Monitoring of species diversity in the herbaceous layer of mixed forests on the central Russian plain

The diversity and structure of the herbaceous layer were monitored on a transect through mixed forests in the Malinskaya Biogeocenotic Station (Moscow oblast, Russia). The data obtained in 1987 and 1997 were compared. The parameters of species rank distribution, number of species, and entropy estimate of specie diversity only slightly changed during that period. The total coverage and abundance changed substantially; statistically significant changes in the contributions of species to the community were revealed. Estimates of changes in the community status of species belonging to different ecological groups on the Ellenberg scale served as the basis to demonstrate that soils were eutrophicated and the climate became more continental during the period of the study. Transformations of the vegetation structure were found to be equilibrium; and the community, to exhibit elements of self-organization.     

Effects of urbanization on avian community in southwestern China

Surveys at southwestern China were conducted from November 2004 to July 2005 in three habitat types. A total 3319 individual of 69 bird species were recorded. Although urbanization was presumed to be responsible for decreasing species richness and diversity, our results showed bird species richness, diversity and density in urban habitats were not different in rural habitats. Whereas, the wasteland with low human disturbances, was the lowest bird species richness, diversity and density than others habitats. We inferred habitats structural complexity, large forest patches, native trees and human litter sustain many bird species in campus and park. However, human disturbances, habitats substrate and predation from domestic animals may reduce species richness and diversity. Therefore, we suggested that high vegetative cover should be in urban areas, because it may increase the number of bird species, support larger populations of insectivores, and perhaps create suitable habitat for some ground nesters. Moreover, by recreating or preserving natural islands decreased human disturbance and predation from domestic animals.     

Use and knowledge of fuelwood in three rural caatinga (dryland) communities in NE Brazil

The woody species known, used, and preferred as fuelwood were examined in three rural communities within the county of Soledade, Paraíba State, NE Brazil. Ethnobotanical information was collected using semi-structured interviews with more than 90% of the local households (55 adult residents; 31 women, and 24 males). The interviewees cited 36 plant species as fuelwoods, distributed among 30 genera and 15 families, in addition to two unidentified plants. The plant families represented by the largest numbers of species were Euphorbiaceae, Anacardiaceae, Mimosaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Sapotaceae, and Fabaceae. The species Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tul. (“catingueira”) was cited with the greatest frequency in all three communities. Within the communities we found significant differences on the number of plants cited and actually used (p < 0.05), indicating that the residents knew more fuelwood species than they effectively harvest. The different distances from the communities to the urban centers were not related to differences on the use or the size of the stocks of fuelwood. Additionally, the study revealed that the communities examined still maintain a significant knowledge of the use of energy-providing plants in spite of the widespread use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Readers should send their comments on this paper to: BhaskarNath@aol.com within 3 months of publication of this issue.     

Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity in Brazilian Hot Spots

Hot spots in Brazil include a variety of ecosystems, such as mangroves, forests, and the Brazilian savannah, locally called cerrado. Some of the rural populations in these hot spots are the caiçaras in SE Atlantic Forest coast, and the caboclos in the Amazon. In this study, we are concerned especially with the knowledge of caiçaras and caboclos, associated with practices that might have implications for management. Data were gathered through interviews with adults at the various communities studied, and through systematic observations, including samples of fishing trips and the mapping of fishing spots used in the Atlantic Forest coast. The use of resources from the surrounding vegetation includes collection of plants, cultivated fruit gardens, the swidden system, and a careful and managed extraction of fibres. Among animal resources, food taboos seem to be useful practices that might contribute to the maintenance of local natural resources. Potential management practices should be locally developed, such as the informal division of fishing spots in Atlantic Forest sites, and the maintenance of the diversity of cassava varieties in both the Atlantic Forest and Amazonian areas.     

