Abstract Animals deliver an important ecosystem service by dispersing plant seeds. Seed dispersers have different effects on the germination success of seeds. This study aimed at examining the effect of seed processing by the patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas) and two flying foxes (Micropteropus pusillus and Epomophorus gambianus) on the germination success of African ebony (Diospyros mespiliformis). Flying foxes and patas monkeys were kept in cages and fed ad libitum with African ebony fruits. Seeds processed were collected, measured, and germinated. Seeds processed by monkeys and flying foxes were compared to control seeds which were removed by hand from fruits. Our results showed that the patas monkey and flying foxes preferably processed smaller seeds. Flying foxes improved the germination success from 6.67 to 72.5%. They also reduced the mean germination time up to 5 days. The patas monkey also improved the germination success from 6.67 to 52.5% and reduced the mean germination time up to 4 days. The effect of flying foxes and the patas monkey on the seed germination and its implication for the African ebony plantation dynamic should be explained to communities for their conservation.
{"title":"Effect of Seed Processing by Flying Foxes and the Patas Monkey on the Germination Success of the African Ebony (Diospyros mespiliformis)","authors":"H. Toni, B. Djossa, A. B. Fandohan","doi":"10.2478/eko-2023-0020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/eko-2023-0020","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Animals deliver an important ecosystem service by dispersing plant seeds. Seed dispersers have different effects on the germination success of seeds. This study aimed at examining the effect of seed processing by the patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas) and two flying foxes (Micropteropus pusillus and Epomophorus gambianus) on the germination success of African ebony (Diospyros mespiliformis). Flying foxes and patas monkeys were kept in cages and fed ad libitum with African ebony fruits. Seeds processed were collected, measured, and germinated. Seeds processed by monkeys and flying foxes were compared to control seeds which were removed by hand from fruits. Our results showed that the patas monkey and flying foxes preferably processed smaller seeds. Flying foxes improved the germination success from 6.67 to 72.5%. They also reduced the mean germination time up to 5 days. The patas monkey also improved the germination success from 6.67 to 52.5% and reduced the mean germination time up to 4 days. The effect of flying foxes and the patas monkey on the seed germination and its implication for the African ebony plantation dynamic should be explained to communities for their conservation.","PeriodicalId":53683,"journal":{"name":"Ekologia Bratislava","volume":"42 1","pages":"173 - 178"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48039247","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}
V. Shevchyk, Ihor V. Goncharenko, I. Solomakha, T. Dvirna, V. Solomakha
Abstract Ecological analysis of the existing phytocoenological relevés was carried out, including the new localities of Thesium ebracteatum Hayne in the Middle Dnipro region. To study the coenotic features, the ratio of diagnostic species of different classes of vegetation in the communities was found. In the western part of the area, including the territory of Ukraine, this species grows in psamophytic communities, the basis of which is species of the Trifolio-Geranietea sanguinei class. In the eastern part of the area, including the territory of the Russian Federation, the species grows in steppe communities with a predominance of species of the Festuco-Brometea class. The analysis of ecological features of the species using the method of phytoindication showed the two clusters with the biggest differences by the acidity indicator. In the central part of Ukraine and in Europe, this species grows on soils with a higher acidity. On the contrary, in the eastern part of the area (territory of the Russian Federation), it mostly occurs on carbonate-enriched soils with low acidity. The growth of T. ebracteatum on more acidic soils in the western areas should be explained by a more humid climate.
