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Gonçalves MA, Silveira RMF, Castro MSM, do Nascimento APA, Martins FMP, Batista ASM, Ferreira J, Façanha DAE, Dias CTDS, de Vasconcelos AM. Thermoregulatory capacity of goat kids from birth to weaning in a dry hot climate. Trop Anim Health Prod 2023; 55:217. [PMID: 37212890 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-023-03626-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the thermoregulatory capacity and performance of Saanen goat kids from birth to weaning in a hot climate. Twelve newborn males and female goat kids with an initial body weight of 4.17 ± 0.81 kg were used. Physiological responses, climatic variables, and biometric traits data were collected. Univariate and multivariate analysis techniques were used. Heart rate (HR) was high up to the 6th week of life, with a reduction from the 7th week on (P < 0.001). Rectal temperature (RT) was lower in the first 2 weeks (P < 0.001), with an increase and stabilization occurring in the 7th and 8th weeks. Coat surface temperature (ST) was more activated from the 5th week onwards (P < 0.001). Body weight (BW) and withers height (WH) were higher in later weeks of the calving phase with a linear effect (P < 0.001). The first principal component demonstrated the relationship of sensible heat dissipation × body area of the goat kids; the second component shows the relationship of meteorological data with RT, having a positive relationship between RT with RH and negative with AT, and the third component points to the association of RR and HR. Of the animals, 81.3% were correctly classified in their group of origin in discriminant canonical analysis, with emphasis on the classification of the kids in the 1st-2nd and 3rd-4th weeks (classification percentage Ʃ = 95.8%). It is concluded that (i) newborn kids activate latent mechanisms to maintain their homoeothermic during the first 2 weeks of life, and as they grow, they use sensitive heat loss processes, especially from the 5th week of life onwards and (ii) male and female goats do not show sexual dimorphism effect on body performance and body morphometric measurements up to 60 days of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateus Alves Gonçalves
- Department of Animal Science, State University of Valley Acaraú (UVA), Sobral, Ceará, 62040370, Brazil
| | - Robson Mateus Freitas Silveira
- Department of Animal Science, "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture (ESALQ), University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | | | - Josiel Ferreira
- Instituto de Zootecnia, Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Zootecnia Diversificada, Nova Odessa, SP, 13380-011, Brazil
| | - Débora Andreia Evangelista Façanha
- Rural Development Institute, University of the International Integration of Afro-Brazilian Lusophony (UNILAB), Redenção, Ceará, 62790790, Brazil
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Fonsêca VDFC, Gomes da Silva R, Moura GAB, Snelling EP, Fuller A, Mitchell D, Costa CCDM, Milan HM, Maia ASC. Reliability of methods to determine cutaneous evaporative water loss rate in furred and fleeced mammals. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 337:356-365. [PMID: 34971300 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We used a high-precision weighing system and flow-through respirometry to quantify cutaneous evaporative water loss rates in woolly sheep (wool thickness, ca. 6.5 cm) and haired goats (coat thickness, ca. 2.5 cm), while simultaneously recording parallel data obtained from (1) a flow-through ventilated capsule, (2) a closed hand-held electronic evaporimeter chamber, and (3) a closed colorimetric paper disc chamber. In comparison to the weighing system and respirometry, used here as a "gold standard" measure of cutaneous evaporative water loss rate, we found relatively good agreement with data obtained from the flow-through ventilated capsules. However, we found poor agreement with data obtained from the closed electronic evaporimeter chambers (underestimated by 60%, on average) and the closed colorimetric paper disc chambers (overestimated by 52%, on average). This deviation was likely associated with a requirement for shaved skin in the closed chamber methods. Our results therefore cast doubt on the validity of the closed chamber methods for measurement of cutaneous evaporative water loss rates in furred and fleeced mammals, and instead show that more accurate values can be obtained using flow-through ventilated capsules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinícius de França Carvalho Fonsêca
- Innovation Group of Biometeorology and Animal Welfare, Animal Science Department, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, Brazil
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Roberto Gomes da Silva
- Innovation Group of Biometeorology and Animal Welfare, Animal Science Department, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Gustavo A B Moura
- Innovation Group of Biometeorology and Animal Welfare, Animal Science Department, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Edward P Snelling
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
- Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - Andrea Fuller
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa
| | - Duncan Mitchell
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Cíntia C de Melo Costa
- Innovation Group of Biometeorology and Animal Welfare, Animal Science Department, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Hugo M Milan
