ISSN 2756-3367
Research Article
African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 6 (2), pp. 001-007, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Diversity of true mangroves and their associates in the Pondicherry region of South India and development of a mangrove knowledgebase
Natesan Balachandran1, Somasundaram Kichenamourthy1, Jayaraman Muthukumaran2, Mannu Jayakanthan2, Sanniyasi Chandrasekar3, Ankita Punetha3 and Durai Sundar3*
1Auro Herbarium, Auroville, Tamil Nadu 605101, India.
2Centre for Bioinformatics, School of Life sciences, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry 605014, India.
3Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India.
Accepted 15 October, 2018
Abstract
Mangroves are salt–tolerant forest ecosystems of tropical and subtropical intertidal regions of the world. There may be no other group of plants with such highly developed morphological and physiological adaptations to extreme conditions. They are a rich source of steroids, triterpenes, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins. The Pondicherry region in South India has no forest, but has scattered patches of mangroves and remnants of tropical dry evergreen forest in the form of sacred groves. The present study documents the directly observed diversity of true mangroves and their associates, in four geographical regions of Pondicherry in South India; namely Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. These places are far from one another and the mangrove species diversity varies from one place to another, due to factors such as climate, tidal factors and anthropogenic pressures. In addition, we have also developed a knowledgebase entitled “Mangroves of Pondicherry”, which contains information including botanical name, English name, local name (Tamil language), Family, description, images and common uses of true mangroves and their associates. This knowledge resource is available for open access at http://web.iitd.ac.in/~sundar/mangroves/.
Key words: Mangroves, knowledgebase, sacred groves, tropical dry evergreen forest, Pondicherry, South India.
Ankita Punetha and Durai Sundar*, Somasundaram Kichenamourthy, Sanniyasi Chandrasekar, Natesan Balachandran, Jayaraman Muthukumaran, Mannu Jayakanthan
Page: 1 - 7
Research Article
African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 6 (2), pp. 001-005, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Maxent modeling for predicting suitable habitat for threatened and endangered tree Canacomyrica monticola in New Caledonia
Sunil Kumar1* and Thomas J. Stohlgren2
11499 Campus Delivery, A204, NESB, Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1499, USA.
2U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1499, USA.
Accepted 21 November, 2018
Abstract
Distribution data on threatened and endangered species are often sparse and clustered making it difficult to model their suitable habitat distribution using commonly used modeling approaches. We used a novel method called maximum entropy distribution modeling or Maxent for predicting potential suitable habitat for Canacomyrica monticola , a threatened and endangered tree species in New Caledonia, using small number of occurrence records (11). The Maxent model had 91% success rate (that is, a low omission rate) and was statistically significant. The approach presented here appears to be quite promising in predicting suitable habitat for threatened and endangered species with small sample records and can be an effective tool for biodiversity conservation planning, monitoring and management.
Key words: Biodiversity conservation, Canacomyrica monticola, hotspot, Maxent, New Caledonia, threatened and endangered species, small sample size.
Thomas J. Stohlgren, Sunil Kumar*
Page: 1 - 5
Research Article
African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 6 (2), pp. 001-009, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
The effect of MRET activated water on staphylococcal infection in vivo in animal model and in vitro on the culture of Staphylococcus aureus wood-46
Igor Smirnov
Global Quantech, Inc., San Marcos, CA 92078, USA. E-mail: [email protected]. Fax: (760)510-1999.
Accepted 16 November, 2018
Abstract
The article relates to detailed observation of the effect of MRET activated water with the modified molecular structure on Staphylococcus aureus. MRET water is produced with the help of Molecular Resonance Effect Technology patented in the USA. The investigation described in this article was conducted in animal model and in vitro at the Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Biological Department of Kyiv National Shevchenko University, Ukraine. The research in animal model revealed the fact that the consumption of MRET water stimulated the phagocytic activity and the immune response. The phagocytic system is one of the main factors of natural non-specific cellular resistance to infections and inflammations. It is the first line of protection of an organism against the penetration and reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms. The protective role of phagocytes is based on their capacity to identify, engulf and neutralize the alien agents penetrating into internal environment of a macro -organism. Particularly, the consumption of MRET water reduced the death rate from 30% (control group of mice on non-activated water) to 0% (two groups of mice on MRET water) during the first 9 days of experiment after intra-peritoneal inoculation of Staphylococcus culture. The significant bacteriostatic effect of 70 - 100% (depending on initial concentrations of pathogens) was observed in vitro for MRET-activated nutrient medium in this investigation.
Key words: MRET water, Staphylococcus aureus, Phagocytes, Macrophages, Neutrophils, cytotoxic activity, bacteriostatic.
Igor Smirnov
Page: 1 - 9
Review
African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 6 (2), pp. 001-012, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Review
Municipal drinking water source protection in low income countries: A Case of Buea municipality-Cameroon
Fidelis Folifac1*, Lydia Lifongo2, George Nkeng2, 3 and Susan Gaskin4
1School of Urban Planning, McGill University, Canada.
