Biogeography and diversity of ants in Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) National Park and Conservation Reserve, Western Australia

2006 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Barrow ◽  
Catherine L. Parr ◽  
James L. Kohen
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Functional Group ◽  
Group Composition ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Pitfall Trapping ◽  
Ant Communities ◽  
Tropical Zone ◽  
Hot Climate ◽  
Abundant Genus ◽  
Semi Arid

We describe the diversity, composition, functional group organisation and biogeography of ants in Purnululu National Park (128°19′E, 17°19′S) in Western Australia’s Kimberley region, located at a semi-arid/tropical zone boundary. Pitfall trapping collected a representative sample of ants from three main habitats within the park: spinifex, sandplain and gorges. In total, 154 species from 25 genera were collected. The richest genera were Melophorus, Iridomyrmex and Monomorium. Iridomyrmex was the most abundant genus, accounting for 80% of all individuals recorded in traps. Functional group composition was dominated by Dominant Dolichoderinae (41% of individuals collected) and Hot Climate Specialists (26%). Biogeographical composition was typical of semi-arid zone assemblages located on the overlap between Eyrean and Torresian zones: 50% of the species recorded represented Eyrean taxa, followed by 33% with Torresian affinities, and 10% Widespread. Differences in ant species richness, abundance and assemblage composition between the three habitat types were attributed to a combination of variation in vegetation structure and microhabitat composition. This paper provides baseline data on local ant communities in the semi-arid Kimberley, enabling a greater understanding of the conservation value of reserves within the Kimberley, one of Australia’s least studied bioregions.

Ant Communities in the Gulf Region of Australia Semiarid Tropics - Species Composition, Patterns of Organization, and Biogeography

1993 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 399 ◽  
Author(s):  
AN Andersen
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Pitfall Trapping ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Ant Communities ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
Hot Climate ◽  
Semi Arid

The ant communities of nine sites near Lawn Hill (540 mm mean annual rainfall) in semi-arid north-western Queensland are documented, and compared with the known faunas of arid, semi-arid and seasonally arid sites elsewhere in Australia. The sites were surveyed primarily by pitfall trapping, during April (end of wet season) 1991, September (late dry season) 1991, and February (mid-wet season) 1992. A total of 111 ant species was recorded, with the most common being Iridomyrmex spp. and Rhytidoponera rufithorax. The richest genera were Melophorus (26 species), Monomorium (17), Iridomyrmex (16) and Camponotus (10) and Pheidole (10). The maj or functional groups were Dominant Dolichoderinae (Iridomyrmex spp.; 14% of the total number of species, 47% of the total number of ants in traps), Hot-climate specialists (mostly Melophorus spp.; 39%, 22%) and Generalised Myrmicinae (mostly Monomorium and Pheidole spp.; 20%, 11%). Multivariate analysis indicated that site differences in species composition were related primarily to landform, geology and soil type. Comparisons with other ant faunas show the Lawn Hill fauna to have closer affinities with those of the central arid zone than with those of high rainfall areas of the seasonal tropics. The arid-zone characteristics of the Lawn Hill fauna include a high proportion (38%) of Eyrean species, a high mean number of species per genus (6.5), and a very high combined representation of Iridomyrmex, Melophorus and Camponotus (45% of the total number of species, 69% of the total number of ants in traps).

Community Organisation, Biogeography and Seasonality of Ants in an Open Forest of South-eastern Queensland

1997 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 523 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Vanderwoude ◽  
A. N. Andersen ◽  
A. P. N. House
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Functional Group ◽  
Group Composition ◽  
Ant Communities ◽  
Ant Community ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Community Organisation ◽  
Eucalypt Forest ◽  
Eastern Australia

The biogeography and structure of ant communities were examined over a 12-month period at a dry open eucalypt forest in south-eastern Queensland. Three sites were monitored, each with a distinct long-term burning history: burned annually since 1952, burned periodically since 1973, and unburned since 1946. A total of 89 species from 42 genera was recorded over all trapping periods, with the richest genera being Iridomyrmex, Camponotus and Pheidole, each with eight species. Site species richness was 74, 63 and 43, respectively, at the annually burned, periodically burned and the unburned site. We compared the ant community in this forest with those at other forested sites in eastern Australia. Overall, the south-eastern Queensland community was located on the overlap between the Bassian and Torresian zones (not dominated by either element), while the functional-group composition resembled those of both tropical savannas and cool-temperate woodlands. There were readily discernible differences between sites in terms of biogeographical and functional-group composition; and between the unburned site and both burned sites in terms of abundance and species richness. The relative abundance of Iridomyrmex spp. increased with burning frequency while the relative abundance of Bassian species decreased with burning frequency. Species richness and abundance at the burned sites were similar, but substantially higher than at the unburned site. The community characteristics of the three sites were readily distinguishable, indicating that ant communities may play a valuable role in detecting ecological changes in forested landscapes in south- eastern Queensland.

