scholarly journals Rapid declines in habitat quality and population size of the Liben (Sidamo) Lark Heteromirafra sidamoensis necessitate immediate conservation action

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
PAUL F. DONALD ◽  
GRAEME M. BUCHANAN ◽  
NIGEL J. COLLAR ◽  
YILMA DELLELEGN ABEBE ◽  
MERID N. GABREMICHAEL ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Predictive Modelling ◽  
Rangeland Management ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Southern Ethiopia ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Grass Cover ◽  
Conservation Action ◽  
Significant Deterioration ◽  
North East

SummaryThe Critically Endangered Liben Lark (formerly Sidamo Lark) is known only from the Liben Plain of southern Ethiopia, where rapid grassland deterioration is driving the species towards extinction. Fieldwork on the Liben Plain in May 2009 to assess changes in habitat and population since June 2007 recorded a significant deterioration in habitat and decline in numbers. In both 2007 and 2009, birds were associated with areas with greater than average grass cover, and in 2007 with areas of higher grass. However, between 2007 and 2009 there was a significant decline in grass cover and height, a 40% decline in number of birds recorded along repeated transects, and a contraction of 38% in the occupied area of the Liben Plain. Moreover, the cover of bare ground increased more in areas where the species was recorded in 2007 than at random points, suggesting a more rapid degradation of the best sites. There was also a loss to arable agriculture of 8% of the grassland present in 2007. Invading fennel plants increased in number and area on the plain but did not appear to influence the distribution of the lark. An analysis of NDVI showed that grassland deterioration could not be explained by drought, and the most likely explanation is that grassland quality is suffering from overgrazing. Predictive modelling suggests that, apart from a smaller and politically insecure area some 500 km to the north-east near Somalia, there is no suitable habitat for this species elsewhere in the Horn of Africa. As a matter of extreme urgency, cattle exclosures need to be established on the Liben Plain to allow grassland regeneration. This may require the ploughing of land to reduce soil compaction and re-sowing with local grass species. In the longer term, further degradation of the plain should be prevented by, for example, clearing encroaching scrub to increase grassland area and reduce grazing pressure, and by developing sustainable rangeland management practices. These actions have the full and active support of local pastoralists.

scholarly journals A review of the status of the Green Peafowl Pavo muticus and recommendations for future action

1998 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 331-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. K. McGowan ◽  
J. W. Duckworth ◽  
Wen Xianji ◽  
B. Van Balen ◽  
Yang Xiaojun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Conservation Action ◽  
North East ◽  
Ecological Requirements ◽  
The Status ◽  
Green Peafowl

SummaryThe Green Peafowl has undergone a substantial decline throughout East Asia since the turn of the century and is now reported only from a few widely scattered localities in several countries. Its plight was highlighted in the IUCN Pheasant Action Plan where it was one of the highest priorities for conservation action. Recent surveys have clarified its status and distribution in at least part of several range countries and there is patchy information from elsewhere in its range. The current knowledge of the species was reviewed at a workshop in Malaysia in autumn 1997 at which representatives from most key countries were present. The species is extinct in Peninsular Malaysia, and almost lost from Bangladesh and north-east India. There is one large population remaining in Thailand and the species is thought to be in danger of extinction in Laos. China and Indonesia hold mostly small and scattered populations although the latter does contain two large protected populations. The status in Myanmar and Cambodia is unknown, although the presence of large tracts of apparently suitable habitat in eastern Cambodia suggest that this area may hold the largest populations of the species. Conservation recommendations fall into four categories: a strategic review, assessing status and understanding ecological requirements, investigating the human-Green Peafowl relationship and considering the possibility of reintroducing the species where appropriate.

Species Composition and Biomass Production in Two Communal Coastal Rangelands of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
S. Matshawule,
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Rangeland Management ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Herbaceous Species ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Frequency Occurrence ◽  
Study Sites

