Biodiversity Status of the Immediate Vicinity of an Iron and Steel Recycling Factory in Ile-Ife, South-Western Nigeria

Floristic composition of vegetation communities of 27 plots established along a line transect in the four major directions was investigated in the vicinity of an Iron and Steel factory in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The aim of the study was to document the plant species composition (biodiversity) of the plant communities found within the 350 m perimeter of the facility in the study area, which will serve as a reference data, as there was no reported study for the area prior to the establishment of the factory. Plant species were identified to species level in a 10 x 10 m plot and the occurrence of each species was described in semi-quantitative terms. The vegetation is heterogeneous in nature having 31 species of tree saplings and climbers, 26 of shrubs, 15 of herbaceous plants and 4 of grasses. These 107 plant species belong to forty six (46) plant families. The dominant families included Apocynaceae and Papilionaceae (9 species), Sapindaceae (8 species), Euphorbiaceae (6 species), Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae, Malvaceae, Poaceae, Sterculiaceae and Verbenaceae (4 species). Among the diverse species recorded, Chromolaena odorata formed a ticket in almost all the plots. Other common species included Albizia zygia, Alchornea laxiflora, Aspilia africana, Cnestis ferruginea, Combretum sp., Icacina tricantha, Ipomoea involucrata, Momordica foetida, Panicum maximum, Paullinia pinnata, Simicrata welwitschii and Vigna gracilis. The index of similarity of the plots ranged from 6.1 to 71.8%. The potential and vulnerability of the species were highlighted. Adherence to and enforcement of environmental regulations was recommended for preservation of the native species.

Download Full-text

Plant diversity of Ghorkhod Protected Area, NE Iran

Phytotaxa ◽

10.11646/phytotaxa.249.1.6 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 249 (1) ◽

pp. 118 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

FARSHID MEMARIANI ◽

MOHAMMAD REZA JOHARCHI ◽

HOSSEIN AKHANI

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Protected Area ◽

Life Form ◽

Vascular Plant ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Transitional Zone ◽

Plant Groups ◽

Wide Range ◽

Plant Families ◽

Ne Iran

Ghorkhod Protected Area (GPA) is located in a transitional zone among different biogeographical units in North Khorassan Province, NE Iran. The study area is mainly a mountainous region in western extensions of Khorassan-Kopet Dagh floristic province. We investigated the floristic composition, life form spectrum and phytogeography of the study area through several random collection efforts and 200 vegetation samples (reléves) in selected vegetation types during 2007–2012. A total of 663 vascular plant species belonging to 367 genera and 81 families are recorded as native and naturalized in GPA. Angiosperms and Dicots are among the most diverse plant groups. The richest plant families are Asteraceae (88 species), Poaceae (78), Lamiaceae (45), Brassicaceae (43), Fabaceae (38), and Caryophyllaceae (32). The genera Allium L. (17 species), Astragalus L. (15) and Cousinia Cass. (12) are the richest ones, however, the majority of the species belongs to oligotypic and monotypic genera. Life form spectrum of the study area is dominated by hemicryptophytes (38.9%) and therophytes (23.4%). Allium transvestiens Vved., Agropyron desertorum Schult., Helictotrichon turcomanicum Czopanov and Piptatherum latifolium (Roshev.) Nevski are recorded as new to Iran. The core flora of the area has the Irano-Turanian origin. However, the wide-range and widespread elements are also well represented in the study area. GPA is inhabited by several endemic, rare and narrow-range plant species, indicating the biodiversity importance of the study area in NE Iran.

Download Full-text

Floristic composition and phytodiversity status of Sitakunda Ecopark, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Jahangirnagar University Journal of Biological Sciences ◽

10.3329/jujbs.v5i1.29741 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 29-45 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Md Anwarul Islam ◽

Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman ◽

Gazi Mosharof Hossain

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Plant Species ◽

Monsoon Season ◽

Vascular Plant ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Diversity Indices ◽

Vascular Plant Species ◽

Plant Groups ◽

Plant Families

The present study dealt with the exploration and documentation of the floristic composition and phyto-diversity of Sitakunda Eco-park, Chittagong, Bangladesh. A total of 412 vascular plant species under 315 genera belonging to 94 plant families have been recorded from the study area during February, 2013 to April, 2015. Out of these recorded taxa, 330 were dicotyledons, 62 were monocotyledons, 5 were gymnosperms and 15 were pteridophytes. Among those, the maximum 144 species belonged to herbs followed by 138, 75 and 55 species as trees, shrubs and climbers, respectively. The species composition among the plant families varied in plant groups. In dicotyledonous group, Euphorbiaceae appeared to be the largest family with 35 species, whereas Poaceae showed the largest family containing 30 species among monocotyledonous group. The highest values of both Shannon-Weiner and Simpson diversity indices have been observed as 3.82 and 0.98, respectively to site D during monsoon season, whereas the lowest values 3.19 and 0.95, respectively of these indices were recorded in site A during summer season.Jahangirnagar University J. Biol. Sci. 5(1): 29-45, 2016 (June)

