The birds and mammals are nature gifted gene banks which differ greatly with variation in altitudes, climates, landscapes, vegetation and availability of food and water. The altitudinal variation in Nepal is 60 m to 8,848 m which affects climatic conditions and habitat types within short distance that influence species diversity of wild animals. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to reveal species richness, behaviors and luring factors for birds and mammals to attract to an urban area of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, the South-central lowland of Nepal. The methods applied to record species diversity of birds and mammals were made from a home point (a point of study made at the North-west corner of verandah in first floor of my home) located in Bharatpur-9, Saradpur, Sitalpath, in the coordinates of 27˚39'55"N and 84˚26'08"E. The animal species were observed thrice daily (at 7 AM, 10 AM and 2 PM) for 2 months beginning from 24 March to 23 May 2020 during the period of lockdown of COVID-19 and were listed in “Observation Data Sheet”. The photographs and/or videos were taken except one of the species of bats (i.e. Myotis formosus) and six species of birds which were flying swiftly over the sky in 70 m in diameter (i.e. 7,436 square meters or 22 kattha in area) of the home point. The results obtained from my study were; 83 species, 53 genera and 37 families of wild birds; and 6 species, 5 genera and 3 families of wild mammals. Among birds, Dicrurus and Ploceus were recorded the highest 7.54% (4/53); followed by Acridotheres, Megalaima, Merops, Oriolus, Psittacula and Streptopelia with 5.66% (3/53), and remaining twelve genera were found 3.77% (2/53), and thirty three genera were 1.88% (1/53). Similarly, 33.33% (2/6) of Herpestes; and 16.66% (1/6) of each Canis, Vulpes, Pipistrellus and Myotis were recorded among mammals. Conclusively, I found that the species of birds and mammals were lured to human settlement area due to availability of food (i.e. small in/vertebrates, kitchen garbage etc.); crops (i.e. maize, sesame etc.); vegetables (i.e. bean); fruits (litchi, mango, berries etc.); nesting places and healthy environment. However, there is great chance of transmission of viral (rabies, foot-mouth disease etc.), bacterial (tuberculosis) and parasitic zoonoses (echinococcosis, toxoplasmosis, helminthiasis etc.) to humans and domesticated animals through feces and saliva droppings in addition to the poultry raiding, biting to people and damage of fruits, vegetables and crops creating conflicts.
{"title":"Home Point Study of Birds and Mammals Diversity Allied to Humans in Lockdown of COVID-19 at Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal","authors":"B. Chaudhary","doi":"10.4236/oje.2020.109038","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4236/oje.2020.109038","url":null,"abstract":"The birds and mammals are nature gifted gene banks which differ greatly with variation in altitudes, climates, landscapes, vegetation and availability of food and water. The altitudinal variation in Nepal is 60 m to 8,848 m which affects climatic conditions and habitat types within short distance that influence species diversity of wild animals. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to reveal species richness, behaviors and luring factors for birds and mammals to attract to an urban area of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, the South-central lowland of Nepal. The methods applied to record species diversity of birds and mammals were made from a home point (a point of study made at the North-west corner of verandah in first floor of my home) located in Bharatpur-9, Saradpur, Sitalpath, in the coordinates of 27˚39'55\"N and 84˚26'08\"E. The animal species were observed thrice daily (at 7 AM, 10 AM and 2 PM) for 2 months beginning from 24 March to 23 May 2020 during the period of lockdown of COVID-19 and were listed in “Observation Data Sheet”. The photographs and/or videos were taken except one of the species of bats (i.e. Myotis formosus) and six species of birds which were flying swiftly over the sky in 70 m in diameter (i.e. 7,436 square meters or 22 kattha in area) of the home point. The results obtained from my study were; 83 species, 53 genera and 37 families of wild birds; and 6 species, 5 genera and 3 families of wild mammals. Among birds, Dicrurus and Ploceus were recorded the highest 7.54% (4/53); followed by Acridotheres, Megalaima, Merops, Oriolus, Psittacula and Streptopelia with 5.66% (3/53), and remaining twelve genera were found 3.77% (2/53), and thirty three genera were 1.88% (1/53). Similarly, 33.33% (2/6) of Herpestes; and 16.66% (1/6) of each Canis, Vulpes, Pipistrellus and Myotis were recorded among mammals. Conclusively, I found that the species of birds and mammals were lured to human settlement area due to availability of food (i.e. small in/vertebrates, kitchen garbage etc.); crops (i.e. maize, sesame etc.); vegetables (i.e. bean); fruits (litchi, mango, berries etc.); nesting places and healthy environment. However, there is great chance of transmission of viral (rabies, foot-mouth disease etc.), bacterial (tuberculosis) and parasitic zoonoses (echinococcosis, toxoplasmosis, helminthiasis etc.) to humans and domesticated animals through feces and saliva droppings in addition to the poultry raiding, biting to people and damage of fruits, vegetables and crops creating conflicts.","PeriodicalId":265480,"journal":{"name":"Open Journal of Ecology","volume":"24 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121997366","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Makovníková, B. Houšková, P. Boris, Širáň Miloš