{"title":"Ecological and Coenotic Features of Thesium ebracteatum Hayne and its Distribution in Ukraine","authors":"V. Shevchyk, Ihor V. Goncharenko, I. Solomakha, T. Dvirna, V. Solomakha","doi":"10.2478/eko-2023-0017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/eko-2023-0017","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Ecological analysis of the existing phytocoenological relevés was carried out, including the new localities of Thesium ebracteatum Hayne in the Middle Dnipro region. To study the coenotic features, the ratio of diagnostic species of different classes of vegetation in the communities was found. In the western part of the area, including the territory of Ukraine, this species grows in psamophytic communities, the basis of which is species of the Trifolio-Geranietea sanguinei class. In the eastern part of the area, including the territory of the Russian Federation, the species grows in steppe communities with a predominance of species of the Festuco-Brometea class. The analysis of ecological features of the species using the method of phytoindication showed the two clusters with the biggest differences by the acidity indicator. In the central part of Ukraine and in Europe, this species grows on soils with a higher acidity. On the contrary, in the eastern part of the area (territory of the Russian Federation), it mostly occurs on carbonate-enriched soils with low acidity. The growth of T. ebracteatum on more acidic soils in the western areas should be explained by a more humid climate.","PeriodicalId":53683,"journal":{"name":"Ekologia Bratislava","volume":"42 1","pages":"142 - 158"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41827647","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}
M. Azra, H. A. Aouissi, W. Hamma, Mokhtar Guerzou, Mohd Iqbal Mohd Noor, A. Petrisor
Abstract Marine and coastal biodiversity is crucial to the planet’s functioning and offers ecosystem services that guarantee the health, wealth, and well-being of the entire humanity. This is why, evaluating the current body of research on coral reefs is essential for understanding the unprecedented growth of this field, which covers many topics including climate change, biotic interactions, bioresources, future bioprospecting, and biodiversity in general. Such an evaluation requires both descriptive summaries and co-citation analyses to understand the expansive nature of this particular research and identify research gaps. Given the importance of the topic and the fact that it is insufficiently addressed, this study fills in a gap regarding coral reefs studies. We analyzed coral reef research published in the Web of Science Core Collection database between 1970 and 2021, using the CiteSpace software. This gave a total of 20,362 records, focusing on variables including the list of contributors (author, affiliation, and country), total publications over time, dual map overlay, co-citation analysis (co-cited author and documents), cluster networks, and popular keywords and their burstness. We found that coral reef publications increased over time, with coastal countries (the USA, Australia, and Japan) being among the highest contributors. Researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the USA are the top producers of coral reef research worldwide. Unsurprisingly, the journal Coral Reefs was the most productive journal. Interestingly, we found that keywords such as “great barrier reef,” “climate change,” and “predation” were among the top cited and most influential in coral reef science. To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify trends in coral reef research using scientometric analyses based on the CiteSpace software.
海洋和沿海生物多样性对地球的功能至关重要，并提供生态系统服务，保证整个人类的健康、财富和福祉。这就是为什么，评估目前对珊瑚礁的研究对于理解这一领域前所未有的增长至关重要，这一领域涵盖了许多主题，包括气候变化、生物相互作用、生物资源、未来生物勘探和一般的生物多样性。这样的评估需要描述性总结和共引分析，以了解这一特定研究的广泛性，并确定研究差距。鉴于该主题的重要性和它没有得到充分解决的事实，这项研究填补了关于珊瑚礁研究的空白。我们使用CiteSpace软件分析了1970年至2021年间发表在Web of Science Core Collection数据库中的珊瑚礁研究。这总共给出了20,362条记录，重点关注的变量包括贡献者列表(作者、隶属关系和国家)、一段时间内的总出版物、双地图覆盖、共引分析(共同被引的作者和文档)、集群网络和流行关键词及其突发性。我们发现，随着时间的推移，关于珊瑚礁的出版物增加了，沿海国家(美国、澳大利亚和日本)是贡献最大的国家之一。来自澳大利亚、新西兰和美国的研究人员是全球珊瑚礁研究的顶级生产者。不出所料，《珊瑚礁》杂志是最多产的杂志。有趣的是，我们发现“大堡礁”、“气候变化”和“捕食”等关键词在珊瑚礁科学中被引用次数最多、影响力最大。据我们所知，这是第一个使用基于CiteSpace软件的科学计量分析来确定珊瑚礁研究趋势的研究。
{"title":"A Scientometric Macroanalysis of Coral Reef Research in the World","authors":"M. Azra, H. A. Aouissi, W. Hamma, Mokhtar Guerzou, Mohd Iqbal Mohd Noor, A. Petrisor","doi":"10.2478/eko-2023-0013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/eko-2023-0013","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Marine and coastal biodiversity is crucial to the planet’s functioning and offers ecosystem services that guarantee the health, wealth, and well-being of the entire humanity. This is why, evaluating the current body of research on coral reefs is essential for understanding the unprecedented growth of this field, which covers many topics including climate change, biotic interactions, bioresources, future bioprospecting, and biodiversity in general. Such an evaluation requires both descriptive summaries and co-citation analyses to understand the expansive nature of this particular research and identify research gaps. Given the importance of the topic and the fact that it is insufficiently addressed, this study fills in a gap regarding coral reefs studies. We analyzed coral reef research