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Sulfoxaflor is an insecticide used against sap-feeding insects (Aphididae, Aleyrodidae) belonging to the family of sulfoximine; sulfoximine is a chiral nitrogen-containing sulphur (VI) molecule; it is a sub-group of insecticides that act as nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) competitive modulators. Sulfoxaflor binds to nAChR in place of acetylcholine and acts as an allosteric activator of nAChR. Thanks to its mode of action resistance phenomena are uncommon, even few cases of resistance were reported. It binds to receptors determining uncontrolled nerve impulses followed by muscle tremors to which paralysis and death follows. Sulfoxaflor acts on the same receptors of neonicotinoids as nicotine and butenolides, but it binds differently. It binds to insects nAChRs more strongly than to mammals’ ones, so it is much less toxic for mammals and man. Sulfoxaflor is supposed to have a low environmental impact and is not much aggressive against non-target species. Unfortunately, it is toxic to impollinator insects, so it must be used only in compliance with a series of legislative norms. At present sulfoxaflor can be considered one of the most interesting products to be used in fighting against agriculture insect pests.

Sulfoxaflor is an insecticide used against sap-feeding insects (Aphididae, Aleyrodidae) belonging to the family of sulfoximine; sulfoximine is a chiral nitrogen-containing sulphur (VI) molecule; it is a sub-group of insecticides that act as nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) competitive modulators. Sulfoxaflor binds to nAChR in place of acetylcholine and acts as an allosteric activator of nAChR. Thanks to its mode of action resistance phenomena are uncommon, even few cases of resistance were reported. It binds to receptors determining uncontrolled nerve impulses followed by muscle tremors to which paralysis and death follows. Sulfoxaflor acts on the same receptors of neonicotinoids as nicotine and butenolides, but it binds differently. It binds to insects nAChRs more strongly than to mammals' ones, so it is much less toxic for mammals and man. Sulfoxaflor is supposed to have a low environmental impact and is not much aggressive against non-target species. Unfortunately, it is toxic to impollinator insects, so it must be used only in compliance with a series of legislative norms. At present sulfoxaflor can be considered one of the most interesting products to be used in fighting against agriculture insect pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The additive is a natural mixture mainly composed of illite (~ 53%), montmorillonite (~ 16%) and kaolinite (~ 17%), referred as MIMK. In 2016 and in 2017, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) delivered two opinions on the safety and efficacy of the additive. In these opinions, the Panel concluded that the additive is safe for piglets, pigs for fattening and cattle for fattening and minor growing ruminants at a maximum concentration of 50,000 mg/kg. No conclusions could be drawn on the safety for poultry or any other species/categories. Following these opinions, the European Commission gave the possibility to the applicant to submit complementary information in order to complete the assessment on the safety for all animal species. The applicant submitted a new tolerance study with chickens for fattening showing no adverse effect of the additive MIMK up to 100,000 mg/kg complete feed (twofold the highest recommended use level). The FEEDAP Panel therefore concludes that 50,000 mg MIMK/kg complete feed is safe for chickens for fattening. MIMK was already considered safe, at the same dietary concentration, for cattle for fattening with a margin of safety of two and for piglets but without a margin of safety. Therefore, extrapolation to all animal species is not possible for the concentration of 50,000 mg MIMK/kg complete feed. The Panel notes that the concentration of 20,000 mg MIMK/kg feed was tested in all the tolerance studies assessed and shown to be safe, with a margin of safety of at least 2.5. The Panel concludes that the additive MIMK is safe at 50,000 mg/kg complete feed for chickens for fattening and minor growing poultry species, for cattle for fattening and minor growing ruminant species and growing pigs; and at 20,000 mg/kg complete feed for all other animal species and categories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reconnection of floodplains to rivers to enhance fluvial dynamics is a favored method of floodplain restoration in Europe. It is believed that the restoration of hydrological conditions of the floodplain facilitates natural dispersal of target species, and hence the reestablishment, of typical plant communities. The aim of our study was to investigate whether floodplain target species could reach restoration sites via hydrochorous dispersal. We analyzed seed inflow from the river and seed dispersal in different sectors of a new watercourse in the Danube floodplain. Seeds were captured using 27 seed traps during three sampling periods of 3 weeks each from summer 2011 to spring 2012. After germination seedlings were identified, we detected a total of almost 39,000 seeds of 176 species, including 80 target species of riparian habitats. We found significant differences between seasons (most seeds in autumn/winter) and between stream sectors. Fewer seeds came in from the Danube (2,800 seeds) than were transported within the floodplain. Several new floodplain target species were detected, which had not been found in the aboveground vegetation or soil seed bank before the start of the restoration. Seeds of nonnative species did not disperse further than approximately 1 km. Our results indicated that hydrochorous seed dispersal from upstream habitats along the new watercourse was important for the establishment of target species and hence for the success of floodplain restoration. Technical water diversion weirs must be traversable for seeds, and small donor sectors upstream might enhance the reestablishment of target vegetation along new sectors downstream. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Draft Endorsed by the FEEDAP Panel 22 March 2017 Submitted for public consultation 6 April 2017 End of public consultation 31 May 2017 Adoption by the FEEDAP Panel 26 September 2017 Entry into force 1 May 2018 Abstract This guidance document is intended to assist the applicant in the preparation and the presentation of an application, as foreseen in Article 7.6 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003, for the authorisation of additives for use in animal nutrition. It specifically covers the assessment of the safety for the target species.