镇江内江湿地植物群落演替动态研究

采用“空间代替时间”方法,于镇江内江湿地选择4类典型样地,分别代表群落演替的4个不同时间段,从物种组成、多样性及生活型等方面研究湿地植被的演替规律,从而探索受损群落的修复途径。结果表明：不同演替阶段植物群落的物种组成、多样性指数和生活型变化明显。物种丰富度指数和多样性指数随演替呈上升趋势,且演替中后期最高,均匀度随演替递增,而优势度递减;在生活型上,多年生草本的重要值随演替先降后升,其物种数逐渐上升并在后期维持相对稳定,并在各演替阶段处于主导地位。而一、二年生草本植物的重要值和物种数均为先升后降;在科属总数上,科属数随演替逐渐增加,其中,禾本科植物始终处于优势种地位。     

Ethnobotany in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique: Use of Medicinal Plants

Communities in Cabo Delgado have a long tradition of using medicinal plants. In Mozambique, rural populations in general are highly dependent on natural resources. One example is the use of surrounding vegetation by people from Cabo Delgado. They use plants for food, handicrafts, construction, as a primary energy source and even for medicine purposes. In this survey, we examined the diversity of plant usage for medicinal purposes by 146 individuals, including adults and youth living in the Cabo Delgado province. This community quoted 16 species of plants, belonging to 13 families. Utilisation by different categories of people based on sex and age was compared and differences were found among some groups. In general, older people show a deeper knowledge of medicinal plants than younger people. Men and women show similar knowledge of medicinal plants.     

Consumptive values and local perception of dry forest decline in Burkina Faso,West Africa

Traditional ecological knowledge and local experience of resource management and the usefulness of plant species can make important contributions to attempts to understand forest ecosystems and to develop effective sustainable management strategies for them. Therefore, the utilization of tree species by local people, their perceptions of changes in the surrounding forests, and suggested solutions for associated problems, were studied in the Sissili province of southern Burkina Faso. Information was collected through a combination of participatory rural appraisals, household interviews, and observational methods. Principal component analysis was used to analyze the consumptive values of woody species and their respective parts. A total of 82 species were identified, 90% of them were used for medicinal purposes, 78% for fodder, 73% for food, 67% for house construction, and 58% for wood carving. This suggests that forests play a key role in sustaining the rural livelihood and contributing to poverty reduction. The various stakeholders perceived that vegetation clearing for cultivation of cash crops (agribusiness) was the main driver of the change in forest cover. Species reported to be declining in the area included Parkia biglobosa, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Afzelia africana, Bombax costatum, Tamarindus indica, and Diospyros mespiliformis. Thus, a concerted effort should be made to manage the remaining natural forests in the country. Appropriate management strategies should be developed jointly by the local communities and external support groups to integrate the valuable local knowledge about forest species with the stakeholders’ suggestions in order to promote sustainable management of the region’s forest ecosystems.     

Sustainable Exploitation of Borassus aethiopum, Elaeis guineensis and Raphia hookeri for the Extraction of Palm Wine in Côte d'Ivoire

In the rural areas of developing countries palms are major sources of many products. One of these is palm wine, which has an important role for nutrition, income and social life. In the Côte d'Ivoire (West Africa), palm wine is extracted from three different species: Borassus aethiopum Mart., Raphia hookeri Mann & Wendland and Elaeis guineensis Jacq. As the extraction methods are destructive, palm stands are locally threatened by extinction. This could have serious consequences not only for the nutritional situation of the population but also for their income. Field visits were conducted in order to assess the degree of sustainability of palm wine extraction in eight villages of Côte d'Ivoire's three major agro-ecozones. Based on the annual palm wine need for consumption and commercialisation and on the availability of palms, a sustainability index was calculated for each palm species in each village. The occurrence of palm trees depends on the vegetation type. B. aethiopum is a typical savanna tree (> 20 palms per hectare) and is almost absent in other vegetation types. In 75% of the villages the exploitation of B. aethiopum is not sustainable. The preferred vegetation type for R. hookeri is the forest along the rivers (> 33 palms per hectare) compared to the other vegetation types of the forest zone (< 5 palms per hectare). Due to the high preference for the palm wine of this species its exploitation is not sustainable in any of the selected villages. The distribution of E. guineensis depends mostly on human activities, the main vegetation types being plantations (34 palms per hectare), fallow land and cultivated fields (15 palms per hectare) and the forest along the rivers (31 palms per hectare). The exploitation of this species is in general sustainable throughout all ecozones with some rare exceptions.     

