African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN 9428-167X Vol. 7 (3), pp. 001-012, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Alien plant invasion and their impact on indigenous species diversity at global scale: A review

Kuldip S. Dogra¹*, Sarvesh K. Sood¹, Parveen K. Dobhal² and Seema Sharma¹

¹Department of Biosciences, Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla-171005, India.

²Department of Botany, Panjab University Chandigarh- 160014, India.

Accepted 18 August, 2019

Abstract

Plant invasion is a potent threat to the species diversity around the world during the 21^st century after habitat loss. Plant invasions are human introduced or of natural means like winds, birds, animals, water. It affects indigenous species diversity, soil ecology and dynamics and economics of agricultural ecosystem throughout the world. If this process of biological invasion is remained continuous for years to come then we can only transfer monocultures of species to our future generations. To preserve our indigenous species diversity, it is important to understand the process of plant invasions and their impact on species diversity in various habitats around the world.

Key words: Alien species, ecosystem, indigenous species, plant invasion.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN 9428-167X Vol. 7 (3), pp. 001-007, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A survey of ectoparasites from wild rodents and Anourosorex squamipes in Sichuan Province, South-west China

Lei Wei^{1, 2}, Xinwei Wang¹, Chengmin Wang¹and Hongxuan He¹*

¹National Research Center for Wildlife Born Diseases, Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China.

²Faculty of Animal Science, Suzhou Vocational Technology College, Anhui, Suzhou, 234000, China.

Accepted 07 October, 2019

Abstract

This study was to investigate the populations and species of ectoparasites from Apodemas agrarius (Rodentia: Muridae; Pallas, 1771), Rattus norvegicus (Rodentia: Muridae; Berkenhout, 1769), Rattus nitidus (Rodentia: Muridae; Hodgson, 1845), Rattus fulavipectus (Rodentia: Muridae; Gray,1847), Mus musculus (Rodentia: Muridae; Linnaeus, 1758), Micromys minutus (Rodentia: Muridae; Pallas, 1771) and Anourosorex squamipes, (Insectivora: Soricidae; Milne-Edwards,1872) which have been identified as the main wild reservoir of disease, trapped from six districts of Sichuan province, southwest China, with the objectives of determining the prevalence of ectoparasites and identifying the potential risk factors associated with human health. Parasitological examination was performed by optical microscopy. Out of 282 A. squamipes and 175 rodents species examined, 70.5% of A. squamipes and 66.4% of rodents species were found to be infested with more ectoparasites (average: 68.45%). A total of 56 species of parasites, including 34 species of chigger mite, 14 species of mesostigmatid (gamasid) mite, six species of flea and two species of sucking louse were examined. The ectoparasites identified in A. squamipes were chigger mite (60.0%), mesostigmatid (gamasid) mite (22.2%), flea (13.3%) and sucking louse (4.4%). In rodents, chigger mite (60.7%), mesostigmatid (gamasid) mite (25.0%), flea (10.7%) and sucking louse (3.6%) were identified also. Both in rodents and A. squamipes, significant variation (p < 0.05) in ectoparasite infestation was observed in relation to body weight between females and males in all ectoparasites and chigger mites. Most species of ectoparasite were relatively uncommon, but a few were abundant. Within this ectoparasite complex, 16 species have previously been reported to be vectors of human disease agents. These mammals would appear therefore to be a natural reservoir for plague bacilli and epidemic haemorrhagic fever (Korean haemorrhagic fever) viruses. The results suggest that parasite viability studies are needed in order to assess the potential risk for human health.

Key words: Anourosorex squamipes, China, ectoparasites, wild rodents.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN 9428-167X Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-015, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Land use and cover changes and their effects on elephant home ranges and distribution in Mara landscape, Narok County, Kenya

Lokitela Peter Erot* and Mark Ndunda Mutinda

Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Africa Nazarene University, P.O Box 53067 – 00200 Nairobi, Kenya.