Rivers have experienced great changes in the last 100 years. In Mexico, measures have been taken to compensate for the damages caused, through the Mexican Standard NMX-AA-159-SCFI-2012, which establishes the procedure for determining the ecological flow. The watershed of the Ayuquila-Armeria River, one of the most important rivers in western Mexico, has suffered in recent years drying out, towards to the sea, which has been an obstacle for migratory species. The objective of our study is the proposal of ecological flow of monthly distribution, using the hydrological methods, combined with the use of the hydrobiological method, defined in the Mexican standard. As a result of hydrological methods totaling 1.088 hm3 year1, the hydrobiological method estimates an ecological minimum flow of 4.5 m3 s-1, indicating that in spending levels below this flow the "target species" would not survive if flows fall below these levels due to significant decreases in their Weighted Usable Area (WUA). The final result is a monthly flow regime; during the dry season (November-May) it maintains a 7% water reserve and for the driest months from March to May, 2%, with flow rates of 5 m3 s-1 in March, 4.5 m3 s-1 for April and 4.4 m3 s-1 in May, the protection of aquatic fauna was ensured, in rainfall from June to October it has a water reserve of 41%, reaching its highest flow in September with 105.3 m3 s-1 improving the hydrological and geomorphological dynamics of the river. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Question Does large-scale transfer of coastal driftline material enhance the establishment of inland brackish vegetation? Location The Klutenplas of 11 ha, a formerly reclaimed agricultural field, north coast of the Netherlands. Methods A large quantity of coastal driftline material of local origin was transferred to the restoration site in 2006 after top soil removal in 2005 leaving bare areas for control plots. A priori species composition of the driftline was analysed in a greenhouse germination study. Target species were assigned to saline and brackish ecological species groups and present and historic regional occurrences. Our procedure for selecting target species resulted in a list of 98 species characteristic of terrestrial salt and brackish ecological species groups. The establishment of plant species in the field was recorded annually from 2006 to 2009, with a final survey in 2012. A comparison between locations with and without driftline was made. The entire study site was grazed with sheep. Results Driftline material contained 39 species, including 26 target species. During the first 4 yr, the mean number of target species in the established vegetation of driftline plots was significantly higher than in control plots. When corrected for spontaneous occurrence by natural colonization in control plots, 44% of the target species in the established vegetation of driftline plots during the first 4 yr could be attributed to the transferred material. After 7 yr driftline and control plots converged to similar levels, probably as a result of dispersal by wind and animals. Conclusions Transfer of coastal driftline material enhanced the rate of establishment of inland brackish vegetation for at least the first 4 yr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Draft Endorsed by the FEEDAP Panel22 March 2017Submitted for public consultation6 April 2017End of public consultation31 May 2017Adoption by the FEEDAP Panel26 September 2017Entry into force1 May 2018 This guidance document is intended to assist the applicant in the preparation and the presentation of an application, as foreseen in Article 7.6 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003, for the authorisation of additives for use in animal nutrition. It specifically covers the assessment of the safety for the target species.This publication is linked to the following EFSA Supporting Publications article: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/sp.efsa.2017.EN-1304/full [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Past management practices may continue to influence ecosystem functions and processes for decades, centuries or even longer after they have been abandoned. Until now, few researchers have attempted experiments which test the effects of restoring some of these past management practices on long-term community developmental trajectories., Strong evidence indicates that the diversity of various taxonomic groups declined in European lowland forests in the second half of the 20th century, following the abandonment of some traditional forest management practices. We carried out a five-year field trial in a lowland thermophilous oak forest to describe the effects of restoration of litter raking and grass cutting on the long-term developmental trajectory of species composition and the diversity of understorey vegetation. We used target species groups, that is species specific to thermophilous forests and dry grassland vegetation and plant functional traits to evaluate the restoration success using both compositional and functional outcomes., Dissimilarity in species composition between the managed plots and controls increased significantly during the 5 years of the trial. Litter raking increased the richness and cover of the thermophilous forest and dry grassland species, whereas grass cutting increased the richness and cover of only the dry grassland species. We did not record any overall trends in divergence of functional trait composition between managed and control plots. In the litter raking plots, we recorded increases in community-weighted means of specific leaf area, in lateral spread and in Ellenberg indicator values for nutrients and soil