scholarly journals Population survey of Milicia excelsa, Pouteria adolfi-fridercii, Antiaris toxicaria and Prunus africana in south and south-western Ethiopia: implications for domesticating and establishing Seed Production Areas

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 153-162
Author(s):  
Mohammed Adefa Seid ◽  
Yigardu Mulatu ◽  
Agena Anjulo ◽  
Semaigzer Ayalew ◽  
Hailu Belay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Natural Forest ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Stem Height ◽  
Prunus Africana ◽  
Milicia Excelsa ◽  
Western Ethiopia ◽  
Tree Stem

The population dynamics and genetic qualities of stem height and dbh of the populations of Milicia excelsa, Pouteria adolfi-fridercii, Antiaris toxicaria and Prunus africana were assessed and studied in 14 forest ecosystems in south and south-western Ethiopia. A systematic random quadrat sampling technique was employed to identify potential habitat area for selected timber species in south and south-western Ethiopia. So, a total of 10 parallel transect lines were set out across each forest habitat. Milicia excelsa was assessed in four forest ecosystems; Bebeka -Duduka natural forest (45 tree stem ha-1) and Yayu coffee mixed forest (40 tree stem ha-1) appeared to have relatively denser population of M. excelsa compared to the other pilot forests. Similarly, statistically larger stem height (m) is observed in Bebeka-Duduka natural forest (x̅=29.5, SD=4.2) and larger dbh size (cm) in Bebeka 1 coffee mixed forest (x̅=48.5, SD=25.2) at p<0.05. Hence, Bebeka-Duduka natural forest and Bebeka 1 coffee mixed forests are identified for in-situ SPA establishment project of the target species. Pouteria adolfi-fridercii was assessed in eight forest ecosystems; Masha-Gora shewi forest appeared to have dense population of P. adolfi-fridercii (150 tree stem ha-1) followed by Bebeka-Kebereta (80 tree stem ha-1) as compared to the remaining pilot forests. However, statistically larger stem height (m) is scored in Bebeka 2 natural forest (x̅=30.6, SD=2.98) and Bebeka-kebereta forest (x̅=30.0, SD=4.4) and larger dbh size (cm) in Bebeka 2 natural forest (x̅=96.5, SD=19.9) at p<0.05. So, Bebeka 2 natural forest and Bebeka-kebereta forest are identified for SPA establishment project of the target species. Antiaris toxicaria was assessed in two forest ecosystems where both forest habitats appeared to have the same density of Antiaris toxicaria in hectare. Moreover, analyses of mean stem height (cm) of Bebeka 1 forest (x̅=21.4, SD=5.2) and Bebeka-kebereta forest (x̅=22.4, SD=2.7), and mean dbh size (cm) of Bebeka 1 forest (x̅=48, SD=16.4) and Bebeka-kebereta forest (x̅=48, SD=8.2) appeared to have not significantly different at p<0.05. Prunus africana was assessed in five forest ecosystems; Masha-Gora shewi forest appeared to have dense population of Prunus africana (150 tree stem ha-1) followed by Kaho-shemeta forest (130 tree stem ha-1) as compared to the remaining pilot forests. However, statistically larger stem height (m) is scored in Kaho-shemeta natural forest (x̅=31, SD=7.6) and larger dbh (cm) in Masha-Gora shewi forest (x̅=64.7, SD=28.2) at p<0.05. As the result, Kaho-shemeta natural forest and Bonga-Teja-adela forest are identified for establishment of seed production area of the target species in-situ. Hence, while implementing the project of domestication and seed production area establishment in south and south-western Ethiopia, in-situ and ex-situ areas must be selected and delineated in accordance with this preliminary information of the population dynamics and genetic qualities of stem height and diameter at breast height. The survey data generated in this study would bridge the research gap in relation to the population status of the target tree species in the designated area.

Nighttime doesn’t stop N2O and CH4 exchange from riparian forest tree stems with the atmosphere

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Schindler ◽  
Katerina Machacova ◽  
Ülo Mander ◽  
Kaido Soosaar
Keyword(s):  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Riparian Forest ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
Forest Tree ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
Stem Height ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Sustainability Program ◽  
A Minor