Soil cleaning, the ability of the soil to immobilize the risk elements, belongs to important agroecosystem services in terms of protection of the hydrosphere and plant production from contamination. Dynamic monitoring of selected indicators of soil quality was realized in a special network of site on soil used for planting fast growing willow (Salix viminalis). Monitoring of the study site Kuchyňa (Mollic Fluvisol) is running since 2010 year. The fast-growing willow was planted on an area of about 43 hectares. Study site Kuchyňa belonged to the degraded contaminated sites, at the time of planting (the total contents of the risk elements were as follows: Cd 1.016 mg∙kg−1, Zn 199.000 mg∙kg−1, Ni 51.500 mg∙kg−1) There were positive changes in the total content of cadmium, zinc and nickel (in 2018 year), the zinc content decreased by 27% compared to 2010, the nickel content was lower by 23% and the Cd content by 57% in comparison to 2010 year, these elements have a declining trend during the monitored period. The remediation ability of the willow in relation to the risk elements was manifested by the accumulation of these elements in the wood mass and by their decrease in the soil below the limit value. The regulatory ecosystem service, the potential for the immobilisation of the risk elements, was evaluated based on the sum of the assessment of the contamination potential and the sorption potential of soil. The decrease of the total content of risk elements in the soil below the limit value was manifested in the increase of the potential of the agroecosystem regulatory service, the potential of risk element immobilisation, from very low category to medium category. If willow cultivation continued in the next decade, the value of risk element Zn would most likely reach the value 73 mg∙kg−1, which is less than 50% of the limit value, based on the results of the predictive model. In the case of Cd, the soil would be completely cleaned and in the case of Ni, its total content in the soil would fall to 23 mg∙kg−1, which is less than 40% of the limit value. The overall potential for contamination would fall into the category—very low (forecast for 2021 year). The higher potential of immobilisation reduces the risk of contaminants transport and thus prevents contamination of the other ecosystem components such as biota.
{"title":"Changes in the Regulating Ecosystem Service on the Contaminated Site Used for Energy Purposes","authors":"J. Makovníková, B. Houšková, P. Boris, Širáň Miloš","doi":"10.4236/oje.2020.109037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4236/oje.2020.109037","url":null,"abstract":"Soil cleaning, the ability of the soil to immobilize the risk elements, belongs to important agroecosystem services in terms of protection of the hydrosphere and plant production from contamination. Dynamic monitoring of selected indicators of soil quality was realized in a special network of site on soil used for planting fast growing willow (Salix viminalis). Monitoring of the study site Kuchyňa (Mollic Fluvisol) is running since 2010 year. The fast-growing willow was planted on an area of about 43 hectares. Study site Kuchyňa belonged to the degraded contaminated sites, at the time of planting (the total contents of the risk elements were as follows: Cd 1.016 mg∙kg−1, Zn 199.000 mg∙kg−1, Ni 51.500 mg∙kg−1) There were positive changes in the total content of cadmium, zinc and nickel (in 2018 year), the zinc content decreased by 27% compared to 2010, the nickel content was lower by 23% and the Cd content by 57% in comparison to 2010 year, these elements have a declining trend during the monitored period. The remediation ability of the willow in relation to the risk elements was manifested by the accumulation of these elements in the wood mass and by their decrease in the soil below the limit value. The regulatory ecosystem service, the potential for the immobilisation of the risk elements, was evaluated based on the sum of the assessment of the contamination potential and the sorption potential of soil. The decrease of the total content of risk elements in the soil below the limit value was manifested in the increase of the potential of the agroecosystem regulatory service, the potential of risk element immobilisation, from very low category to medium category. If willow cultivation continued in the next decade, the value of risk element Zn would most likely reach the value 73 mg∙kg−1, which is less than 50% of the limit value, based on the results of the predictive model. In the case of Cd, the soil would be completely cleaned and in the case of Ni, its total content in the soil would fall to 23 mg∙kg−1, which is less than 40% of the limit value. The overall potential for contamination would fall into the category—very low (forecast for 2021 year). The higher potential of immobilisation reduces the risk of contaminants transport and thus prevents contamination of the other ecosystem components such as biota.","PeriodicalId":265480,"journal":{"name":"Open Journal of Ecology","volume":"14 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128448333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
P. Nana, M. Nola, G. Bricheux, Z. Fokam, P. Ngassam, D. Enah, J. Colombet, A. Vellet, Anne Moné, V. Ravet, D. Debroas, T. Sime-Ngando
This study explores the diversity and structure of prokaryotic communities (Archaea and Bacteria) of 2 tropical volcanic lakes (Nyos and Monoun) in Cameroon, using 16SrRNA sequences. Metagenomics analysis of sequences showed that most OTUs (Operational Taxonomic Units) were associated with 26 phyla (23 for Bacteria and 3 for Archaea) in Nyos and 36 phyla (33 for Bacteria and 3 for Archaea) in Monoun. In both lakes, Proteobacteria for Bacteria and Crenarchaea for Archaea were predominant and present at all depths but in different proportions. Bacterial community compositions were generally dominated by members of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi and Bacteroidetes covering about 98% of the sequences. Crenarchaea, Thaumarchaea and Euryarchaea were the three main phyla of Archaea common to both lakes. The amount of virus and total bacteria was determined by flow cytometry technic and the evaluated ratio ranged from 0.2 to 1.2 at Nyos and from 0.6 to 2.6 at Monoun. For both lakes, the correlation was very significant between viruses and total bacteria. The depth-dependent variability is discussed with chemical and physical environmental parameters. These could significantly influence virus-mediated bacterial lysis and abundance and vertical stratification of the prokaryotic community.
