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systems on soil compaction and pasture production in Alberta. Can. J. Soil Sci. 82: 1-8. Livestock trampling impacts have been assessed in many Alberta grassland ecosystems, but the impacts of animal trampling on Aspen Boreal ecosystems have not been documented. This study compared the effects of high intensity [4.16 animal unit month per ha (AUM) ha -1 ] short-duration grazing (SDG) versus moderate intensity (2.08 AUM ha -1 ) continuous grazing (CG) by wapiti (Cervus elaphus canadensis) on soil compaction as measured by bulk density at field moist condition (Db f ) and penetration resistance (PR). Herbage phytomass was also measured on grazed pastures and compared to an ungrazed control (UNG). The study was conducted at Edmonton, Alberta, on a Dark Gray Luvisolic soil of loam texture. Sampling was conducted in the spring and fall of 1997 and 1998. Soil cores were collected at 2.5-cm intervals to a depth of 15-cm for measurement of bulk density (Db f ) and moisture content. Penetration resistance to 15 cm at 2.5-cm intervals was measured with a hand-pushed cone penetrometer. The Db f and PR of the top 10-cm of soil were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater by 15 and 17% under SDG than CG, respectively, by wapiti. Generally, Db f in both grazing treatments decreased over winter at the 0-7.5 cm and 12.5-15 cm depths, suggesting that freeze-thaw cycles over the winter alleviated compaction. Soil water content under SDG was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than CG. Total standing crop and fallen litter were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater in CG treatment than the SDG. The SDG treatment had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) less pasture herbage than CG areas in the spring (16%) and fall (26%) of 1997, and in the spring (22%) and fall (24%) of 1998, respectively. The SDG did not show any advantage over CG in improving soil physical characteristics and herbage production. Les auteurs ont aussi mesuré la phytomasse des herbages dans les parcelles pâturées et les parcelles intactes servant de témoin. L'étude s'est déroulée à Edmonton (Alberta) sur des luvisols gris foncés à texture loameuse. L'échantillonnage a eu lieu au printemps et à l'automne 1997 et 1998. Pour cela, les auteurs ont prélevé des carottes de sol jusqu'à une profondeur de 15 cm, à intervalles de 2,5 cm, et en ont établi le poids volumique apparent (Db f ) et la teneur en eau. Ils ont mesuré la résistance à la pénétration à la même profondeur, également à intervalles de 2,5 cm, avec un pénétromètre manuel à pointe conique. Dans la couche supérieure de 10 cm, le Db f et la RP sont sensiblement plus élevés (P ≤ 0,05) avec la PCD que la PC par les wapitis (de 15 % et de 17 %, respectivement). En général, aux profondeurs de 0 à 7,5 cm et de 12,5 à 15 cm, le Db f diminue pendant l'hiver pour les deux régimes, signe que la succession de gels et de dégels durant cette période atténue le compactage. En régime PCD, le sol renferme sensiblement moins d'eau (P < 0,05) qu'avec la PC. Au total, les peuplements sur pied et les débris végétaux au sol sont sensiblement plus nombreux ...

These data can assist nurses to provide culturally competent solutions to ethical dilemmas in their practice. Dynamic communication between nurses and patients/clients, intentional study of local cultural beliefs, and the development of ethics education will improve the conformity between universal ethical standards and local cultural values.

To address the issues with nursing health service delivery and nursing shortages in Ghana requires all stakeholders to move beyond the traditional stereotypes and be flexible and forward-looking. Needed policy options include expansion of local nursing education and training capacity, collaborative training opportunities, improving the welfare and retention rates of current staff and international exchange of nurse resources that is mutually beneficial to both source and sink countries.

Within boreal grasslands, little information exists on the effects of initial defoliation date, frequency, and intensity on accumulated herbage yield and quality. We investigated the effects of initial defoliation in May, June or July, at heights of 5, 10 or 15 cm, and repeated at 2-, 4-or 6-week intervals throughout the growing season. Harvested material was combined with year-end residual biomass, and examined for herbage removed, crude protein (CP), crude protein yield (CPY) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF). Compared to single defoliated check plots, total, grass and forb dry matter (DM) yields were lower under repeated defoliation by 25, 38 and 17 %, respectively. The majority of total herbage produced was harvested in the spring clipping. Total, grass and forb DM yields peaked under moderate (10 cm) clipping. Total DM and grass biomass were maximized with long (6 week) recovery periods. In contrast, forb biomass was greatest with May defoliation followed by a 4-week interval. While maximum grass CPY was found under 10-cm defoliation, forb CPY peaked with early and moderate to intensive defoliation. These results indicate that season-long herbage biomass, along with CPY, can be maximized in boreal grasslands through controlled defoliation.

Smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss.) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) are important herbage for livestock and wildlife in Aspen-Boreal ecosystems in central Alberta, but there is paucity of information on the relationship between soil moisture and defoliation regimes on herbage production in these ecosystems. In a greenhouse experiment, we evaluated the effect of Bromus-Poa defoliation frequencies (2 or 4 wk) and intensities (2.5, 7.5, or 15 cm above the soil surface) under three soil moisture regimes [field capacity (wet), 50% field capacity (moist), 20% field capacity (dry)] on dry matter (DM) yield. Crude protein (CP) content, crude protein yield (CPY) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were also determined for herbage harvested. Total accumulated shoot DM decreased under defoliation compared to the undefoliated control, was higher if plants were clipped every 4 wk, rather than 2 wk, and increased with increasing soil moisture availability. Defoliation regimes decreased root DM Compared to the undefoliated control. Soil moisture regime did not significantly affect below-ground DM production, but root:shoot ratio increased significantly with decreasing moisture supply. The average CP content of grasses ranged from 12 to 23%, but was adequate to meet crude protein requirements of growing, pregnant or lactating grazing cattle (Bos spp.) The CPY decreased with increasing moisture stress, and was greatest when plants were clipped at a 7.5-cm height. Shoot NDF concentration increased with decreasing clipping frequency. These result indicate the need to investigate the relationship between soil moisture and management practices that affect the productivity of tame pastures in Aspen-Boreal ecosystems. Key words: Bromus inermis, Poa pratensis, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, water

Field pea (Pisum sativum), canola (Brassica napus), turnips (Brassica rapa) and Berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum) were grown in north central Alberta to assess their potential yield and quality and to evaluate their utilization and preference by white-tailed deer. Herbage DM yield, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), absolute and relative herbage utilization, and dietary preference were the criteria used. The four annual forages produced over 3, 000 to 11, 000 kg ha -1 DM with canola and turnips producing higher DM yields than field pea and berseem clover. Forage CP for the four seeded forages ranged from 140 to 305 g kg -1 DM with canola and turnips having higher CP concentrations than field pea and berseem clover. NDF concentrations ranged from 246 to 480 g kg -1 DM and were lowest in turnips, intermediate in field pea, and highest in canola and berseem clover. Absolute herbage utilization remained similar (P>0.05) among the four forage species. In contrast, relative herbage utilization was greater from berseem clover (66% DM) than field pea (42% DM) or canola (22% DM) or turnips (20% DM). Differences in dietary preference occurred among the four forages (berseem clover field pea turnips canola). These results suggest that annual forages, especially berseem clover and field pea, show promise for increasing forage yield and quality and suitability for late season grazing.

Tannins are natural and nutritionally significant components of the diets of browsing ungulates. In trials on supplemented pastures and in drylots, we estimated dry matter intake (DMI), weight gain, and urea N, potassium, cortisol and creatinine in urine of captive white-tailed deer fed pelleted diets that differed only in the respective quebracho tannin (QT) content. The low control, medium and high QT rations were 3.6, 63 and 152 g/kg DM respectively. There was no tannin-free pellet option. Trials were divided into winter pasture, restricted choice and spring growth. In winter pasture trial on pasture using QT, deer reduced QT intake relative to that expected under random foraging. This aversion was also apparent during the spring growth trial. While DMI in the winter pasture trial remained similar among treatments (p > 0.05), averaging 130 g/kg(0.75)/day, deer gained more weight (p < 0.05) when given a choice that included the high QT ration. During subsequent spring growth, DMI and weight gains generally exceeded those of the winter period. Unlike the winter pasture trial, weight gains in spring growth trial were higher (p < 0.05) in the low-control QT treatment. In the restricted choice trial, weight gain was again higher (p < 0.05) for deer fed a low-control QT diet. The urea N/creatinine ratio of deer fed the low-control QT diet (0.0357) was over three times that of deer fed the high QT diet (0.0107). Neither potassium/creatinine nor cortisol/creatinine ratios were affected by diet (p > 0.05). Collectively, these results suggest that although deer do not avoid tannins, and even ingested up to 5% under the choice options in these trials, the effect of tannins on deer performance may vary by season as well as by foraging opportunities.