Due to its fortuitous mix of geography, terrain, and geology, Ethiopia is the home of unique assemblages of rich biodiversity. However, this impressive biological diversity is increasingly threatened by the combined effects of different drivers before they are sufficiently investigated. The present work was carried out in Robe-Raya Natural Forest, located in Southeast Ethiopia, with the intention of examining plant community formation and structural dynamics of the forest species. Sixty (20 m × 20 m) quadrats were placed at 100 m distance along eleven east-west directed transect lines systematically. In order to gather juvenile’s data, five subquadrats (2 m × 2 m) were established within the main quadrat, distributed at each corner and middle. In each quadrat, all woody species were recorded and counted; diameter (DBH) and height were measured using tape meter and a hypsometer, respectively, and cover abundance was recorded (in %). Cluster analysis was computed using R-Package to map-out the community types. Species diversity and composition among community types were computed using the Shannon-Wiener index and Sorenson’s coefficient, respectively. Frequency, density, height, DBH, basal area, and IVI were used to analyze structural dynamics. Age-class density ratios were used to examine the regeneration status. Ninety-four woody plant species belonging to 39 families were documented. Asteraceae was the most species-rich family (10 species). The common growth form was shrubs (44.7%) followed by trees (41.5%). Cluster analysis produced four community types. In total, the species diversity and evenness were 3.75 and 0.88, respectively. The forest density and basal area were 1183.3 stems/ha and 57.52 m2·ha−1, respectively. Structural dynamics analyses demonstrated that the forest was composed of, largely, young trees and shrubs and under fair regeneration status. Certain species that have been identified to have low IVI and poor regeneration status should be prioritized for conservation.
{"title":"Plant Community Composition and Structural Pattern Dynamics in Robe-Raya Natural Forest, Southeast Ethiopia","authors":"Getinet Masresha, Yasin Abdulahi, Getnet Chekole, Amare Bitew","doi":"10.1155/2024/3155512","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/3155512","url":null,"abstract":"Due to its fortuitous mix of geography, terrain, and geology, Ethiopia is the home of unique assemblages of rich biodiversity. However, this impressive biological diversity is increasingly threatened by the combined effects of different drivers before they are sufficiently investigated. The present work was carried out in Robe-Raya Natural Forest, located in Southeast Ethiopia, with the intention of examining plant community formation and structural dynamics of the forest species. Sixty (20 m × 20 m) quadrats were placed at 100 m distance along eleven east-west directed transect lines systematically. In order to gather juvenile’s data, five subquadrats (2 m × 2 m) were established within the main quadrat, distributed at each corner and middle. In each quadrat, all woody species were recorded and counted; diameter (DBH) and height were measured using tape meter and a hypsometer, respectively, and cover abundance was recorded (in %). Cluster analysis was computed using R-Package to map-out the community types. Species diversity and composition among community types were computed using the Shannon-Wiener index and Sorenson’s coefficient, respectively. Frequency, density, height, DBH, basal area, and IVI were used to analyze structural dynamics. Age-class density ratios were used to examine the regeneration status. Ninety-four woody plant species belonging to 39 families were documented. Asteraceae was the most species-rich family (10 species). The common growth form was shrubs (44.7%) followed by trees (41.5%). Cluster analysis produced four community types. In total, the species diversity and evenness were 3.75 and 0.88, respectively. The forest density and basal area were 1183.3 stems/ha and 57.52 m2·ha−1, respectively. Structural dynamics analyses demonstrated that the forest was composed of, largely, young trees and shrubs and under fair regeneration status. Certain species that have been identified to have low IVI and poor regeneration status should be prioritized for conservation.","PeriodicalId":39113,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Ecology","volume":"35 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140708779","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}
