African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 3 (5), pp. 207-215, September, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of climate mitigation on carbon stocks of Hanang forest, Tanzania

Thomas O. Hasheem¹*, Julius Bi kudude², Jakaya Sumari Anna³ and Salma James Shija³

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3035, Morogoro, Tanzania.

²Department of Botany, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, P. O. Box 35091, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

³Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3010, Morogoro, Tanzania.

Email: [email protected]

Accepted 10 July, 2016

Abstract

The study assessed carbon stocks of Hanang mountain forest, Tanzania. Thirty-four sample plots (40 × 50 m) were established along an altitudinal gradient. All trees with diameter at breast height ≥10 cm were identified and measured, and herb species and soil were sampled from four 1 × 1 m quadrats within 10 × 10 m subplots. Mean carbon stock was 48.37 and 0.26 t C ha^-1 for tree and herb species, respectively. Soil organic carbon (SOC) was 64.2, 41.93 and 31.0 t C ha^-1 in the upper, mid and lower layers, respectively. It was found that there was significant difference in tree carbon (p<0.05) along an altitudinal gradient. However there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in herbaceous carbon and SOC in the three layers along an altitudinal gradient. Tree carbon was low compared to other tropical areas where allometric models were employed. In contrast, SOC was high compared to other similar forests in the tropics. Anthropogenic threats will likely diminish the SOC hence conservation measures are needed.

Key words: Carbon, stocks, altitudinal gradient, soil organic carbon (SOC).

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 3 (4), pp. 198-206, July, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Ecological awareness of cultured colonies variation of A. terreus and environmental interactions in arid soils

Muqtada Al-Maliki*, Zainab Aziz Qausim and Saddam Hisham Saatchi

All Women College of Science, Babylon University, Hilla, Iraq.

Email: [email protected]

Accepted 28 June, 2016

Abstract

Arid soils are complex ecosystem that maintains topographically distinct mycoflora populations. A total of 45 soil samples collected from the arid soils in Iraqi desert were cultured by dilution plate method and screened for Aspergillus terreus. The aim of this study was to enhance ecological knowledge of cultured colonies variation of A. terreus as well as environmental interactions in arid soils. An attempt is made to comprehensively screen desert soil for the wild type A. terreus producing lovastatin. The results show that the most frequent Aspergillus spp. included: A. niger (159 isolates), A. terreus (143), A. flavus (115) and A. fumigates (42) and other fungi. Genetically, the diagnoses of 19 isolates of A. terreus were in the scope of our interest. The specific primer pair had monomorphic bands of approxi mately PCR product of 450 bp. Ribotyping isolates of A. terreus with primer pairs (ITS1/ITS4 and ITS1/ITS2) were 19 isolates, with a single PCR product of 550-600 bp and 280-380 bp, respectively. RAPD-PCR was also used to distinguish between ecological patterns generated and allowed a distinction of very closely related environmental isolates. Lovastatin production was carried out with thin layer chromatography. Results suggest that phenotypic variations in A. terreus isolates were not useful for identifying them, and showed no significance in the identification in all the sites studied. However, using discriminatory molecular methods, such as amplification of the targeted regions by specific and universal characterization of the isolates could be pivotal in understanding ecological variation. Wild type soil isolates of A. terreus have the ability to produce lovastatin.

Key words: Molecular ecological typing, Aspergillus terreus, arid soils, lovastatin, Iraq.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 3 (2), pp. 175-184, February, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full length Research paper 

Vegetation community structure and diversity in swamps undergoing anthropogenic impacts in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Josephine M. Mulei¹, Augustino O. Onkware² and Donald F. Otieno¹

¹Department of Biological Sciences, School Science, University of Eldoret, P. O. Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya.

²Rongo University College, P.O. Box 103-40404, Rongo.

*Corresponding author.E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 21 January, 2014

Abstract

Wetlands in Kenya face continuous threat of destruction by agricultural activies, urbanization and pollution. However, their floristic compositions remain unkown since research remains restricted to wetlands of national importance because of their touristic values. A study was conducted in 2006 to determine the species composition and diversity of the vegetation in four swamps within Uasin Gishu County. Data on species composition and diversity were collected using belt transects method and analyzed using cluster analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Two hundred and eighty six plant species belonging to 70 families were enumerated in the four wetlands, with Leseru swamp having the highest species number (176) and diversity (4.02). Families Poacea and Asteracea were represented by the highest number of species (41 each). The four swamps exhibited significantly different levels of human activity and impact; where Chepkongony was the most and Marula the least affected. It is recommended that the wetlands should be declared conservation areas and protected from further drainage or uncontrolled explotation.

Key words: Swamps, species composition, species diversity, Uasin Gishu, anthropogenic factors.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN 9428-167X Vol. 3 (1), pp. 170-174, January, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full length Research Paper

Mutational Spectrum of β-Thalassaemia of Northern part of Odisha, India

Nibarana Satapathy and Bisnu Prasad Dash

Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Fakir Mohan University, Balasore, Odisha, India.

*Correspondingauthor.Email: [email protected]

Accepted 15 April, 2016

Abstract

Prevention of β thalassaemia requires knowledge for diagnosing the molecular analysis in the population at risk. This knowledge is particularly necessary when prevention control is applied to a multiethnic population. For this purpose, we are analyzing different populations from northern part of Odisha, India. During the study, we encountered about 98 patients from District Head Quarter Hospital of Mayurbhanj and Balasore district of Odisha. Molecular analysis of β gene mutation were showing that population showing IVS I-5(G-> C), cd 41/42(-CTTT), cd 8/9(+G), IVS I-1(G->T), cd 15(G->A), cd 30(G->C) as well as 619 bp deletion. In most cases, we found the IVS 1-5(G-> C) mutation and cd 41/42(-CTTT) mutation. The novel 619 bp deletion is the first report being analyzed in northern part of Odisha. The patient’s age group more prevalence in between 0 - 15 years and their hematological parameters were recorded.

Keywords: β thalassaemia, β gene mutation, IVS 1-5(G-> C), cd 41/42(-CTTT), cd 15(G->A) mutation.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems ISSN: 9428-167X Vol. 3 (3), pp. 185-197, April, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Importance of wetland resources, their threats and the need to protect them

Chukwuma B. Eze*, Ekene Gabriel Anthony and O. B. Nathaniel

School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 05 March, 2016

Abstract

The Niger Delta wetland ecosystem is of high economic importance to the local dwellers and the nation in general. The region is rich in both aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity and serves as a main source of livelihood for rural dwellers as well as stabilizing the ecosystem. Tremendous changes have occurred recently in the Niger Delta wetlands due to anthropogenic activities, thus raising awareness on the need for effective monitoring, protection and conservation of the wetland ecosystem. A good knowledge of the services provided by wetland ecosystems is an important key for an effective ecosystem management. The aim of this paper therefore was to review the importance of wetland resources, their threats and the need to protect them. This review shows that the region is rich in biodiversity of high economic importance to national development, and has been under severe threat from human activities, especially pollution. It is recommended that effective monitoring be employed using modern techniques such as GIS and remote sensing in the conservation and management of this important ecosystem.

Key words: Niger Delta, wetland, ecosystem.