本研究利用16SrRNA序列对喀麦隆2个热带火山湖(Nyos和Monoun)的原核生物群落(古细菌和细菌)的多样性和结构进行了研究。序列宏基因组分析结果显示，Nyos的大部分OTUs (Operational Taxonomic Units)与26个门(细菌23个，古生菌3个)有关，Monoun的36个门(细菌33个，古生菌3个)有关。两湖均以变形菌属(Proteobacteria for Bacteria)和绿古菌属(Crenarchaea for Archaea)为主，在各深度均有分布，但比例不同。细菌群落组成主要由变形菌门、厚壁菌门、放线菌门、绿菌门和拟杆菌门组成，约占98%的序列。绿古菌、松古菌和Euryarchaea是两湖共有的三个主要古菌门。用流式细胞术测定病毒和总细菌的数量，Nyos的比值为0.2 ~ 1.2,Monoun的比值为0.6 ~ 2.6。对于这两个湖泊，病毒和总细菌之间的相关性非常显著。用化学和物理环境参数讨论了随深度变化的变化。这些可能会显著影响病毒介导的细菌裂解和原核生物群落的丰度和垂直分层。
{"title":"Diversity and Structure of the Prokaryotic Communities Indigenous to Two Volcanic Lakes: Nyos and Monoun in Cameroon","authors":"P. Nana, M. Nola, G. Bricheux, Z. Fokam, P. Ngassam, D. Enah, J. Colombet, A. Vellet, Anne Moné, V. Ravet, D. Debroas, T. Sime-Ngando","doi":"10.4236/oje.2020.109039","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4236/oje.2020.109039","url":null,"abstract":"This study explores the diversity and structure of prokaryotic communities (Archaea and Bacteria) of 2 tropical volcanic lakes (Nyos and Monoun) in Cameroon, using 16SrRNA sequences. Metagenomics analysis of sequences showed that most OTUs (Operational Taxonomic Units) were associated with 26 phyla (23 for Bacteria and 3 for Archaea) in Nyos and 36 phyla (33 for Bacteria and 3 for Archaea) in Monoun. In both lakes, Proteobacteria for Bacteria and Crenarchaea for Archaea were predominant and present at all depths but in different proportions. Bacterial community compositions were generally dominated by members of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi and Bacteroidetes covering about 98% of the sequences. Crenarchaea, Thaumarchaea and Euryarchaea were the three main phyla of Archaea common to both lakes. The amount of virus and total bacteria was determined by flow cytometry technic and the evaluated ratio ranged from 0.2 to 1.2 at Nyos and from 0.6 to 2.6 at Monoun. For both lakes, the correlation was very significant between viruses and total bacteria. The depth-dependent variability is discussed with chemical and physical environmental parameters. These could significantly influence virus-mediated bacterial lysis and abundance and vertical stratification of the prokaryotic community.","PeriodicalId":265480,"journal":{"name":"Open Journal of Ecology","volume":"10 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132042894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ramata Talla, M. Sagna, M. Diallo, Aly Diallo, D. Ndiaye, O. Sarr, A. Guisse
The objective of this study was to develop allometric models for estimating the biomass of Sclerocarya birrea (A.Rich) Hoscht and Boscia senegalensis (Pers.) Lam. ex Poir. The inventory of these ligneous was carried out at Widou Thiengoly (North of Senegal). The sample consists of 43 individuals of Boscia senegalensis and 15 individuals of Sclerocarya birrea. The selected individuals were dendrometrically characterized before being cut, compartmentalized (trunk, branches, and twigs) and weighed entirely. Simple regression tests were performed to examine the most explanatory dendrometric parameter (x) for biomass (y) according to two types of models: the linear model (y = ax + b) and the polynomial model of degrees 2 (y = ax2 + bx + c). The criteria for selection and validity of the models are based firstly on the tests of normality, nullity, heterogeneity and autocorrelation of the residues. The results showed that the most explanatory dendrometric parameter of the biomass was the crown surface for Boscia senegalensis and the 1.30 m diameter for Sclerocarya birrea of all the tests performed, the second-order Polynomial model is the best predictor of above ground biomass for these two species. Thus, the allometric models established to predict the biomass of these two species are: y = 0.0023x2 + 0.4851x - 0.0519 for Boscia senegalensis and y = 0.35x2 + 10.35x - 12.90 for S. birrea; with very significant correlation coefficients (R2) of 0.85 and 0.94 respectively. These results can be used for a sequestered carbon assessment study and will play a role in monitoring the carbon market in Africa.
