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The habitat weighting, the bioclimatic model methods and the Simpson diversity index are applied to the small-mammals assemblage of Scladina Cave (border between High and Middle Belgium) in order to reconstruct the environmental and climatic fluctuations that are reflected on the Middle to Late Pleistocene sequence of the cave. The small-mammal data analyzed come from two surveys carried out at the entrance of the cave and allow us to identify within the section one cold episode: a dry, cool phase in the upper part of the sequence (probably associated with the MIS 3). The environmental and climatic data show an alternation of open meadows and woodland formations through both sequences, punctuated by peaks in local watery environments together with lower temperatures and higher precipitations rates than at present. Finally, a comparison of the small-mammal fossil assemblage from the studied surveys with the small-mammals assemblage from the Holocene deposits of Scladina Cave shows that layers related with MIS 5 temperate sub-stages (MIS 5c and MIS 5a) present environmental characteristics similar to those prevailing nowadays (a landscape dominated by woodland formations and water streams) in the area surrounding the cave. This is coherent with the available chronostratigraphic datasets on this part of the sequence, suggesting the record of the humid and temperate phases at the beginning of the Late Pleistocene. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A sero-epidemiological survey was organized among veterinarians working in Southern Belgium to estimate the seroprevalence of Q fever and the risk factors associated with exposure. A total of 108 veterinarians took part to this cross-sectional study, with a majority practicing with livestock animals. The overall seroprevalence was 45.4%, but it increased to 58.3% among veterinarians having contact with livestock. Three main serological profiles were detected (relatively recent, past and potentially chronic infections). The contact with manure during the prior month was the risk factor associated with seropositivity after multivariate logistic regression analysis. Classification and regression tree analysis identified the age as the most predictive variable to exclude potentially chronic infection in apparently healthy seropositive veterinarians. In conclusion, livestock veterinarians practicing in Southern Belgium are highly exposed to Q fever, a neglected zoonosis for which serological and medical examinations should be envisaged in at risk groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of volume tables for black alder [Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.] trees growing in even-aged stands ofthe Southern Belgium. This article deals with the construction of tree volume tables for black alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.)Gaertn.) in the Southern part of Belgium. Regression equations are calculated for estimating the volume over bark from stumpto a top girth of 22 cm, excluding all branches. A total of 210 felled trees were used in this analysis and collected from 29even-aged stands of black alder located in a large range of ecological and silvicultural conditions in the Southern part ofBelgium. For the tree volume table construction, we have used measurements such as total height, girth at breast height andgirths at fixed heights. We have built equations by weighted least squares method for estimating volume of black alder treeexpressed as a function of one variable (girth at 1.3 m) or two independent variables (girth at 1.3 m and total height, girth at1.3 m and dominant height of the stand). The volume can also be converted in other volumes limited to fixed girths usingratios calculated from appropriate equations. The study is limited to black alder trees growing in even-aged stands of theSouthern Belgium.

Between June 1998 and February 2002, 709 red foxes killed in Wallonia (south of Belgium) were available for parasitological examination of the gut. The identification of Echinococcus multilocularis was based on morphological data. E. multilocularis adults were observed in 20.2% of the animals. The analysis of data revealed marked differences between the geological areas of Wallonia; the highest prevalence (33%) was found in the Ardenne and the lowest (0%) on the Plateau de Herve.Host gender and the collection season had no effect on the prevalence. However, the latter was significantly higher in juveniles (<8 months of age). The geographical distribution of E. multilocularis in Belgium is much wider than originally thought. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]