Download Full-text

Species diversity, composition and the regeneration potential of native plants at the Wainiveiota Mahogany Plantation, Viti Levu, Fiji Islands

The South Pacific Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences ◽

10.1071/sp12005 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 51 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Senilolia H. Tuiwawa ◽

Gunnar Keppel

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Native Species ◽

Native Plants ◽

Line Transect ◽

Native Plant ◽

Regeneration Potential ◽

Native Plant Species ◽

Fiji Islands ◽

Lowland Rainforest ◽

Over Time

Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King) plantations cover a considerable area on the south-eastern parts of Viti Levu, Fiji. The understorey of these plantations often comprise a diverse, but undocumented, assemblage of native plant species. This study investigates the diversity, composition and regeneration potential of native plant species in the Wainiveiota mahogany plantation 40?50 years after establishment. Ten 10 m x 10 m plots were alternately placed at 10 m intervals perpendicular to a 200 m line transect. A total of 491 individual plants with dbh ≥ 1 cm, comprising 69 species, 51 genera and 34 families, were sampled. In addition to the exotic mahogany, there were 68 native (39 endemic, 24 indigenous and 5 identified to genus only) species recorded. Girronniera celtidifolia Gaud., Dillenia biflora (A.Gray) Martelli ex Dur. & Jacks and Barringtonia edulis Seem. had the highest recruitment and Endospermum macrophyllum (Muell.Arg.) Pax & Hoffm. was the dominant native species. Syzygium Gaertn. (Myrtaceae) was the most diverse genus and Myrtaceae the most diverse family. With 98% of the sapling recruitment consisting of native species, there is potential for re-establishment of a lowland rainforest dominated by native species over time.

Download Full-text

Weeds Associated with Banana Crops in Magdalena Department, Colombia

Planta Daninha ◽

10.1590/s0100-83582020380100015 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 38 ◽

Author(s):

I. QUINTERO-PERTÚZ ◽

E. CARBONÓ-DELAHOZ ◽

A. JARMA-OROZCO

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Native Species ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Common Species ◽

Cycle Growth ◽

The Family ◽

Agroecological Zones ◽

Pattern Comparison ◽

Representative Farms ◽

Banana Crops

ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to determine the richness and composition of weed communities associated with banana plantations in Magdalena department, Colombia. Between September 2016 and May 2017, a total of 164 hectares were assessed over four agroecological zones (Alta, Media, Baja and Norte); in each zone, three representative farms were selected where, through zigzag paths, botanical collections were made in cultivated lots. Information on life cycle, growth habit and origin of each species was included. The floristic composition was represented by 204 species distributed among 143 genera and 54 families. Poaceae, with 31 species, was the family with the highest species richness, followed by Fabaceae (12) and Asteraceae (11). From the total species recorded, 113 are perennial (55%) and 91 are annual (45%); 141 species are herbaceous (68%), 38 are climbers (20%), and 25 are arboreal or shrubby (12%). Native species predominate over introduced species. The species richness does not differ significantly between the sampling zones, but the weed community composition does. The presence of common species reported as important weeds worldwide was recorded in the four zones. However, some species were recorded in only one of the zones, generating a differential composition pattern. Comparison with local inventories showed changes in the composition of the weed complex over time. The presence of various species not previously considered weeds in the banana crops of this region is highlighted.

Download Full-text

Anthropophytes in the flora of different spatial units within old rural settlements of the Lubuskie Lakeland, western Poland

Biodiversity Research and Conservation ◽

10.1515/biorc-2015-0018 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

pp. 19-32

Author(s):

Katarzyna Jasińska ◽

Andrzej Brzeg ◽

Maria Wojterska

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Native Species ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Buffer Zone ◽