2Department of Chemistry, University of Buea, Cameroon.
3Director, National Advanced School of Public Works, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
4Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Canada.
Accepted 16 December, 2018
Abstract
Source water contamination poses a risk to public health and increases the cost of drinking water treatment. Source water protection is a proactive approach for the enhancement of drinking water quality and quantity. A combination of research methods (desk review, interviews and reconnaissance field appraisal) have been used to identify major drinking water sources in Buea, land use activities which constitute potential threats and pathways of contamination of these sources as well as the capacity for source water protection in Buea. Our findings revealed that anthropogenic activities around the six major drinking water sources studied present visible potential threats and pathways for contamination, and that source water protection has not been given adequate attention in the planning and development of Buea. The potential human and social capacities are limited by the lack of financial and technical resources. This is further compounded by the fact that institutional arrangement does not facilitate the integration of land and water management at the local level. A framework for local strategic multi-stakeholder source water protection with the potential to foster leadership, pull together available resources from different stakeholders and reduce potential resistance to the integration of land and water management has been proposed. There is an urgent need for the adoption of a precautionary approach and research to develop baseline data that will enable comprehensive source water protection measures.
Key words: Source water protection, drinking water, water contamination, public health, stakeholders, buea, Cameroon.
Fidelis Folifac*, George Nkeng and Susan Gaskin, Lydia Lifongo
Page: 1 - 12
Research Article
African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 6 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Mangrove biodiversity in the restoration and sustainability of the Nigerian natural environment
Olusola H. Adekanmbi* and Oluwatoyin Ogundipe
Department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
Accepted 19 December, 2018
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the floral biodiversity and sustainability of Lagos wetlands. In other to achieve this, mangrove communities of 8 localities in Lagos and its environs viz: Atlas Cove, Five Cowrie Creek, Maroko, Berger De Motz, Palaver Island, Bayeku, Majidun and University of Lagos beach were sampled. A comprehensive quantitative vegetation analysis of the vegetation within the selected lagoonal communities was carried out. Of the 8 sampled sites, only 2 - Palaver Island and Bayeku had their vegetation relatively well preserved. Mangrove at the vicinity of University of Lagos and Majidun preserve relics of their biodiversity. There was evidence of anthropogenic stress at Five Cowrie Creek, which is devoid of vegetation. Maroko swamp has been taken over by grasses, Berger De Motz has sandy substratum, high-energy wave and rip of any typical mangrove species. The study reveals that mangrove swamps in Nigeria are under serious anthropogenic threat. To ensure that these wetlands are not soon forgotten, pragmatic measures which must be put in place to curb degradation, restore, sustain and preserve this vital ecosystem are suggested.
Key words: Degradation, natural environment, restoration, standards, wetlands.
Olusola H. Adekanmbi*, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe
Page: 1 - 9
Research Article
African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 6 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Projecting forest tree distributions and adaptation to climate change in northern Thailand
Yongyut Trisurat1* Rob Alkemade2 and Eric Arets2
1Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University Bangkok 10900, Thailand
2The Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency P.O. Box 303, 3720 AH Bilthoven, Netherlands.
Accepted 18 December, 2018
Abstract
Climate change is a global threat to biodiversity because it has the potential to cause significant impacts on the distribution of species and the composition of habitats. The objective of this research is to evaluate the consequence of climate change in distribution of forest tree species, both deciduous and evergreen species. We extracted the HadCM3 A2 climate change scenario (regionally-oriented economic development) for the year 2050 in northern Thailand. A machine learning algorithm based on maximum entropy theory (MAXENT) was employed to generate ecological niche models of forest plants. Six evergreen species and 16 deciduous species were selected using the criteria developed by the Asia Pacific Forest Genetic Resources Programme (APFORGEN) for genetic resources conservation and management. Species occurrences were obtained from the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. The accuracy of each ecological niche model was assessed using the area under curve of a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The results show that the total extent of occurrence of all selected plant species is not substantially different between current and predicted climate change conditions. However, their spatial configuration and turnover rate are high, especially evergreen tree species. Ten plant species will loss their ecological niches (suitable locations) ranging from 2 - 13%, while the remaining 12 species will gain substantial suitable habitats. The assemblages of evergreen species or species richness are likely to shift toward the north where low temperature is anticipated for year 2050. In contrast, the deciduous species will expand their distribution ranges. Based on the IUCN Red List criteria, 10 plant species will be categorized as near threatened (NT) and 12 species will be listed as concerned status. An important point is that species distribution models were found to depend significantly on extreme climate variables such as minimum temperature of coldest months, and precipitation of driest and coldest quarters.
Key words: Northern Thailand, climate change, forest tree species distribution model.
Yongyut Trisurat* Rob Alkemade, Eric Arets
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