Alex Bleriot Fomekong Tane, Marie Caroline Momo Solefack, Grace Mendi Anjah, Junior Baudoin Wouokoue Taffo, Olivier Clovis Kengne, Samuel Severin Kenfack Feukeng
The accuracy of biomass estimates through mathematical expressions remains essential for the sustainability of the REDD+ process. The objective of this research was to develop allometric models by site species to evaluate the biomass of Theobroma cacao in agroforestry systems in the Central Region of Cameroon. Biomass data were obtained by the destructive method on a sample of 50 trees (5 cm ≤ D ≤ 27 cm). Allometric models were developed using aboveground (AGB), belowground (BGB), and total biomass (TB) as dependent variables and tree dendrometric parameters as independent variables. Nine linear models were adjusted based on the Akaike information criterion (AIC), residual standard error (RSE), coefficient of determination (R2), and various statistical tests including the normality test, heterogeneity, and autocorrelation for the analysis of residuals. The different results show that only the diameter appears to be a good predictor of biomass with an R2 greater than 0.94, 0.85, and 0.95, respectively, for aboveground biomass (M1: ln B = −1.613 + 1.83 × ln (D)), belowground biomass (M1: ln B = −2.611 + 1.65 × ln (D)), and total biomass (M1: ln B = −1.297 + 1.79 × ln (D)). Incorporating crown diameter and height into the models slightly improved the quality of adjusted. Comparison of the models in this study with pantropical equations previously used to estimate Theobroma cacao biomass shows that the models in this study provide a better estimate. The allometric equations developed in this work to estimate the AGB, BGB, and TB of Theobroma cacao can be used under the same environmental conditions to accurately predict the biomass accumulated in agroforestry systems by this species and thus allow the implementation of activities aimed at reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD+) for the benefit of local communities through the carbon market.
通过数学表达式估算生物量的准确性对于 REDD+ 进程的可持续性至关重要。本研究的目的是按地点物种建立异速模型,以评估喀麦隆中部地区农林系统中可可树的生物量。生物量数据是通过对 50 棵树(5 厘米 ≤ D ≤ 27 厘米)进行取样的破坏性方法获得的。以地上生物量(AGB)、地下生物量(BGB)和总生物量(TB)为因变量,以树木树干参数为自变量,建立了异计量模型。根据阿凯克信息准则(AIC)、残差标准误差(RSE)、判定系数(R2)和各种统计检验(包括正态性检验、异质性和残差分析的自相关性)对九个线性模型进行了调整。不同的结果显示,只有直径似乎能很好地预测生物量,地上生物量(M1:ln B = -1.613 + 1.83 × ln (D))、地下生物量(M1:ln B = -2.611 + 1.65 × ln (D))和总生物量(M1:ln B = -1.297 + 1.79 × ln (D))的 R2 分别大于 0.94、0.85 和 0.95。将树冠直径和高度纳入模型略微提高了调整质量。将本研究中的模型与以前用于估算可可豆生物量的泛热带方程进行比较后发现,本研究中的模型能提供更好的估算结果。在相同的环境条件下,本研究开发的用于估算可可树生物量(AGB)、生物量(BGB)和生物量(TB)的计量方程可用于准确预测该树种在农林系统中积累的生物量,从而通过碳市场实施旨在减少毁林和森林退化所致排放量(REDD+)的活动,造福当地社区。
{"title":"Site-Species Allometry Equation for Theobroma cacao L. Biomass Estimation in Agroforestry Systems of Cameroon","authors":"Alex Bleriot Fomekong Tane, Marie Caroline Momo Solefack, Grace Mendi Anjah, Junior Baudoin Wouokoue Taffo, Olivier Clovis Kengne, Samuel Severin Kenfack Feukeng","doi":"10.1155/2024/7096854","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/7096854","url":null,"abstract":"The accuracy of biomass estimates through mathematical expressions remains essential for the sustainability of the REDD+ process. The objective of this research was to develop allometric models by site species to evaluate the biomass of Theobroma cacao in agroforestry systems in the Central Region of Cameroon. Biomass data were obtained by the destructive method on a sample of 50 trees (5 cm ≤ D ≤ 27 cm). Allometric models were developed using aboveground (AGB), belowground (BGB), and total biomass (TB) as dependent variables and tree dendrometric parameters as independent variables. Nine linear models were adjusted based on the Akaike information criterion (AIC), residual standard error (RSE), coefficient of determination (R2), and various statistical tests including the normality test, heterogeneity, and autocorrelation for the analysis of residuals. The different results show that only the diameter appears to be a good predictor of biomass with an R2 greater than 0.94, 0.85, and 0.95, respectively, for aboveground biomass (M1: ln B = −1.613 + 1.83 × ln (D)), belowground biomass (M1: ln B = −2.611 + 1.65 × ln (D)), and total biomass (M1: ln B = −1.297 + 1.79 × ln (D)). Incorporating crown diameter and height into the models slightly improved the quality of adjusted. Comparison of the models in this study with pantropical equations previously used to estimate Theobroma cacao biomass shows that the models in this study provide a better estimate. The allometric equations developed in this work to estimate the AGB, BGB, and TB of Theobroma cacao can be used under the same environmental conditions to accurately predict the biomass accumulated in agroforestry systems by this species and thus allow the implementation of activities aimed at reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD+) for the benefit of local communities through the carbon market.","PeriodicalId":39113,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Ecology","volume":"60 23","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140367668","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}
