scholarly journals Understory species diversity, regeneration and recruitment potential of sacred groves in south west Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Onyekwelu ◽  
A. Lawal ◽  
R. Mosandl ◽  
B. Stimm ◽  
A. D. Agbelade
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Onyekwelu ◽  
A. Lawal ◽  
R. Mosandl ◽  
B. Stimm ◽  
A. D. Agbelade

Abstract Background Global species extinction rates due to forest conversions are increasing. Ecologists, conservationists and governments have adopted various conservation methods. Sacred grove is one conservation option that has gained attention in recent time. We assessed understory species diversity, regeneration and recruitment potentials of four sacred groves in southwestern Nigeria. Overstory tree species were inventoried in eight 800m2 temporary sample plots, systematically laid along two transects of 1000m each. Understory tree species were assessed in 100m2 plots for saplings and 25m2 plots for seedlings in all sample plots. Results Shannon-Wiener diversity index (1.8-3.46 (overstory); 2.65-3.55 (understory)), number of species (32-58 (overstory); 39-78 (understory)) and tree density (309-417 individuals/ha (overstory); 775-1445 individuals/ha (understory)) were comparable and/or higher at the understories than the overstories. Dbh distribution curves showed highest stand density at the lowest class (10–20 cm) and decreased with increasing dbh, indicating good regeneration status and healthy ecosystem. Regeneration was considered good and fair, because in most cases, number of seedlings > saplings > overstory trees or number of seedlings > saplings ≤ overstory trees. The good regeneration status was further confirmed by the good species recruitment in the understory. Some tree species were found to be unique to some sacred groves while some species that were absent in protected forests existed in the groves. The presence of these unique tree species indicated the potential of sacred groves in conserving important tree species. The high regeneration could be attributed to strict access restrictions in the groves, and the taboos and myths feared by the people. However, the high influx of people into sacred groves for festivals and rituals, which results in trampling and burning of seedlings, is a threat to the diversity, regeneration and recruitment potentials of the groves.Conclusion High regeneration and recruitment status maintained in all the sacred groves in this study were achieved using taboos, cultural and traditional methods. These methods could be incorporated in managing forest reserves in Southwestern Nigeria.


2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 447-464
Author(s):  
U. K. Sen ◽  
R. K. Bhakat

Sacred groves are the fairly well-protected system of community-based conservation of tree patches on account of their association with village gods, and repository of many rare and threatened elements of biodiversity. There are, however, few publications on lichens of sacred groves. The lichens have long been regarded as sensitive indicators for monitoring environmental state. The present study reports one hundred and sixteen species of lichens from forty-four genera of nineteen families in four selected sacred groves of Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal. These lichens represent two different growth forms, i.e. crustose (105 species) and foliose (11 species). Shorea robusta, a dominant tree species in two sacred groves bears the highest lichen diversity with seventy-four species. To better understand the related biodiversity and climate, this work is likely to promote further studies on lichen diversity in other regions of West Bengal.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 19-23
Author(s):  
Jeeshna M.V

Sacred groves act as a treasure house for rare and medicinal plants. Apart from the quantitative analysis quantitative approach to sacred grove gives the potential species and importance of sacred grove, which is the main focuses of this work. There are many sacred grooves are present at Kannur district in whichVaneeswaram Kavu is one of the important one. The flora of sacred groves of has analysed taxonomically and phytosociologically. A total of 64 vascular plants falling under 61 genera and 43 families were documented. About 12 species are reported in the red listed category. In phytosociological studies specieslike, Elaeocarpus serratus, Erycibe paniculata and Scleria lithosperma were showing higher IVI. The devastation of species diversity in the study area represent there is an urgent need for regeneration of the species for conservation of biodiversity.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Balasubramanian ◽  
S. Lazarus ◽  
M. Michael Babu ◽  
THAVASIMUTHU - Citarasu

Abstract Background: Polychaetes are an important component of the estuarine and mangrove ecosystem especially in fisheries perspective. The polychaete fauna of the Manakkudy estuary barmouth and mangrove was examined for species composition and taxonomic classification. A total of 27 species belonging to 16 genera under 12 families were collected. Results: Of these 27 species, 16 are new records to Manakudy estuary. Out of which, those coming under the group Errantia were dominant (9 species) when compared to Sedentaria group (7 species). Among the 12 families identified, the species diversity of Nereidae and Capitellidae were found to be high. Conclusions: Salinity and nature of substrata, two main factors which govern the distribution of polychaetes, are also given along with species description.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 970-983 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tan Yibo ◽  
Shen Wenhui ◽  
Fu Zi ◽  
Zheng Wei ◽  
Ou Zhiyang ◽  
...  

Herzogia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 231-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Muggia ◽  
Vasiliki Kati ◽  
Alexander Rohrer ◽  
John Halley ◽  
Helmut Mayrhofer

2002 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillermo Martínez Pastur ◽  
Pablo Luis Peri ◽  
María Cecilia Fernández ◽  
Gabriela Staffieri ◽  
Marí Vanessa Lencinas

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