Common Species ◽

Rural Settlements ◽

Dominant Group ◽

Surrounding Landscape ◽

Landscape Units

AbstractStudies of the ﬂora of villages in a connection with the surrounding landscape are rare and mostly limited to the built-up area and its general location in a geographical region. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the diversity patterns of flora against the background of local landscape units in the rural areas and to analyse them in the context of village transformation. The study comprised 30 villages of medieval origin representing the oval-shape type, with differently preserved structure of built-up area and cultivated fields, located in the Lubuskie Lakeland. The terrain within a buffer zone of 200 m in width, located outside of the built-up area, was divided into spatial complexes. In each of these complexes, floristic lists were compiled. The structure of surrounding landscape within the buffer zone of 1 km in width, measuring from the village centroid, was analysed using ArcGIS.The recorded flora comprised 767 taxa of spontaneously occurring vascular plants. Extremely rare and common species were the most numerous. Native species distinctly prevailed over alien in all types of spatial complexes and the majority of them occurred in the habitats transformed by man. There were noted altogether 244 species of anthropophytes.The index of anthropophytization of flora (WAnt) showed that both types of built-up areas (transformed and non-transformed) reached the highest values, slightly higher than fields and central green. Index of flora modernization (WM) showed the same pattern. Only water bodies were strikingly different from other complexes in respect to both indices (WAnt - significantly lower values, while WM - much higher). Differences in the floristic composition of transformed and non-transformed villages were not significant at the level of whole village. The villages were still harbouring rare species from the group of relics of former cultivation and archaeophytes, but observations conducted since 2007 confirmed that they have been decreasing in number. The percentage of groups of species with different affinity toward urban areas have shown that in the studied rural areas, the share of urbanophilic species is still very low as compared to the dominant group of urbanoneutral and moderately urbanophobic species.

Download Full-text

Thrips species (Insecta: Thysanoptera) associated with flowers in a restinga fragment in northeastern Brazil

Brazilian Journal of Biology ◽

10.1590/1519-6984.169071 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 79 (1) ◽

pp. 6-14

Author(s):

I. M. B. Lima ◽

M. A. Almeida-Filho ◽

M. G. A. Lima ◽

O. H. Bonilla ◽

E. F. B. Lima

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Diversity Indices ◽

Common Species ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Coastal Vegetation ◽

State University ◽

New Associations ◽

Thrips Species ◽

Unidentified Species ◽

Plant Families

Abstract With the growing volume of research involving Thysanoptera in Brazil, studies were carried out to improve our understanding of the diversity of thrips in areas where the fauna has historically been neglected. Accordingly, we recorded the diversity of thrips (Insecta: Thysanoptera) associated with a restinga fragment located on the campus of the State University of Ceará (UECE), Fortaleza, Ceará state, and computed the estimated richness and diversity indices. Samples were collected from 2011 through 2013 from flowers of 86 plant species. The material was taken to the Laboratory of Insect-Plant Interaction, where thrips were screened under stereomicroscope. We collected 456 adults and 58 immatures, representing 14 species, in addition to one unidentified species of Treherniella. Microcephalothrips abdominalis was found on a large number of host plants, and Frankliniella insularis was the most common species. About two-thirds of the total richness of thrips species was associated with three plant families (Amaranthaceae, Caesalpiniaceae and Poaceae); six thrips species were each associated with only one plant species. The richness of the species collected was close to that estimated by Bootstrap and Jackknife 1 analysis. The Shannon-Wiener (H’) and Simpson (D) diversity indexes were 1,7607 and 0.7769, respectively. Although the species are common, 46 new associations between plant species and thrips were established, 13 of which are true host associations, which demonstrates the importance of coastal vegetation in maintaining populations of thrips.

Download Full-text

Ecology of Helicoverpa-Armigera (Hubner) and Heliothis-Punctigera (Wallengren) in the Inland of Australia - Larval Sampling and Host-Plant Relationships During Winter and Spring

Australian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1071/zo9940329 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 42 (3) ◽

pp. 329 ◽

Cited By ~ 113

Author(s):

MP Zalucki ◽

DAH Murray ◽

PC Gregg ◽

GP Fitt ◽

PH Twine ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Host Plants ◽

Common Species ◽

Native Plant ◽

Species Determination ◽

Native Plant Species ◽

The Status ◽

Plant Families ◽

First Time

Extensive surveys during the winter months in inland areas of Australia have greatly extended both the range and known hosts of Australia's two pest Helicoverpa species. H. punctigera was the more common species, being collected from c. half of the sites sampled. Here a further 47 plant species in 8 families are recorded as possible host plants; the majority (all except two) are new records of native hosts, and greatly extend the existing lists. H. armigera was less common, being recorded from c. 10% of the 554 sites sampled. This species was reared from 28 species in 10 plant families. Both moth species are recorded for the first time from various native plant species, predominantly in the Asteraceae and Fabaceae. The Goodeniaceae is also added to the host list of both species. Determination of the status of host plants is discussed.

Download Full-text

Tree–Habitat Relationships in Urban Hong Kong

Environmental Conservation ◽

10.1017/s0376892900031003 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 209-218 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Chi Yung Jim

Keyword(s):