published in the Web of Science Core Collection database between 1970 and 2021, using the CiteSpace software. This gave a total of 20,362 records, focusing on variables including the list of contributors (author, affiliation, and country), total publications over time, dual map overlay, co-citation analysis (co-cited author and documents), cluster networks, and popular keywords and their burstness. We found that coral reef publications increased over time, with coastal countries (the USA, Australia, and Japan) being among the highest contributors. Researchers from Australia, New Zealand, and the USA are the top producers of coral reef research worldwide. Unsurprisingly, the journal Coral Reefs was the most productive journal. Interestingly, we found that keywords such as “great barrier reef,” “climate change,” and “predation” were among the top cited and most influential in coral reef science. To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify trends in coral reef research using scientometric analyses based on the CiteSpace software.","PeriodicalId":53683,"journal":{"name":"Ekologia Bratislava","volume":"42 1","pages":"108 - 116"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46940977","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}
Abstract Since its introduction in the 19th century, the coypu was able to spread and colonise numerous parts of Europe. Our research focused mainly on the topic of the spatiotemporal distribution of an invasive rodent, Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1782), in selected sites of Záhorie region. The study took place in three phases – 2016/2017, 2018/2019 and 2020/2021/2022. It was carried out through two research methods – photo traps and tracking rafts on eight study locations of Záhorie region. From all the positive registrations of this invasive species, we generated a map representation of their spatial distribution and compared it with older data. In the course of the study, the coypu was found in all 14 study areas. Moreover, we describe the process of coypu expansion on the water course Stupavský potok. During our research, we managed to describe the interactions between the coypu and the Eurasian beaver and we documented the first case of coypu predation on unionid mussels in Slovakia. We hope that this study will help in our efforts to mitigate the negative impact of coypu and to prevent its further spread.
{"title":"The Current Distribution of the Coypu (Myocastor coypus) in Záhorie Region (Slovakia)","authors":"Ivana Poláčková, Rudolf Jureček","doi":"10.2478/eko-2023-0019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/eko-2023-0019","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Since its introduction in the 19th century, the coypu was able to spread and colonise numerous parts of Europe. Our research focused mainly on the topic of the spatiotemporal distribution of an invasive rodent, Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1782), in selected sites of Záhorie region. The study took place in three phases – 2016/2017, 2018/2019 and 2020/2021/2022. It was carried out through two research methods – photo traps and tracking rafts on eight study locations of Záhorie region. From all the positive registrations of this invasive species, we generated a map representation of their spatial distribution and compared it with older data. In the course of the study, the coypu was found in all 14 study areas. Moreover, we describe the process of coypu expansion on the water course Stupavský potok. During our research, we managed to describe the interactions between the coypu and the Eurasian beaver and we documented the first case of coypu predation on unionid mussels in Slovakia. We hope that this study will help in our efforts to mitigate the negative impact of coypu and to prevent its further spread.","PeriodicalId":53683,"journal":{"name":"Ekologia Bratislava","volume":"42 1","pages":"165 - 172"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46955132","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}
Abstract This article is focused on the specific vegetation, which has formed from the floodplain forests on the aggradation mound (elevated sediment deposition) along the original Danube river in Slovakia in the part affected by Gabčíkovo waterworks that was put in operation in 1992. As a result of water regime changes, when a major part of the Danube water flow was redirected to the Gabčíkovo hydroelectric power plant, original floodplain forests on the aggradation mound began to suffer from a water deficit, which is also supported by shallow soils formed mostly on the gravel sediments with limited capillary rise of groundwater. It has triggered successional processes leading to the degradation of forest with changes in all layers. To identify these changes and development trends, we analyzed vegetation data from 2002, 2012, and 2022. The results indicate that the process of secondary succession of the original floodplain forest continues. This includes mainly an increase in the number of species, especially those typical for grasslands and synanthropic habitats. From an environmental point of view, the spread of some invasive species is striking. Ordination method (canonical-correlation analysis [CCA]) confirmed light, moisture, number of species, and Shannon–Wiener index as the main factors determining relevés’ variability.