Species richness,structure, and conservation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nitraria retusa</Emphasis> communities in the coastal salt marshes of Kuwait

Although the coastal salt marshes of Arabian Gulf have been altered extensively by human development activities, there is a paucity of data describing changes in the distribution and abundance of native coastal plant communities. The main objectives of this study are to determine vegetation condition, size structure, and conservation status of Nitraria retusa, a medicinal and salt-tolerant shrub, in disturbed and non-disturbed coastal salt marshes of Kuwait. Size measurements of Nitraria shrubs and nabkas, which are mounds of sediment developed around shrubs, were carried out in 50 quadrats (20 × 20 m²), randomly selected inside and outside Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve. Species richness and soil properties of nabkas and interspaces, the open areas between the nabkas, were also measured. The results revealed that nabkas of Nitraria in non-disturbed sites are more stable and rich in plant diversity than those in disturbed sites. Mean height and mean canopy diameter of Nitraria shrubs, total plant cover, and species richness are significantly higher in non-disturbed sites than disturbed sites, which indicate the positive influences of conservation for long term on vegetation structure and species richness. The results of soil analyses indicate the important role of nabkas in providing refuges for plant life and species diversity. The present study indicates that more than 50 % of the N. retusa community has been lost during the last few decades. Therefore, N. retusa should be considered an endangered species in Kuwait. The reduction in vegetation cover, a decline in species richness, and the overall degradation of salt marshes are attributed to human development activities along the coast of Kuwait. Effective conservation actions for threatened species in degraded coastal salt marshes of this region include establishment of protective enclosures, prohibitions on development that adversely affects native plant communities, and the planting native salt-tolerant shrubs to facilitate regeneration.     

Decline of woody vegetation in a saline landscape in the Groundnut Basin,Senegal

Several studies have documented that vegetation in the Sahel is highly dynamic and is affected by the prevailing climatic conditions, as well as by human use of the areas. However, little is known about vegetation dynamics in the large saline areas bordering the rivers of West Africa. Combining satellite imagery, the perception of local people and botanical information, this study investigated the vegetation dynamics and the drivers of vegetation changes in Fatick Province, Senegal. Satellite images showed a change in vegetation composition, i.e., a loss of tree cover and an increase in shrub cover, herbaceous cover and tans (highly saline areas with sparse vegetation). Although the trend was the same, the three villages had different vegetation histories. A survey of the woody vegetation showed that shrubs and young trees were dominating with relatively few large trees. Local people perceived a general decline of woody plants from 1993 to 2013. Among 60 species mentioned by local people, 90 % were declining and 10 % increasing. Together the three methods documented a decrease in density and diversity of the woody vegetation, mainly influenced by salinity and land use. The large numbers of young trees indicate a potential for regeneration of some, but not all, tree species. As many tree species appreciated by local people were reported to be declining, local communities have experienced a reduction of their natural resources. Based on villagers’ recommendations for improved vegetation management, we discuss possible contributions including reforestation, desalinization and environmental protection for restoration of the vegetation.     

Effects of anthropogenic disturbances on vegetation diversity and structure: a case study in the remnant forests surrounding the village ecosystems of Tripura,Northeast India

The types, frequency, and intensity of human interference with forests markedly affect the vegetation dynamics. Assessment of the impact of anthropogenic disturbances on forest diversity and structure is one of the central issues related to human behaviour and forest ecosystems and management. Both species diversity and density are very sensitive to local anthropogenic disturbance, which can be reduced depending on land-use systems. We used 10 line transects of 500 × 10 m to record and measure all plants ≥10 cm girth in some of the remaining forests surrounding villages in Tripura, Northeast India. To predict the effects of anthropogenic pressure on species richness and forest structure, we recorded and scored all ongoing disturbances in all transects of the forests. Although our study did not show any significant effects on the mean number of species, all diversity indices were significantly affected by disturbance. Total stem density (F = 128.60, p < 0.0001) and basal area (F = 65.30, p < 0.0001) of the forest stands were significantly affected by disturbance. Disturbance significantly (F = 84.81, p < 0.0001) impacts the abundance of mature voluminous trees removed by extensive illegal logging. Further, stem density at the middle (F = 10.01, p < 0.05) and upper (F = 131.70, p < 0.0001) canopy stories was also reduced by high disturbance intensity. The present analysis will be useful to policy-makers and planners for implementation of sustainable forest management at both the local and regional scale.     