Hong Kong ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Common Species ◽

Habitat Characteristics ◽

Ecological Niches ◽

Long Run ◽

Large Trees ◽

Structure Tree ◽

Almost All ◽

Tree Habitat

Trees, as welcome and necessary components of Nature and functional landscape elements in cities, provide a worth-while theme for applied ecological study. Of the different approaches, the micro-scale evaluations of tree—habitat interactions can throw light on practical tree management. The roadside trees in Hong Kong, generally dwelling in a stressful physical and physiological environment, have been surveyed in detail in the field with regard to species composition, tree structure, tree defects, and habitat characteristics.Despite a diversified floristic composition, the street-tree population is dominated by a small number of common species, of which 12 have been chosen for in-depth evaluations. The recent emphasis on exotic and fast-growing species with limited final dimensions will modify the treescape in the long run. Many existing large specimens have been sacrificed to urban redevelopments. The differential performance of different species with reference to the occurrence of defects has been interpreted. Almost all the trees are inflicted by some structural or physiological problems, and large trees are practically collectors of diverse maladies.The urban tree habitats of Hong Kong are characterized by gravely cramped and stressful conditions from the soil-level upwards and especially as regards headroom. Tree-habitat correlations and associations suggest a need to plant rapid-growing, tall but narrow-canopied species that are able to resist a maximum proportion of the inevitable tree defects and diseases. The shortage of good-quality habitats with space for tree-growth, and the accompanying unfavourable ecological niches, are crucial factors for tree existence. The prospects of street trees in the long-term urban planning and upgrading for environmental quality, with special reference to the provision and preservation of proper habitats, are elaborated, with Hong Kong as a practical example.

Download Full-text

Floristic composition of Isla de las Gaviotas, Río de la Plata estuary, Uruguay

Check List ◽

10.15560/9.4.763 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 763 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Anaclara Guido ◽

Patricia Mai ◽

Verónica Piñeiro ◽

Dominique Mourelle ◽

Mercedes Souza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Native Species ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Distribution Patterns ◽

Coastal Vegetation ◽

Rio De La Plata ◽

Río De La Plata ◽

Species List ◽

La Plata

Isla de las Gaviotas is an island located in Río de la Plata estuary, Uruguay. The aim of this study is to determine and analyze plant species composition on this island and to identify vegetation zonation patterns. An angiosperm species list was generated using a qualitative sampling technique. We registered a total of 27 species, distributed among 18 families. According to species distribution patterns on the island, we propose four vegetation zones: North, Central, Southeast and West. Exotic species comprised 52% of the total number of species, reflecting a history of disturbance in the area. Nonetheless, this site also has a remarkable number of native species, in particular Heliotropium curassavicum, which is listed among Uruguayan species of conservation concern. Given that the loss of coastal plant species is a current problem, the proportion of native halophyte species recorded (37%) indicated the island’s importance as a relict of Uruguayan coastal vegetation.

Download Full-text

Species Distribution Pattern and Their Contribution in Plant Community Assembly in Response to Ecological Gradients of the Ecotonal Zone in the Himalayan Region

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10112372 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 2372

Author(s):

Inayat Ur Rahman ◽

Aftab Afzal ◽

Zafar Iqbal ◽

Abeer Hashem ◽

Al-Bandari Fahad Al-Arjani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Environmental Changes ◽

Field Studies ◽

Common Species ◽

Line Transect ◽

Ecological Gradients ◽

Importance Value ◽

Transect Sampling ◽

Different Seasons ◽

Ecological Methods

The ecotonal zones support populations that are acclimated to changing, fluctuating, and unstable conditions, and as a result, these populations are better equipped to adjust to expected change. In this context, a hypothesis was tested that there must be vegetation dominated by unique indicator plant species under the influence of ecological gradients in the ecotonal zone of Manoor Valley (northwestern Himalaya), Pakistan. Keeping the aforementioned hypothesis in mind, detailed field studies were conducted during different seasons in 2015-18. Line transect sampling and phytosociological characteristics (density, frequency, cover, and their relative values and Importance Value) were implemented as ecological methods. This investigation documented 97 plant species recorded from seven sampling sites. The community distribution modelling revealed that the ecological variables separate the seven sampling sites into two major plant communities (Indigofera-Parrotiopsis-Bistorta and Ziziphus-Leptopus-Quercus) recognized by TWINSPAN. The IBP communities showed a positive and significant correlation with altitude (1789.6–1896.3 m), sandy soil texture with a slightly acidic pH (6.4–6.5), and higher phosphorous (9–13 mg kg−1). In contrast with this, the ZLQ community was recognized on the southern slope under the strong influence of high electrical conductivity (2.82–5.4 dsm−1), organic matter (1.08–1.25%), calcium carbonate (5.8–7.6 mg kg−1), potassium (202–220 mg kg−1), and temperature (28.8–31.8 °C). Hence, both communities were found on opposite axes with clear differences based on the ecological gradients. NMDS clustered different species with similar habitats and different stands with common species, showing that plant species and stands were in a linear combination with ecological gradients. The IPB community has the maximum number of plant species (87 species), Shannon value (H’ = 4), Simpson value (0.98), and Pielou’s evenness value (0.96). Thus, the multivariate approaches revealed unique vegetation with sharp boundaries between communities which might be due to abrupt environmental changes.

Download Full-text