuns em florestas temperadas e tropicais, arbustos e pastagens. Este estudo concentrou-se na identificação e avaliação das lavouras danificadas, juntamente com as principais medidas de precaução utilizadas pelos agricultores locais. Os dados foram coletados de 24 aldeias de dois conselhos sindicais, ou seja, Chamhad e Slahad, do distrito de Abbottabad. Dois tipos de dados (primário e secundário) foram coletados da área de estudo. Foram coletados dados primários para identificação e cálculo de estimativa do total da cultura danificada por meio da observação direta do campo, tomando quadrantes aleatórios em cada aldeia da área de estudo. O dano na cultura foi avaliado pela seleção aleatória de um quadrante de 1x1 m2 para os campos de trigo, milheto pérola e sorgo, enquanto quadrantes de 4x4 m2 foram tomados para milho e legumes. Pelo menos três amostras de quadrante foram colhidas de cada campo, incluindo um quadrante retirado do centro da área do campo. No Conselho Sindical de Chamhad, houve danos ao milho (11,31%) e ao trigo (0,73%) pelo porco-espinho indiano, enquanto no Conselho Sindical de Salhad, danos ao milho (6,95%) e ao trigo (1,6%) foram observados. Em toda a área do estudo, danos gerais à cultura do milho (8,01%) e ao trigo (0,88%) foram calculados. Com base em informações obtidas dos agricultores, o porco-espinho indiano infligiu danos à batata, tomate, couve-flor, pimenta, nabo, rabanete, ervilha, cebola, etc. Dados secundários foram obtidos por meio de um questionário para explorar o conflito suíno humano e as medidas de precaução utilizadas pelos agricultores e proprietários de terras. Questionários abertos e fechados (159) destacaram a presença de porco-espinho indiano na área de estudo e 96% dos entrevistados viram o porco-espinho diretamente. Muitos tipos de medidas de precaução foram utilizados pelos agricultores, como esgrima, estadia noturna, fogo noturno e cães para diminuir os danos na lavoura. Dos entrevistados, 63,91% usaram armas para caçar. No entanto, devido à área ser em grande parte agrícola e ao comportamento noturno da maioria dos porcos-espinhos indianos, 51,57% não usaram nenhuma medida de precaução. O controle biológico do porco-espinho indiano é recomendado na área de estudo. Os agricultores devem ser encorajados e fornecer incentivos, e o uso da corrente para matar os animais deve ser banido, assim como deve ser emitida a licença de caça adequada para superar a caça excessiva. Estudos científicos são necessários para controlar a reprodução de porco-espinho, especificamente nas áreas mais danificadas.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar a dinâmica da comunidade arbórea adulta e regenerante em um fragmento de Floresta Nebular em Urubici, Santa Catarina, sujeito ao impacto de gado. Os inventários dos indivíduos arbóreos adultos (diâmetro na altura do peito – DAP ≥ 5 cm) foram realizados em 2011, 2015 e 2019, e dos regenerantes arbóreos (DAP < 5 cm), em 2013, 2015, 2017 e 2019. Para o componente adulto, a amostragem foi realizada em 25 parcelas de 20 × 20 m alocadas de forma sistemática no fragmento. Em cada uma dessas parcelas também foram coletadas variáveis edáficas e topográficas. O componente regenerativo arbóreo foi avaliado em subparcelas conforme classe de tamanho das plantas (classe 1: plantas com altura de 0,15 cm até 1 m, em 5 m2; classe 2: plantas com altura acima de 1 m e até 3 m, em 10 m2, e classe 3: plantas com altura maior que 3 m e DAP < 5 cm, em 20 m2). Foram calculadas as taxas demográficas para a comunidade e as populações de indivíduos adultos e regenerantes. Utilizaram-se Árvores de Regressão (AR), para testar a influência das variáveis ambientais sobre as taxas de dinâmica dos regenerantes, e Análises dos Componentes Principais (PCA), para sintetizar os gradientes representados pelas taxas de dinâmica entre populações. No último período, 2015-2019, a floresta apresentou perda em indivíduos e em área basal, o que sugere um processo de desestruturação. Para os indivíduos regenerantes, as variáveis mais influentes na dinâmica estiveram relacionadas com a fertilidade do solo, os teores de H+Al, a cota altitudinal e a compactação dos solos. Para a conservação da área, medidas, como o cercamento contra entrada de gado, são essenciais para a manutenção da floresta ao longo do tempo.

