African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-008, January, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Ecology of macrozoobenthos in Shallabugh wetland of Kashmir Himalaya, India

Sameera Siraj¹*, A. R. Yousuf¹, F. A. Bhat² and M. Parveen³

¹Centre of Research for Development (CORD), University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J & K, India, 190006.

²Faculty of Fisheries, SKUAST-K, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J & K, India, 190006.

³Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J & K, India, 190006.

Accepted 18 September, 2019

Abstract

Macrozoobenthos comprise of an important group of aquafauna by way of their contribution to ecosystem stability, besides acting as potential bioindicators of trophic status. Being efficient energy converters, they constitute an important link in the aquatic food web. In view of importance of such an aquatic bioresource, on one hand, and scarcity of information about them, on the other, the present study aimed at working out the species composition, distribution pattern and abundance of macrozoobenthos in relation to several physico-chemical parameters of the Shallabugh wetland of Kashmir Himalaya. The data collected on various physico-chemical parameters showed wide seasonal and site-specific fluctuations. Dissolved oxygen concentration fluctuated between 3 - 12 mg/l, while as free CO₂ ranged from 1 - 19 mg/l showing also high values of bicarbonates of Ca and Mg, nitrogen and total phosphorus. The pH of the wetland remained mostly alkaline but at the emergent macrophytic site it showed a slight acidic trend (6.6) in during late summer. Benthos of the Shallabugh wetland was represented by Arthopoda, Annelida and Mollusca, and was studied in relation to abiotic and biotic factors for one year. Perusal of the results revealed that Arthropoda, Annelida and Mollusca were represented by 10, 7 and 6 species respectively. The abundance of some specific pollution indicator species, especially Annelids such as Limnodrilus sp, Tubifex tubifex and Branchiura sowerbyii, is depictive of transition in trophic status of the wetland from meso- to eutrophy. In view of the eutrophication-induced changing biotic community structure, the present study calls for urgent management and restoration of the Shallabugh wetland ecosystem.

Key words: Shallabugh wetland, organic matter, eutrophication, macrozoobenthos.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-011, January, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Review 

Ecological connectivity framework in the state of Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia: A potential conservation strategy in the rapid changing tropics

Mohammad Imam Hasan Reza* and Saiful Arif Abdullah

Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM, Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.

Accepted 26 October, 2019

Abstract

Ecological connectivity refers to the structural and functional connectivity of landscapes that facilitates suitable habitats for flora and fauna. The state of Selangor, peninsular Malaysia, is hosting a natural mosaic of landscapes ranging from montane, hill, lowland, peat-swamp, and mangrove forests to lake, river and coastal landscapes. This is a unique feature in the tropics and valuable habitat for diverse flora and fauna. It is reported from many studies that a considerable number of the species are vulnerable and endangered. This unique region has been facing tremendous pressure from anthropogenic activities. Commercial agriculture, urbanization and industrialization are causing a massive threat to sustain its unique natural heritage. Understanding the need for restoring connectivity within its natural habitat is important to conserve the uniqueness of such tropical landscapes. Therefore, this paper discusses (i) the understanding of importance of the ecological connectivity within the remnant habitats for restoration and conservation planning and (ii) the approach to develop a framework for ecological connectivity network through bridging science and policy. Though Malaysian National Physical Plan grossly identifies the issues but scientific assessment is lacking there. This study will give a guide line to the understanding of the importance of ecological connectivity network, in one hand, and it will help to develop an approach for the ecological connectivity network in such rapidly changing region in the other.

Key words: Ecological connectivity network, functional connectivity, structural connectivity, conservation, landscape planning.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Review

The resource sharing under hi-education agglomeration

Dai Xie’er¹, Dai Ming²* and Feng Guocan¹

¹Faculty of Mathematics, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou Guangdong 510275, China.

²Economic College of Jinan University, Guangzhou Guangdong 510632, China.

Accepted 07 September, 2019

Abstract

In China, recent years have witnessed a trend of higher education agglomeration (HEA) which affects job markets and industries through diffusion, sharing, and matching mechanisms. The mechanisms in this new trend can be explained by some previous models in industrial agglomeration, but meanwhile have characters that deserve to be paid attention. Happening between educational and industrial sectors, as the following analysis suggests, this kind of resource sharing effects brought by HEA is quite different from that existing among industries. The former promotes not only the resource economization, but also the innovation performance that generated from the close-quarters flow of knowledge among their creators and users.

Key words: Resource sharing, hi-education agglomeration, university town, innovation performance.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-005, January, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Opportunistic animal’s diet depend on prey availability: Spring dietary composition of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the Dhorpatan hunting reserve, Nepal

Achyut Aryal^1,2, S. Sathyakumar³ and Brigitte Kreigenhofer¹

¹Ecology and Conservation Group, Institute of Natural Sciences, Massey University, New Zealand.

²The Biodiversity Research and Training Forum, Nepal.

³Wildlife Institute of India, India.

Accepted 12 November, 2019

Abstract

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a least concerned omnivore, distributed widely between 2,500 m and 4,500 m in different protected areas of Nepal. We investigated the spring feeding habits of the red fox in the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve of Nepal. Livestock depredation by red fox, wolf and leopard, and the consequently retaliatory killings of these carnivores by local livestock herders, is becoming a serious issue for the conservation of these carnivores. At the same time, it leads to an increase in the number of prey animals by reducing the predators. Due to this situation, red fox change their dietary preference towards pika (Ochotona roylei), wild boar (Sus scrofa), and other ungulates. However, its main diet consists of insects (Coleoptera and Orthoptera) in other parts of its range. There is no significant difference (χ² = 0.86, df = 12, p > 0.05) in the frequency of occurrence of different prey species in the scats of red foxes. The pika (Ochotona roylei) made up 30% of the scats of fox, making it the most abundant species in their diet.

Keys words: Omnivores, diet, Vulpes vulpes, prey, predators.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 6 (5), pp. 001-016, May, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Keywords: Miombo woodlands, regeneration methods, disturbance, Sub-Saharan Africa, root suckers, stump coppices. 

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 6 (5), pp. 001-007, May, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of P₂O₅ on coriander induced by AMF under water deficit stress

Behzad Sani¹ and Hossein Aliabadi Farahani²*

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

²Islamic Azad University, Takestan Branch, Iran.

Accepted 21 March, 2019

Abstract

This experiment was carried out using a split factorial based randomized complete block design with 4 replications. The factors studied included two levels of drought stress, application and non-application of mycorrhiza ( Glomus hoi) and 0, 35 and 70 kg ha^-1 phosphorus applications. The results showed that drought stress had significant effect on essential oil yield, biological yield, shoot P content, root yield, seed yield and harvest index and the highest upon plant characteristics were achieved under without drought stress condition. Also, mycorrhiza and phosphorus application had significant effects on essential oil yield, biological yield, shoot P content, root yield and seed yield. Highest of this characteristics were achieved under application of mycorrhiza and 70 kg ha^-1 phosphorus.The findings indicated that AMF inoculation of coriander contributes to improved water and phosphorous uptake for the production of below-ground organs and helps maintain accumulation of dry matter.

Key words: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, phosphorus, drought stress, essential oil, Coriandrum sativum.