{"title":"Development of Allometric Models for Estimating the Biomass of Sclerocarya birrea (A.Rich) Hoscht and Boscia senegalensis (Pers.) Lam. ex Poir.","authors":"Ramata Talla, M. Sagna, M. Diallo, Aly Diallo, D. Ndiaye, O. Sarr, A. Guisse","doi":"10.4236/oje.2020.108035","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4236/oje.2020.108035","url":null,"abstract":"The objective of this study was to develop allometric models for estimating the biomass of Sclerocarya birrea (A.Rich) Hoscht and Boscia senegalensis (Pers.) Lam. ex Poir. The inventory of these ligneous was carried out at Widou Thiengoly (North of Senegal). The sample consists of 43 individuals of Boscia senegalensis and 15 individuals of Sclerocarya birrea. The selected individuals were dendrometrically characterized before being cut, compartmentalized (trunk, branches, and twigs) and weighed entirely. Simple regression tests were performed to examine the most explanatory dendrometric parameter (x) for biomass (y) according to two types of models: the linear model (y = ax + b) and the polynomial model of degrees 2 (y = ax2 + bx + c). The criteria for selection and validity of the models are based firstly on the tests of normality, nullity, heterogeneity and autocorrelation of the residues. The results showed that the most explanatory dendrometric parameter of the biomass was the crown surface for Boscia senegalensis and the 1.30 m diameter for Sclerocarya birrea of all the tests performed, the second-order Polynomial model is the best predictor of above ground biomass for these two species. Thus, the allometric models established to predict the biomass of these two species are: y = 0.0023x2 + 0.4851x - 0.0519 for Boscia senegalensis and y = 0.35x2 + 10.35x - 12.90 for S. birrea; with very significant correlation coefficients (R2) of 0.85 and 0.94 respectively. These results can be used for a sequestered carbon assessment study and will play a role in monitoring the carbon market in Africa.","PeriodicalId":265480,"journal":{"name":"Open Journal of Ecology","volume":"104 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127985376","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Semi-arid wooded-shrublands are important and critical habitats that provide breeding and feeding grounds for a variety of bird species, some of which are endangered, vulnerable or threatened with extinction. Habitat type and size influence abundance and diversity of birds globally and particularly in developing countries that are characterized by rapid human population growth and haphazard urban, agricultural and industrial development. The objective of this study was to assess avian and habitat diversity at Chemeron, a semi-arid land in the northern rangelands of Kenya. The study was guided by four questions: What kind of Habitat types are present at Chemeron study area? What kind of birds are found at Chemeron area? What is the conservation status of birds found at Chemeron area? What are the functional feeding guilds of birds that are found in the study area? How does the habitat type influence bird species abundance and diversity at Chemeron? Four 2-km long transects radiating from a central point within the study area were selected for a ground survey of birds that was conducted on foot. The surveys were conducted between 06:30 and 09:30 and 16:00 and 18:00 from October 2019 to April 2020. Bird species were observed and identified to the species level using high-resolution binoculars, field guidebooks and available taxonomic keys. Our surveys documented two main habitat types: Acacia-Balanites-Boscia woodlands dominated by Acacia senegal, Acacia mellifera, Acacia nilotica, Boscia angustifolia, and Balanites aegyptica. The second kind of habitat consisted of the invasive Acalypha fruticosa and Indigofera arrecta with Acacia reficiens-Acacia brevispica overstorey. A total of 53 bird species were sighted and identified the vulnerable Yellow necked spurfowl (Francolinus leucoscepus). Seventy-nine percent of the birds were sighted as singles or in pairs except for the gregarious white browed sparrow weaver (Plocepasser mahali), Apus caffer, Numida meleagris, Streptopelia senegalensis, Dinemellia dinemelli and Corythaxoides leucogaster. Significant differences in the various species diversity indices among the six transects were observed (p < 0.05). Approximately 60% of the birds belong to the insectivorous and omnivorous feeding guild. Charcoal burning and uncontrolled harvesting of wood are the major threats to the avian habitats in the study area. The high diversity of bird species in the study area can be attributed to the varied diversity of habitats that provide feeding, nesting, refuge and breeding grounds for the birds. From the foregoing findings, we can conclude that the ASALs of Baringo South offer ample habitat for a large number of bird species including the vulnerable Yellow necked spurfowl. The variations in various bird diversity indices can be attributed to the observed heterogeneity of habitats in the study area. We recommend wise use of rangeland resources and protection of critical avian habitats within the ASALs. Efforts shou
