African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems

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

Full Length Research Paper

Observations on nesting ecology of White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis (Aves: Coraciiformes) in Cauvery Delta, Southern India

A. Mohamed Samsoor Ali¹*, S. Asokan² and R. Manikannan²

¹New No. 12, Old No. 3/10, New Street, Kollapuram – 609608, Tiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu, Southern India.

²Department of Zoology and Wildlife Biology, A. V. C. College (Autonomous), Mannampandal – 609305, Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, Southern India.

Accepted 15 October, 2019

Abstract

The nesting ecology of the White-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis was studied in Cauvery Delta of Tamil Nadu, Southern India between 2005 and 2006. A total of 46 nests were studied and the White- breasted Kingfishers were found to excavate long tunnels ranging in length from 48 - 152 cm (mean 114.1 ± 1.7 cm) and ending in widened egg chambers. The mean length and circumference of the nest entrance hole opening was 10.4 ± 0.2 and 27.9 ± 0.8 cm, respectively. They excavated nest holes at a mean height of 207.5 ± 15.2 cm from the bottom and 96.6 ± 3.2 cm from the top of sandy river banks. The clutch size varied from 3 - 5 with a mean of 3.7 ± 0.82 and clutches of three were very common. The egg dimensions (length x width) ranged between 37.5 x 25.3 mm and 28.4 x 21.6 mm. The weight of the eggs varied between 8.0 and 10.0 g (mean 8.9 ± 0.65 g). The mean incubation period of the white-breasted kingfisher was 15.3 ± 1.12 days. The newly hatched nestlings were 3.7 g in weight and reached a maximum of 70.5 g on day 24. A reduction in weight was noticed in the last few days and 61.8 g was recorded on day 27. The other body parts attained maximum maturity from hatching to fledging. The white-breasted kingfisher laid 88 eggs, of which 82 hatched (93%) and 66 flew out of the nest, making the fledging success 80%.

Key words: White-breasted Kingfisher, nest, eggs, nestling growth, breeding success.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN 9428-167X Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-011, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Water resources management in the Brazilian agricultural irrigation

Letícia de Oliveira* and Edson Talamini

Federal University of Grande Dourados - UFGD, Dourados, MS, Brazil.

Accepted 12 October, 2019

Abstract

The Brazilian agribusiness is growing fast, especially in the last fifteen years when the grains production almost two-folded. Besides the expansion in the agricultural frontier to the Amazonian Region, there are other drivers for the success. As one of the biggest country around the globe, Brazil has the largest water reserve in the world. Brazilian agriculture production and productivity are also related to the use of irrigation systems. Based on a bibliographic research, this paper presented the context of Brazilian agriculture expansion; its demands for water resources by means of irrigation systems; some advances in legislation with the creation of two main mechanisms of water resources management (granting and charging for use); and, discusses some practices in water resources management which are being implemented in some Brazilian regions. In conclusion, the water resources management applied in irrigation of Brazilian agriculture depends on the complete achievement in the Hydrographic Basin Committees’ role to reach the legislation objectives and saving natural resources.

Key words: Hydrographic basin committees, granting for use, charging for use, Brazil.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN 9428-167X Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-009, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Green marketing or green wash? A comparative study of consumers’ behavior on selected Eco and Fair trade labeling in Sweden

Atiq Uz Zaman*, Sofiia Miliutenko and Veranika Nagapetan

Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Infrastructure, KTH, Sweden,

Accepted 13 October, 2019

Abstract

Green marketing is in the focus of present marketing strategy due to the pressure that comes from inclined environmental awareness in the global climate change. Different initiatives have been considered to support environmental programme and practices and one of the meaningful business initiatives is eco or fair trade labeling. Eco-label provides the information of product contribution in the context of environmental burden to the consumers. Different label initiatives are available in the present business market as a provider of ‘white goods’, however, the basic principles of the label initiative are ignored in most of the business practices. The study compared eight selected eco-brands which were used on the Swedish market. Comparison was based on environmental justice and ecosystem services perspectives. The study showed that most of the eco brands do not comply with environmental justice and ecosystem services in their label policy initiatives. Moreover, there is a gap between policy and practices. Questionnaire survey showed that environment is an important criterion for consumers while purchasing consumer products. Eco-label is an important tool; however, this tool is not communicating to consumers to its expected role.