{"title":"The Changes in the Forest Vegetation on the Danube River Aggradation Mound Affected by Water Regime Changes","authors":"J. Kollár, Andrej Palaj","doi":"10.2478/eko-2023-0014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/eko-2023-0014","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This article is focused on the specific vegetation, which has formed from the floodplain forests on the aggradation mound (elevated sediment deposition) along the original Danube river in Slovakia in the part affected by Gabčíkovo waterworks that was put in operation in 1992. As a result of water regime changes, when a major part of the Danube water flow was redirected to the Gabčíkovo hydroelectric power plant, original floodplain forests on the aggradation mound began to suffer from a water deficit, which is also supported by shallow soils formed mostly on the gravel sediments with limited capillary rise of groundwater. It has triggered successional processes leading to the degradation of forest with changes in all layers. To identify these changes and development trends, we analyzed vegetation data from 2002, 2012, and 2022. The results indicate that the process of secondary succession of the original floodplain forest continues. This includes mainly an increase in the number of species, especially those typical for grasslands and synanthropic habitats. From an environmental point of view, the spread of some invasive species is striking. Ordination method (canonical-correlation analysis [CCA]) confirmed light, moisture, number of species, and Shannon–Wiener index as the main factors determining relevés’ variability.","PeriodicalId":53683,"journal":{"name":"Ekologia Bratislava","volume":"42 1","pages":"117 - 121"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44350487","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}
Abstract Agroforestry is seen as a land management technique that can address many of the issues faced by smallholder farmers, such as climate change adaptation and climate change mitigation. Agroforestry helps farmers adapt to extreme weather events, create resilient microclimates for crops and livestock across regions, and help combat climate change. An important role of agroforestry in tackling climate change may be to reduce CO2 emissions by actively sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. Soil stores the largest carbon stock (77%–92%) in agroforestry systems, with trees, herbaceous plants, and deciduous trees absorbing 7%–22% and 1%, respectively. Smallholder farmers in developing countries not only build resilient agroecological systems that actively absorb carbon, but also revert to more natural production systems that provide better ecological and social functions. By doing so, we can prevent climate change. Agroforestry not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves the resilience of agricultural landscapes, but also can contributes to climate change mitigation and adaptation by promoting species migration to more favorable conditions and carbon sequestration. Climate projections could see production declines in much of sub-Saharan Africa, exacerbating food insecurity among citizens.
{"title":"Sustainability of Agroforestry Practices and their Resilience to Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review","authors":"G. A. Bogale, S. Bekele","doi":"10.2478/eko-2023-0021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/eko-2023-0021","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Agroforestry is seen as a land management technique that can address many of the issues faced by smallholder farmers, such as climate change adaptation and climate change mitigation. Agroforestry helps farmers adapt to extreme weather events, create resilient microclimates for crops and livestock across regions, and help combat climate change. An important role of agroforestry in tackling climate change may be to reduce CO2 emissions by actively sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. Soil stores the largest carbon stock (77%–92%) in agroforestry systems, with trees, herbaceous plants, and deciduous trees absorbing 7%–22% and 1%, respectively. Smallholder farmers in developing countries not only build resilient agroecological systems that actively absorb carbon, but also revert to more natural production systems that provide better ecological and social functions. By doing so, we can prevent climate change. Agroforestry not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves the resilience of agricultural landscapes, but also can contributes to climate change mitigation and adaptation by promoting species migration to more favorable conditions and carbon sequestration. Climate projections could see production declines in much of sub-Saharan Africa, exacerbating food insecurity among citizens.","PeriodicalId":53683,"journal":{"name":"Ekologia Bratislava","volume":"42 1","pages":"179 - 192"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41879266","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}
Mohamed Zouidi, K. Hachem, Ines Terras, Ayoub Allam, S. Hadjout, Fatiha Mazari, Sid Ahmed Aouadj, Mohammed Djebbouri
Abstract Albardine (Lygeum spartum L.) is one of the major native grass species of the semi-arid and arid regions of the Mediterranean basin. In Algeria, it is much more widespread on the high plateaus of southern Oranais. This species occupies an important place in the steppe region because it has many ecological, economic, and fodder interests. The present work aims to study the tolerance of L. spartum seeds to water and salt stress, two abiotic factors that affect the physiology of the plant during the germinal stage. The methodology adopted consists of using increasing concentrations under a controlled temperature (15°C) for 21 days of germination. The germination responses of the seeds to different degrees of salt stress induced by NaCl (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 g/l) and water stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG;−2, -4, -6, -8, −10 bar), showed that the salt and water stresses retarded the germination rate of L. spartum L. seeds and also decreased their percentage during the time of the experiment. However, seeds soaked in distilled water (control) recorded a maximum germination rate of 80%. The results of this study show that L. spartum seeds are moderately salt and drought tolerant with a depressive effect on germination rate at a salt concentration of 10g/l and an osmotic pressure of −10 bar.