Agroforestry is a common practice in the tropics that is characterized by various activities such as parkland on cultivated lands or home garden agroforestry around homesteads. In Ethiopia, agroforestry is an ancient land use type that is practiced by smallholder farmers. Scattered trees in cropland or parkland trees and home garden trees are old agroforestry practices, and the most dominant practices exist in different parts of Ethiopia. They cover large areas of highland, midland, and lowland agroecologies of Liban Jawi District in West Showa of Oromia National Regional State, Central Ethiopia. However, woody species particularly in parklands are declining in many agricultural landscapes due to the overuses for fuel wood, charcoal production, and expansion of agricultural lands due to the degradation of nearby forests. In the study sites, comprehensive studies in terms of their composition, diversity, structure, and carbon stocks are still not well explored. In this context, we assessed woody species composition and diversity, structure, and carbon stocks because parkland and home garden agroforestry practices in three agroecologies of highland, midland, and lowlands in the district were not quantified. About 45 parkland woody species were collected from 150 plots of 5000 m2, and 35 home garden woody species were collected from 70 plots of 400 m2. As a result, a total of 80 species belonging to 52 families and 62 genera were collected from parkland and home garden agroforestry practices. Woody species diversity was analyzed using species richness, Shannon diversity index, and Shannon evenness index. In this study, the Shannon diversity (2.8) and Shannon evenness indexes (0.54) of woody species were computed in parkland agroforestry, in the meantime the Shannon diversity index (3.30) and Shannon evenness index (0.52) for woody species of the home garden were computed. The distribution of diameter classes of 10–30 cm had the highest number of trees and shrubs followed by 31–60 cm diameter classes. However, the highest number of trees and shrubs were in 61–90 cm diameter class in the home garden. In this study, woody species, such as Citrus sinensis, Mangifera indica, Persea americana, Sesbania sesban, Vernonia amygdalina, and Azadirachta indica were the dominant species under the two agroforestry practices. The values of carbon stack for highland, midland, and lowland in parkland agroforestry were 19.8 MgCha−1, 17.6 MgCha−1, and 17.5 MgCha−1, respectively. Meanwhile, the total biomass of woody species in highland, midland, and lowland for homestead agroforestry was 32.6 MgCha−1, 34.7 MgCha−1, and 31.2 MgCha−1, respectively. These resulted in carbon dioxide sequestered of 72.59 CO2 equivalents (tha−1), 64.52 CO2 equivalents (tha−1), and 64.16 CO2 equivalents (tha−1) in highland, midland, and lowland woody species, respectively. This study holds significant inputs for policymakers, regional administrators, environmentalists, and natural resource ex
{"title":"Investigation of Woody Species Composition, Diversity, and Carbon Stock under Agroforestry Practices in Oromia National Region State, Central Ethiopia","authors":"Meseret Setota, Wakshum Shiferaw, Daba Misgana","doi":"10.1155/2024/8463030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/8463030","url":null,"abstract":"Agroforestry is a common practice in the tropics that is characterized by various activities such as parkland on cultivated lands or home garden agroforestry around homesteads. In Ethiopia, agroforestry is an ancient land use type that is practiced by smallholder farmers. Scattered trees in cropland or parkland trees and home garden trees are old agroforestry practices, and the most dominant practices exist in different parts of Ethiopia. They cover large areas of highland, midland, and lowland agroecologies of Liban Jawi District in West Showa of Oromia