African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems Vol.  2 (1) pp. 060-070, January, 2015.  © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Timberland arrangement and efficiency changes as influenced by human exercises in the common Natural forest˗ savanna zone in Northern Ghana

Majid E. Desailly

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.

Email: [email protected]

Accepted 03 December, 2014

Abstract 

Assessing the impact of anthropogenic activities on forest ecosystems dynamics is valuable in managing and maintaining the long-term productivity of forests and ensuring forest ecosystem sustainability and ecological balance. In view of this, the objective of this study was to evaluate the induced effects of anthropogenic activities on the forest˗savanna zones in Northern Ghana. The study assessed the impacts on the woody plant species composition and the above-ground and below-ground herbaceous biomass productivity in three forest areas. Three study zones (Wungu, Serigu and Mognori) consisting of two neighbouring forest types, namely the protected and anthropogenic activities prone types were used for the comparative study. 30 × 30 m and 1 × 1 m random plots and subplots were used to determine the vegetation composition and productivity across the three study areas. A total of 96 random samples of above˗ground live biomass, and the same number of litter and root biomass samples were collected in both forest types of each study zone to make composite samples for the comparative analysis. Differences in the woody plant composition were observed between the two types of forest across the three study zones. The results show that total above˗ground biomass (live plus litter biomass) and total plant biomass (total above˗ground plus root biomass) productivity were generally significantly (P< 0.05) lower in all the unprotected than the adjacent protected areas. From the present study, it could be concluded that forest composition and productivity can be protected and sustained by effectively monitoring and regulating anthropogenic activities across the natural savanna ecological zone in Northern Ghana.

Key words: Forest ecosystems, savanna ecological zone, anthropogenic activities, above-ground and below-ground biomass productivity.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems Vol.  1 (3) pp. 053-059, December, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The Environment of macrozoobenthos in Shallabugh wetland of Kashmir Himalaya, India

*Salman Rukh Chopra, Rabindranath E. Shahid and Priyanka Kareena

Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Mumbai, Mumbai, India.

E-mail: [email protected] 

Accepted 28 November, 2014

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 Vol.  1 (3) pp. 042-052, December, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Review

House considering, biological insight and the moral and good structure of UBUNTU: A basic for feasible improvement

Kebby Kaunda Sata

 Department of Mathematics and Science Education, School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Lusaka, Lusaka, Zambia.

E-mail: [email protected] 

Accepted 14 November, 2014

Abstract 

This paper explores connections among the concepts of commons, ecological intelligence, and the sub-Saharan Africa moral and ethical framework of UBUNTU and their relevance for sustainable development. The ethical and moral framework of UBUNTU is presented as a cultural commons that speaks to values relevant for sustainability. UBUNTU is an ethical and moral framework to transition to sustainable living. UBUNTU is a moral and ethical framework that stresses collectivity and collective agency that are relevant for behaviour management and character formation that may contribute to sustainable lifestyles. It stands in contract to, for example, Western frameworks that overly emphasise individualism and individuality especially the stress on the individual’s intellect, mental intelligence, and abstract thinking at the expense of individual and collective values necessary to realise sustainable lifestyles. Re-appropriation of this useful framework may lead to more effective education and communication for sustainable development.

Key words: Cultural commons, ecological intelligence, education and communication for sustainable development, UBUNTU.

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems Vol.  1 (3) pp. 037-041, December, 2014.  © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

District organization, ecological distribution and variety of trees and shrubs in chosen regions of Branwar Forest

*Chandragupta Singh, Prakash Suman Raj and Vishnu Suman

Department of Environmental Sciences, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, India.

Email: [email protected] 

Accepted 10 November, 2014

Abstract 

Periodic studies were conducted in four selected sites of Branwar foresfiet area of Kashmir Himalaya in the year 2010 to 2011 for assessing ecological distribution and diversity of trees and shrubs. The Plant Community Organizational features, ecological distribution and diversity of different study sites in the Branwar Forest during 2010 to 2011 are markedly variable with regard to the life-forms namely, trees and shrubs. A total of five tree species belonging to four families were recorded at the different study sites. Near village (NS) site (I) had five species and riparian forest (RS) site (II) had three tree species, while dam forest (DS) site (III) and protected forest (PS) site (IV) had two species each. Among the trees Abies pindrow and Pinus wallichiana were present at all the study sites. The shrub species present at the study sites ranged from 03 for protected forest (PS) site and 06 for near village (NS) site. The number of shrub species present at near village (NS) site was 06, at riparian forest (RS) site, 05 species were present; while, at dam forest (DS) site and protected forest (PS) site, 04 and 03 species of shrubs were present, respectively. Among the shrub species Indigofera heterantha was present at all the study sites. In the present study, low tree species diversity index was found at the unprotected sites of near village site and riparian site compared to the protected sites of dam forest site and protected forest site. With increasing disturbance in the forests the plant species diversity, richness and evenness are significantly reduced. The increase in shrub diversity and evenness at near village (NS) site and riparian forest (RS) site may be due to less competition and availability of more space due to less vegetation.

Key Words: Richness, Species Diversity, community, Habitat, dispersal, Vegetation

African Journal of Ecology and Ecosystems Vol.  1 (2) pp. 024-028, November, 2014.  © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Aquatic ecosystem contamination and ecological effects of agricultural sewage in the Caspian Sea watershed

*Bahar Farahani, Marz V. Jobraani and Shohreh Pahlavi

Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of life Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran. Iran.

E-mail: [email protected] 

Accepted 6 October, 2014

Abstract 

The existing system of management and development of irrigation and drainage without consideration of the ecological danger have led to disruption of the ecosystem balance and change it function. The existence of many rivers draining into the Caspian Sea, and uncontrolled utilization of pesticide toxicants, are one of major concern regarding the water resources in the north provinces of Iran. A study have been done for measuring of Organochlorine and Organophosphorus pesticides in nine rivers of the Caspian Sea basin in Mazandaran and Golestan Provinces which include Haraz, Babolroud, Talar, Tajan, Siahroud, Gharahsoo, Nekaroud, Gorganroud and Atrak from April 2005 to March 2006. Samples analyzing revealed that Phosphorous toxin are observed frequently in aquatic ecosystems especially in summer and autumn. Diazinon as a phosphorous pesticide almost was found in all rivers during the year and its concentration is somewhat more than others. On the other hand, chlorinated pesticides are observed frequently in spring and especially in summer, but are not found in winter at all. Due to the vast expansion of agricultural fields in the study area, these contaminants are leached by rainfall, irrigation and drainage activities and then are conducted to the rivers and finally into the Caspian Sea.

Key words: Caspian sea, pesticides, Mazandaran, Golesatan.