{"title":"Avian and Habitat Diversity in the Semi-Arid Lands of Baringo South, Kenya","authors":"G. Ogendi, Rhoda N. Ondieki","doi":"10.4236/oje.2020.108033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4236/oje.2020.108033","url":null,"abstract":"Semi-arid wooded-shrublands are important and critical habitats that provide breeding and feeding grounds for a variety of bird species, some of which are endangered, vulnerable or threatened with extinction. Habitat type and size influence abundance and diversity of birds globally and particularly in developing countries that are characterized by rapid human population growth and haphazard urban, agricultural and industrial development. The objective of this study was to assess avian and habitat diversity at Chemeron, a semi-arid land in the northern rangelands of Kenya. The study was guided by four questions: What kind of Habitat types are present at Chemeron study area? What kind of birds are found at Chemeron area? What is the conservation status of birds found at Chemeron area? What are the functional feeding guilds of birds that are found in the study area? How does the habitat type influence bird species abundance and diversity at Chemeron? Four 2-km long transects radiating from a central point within the study area were selected for a ground survey of birds that was conducted on foot. The surveys were conducted between 06:30 and 09:30 and 16:00 and 18:00 from October 2019 to April 2020. Bird species were observed and identified to the species level using high-resolution binoculars, field guidebooks and available taxonomic keys. Our surveys documented two main habitat types: Acacia-Balanites-Boscia woodlands dominated by Acacia senegal, Acacia mellifera, Acacia nilotica, Boscia angustifolia, and Balanites aegyptica. The second kind of habitat consisted of the invasive Acalypha fruticosa and Indigofera arrecta with Acacia reficiens-Acacia brevispica overstorey. A total of 53 bird species were sighted and identified the vulnerable Yellow necked spurfowl (Francolinus leucoscepus). Seventy-nine percent of the birds were sighted as singles or in pairs except for the gregarious white browed sparrow weaver (Plocepasser mahali), Apus caffer, Numida meleagris, Streptopelia senegalensis, Dinemellia dinemelli and Corythaxoides leucogaster. Significant differences in the various species diversity indices among the six transects were observed (p < 0.05). Approximately 60% of the birds belong to the insectivorous and omnivorous feeding guild. Charcoal burning and uncontrolled harvesting of wood are the major threats to the avian habitats in the study area. The high diversity of bird species in the study area can be attributed to the varied diversity of habitats that provide feeding, nesting, refuge and breeding grounds for the birds. From the foregoing findings, we can conclude that the ASALs of Baringo South offer ample habitat for a large number of bird species including the vulnerable Yellow necked spurfowl. The variations in various bird diversity indices can be attributed to the observed heterogeneity of habitats in the study area. We recommend wise use of rangeland resources and protection of critical avian habitats within the ASALs. Efforts shou","PeriodicalId":265480,"journal":{"name":"Open Journal of Ecology","volume":"11 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131005657","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study aimed at prioritizing medicinal plants used to manage HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections and assessing their wild population status. Data were collected using focus group discussions and inventories. Preference ranking and Microsoft Excel and QGIS software were used for data analysis. Up to seven species were prioritized as the most important in the disease management. It was also found that the species dominated the landscape with elevation between 1950 to 2050 masl. Moreover, the species displayed linear pattern distribution adjacent rivers. With regards to population structure, the species revealed J-shaped curves. The species density was 200/ha for Hagenia abyssinica and 28/ha for Myrica salicifolia. The dominance of species in higher altitudes as cited above indicates that they flourish well in highlands. The tendency of them to grow adjacent water sources reveals their water or moisture loving. Moreover, the J-shaped curves observed imply poor recruitment and hence unsustainable. The study recommends for urgent conservation plans especially on the sampled species. There is a need to ensure strict measures are put in place to safeguard the medicinal plant species to ensure their sustainability.
