ISSN 2756-3367
Review
African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 6 (1), pp. 001-010, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Review
Ecological integrity of wetland, their functions and sustainable use
N. Jafari
Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences and Nano and Biotechnology Group, Mazandaran University, Babosar, Iran. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel.: +98-9111184973. Fax: +98-1125242161.
Accepted 11 May, 2018
Abstract
It is estimated that 90% of sewage in cities in developing countries are today discharged untreated into water bodies. The physical, biological, chemical and geologic interactions among different components of the environment that occur within a wetland. Anzali wetland complex is a good example of a natural wetland, characteristic of the South Caspian lowlands. It supports an extremely diverse wetland flora and fauna. Anzali wetland supports over 1% of the regional Middle East wintering populations of several species of waterbirds. Anzali wetland complex as a large and freshwater lagoon fed by several rivers, separated from the Caspian Sea by a dune system; supports extensive reed beds and abundant submerged and floating vegetation. It is vital life support system for many biological communities as it has so many different fishes like caviar that is the best in the world and supports a major commercial fishery. It has marvelous climate and beautiful views for tourists’ attraction as an important recreation center in the north of I. R. Iran.
Key words: Wetlands, function, environmental problem, Caspian sea, Anzali wetland.
N. Jafari
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Research Article
African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 5 (9), pp. 001-008, September, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Plants canopy coverage at the edge of main communications network in Hyrcanian forests
Aidin Parsakhoo1*, Seyed Ataollah Hosseini2 and Mohammad Reza Pourmajidian2
1Faculty of Natural Resources, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, P. O. Box #737, Mazandaran Province, Sari City, Iran.
2Department of Forestry, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Mazandaran Province, Sari City, Iran.
Accepted 23 April, 2018
Abstract
To investigate the plants canopy coverage on cut and fill slopes of Lat Talar forest roads in Hyrcanian zone, the systematic randomize sampling method with 60 parallelogram shape plots was used. Within each plot the herbaceous plants and regeneration of woody species were recognized and their canopy coverage was recorded in %. Results showed that the canopy coverage of herbaceous plants and regeneration on cut and fill slopes were 7.2 and 28.4%, respectively. Rubus hyrcanus L. had more canopy coverage at the edge of forest roads as compared with other species. Canopy coverage on fill and cut slopes with angles of 25 - 35°and 45 - 55° was more than angels of 35 - 45° and 55 - 65°, respectively. Reducing the cut slope angle is necessary for increasing the plant cover, as it was on the fill slopes.
Key words: Vegetation, canopy coverage, road edges, Hyrcanian forests.
Seyed Ataollah Hosseini and Mohammad Reza Pourmajidian, Aidin Parsakhoo*
Page: 1 - 8
Research Article
African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 5 (8), pp. 001-005, August, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Assessment of bore wells water quality in Gwagwalada town of FCT
S. Ishaya1* and I. B. Abaje2
1Department of Geography, University of Abuja, Gwagwalada, Abuja. Nigeria.
2Department of Geography, Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan-Waya, Kaduna, Nigeria.
Accepted 18 April 2018
Abstract
Bore wells water quality was carried out in Gwagwalada town of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria in December 2008. Acceptable standard method of sampling and analysis was used. Samples were collected from one bore well from the 11 part of the town. Wells were selected for the sample collections randomly. Sampling point locations and elevation were obtained using G.P.S. Analysis was carried out for Total Hardness, Turbidity, Sulphate, Calcium, Nitrate, Iron, PH, Chloride, Fluoride, TDS and Magnesium. Nitrate concentration was normal for all the samples points except for Ungwan Shanu and Ungwan Bassa. Turbidity, TDS and Magnesium for all the sampled wells are above the WHO permissible limit in all the location points. Hardness of water, Calcium and Chloride was found to be above the permissible level in Dagiri, Ungwan Dodo, Ungwan Shanu Ungwan Bassa, Kutunku, Abatoir and Ungwan Aguma. Other chemicals are found to be within the permissible limit.
Key words: Ground water, water quality, pollution, concentration.
I. B. Abaje, S. Ishaya*
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Research Article
African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 5 (7), pp. 001-007, July, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Soybean response to application of poultry manure and phosphorus fertilizer in the Sub-humid Savanna of Nigeria
U. F. Chiezey1 and A. C. Odunze2*
1Department of Agronomy, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
2Department of Soil Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigera.
Accepted 12 February, 2018
Abstract
Field experiments were conducted during the rainy seasons of 2003 and 2005 in Samaru in the Northern Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria to test the response of two soybean varieties to application of poultry manure and phosphorus fertilizer levels. Soybean varieties TGx 1448-2E and TGx 1019-2EB were grown without and with 1t/ha of poultry manure and four levels of P (0, 13.2, 26.4 and 39.6 kgP/ha) in all possible factorial combinations using randomized complete block design with four replicates. TGx 1448-2EB was shorter, had more pods and heavier seeds than TGx 1019- 2EB. Grain yield and total dry matter per hectare were higher in TGx 1448- 2EB. Application of manure consistently influenced most parameters in both years. Manure application increased leaf area index, plant height, nodule dry weight, total dry matter per plant and per hectare, number of pods per plant and grain yield per hectare. Phosphorus application increased leaf area index, plant height, nodule dry weight, total dry matter per hectare and grain yield per hectare. Highest grain yield was obtained with 26.4 kgP/ha which was not significantly different from yield obtained with 39.6 kgP/ha. Regression model showed a quadratic response and the agronomic optimum was 23.3 kgP/ha for a grain yield of 1.7 t/ha when averaged over both years. Application of 1 t/ha of poultry manure significantly (P<0.05) increased grain yield. Averaged over both years, application of 1 t/ha of manure increased grain yield by 33.7% compared with plots without poultry manure. There were no interactions between poultry manure and phosphorus fertilizers in any of the years or when weighed over the years.