Migratory amphibians are at high risk of negative impacts when roads intersect their upland and breeding habitats. Road mortality can reduce population abundance, survivorship, breeding, recruitment, and probability of long-term persistence. Increasingly, environmental planners recommend installation of under-road tunnels with barrier fencing to reduce mortality and direct amphibians towards the passages. Often, the permeability of these barrier and passage systems to amphibian population movements are unknown. We studied the movements of California tiger salamanders (CTS: Ambystoma californiense) in relation to solid and mesh barrier fencing attached to a 3-tunnel system between upland and breeding habitats in Stanford, California. We deployed active-trigger cameras along the fencing, used pattern recognition software to identify individuals by their unique spot patterns, and calculated individual salamander movement distances, speed, direction changes, and “success” at reaching the tunnel system. We found that migrating adult CTS moved an average of 40 m along barrier fencing before turning back into the habitat or “giving-up”. This short distance, in comparison to long migratory movements, may be explained by the orientation mechanisms salamanders use to reach their breeding sites. The probability CTS found a passage decreased rapidly with increasing distance from the tunnel system, particularly if individuals turned the “wrong” way after encountering the fence. Salamanders changed directions more often and spent more time along mesh fencing. Our results suggest that a maximum of 12.5 m between passages along CTS migration routes should allow approximately 90% of adult salamanders to encounter road crossings. Additionally, use of solid fencing or a visual barrier on mesh fencing may help to lead salamanders to passages most efficiently. These considerations can assist those seeking to design effective road mitigation for CTS and other migratory amphibians.

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are large herbivores that thrive in urban and peri-urban landscapes. Their voracious appetite and ubiquity have made deer a significant threat to growing food in home and community gardens; features that often make important contributions towards household food security. Focusing on food availability, stability, utilization, and access, I outline how white-tailed deer threaten household food security. Deer threaten availability of food by widely consuming plants grown for human consumption. Deer threaten stability of household food security by causing spatially and temporally unpredictable food losses. Deer threaten utilization of food, through acting as sources of food-borne pathogens (i.e. Escherichia coli O157:S7). Deer threaten access to food by necessitating relatively high-cost economic interventions to protect plants from browsing. Although numerous products are commercially available to deter deer via behavioural modification induced by olfaction and sound – evidence of efficacy is mixed. Physical barriers can be highly effective for reducing deer browsing, but often come with a high economic cost. Users of community gardens benefit from fencing by receiving shared protection against deer herbivory at a significantly lower per capita cost. Among many other benefits, fenced community gardens are useful in mitigating the threats of white-tailed deer to household food security.

Wildlife value orientations (WVOs) can predict consensus or controversy over wildlife-related issues and are therefore important for their successful management. We carried out on-site face-to-face interviews with Greek people (n = 2392) to study two basic WVOs, i.e., domination (prioritize human well-being over wildlife) and mutualism (wildlife has rights just as humans). Our sample was more mutualism-oriented than domination-oriented, however, domination was a better predictor of management acceptability than mutualism. WVOs were better predictors of the acceptability of lethal strategies (shooting, destruction at breeding sites, 11–36% of variance explained) relative to taking no action (9–18%) and non-lethal strategies (e.g., compensation, fencing, trapping, and relocating, 0–13%). In addition, the predictive ability of WVOs, mostly for accepting lethal strategies, increased with the increasing severity of the conflict (crop damage, attacking domestic animals, 11–29%, disease transmission, 17–36%) and depending on species conservation status and provenance (endangered native brown bear (Ursus arctos), 11–20%, common native red fox (Vulpes vulpes), 12–31%, common exotic coypu (Myocastor coypus), 17–36%). Managers should consider these findings for developing education and outreach programs, especially when they intend to raise support for lethal strategies. In doing so, they would be able to subsequently implement effective wildlife management plans.

Wheelchair fencing (WF) is a Paralympic sport which is practised by athletes with physical disabilities and is classified into three categories according to the degree of activity limitation the impairment causes in the sport. All Paralympic sports are requested to develop their own evidence-based classification system to enhance the confidence in the classification process; however, this is yet to be achieved in WF. Research within WF is scarce; therefore, the aim of this study was to reach expert consensus on the physical characteristics that underpin performance of athletes competing in the sport as this is known as one of the initial steps required to achieve an evidence-based classification system. Sixteen Paralympic WF coaches were invited to take part in a three-round Delphi study, with experts drawing consensus on qualities of speed, strength, power, flexibility and motor control of the trunk and fencing arm being associated with increased athletic success. The required qualities of the non-fencing arm led to diverging opinions across the expert panel. This study provides clear guidance of the physical qualities to be developed to maximize athletic performance while also providing the initial framework to guide future WF classification research.