{"title":"Population Status of Hagenia abyssinica and Myrica salicifolia: A Reflection from Rungwe District, Mbeya Region, Tanzania","authors":"S. Kibonde, S. Augustino, F. Mabiki","doi":"10.4236/oje.2020.108036","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4236/oje.2020.108036","url":null,"abstract":"This study aimed at prioritizing medicinal plants used to manage HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections and assessing their wild population status. Data were collected using focus group discussions and inventories. Preference ranking and Microsoft Excel and QGIS software were used for data analysis. Up to seven species were prioritized as the most important in the disease management. It was also found that the species dominated the landscape with elevation between 1950 to 2050 masl. Moreover, the species displayed linear pattern distribution adjacent rivers. With regards to population structure, the species revealed J-shaped curves. The species density was 200/ha for Hagenia abyssinica and 28/ha for Myrica salicifolia. The dominance of species in higher altitudes as cited above indicates that they flourish well in highlands. The tendency of them to grow adjacent water sources reveals their water or moisture loving. Moreover, the J-shaped curves observed imply poor recruitment and hence unsustainable. The study recommends for urgent conservation plans especially on the sampled species. There is a need to ensure strict measures are put in place to safeguard the medicinal plant species to ensure their sustainability.","PeriodicalId":265480,"journal":{"name":"Open Journal of Ecology","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130713473","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discov-ered coronavirus at an animal market in Wuhan, China. Many wildlife spe-cies have been suggested as possible intermediate sources for the transmission of COVID-19 virus from bats to humans. The quick transmission of COVID-19 outbreak has imposed quarantine measures across the world, and as a result, most of the world’s towns and cities fell silent under lockdowns. The current study comes to investigate the ways by which the COVID-19 outbreak affects wildlife globally. Hundreds of internet sites and scientific reports have been reviewed to satisfy the needs of the study. Stories of seeing wild animals roaming the quiet, deserted streets and cities during the COVID-19 outbreak have been posted in the media and social media. The strong link between wildlife markets and COVID-19 resulted in international calls asking coun-tries to shut down wildlife markets forever. Poorer and vulnerable people around the world overexploit natural resources including wildlife. Roadkills became minimal because of the lockdown measures. The reduction in noise pollution level is expected to improve wildlife health and ecology including breeding success. The shortage of food items provided to zoo and park ani-mals constituted a real threat to animals and the institution harboring them. The increase in fish biomass comes as a result of the sharp decline in fishing activities. The isolation of antibodies from certain wildlife species is promis-ing in saving humankind against COVID-19. The infection of wild and pet animals with COVID-19 virus from humans and the interspecific transmis-sion of the infection are disastrous to animal ecology. Finally, closures may enhance people to connect more and more with nature in order to acknowl-edge wildlife in their surrounding environments. In conclusion, the study asks the world’s different parties to conserve wildlife in a sustainable fashion and to regulate exotic animal trade in wet markets in order to lower the inci-dence of zoonoses.
{"title":"How Is the COVID-19 Outbreak Affecting Wildlife around the World?","authors":"A. Rabou, N. Fattah","doi":"10.4236/oje.2020.108032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4236/oje.2020.108032","url":null,"abstract":"The COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discov-ered coronavirus at an animal market in Wuhan, China. Many wildlife spe-cies have been suggested as possible intermediate sources for the transmission of COVID-19 virus from bats to humans. The quick transmission of COVID-19 outbreak has imposed quarantine measures across the world, and as a result, most of the world’s towns and cities fell silent under lockdowns. The current study comes to investigate the ways by which the COVID-19 outbreak affects wildlife globally. Hundreds of internet sites and scientific reports have been reviewed to satisfy the needs of the study. Stories of seeing wild animals roaming the quiet, deserted streets and cities during the COVID-19 outbreak have been posted in the media and social media. The strong link between wildlife markets and COVID-19 resulted in international calls asking coun-tries to shut down wildlife markets forever. Poorer and vulnerable people around the world overexploit natural resources including wildlife. Roadkills became minimal because of the lockdown measures. The reduction in noise pollution level is expected to improve wildlife health and ecology including breeding success. The shortage of food items provided to zoo and park ani-mals constituted a real threat to animals and the institution harboring them. The increase in fish biomass comes as a result of the sharp decline in fishing activities. The isolation of antibodies from certain wildlife species is promis-ing in saving humankind against COVID-19. The infection of wild and pet animals with COVID-19 virus from humans and the interspecific transmis-sion of the infection are disastrous to animal ecology. Finally, closures may enhance people to connect more and more with nature in order to acknowl-edge wildlife in their surrounding environments. In conclusion, the study asks the world’s different parties to conserve wildlife in a sustainable fashion and to regulate exotic animal trade in wet markets in order to lower the inci-dence of zoonoses.","PeriodicalId":265480,"journal":{"name":"Open Journal of Ecology","volume":"18 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116750417","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Mazi, T. Vroumsia, Marie-Noel Yahangar, M. Malla, Dawai Zroumba