reaction. In contrast, we found little evidence for predictability of species functional trait composition subjected to grass cutting., Synthesis and applications. Following the restoration of traditional forest management practices, we were able to change the community's developmental trajectory towards higher richness and cover of target species. The evaluation of community developmental trajectories using species and functional trait composition supports the idea that restoration of traditional forest management practices should carefully distinguish among possible interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The additive under assessment consists of a natural mixture, mainly composed of dolomite (~ 30%), magnesite (~ 20%) and magnesium-phyllosilicates (talc (~ 35%) and chlorite (~ 15%)). In 2016, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) delivered an opinion on the safety and efficacy of natural mixture of dolomite plus magnesite and magnesium-phyllosilicates. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive is safe in complete feed for dairy cows, piglets and pigs for fattening at a maximum concentration of 20,000 mg/kg. However, no conclusions could be drawn for all other animal species/categories. Following this opinion, the European Commission gave the possibility to the applicant to submit complementary information in order to complete the assessment on the safety for all animal species. The applicant answered with a new submission, an analysis of the previous EFSA opinion, but without new data. The FEEDAP Panel considered the arguments made by the applicant, in relation to the tolerance studies with dairy cows and chickens for fattening. No reason was identified to modify the conclusions reached in the previous opinion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its complexity biodiversity cannot be measured easily – its quantification requires the selection of species which represent biodiversity. The systematic and criteria-based selection of target species provides a pragmatic solution. These target species are representative for the biocoenoses in the characteristic types of biotopes and ecosystems within a planning area. This approach allows to qualitatively and quantitatively derive and justify aims of nature conservation, to use them as simple indicators e. g. to prove the sustainability of a certain land use or the success of conservation measures, and to publicly communicate conservation objectives. This can be particularly helpful in large protected areas since they have to fulfil certain aims of conservation and sustainability as large-scale sections of the landscape. This paper defines the term and the functions of target species with a particular focus on large protected areas. It describes the methodical approach to establish a concept of target species including the applicable criteria using the examples of the nature parks Spessart and Diemelsee. For the nature park Diemelsee a particular emphasis has been laid on plant and animal species reacting sensitively to climate change since they require specific protection. Another innovative approach describes the use of target species in the context of the marketing of organic products from biosphere reserves which verifiably improve biodiversity. The selection of the target species has to ensure that their spatial demands are compatible with the respective planning level. Then the target species can integrate the planning target of biodiversity in spatially relevant planning projects. An evaluation based on target species allows the early identification of possible conflict issues and their mastering in the course of the planning process. This can help to relieve, accelerate and even cheapen the later planning process.

Abstract The additive is a mixture of the partial esters of sorbitol and its mono‐ and dianhydrides with edible commercial oleic acid and condensed with approximately 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of sorbitol and its anhydrides. It contains a minimum of 65% of oxyethylene groups, equivalent to not less than 96.5% of polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate on the anhydrous basis and less than 3% water. The following concentrations of polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate per kg complete feedingstuffs are considered safe: 1,260 mg for salmonids, 1,100 mg for cattle for fattening, 830 mg for pigs for fattening and sows, 750 mg for turkeys for fattening, 720 mg for dairy cows, 500 mg for piglets, 420 mg for chickens for fattening and laying hens, 1,320 mg for dogs and 1,100 mg for cats; and 5,000 mg/kg milk replacer are considered safe for calves. The use of polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate as feed additive for all animal species at the maximum concentration proposed of 5,000 mg/kg complete feedingstuffs would not raise concerns for the consumer. Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate is non‐irritant to skin and eyes, and is not a skin sensitiser. There is evidence that dermal or oral exposure to the additive can exacerbate the symptoms in individuals who are already sensitised. Users are unlikely to be exposed to the additive by inhalation. The lack of data and the inherent uncertainties do not allow concluding on the safety for the environment. Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate is a recognised emulsifier used in food and it is expected to have the same effect when applied to feed. From the practical examples provided, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate appears to be effective in aiding and maintaining the homogeneous distribution of feed materials and/or additives in feedingstuffs.