{"title":"Effect of Salinity and Drought on the Germination of Lygeum spartum L. in the Region of Saïda (Western Algerian Steppe)","authors":"Mohamed Zouidi, K. Hachem, Ines Terras, Ayoub Allam, S. Hadjout, Fatiha Mazari, Sid Ahmed Aouadj, Mohammed Djebbouri","doi":"10.2478/eko-2023-0018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/eko-2023-0018","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Albardine (Lygeum spartum L.) is one of the major native grass species of the semi-arid and arid regions of the Mediterranean basin. In Algeria, it is much more widespread on the high plateaus of southern Oranais. This species occupies an important place in the steppe region because it has many ecological, economic, and fodder interests. The present work aims to study the tolerance of L. spartum seeds to water and salt stress, two abiotic factors that affect the physiology of the plant during the germinal stage. The methodology adopted consists of using increasing concentrations under a controlled temperature (15°C) for 21 days of germination. The germination responses of the seeds to different degrees of salt stress induced by NaCl (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 g/l) and water stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG;−2, -4, -6, -8, −10 bar), showed that the salt and water stresses retarded the germination rate of L. spartum L. seeds and also decreased their percentage during the time of the experiment. However, seeds soaked in distilled water (control) recorded a maximum germination rate of 80%. The results of this study show that L. spartum seeds are moderately salt and drought tolerant with a depressive effect on germination rate at a salt concentration of 10g/l and an osmotic pressure of −10 bar.","PeriodicalId":53683,"journal":{"name":"Ekologia Bratislava","volume":"42 1","pages":"159 - 164"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41990792","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}
Azeddine Hachmi, Asmae Zbiri, Fatima Ezzahra El Alaoui-Faris
Abstract Recently, pastoral ecosystem has been strongly studied by naturalists. However, phytoecological research must focus on species richness and enhance these ecosystems. The main objective of this research is to prove that the Moroccan pastoral ecosystem is very rich in terms of soil biodiversity and plant formations. In such areas, some pastoral plants maintain the physicochemical characteristics of soil. The field experiment was based on Braun-Blanquet sampling method with 90 surveys. The vegetation surveys carried out during the spring of the 2014–2018 period showed that there were 30 families, 23 orders, and 99 plant species (47 perennial species and 52 annual or biennial species). Of the 99 species inventoried, 14 species are very rare (RR) (14% of the total flora), six are rare (R), five are suspected rare (R?), three species are extinct or of doubtful presence (??), two are vulnerable (or seem to be), in decline, and could become rare in the short term (V), and one is a suspected very rare taxon (RR?). Investigation of life forms based on Raunkiaer method showed that there were various plants in different life forms. Among them, terophytes (47%) and 2% phanerophytes had the highest and the lowest plant species, respectively. This work led us to discover six species (Atractylis cancellata, Carduus pycnocephalus, Scorzonera angustifolia, Telephium sphaerospermum, Teucrium luteum, and Androsace maxima) and five types of rangeland in eastern Morocco. Chorology results showed a high proportion of Mediterranean biogeographic species in the study area, with a percentage of 35%. North African species followed the Mediterranean, with 14%. Euro-Mediterranean species constituted the major flora in the arid regions and played a significant role in the Mediterranean rangelands with 8%. The percentage of North African and Eurasian species was 6%, followed by North African and Asian species forming 4% of the total species. Eurasian, Paleo temperate, and Mediterranean Asian species had the same percentage (3%). The remains represented a low percentage, but contributed to the diversity and the richness of phytogeographic potential in the rangelands of eastern Morocco.
