Bacterial counts were monitored for 1 yr in bedding materials used on nine commercial dairies. Organic materials used to bed lactating cows had significantly higher moisture content and gram-negative bacterial, coliform, Klebsiella species, and streptococcal counts than did inorganic materials. Klebsiella species counts were higher in sawdust than in chopped straw. Streptococcal counts were higher in chopped straw than sawdust. Bacterial counts did not differ between sand and crushed limestone. Gram-negative bacterial and coliform counts were higher during summer and fall than in winter and spring months. Streptococcal counts did not differ among seasons of the year. Linear relationships were significant between total rates of clinical mastitis during lactation and both gram-negative bacterial and Klebsiella species counts in lactating cow bedding. These data indicate that bacterial populations differed between both types of bedding and among seasons of the year. Rates of clinical mastitis were related to bacterial counts in bedding.

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Nine commercial dairy herds, each with low herd milk somatic cell counts, were monitored for 1 yr to determine prevalence of intramammary infections and rates of clinical mastitis. Staphylococcus species was the bacterial group most frequently isolated from quarters at calving and at drying off. Environmental streptococci and coliform intramammary infections totaled less than 6% of quarters at both calving and at drying off. Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from less than 1% of quarters and Streptococcus agalactiae from 0% of quarters at both calving and drying off. A total of 646 clinical cases of mastitis were diagnosed in 548 quarters of 406 cows. Mean rate of clinical mastitis among herds was .457 clinical cases/305 cow-days. Rates of clinical mastitis ranged among herds from .273 to .748 clinical cases/305 cow-days. Coliforms and bacteriologically negative and environmental streptococci accounted for 82.3% of clinical cases. Rates of clinical mastitis and severity of clinical signs differed among herds, seasons of the year, parity groups, and stages of lactation. Rates of clinical mastitis were highest during summer, in first lactation cows, and during the first 7 d of lactation.

The rights of Nature, a concept recognised by several courts, legislatures and international governance institutions, is being promoted by some non-governmental organisations, scientists, attorneys, Indigenous peoples, local communities, and others. In this article we propose a Universal Declaration of the Rights of Wetlands, consistent with the 1982 World Charter for Nature. Recognition of these rights supports the provision of ecosystem services essential to human well-being and to other life on Earth. Further, such rights could reinforce efforts to reduce wetland loss and deterioration, thereby slowing climate destabilisation and biodiversity declines. Because world scientists have warned that biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation and climate destabilisation, which intensify wetland loss, constitute global emergencies, new approaches are required to ensure that wetlands are protected and their benefits to people sustained. The proposed Universal Declaration of the Rights of Wetlands states that wetlands possess rights to: exist; their ecologically determined location in the landscape; natural, connected and sustainable hydrological regimes; ecologically sustainable climatic conditions; naturally occurring biodiversity; regeneration and restoration; integrity of structure, function and evolutionary processes; fulfil natural ecological roles in the Earth’s processes; and be free from pollution and degradation. Recognition of these rights is seen as an essential step in efforts to stop wetland loss and deterioration.