&lt;p&gt;Riparian forest ecosystems have been considered to be a natural source of nitrous oxide (N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O) and a natural sink of methane (CH&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt;), both of which are important greenhouse gases (GHG) originating from microbiological processes. Wetland trees may also contribute to the GHG exchange by the release of both gases to the atmosphere or uptake therefrom. Recent studies have investigated the role of tree stems, underlining their importance in understanding forest GHG dynamics, focussing on various tree species, soil conditions or seasonal dynamics. However, knowledge about the short-termed day and night-time distributed GHG exchange of tree stems with the atmosphere is still scarce. We studied stem fluxes in a riparian forest ecosystem aiming to investigate the diurnal pattern and predict the potential influence of solar radiation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The diurnal flux measurements were performed at 40-year-old grey alder (Alnus incana) forest stand in Estonia with 12-hour interval during July-September 2017 and May-September 2018 (n=16). The exchange of N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O and CH&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt; was measured from 12 trees at profile height up to 5 m (0.1, 0.8, 1.7, 2.5, 5.0 m) using non-steady state stem chamber systems and gas chromatography. Simultaneously, soil fluxes were automatically quantified using a dynamic chamber system (Picarro 2508); piezometers, automatic groundwater level wells, soil temperature and moisture sensors were installed to determine coherent soil conditions.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Our preliminary results showed N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O and CH&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt; emissions from alder tree stems during daytime (4.91 &amp;#177; 0.15 &amp;#181;g m&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt; h&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; and 66.38 &amp;#177; 16.02 &amp;#181;g m&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt; h&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;, mean &amp;#177; s.e.) and lower during nighttime (3.65 &amp;#177; 0.22 &amp;#181;g m&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt; h&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; and 51.49 &amp;#177; 13.83 &amp;#181;g m&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt; h&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;, mean &amp;#177; s.e.) at 0.1 m stem height, revealing a likely link to solar-driven physiological tree activity. Further, with increasing stem height, the relation of night to daytime fluxes diminished. However, the day-wise variation, including a minor GHG uptake indicates a fast response to changing micro-spatial environmental conditions like water regime in the soil and temperature.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Our study demonstrates the GHG exchange between tree stems and atmosphere occurs both in day- and night-time, showing slightly higher values in day-time, probably due to the trees&amp;#8217; physiological activities. Furthermore, our findings provide the potential to predict reaction kinetics in future modelling of flux pathways in forest ecosystems.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Acknowledgement&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This research was supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Estonia (SF0180127s08 grant), the Estonian Research Council (IUT2-16, PRG-352, and MOBERC20), the Czech Science Foundation (17-18112Y), the Czech National Sustainability Program I (LO1415), and the EcolChange Centre of Excellence, Estonia.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Radionuclides’ content in forest ecosystem located in southwestern part of Serbia

2021 ◽  
pp. 14-14
Author(s):  
Sabahudin Hadrovic ◽  
Igor Celikovic ◽  
Jelena Krneta-Nikolic ◽  
Milica Rajacic ◽  
Dragana Todorovic
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Forest Ecosystem ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Large Region ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Southwestern Part ◽  
Atmospheric Pollutant ◽  
Activity Concentrations ◽  
Spectrometric Measurements ◽  
Tree Stem

Forests, with a large coverage of lands area, represent important ecosystem. They have greater ability to absorb atmospheric pollutant, including radionuclides compared to other vegetation types. Thus it is important to monitor radionuclides concentration in forest ecosystems. The results of the first gamma-spectrometric measurements in 16500 ha large region of South-western Serbia are presented. It is investigated activity concentrations of 40K, 137Cs and 210Pb in different deciduous and evergreen trees in the region. For all investigated isotopes, it was observed tendency that the smallest activity concentrations in average were found in tree stem, than in leaves, while the highest ones were in soil. Statistical analysis did not show any differences between activity concentrations of leaves and needles, showing that both leaves and needles could be equally well used as a biomonitors.

scholarly journals Direct Aulacaspis yasumatsui Infestation of Pre-Harvest Cycas Seeds Reduces Germination and Performance of Seedlings

Horticulturae ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 562
Author(s):  
Thomas E. Marler
Keyword(s):  
Germination Percentage ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Seed Selection ◽  
Stem Height ◽  
Seedling Mortality ◽  
Armored Scale ◽  
Experimental Infestation ◽  
And Performance

The invasion of numerous countries by the armored scale Aulacaspis yasumatsui Takagi has caused widespread mortality of host Cycas species. Few studies have looked at reproductive biology responses of host plants to the herbivore. This study was conducted to determine the influence of direct Cycas seed integument infestation of A. yasumatsui on germination and seedling performance. An observational study in a Tinian ex situ Cycas micronesica K.D. Hill garden revealed that germination percentage was reduced two-thirds by heavy pre-harvest integument infestation, and more than half of the seedlings from infested seeds died in the nursery. Multi-year mortality of plants was six times greater for plants from habitats with infested seeds than for plants from minimally infested habitats. Stem height of nine-year-old plants from habitats with infested seeds was 64% of that of plants from habitats with un-infested seeds. A controlled study in a Philippine ex situ C. micronesica and Cycas edentata de Laub. garden corroborated these findings. Germination of infested seeds was about 30% of that for un-infested seeds. Seedling mortality in the nursery following experimental infestation of seed integuments with A. yasumatsui during seed maturation was about 50%, but was minimal for seedlings from un-infested seeds. These results indicate that limitations in regeneration and recruitment of host Cycas plants following A. yasumatsui herbivory may be partly due to the influence of direct seed infestations. Conservationists may use this new knowledge to improve in situ seed selection criteria and use prophylactic treatments to ensure lack of integument infestations for ex situ gardens.

scholarly journals Conservation Gaps in Traditional Vegetables Native to Europe and Fennoscandia

Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 340
Author(s):  
Kauê de Sousa ◽  
Svein Øivind Solberg
Keyword(s):  
Food System ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Priority Score ◽  
Global Databases ◽  
Healthy Diets

Vegetables are rich in vitamins and other micronutrients and are important crops for healthy diets and diversification of the food system, and many traditional (also termed underutilized or indigenous) species may play a role. The current study analyzed 35 vegetables with a European region of diversity with the effort to map the conservation status in Fennoscandia and beyond. We mapped georeferenced occurrences and current genebank holdings based on global databases and conducted conservation gaps analysis based on representativeness scores in situ and ex situ. Out of the 35 target species, 19 got at a high priority score for further conservation initiatives, while another 14 species got a medium priority score. We identified a pattern where traditional vegetables are poorly represented in genebank holdings. This corresponds well to a lack of attention in the scientific community measured in number of published papers. Considering the grand challenges ahead in terms of climate change, population growth and demand for sustainability, traditional vegetables deserve greater attention. Our contribution is to provide a basis for conservation priorities among the identified vegetables species native to Fennoscandia.

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