In the present study, a cluster analysis, in relation to the species composition of the catches, was used to classify 6,486 fishing sets by a longline fleet based in São Paulo State, Brazil, from 1998 to 2006. Based on the proportions of 12 species and three broader species groups, three clusters were identified: C1: other fishes; C2: blue shark; C3: swordfish. Results indicated that the fleet targeted mainly blue shark and swordfish and also showed that the blue shark importance in this fishery has been growing progressively trough the years. Offshore areas were exploited mainly in the first and fourth quarters (from 2001 mainly), while the fishing effort was more concentrated near the continental shelf break, during the second and third quarters (for the whole period). The longline fishery based in Sao Paulo State changed fishing strategy to target different species which produced important changes in catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) of the main species caught. Cluster analysis seems to have appropriately identified these changes over time, which is an important information, often missing in logbooks.No presente estudo, uma análise de agrupamento foi utilizada para classificar 6.486 lances feitos pela frota espinheleira sediada no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, de 1998 até 2006, em relação à composição das espécies presentes nas capturas. Baseado nas proporções de doze espécies e três grupos de espécies, três agrupamentos foram identificados: C1: outros peixes; C2: tubarão-azul; C3: espadarte. Os resultados indicaram que ao longo do período estudado, a frota direcionou suas capturas principalmente para o tubarão-azul e para o espadarte, além de terem evidenciado que a importância do tubarão-azul nessa pescaria tem crescido progressivamente ao longo dos anos. Áreas mais afastadas da costa foram exploradas principalmente no primeiro e quarto trimestres (em especial a partir de 2001), enquanto que um esforço de pesca mais concentrado perto da quebra da plataforma continental foi observado durante o segundo e terceiro trimestres (para todo o período estudado). A frota espinheleira sediada em São Paulo mudou a estratégia de pesca para diferentes espécies-alvo, o que produziu importantes mudanças nas principais espécies capturadas por esforço de pesca (CPUE). A análise de agrupamento parece ter identificado apropriadamente essas alterações ao longo do tempo, em relação às quais não há, em geral, qualquer informação nos mapas de bordo.

Although boat seines have a significant share in the total fish landings in Greece, there is little information on boat seine fisheries. The present study aims to identify boat seine métiers on a national level and contribute to a better understanding of their operation in Greece. We used boat seine landings data collected from a large number of ports in the Aegean and east Ionian Sea between 2002 and 2006. The landings profiles were grouped with a two-step procedure: the first step involved a factorial analysis of the log-transformed landings profiles, and the second step was a classification of the factorial coordinates (hierarchical agglomerative clustering). Six métiers were identified in the Aegean Sea, and three in the Ionian Sea. The ‘picarel-bogue’ métier was the most important in both seas, accounting for 54% and 88% of the fishing trips of the sample in the Aegean and Ionian Seas respectively. Apart from picarel and bogue, other important target species were red mullet, European squid, common pandora, chub mackerel, and European pilchard. Varying spatial (within the Aegean and Ionian Seas) and seasonal patterns were evident for the identified métiers.