National Regional State, Central Ethiopia. However, woody species particularly in parklands are declining in many agricultural landscapes due to the overuses for fuel wood, charcoal production, and expansion of agricultural lands due to the degradation of nearby forests. In the study sites, comprehensive studies in terms of their composition, diversity, structure, and carbon stocks are still not well explored. In this context, we assessed woody species composition and diversity, structure, and carbon stocks because parkland and home garden agroforestry practices in three agroecologies of highland, midland, and lowlands in the district were not quantified. About 45 parkland woody species were collected from 150 plots of 5000 m2, and 35 home garden woody species were collected from 70 plots of 400 m2. As a result, a total of 80 species belonging to 52 families and 62 genera were collected from parkland and home garden agroforestry practices. Woody species diversity was analyzed using species richness, Shannon diversity index, and Shannon evenness index. In this study, the Shannon diversity (2.8) and Shannon evenness indexes (0.54) of woody species were computed in parkland agroforestry, in the meantime the Shannon diversity index (3.30) and Shannon evenness index (0.52) for woody species of the home garden were computed. The distribution of diameter classes of 10–30 cm had the highest number of trees and shrubs followed by 31–60 cm diameter classes. However, the highest number of trees and shrubs were in 61–90 cm diameter class in the home garden. In this study, woody species, such as Citrus sinensis, Mangifera indica, Persea americana, Sesbania sesban, Vernonia amygdalina, and Azadirachta indica were the dominant species under the two agroforestry practices. The values of carbon stack for highland, midland, and lowland in parkland agroforestry were 19.8 MgCha−1, 17.6 MgCha−1, and 17.5 MgCha−1, respectively. Meanwhile, the total biomass of woody species in highland, midland, and lowland for homestead agroforestry was 32.6 MgCha−1, 34.7 MgCha−1, and 31.2 MgCha−1, respectively. These resulted in carbon dioxide sequestered of 72.59 CO2 equivalents (tha−1), 64.52 CO2 equivalents (tha−1), and 64.16 CO2 equivalents (tha−1) in highland, midland, and lowland woody species, respectively. This study holds significant inputs for policymakers, regional administrators, environmentalists, and natural resource ex","PeriodicalId":39113,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Ecology","volume":"19 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140222383","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}
Mammal species provide vital environmental and economic functions although they globally face numerous threats. Knowledge of the composition and diversity of mammal species provide information for appropriate management interventions. We conducted this study from July 2019 to February 2020 to assess the species composition, diversity, and conservation of medium- and large-sized mammals in the Asimba Forest Priority Area, northern Ethiopia. Data were collected through direct and indirect evidence from three habitat types, namely, natural forest, bushland, and plantation forest. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics and the Species Diversity Index. We also used χ2 to compare differences in the number of observations and species richness of the mammal species in different habitats between the dry and wet seasons. A total of 263 observations were compiled, and 15 medium- and large-sized mammalian species were recorded in the Asimba Forest Priority Area. The Species Diversity Index and Evenness of the area were H′ = 2.436 and J = 0.899, respectively. Hamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas) was the most commonly observed species, with 20.7 and 19.2 relative frequencies in the dry and wet seasons, respectively, whereas striped polecat (Ictonyx striatus) was the rarest species, with 3.0 and 0.0 relative frequencies during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. The number of observations (χ2 = 2.298, df = 2, and p=0.316) and species richness (χ2 = 0.115, df = 2, and p=0.943) did not differ significantly in the three habitats. Anthropogenic factors, mainly habitat destruction and overgrazing, were widely observed in the Asimba forest as conservation threats to the mammal species. The current study helps to increase knowledge about the mammal species of the area and is essential for their future conservation strategies.
