Vegetation response to cattail management at Cheyenne Bottoms, Kansas

Dense, monospecific cattail (Typha spp.) stands are a problem in many prairie wetlands because they alter habitat structure and function, resulting in a decrease in use by wildlife species. Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area, a Wetland of International Importance in central Kansas, has experienced a large increase in cattails and a subsequent decrease in migratory wetland bird use. As a consequence, intensive cattail management is practiced. We assessed the effectiveness of prescribed burning, discing following prescribed burning, and cattle grazing following prescribed burning at two stocking rates of 5 and 20 head per 11 ha in suppressing cattail, as well as the effects of these treatments on non-cattail vegetation.

Incidence of epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) in freshwater fishes in the endemic area of Punjab, Pakistan

Incidence of Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) has been recorded for the first time in freshwater fishes in the endemic area of Punjab, Pakistan. Survey of private fish farms, hatchery and natural water bodies was conducted in a radius of 14 Km from around river Ravi near Lahore (Punjab Province) Pakistan. Out Of 1628 fishes belonging to 18 genera, 517 fishes of 10 genera were found affected with EUS. The incidence of EUS in culturable fishes was higher in Cirrhina mrigala (15.4%) moderate in Catla cat/a (13.3%) and lower in Labeo rohita (5.0%). Exotic fish, Chinese carp Ctenoparyngodon idella and Hypophthalmicthys molitrix were not affected with EUS. In non-culturable fishes the incidence of EUS was highest in Channa punctatus (72.8%) moderate in by C. straitus (65.45%) and comparatively lower Puntius ticto (43.7%). A slow growing temperature sensitive Saprolegnia spp. was isolated from all of EUS infected fish species. Aeromonas spp. and Pseudomonas spp. were isolated from the diseased fishes. Ectoparasites viz. Lernaea, Argulus and Triclwdina spp. were also isolated from the skin and gills of infected fish species. The disease was more severe in water having low alkalinity (70 mg/1), hardness (75 mg/1) and low temperature of 10-12 °C.

Abalone culture - a new business opportunity

There are about 100 species of abalone in the world, but only 20 are of high commercial importance. In the Philippines, the abalone species are Haliotis asinina, H. varia, H. ovina and H.glabra, but it is the former which has high commercial value. The semi-processed abalone are frozen, dried or canned for export to many countries. An outline is given of the major aquaculture activities and duration of breeding and culture. Abalone hatchery production operations and investment costs and returns are detailed. Particular reference is made to the modular system of abalone culture in floating cages.