scholarly journals Community Structure and Distribution Pattern of Intertidal Invertebrate Macrofauna at Some Anthropogenically Influenced Coasts of Kathiawar Peninsula (India)

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Poonam Bhadja ◽  
Paresh Poriya ◽  
Rahul Kundu

Present communication reports the community structure and distribution pattern of intertidal invertebrate macrofauna at four shores of the Kathiawar peninsular coastline off the Arabian Sea (India). The selected shores have different levels of human activities. Present report tests three hypotheses; that is, (i) distribution of invertebrate macrofauna in these shores is influenced by space and time, (ii) abiotic factors have a profound influence on the distribution pattern of intertidal macrofaunal assemblages, and (iii) human activities influence the community structure of the intertidal invertebrate macrofauna at these shores. To test these hypotheses, spatiotemporal variations in different ecological indices were studied. A total of 60 species from six phyla were considered for the study. High species diversity was recorded during winter and monsoon seasons in almost all the shores studied. It was also evident that a few environmental factors had a cumulative influence on the distribution pattern of intertidal macrofauna. Significant spatial variations in the species diversity and evenness were also observed. Though the shores studied have similar coast characteristics and climatic conditions, they face different levels of human activities. Therefore, the observed variations in the intertidal faunal assemblage were possibly caused by anthropogenic stress.

Author(s):  
Angus Wright

Latin America is thought to be the world’s most biodiverse region, but as in the rest of the world, the number of species and the size of their populations is generally in sharp decline. Most experts consider agriculture to be the most important cause of biodiversity decline. At one extreme of policy argument regarding biodiversity conservation are those who argue that the only path to species protection is the establishment of many more and larger “protected areas” in which human activities will be severely restricted. On the remaining land agriculture will be carried out largely with the presently prevailing methods of “industrial agriculture,” including heavy reliance on synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, heavy machine use, large-scale irrigation schemes, limited crop diversity, and crops genetically engineered to maximize returns from these tools and techniques. Those who argue for these policies largely accept that industrial agriculture of this sort is severely hostile to biodiversity, but argue that the high productivity of such methods makes it possible to limit agriculture to a relatively small land base, leaving the rest for protected areas and other human activities. On the other side of the argument are those who argue that agricultural techniques are either available or can be created to make agricultural areas more favorable to species survival. They argue that even with a desirable expansion of protected areas, such reserves cannot successfully maintain high biodiversity levels if protected reserves are not complemented by an agriculture more friendly to species survival and migration. The policy arguments on these issues are of major human and biological importance. They are also very complex and depend on theoretical perspectives and data that do not provide definitive guidance. One way to enrich the debate is to develop a specifically historical perspective that illuminates the relationship between human actions and species diversity. In Latin America, humans have been modifying landscapes and species composition of landscapes for thousands of years. Even in areas of presently low human population density and extraordinarily high species diversity, such as remaining tropical rainforests, humans may have been active in shaping species composition for millennia. After 1492, human population levels in Latin America plummeted with the introduction of Old-World diseases. It is often assumed that this led to a blossoming of species diversity, but the historical evidence from 1492 to the present strongly suggests the combination of European technologies and the integration of agriculture into world markets meant more damaging use of soils, widespread deforestation, and subsequent decline in species numbers. The exploitation and consequent despoliation of Latin American resources were integral to colonialism and intensified later by national governments focused on rapid economic growth. High species diversity remained in areas that were too difficult to exploit and/or were used by indigenous populations or smallholders whose production techniques were often favorable to species survival. Many of these techniques provide clues for how agriculture might be reshaped to be more friendly both to biodiversity and social equity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 69-75
Author(s):  
Daniel Burckhardt ◽  
Dalva L. Queiroz

Mitrapsylla rupestrissp. nov., associated with Poiretia bahiana C. Mueller (Fabaceae, Faboideae, Dalbergieae), is described, diagnosed and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to M. aeschynomenis, M. aurantia, M. cubana and M. didyma from which it differs in details of the terminalia and the host plant. Poiretia constitutes a previously unknown psyllid host. As its host, Mitrapsylla rupestrissp. nov. is probably endemic to rock habitats of the Espinhaço Range in eastern Brazil. These rock habitats display a high species diversity but are seriously threatened by human activities. More research on these habitats is urgently needed to design efficient conservation strategies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 170
Author(s):  
Ivan Mahadika Putra ◽  
Mochamad Hadi ◽  
Rully Rahadian

Ants play an important role in terrestrial ecosystems, including in organic and inorganic farmland, as predators, scavengers, and their interaction with other organism. The objectives of this study were to compare the community structure and the role of the ant in organic and inorganic farmland, and also to determine soil abiotic factors in both farmland. The study was conducted in organic and inorganic chili crop land at Batur village, Getasan, Semarang. The sampling of ants was performed using pitfall traps and bait traps, and then the ants were identified. Data analysis used is an abundance index, diversity index, evenness index, Hutchinson test and similarity index. The results showed that the number of species and the number of individual of ants in organic farm were higher (45 individuals, 8 species) than inorganic farm (35 individuals, 6 species). Diversity index of ant species in both farmlands were categorized moderate with the index value of 1.92 and 1.42. Statistically, there were no significant differences in species diversity of ants in organic and inorganic farmland. There were five dominant species in organic field and three dominant species in inorganic field. Ants that predominate in both farmlands were Iridomyrmexsp, Tetramorium sp, Solenopsisgeminata, Odontoponeradenticulata and Diacammasp. The similarity of ant communities between organic and inorganic farmland showed high value of similarity index (IS) which was 85.7%. Statistically, abiotic factors showed that there were significantly different of some abiotic factors in both farmlands, the content of carbon, phospor, organic matter and c / n ratio. Keywords: community structure of ants, agricultural ecosystems


