Revitalizing cultivation and strengthening the seed systems of fonio and Bambara groundnut in Mali through a community biodiversity management approach

AbstractFonio (Digitaria exilis (Kippist) Stapf) and Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) are native crops grown at a small scale in Mali that have potential to support agricultural productivity under climate change. A community biodiversity management approach was explored in this study as a means to reinforce the cultivation of these crops by increasing farmers' access to intraspecific diversity and developing capacities of community institutions for their management. The research involved six communities in Ségou and Sikasso regions. Multiple varieties of fonio (10–12) and Bambara groundnut (8–12) were established in diversity fields in each site over 2 years where farmers engaged in experiential learning over the crop cycle. Significant adoption of fonio and Bambara groundnut was detected in several study sites. The precise drivers of adoption cannot be definitively determined but likely include increased seed access and awareness gained through the diversity field fora, seed fairs and community seed banks. No significant yield advantage was detected for any of the varieties in the diversity fields, which showed variable performance by site and year. The number of varieties registered and managed by community seed banks in each site increased from 1–5 varieties of each crop to 11–12 varieties following the interventions. The number of Bambara groundnut varieties cultivated in farmers' fields also increased, while there was evidence of a slight decline in fonio diversity in some communities. The results of this study can inform efforts to strengthen seed systems and cultivation of neglected and underutilized species in Africa.

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The key roles of seed banks in plant biodiversity management in New Zealand

NZGA: Research and Practice Series ◽

10.33584/rps.14.2008.3184 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 14 ◽

pp. 5-11

Author(s):

W.M. Williams

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Introduced Species ◽

Intrinsic Value ◽

Seed Banks ◽

Indigenous Species ◽

Plant Biodiversity ◽

Biodiversity Management ◽

Recent Initiative ◽

New Zealand Flora ◽

Pasture Plants

The New Zealand flora is a mixture of indigenous and introduced species. The indigenous species have a high intrinsic value while the introduced species include all of the crop and pasture plants upon which the export-led economy depends. New Zealand must maintain both of these important sources of biodiversity in balance. Seed banks are useful tools for biodiversity management. In New Zealand, a seed bank for indigenous species has been a very recent initiative. By contrast, seed banks for introduced species have been established for over 70 years. The reasons for this discrepancy are discussed. For the economic species, conserved genetic diversity is used to enhance productivity and the environment. Large advances can be gained from species that are not used as economic plants. The gene-pool of white clover has been expanded by the use of minor species conserved as seeds in the Margot Forde Germplasm Centre. Keywords: Seed banks, biodiversity conservation, New Zealand flora

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Zooplankton in seagrass and adjacent non-seagrass habitats in Tun Mustapha Park, Sabah, Malaysia

Borneo Journal of Marine Science and Aquaculture (BJoMSA) ◽

10.51200/bjomsa.v4i1.1747 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 6-13

Author(s):

Sing Lui Lo ◽

Tzuen Kiat Yap ◽

Cheng Ann Chen ◽

Teruaki Yoshida

Keyword(s):

Environmental Variables ◽

Statistical Difference ◽

Structural Complexity ◽

Zooplankton Community ◽

Small Scale ◽

Zooplankton Abundance ◽

Seagrass Bed ◽

Seagrass Meadows ◽

Marine Park ◽

Study Sites

A comparison of zooplankton abundance and community in the seagrass and non-seagrass areas of Limau-limauan and Bak- Bak waters within the newly established Tun Mustapha Marine Park was made during 15-17 May 2017. Samples were collected via horizontal tow of a 140 μm plankton net. Environmental variables (temperature, salinity, DO, pH, turbidity) showed no significant differences among the study sites. However, zooplankton showed increasing abundance from non-seagrass, seagrass edge, to seagrass areas at Limau-limauan, while abundance values were comparable among the stations at Bak-bak. Overall zooplankton abundance was significantly higher at the seagrass areas relative to the non-seagrass station at Limau-limauan (p < 0.005), while no statistical difference was found at Bak-Bak (p < 0.21). Mean canopy height was 3-fold higher (p < 0.001) at Limau-limauan than Bak-Bak, suggesting the importance of seagrass bed structural complexity in habitat preference for zooplankton. Cluster analysis revealed the zooplankton community from the seagrass area at Limau-limauan was different from that at seagrass edge and non-seagrass areas, which may be attributed to the influence of seagrass meadows in forming characteristic zooplankton compositions. Marked differences in zooplankton composition and abundance even in close vicinity of sites suggest the importance of local small-scale variations in seagrass habitats in shaping the zooplankton community.