Growth and Economic Profitability of Castor Cultivation in the Semi-arid Zone of Haryana

2020 ◽  
pp. 300-305
Keyword(s):  
Arid Zone ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Market Price ◽  
Transportation Cost ◽  
Castor Seed ◽  
Production Constraints ◽  
Net Profit ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Extract Information

The present study was carried out in three districts viz; Rewari, Sirsa and Hisar of Haryana state. A survey of 60 sampled farms was conducted to extract information pertaining to various expenses incurred in cultivation of castor and output attained as well as to ascertain the perception of farmers for various problems encountered in production and marketing of castor seed. The descriptive analysis was employed to draw valid inferences from the study. The results revealed that net profit accrued from cultivation of castor seed was ₹ 46331 ha -1 in the study area. The value of B: C ratio of castor cultivation was more than one and also higher as compared to prevalent cropping systems indicated that cultivation of castor seed is economical viable entity. However, production constraints like retention of F2 seed in the field over year, grain scattering, shortage of irrigation water, frost effect on crop yield and marketing constraints like absence of MSP, higher transportation cost sale of castor seed in distant markets, frequent fluctuation in market price, non-availability of processing units were observed.

Comparative Characteristics of Assessment Methods for Arachis Hypogaea Collection Samples

2019 ◽  
pp. 85-95
Keyword(s):  
Arid Zone ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Statistical Processing ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Steppe Zone ◽  
Morphological Identification ◽  
Oilseed Crop ◽  
The South ◽  
Tropical Zone ◽  
Number Of Branches

Peanuts are plants of the tropical zone, therefore, for its growth and development, high temperature indicators are needed during a fairly long growing season. The climatic parameters of the south of Ukraine correspond to the needs of this culture, and today there is positive experience in growing peanuts in this region. In order to increase the efficiency of growing peanuts in the conditions of the Steppe zone, it is necessary to carry out genetic selection work to study and select a more adapted source material in order to create highly productive Ukrainian varieties adapted to the arid zone conditions. At the initial stage of this work, it is necessary to have clear signs and characteristics for evaluating the studied genotypes, and the existing methods for describing the characters and conducting an examination for distinctness, uniformity, and stability are incomplete and do not meet the requirements for in-depth work on private genetics and culture breeding. For our work, we used 18 peanut genotypes as a material, which make up the collection of the Institute of Oilseeds of NAASU. Studies were carried out in 2018 and 2019, in different weather conditions. All measurements, observations and statistical processing in the study of samples were carried out in accordance with generally accepted methods. When conducting a comparative analysis of the two methods for describing the signs of underground peanuts, it was found that one of the methods contains 23 signs and the other 17. The signs of the vegetative part of plants that characterize the habit and structure of the leaf predominate in both methods. We have identified and proposed for description 9 new characters in peanut plants: 2 - leaf characters (additional leaves and pubescence); 1 - the structure of beans (weight 100 beans); 1 - an economically valuable trait (the presence of nodules on the roots); 5 - flower features (size and color of the flower and border). In terms of plant habitat, Ukrainian Stepnyak and Krasnodar 13 varieties were distinguished, which had the highest height (43.8 cm) and the largest number of branches (9.3 pcs.). In addition to morphological identification features for the description and examination of distinctness, uniformity and stability, we have also studied the quantitative characteristics of underground peanuts. It was established that the height of peanut plants in the field conditions of the south of Ukraine ranged from 14 to 44 cm. The highest variety was the Ukrainian Stepnyak variety, and the shortest one was Pink large. The largest number of branches is 9.3 pcs. noted in the variety Krasnodar 13, and the smallest 4.62 pcs. - at L3. And the largest flower of 1.91 cm stood out White-pink 3. The quantitative traits we studied are characterized by continuous variability, which is due to the interaction between genes and the environment. Thus, to identify varietal variability in underground peanuts, it is necessary to use both existing methods, and in the near future, work should be done to combine them with the inclusion of new identified characters to more clearly identify the genotypes of this new valuable oilseed crop.