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 333-342
Author(s):  
WD. Syarni Tala ◽  
Kusrini Kusrini ◽  
Jumiati Jumiati

Echinoderms are one of organisms that inhabit intertidal areas which have important ecological roles in marine ecosystems, also have high economic values. The community structure and distribution pattern of Echinoderms in the intertidal area can provide an overview of the condition of the Echinoderm community. This research aims to determine the community structure of Echinoderms in various habitat types in the intertidal areas of Lakeba Beach, Baubau Town. The community structure of Echinoderms were observed using quadratic transec method. Echinoderms found were 777 individuals consisting of 18 species from 5 classes. Echinoderms were distributed in four habitat types, i. e. sandy, sand covered with seagrass, rocky, and rock covered with algae habitats. The highest abundance of Echinoderm was Ophiocoma scolopendrina (Ophiuroidea) and the lowest were Maretia planulata, Arachnoides placenta (Echinoidea), Holothuria scabra, H. leucospilota, Stichopus horrens (Holothuroidea), and Isocrinidae (Crinoidea). The species diversity of Echinoderms was categorized as moderate (H’ = 1,42180), species evenness was moderate (E = 0,49191), and no dominant species of Echinoderm community (D = 0,36601). Echinoderm community living in the intertidal area was influenced by antropogenic factors.  Echinodermata merupakan salah satu organisme yang mendiami daerah intertidal yang memiliki peran ekologis penting bagi ekosistem laut, juga memiliki nilai ekonomis yang tinggi. Struktur komunitas dan pola distribusi Echinodermata pada daerah intertidal dapat memberikan gambaran mengenai kondisi komunitas Echinodermata. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui struktur komunitas dan pola distribusi Echinodermata di daerah intertidal Pantai Lakeba, Kota Baubau. Struktur komunitas dan pola distribusi Echinodermata diamati menggunakan metode transek kuadrat. Echinodermata yang ditemukan berjumlah 777 individu yang terdiri atas 18 jenis dari 5 kelas. Echinodermata terdistribusi pada empat tipe habitat yaitu habitat pasir, pasir yang ditutupi lamun, batu, dan batu yang ditutupi alga. Echinodermata yang memiliki kelimpahan tertinggi adalah Ophiocoma scolopendrina (Ophiuroidea) dan kelimpahan terendah adalah Maretia planulata, Arachnoides placenta (Echinoidea), Holothuria scabra, H. leucospilota, Stichopus horrens (Holothuroidea), dan Isocrinidae (Crinoidea). Keanekaragaman jenis Echinodermata dikategorikan sedang (H’ = 1,42180), kemerataan jenis sedang (E = 0,49191) dan tidak ada jenis yang dominan dalam komunitas Echinodermata (D = 0,36601). Komunitas Echinodermata yang hidup di daerah intertidal pantai dipengaruhi oleh faktor antropogenik.


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 773
Author(s):  
Ilona Szumańska ◽  
Sandra Lubińska-Mielińska ◽  
Dariusz Kamiński ◽  
Lucjan Rutkowski ◽  
Andrzej Nienartowicz ◽  
...  

Invasive alien species (IAS) is a global problem that largely relates to human activities and human settlements. To prevent the further spread of IAS, we first need to know their pattern of distribution, to determine which constitutes the greatest threat, and understand which habitats and migration pathways they prefer. Our research aimed to identify the main vectors and distribution pattern of IAS of plants in the city environment. We checked the relations between species distribution and such environmental factors as urban soil type and habitat type. We applied data on IAS occurrence (collected in the period 1973–2015) in 515 permanent plots with dimensions of 0.5 × 0.5 km and analyzed by direct ordination methods. In total, we recorded 66 IAS. We found a 27% variance in the IAS distribution pattern, which can be explained by statistically significant soil and habitat types. The most important for species distribution were: river and alluvial soils, forests and related rusty soils, and places of intensive human activities, including areas of urbisols and industriosols. Our results provide details that can inform local efforts for the management and control of invasive species, and they provide evidence of the different associations between natural patterns and human land use.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hendri Irwandi ◽  
Mohammad Syamsu Rosid ◽  
Terry Mart

AbstractThis research quantitatively and qualitatively analyzes the factors responsible for the water level variations in Lake Toba, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia. According to several studies carried out from 1993 to 2020, changes in the water level were associated with climate variability, climate change, and human activities. Furthermore, these studies stated that reduced rainfall during the rainy season due to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the continuous increase in the maximum and average temperatures were some of the effects of climate change in the Lake Toba catchment area. Additionally, human interventions such as industrial activities, population growth, and damage to the surrounding environment of the Lake Toba watershed had significant impacts in terms of decreasing the water level. However, these studies were unable to determine the factor that had the most significant effect, although studies on other lakes worldwide have shown these factors are the main causes of fluctuations or decreases in water levels. A simulation study of Lake Toba's water balance showed the possibility of having a water surplus until the mid-twenty-first century. The input discharge was predicted to be greater than the output; therefore, Lake Toba could be optimized without affecting the future water level. However, the climate projections depicted a different situation, with scenarios predicting the possibility of extreme climate anomalies, demonstrating drier climatic conditions in the future. This review concludes that it is necessary to conduct an in-depth, comprehensive, and systematic study to identify the most dominant factor among the three that is causing the decrease in the Lake Toba water level and to describe the future projected water level.


2021 ◽  
Vol 239 ◽  
pp. 105922
Author(s):  
Claire T. Shellem ◽  
Joanne I. Ellis ◽  
Darren J. Coker ◽  
Michael L. Berumen

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