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ORGANIZATIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE SEED SECTOR OF RICE IN GUINEA: STAKEHOLDERS, PERCEPTION AND INSTITUTIONAL LINKAGES

Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s001447971000089x ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 137-157 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

FLORENT OKRY ◽

PAUL VAN MELE ◽

EDWIN NUIJTEN ◽

PAUL C. STRUIK ◽

ROCH L. MONGBO

Keyword(s):

Common Ground ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Small Scale ◽

Rice Seed ◽

Formal Sector ◽

Seed Systems ◽

Governmental Organization ◽

Seed Supply ◽

Extension System ◽

Institutional Linkages

SUMMARYThis paper analyses the organization of the rice seed sector in Guinea with the overall objectives to assess how organizational settings affect seed supply to small-scale farmers and to suggest institutional changes that would favour seed service and uptake of varieties. Data were collected in Guinea, West Africa, using focus group discussions with extension workers, farmers, representatives of farmers’ associations, agro-input dealers, researchers and non-governmental organization (NGO) staff, and surveys of 91 rice farming households and 41 local seed dealers. Findings suggest that the current institutional settings and perceptions of stakeholders from the formal seed sector inhibit smallholder farmers’ access to seed. Seed interventions in the past two decades have mainly relied on the national extension system, the research institute, NGOs, farmers’ associations and contract seed producers to ensure seed delivery. Although local seed dealers play a central role in providing seed to farmers, governmental organizations operating in a linear model of formal seed sector development have so far ignored their role. We discuss the need to find common ground and alternative models of seed sector development. In particular we suggest the involvement of local seed dealers in seed development activities to better link the formal and the informal seed systems and improve smallholder farmers’ access to seed from the formal sector.

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Patterns of abundance and size of Dictyoceratid sponges among neighbouring islands in central Torres Strait, Australia

Marine and Freshwater Research ◽

10.1071/mf06104 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 58 (2) ◽

pp. 204 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Alan R. Duckworth ◽

Carsten W. Wolff

Keyword(s):

Spatial Scales ◽

Distribution Patterns ◽

Small Scale ◽

Size Frequency Distribution ◽

Abundance Patterns ◽

Size Frequency ◽

Dysidea Herbacea ◽

Torres Strait ◽

Study Sites ◽

Species Specific

Distribution and size frequency patterns of sessile organisms such as sponges may vary among and within neighbouring reefs. In the present study, we examined small-scale variation of dictyoceratid sponges (class Demospongiae), commonly found on coral reefs, by surveying six neighbouring islands in central Torres Strait. Each island had four study sites, at least 1 km apart, with each site consisting of three shallow (4 to 6 m) and three deep (10 to 15 m) 20 m2 transects. For each transect, we recorded the number of each species and measured the size of the more common dictyoceratid sponges. Seven species of dictyoceratid were recorded in central Torres Strait, with only three species, Coscinoderma sp., Dysidea herbacea and Hyrtios erecta, common to all six islands. Abundance patterns generally varied greatly among islands or sites within islands, perhaps resulting from a combination of physical, biological and stochastic factors. More dictyoceratids were found in deeper water; however, abundance across depth for some species varied among islands or sites. Size-frequency distribution patterns also varied greatly among islands and dictyoceratid species, indicating that factors that may promote growth for one species may not necessarily promote growth for a related species. This study shows that patterns of abundance and size of dictyoceratids can vary greatly over small spatial scales, and that patterns are species-specific.