{"title":"A Preliminary Survey of Medium- and Large-Sized Mammals and Their Conservation Status in the Asimba Forest Priority Area, Semiarid Highlands of Northern Ethiopia","authors":"T. Girmay, Haylegebriel Tesfay","doi":"10.1155/2024/6613762","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/6613762","url":null,"abstract":"Mammal species provide vital environmental and economic functions although they globally face numerous threats. Knowledge of the composition and diversity of mammal species provide information for appropriate management interventions. We conducted this study from July 2019 to February 2020 to assess the species composition, diversity, and conservation of medium- and large-sized mammals in the Asimba Forest Priority Area, northern Ethiopia. Data were collected through direct and indirect evidence from three habitat types, namely, natural forest, bushland, and plantation forest. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics and the Species Diversity Index. We also used χ2 to compare differences in the number of observations and species richness of the mammal species in different habitats between the dry and wet seasons. A total of 263 observations were compiled, and 15 medium- and large-sized mammalian species were recorded in the Asimba Forest Priority Area. The Species Diversity Index and Evenness of the area were H′ = 2.436 and J = 0.899, respectively. Hamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas) was the most commonly observed species, with 20.7 and 19.2 relative frequencies in the dry and wet seasons, respectively, whereas striped polecat (Ictonyx striatus) was the rarest species, with 3.0 and 0.0 relative frequencies during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. The number of observations (χ2 = 2.298, df = 2, and p=0.316) and species richness (χ2 = 0.115, df = 2, and p=0.943) did not differ significantly in the three habitats. Anthropogenic factors, mainly habitat destruction and overgrazing, were widely observed in the Asimba forest as conservation threats to the mammal species. The current study helps to increase knowledge about the mammal species of the area and is essential for their future conservation strategies.","PeriodicalId":39113,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Ecology","volume":"74 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140434289","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}
Santiago L. Rubiños, Juan H. Grados, Juan T. Medina, Eduardo N. Chávez, Edwin Huarcaya, Victor E. Rocha, Herbert J. Grados, Milagros R. Neyra
Currently, research on microplastics (MPs) has increased due to their rapid distribution throughout the world and their harmful effects on the ecosystem. However, a detailed description of their dispersion and the methods for both detection and removal has not been given. The objective of this research is to carry out a bibliographic review that allows for a multidisciplinary analysis of microplastic contamination and current detection and removal methods. The method used is PRISMA in which articles from reliable databases such as Scopus, Web of science, and Google Scholar were collected and analyzed to finally provide details on the physical and chemical methods for detecting MPs, in addition to presenting the technologies for their removal. As a result of the analysis, critical information was obtained from the different studies on the impact of MPs on the ecosystem and the variation in detection and removal efficiency according to the type of pretreatment and methods applied to the sample. It is concluded that this research is essential to understand the consequences that MPs have on the ecosystem and provide tools to evaluate and improve current technologies, mainly detection and removal.