{"title":"Investigation of Flora, Soil, and Biodiversity of Ecosystems in Arid Eastern Moroccan Rangelands","authors":"Azeddine Hachmi, Asmae Zbiri, Fatima Ezzahra El Alaoui-Faris","doi":"10.2478/eko-2023-0015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/eko-2023-0015","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Recently, pastoral ecosystem has been strongly studied by naturalists. However, phytoecological research must focus on species richness and enhance these ecosystems. The main objective of this research is to prove that the Moroccan pastoral ecosystem is very rich in terms of soil biodiversity and plant formations. In such areas, some pastoral plants maintain the physicochemical characteristics of soil. The field experiment was based on Braun-Blanquet sampling method with 90 surveys. The vegetation surveys carried out during the spring of the 2014–2018 period showed that there were 30 families, 23 orders, and 99 plant species (47 perennial species and 52 annual or biennial species). Of the 99 species inventoried, 14 species are very rare (RR) (14% of the total flora), six are rare (R), five are suspected rare (R?), three species are extinct or of doubtful presence (??), two are vulnerable (or seem to be), in decline, and could become rare in the short term (V), and one is a suspected very rare taxon (RR?). Investigation of life forms based on Raunkiaer method showed that there were various plants in different life forms. Among them, terophytes (47%) and 2% phanerophytes had the highest and the lowest plant species, respectively. This work led us to discover six species (Atractylis cancellata, Carduus pycnocephalus, Scorzonera angustifolia, Telephium sphaerospermum, Teucrium luteum, and Androsace maxima) and five types of rangeland in eastern Morocco. Chorology results showed a high proportion of Mediterranean biogeographic species in the study area, with a percentage of 35%. North African species followed the Mediterranean, with 14%. Euro-Mediterranean species constituted the major flora in the arid regions and played a significant role in the Mediterranean rangelands with 8%. The percentage of North African and Eurasian species was 6%, followed by North African and Asian species forming 4% of the total species. Eurasian, Paleo temperate, and Mediterranean Asian species had the same percentage (3%). The remains represented a low percentage, but contributed to the diversity and the richness of phytogeographic potential in the rangelands of eastern Morocco.","PeriodicalId":53683,"journal":{"name":"Ekologia Bratislava","volume":"42 1","pages":"122 - 132"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48162464","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}
Abstract Obtaining accurate forest cover information and dynamics of land occupation, through time, such as the spatial extent and pattern of disturbance and recovery is essential knowledge and assistance for forest managers and a crucial basis for the protection and conservation of current forest resources. Because most recent researches have focused on forest field survey and monitoring, a land classification containing information on forest cover dynamics is critically needed. Over the last decades, advances in remote sensing technology have enabled an accurate classification of different land covers from several sensors and remotely sensed data. We presently retained Tikjda forest (Djurdjura southerner, Algeria) as a case study to investigate the possibility of aerial photos classification and to analyze the historical dynamics of the area using a change detection analysis of multi-temporal data. To classify the study area’s main cover types, we used photographs collected over a period of 34 years (i.e., from 1983 to 2017). The results revealed that in 2017, Tikjda forest was composed of forest areas (24.1%), degraded areas (49.7%), and barren areas (26.2%). Throughout the investigated period, the analysis revealed a notable increase in barren areas (+9.8%), and degraded areas (+14.4%), While forest areas experienced a significant decrease (−24.2%). Moreover, the results confirm the potential of aerial photographs for an accurate classification of forests.
