scholarly journals Species ethnobotanical values rather than regional species pool determine plant diversity in agroforestry systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel K. N’Woueni ◽  
Orou G. Gaoue

AbstractThe conversion of natural systems into farms and agroecosystems is the main cause of biodiversity loss. In human-dominated landscapes, understanding the interactions between agroforestry systems and adjacent natural vegetation is fundamental to developing sustainable agricultural systems. Species can move between these two systems with natural systems providing the regional pool of species that shape the agricultural values and conservation value of the agroforestry systems. We investigated the influence of neighboring natural habitats on traditional agroforestry systems in the buffer zone of Pendjari Biosphere Reserve in Benin to understand the contribution of regional processes on the quality of agroforestry systems. We expected that agroforestry parklands adjacent to natural vegetation with high species diversity will also have higher plant species diversity. We found no similarity in plant species composition between agroforestry systems and adjacent natural habitats. A small proportion of species in adjacent natural habitats were found in agroforestry systems. The proportion of shared species was not significantly influenced by plant diversity in adjacent natural habitats or the distance from the agroforestry systems to the natural adjacent habitat. However, plant diversity in agroforestry systems was strongly associated with site ethnobotanical values indicating that farmers act as a supplemental but severe environmental filter of the regional species pool. Our study suggests that promoting the plantation of plants with high ethnobotanical use-value is a potentially viable strategy for sustainable agriculture and ecological restoration in Biosphere reserves.

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 479-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Sanderson ◽  
S. C. Goslee ◽  
K. J. Soder ◽  
R. H. Skinner ◽  
B. F. Tracy ◽  
...  

Grassland farmers face many challenges in pasture management including improving sustainability, reducing inputs of fertilizers and pesticides, and protecting soil resources. In this paper we provide our perspective on managing plant diversity within and among pastures as one tool to aid producers in meeting these challenges. Pasture ecosystems can be highly diverse, with a complex array of organisms contributing to ecosystem functioning. Within the broad range of plant and animal biodiversity in pastures, plant species diversity may be the most amenable to manipulation or management. Reported benefits of plant diversity in grasslands include: increased forage production, greater ecosystem stability in response to disturbance, and reduced invasion by exotic species such as weeds. Some view diversity as a sort of insurance policy where different species contribute in their own time or can take the place of species that fail from stress or mismanagement. Using mixtures of several forages in pastures, in some instances, can improve forage yield and reduce weed invasions. Pasture management for increased plant species diversity, however, is not simply mixing and planting as many forage species as possible. The kinds and amounts of different forage species along with their arrangement within and among pastures at the farm scale are critical features that must be considered. Tools must be developed to determine the appropriate species mixtures for varying soils, landscapes, climate and purposes to fulfill multiple functions for producers. Key words: Grazing ecosystem; forages; diversity; ecosystem function; ecosystem services


PLoS ONE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. e0131982 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liping Li ◽  
Yining Liu ◽  
Xiangping Wang ◽  
Jingyun Fang ◽  
Qingchun Wang ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc W. Schmid ◽  
Terhi Hahl ◽  
Sofia J. van Moorsel ◽  
Cameron Wagg ◽  
Gerlinde B. De Deyn ◽  
...  

AbstractSoil microbes are known to be involved in a number of essential ecosystem processes such as nutrient cycling, plant productivity and the maintenance of plant species diversity. However, how plant species diversity and identity affect soil microbial diversity and community composition is largely unknown. We tested whether, over the course of 11 years, distinct soil bacterial communities developed under plant monocultures and mixtures, and if over this timeframe plants with a monoculture or mixture history changed in the microbial communities they associated with. For eight species, we grew offspring of plants that had been grown for 11 years in the same monocultures or mixtures (monoculture- or mixture-type plants) in pots inoculated with microbes extracted from the monoculture and mixture soils. After five months of growth in the glasshouse, we collected rhizosphere soil from each plant and used 16S-rRNA gene sequencing to determine the community composition and diversity of the bacterial communities. Microbial community structure in the plant rhizosphere was primarily determined by soil legacy (monoculture vs. mixture soil) and by plant species identity, but not by plant legacy (monoculture- vs. mixture-type plants). In seven out of the eight plant species bacterial abundance was larger when inoculated with microbes from mixture soil. We conclude that plant diversity can strongly affect belowground community composition and diversity, feeding back to the assemblage of rhizosphere microbial communities in newly establishing plants. Thereby our work demonstrates that concerns for plant biodiversity loss are also concerns for soil biodiversity loss.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 10634
Author(s):  
Xiang Li ◽  
Wenhao Hu ◽  
Zhenrong Yu