This study investigated species composition and biomass production of herbaceous plants in two communal rangelands surrounding homesteads areas. In each study area, the rangelands were divided based on the distance from homesteads into near (up to 1 km), middle (> 1–2 km) and far (> 2–3 km) sites. On each site a HVU of 50 m x 20 m was used and six 0.25 m2 quadrants were laid randomly on each HVU. Herbaceous species found within a quadrant were identified, counted and their height and tuft were measured. Herbaceous species were also harvested, bulked and placed into well labelled brown paper bags and oven-dried for 48 hours at 60 oC to determine biomass production. Herbaceous species were also classified according to their palatability ecological status and life form. Data were collected for two seasons over 2014/15 (winter and summer). A total of 20 herbaceous species were identified in the study areas. Of these 17 were grass species. The most common or dominant grass species were T. triandra, C. dactylon, E. capensis, E. plana and S. africanus. At Dyamdyam T. triandra showed the greatest frequency of occurrence at far site than middle and near homesteads sites. The frequency occurrence of S. africanus at Machibi was relatively similar in all the study sites. Density of herbaceous species was significantly lowest on near and bottom sites at Dyamdyam and Machibi, respectively. In both winter and summer, grazing site far and top from homestead had greatest (P <0.05) biomass production at Dyamdyam and Machibi respectively. The biomass production was significantly highest in the summer than the winter across the study sites in both study areas. It can be concluded that composition of herbaceous species and biomass production are significantly dependent on distance and topography from homesteads and seasons. Therefore, any rangeland management practices in communal grazing lands should consider these factors in to consideration during the planning of development progress.

A Systems Approach for the Management of Russian Knapweed (Centaurea repens)

1998 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 363-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rick M. Bottoms ◽  
Tom D. Whitson
Keyword(s):  
Systems Approach ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Grass Cover ◽  
Russian Knapweed ◽  
Centaurea Repens ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Russian Wildrye

Studies were initiated in Wyoming to determine the potential of grass competition as an alternative to repetitive herbicide treatment or other cultural practices for control of Russian knapweed. An experiment was established to evaluate the effects of five grass species, including Russian wildrye cv. ‘Bozoisky.’ Picloram, applied to Russian knapweed during the first frost, reduced Russian knapweed from an average of 80.1% live canopy cover which equates to 0% control. Untreated, unseeded checks resulted in 83.9 and 81.1% control in tilled and nontilled treated plots, respectively. Grass cover increased in untreated seeded plots from an average of 11.3 and 8.2% in tilled and nontilled plots, respectively, to 65% in tilled and 66% in nontilled plots treated with clopyralid plus 2,4-D. Grass cover also increased 69.7% in tilled and 66% in nontilled plots treated with picloram. There was no significant difference between grass varieties when compared to percent Russian knapweed cover. Reductions to zero live canopy cover of Russian knapweed were obtained with a single application of picloram. Economic feasibility thresholds were obtained from four out of five varieties, including a significant difference provided by nontilled Russian wildrye treated with picloram.

scholarly journals Invasive grasses in South Texas rangelands: historical perspectives and future directions

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 41-58
Author(s):  
Justin P. Wied ◽  
Humberto L. Perotto-Baldivieso ◽  
April A. T. Conkey ◽  
Leonard A. Brennan ◽  
José M. Mata
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Fire Regimes ◽  
South Texas ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Bothriochloa Ischaemum ◽  
Heteropogon Contortus ◽  
Historical Perspectives ◽  
Sensing Applications

AbstractSouth Texas is home to a high diversity of species due to its location at the confluence of subtropical, desert, and coastal ecoregions. Historical overgrazing of South Texas rangelands transformed the savanna and prairie to a landscape dominated by woody plants and shrubs interspersed with low seral grass species and bare ground. During the first half of the 20th century, exotic grass species, coupled with the application of industrial agricultural practices appeared to be the future of forage production in South Texas and elsewhere. Several of these exotic species, namely King Ranch bluestem [Bothriochloa ischaemum (L.) Keng], Kleberg bluestem [Dichanthium annulatum (Forssk.) Stapf], Angelton bluestem [Dichanthium aristatum (Poir.) C.E. Hubbard], buffelgrass [Pennisetum ciliare (L.) Link], guineagrass [Urochloa maxima (Jacq.) R. Webster], Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana Nees), and Bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.], have escaped pasture cultivation. Additionally, the native grass tanglehead [Heteropogon contortus (L.) P. Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult.] has begun displaying invasive behaviors. The monoculture growth habit of these species simplifies vegetation structure, reduces biodiversity, and decreases habitat for many species of wildlife. These grasses also alter natural fire regimes and nutrient cycling. This landscape-level transformation of vegetation composition and structure requires monitoring to quantify and assess the spatial and temporal distributions of invasive species as a basis to inform management practices. Current advances in remote sensing technologies, such as very high spatial resolution coupled with daily satellite imagery and unmanned aerial vehicles, are providing tools for invasive vegetation monitoring. We provide a synthesis of the natural history of these grasses, including their introductions, an overview of remote sensing applications in South Texas, and recommendations for future management practices.

scholarly journals Conservation of the red-shanked douc Pygathrix nemaeus in Lao People's Democratic Republic: density estimates based on distance sampling and habitat suitability modelling