Cultivation of New Emerging Agro-Nutritional Crop of Quinoa at Madinat al-Hikmah Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Afzal Rizvi ◽  
Syed Abid Ali ◽  
Iqra Munir ◽  
Kousar Yasmeen ◽  
Rubina Abid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arid Zone ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Sindh Province ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Elemental Accumulation ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Good Agreement

Aim: Quinoa is a popular source of protein, minerals and alternative to traditional grains. The objective of this study is to introduce the Quinoa in the semi-arid zone of Sindh province of Pakistan. Method: A variety of NARC-9 from the agricultural Punjab province was cultivated and subjected to analyze the growth, morphological characters of the varieties obtained, saponin, protein and the elemental composition viz. Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Na, Pb, and Zn. Result: The result demonstrated the optimum growth and no disease were found in the experimental area. At least three major varieties of quinoa were obtained. Seed morphological data of these three quinoa cultivars were collected. The average saponin levels were quite reasonable. Overall proteins band pattern revealed very high polymorphism in quinoa cultivars and the results were also in good agreement with earlier studies. Conclusion: All quinoa cultivars of Madinat al-Hikmah showed high concentrations of albumin than globulin concentrations (i.e. 48-52% and 24-27%, respectively) as compared to control seeds from market that had similar concentrations of the two fractions i.e. 35.58% and 37.68%, respectively. Likewise, low concentrations of prolamin 14-16% and glutelin 11-12% compared to control seeds 13% rank our crop much better quality than the imported one in the market. The trend of elemental accumulation was followed as K >Na >Fe >Zn >Cu >Pb >Cd, while for comparison it was Na >K >Zn >Fe >Cu >Pb >Cd >Pb for wheat grown under similar conditions. Traditional grains together make a major contribution to the total nutritional element intake of the average Pakistani citizen through diet, not only because of large amounts consumed, but also in part by suitable levels of their proteins and elemental up take for good health. Thus the successful cultivation of quinoa in the semi-arid zone of Sindh will certainly prove beneficial.

scholarly journals Surface Chemical Heterogeneity of Low Rank Coal Characterized by Micro-FTIR and Its Correlation with Hydrophobicity

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 239
Author(s):  
Wei Wang ◽  
Long Liang ◽  
Yaoli Peng ◽  
Maria Holuszko
Keyword(s):  
Surface Chemistry ◽  
Functional Group ◽  
Group Composition ◽  
Contact Angles ◽  
Low Rank ◽  
Surface Chemical ◽  
Carbonyl Groups ◽  
Low Rank Coal ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Aliphatic Carbon

Micro-Fourier transform infrared (micro-FTIR) spectroscopy was used to correlate the surface chemistry of low rank coal with hydrophobicity. Six square areas without mineral impurities on low rank coal surfaces were selected as testing areas. A specially-designed methodology was applied to conduct micro-FTIR measurements and contact angle tests on the same testing area. A series of semi-quantitative functional group ratios derived from micro-FTIR spectra were correlated with contact angles, and the determination coefficients of linear regression were calculated and compared in order to identify the structure of the functional group ratios. Finally, two semi-quantitative ratios composed of aliphatic carbon hydrogen, aromatic carbon hydrogen and two different types of carbonyl groups were proposed as indicators of low rank coal hydrophobicity. This work provided a rapid way to predict low rank coal hydrophobicity through its functional group composition and helped us understand the hydrophobicity heterogeneity of low rank coal from the perspective of its surface chemistry.

Forecasting the impacts of climate variability: lessons from the rainfed corn market in Ceará, Brazil

2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
ARIASTER B. CHIMELI ◽  
FRANCISCO DE ASSIS DE SOUZA FILHO ◽  
MARCOS COSTA HOLANDA ◽  
FRANCIS CARLO PETTERINI
Keyword(s):  
Climate Variability ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Local Climate ◽  
The World ◽  
Forecast Models ◽  
Climatic Impacts ◽  
Semi Arid

ABSTRACTA number of studies show that climatic shocks have significant economic impacts in several regions of the world, especially in, but not limited to, developing economies. In this paper we focus on a drought-related indicator of well-being and emergency spending in the Brazilian semi-arid zone – rainfed corn market – and estimate aggregate behavioral and forecast models for this market conditional on local climate determinants. We find encouraging evidence that our approach can help policy makers buy time to help them prepare for drought mitigating actions. The analysis is applicable to economies elsewhere in the world and climatic impacts other than those caused by droughts.

scholarly journals Matrix Intensification Alters Avian Functional Group Composition in Adjacent Rainforest Fragments

PLoS ONE ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. e74852 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justus P. Deikumah ◽  
Clive A. McAlpine ◽  
Martine Maron
Keyword(s):  
Functional Group ◽  
Group Composition
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