Understanding the response of plant species richness to environmental filters is critical for conservation management as there is an increasing emphasis on plant restoration in urban/rural planning. However, empirical studies on the effects that the regional species pool has on plant species richness often overlook small spatial scales, therefore requiring more comprehensive approaches. As mountains can act as barriers to plant dispersal, the impact on the species pool, particularly, should be a priority. This study aimed to investigate how the regional species pool affects the local plant species richness in a multivariate context. We sampled vascular plant communities along three transects located in three valleys across the Chongli District, China, where four common habitat types were selected for sampling: grassland, shrubbery, pure forest, and mixed forest. We compared the differences in the multi-scale species richness and species composition between habitats and regions and used piecewise structural equation modeling to analyze the relative importance of the regional species pool, habitat species pool, soil resource availability, and exposure for local plant richness. The β-diversity had the highest contribution to the total species richness between valleys and habitats. The species composition between regions and habitats showed a significant difference and the local species richness was most strongly affected by the soil characteristics, but effects from the regional species pool still played an important role. Conservation efforts and urban/rural planning should use a multi-level and multi-scale approach based on a detailed structural investigation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica A. Lang ◽  
James D. Roth ◽  
John H. Markham

AbstractEcosystem engineers modify habitats through processes other than trophic interactions, such as by regulating soil nutrients, and can influence resource availability and quality for other organisms. Predator-mediated elemental cycling may be especially important in determining plant diversity and growth in ecosystems where soil fertility and primary productivity are low. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes L.), top predators in the Subarctic, could engineer local ecosystems through denning, which could create biogeochemical hotspots of nutrients due to continual input of feces, urine and prey remains. We examined soil and vegetation characteristics on red fox dens and paired control sites in woodland habitats near the Arctic treeline in Manitoba, Canada. The organic soil layer on den sites had 81% more inorganic nitrogen and 250% more extractable phosphorus than in control areas. Denning also increased soil respiration and pH in the organic layer, suggesting improved soil quality and nutrient availability for plants. By enriching nutrients and disturbing soils through digging, den sites had a higher plant species ß-diversity and a greater cover of erect woody shrubs (Salix spp.), grasses (Leymus mollis (Trinius) Pilger) and weedy ephemerals compared to control sites, resulting in a regional increase in plant species richness. Our research highlights the importance of considering impacts of predators other than through their consumption of prey, and provides insight into the role of red foxes in modifying plant diversity and productivity in the Subarctic.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 91-108
Author(s):  
Saiful Islam ◽  
Shayla Sharmin Shetu ◽  
Md Abdur Rahim ◽  
Saleh Ahammad Khan

This study has confirmed the occurrence of a total of 181 species of vascular plants under 133 genera and 51 families and estimates the plant species diversity in and around the brickfield areas of Savar-Dhamrai region of Dhaka district. Of these, six species were pteridophytes, 175 were Angiosperms, and 144 species were economically important. Five families, composed of six species, belonged to Pteridophyta, 40 families, consist of 128 species, to Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons) and six families, comprised of 47 species, to Liliopsida (monocotyledons). Total of 161 species were herbs, 14 were shrubs, and only six were trees. Asteraceae with 14 species and Poaceae with 24 species were the largest family in Magnoliopsida and Liliopsida, respectively. Amaranthus L., Persicaria (L.) Mill., Solanum L. and Lindernia All. with four species each were appeared as the best representative genera in Mangoliopsida, while Cyperus L. with five species in Liliopsida. The species composition and diversity of abandoned brickfields were found to be higher than those of functional brickfields. A total of 42 (23.20%) species were common in both abandoned and functional brickfields of this region. Species composition in the abandoned brickfields of Savar and Dhamrai was mostly similar (64.15%). This study suggests to control and monitor the brickfields under the respective authorities to favor the formation and regeneration of natural vegetation in their neighboring areas. Jahangirnagar University J. Biol. Sci. 9(1 & 2): 91-108, 2020 (June & December)


Patan Pragya ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-93
Author(s):  
Sudha Joshi Shrestha

Plant diversity plays the crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem and sustaining the life in the globe. Nepal lying in central Himalaya and at the crossroad of two phytogeographicregionsisbestowed with rich biodiversity. Though the country occupies about 0.1% of global land area but comprises 3.2% of world’s known flora. Biodiversity is eroding because of many factors such as habitat loss, deforestation, infrastructure development, over exploitation for human use, invasion by alien species, global climate change and natural calamities, thus threatening the existence in globe. Nepal has adopted both in-situ and ex-situ conservation practices to conserve the biodiversity and maintain the ecosystem in nature. A network of 20 protected areas is established and national forests under different categories are under protection to conserve the biodiversity in their natural habitats. Scientific forest management was initiated to enhance the forest productivity and conserve biodiversity. Botanical gardens in different localities are established for the conservation of rare, endangered, threatened and endemic plant species. Moreover, Government of Nepal has enlisted some plant species in Government protection list and CITES appendices to prevent them from degradation. Thirty three plant species with medicinal values are prioritized for research and economic development of the nation. Nepal’s approach in conservation of plant diversity is commendable and is at the forefront in in-situ conservation practice. However, a considerable number of plants species that are rare, threatened, endemic are also found outside the protected are as and need to be conserved.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 19-24
Author(s):  
Venkatachalapathi A ◽  
Gokulakrishnan M ◽  
Sushmitha V ◽  
Uma Maheswari R ◽  
Kaveri L ◽  
...  

