Canopy tree density and species influence tree regeneration patterns and woody species diversity in a longleaf pine forest

Mitigation of climate change is one of the major environmental challenges facing the globe. In this context, homegarden agroforestry systems (HGAFs) have large potential for climate change mitigation. Therefore, this study was initiated to estimate the biomass and soil carbon stocks of HGAFs in relation to adjacent Natural Forest (NF). It also analyzed the relationship between woody species diversity, evenness and richness with biomass and soil carbon stocks. Three sites were purposely selected on the basis of the presence of HGAFs and NF adjacent to each other. Random sampling was used to select representative homegardens from the study population. In NF, a systematic sampling technique was employed. A total of 60 plots with a size of 10 m x 20 m were used to collect vegetation and soil data in both land uses. Soil samples were collected from each plot of the samples laid for vegetation sampling. Accordingly, 120 composite and 120 undisturbed soil samples from 0-30 cm and 30-60 cm soil depths were collected for soil organic carbon (SOC) and bulk density analysis respectively. Biomass estimation for each woody species was analyzed by using appropriate allometric equations. The result showed that the total amount of carbon stocks was 148.32±35.76 tons ha-1 and 157.27±51.61 tons ha-1 in HGAFs and adjacent NF respectively which did not vary significantly between the two studied land uses (P > 0.05). The finding also shows a positive but non-significant (P>0.05) relationship between carbon stocks and woody species diversity, richness, and evenness. Specifically, in NF lands, woody species diversity with SOC (r=0.36) and in HGAFs species richness with biomass carbon (r=0.39) was correlated positively and significantly (P=0.05). We concluded that HGAFs have the same potential as the NF for carbon stock accumulation and to counteract the loss of biomass.

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Woody species diversity and land-use change legacy: dataset across Uruguay

Data in Brief ◽

10.1016/j.dib.2021.107545 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 107545

Author(s):

Ina Säumel ◽

Leonardo R. Ramírez

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Species Diversity ◽

Land Use Change ◽

Woody Species ◽

Woody Species Diversity

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The vascular flora of the Lake Thoreau Environmental Center, Forrest and Lamar counties, Mississippi, with comments on compositional change after a decade of prescribed fire

Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas ◽

10.17348/jbrit.v14.i2.1020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 413-433

Author(s):

William J. McFarland, ◽

Danielle Cotton, ◽

Mac H. Alford ◽

Micheal A. Davis

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

Prescribed Fire ◽

Longleaf Pine ◽

Vascular Plant ◽

Pinus Palustris ◽

Woody Species ◽

University Of Southern Mississippi ◽

The North ◽

Rich Diversity ◽

North American Coastal Plain

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) ecosystems exhibit high species diversity and are major contributors to the extraordinary levels of regional biodiversity and endemism found in the North American Coastal Plain Province. These forests require frequent fire return intervals (every 2–3 years) to maintain this rich diversity. In 2009, a floristic inventory was conducted at the Lake Thoreau Environmental Center owned by the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The Center is located on 106 ha with approximately half covered by a 100+ year old longleaf pine forest. When the 2009 survey was conducted, fire had been excluded for over 20 years resulting in a dense understory dominated by woody species throughout most of the forest. The 2009 survey recorded 282 vascular plant species. Prescribed fire was reintroduced in 2009 and reapplied again in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018. A new survey was conducted in 2019 to assess the effects of prescribed fire on floristic diversity. The new survey found an additional 268 species bringing the total number of plants species to 550. This study highlights the changes in species diversity that occurs when fire is reintroduced into a previously fire-suppressed system and the need to monitor sensitive areas for changes in species composition.

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Patterns of Woody Species Diversity Along Disturbance Gradient in Gumdri Abo Natural Forest, Dangila District, North Western Ethiopia

10.7176/jnsr/9-3-05 ◽

2019 ◽

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

Woody Species ◽

Natural Forest ◽

Disturbance Gradient ◽

Woody Species Diversity ◽

North Western ◽

Western Ethiopia

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Woody Species Diversity and Management in Homegarden Agroforestry: The Case of Shashemene District, Ethiopia

International Journal of Forestry Research ◽

10.1155/2019/3697047 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Tefera Jegora ◽

Zebene Asfaw ◽

Agena Anjulo

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

Management Practices ◽

Woody Species ◽

Diversity Management ◽

Persea Americana ◽

Importance Value Index ◽

Cupressus Lusitanica ◽

Croton Macrostachyus ◽

Woody Species Diversity ◽

Cordia Africana

The study was conducted in Shashemene district, Ethiopia. Management-related data were collected using informal and formal surveys. Woody species diversity and related parameters were collected from 60 households. Woody species with ≥5 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) were measured and recorded and below 5 cm were counted and recorded in 10 m ∗ 10 m and 1 m ∗ 1 m plot, respectively. A total of 36 woody species were recorded, of which 58% were indigenous to the area. The overall mean number of woody species per plot was 3.13. Four woody species, namely, Cordia africana, Croton macrostachyus, Persea americana, and Catha edulis, showed highest importance value index. Farmers’ preference ranks for selected woody species were recorded in order of Cordia africana, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Croton macrostachyus, and Cupressus lusitanica, respectively. The similarity in woody species composition between the study villages ranged from 0.46 to 0.60. To sustain the management of woody species, farmers implemented pruning, thinning, composting, weeding, digging, and watering activities in the area. Garden availability and market and road accessibility are the major determinants of woody species in homegarden agroforestry. The study revealed woody species diversity, management practices implemented, and factors affecting woody species diversity management in homegarden agroforestry. Therefore, government should be worked on infrastructure, resource reallocation, and awareness creation in communities for the better improvement of species diversity and its sustainable management in homegarden agroforestry.

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