- Innovation Group of Biometeorology and Animal Welfare, Animal Science Department, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Alex S C Maia
- Innovation Group of Biometeorology and Animal Welfare, Animal Science Department, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brazil
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Nair MRR, Sejian V, Silpa MV, Fonsêca VFC, de Melo Costa CC, Devaraj C, Krishnan G, Bagath M, Nameer PO, Bhatta R. Goat as the ideal climate-resilient animal model in tropical environment: revisiting advantages over other livestock species. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2021; 65:2229-2240. [PMID: 34363136 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-021-02179-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
In the agriculture sector, livestock are considered extremely resilient to climate change and are tipped to play a significant role in ensuring food security to meet the increased demands of growing human population by 2050. Compared to other domestic species, goats are considered the ideal animal model for climate change due to its high thermal and drought resilience, ability to survive on limited pastures, and high disease resistance. This review is therefore a revisit to the advantages of rearing goats over other livestock species under current and future trends of changes in climate, particularly to cope with recurrent multiple stressors such as heat load, and lack of water and feed. In summary, goats, also called as poor man's cow, are preferred by the small-scale landless farmers due to their low input and assured higher output system, as they require low initial investment, with minimum specialized facilities and labors. Furthermore, they perceive goats as better resilient animal to cope with multiple stressors such as heat load, and water and feed scarcity, and possess better skills to cope with bush, when compared with sheep and cattle. The unique capacity for employing behavioral plasticity and morphological features of goats gives them clear advantage over sheep and cattle, when coping with seasonal biotopes, and experiences of water and feed shortage. When facing with low-quality feed, they also are superior to cattle and sheep to digest dry matter and to recycle nitrogen. Additionally, goats have superior ability to desiccate feces and concentrate urine, when compared with sheep and cattle. These advantages make goat the go-to species for efficiently countering the adversities associated with climate change and to optimize appropriate economic return through sustained production. Therefore, goats are tipped to be the future animals with extreme potential to counter the projected alarming climate change impacts and expected to play a significant role in ensuring food security to meet the demands of the growing human population by the end of this century.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Reshma Nair
- Centre for Climate Resilient Animal Adaptation Studies, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bangalore, 560030, India
- College of Climate Change and Environmental Science, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala, India
| | - V Sejian
- Centre for Climate Resilient Animal Adaptation Studies, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bangalore, 560030, India.
| | - M V Silpa
- Centre for Climate Resilient Animal Adaptation Studies, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bangalore, 560030, India
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Giessen, Germany
| | - V F C Fonsêca
- Innovation Group of Thermal Comfort and Animal Welfare (INOBIO-MANERA), Animal Science Department, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, 58 397 000, Brazil
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown, 2193, South Africa
| | - C C de Melo Costa
- Innovation Group of Thermal Comfort and Animal Welfare (INOBIO-MANERA), Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias E Veterinárias, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - C Devaraj
- Centre for Climate Resilient Animal Adaptation Studies, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bangalore, 560030, India
| | - G Krishnan
- Centre for Climate Resilient Animal Adaptation Studies, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bangalore, 560030, India
| | - M Bagath
- Centre for Climate Resilient Animal Adaptation Studies, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bangalore, 560030, India
| | - P O Nameer
- College of Climate Change and Environmental Science, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala, India
| | - R Bhatta
- Centre for Climate Resilient Animal Adaptation Studies, ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Adugodi, Bangalore, 560030, India