目前,由于微塑料(MPs)在全球的快速分布及其对生态系统的有害影响,有关微塑料的研究日益增多。然而,关于微塑料的散布情况以及检测和清除方法的详细描述还没有出现。本研究的目的是进行文献综述,以便对微塑料污染以及当前的检测和清除方法进行多学科分析。本研究采用 PRISMA 方法,从 Scopus、Web of science 和 Google Scholar 等可靠数据库中收集并分析文章,最终提供检测微塑料的物理和化学方法的详细信息,并介绍清除微塑料的技术。分析结果表明,从不同的研究中获得了关于 MPs 对生态系统影响的重要信息,以及根据预处理类型和对样品采用的方法而在检测和去除效率方面存在的差异。结论是,这项研究对于了解 MPs 对生态系统的影响以及提供评估和改进当前技术(主要是检测和去除技术)的工具至关重要。
{"title":"Microplastics in the Ecosystem: A Systematic Review of the Methods for Their Detection and Removal","authors":"Santiago L. Rubiños, Juan H. Grados, Juan T. Medina, Eduardo N. Chávez, Edwin Huarcaya, Victor E. Rocha, Herbert J. Grados, Milagros R. Neyra","doi":"10.1155/2023/8826716","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/8826716","url":null,"abstract":"Currently, research on microplastics (MPs) has increased due to their rapid distribution throughout the world and their harmful effects on the ecosystem. However, a detailed description of their dispersion and the methods for both detection and removal has not been given. The objective of this research is to carry out a bibliographic review that allows for a multidisciplinary analysis of microplastic contamination and current detection and removal methods. The method used is PRISMA in which articles from reliable databases such as Scopus, Web of science, and Google Scholar were collected and analyzed to finally provide details on the physical and chemical methods for detecting MPs, in addition to presenting the technologies for their removal. As a result of the analysis, critical information was obtained from the different studies on the impact of MPs on the ecosystem and the variation in detection and removal efficiency according to the type of pretreatment and methods applied to the sample. It is concluded that this research is essential to understand the consequences that MPs have on the ecosystem and provide tools to evaluate and improve current technologies, mainly detection and removal.","PeriodicalId":39113,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Ecology","volume":"55 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139130666","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}
Human-wildlife conflict presents an increasing challenge to conservation, particularly in densely populated parts of low-income countries. An investigation on wild animal population density and its conflict was carried out from December 2019 to May 2020 in the Konasa_Pulasa Community Conserved Forest, Omo Valley, Southern Ethiopia: implications for wildlife conservation. The distance sampling method was used to estimate the population status of wild animals in an area of 187.57 km2. Human-wild animal conflict was quantified using a questionnaire survey with 290 randomly selected household heads from five villages. In addition, focus group discussions were conducted to obtain additional information. The mean density of the Anubis baboons was 4.51 ± 0.76, that of the grivet monkeys was 3.24 ± 0.51, that of the porcupines was 0.89 ± 0.17, that of the spotted hyenas was 0.58 ± 0.15, and that of the black-backed jackals was 0.65 ± 0.12 individuals/km2. The result shows that crop damage and livestock predation were common problems in the study area. The most damaged cereal crops were maize (26.5%). The Anubis baboon was the most common crop raiding species (34.9%). An estimated average loss of different crop types was US$15.01 per year per household. Regarding livestock, sheep (36.2%) and poultry (44.3%) were the animals most attacked. The predator responsible for livestock depredation reported most frequently was the spotted hyena (35%), followed by the black-backed jackal (24%) and the leopard (16%), and it was responsible for the loss of 271 domestic animals with an estimated economic loss of US $24,395.92 in five villages. Guarding (47.4%) was the main means of mitigation methods. Most farmers’ (47.4%) attitude towards wild animal conservation was positive. The extent of the damage varied between villages and with the distance from the forest boundary. Local people close to the forest boundaries were highly vulnerable to wild animal conflict. Our results show that livestock predation and crop damage were common problems caused by Anubis baboon, verves monkeys, porcupines, spotted hyenas, and black-backed jackals. The increase in the population of wild animals and the proximity to the forest are the causes of HWC. Guarding is the dominant traditional method used to reduce HWC in the study area. Using effective methods to reduce livestock damage and loss to crops, including improved livestock husbandry, cultivating unpalatable crops near the forest and raising local community awareness could make local residents aware of conservation.