{"title":"A Spatiotemporal Survey of Tikjda Forest Dynamics Over A 34-Year Period by Aerial Photographs","authors":"Tassadit Dib, S. A. Said, F. Krouchi","doi":"10.2478/eko-2023-0016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/eko-2023-0016","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Obtaining accurate forest cover information and dynamics of land occupation, through time, such as the spatial extent and pattern of disturbance and recovery is essential knowledge and assistance for forest managers and a crucial basis for the protection and conservation of current forest resources. Because most recent researches have focused on forest field survey and monitoring, a land classification containing information on forest cover dynamics is critically needed. Over the last decades, advances in remote sensing technology have enabled an accurate classification of different land covers from several sensors and remotely sensed data. We presently retained Tikjda forest (Djurdjura southerner, Algeria) as a case study to investigate the possibility of aerial photos classification and to analyze the historical dynamics of the area using a change detection analysis of multi-temporal data. To classify the study area’s main cover types, we used photographs collected over a period of 34 years (i.e., from 1983 to 2017). The results revealed that in 2017, Tikjda forest was composed of forest areas (24.1%), degraded areas (49.7%), and barren areas (26.2%). Throughout the investigated period, the analysis revealed a notable increase in barren areas (+9.8%), and degraded areas (+14.4%), While forest areas experienced a significant decrease (−24.2%). Moreover, the results confirm the potential of aerial photographs for an accurate classification of forests.","PeriodicalId":53683,"journal":{"name":"Ekologia Bratislava","volume":"42 1","pages":"133 - 141"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49528352","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}
Abstract This paper explores factors influencing smallholder farmers’ attitudes towards integrated soil fertility management (ISFM). ISFM is paramount to improve soil fertility for sustainable agricultural productivity, especially in contexts where smallholder agriculture is an important local livelihood and economic activity, as in many countries of the Global South. Alongside the development and availability of new technologies to enhance soil fertility, smallholder farmers’ attitudes towards these innovations in specific contexts are key to determining the extent and outcomes of their uptake. A better understanding of these is thus essential to inform measures to increase ISFM practices among smallholder farmers. This study aimed to assess farmers’ attitudes towards ISFM and the factors that determined them based on a case study of the Wanka watershed, northwestern Ethiopia, a major cereal-producing area. Using a mixed methods approach, data obtained from a household survey (146 respondents), focus group discussions, and key informant interviews were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a multiple regression model. The findings revealed that the attitudes of smallholder farmers towards ISFM in the study area were generally positive, as they considered ISFM compatible with agronomic principles and important to increase agricultural productivity sustainably. The extent of farmers’ farming experience, the length of time of applying chemical fertilizer, the number of livestock, and the size of plots were found to be significant predictors of attitudes towards ISFM. The study concludes that considering these factors can better inform interventions designed to enhance farmers’ choice of ISFM technologies for improved soil fertility management and sustainable crop production in the study area and other contexts.
{"title":"Factors Influencing Smallholder Farmers’ Attitudes Towards Integrated Soil Fertility Management: Case Study of the Wanka Watershed, Northwestern Highlands of Ethiopia","authors":"W. Abera, Mohammed A. Assen, J. Budds","doi":"10.2478/eko-2023-0022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/eko-2023-0022","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This paper explores factors influencing smallholder farmers’ attitudes towards integrated soil fertility management (ISFM). ISFM is paramount to improve soil fertility for sustainable agricultural productivity, especially in contexts where smallholder agriculture is an important local livelihood and economic activity, as in many countries of the Global South. Alongside the development and availability of new technologies to enhance soil fertility, smallholder farmers’ attitudes towards these innovations in specific contexts are key to determining the extent and outcomes of their uptake. A better understanding of these is thus essential to inform measures to increase ISFM practices among smallholder farmers. This study aimed to assess farmers’ attitudes towards ISFM and the factors that determined them based on a case study of the Wanka watershed, northwestern Ethiopia, a major cereal-producing area. Using a mixed methods approach, data obtained from a household survey (146 respondents), focus group discussions, and key informant interviews were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a multiple regression model. The findings revealed that the attitudes of smallholder farmers towards ISFM in the study area were generally positive, as they considered ISFM compatible with agronomic principles and important to increase agricultural productivity sustainably. The extent of farmers’ farming experience, the length of time of applying chemical fertilizer, the number of livestock, and the size of plots were found to be significant predictors of attitudes towards ISFM. The study concludes that considering these factors can better inform interventions designed to enhance farmers’ choice of ISFM technologies for improved soil fertility management and sustainable crop production in the study area and other contexts.","PeriodicalId":53683,"journal":{"name":"Ekologia Bratislava","volume":"42 1","pages":"193 - 200"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47656429","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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