人工草坪昆虫多样性与环境因子的相关性初步研究——以庐山风景区为例

昆虫在自然界中占据着多样性更高、空间尺度更小的生境，对生境的变化也更敏感，开展昆虫多样性与环境因子的相关性研究对生态环境监测和保护具有重要意义。实验中我们选用庐山风景区不同人工草坪进行研究，对它们昆虫群落及环境因子特征进行了随机取样调查，采用多样性指数和典范对应分析（CCA）研究昆虫群落与环境因子之间的相关性。实验共收集了昆虫11目，472头，以直翅目和鳞翅目占优势，其个体数分别占捕获昆虫总个体数的5324%和2278%。CCA分析表明：昆虫与环境因子之间的相关性高达100%，提示环境因子变化影响昆虫的分布，从研究结果看，践踏强度、样地大小、植被类型都对昆虫群落的分布影响很大。为该区域昆虫资源的保护和利用以及人工草坪的设置等相关研究提供科学依据     

Shifting maize cultivation and secondary vegetation in the Southern Yucatán: successional forest impacts of temporal intensification

Shifting cultivation around the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve of Mexico, part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, appears to be intensifying temporally through reductions in crop–fallow cycles, with potential impacts on species diversity in the regenerating forest patches surrounding the reserve. This paper documents the temporal intensity of shifting maize cultivation in the region and links it to the species diversity found in secondary vegetation of different ages following different crop–fallow cycles. It finds that younger secondary growth, which is increasing under intensification, has less diversity in species composition. Simultaneously, the concentration of cultivation practices appears to foster more patches in older and more species-diverse vegetation. The implications for the preservation of the region’s forest remain uncertain, however, given the spatial concentration of open lands along two key axes, one which dissects the reserve.     

Evidence of response of vegetation to environmental change on high-elevation sites in the Swiss Alps

Climate change has in the past led to shifts in vegetation patterns; in a future, warmer climate due to enhanced greenhouse-gas concentrations, vegetation is also likely to be highly responsive to such warming. Mountain regions are considered to be particularly sensitive to such changes. In this paper we present an approach to assess the impact of climate change on long-term vegetation plots at the high-elevation site of the Schynige Platte, 2000 m above sea level, in the Bernese Alps (Switzerland). Records of vegetation spanning the period from 1928 to today at two different sites, each with several plots, were considered. The observed change in the species composition was then related to changes in land use and climate. We used daily values of temperature, snow and precipitation from several high-elevation weather stations to conduct these analyses. The correlation between climate and vegetation patterns revealed that species that prefer low thermal conditions move out of the plots, i.e., their frequency of occurrence is negatively correlated with the average number of degree-days over the last six decades. On the other hand, species with higher thermal demands are seen to be invading the plots, i.e., their frequency of occurrence is positively correlated to the average number of degree-days. Nutrient changes – though independent from climate – also play an important role in the observed shifts in species. Received: 20 June 1999 · Accepted: 14 January 2000     

Multivariate statistical methods as a tool for model-based prediction of vegetation types