Road ecology has traditionally focused on the impact of in-situ and functional roads on wildlife. However, road construction also poses a major, yet understudied, threat and the implications for key aspects of animal behaviour are unknown. Badgers (Meles meles) have been implicated in the transmission of tuberculosis to cattle. There are concerns that environmental disturbances, including major road construction, can disrupt badger territoriality, promoting the spread of the disease to cattle. To address these knowledge gaps the ranging behaviour of a medium-density Irish badger population was monitored using GPS-tracking collars before, during, and after a major road realignment project that bisected the study area. We estimated badgers’ home range sizes, nightly distances travelled, and the distance and frequency of extra-territorial excursions during each phase of the study and quantified any changes to these parameters. We show that road construction had a very limited effect on ranging behaviour. A small increase in nightly distance during road construction did not translate into an increase in home range size, nor an increase in the distance or frequency of extra-territorial excursions during road construction. In addition, suitable mitigation measures to prevent badger deaths appeared to ensure that normal patterns of ranging behaviour continued once the new road was in place. We recommend that continuous badger-proof fencing be placed along the entire length of new major roads, in combination with appropriately sited underpasses. Our analysis supports the view that road construction did not cause badgers to change their ranging behaviour in ways likely to increase the spread of tuberculosis.

We thank David Cuerda (Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park) and Sandra Garcia de Lucas (Andalusian Network of Botanical and Mycological Gardens in Natural Areas) for their assistance at field work. We also thank the General Directorate of Environment (Junta de Andalucia) for allowing us access to FAME database. Project B1-RNM-163-UGR18-Programa Operativo FEDER 2018, partially financed this research., Overgrazing stands out as threat factors on biodiversity, being especially harmful in the Mediterranean, due to strong human pressure and an accelerated climate change acting synergistically. Fencing is a common tool used in conservation biology to tackle this problem. Advantages of fences are usually fast, intuitive, and easy to evaluate. However, disadvantages could also arise (increasing interspecific competition, disturbing habitat structure, limiting pollination, reducing dispersion). Together with management issues (maintenance, conflicts with stakeholders, and pulling effect). Effectiveness of fencing for conservation has been frequently assessed for animals, while it is almost a neglected topic in plants. We evaluated the outcome of fencing three threatened and narrow-endemic plants. Selected 5 populations were only partly fenced, which allowed comparing different variables inside and outside the fence. For evaluating the fencing effects, we sampled several habitats (vegetation cover, composition, density of target species), and target-species features (individual size, neighbouring species, and fruit-set). Fencing had strong effects on the habitat and on target-species individuals, showing contrasting responses at species and population level. Particularly, for Erodium cazorlanum, fence had a positive effect in one case, and negative in another. In Hormathophylla baetica effect was positive in all populations. Finally, fencing negatively affected Solenanthus reverchonii by increasing competition and limiting seed-dispersal. Fencing outcome was different in assessed species, highlighting the need to a case-by-case evaluation to determine the net balance (pros vs. cons), also its suitability and most favourable option (i.e. permanent vs. temporary fences)., Programa Operativo FEDER 2018 B1-RNM-163-UGR18

Many seabird populations are declining globally, but successful conservation efforts have led to population expansion of some species into human-dominated landscapes. Thus, there is an increased potential for direct human and seabird interactions for certain species in human-occupied areas, with nest-site characteristics potentially affecting the susceptibility of nests to human disturbance. We assessed the effect of human activity and nest-site characteristics on Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna pacifica, ʻuaʻu kani) nesting success at two breeding colonies, one with human exposure and one without, located in Kailua, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. Human activity was measured by recording the frequency of people who entered a 5 m buffer around each nest. Nests were checked every two to three days to monitor nest success. The effect of human activity and nest-site characteristics on nesting success was determined using a variety of combinations of variables within binomial logistic regression models and AICc model selection. Nest-site characteristics among nests at both sites and human activity at the human-exposed site did not show a significant effect on nesting success. Our results suggest Wedge-tailed Shearwaters may experience some tolerance of human activity immediately around their nests—as long as burrow collapse does not occur. Given the small sample sizes and a single season of data collection, additional studies are needed to better understand the effect of human disturbance on Wedge-tailed Shearwaters. Infrastructure, such as fencing and signage, may be effective at reducing human-caused nest failure and may allow humans and disturbance-tolerant seabird species to coexist in shared coastal environments.