Region-specific species are important as a target indicator to diagnose the ecological health or degree of impairment at various levels in aquatic ecosystems. An issue related to the selection of the target species, however, is that, if preliminary tests are not carried out, the species selected may not be an appropriate or representative candidate for biomarker or bioindicator analysis. This contribution outlines the screening process that culminated in the selection of pale chub ( Zacco platypus) as the target species for evaluating ecological stream health in South Korea. Biochemical/blood chemistry response biomarkers and fish population and community model bioindicators were tested on the target species, and biomarker and bioindicator relationships with physical habitat health and water chemistry data were evaluated. A self-organizing map (SOM) was used to test the relevance of the target species. Overall, the results confirmed that the target species was suitable key indicator for regional ecological health assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shrub encroachment is one of the main causes of dry grassland loss in Central Europe. Abandoned semi-natural grasslands are often overgrown by thorny or spiny shrubs. Such unpalatable shrubs have frequently established by selective foraging during periods with low grazing pressure, particularly if sheep herding was performed. Feeding behaviour and diet selection vary between different livestock species and especially browsing goats are increasingly recognized for preventing woody encroachment. However, little is known about the appropriate timing of the grazing regime and the selection of woody species on abandoned dry grasslands already dominated by thorny and spiny shrubs. We quantified the foraging behaviour of Boer goats by direct observation on three encroached paddocks in the lower Saale River valley (Central Germany), which were grazed yearly from spring to autumn with a high stocking rate (0.6–0.8 LU/ha/yr). Feeding activities, the proportion of browsed woody species and identity of the browsed species were recorded in five minute intervals during a total of 30 days in spring and 30 days in summer/autumn. Dry grassland vegetation and woody coverage were observed on grazed and ungrazed 25-m 2 plots for seven years. Contrary to other studies on grazing animals, we found that goats frequently browsed on spiny or thorny shrub species, if these species exhibited a high share of the shrub coverage. Altogether we detected a significant relationship between the abundance of woody species and browsing time on the respective species. The goats tended to spend more time browsing in spring than in summer/autumn. As a result of the browsing activity, we observed a significant decrease of woody coverage within pastures from 69.8% to 37.4% over seven years, which was positively related to the frequency of typical and endangered dry grassland species. An opposite trend was recorded on ungrazed plots. Therefore, goat pasturing with high-stocking rates and an early start in spring can be an efficient method for improving shrub-encroached dry grasslands during the restoration phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Investigaciones Turisticas is the property of Investigaciones Turisticas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The additive is a mixture of the partial esters of sorbitol and its mono‐ and dianhydrides with edible commercial oleic acid and condensed with approximately 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of sorbitol and its anhydrides. It contains a minimum of 65% of oxyethylene groups, equivalent to not less than 96.5% of polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate on the anhydrous basis and less than 3% water. The following concentrations of polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate per kg complete feedingstuffs are considered safe: 1,260 mg for salmonids, 1,100 mg for cattle for fattening, 830 mg for pigs for fattening and sows, 750 mg for turkeys for fattening, 720 mg for dairy cows, 500 mg for piglets, 420 mg for chickens for fattening and laying hens, 1,320 mg for dogs and 1,100 mg for cats; and 5,000 mg/kg milk replacer are considered safe for calves. The use of polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate as feed additive for all animal species at the maximum concentration proposed of 5,000 mg/kg complete feedingstuffs would not raise concerns for the consumer. Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate is non‐irritant to skin and eyes, and is not a skin sensitiser. There is evidence that dermal or oral exposure to the additive can exacerbate the symptoms in individuals who are already sensitised. Users are unlikely to be exposed to the additive by inhalation. The lack of data and the inherent uncertainties do not allow concluding on the safety for the environment. Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate is a recognised emulsifier used in food and it is expected to have the same effect when applied to feed. From the practical examples provided, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate appears to be effective in aiding and maintaining the homogeneous distribution of feed materials and/or additives in feedingstuffs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) is a powerful instrument aimed at reducing spread of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens (HAOPs). As BWMC is expected to enter into force soon, shipping companies will start seeking exemptions for ballast water management in accordance with BWMC Regulation A-4. However, without scientifically robust risk assessment (RA) and consistent rules, the exemptions may introduce a new form of risk within a convention generally designed to reduce risks. This paper describes an adaptive system for granting exemptions, consisting of six major components: target species selection procedure, port-to-port RA, monitoring, information support, administrative decision and review process. The system is based on key principles defined in the IMO guidelines for RA and is designed to continuously accumulate evolving experience on granting exemptions. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the control of the spread of HAOPs, without placing an unnecessary burden on the shipping industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinosyns are a class of insecticides with a broad range of action against many insect pests belonging to different orders, noxious to a wide variety of agricultural crops; spinosyns were also used against insects of sanitary interest. Spinosyns are derivative of biological active substances produced by soil Actinomycete Saccharopolyspora spinosa; being of biological origin, they are considered to have a low environmental impact and they are not much aggressive against nontarget species. They act as allosteric activators of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors; thanks to their mode of action the resistance phenomena are uncommon, even few cases of resistance were recently reported. For all these reasons at present they are one of the most interesting product to be used in fighting against agriculture pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]