Oryx ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 540-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. N. Z. Coudrat ◽  
C. Nanthavong ◽  
K. A. I. Nekaris
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Distance Sampling ◽  
Line Transect ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Conservation Action ◽  
Lao People’S Democratic Republic ◽  
Lao People's Democratic Republic ◽  
Pygathrix Nemaeus

AbstractThe Endangered red-shanked douc Pygathrix nemaeus is a charismatic Asian colobine endemic to Vietnam, Cambodia and Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR). The largest population is found in central-eastern Lao PDR but it has never been quantified. We conducted line-transect surveys in Nakai–Nam Theun National Protected Area in 2011–2012. We used distance sampling combined with a habitat suitability model to estimate group density and group abundance in the area. Our analysis yielded a density of 2.8 (range 1.9–4.1) groups per km2 and c. 4,420 groups within the predicted c. 1,600 km2 of suitable habitat in Nakai–Nam Theun. These are the only available data for P. nemaeus in Lao PDR to date. We discuss the limitations of our survey, which involved potential violations of the distance sampling method, and highlight the challenges of using this method for primates. We also consider the importance of assessing limitations in distance sampling studies, to evaluate reliability and facilitate comparisons. The population of P. nemaeus in Lao PDR is under threat from illegal hunting and is not the focus of any specific conservation action. To avoid a repetition of the decline the species has already experienced in Vietnam, and to secure the species' global survival, conservation projects need to target the population in Nakai–Nam Theun. A long-term conservation and research project in this key biodiversity area will also benefit other threatened and unique co-existing species.

Identification of key environmental variables associated with the presence of Toothed Leionema (Leionema bilobum serrulatum) in the Strzelecki Ranges, Victoria, Australia

2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 207
Author(s):  
Wendy Wright ◽  
Xuan Zhu ◽  
Mateusz Okurowski
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Rare Species ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Predictive Modelling ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Small Tree ◽  
Disturbed Areas

Toothed Leionema is one of four subspecies of Leionema bilobum from the Rutaceae family. A dense shrub or small tree, growing to ~4 m high, it is a poorly investigated species which is considered rare in Victoria, Australia. This paper presents the results of a study using Geographical Information Systems and Weights-of-Evidence predictive modelling to assess the importance of seven environmental factors in determining habitat suitability for this species in the Strzelecki Ranges, Victoria. This method is particularly useful in understanding the distribution of rare species, especially where the ecology of the species of interest is not well understood. Of the seven environmental factors considered here, four were found to be important: elevation, aspect, distance to water and distance to plantation (disturbed) areas. The modelling results indicate that areas with elevations between 350 and 550 m and a dominant south-western aspect that are close to plantation areas (within 700 m), and to water (within 1100–1200 m), provide potentially suitable habitat for Toothed Leionema in the region.

scholarly journals Farmers’ Perceptions of Mexican Bean Weevil, Zabrotes subfasciatus (Boheman), and Pest Management Practices in Southern Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Tariku Mesele ◽  
Kumela Dibaba ◽  
Esayas Mendesil
Keyword(s):  
Common Bean ◽  
Pest Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Southern Ethiopia ◽  
Bean Weevil ◽  
Chemical Insecticide ◽  
Zabrotes Subfasciatus ◽  
The Common ◽  
Handling Practices

The common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L., is one of the most important sources of protein in Ethiopia and other developing countries. However, the Mexican bean weevil, Zabrotes subfasciatus (Boheman), is a major constraint of stored common bean that causes qualitative and quantitative losses. This study was conducted to assess farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of Mexican bean weevil, to examine farmers’ pest management practices, and to identify challenges of pest management practices to develop integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. A survey of 148 smallholder common bean farmers was conducted at Mareka and Loma districts in southern Ethiopia. The majority (75%) of the farmers stored common bean in polypropylene bags while less than 10% of the farmers stored beans in ‘Diya’ (a traditional storage structure). Most (60.8%) farmers stored their beans in seed (threshed) form, and the majority (63.5%) of them stored their beans for 3-5 months. The majority of the farmers had knowledge about the Mexican bean weevil; they could identify damaged seeds based on the ‘holes’ on the seed (72.3%) and circular ‘windows’ on the seed (20.0%). About 45% of the farmers mentioned the high amount of loss at the time of storage. In addition, most farmers (53.4%) estimated 26-50% loss in storage. Most farmers reported the use of pesticidal plants for control of Mexican bean weevil, while only a few farmers reported they had applied insecticide in their store. Education level and family size had a positive and statistically significant impact on the use of pesticidal plants for the control of Mexican bean weevil. Furthermore, education level also influences the use of chemical insecticide. Results highlighted the need to use improved storage technology and to train farmers in postharvest handling practices as a component to develop IPM approach in order to minimize losses occurring along the value chains of the common bean.

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