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Closing urban resource cycles through nature-inspired systems

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-1834 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Maria Wirth ◽

Johannes Kisser

Keyword(s):

Circular Economy ◽

Service Providers ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Small Scale ◽

Management Approach ◽

Materials Management ◽

High Resource ◽

Resource Transformation ◽

Local Sourcing ◽

The Eu

The present-day urban system is characterised by a one-directional flow of resources from the rural environment into cities. Cities are centres of human and economic activity, but also of resource use and waste. Therefore, they play both a critical and promising role to support the transition to a circular economy, by keeping incoming products, materials and resources in use. This requires a redesign of biological and technical material cycles in a way that their value can be maintained at the highest possible level for as long as possible, while at the same time natural systems are restored. How can we rethink urban infrastructures to transform cities from resource sinks into circular resource transformation hubs? And how can nature-inspired systems help us to create circular cities?alchemia-nova is developing integrated, regenerative systems to close water, nutrient, material and energy cycles in cities, centred around buildings as multifunctional service providers. They include building-integrated nature-based solutions for small-scale on-site wastewater treatment, combined with organic solids management to platform chemicals, biogas and nutrients. This approach can enable the efficient valorisation of the high resource potential of urban nutrient flows, with near zero-energy and chemical input. This way, they provide a more efficient, robust and resilient alternative to the predominant chemical and energy-intensive end-of-pipe approaches to circular cities. Water and nutrients can be safely reused in urban and peri-urban agriculture, renewable energy produced on site, biomass and other solid waste further processed to secondary materials, while also gaining the multifunctional benefits of urban greening. These systems are being demonstrated through the EU H2020 HOUSEFUL project in Austria and Spain, complimented by demonstration sites in Greece (EU H2020 HYDROUSA project), thus ensuring their applicability in highly industrialised infrastructure and temperate climatic conditions, as well as in less developed communal infrastructure and Mediterranean arid climatic conditions. HOUSEFUL&#8217;s integrated management approach includes circular materials management along the entire housing value chain, e.g. to enable local sourcing of building materials. Together, the robust, low-maintenance technologies and circular materials management contribute to the creation of distributed resource transformation hubs across cities, where value is maintained, and secondary resources captured and recirculated where they occur, creating more efficient and more resilient circular cities, and a wider circular economy.The research conducted in preparation of this presentation as well as the participation at NGU 2020 is funded by the EU-funded HOUSEFUL project (Grant Agreement number 776708).HOUSEFUL online: http://houseful.eu/solutions/searching-local-building-material/

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Catering for the needs of fauna in fire management: science or just wishful thinking?

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr07137 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 35 (5) ◽

pp. 385 ◽

Cited By ~ 141

Author(s):

Michael F. Clarke

Keyword(s):

Fire Management ◽

Monitoring And Evaluation ◽

Learning By Doing ◽

Current Data ◽

Community Diversity ◽

Small Scale ◽

Management Approach ◽

Ecological Data ◽

Management Regime ◽

Negative Effect

Ecological fire management in Australia is often built on an assumption that meeting the needs of plant species will automatically meet the needs of animal species. However, the scarcity of ecological data on the needs of fauna in relation to fire undermines the confidence managers should place in current popular frameworks for planning ecological burning. Such frameworks are built almost entirely around the goal of maintaining plant community diversity. They provide little guidance to managers regarding the characteristics of desirable ‘mosaics’ (e.g. patch size, connectivity or composition of age-since-burnt classes) or the timing of fires in relation to faunal population trends linked to other cycles (e.g. El Niño events). Claims by agencies of adopting an adaptive management approach (‘learning by doing’) to cope with a dearth of knowledge are credible only if monitoring and evaluation are carried out and future actions are modified in light of new evidence. Much monitoring of fauna is of such a small scale and short duration that the statistical likelihood of detecting a positive or negative effect of the management regime is minute. Such shortcomings will only be overcome through broad-scale and/or long-term studies of fauna. The funding for such research is unlikely to be forthcoming if fire ecologists and land managers convey the impression that the current data are adequate for the implementation of the current planning frameworks.

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Is the Co-management Approach Effective for Mangrove Conservation in West Africa?

