Faïek Errouissi

Bio: Faïek Errouissi is an academic researcher from Tunis University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Dung beetle & Aphodiinae. The author has an hindex of 12, co-authored 16 publications receiving 813 citations. Previous affiliations of Faïek Errouissi include Paul Valéry University, Montpellier III & Carthage University.

A Review on the Toxicity and Non-Target Effects of Macrocyclic Lactones in Terrestrial and Aquatic Environments

Abstract: The avermectins, milbemycins and spinosyns are collectively referred to as macrocyclic lactones (MLs) which comprise several classes of chemicals derived from cultures of soil micro-organisms. These compounds are extensively and increasingly used in veterinary medicine and agriculture. Due to their potential effects on non-target organisms, large amounts of information on their impact in the environment has been compiled in recent years, mainly caused by legal requirements related to their marketing authorization or registration. The main objective of this paper is to critically review the present knowledge about the acute and chronic ecotoxicological effects of MLs on organisms, mainly invertebrates, in the terrestrial and aquatic environment. Detailed information is presented on the mode-of-action as well as the ecotoxicity of the most important compounds representing the three groups of MLs. This information, based on more than 360 references, is mainly provided in nine tables, presenting the effects of abamectin, ivermectin, eprinomectin, doramectin, emamectin, moxidectin, and spinosad on individual species of terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates as well as plants and algae. Since dung dwelling organisms are particularly important non-targets, as they are exposed via dung from treated animals over their whole life-cycle, the information on the effects of MLs on dung communities is compiled in an additional table. The results of this review clearly demonstrate that regarding environmental impacts many macrocyclic lactones are substances of high concern particularly with larval instars of invertebrates. Recent studies have also shown that susceptibility varies with life cycle stage and impacts can be mitigated by using MLs when these stages are not present. However information on the environmental impact of the MLs is scattered across a wide range of specialised scientific journals with research focusing mainly on ivermectin and to a lesser extent on abamectin doramectin and moxidectin. By comparison, information on compounds such as eprinomectin, emamectin and selamectin is still relatively scarce.

Use of anthelmintics in herbivores and evaluation of risks for the non target fauna of pastures

Abstract: The overall purpose ofthis paperwas to review the major and most recent literature relating the effects of anthelmintics on dung breeding invertebrates and dung degradation. Faecal residues or metabolites of drugs belonging to the benzimidazole and levamisole/morantel groups are relatively harmless to dung fauna, on the contrary to other anthelmintics such as coumaphos, dichlorvos, phenothiazine, piperazine, synthetic pyrethroids, and most macrocyclic lactones which have been shown to be highly toxic for dung beetles (abamectin, ivermectin, eprinomectin, doramectin), among which moxidectin was the less toxic for dung beetles. To date, the detrimental impact upon non-target organisms has been considered acceptable in eradicating the parasites because of their economic importance to commercial livestock production. The consequences of routine treatments are discussed with consideration of the long-term consequences for cow pat fauna and sustainable pastureland ecology.

Comparative effects of conventional and no-tillage management on some soil properties under Mediterranean semi-arid conditions in northwestern Tunisia.

Abstract: No-tillage (NT) is becoming increasingly attractive to farmers worldwide because it clearly reduces production costs relative to conventional tillage (CT) and improves soil properties and crop yield. Currently, under semi-arid conditions in North Africa, modern no-tillage techniques are being practiced on several hectares of land. The effect of NT and CT management and crop rotation on soil properties under semi-arid Mediterranean conditions was studied, over a 4-year period at two locations in northern Tunisia. Data from a short-term (2000–2004) use of both no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) at the ESAK (Tunisia) were used to evaluate the influence of the tillage systems on the physicochemical properties of soil at the 0–20 cm depth layers. Trial was set up in 2000, where the two tillage systems (CT and NT), and four crop types (durum wheat, barley, pea and oats) were implemented in two distinct sites close to two governorates: Kef (silt/clayey) and Siliana (sand/clay) in northwestern Tunisia. Four years after implementing the two different tillage systems, soil parameters (N, NO 3 2− , NH 4 + P, P 2 O 5 , K, K 2 O, SOC, SOM and CEC) were determined and comparison between the two tillage systems was made. Our results showed that after 4 years the contents of some parameters for most crop types were greater under NT than under CT at 0–20 cm depth layers, the results varied depending on crop type and site. NT significantly improved soil content especially for K, K 2 O, P 2 O 5 and N. Under NT system SOM and SOC were enhanced, but without significant results. These enhancements were accompanied by the enhancement of the CEC and the decrease of the C/N ratio. Thus the mineralization process was slightly quicker under NT. Our results also indicate that residue cover combined with no-tillage appears to improve some agronomic parameters and biomass production (grain yield). Multivariate analyses indicate that the improvement of soil properties was dependant on tillage management, sites (climate and soil type) and crop succession (species and cover residue). It must be pointed out that a 4-year period was not sufficient to clearly establish some parameters used in the effects of the NT system on soil properties under semi-arid conditions in northwestern Tunisia.