{"title":"Population Density of Wild Animals and Their Conflict in Konasa_Pulasa Community Conserved Forest, Omo Valley, Southern Ethiopia","authors":"Mesfin Matusal, A. Megaze, Taye Dobamo","doi":"10.1155/2023/8437073","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/8437073","url":null,"abstract":"Human-wildlife conflict presents an increasing challenge to conservation, particularly in densely populated parts of low-income countries. An investigation on wild animal population density and its conflict was carried out from December 2019 to May 2020 in the Konasa_Pulasa Community Conserved Forest, Omo Valley, Southern Ethiopia: implications for wildlife conservation. The distance sampling method was used to estimate the population status of wild animals in an area of 187.57 km2. Human-wild animal conflict was quantified using a questionnaire survey with 290 randomly selected household heads from five villages. In addition, focus group discussions were conducted to obtain additional information. The mean density of the Anubis baboons was 4.51 ± 0.76, that of the grivet monkeys was 3.24 ± 0.51, that of the porcupines was 0.89 ± 0.17, that of the spotted hyenas was 0.58 ± 0.15, and that of the black-backed jackals was 0.65 ± 0.12 individuals/km2. The result shows that crop damage and livestock predation were common problems in the study area. The most damaged cereal crops were maize (26.5%). The Anubis baboon was the most common crop raiding species (34.9%). An estimated average loss of different crop types was US$15.01 per year per household. Regarding livestock, sheep (36.2%) and poultry (44.3%) were the animals most attacked. The predator responsible for livestock depredation reported most frequently was the spotted hyena (35%), followed by the black-backed jackal (24%) and the leopard (16%), and it was responsible for the loss of 271 domestic animals with an estimated economic loss of US $24,395.92 in five villages. Guarding (47.4%) was the main means of mitigation methods. Most farmers’ (47.4%) attitude towards wild animal conservation was positive. The extent of the damage varied between villages and with the distance from the forest boundary. Local people close to the forest boundaries were highly vulnerable to wild animal conflict. Our results show that livestock predation and crop damage were common problems caused by Anubis baboon, verves monkeys, porcupines, spotted hyenas, and black-backed jackals. The increase in the population of wild animals and the proximity to the forest are the causes of HWC. Guarding is the dominant traditional method used to reduce HWC in the study area. Using effective methods to reduce livestock damage and loss to crops, including improved livestock husbandry, cultivating unpalatable crops near the forest and raising local community awareness could make local residents aware of conservation.","PeriodicalId":39113,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Ecology","volume":"55 28","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138946294","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}
Lake Tana is Ethiopia’s largest body of fresh water, covering approximately 3,200 km2. Despite its multidisciplinary applications in Ethiopia and neighboring countries, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) is a significant problem in this large lake. This invasive weed first appeared in Lake Tana in 2011 and quickly spread to the water’s surface over the next two to three years. In this background, this article aims at reviewing the existing knowledge on the occurrence, impact, and management options for water hyacinths in Lake Tana. Water hyacinth is one of the most dangerous water weeds, causing a wide range of problems in bodies of water and water resources, including ecological, environmental, economic, and social consequences. Due to the weed species’ rapid spread via sexual and asexual reproduction, it covers a wide range of water bodies, and appropriate management options must be implemented before seriously affecting the water body and spreading to the Nile Basin.
{"title":"Problem of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.)) in Lake Tana (Ethiopia): Ecological, Economic, and Social Implications and Management Options","authors":"Sewnet Getahun, Habtamu Kefale","doi":"10.1155/2023/4618069","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/4618069","url":null,"abstract":"Lake Tana is Ethiopia’s largest body of fresh water, covering approximately 3,200 km2. Despite its multidisciplinary applications in Ethiopia and neighboring countries, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) is a significant problem in this large lake. This invasive weed first appeared in Lake Tana in 2011 and quickly spread to the water’s surface over the next two to three years. In this background, this article aims at reviewing the existing knowledge on the occurrence, impact, and management options for water hyacinths in Lake Tana. Water hyacinth is one of the most dangerous water weeds, causing a wide range of problems in bodies of water and water resources, including ecological, environmental, economic, and social consequences. Due to the weed species’ rapid spread via sexual and asexual reproduction, it covers a wide range of water bodies, and appropriate management options must be implemented before seriously affecting the water body and spreading to the Nile Basin.","PeriodicalId":39113,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Ecology","volume":"1 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138606961","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}