Key words: Soybean, poultry-manure, phosphorus-fertilization.
U. F. Chiezey, A. C. Odunze*
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Research Article
African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 5 (7), pp. 001-008, July, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A preliminary study on the response of mangrove mud crab (Scylla serrata) to different feed types under drive-in cage culture system
David Oersted Mirera1* and Abdhallah Mtile2
1Silvofisheries Organization, P. O. Box 98422-80100, Mombasa, Kenya.
2Kwetu Training Centre, P. O. Box 685-80109, Mtwapa, Kenya.
Accepted 08 April, 2018
Abstract
The populations in coastal areas in east Africa have increased dramatically in the last decades, resulting in increased pressure on coastal resources. The examples are declining fish catches, deteriorating conditions of coral reefs and reduction of mangroves forests. The objective of the study was to asses the potential of grow-out Aquaculture of mud crabs Scylla serrata, as an alternative livelihood for resource-poor coastal communities. Growth rate and survival of mud crabs ( S. serrata) cultured in individual drive-in cages (30 x 30 x 30 cm) located in the mangrove forests dominated by Rhizophora mucronata were evaluated. The effect of feed (Terebralia pallustris - gastropod meat, fish offal and mixture of the 2) was determined in a completely randomised design. Feeding was done at 10% body weight at incoming tide throughout the experimental period of 120 days. Monthly sampling was employed and total weight (g), cheliped length (cm), carapace length (cm) and width (cm) were measured. The study aimed at establishing the growth rate, moulting and mortality of crabs fed using locally available feeds. A total of 180 drive- in cages were used for the experiment giving 60 replicates for each treatment. Drive- in cages were built with "fitos" and grouped in sets of 10 for easy management. Crab seed stock of 50 - 380 g for the experiment were bought from artisanal fishermen. Application of ANOVA and post-hoc test revealed that crabs fed with mixed feed had significantly higher % growth (47.9%) compared to fish offal (33.4%) but were similar to gastropod meat (43.2%) p < 0.05. Growth rate was significantly affected by feed type, where higher values were recorded in mixed feed diets (gastropod meat and fish offal, 1.29 g/day) compared to the individual feeds (0.96 and 0.97 g/day for fish offal and gastropods meat respectively. There was no significant difference in growth of monosex crabs female (0.996 - 1.55 g/day) and males (0.893 -1.01 g/day) p = 0.373.
Key words: Mangrove, mud crab, feed, drive-in cage, growth.
Abdhallah Mtile, David Oersted Mirera*
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Research Article
African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 5 (6), pp. 001-010, June, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Carbon sequestration rate and aboveground biomass carbon potential of four young species
Bipal Kr Jana*, Soumyajit Biswas, Mrinmoy Majumder, Pankaj Kr Roy and Asis Mazumdar
Regional Centre of National Afforestation and Ecodevelopment Board (NAEB), Kolkata and School of Water Resources Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India.
Accepted 08 May, 2017
Abstract
Carbon is sequestered by the plant photosynthesis and stored as biomass in different parts of the tree. Carbon sequestration rate has been measured for young species (6 years age) of Shorea robusta at Chadra forest in Paschim Medinipur district, Albizzia lebbek in Indian Botanic Garden in Howrah district, Tectona grandis at Chilapata forest in Coochbehar district and Artocarpus integrifolia at Banobitan within Kolkata of West Bengal in India by Automated Vaisala Made Instrument GMP343 and aboveground biomass carbon has been analyzed by CHN analyzer. The specific objective of this article is to measure carbon sequestration rate and aboveground biomass carbon potential of four young species of Shorea robusta, Albizzia lebbek, Tectona grandis and Artocarpus integrifolia. The carbon sequestration rate (mean) from the ambient air during winter season as obtained by Shorea robusta, Albizzia lebbek, Tectona grandis and Artocarpus integrifolia were 11.13, 14.86 and 2.57 g/h in overcast skies and 4.22 g/h respectively. The annual carbon sequestration rate from ambient air were estimated at 8.97 t C ha-1 by Shorea robusta, 11.97 t C ha-1 by Albizzia lebbek, 2.07 t C ha-1 by Tectona grandis and 3.33 t C ha-1 by Artocarpus integrifolia. The percentage of carbon content (except root) in the aboveground biomass of Shorea robusta, Albizzia lebbek, Tectona grandis and Artocarpus integrifolia were 47.45, 47.12, 45.45 and 43.33, respectively. The total aboveground biomass carbon stock per hectare as estimated for Shorea robusta, Albizzia lebbek, Tectona grandis and Artocarpus integrifolia were 5.22, 6.26, 7.97 and 7.28 t C ha-1, respectively in these forest stands.
Key words: Shorea robusta, Albizzia lebbek, Tectona grandis, Artocarpus integrifolia, carbon sequestration rate, aboveground biomass carbon stock.
Pankaj Kr Roy and Asis Mazumdar, Mrinmoy Majumder, Bipal Kr Jana*, Soumyajit Biswas
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