Key words: Green marketing, eco-label, consumer behavior, environmental justice.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN 9428-167X Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-011, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Impact of soil amendment on phytotoxicity of a 5-month old waste engine oil polluted soil

Ikhajiagbe, Beckley¹* and Anoliefo Geoffery Obinna²

¹Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Abuja, Nigeria.

²Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Benin, Benin City. Nigeria.

Accepted 20 October, 2019

Abstract

The present study investigated the effects of soil amendment on the remediation of waste engine oil (WEO) polluted soil, as well as the eventual phytotoxic effects of remediated amended soil on some growth parameters of cowpea. There was significant decrease in heavy metal concentration of the polluted soil more than average, nine months after amendment. There was also total remediation of some PAH compounds (benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benezo(g,h,i)perylene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, chrysene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, fluoranthene, fluorene and Indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene). Achromobacter sp, Clostridium sp, Sarcina sp and Micrococcus sp were prevalent bacteria species found in the polluted soils, while prevalent fungi species included Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp, Geotrichum sp and Trichoderma sp. The actinomycete Nocardia sp was prevalent as well. Ecological risk factor initially posed by the presence of heavy metals in the unamended soil was significantly reduced to safe levels. Phyto assessment of the polluted soil was carried out just before soil was amended with saw dust and results showed that virtually all the cowpea seedlings died within 2 weeks; only those seedlings in unpolluted soils survived. Nine months after soil was amended, all cowpea plants survived up to fruiting. The present study also showed that cowpea was able to bioaccumulate heavy metals into harvestable parts, though bioaccumulation quotients calculated showed that these accumulations were not significant.

Key words: Penicillium sp, Geotrichum sp, phytotoxic, fluoranthene, fluorine.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN 9428-167X Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-005, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Review of hydrologic assessment models for predicting pesticide leaching in Nigeria

Usman Sheikh Abdullahi

Department of Geography, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, PMB2218, Katsina, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 08035989328.

Accepted 09 December, 2019

Abstract

The need to evaluate the potential risks of pesticides usage that may lead to contamination of water resosurces has been the reason behind the development of models for predicting pesticide leaching in soils and watershed areas. Various assessment models have been developed in the past. For example, the vulnerability of groundwater to pesticide leaching may be evaluated by indices and overlay-based methods, by statistical analyses of monitoring data, or by using process-based models of pesticide fate. Most of these models have been applied in various parts of the world but with little or none applicability in Nigeria. Since Nigeria is an agrarian country whose soils and water resources have suffered severely from the effects of pesticide contamination, the need to inform decision on applicability of some of these models becomes paramount. This paper thus provide a descriptive synthesis of some of the models used in predicting pesticide leaching in underground water and make recommendation for their usage in assessing groundwater contamination effects resulting from agricultural processes in Nigeria.

Key words: Groundwater, model, pesticide, hydrologic, simulation, management.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN 9428-167X Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-007, January, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Rethinking green revolution program: The impact of Mozambique’s fast-track green revolution program on the environment and animal rights

Munyaradzi Mawere

Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Social Sciences, Universidade Pedagogica, Mozambique. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 14 September, 2019

Abstract

The green revolution program (GRP) in Mozambique has taken centre stage in academic circles, and academics and researchers have tussled with various aspects of this subject. While the GRP is meant to reduce the country’s food insecurity and was successfully implemented in some countries like India (Arundhati, 2004), the results have been different in many African countries. In Mozambique, GRP has dramatically impacted on the rights of non-human animals and the physical environment. Using selected cases of environmental upsets and violation of animal rights drawn from Mozambique’s print media and academic literature, the negative impact of fast track green revolution program in Mozambique on the rights of non-human animals and the environment was examined. The article thus, examines how the environment has been upset and non-human animal rights to life and unhindered access to space of habitation have been violated in the name of GRP in Mozambique. Towards this end, a framework is presented for studying environmental practices that impact on how knowledge, ideas and values with respect to non-human animal rights should be transmitted and developed from one generation to another for the good and posterity of the physical environment and non-human animals.

Key words: Rethinking, green revolution program, Mozambique, environment, animal rights.