Honey bees are important pollinators and are essential in agriculture; as such they get exposed to a wide range of pesticides while foraging in contaminated fields or during the spray of chemical on crops. It is therefore important to know the toxicity and evaluate the impacts of bees’ exposure to these molecules. Acetamiprid and cypermethrin are two pesticides widely used in Cameroon and other countries. The objective of this study was to determine the toxicity of acetamiprid and cypermethrin on the native subspecies of Apis mellifera L. in agricultural areas in Adamaoua-Cameroon and to evaluate the impact on honeybee foragers exposed to lethal and sublethal doses of these two insecticides. The results obtained in laboratory conditions show that acetamiprid and cypermethrin are toxic to A. mellifera. The symptoms of neurotoxicity and first mortality appear 15 min after the ingestion of the high concentrations and about 30 to 45 min after the inoculation of the pesticides through contact route and the mortality increases with the concentration and time. The LC50 of acetamiprid obtained after 24 h are respectively 5.26 ng/μl for the topical application and 4.70 μg/μl by the oral route. At the same time, the LC50 of cypermethrin are respectively 2.27 ng/μl for topical application and 2.68 ng/μl for oral toxicity. For a sustainable agriculture and beekeeping, it is, therefore, important to establish quality measures on these insecticides in the ecosystem and to set up a phyto-pharmacovigilance and awareness system to the population.
{"title":"Determination of Acute Lethal Doses of Acetamiprid and Cypermethrin for the Native Bee Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Cameroon","authors":"S. Mazi, T. Vroumsia, Marie-Noel Yahangar, M. Malla, Dawai Zroumba","doi":"10.4236/oje.2020.107026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4236/oje.2020.107026","url":null,"abstract":"Honey bees are important pollinators and are essential in agriculture; as such they get exposed to a wide range of pesticides while foraging in contaminated fields or during the spray of chemical on crops. It is therefore important to know the toxicity and evaluate the impacts of bees’ exposure to these molecules. Acetamiprid and cypermethrin are two pesticides widely used in Cameroon and other countries. The objective of this study was to determine the toxicity of acetamiprid and cypermethrin on the native subspecies of Apis mellifera L. in agricultural areas in Adamaoua-Cameroon and to evaluate the impact on honeybee foragers exposed to lethal and sublethal doses of these two insecticides. The results obtained in laboratory conditions show that acetamiprid and cypermethrin are toxic to A. mellifera. The symptoms of neurotoxicity and first mortality appear 15 min after the ingestion of the high concentrations and about 30 to 45 min after the inoculation of the pesticides through contact route and the mortality increases with the concentration and time. The LC50 of acetamiprid obtained after 24 h are respectively 5.26 ng/μl for the topical application and 4.70 μg/μl by the oral route. At the same time, the LC50 of cypermethrin are respectively 2.27 ng/μl for topical application and 2.68 ng/μl for oral toxicity. For a sustainable agriculture and beekeeping, it is, therefore, important to establish quality measures on these insecticides in the ecosystem and to set up a phyto-pharmacovigilance and awareness system to the population.","PeriodicalId":265480,"journal":{"name":"Open Journal of Ecology","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123817065","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wetlands are often created through wetland mitigation to replace lost natural wetlands, but further evaluation is needed to determine the ability of a created wetland to replace lost wetland functions, especially providing wildlife habitat. We used a mesocosm design to compare the water quality between three created wetlands and three natural wetlands in West Virginia, USA and to evaluate how the water quality from the two wetland types were able to support metamorphosis in larval spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer) and wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) across two years (2014-2015). Responses in metamorphosis rates differed between species and between years. Spring peepers displayed similar metamorphosis rates in the created and natural wetlands in both years of the study. Wood frogs displayed similar metamorphosis rates in created and natural wetlands in 2015, but in 2014 wood frogs reached metamorphosis in less time and at a larger body size in the natural wetlands, suggesting that the wood frogs that developed in the natural wetlands may have higher fitness than those that developed in the created wetlands. Water quality was largely similar between created and natural wetlands, although dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and pH varied between mesocosms and wetlands. Our study suggests that created wetlands may be providing partial mitigation in terms of water quality for amphibian development. We recommend that future monitoring of created wetlands include measures of juvenile amphibian recruitment as well as additional habitat variables to better determine the ability of created wetlands to function as amphibian habitat.