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Leite JHGM, Da Silva RG, Asensio LAB, de Sousa JER, da Silva WST, da Silva WE, Façanha DAE. Coat color and morphological hair traits influence on the mechanisms related to the heat tolerance in hair sheep. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2020; 64:2185-2194. [PMID: 32918600 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-020-02014-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The principal focus of this study was to describe how the coat characteristics could affect the heat exchanges in animals managed in a hot environment. The Morada Nova ewes were monitored once a month, during 10 consecutive months, in three commercial flocks. Initially, an analysis was performed to measure the differences regarding the coat color in the thermoregulation mechanisms. The animals were grouped into 4 different groups according to coat tonality, as follows: dark red animals (group 1, N = 23), intermediate red color (group 2, N = 27), light red animals (group 3, N = 30), and white-coated animals (group 4, N = 30). The data were collected from 1100 to 1400 h, after the animals were exposed to 30 min of direct sunlight. The cluster analysis was performed considering the hair structural characteristics such as coat thickness (CT, cm), hair length (HL, mm), hair diameter (HD, m), and number of hairs (NH, hairs per unit area), after that these clusters were compared in relation to thermoregulatory mechanisms that include rectal temperature (RT, °C), respiratory rate (RR, breaths min-1), cutaneous evaporation (CE, °C), and respiratory evaporation (RE, W m-2). The groups were characterized and compared using mean and standard deviation, and the differences between the clusters were compared using the Tukey test with a 5% probability of error. In relation to coat color, no differences were found in groups 1, 2, and 3 regarding the activation of the thermoregulation mechanisms. The most different was observed in the totally white coat that presented different thermoregulatory responses as the highest sweating rate. White-coated animals showed a non-pigmented epidermis, and the hair structure is responsible to promote skin protection as necessary, such as a dense coat (1242.7 hair cm-2), long hair (14.2 mm), and thicker coat (7.38 mm). In red-coated animals, the hair structure favored heat loss to the environment, such as short hairs, less thick coat, and less hairs per square centimeter. All evaluated animals showed the rectal temperature within the reference limits for the ovine species, regardless of the coat color. In the analysis of clusters related to the physical structure of hair, it was possible to observe that the animals with thick hair, short hair, and less dense coat tended to have a higher capacity to eliminate heat through their respiratory rate and showed less intense heat loss by cutaneous evaporation. We verified that coat color presents a direct influence on the hair structure and the activation of mechanisms related to thermoregulation.
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Oliveira SEO, de Melo Costa CC, Chiquitelli Neto M, Dalla Costa FA, Maia ASC. Effects of shade location and protection from direct solar radiation on the behavior of Holstein cows. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2019; 63:1465-1474. [PMID: 31254070 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-019-01747-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Two trials (E1 and E2) were performed to assess the behavior of eight Holstein dairy cows with 367 ± 58 kg of body weight and 10.52 ± 0.08 kg of milk yield. A 4 × 4 Latin square design (four periods of lactation and four levels of solar blockage) with four paddocks was used. Each paddock contained a wood shading structure covered with a cloth that blocked 30% (T1), 50% (T2), 70% (T3), or 100% (T4) of direct solar radiation. In the first trial (E1) each shade structure was located approximately 40 m from the feeder and water troughs; in the second trial (E2), the distance was reduced to 5 m. Air temperature (TA, °C), relative humidity (RH, %), wind speed (U, ms-1), black globe temperature (TG, K), mean radiant temperature (TMR, K), radiant heat load (RHL, W m-2), and local shortwave radiation (RS, W m-2) were recorded at 15-min intervals from 08:00 to 17:00 h. Four behavioral activities were recorded: grazing, eating at the feed trough, ruminating, and idling. For each of these activities, animal posture (lying or upright) and location (under shade or exposed to sunlight) were recorded. The meteorological conditions showed similar variations from 8:00 to 17:00 h between the two trials. However, the air temperatures in E1 were lower (± 2 °C) than those in E2. In a PCA analysis, the first and the second principal components explained 56.87% and 21.85%, respectively, of the total variation in the behavioral variables. Under the E1 conditions, the animals did not seek shade, whereas in E2, the dairy cows spent 35 ± 5% of their time lying and idling in the shade. At a solar radiation blockage of 100%, cows were in the shade more than 60% of the time due to the intensity of solar radiation, which was 722.19 ± 14.59 W m-2 at 11:45. In a PCA analysis, the first and the second principal components explained 65.18 and 22.3%, respectively, and 87.48% together, of the total variation in the original variables. Consequently, it was possible to develop a shade index (IST) based on the first two components. In E1, animals spent very little time in the shade, spending only 0.15% of total time under the shade, irrespective of blockage. However, E2 cows used shade, reaching almost 80% of time under the shade, at midday, when the blockage was 100%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffan Edward Octávio Oliveira
- Graduate Program of Animal Science, São Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane Road, w/n, Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Cíntia Carol de Melo Costa
- Innovation Group of Biometeorology, Behavior and Animal Welfare (INOBIO-MANERA), São Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane Road, w/n, Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil.