The current research was carried out to find the most effective environmental factors in plant species occurrence and providing their predictive habitat models. For this purpose, study was conducted in Poshtkouh rangelands of Yazd province in the central of Iran. For modeling, vegetation data in addition to site condition information including topography, climate, geology and soil were prepared. CCA and Logistic regression (LR) techniques were implemented for plant species predictive modeling. To plants predictive mapping, it is necessary to prepare the maps of all affective factors of models. To mapping soil characteristics, geoestatistical method including variogram analysis and Kriging interpolation were used. Based on obtained predictive models for each species (through LR method) and for whole species (through CCA method) related predictive maps were prepared in GIS. The accuracy of predictive maps were tested with actual vegetation maps. Vegetation modeling results with CCA indicates that predictive map of vegetation corresponds with actual map (with high accuracy). Predictive maps of Cornulaca monachantha, Ephedra strobilacea-Zygophyllum eurypterum, Seidlitzia rosmarinus, and Tamarix ramosissima, which have narrow amplitude, has high accordance with actual vegetation map prepared for the study area. Among species of study area, predictive model of Artemisia sieberi, due to its ability to grow in most parts of Poshtkouh rangelands with relatively different habitat conditions, is not possible. Comparing CCA and LR methods showed that each technique has its advantages and drawbacks. In general, LR will provide better specific-model, but CCA will provide a broader overview of multiple species.     

Geochemical features of soil and plant cover in the zone of recent explosive volcanism

Geochemical specialization of the soil and plant cover has been revealed in the vicinity of the active Karymsky volcano (the eastern coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula), where the concentrations of most trace elements in the soil are lower than their clarkes but those in plants exceed their contents commonly recorded in living matter. Freshly deposited volcanic ash is enriched with movable forms of trace elements. As a result of hypergenic processes, they are dissolved and transferred to ground and surface waters, which accounts for a rich mineral composition of vegetation.     

Does Oil and Goodwill Mix?: Examining the Oil and Gas Industry’s Impact on Stakeholder Engagement on Facebook

The present study explores how oil and gas companies use Facebook to communicate about community-supporting initiatives and engage stakeholders. Drawing from the company–cause fit and social interactivity literature, we examined the type of message and the language used in company Facebook posts to elicit stakeholder engagement, as measured by the number of likes, shares, and comments. We content analyzed 953 Facebook posts from 12 companies featured on Oil & Gas Journal’s top 50-company list. The results showed that, although oil and gas companies are posting about their CSR-related efforts on Facebook, their lack of two-way messaging and interactive language use are not effectively engaging stakeholders. In terms of theory, this study advances company–cause fit and interactive studies by applying them to the oil and gas industry. In terms of practice, the results highlight the importance of using diverse messaging and interactive language when utilizing Facebook to engage stakeholders.     

Uses of Fish and Game by Inhabitants of an Extractive Reserve (Upper Juruá, Acre, Brazil)

The fishing and hunting performed by inhabitants of the Extractive Reserve of the Upper Juruá, Acre, Brazil was studied, and an ecological analysis on the use of fish and game, including preferences, taboos and medicinal uses, and of fish abundance was made. Research was carried out at the Upper Juruá Extractive Reserve in three visits (1993 and 1994). A total of 143 individuals (101 families) living along the banks of the rivers Juruá, Tejo, Bagé, S. João and Breu were interviewed, and 115 species of fish with set gillnets were collected. Local economic activities included rubber-tapping and small-scale agriculture. Fishing was especially important in the dry season, when cast net and hook and line were used. Hunting and game consumption were intensive in the wet season. Some local rules may be useful as starting points for local management, such as the use of fish diversity through lake management, the use of water level seasonality, hunting periods or quotas, and food taboos. The integration of academic research with indigenous knowledge and demands is important to develop management plans which protect both biological and cultural diversity.     

沱江源森林群落生物多样性垂直格局研究

在野外样带调查的基础上,分析了沱江源头九顶山植被生物多样性随海拔而变化的规律,并简要分析了植被生物多样性垂直格局的影响因子。从河谷到林线,乔木占据群落上层,其郁闭度对林下灌草层群落发育影响很大,生物多样性体现出乔木层与灌草层的相互关系：乔木盖度大的群落其灌木和草本层稀疏,而盖度小的次生林和林线上的高海拔区域灌木和草本种类与个体都迅速增加。多样性指数Hill指数及N1、N2指数变化规律基本相似：林线以下乔木层多样性指数最高,灌木层次之,草本层多样性指数最小,尤其在中度海拔体现明显,海拔3 500 m以上,草本多样性指数最高,灌木次之,而乔木已退出竞争。