Accepted 11 February, 2020

Abstract 

The Maasai Mara Landscape (MML) supports one of the richest wildlife populations remaining on earth but over the last century, has experienced transformation notably through conversion of former rangelands into croplands. Elephants have both temporal and spatial requirements, which if not provided, render them vulnerable to the land-use practices. The study assessed land use and vegetation cover changes that have occurred and their effects on the elephant movements and distribution within the MML using an integrated methodological approach. The analysis revealed changes in land use and land cover classes over a period of 20 years for the three epochs, from 1997, 2007 and 2017. Elephant’s distribution has been restricted to areas of high vegetation densities within specific habitats hence accelerating the rate of habitat destruction and degradation due to their high densities. These changes have drastically reduced forage for elephants necessitating them to travel longer distances out of their home range in search for food. Human beings have caused land use and cover changes which have detrimental impacts on the ecosystem and ecosystem services.

Keywords: Land use change, land cover changes, Maasai Mara Landscape, elephant distribution, home range.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN 9428-167X Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-006, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Ecophysiological influences of zeolite and selenium on water deficit stress tolerance in different rapeseed cultivars

Sayed Alireza Valadabadi¹, Amir Hossein Shiranirad² and Hossein Aliabadi Farahani¹*

¹Islamic Azad University, Shahr-e-Qods Branch, Tehran, Iran.

²Seed and Plant Improvement Institute (SPII), Karaj, Iran.

Accepted 07 November, 2019

Abstract

This experiment was carried out to study the ecophysiological influences of zeolite and selenium on water deficit stress tolerance in different rapeseed cultivars at Karaj, Iran using a factorial-split-plot design with three replications during 2009 - 2010. The main-plot factors included: irrigation regimes (control and irrigation interrupted during the flowering stage), zeolite (non-application and 10 ton/ha) and selenium (non-application and 30 g/l) while the sub-plot factor included three cultivars (Opera, SLM 046 and Modena) of winter rapeseed (BRASSICA NAPUS L.). The results showed that total dry weight (TDW), life area index (LAI), relative growth rate (RGR) and crop growth rate (CGR) were all highly significantly different among the rapeseed cultivars, whereas drought stress had effects of practical significance on TDW, LAI, RGR and CGR and zeolite and selenium applications reduced the water deficit stress damages. The results also showed that the highest TDW, LAI, RGR and CGR were obtained from Opera cultivar by zeolite and selenium applications under no-drought condition. The findings firmly established that drought stress sorely reduces physiological growth indices of winter rapeseed cultivars under conditions of Karaj in Iran while, zeolite and selenium applications were reduced the water deficit stress damages.

Key words: Ecophysiological influences, zeolite, selenium, water deficit stress, winter rapeseed cultivars.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN 9428-167X Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-007, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Studies on biomass changes and nutrient lock-up efficiency in a Kashmir Himalayan wetland ecosystem, India

M. A. Khan¹ and Manzoor A. Shah²*

¹Division of Environmental Sciences, S. K. University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, GPO Box 726, Srinagar-190001, Kashmir, India.

²Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J&K, India- 190006.

Accepted 17 September, 2019

Abstract

Wetlands are landscape sinks which accumulate and sequester a wide range of nutrients, heavy metals and pesticides. Whilst some studies hitherto have addressed the phyto-sociology and sequestering potential of wetland plants in isolation, we attempted to integrate the two aspects in a Kashmir Himalayan Ramsar site (Hokersar wetland), India. The results of studies (November, 2000 – October, 2001) on the seasonal biomass fluctuations and nutrient accumulation of aquatic plant communities in Hokersar wetland ecosystem are presented. Phytosociological attributes show emergents dominated by Sparganium erectum and Typha angustata, colonizing mainly the littorals. Nymphoides peltata, a dominant rooted floating plant species, is of frequent occurrence in relatively shallow and open waters. Ceratophyllum-Myriophyllum association dominates the submersed forms whilst the free-floating Lemna-Salvinia complex grows luxuriantly in side-channels. The plant biomass levels on areal basis (m^-2) fluctuated from 35 - 1100 g and the mineral concentration varied between 1.318 - 15.86 g (N), 0.052 - 0.597 (P) and 1.83 - 18.33 (K). Annual computations for nutrient lock-up potential gave values of 0.77 × 10⁶ g (N), 0.02 × 10¹ g (P) and 0.89 × 10⁶ g (K). Positive correlation was observed between aquatic plant biomass and nutrient lock-up efficiency. The results of the present study have implications for efficient eco-restoration of the wetland ecosystem through scientific management of macrophytic vegetation.

Key words: Kashmir Himalaya, aquatic plants, phytosociology, biomass, nutrient dynamics, lock-up efficiency, wetland ecosystem.