{"title":"Functional Equivalence of Created Wetland Water Quality: A Comparison of Amphibian Metamorphic Success","authors":"L. A. McPherson, I. Holásková, James T. Anderson","doi":"10.4236/oje.2020.107027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4236/oje.2020.107027","url":null,"abstract":"Wetlands are often created through wetland mitigation to replace lost natural wetlands, but further evaluation is needed to determine the ability of a created wetland to replace lost wetland functions, especially providing wildlife habitat. We used a mesocosm design to compare the water quality between three created wetlands and three natural wetlands in West Virginia, USA and to evaluate how the water quality from the two wetland types were able to support metamorphosis in larval spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer) and wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) across two years (2014-2015). Responses in metamorphosis rates differed between species and between years. Spring peepers displayed similar metamorphosis rates in the created and natural wetlands in both years of the study. Wood frogs displayed similar metamorphosis rates in created and natural wetlands in 2015, but in 2014 wood frogs reached metamorphosis in less time and at a larger body size in the natural wetlands, suggesting that the wood frogs that developed in the natural wetlands may have higher fitness than those that developed in the created wetlands. Water quality was largely similar between created and natural wetlands, although dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and pH varied between mesocosms and wetlands. Our study suggests that created wetlands may be providing partial mitigation in terms of water quality for amphibian development. We recommend that future monitoring of created wetlands include measures of juvenile amphibian recruitment as well as additional habitat variables to better determine the ability of created wetlands to function as amphibian habitat.","PeriodicalId":265480,"journal":{"name":"Open Journal of Ecology","volume":"12 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127483309","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Mazi, M. Adamou, Kodji Issaya Issaya, Mamoudou Jean, Faïbawa Esaïe
The investigations were carried out from September 10 through October 13, 2017 at Tchabbal-Mounguel. On Gossypium hirsutum flowers, investigations were done on many aspects of the pollination services of Amegilla calens and Apis mellifera. G. hirsutum flowers were observed to study the activity of A. calens and A. mellifera and to evaluate their impacts on fruits and seed yields of this Malvaceae. The treatments consisted of 120 flowers left for free pollination, 120 flowers protected from insects using gauze bag nets, 200 protected flowers and visited exclusively by A. calens and A. mellifera and 100 protected flowers then opened and closed without any visit of insects or any other organisms. The results show that on cotton flowers, foragers of A. calens and A. mellifera highly collect nectar and pollen on its flowers. The highest mean number of individuals simultaneously active per 1000 flowers is 587 for A. calens and 526 for A. mellifera. Through their pollinating efficiency, A. calens and A. mellifera caused a significant increase in the fruiting rate by 7.00% and 17.33%, the number of seeds per fruit by 44.20% and 18.32% and the normal seeds by 47.78% and 5.66% respectively. Therefore, the conservation of the nests of A. calens and colonies of A. mellifera around G. hirsutum plantations are to be recommended to improve the fruit and seed yields of this Malvaceae.
{"title":"Impact of Amegilla calens and Apis mellifera Pollination on Gossypium hirsutum var. QR1302 Flowers at Tchabbal-Mounguel (Ngaoundéré, Cameroon)","authors":"S. Mazi, M. Adamou, Kodji Issaya Issaya, Mamoudou Jean, Faïbawa Esaïe","doi":"10.4236/oje.2020.107029","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4236/oje.2020.107029","url":null,"abstract":"The investigations were carried out from September 10 through October 13, 2017 at Tchabbal-Mounguel. On Gossypium hirsutum flowers, investigations were done on many aspects of the pollination services of Amegilla calens and Apis mellifera. G. hirsutum flowers were observed to study the activity of A. calens and A. mellifera and to evaluate their impacts on fruits and seed yields of this Malvaceae. The treatments consisted of 120 flowers left for free pollination, 120 flowers protected from insects using gauze bag nets, 200 protected flowers and visited exclusively by A. calens and A. mellifera and 100 protected flowers then opened and closed without any visit of insects or any other organisms. The results show that on cotton flowers, foragers of A. calens and A. mellifera highly collect nectar and pollen on its flowers. The highest mean number of individuals simultaneously active per 1000 flowers is 587 for A. calens and 526 for A. mellifera. Through their pollinating efficiency, A. calens and A. mellifera caused a significant increase in the fruiting rate by 7.00% and 17.33%, the number of seeds per fruit by 44.20% and 18.32% and the normal seeds by 47.78% and 5.66% respectively. Therefore, the conservation of the nests of A. calens and colonies of A. mellifera around G. hirsutum plantations are to be recommended to improve the fruit and seed yields of this Malvaceae.","PeriodicalId":265480,"journal":{"name":"Open Journal of Ecology","volume":"230 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127094681","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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