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1085890/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Constant Setondé Gnansounou ◽

Alberta Ama Sagoe ◽

Precious Agbeko Dzorgbe Mattah ◽

Valère Kolawolé Salako ◽

Denis Worlanyo Aheto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

West Africa ◽

Biosphere Reserve ◽

Household Survey ◽

Low Risk ◽

Management Approach ◽

Chi Square ◽

Support Provision ◽

Anthropogenic Stressors ◽

Local Perception ◽

Study Sites

Abstract The conservation management literature has recently documented the increasing use of co-management approach to effectively conserve natural resources. Although most research qualify the co-management as highly effective, some authors also reported a number of uncertainties associated with the use of this conservation approach. Using the Mono Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (MTBR) as a case study, this work assessed the effectiveness of the co-management towards mangroves conservation in West Africa. Data were collected in two protected sites of the reserve (one in Togo and the other in Benin). Exploratory sequential mixed method via in-depth interviews (n=17), focus group discussions (n=14), household survey (n=274) and expert-based survey (n=10) were carried out, and subjected to the InVEST-based Habitat Risk Assessment (HRA) model, chi-square test and simple probability of likelihood. Results indicated that under the current co-management regimes, the anthropogenic stressors recorded in the reserve put the entire surface area of mangroves in Benin (100%) under low risk. Contrarily, 42% of the mangrove cover are under low risk and 58% under medium risk in Togo. Local perception also portrayed a large reduction of mangrove degradation in the study sites following the adoption of the co-management approach in the two countries. This study suggests that the implementation of the co-management approach has lowered anthropogenic stressors to mangroves in the reserve. However, there are some peculiar challenges (e.g., financial support provision, regular community engagement), which need to be thoroughly researched and addressed for a more effective conservation of mangroves in the MTBR.

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Intraspecific diversity of Vigna subterranea accessions obtained from multinational sources

Notulae Scientia Biologicae ◽

10.15835/nsb13210829 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 10829

Author(s):

Thelma E. KONYEME ◽

Josephine U. AGOGBUA ◽

Daniel B. ADEWALE ◽

Chinedum OGAZIE

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Morphological Diversity ◽

Bambara Groundnut ◽

Intraspecific Diversity ◽

International Institute ◽

Vigna Subterranea ◽

Multivariate Statistical ◽

Port Harcourt ◽

Passport Data ◽

Ibadan Nigeria

Bambara groundnut is a legume with balanced meal. The present study investigated agro-morphological diversity of 61 Bambara groundnut accessions whose passport data were from 21 countries. The Genetic Resources Centre (GRC), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria provided the 61 accessions. The accessions were established in row plots of ten plants on the field at the Centre for Ecological studies, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Seventeen quantitative and two qualitative traits were recorded from the sampling units for each accession. Descriptive and multivariate statistical analysis were employed on the 61 x 19 matrix mean data. Significant variation exists among the 61 accessions for the 19 descriptors. Mean genetic similarity among the 61 accessions was 0.78, the least (0.48) similarity was between TVSu1750 and TVSu250 and the highest (0.92) was between TVSu391 and TVSu415. TVSu1843 flowered earliest at 35 days. The 61 accessions were grouped into three main clusters. TVSu1964 and two accessions from Malawi (TVSu1748 and TVSu1750) in cluster III had high grain yield. Accessions in cluster II were significant for both vigour and grain yield. Striking uniformity and diversity existed among accessions from the same country. Genetic improvement in vigour and grain yield of Bambara groundnut is possible within each country.

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TINGKAT KESEJAHTERAAN NELAYAN SKALA KECIL DENGAN PENDEKATAN PENGHIDUPAN BERKELANJUTAN DI KABUPATEN INDRAMAYU

Jurnal Sosial Ekonomi Kelautan dan Perikanan ◽

10.15578/jsekp.v11i1.3170 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 29

Author(s):

Riesti Triyanti ◽

Maulana Firdaus

Keyword(s):

Natural Resources ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Social Resources ◽