Effects of the Attractiveness for Dung Beetles of Dung Pat Origin and Size Along a Climatic Gradient

Abstract: Dung beetle (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae, Scarabaeidae) assemblages were monitored by dung-baited pitfall trapping at three sites distributed along a bioclimatic gradient from semiarid to mesic temperate. For each type of dung, both small and large sized baits were used. Under semiarid conditions (Morocco), three dung beetle assemblages were distinguished: small bait assemblages in any dung; large cattle bait assemblages; large sheep bait assemblages. Under more temperate conditions (southern France and the Alps), only large and small bait assemblages were observed, whatever the origin of the dung. Large baits attracted significantly more species and more beetles than did small baits, and very few species were attracted significantly more by either sheep or goat baits than by cattle baits. A significant, positive correlation between dung beetle size and dung pat size was observed in Morocco where the large species are predominant, whereas a negative relationship was observed in southern France where the small species are predominant. Cattle pats were more attractive for beetles under xeric and Mediterranean conditions (Morocco and southern France) that under cold temperate conditions (Alps).

No-till in northern, western and south-western Europe: A review of problems and opportunities for crop production and the environment

Abstract: Recent literature on no-till is reviewed with particular emphasis on research results and commercial uptake in northern, western and southwestern Europe. Increased interest in no-till, as well as minimum or reduced tillage, is the result of changes in the economic circumstances of crop production, the opportunity to increase the area of more profitable autumn-sown crops and increased concern about environmental damage associated with soil inversion by ploughing. Highly contrasting soil and climate types within and between these regions exert a strong influence on the success of no-till. While no-till may often result in crop yields which equal or exceed those obtained after ploughing, modest reductions in yield may be tolerated if production costs are appreciably lower than with ploughing. The relative costs of fuel and herbicides have changed appreciably in recent years making no-till more attractive commercially. While effective weed control is an essential aspect of no-till, current herbicide technology may not yet fully achieve this. No-till soils will usually have lower temperature and higher moisture content at the time of drilling, delaying drilling of spring-sown crops in northern regions. Their bulk density and bearing capacity are greater than for ploughed soils but the pronounced vertical orientation of macroporosity will allow encourage penetration of roots and water, especially in view of the increased population of deep-burrowing earthworms. Particular care must be taken to minimise soil damage at harvest and to ensure the even distribution of crop residues prior to drilling. Reduced erosion and runoff under no-till are widely observed and are of particular importance in southwestern Europe. No-till reduces losses of phosphorus in runoff and the loss of nitrate through leaching. Emissions of greenhouse gases CO2 and N2O from no-till soils are highly variable and depend on complex interactions of soil properties. Emission of CO2 from fuel during machinery usage is always appreciably reduced with no-till. Increased soil organic carbon in surface layers of no-till soils may not be associated with increased carbon sequestration throughout the profile. All relevant factors must be included in the evaluation of the relative overall climate forcing effects of no-till and ploughing. Adoption of no-till could be encouraged by government financial assistance in recognition of environmental benefits, although future restrictions on the use of herbicides may be a deterrent. Opportunities for further research on no-till are outlined.

A Review on the Toxicity and Non-Target Effects of Macrocyclic Lactones in Terrestrial and Aquatic Environments

Abstract: The avermectins, milbemycins and spinosyns are collectively referred to as macrocyclic lactones (MLs) which comprise several classes of chemicals derived from cultures of soil micro-organisms. These compounds are extensively and increasingly used in veterinary medicine and agriculture. Due to their potential effects on non-target organisms, large amounts of information on their impact in the environment has been compiled in recent years, mainly caused by legal requirements related to their marketing authorization or registration. The main objective of this paper is to critically review the present knowledge about the acute and chronic ecotoxicological effects of MLs on organisms, mainly invertebrates, in the terrestrial and aquatic environment. Detailed information is presented on the mode-of-action as well as the ecotoxicity of the most important compounds representing the three groups of MLs. This information, based on more than 360 references, is mainly provided in nine tables, presenting the effects of abamectin, ivermectin, eprinomectin, doramectin, emamectin, moxidectin, and spinosad on individual species of terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates as well as plants and algae. Since dung dwelling organisms are particularly important non-targets, as they are exposed via dung from treated animals over their whole life-cycle, the information on the effects of MLs on dung communities is compiled in an additional table. The results of this review clearly demonstrate that regarding environmental impacts many macrocyclic lactones are substances of high concern particularly with larval instars of invertebrates. Recent studies have also shown that susceptibility varies with life cycle stage and impacts can be mitigated by using MLs when these stages are not present. However information on the environmental impact of the MLs is scattered across a wide range of specialised scientific journals with research focusing mainly on ivermectin and to a lesser extent on abamectin doramectin and moxidectin. By comparison, information on compounds such as eprinomectin, emamectin and selamectin is still relatively scarce.

Scarabaeine Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae): An Invertebrate Focal Taxon for Biodiversity Research and Conservation

Abstract: Invertebrate focal taxa that can act as information surrogates for broader patterns of biodiversity are of increasing interest to conservation practitioners. Scarabaeine dung beetles have been widely proposed as an ideal group for biodiversity inventory and monitoring, they satisfy all of the criteria of an ideal focal taxon, and they have already been used in ecological research and biodiversity survey and conservation work in many regions of the world. Here I review the characteristics that make the Scarabaeinae suitable for this purpose and suggest future directions for the broader use of this group as a focal taxon.