Ungulate browsing has a major impact on the composition and structure of forests. Repeatedly conducted, large-scale regeneration inventories can monitor the extent of browsing pressure and its impacts on forest regeneration development. Based on the respective results, the necessity and extent of wildlife management activities such as hunting, fencing, etc., can be identified at a landscape scale. However, such inventories have rarely been integrated into wildlife management decision making. In this article, we evaluate a regeneration inventory method which was carried out in the Bavarian Forest National Park between 2007 and 2018. We predict the browsing impact by calculating browsing probabilities using a logistic mixed effect model. To provide wildlife managers with feedback on their activities, we developed a test which can assess significant changes in browsing probability between different inventory periods. To find the minimum observable browsing probability change, we simulated ungulate browsing based on the data of a potential browsing indicator species (Sorbus aucuparia) in the National Park. Sorbus aucuparia is evenly distributed, commonly found, selectively browsed and meets the ecosystem development objectives in our study area. We were able to verify a browsing probability change down to ±5 percentage points with a sample size of about 1,000 observations per inventory run. In view of the size of the National Park and the annual fluctuations in browsing pressure, this estimation accuracy seems sufficient. In seeking the maximal cost-efficiency, we were able to reduce this sample size in a sensitivity analysis by about two thirds without severe loss of information for wildlife management. Based on our findings, the presented inventory method combined with our evaluation tool has the potential to be a robust and efficient instrument to assess the impact of herbivores that are in the National Park and other regions.

Abstract Wildlife–vehicle collisions are of increasing concern in modern societies caracterized by a continous and accelerating anthropogenic development. Preventing and mitigating collisions with wildlife will require a better understanding of the environmental and biological drivers of collision risks. Because species of large mammals differ in terms of food requirements, habitat selection and movement behaviours, and of activity patterns we tested whether vehicle collisions with red deer, roe deer and wild boar, the most abundant large herbivores in Europe, differed in terms of spatial distribution and explanatory factors, using a Bayesian statistical framework. From 20,275 documented collisions in 9 departments of France between years 1990 and 2006, we found marked differences in magnitude and in the most influential environmental factors accounting for the density of collisions among the three species, in agreement with their biology and habitat preferences. The effect of road density was higher for the red deer than for the two other species for which it was similar, and did not level off at our large spatial-scale of observation. As expected from particle collision models, the annual hunting harvest – interpreted as a proxy of population abundance – was positively associated with the density of collisions for all species, being the strongest for red deer. Overall, the effect of landscape structure on the density of collisions was weak but while the collision density did decrease with the proportion of forest in a management unit for wild boar, it increased with the fragmentation of forests for red deer that commute among forest patches between day and night. To reduce the number of wildlife–vehicle collisions actively, our results suggest to generalise road fencing for highways and motorways or a reduction of abundance of large herbivore populations as efficient action means. Overall, we call for of a greater consideration of the species’ biology in information campaigns or by using specific road signs.

Due to increasing anthropogenic pressures, including land-use transformation globally, the natural process of animal migration is undergoing alterations across many taxa. Small-scale migrants provide useful systems at workable scales for investigating the influence of disturbance and landscape barriers on natural movement patterns and migrations. The Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus Holbrook, 1840) in British Columbia, Canada, is a small, migrant predator that undertakes seasonal spring movements from its communal hibernaculum to summer hunting and mating grounds and reverses its movements in autumn. From 2011 to 2016, we examined changes to spring migration movements in 27 male Western Rattlesnakes encountering both mitigative fencing barriers and disturbed habitats. Individuals moving through disturbed habitats or intercepted by mitigative fencing demonstrated shorter migration distances and reduced spring path sinuosity compared with individuals migrating in undisturbed habitats. Specifically, individuals encountering a fence during spring movements completed shorter total spring migration path lengths and occupied smaller home ranges over the course of the entire active season. Total spring migration distance also was strongly associated with the distance that individuals traveled until they first encountered human disturbance. This study contributes significantly to our knowledge of how fencing barriers may impact normal behavioural patterns in smaller vertebrates.