The present study is aimed to identify the diversity status and medicinal plant species present in natural vegetation of Kongunadu Arts and Science College Campus, Coimbatore. The study was conducted during the period between October, 2015 and February, 2016 through exploration was made periodically atweekly intervals in all vegetation areas of Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Coimbatore to enlist the species. A total of 50 plant species belongs to 47 genera which are included in 29 families are present in the campus. The total number of species in herbs is higher (27) followed by the trees and climbers with 8 species,shrubs with 4 species in the college campus. The documentation of this floristic list along with the economic uses of plants may be considered as a baseline data for future management and perspective of plant species diversity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Didi Usmadi ◽  
JOKO RIDHO WITONO ◽  
RENI LESTARI ◽  
DIDIK WIDYATMOKO ◽  
MAHAT MAGANDHI ◽  
...  

Abstract. Usmadi D, Witono JR, Lestari R, Widyatmoko D, Magandhi M, Robiansyah I, Rachmadiyanto AN, Purnomo DW, Zulkarnaen RN, Rivai RR, Helmanto H, Yudaputra A, Damayanti F. 2020. Plant diversity and composition at three Imperata grasslands in Bogor, Katingan, and Kupang, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 2804-2813. Imperata grassland is among the largest proportions of marginal lands in Indonesia. Despite the dominance of Imperata cylindrica grass, certain plant species are able to compete and live together with this species, suggesting window of opportunity that the grasslands can be restored. Yet, the existing diversity and composition of plants in Imperata grasslands may vary due to differences in climatic and soil conditions. This study aims to determine the plant diversity and composition at three Imperata grasslands in Bogor, Katingan, and Kupang, Indonesia. Data were collected using systematic sampling by establishing quadratic observation plots with size of each plot was 1 x 1 m2. The total number of species found in Imperata grasslands in those three study sites was 81 species, belonging to 68 genera and 30 families. In the Bogor site, the dominant species were Imperata cylindrica, Ageratum conyzoides, and Phyllanthus niruri, while in the Katingan site was dominated by I. cylindrica, Scleria ciliaris, and Cyanthillium cinereum and in the Kupang site was dominated by I. cylindrica and Tridax procumbens. The Imperata grassland in Bogor had low species richness, moderate species diversity, the abundance distribution of each species tends to be uniform, and the occurred species did not tend to dominate. The Katingan and Kupang Imperata grasslands had low species richness, low species diversity, the abundance distribution of each species tends to be uneven, and were more dominated by I. cylindrica. Controlling abundance of I. cylindrica is required in those three research sites in order to stimulate the growth of other plant species, which is in turn to maintain and restore biodiversity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 3034
Author(s):  
Yujin Zhao ◽  
Yihan Sun ◽  
Wenhe Chen ◽  
Yanping Zhao ◽  
Xiaoliang Liu ◽  
...  

Mapping biodiversity is essential for assessing conservation and ecosystem services in global terrestrial ecosystems. Compared with remotely sensed mapping of forest biodiversity, that of grassland plant diversity has been less studied, because of the small size of individual grass species and the inherent difficulty in identifying these species. The technological advances in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based or proximal imaging spectroscopy with high spatial resolution provide new approaches for mapping and assessing grassland plant diversity based on spectral diversity and functional trait diversity. However, relatively few studies have explored the relationships among spectral diversity, remote-sensing-estimated functional trait diversity, and species diversity in grassland ecosystems. In this study, we examined the links among spectral diversity, functional trait diversity, and species diversity in a semi-arid grassland monoculture experimental site. The results showed that (1) different grassland plant species harbored different functional traits or trait combinations (functional trait diversity), leading to different spectral patterns (spectral diversity). (2) The spectral diversity of grassland plant species increased gradually from the visible (VIR, 400–700 nm) to the near-infrared (NIR, 700–1100 nm) region, and to the short-wave infrared (SWIR, 1100–2400 nm) region. (3) As the species richness increased, the functional traits and spectral diversity increased in a nonlinear manner, finally tending to saturate. (4) Grassland plant species diversity could be accurately predicted using hyperspectral data (R2 = 0.73, p < 0.001) and remotely sensed functional traits (R2 = 0.66, p < 0.001) using cluster algorithms. This will enhance our understanding of the effect of biodiversity on ecosystem functions and support regional grassland biodiversity conservation.


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