Small Scale ◽

Sustainable Livelihood ◽

Welfare Level ◽

Community Institutions ◽

Small Scale Fisheries ◽

Sustainable Livelihood Approach ◽

Recommendation Strategy

Kabupaten Indramayu memiliki jumlah rumah tangga menengah kebawah paling banyak diProvinsi Jawa Barat. Artinya, tingkat kesejahteraan yang dimiliki masih rendah. Penelitian ini bertujuanuntuk mengkaji tingkat kesejahteraan nelayan skala kecil (≤ 5 GT) di Kabupaten Indramayu. Datayang digunakan adalah data primer dan data sekunder yang dikumpulkan dengan menggunakanteknik wawancara, observasi dan pencatatan. Analisis data menggunakan pendekatan penghidupanberkelanjutan menggunakan indikator sumber daya keuangan, sosial, manusia dan alam. Tingkatkesejahteraan nelayan dapat dihitung dengan pendekatan penghidupan berkelanjutan yang berfungsiuntuk mengetahui kesejahteraan secara relatif. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa indeks penghidupannelayan berada pada kategori sedang (54,93%); capaian indikator modal keuangan (83,51%) dengankategori sangat baik; indikator modal alam (60,00%) dengan kategori sedang; indikator modal sosial(13,20%) dengan kategori buruk; dan indikator modal sumber daya manusia (56,65 %) dengan kategorisedang. Oleh karena itu, strategi yang direkomendasikan dalam mewujudkan penghidupan berkelanjutandi Kabupaten Indramayu adalah melalui peningkatan indikator modal sosial seperti peningkatanakses masyarakat terhadap kelembagaan ekonomi, mengoptimalkan kelembagaan masyarakat yangada khususnya dalam setiap program pemerintah, mengintegrasikan kelembagaan informal dengankelembagaan formal, dan mengaktifkan kembali koperasi yang telah ada atau mendirikan koperasiperikanan baru.Title: Welfare Level of Small Scale Fishers Based on Sustainable Livelihood Approach in Indramayu DistrictIndramayu District has a majority of fisher’s household with less prosperity in the West Javaprovince. This study aimed at analyzing the welfare of small-scale fisheries (≤ 5 GT) in IndramayuDistrict. Primary and secondary data were collected by using interviews, observation and recording.Analysis of the data used to determine the level of welfare of fisher’s are using the sustainable livelihoodsapproach using indicators of financial, social, human and natural resources. The welfare level of fisherscountable with sustainable livelihood approach which serves to determine relative welfare. The analyzeresults showed that the fisher livelihood index in middle category (54.93) with performance indicatorsof financial resources (83.51%) with very good categories; indicators of natural resources ( 60.00%)in the medium category; indicators of social resources (13,20%) with bad categories; and indicatorsof human resources (56.65%) with medium category. Therefore, recommendation strategy in order torealize sustainable livelihoods in Indramayu through increasing people’s access to economic institutions;optimize existing community institutions, especially in any government program; institutional integrateinformal with formal institutions; and activated existing cooperatives or built the new cooperative.

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Understanding Social-Ecological Challenges of a Small-Scale Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) Fishery in Bangladesh

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16234814 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (23) ◽

pp. 4814 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Mozumder ◽

Pyhälä ◽

Wahab ◽

Sarkki ◽

Schneider ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fishery Management ◽

Large Population ◽

Primary Data ◽

Small Scale ◽

Management Approach ◽

Social Resilience ◽

Migration Routes ◽

Small Scale Fisheries ◽

Social Ecological ◽

Tenualosa Ilisha

Small-scale fisheries (SSFs) have been playing a crucial role in meeting the basic needs of millions of people around the world. Despite this, the sustainability of global fisheries is a growing concern, and the factors enabling or constraining the sustainable management of small-scale fisheries remain poorly understood. Hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) is the single most valuable species harvested in Bangladesh waters, serves nutrition, income, and employment to the large population. This study analyzed the state and challenges of hilsa fishery in the Gangetic River systems (Padma and Meghna Rivers) by using two frameworks, namely the social-ecological systems (SES) and drivers-pressure-state-impact-responses (DPSIR) frameworks. Primary data for this analysis were collected by in-depth interviews (n = 130) and focus group discussions (n = 8) with various stakeholders in the hilsa fisheries. The perspectives explored here have been both critical and constructive, including the identification of problems and suggestions for improving the management of this particular social-ecological system. Hilsa fisheries, however, have come under severe threat since 2003 because of population growth, overfishing, pollution, climate change, the disruption of migration routes due to siltation, etc. All these have caused reduced catches and less stable incomes for fishers. This, in turn, has led to poverty, malnutrition, social tensions, stakeholder conflicts, and debt cycles amongst more impoverished fishing communities. These problems have been compounded by improved fishing technology amongst larger-scale ventures, the use of illegal fishing gears, and the non-compliance of government fishery management programs. Recommendations include the promotion of community-supported fisheries, the enhancement of stakeholder’s social resilience, the introduction of co-management approach, an increase in incentives and formal financial supports, and possible community-managed sustainable ecotourism including hilsa fishing-based tourism.

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