Vegetation and habitat types of the Umkhanyakude Node

Are calving interval, abortions, incidence of stillbirths and pre-weaning losses in Nguni cows associated with linear type traits?

“…Cows in semi-arid areas expected to be more likely to abort or have stillbirths due to lake of adequate nutrients coupled with frequent extreme temperatures. Sub-humid areas are characterised by bushes, woodlands and grasslands (Morgenthal et al, 2006). Nguni cows kept in sub-humid areas are expected to be less likely to abort or have stillbirths due to the availability of quality feed and adequate nutrients.…”

“…Highest mean monthly temperature is recorded in January (30 • C) and lowest in July (11 • C). The vegetation type of the area is mainly coastal sand veld, bush veld and foothill wooded grasslands (Morgenthal et al, 2006). Msinga is located at 28 • 74 61 S, 30 • 45 25 E. It receives erratic rainfall and has large daily temperature ranges.…”

Spatial variation in the structure and composition of the herbaceous community in a semiarid region of northeastern Brazil

“…Studies conducted in different regions with arid and semiarid environments around the world have shown that variations in plant establishment conditions, such as variations in soil physicochemical characteristics, may cause changes in herbaceous community structure (Aarrestad et al, 2011;Alhamad et al, 2010;He et al, 2007;Morgenthal et al, 2006;Ramírez et al, 2007). In this study, the significant differences recorded between the average values for density, diameter and height show that the herbaceous community in the crystalline area is dominated by a few individuals with thicker stalks and Opuntia inamoena, the high IVI values were the result of the dominance parameter, indicating that these species influenced the physiognomy of the crystalline area because of the higher basal area arising from the diameter of their stalks or rosettes (Table 1).…”

“…Spatial variations in floristic composition and in the structure of vegetable communities have been characterised in a number of arid and semiarid regions in the world, contributing to the growing body of knowledge on the biodiversity of plants in these environments (Albuquerque et al, 2005;Fulbright, 2004;He et al, 2007;Morgenthal et al, 2006;Ramírez et al, 2007;Rodal and Nascimento, 2006;Silva et al, 2009).…”

“…For example, (1) microhabitats can have specific microclimatic and edaphic characteristics that allow the establishment of particular species, including rare species, and reduce the densities of generalist populations from nearby microhabitats (Alcoforado-Filho et al, 2003;Araújo et al, 2005;Fulbright, 2004;Lemos and Rodal, 2002;Reis et al, 2006;Silva et al, 2009); (2) variations in soil texture and the availability of nutrients help determine the species composition and vegetation types (Aarrestad et al, 2011;Amorim and Batalha, 2008;Araújo et al, 1999;Cañadas et al, 2010;He et al, 2007;Morgenthal et al, 2006;Ramírez et al, 2007); (3) soils with a higher water retention capacity allow increased biomass and ground cover (Alhamad et al, 2010;Munhoz et al, 2008); (4) the composition and structure of herbaceous plant communities growing under the canopy of woody species may be distinct from those in open areas due to litter fall, light interception and changes in nutrient availability (Cabin and Marshall, 2000;Fuller, 1999). Consequently, the vegetation community structure may be very different even among microhabitats in close proximity.…”