| | - Marcos Chiquitelli Neto
- Innovation Group of Biometeorology, Behavior and Animal Welfare (INOBIO-MANERA), São Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Natural Sciences and Engineering, Ilha Solteira, SP, Brazil
| | - Filipe Antônio Dalla Costa
- Graduate Program of Animal Science, São Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane Road, w/n, Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil
| | - Alex Sandro Campos Maia
- Innovation Group of Biometeorology, Behavior and Animal Welfare (INOBIO-MANERA), São Paulo State University (Unesp), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane Road, w/n, Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil
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de França Carvalho Fonsêca V, Maia ASC, Saraiva EP, de Melo Costa CC, da Silva RG, Abdoun KA, Al-Haidary AA, Samara EM, Fuller A. Bio-thermal responses and heat balance of a hair coat sheep breed raised under an equatorial semi-arid environment. J Therm Biol 2019; 84:83-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2019.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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de Amorim MLCM, Saraiva EP, de França Carvalho Fonsêca V, Guerra RR, Dos Santos SGCG, de Melo Costa CC, Almeida MEV, da Costa Pinheiro A, Pimenta Filho EC. Coat and skin morphology of hair sheep breeds in an equatorial semi-arid environment. J Therm Biol 2019; 84:103-110. [PMID: 31466742 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2019.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to address if are there annual changes in the hair coat traits and skin morphology of hair sheep breeds raised in an equatorial semi-arid region? Coat and skin samples were taken from thirty Morada Nova (4 ± 2 years old; red coat; ±SD) and twenty Santa Inês multiparous ewes (5 ± 2 years old; brown and black coat; ±SD) every 3 months over a year. Hair coat traits included thickness (mm), density (number of hairs cm-2), length (mm), and diameter (mm), plus epidermal and dermal thickness (μm), sweat glands and blood capillaries area (μm cm-2) were determined. Means of solar irradiance and ambient air temperature were higher between September and December. Annual changes (P < 0.05) in hair density, diameter, length and thickness, as well as the skin blood capillaries and sweat gland area differed between breeds. The modifications on hair coat traits resulted in minor changes on the effective thermal conductivity of the hair coat surface both for Morada Nova and Santa Ines sheep. Nevertheless, it was clearly evident that the overall cutaneous thermal insulation for Morada Nova sheep was lowest in September that was coupled with lower hair density, coat thickness, and higher sweat gland and blood capillary area (P < 0.05). In conclusion, even in an equatorial region, phenotypic acclimatization on morphological traits of cutaneous surface and skin traits can modify the overall thermal insulation of sheep breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edilson Paes Saraiva
- Animal Biometeorology and Ethology Group (BIOET), Federal University of Paraiba, Areia, Brazil
| | - Vinicius de França Carvalho Fonsêca
- Animal Biometeorology and Ethology Group (BIOET), Federal University of Paraiba, Areia, Brazil; Innovation Group of Animal Biometeorology (INOBIO-MANERA), São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, Brazil; Brain Function Research Group (BFRG), School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | | | | | - Cíntia Carol de Melo Costa
- Innovation Group of Animal Biometeorology (INOBIO-MANERA), São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, Brazil
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Leite JHGM, Da Silva RG, da Silva WST, da Silva WE, Paiva RDM, Sousa JER, Asensio LAB, Façanha DAE. Locally adapted Brazilian ewes with different coat colors maintain homeothermy during the year in an equatorial semiarid environment. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2018; 62:1635-1644. [PMID: 30003337 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-018-1563-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The present paper aimed to show the thermoregulatory responses of locally adapted Morada Nova sheep with different coat colors that were exposed to direct solar radiation in an equatorial semiarid region. Animals were classified into four groups according to the coat color as follows: (1) dark red, (2) intermediate red, (3) light red, and (4) white coats. Forty Morada Nova ewes were observed in for 7 consecutive months. The experimental variables measured were rectal temperature (RT), skin surface temperature (ST), respiratory rate (RR), skin surface evaporation (CE), respiratory evaporation (RE), and heat exchange by convection (HC) and radiation (R). Data were collected from 1100 to 1400 h after the animals were exposed to 30 min direct sunlight. The results showed that all groups maintained homeothermy. The RR was higher in the animals of groups 1 to 3, which also showed higher values for ST when compared to the white-coated animals. Sensible heat exchange mechanisms were not important for heat loss, and R was a significant source of heat gain from the environment for the animals. Groups 1, 2, and 3 used RR more intensely than group 4 (P value = 0.001); however, CE was higher for the white-coated animals. It was concluded that Morada Nova sheep are well adapted to the semiarid environment, regardless of coat color.
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Gosling SN. New insights into biometeorology. Foreword. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2014; 58:101-102. [PMID: 24464497 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-014-0793-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Simon N Gosling
- School of Geography, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK,
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