BackgroundWithin the framework of close-to-nature forestry, oak forest (Quercus robur,Q. petraea) regeneration techniques that consider both silvicultural and nature conservation demands have become a very important issue. While there are many experimental and local studies that aim at disentangling the relationships between different environmental and silvicultural factors and the success of oak regeneration, systematic supra-regional studies at the greater landscape level are missing so far.Against this background, the first objective (a) of this study was to present an efficient and sufficiently accurate sampling scheme for supra-regional forest regrowth inventories, which we applied to young oaks stands. The second, and major, objective (b) was to identify the crucial success factors for high-quality oak forest regeneration in northwest Germany.ResultsObjective (a): Factors that have been identified as potentially crucial for the success or failure of oak regeneration were either included in a field inventory procedure or extracted from forest inventory databases. We found that the collected data were suitable to be analyzed in a three-step success model, which was aimed at identifying the crucial success factors for high-quality oak forest regeneration.Objective (b): Our modeling procedure, which included a Bayesian estimation approach with spike-and-slab priors, revealed that competitive pressure from the secondary tree species was the most decisive success factor; no competition, or low competition by secondary tree species appeared to be particularly beneficial for the success of high-quality oak regeneration. Also fencing and the absence of competitive vegetation (weeds, grass, bracken) seemed to be beneficial factors for the success of oak regeneration.ConclusionsTrusting in biological automation was found to be mostly useless regarding economically viable oak forest regeneration. To efficiently organize oak regeneration planning and silvicultural decision-making within a forest enterprise, it is strongly recommended to initially evaluate the annual financial and personnel capacities for carrying out young growth tending or pre-commercial thinning and only then to decide on the extent of regenerated oak stands. Careful and adaptive regeneration planning is also indispensable to secure the long-term ecological continuity in oak forests. Oak regeneration should therefore preferably take place within the close vicinity of old oak stands or directly in them. The retention of habitat trees is urgently advised.

Data with respect to collegiate fencing injuries are very limited. We performed a prospective cohort study of a college fencing team to analyze the rates and types of injuries that occurred to this team over the course of a year. We noted that the injury rate was low, with 2.43 injuries per 1000 athlete exposures. We also noted that 75% of those injured had a time loss of less than 2 wk. A large percentage of our injuries (88%) were musculoskeletal in nature. There were equal numbers of acute and chronic injuries. Men and women had a similar rate of injury. In our study population, we noted that most of the injuries occurred in practice over competition (87.5% vs 12.5%, respectively). We compared the data from a small subset population with the current evidence published with respect to fencing injuries. We noted some similarities and also some differences when comparing certain populations.

Significant advances have been made to minimize the detrimental effects of roads on wildlife, but little is known about unintended negative consequences of mitigation strategies. Here, we present observations of adverse effects on herpetofauna of exclusion fencing at Presqu’ile Provincial Park, Ontario. A total of 15 individuals (one salamander, nine anurans, and five snakes) were found dead on unburied fencing, apparent victims of desiccation and/or heat exposure. Air temperatures did not differ between days when dead herpetofauna were and were not found on the fence; however, the fence surface was significantly warmer than the air. Our study shows that fence temperature and design may hinder animals escaping from the road to cooler refugia, and we discuss possible solutions.

The recolonization of wolves in European human-dominated landscapes poses a conservation challenge to protect this species and manage conflicts. The question of how humans can co-exist with large carnivores often triggers strong emotions. Here we provide an objective, science-based discussion on possible management approaches. Using existing knowledge on large carnivore management from Europe and other parts of the globe, we develop four potential wolf management scenarios; 1) population control, 2) protection and compensation, 3) fencing, 4) managing behaviour of wolf and man. For each scenario, we discuss its impact on wolf ecology, its prospects of reducing wolf-human conflicts and how it relates to current European legislation. Population control and fencing of local wolf populations are problematic because of their ecological impacts and conflicts with European legislation. In contrast, a no-interference approach does not have these problems but will likely increase human-wolf conflicts. Despite the large challenges in European, human-dominated landscapes, we argue that wolf management must focus on strengthening the separation between humans and wolves by influencing behaviour of wolves and humans on a fine spatio-temporal scale to prevent and reduce conflicts. As separation also demands a sufficiently large wild prey base, we urge restoring natural ungulate populations, to reduce human-wolf conflicts. Mutual avoidance provides the key to success, and is critical to avoid creating the conditions for reinstating wolf persecution as the default policy in Europe.