Effects of Human Impact on Miombo Woodland in Northern Malawi

Miombo woodland is found throughout the Zambezian regional centre of endemism where most of the rural population make use of its wild plant species. This article presents the results of a study on the composition of the woody vegetation and its anthropogenous alteration in northern Malawi with particular respect to the impact caused by the collection of wild plants. The main vegetation type in this area is miombo woodland which is composed of 80 woody species. The collection of wild plants does not show an effect on the plant diversity but effects are visible in the decreasing number of tall trees.

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Influence of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles on Two Terrestrial Wild Plant Species

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10020335 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 335

Author(s):

Daniel Lizzi ◽

Alessandro Mattiello ◽

Alessio Adamiano ◽

Guido Fellet ◽

Emanuele Gava ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cerium Oxide ◽

Plant Species ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Wild Plants ◽

Wild Plant ◽

Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles ◽

Oxide Nanoparticles ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Wild Plant Species ◽

Leaf Tissues

Most current studies on the relationships between plans and engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are focused on food crops, while the effects on spontaneous plants have been neglected so far. However, from an ecological perspective, the ENMs impacts on the wild plants could have dire consequences on food webs and ecosystem services. Therefore, they should not be considered less critical. A pot trial was carried out in greenhouse conditions to evaluate the growth of Holcus lanatus L. (monocot) and Diplotaxis tenuifolia L. DC. (dicot) exposed to cerium oxide nanoparticles (nCeO2). Plants were grown for their entire cycle in a substrate amended with 200 mg kg−1nCeO2 having the size of 25 nm and 50 nm, respectively. nCeO2 were taken up by plant roots and then translocated towards leaf tissues of both species. However, the mean size of nCeO2 found in the roots of the species was different. In D. tenuifolia, there was evidence of more significant particle aggregation compared to H. lanatus. Further, biomass variables (dry weight of plant fractions and leaf area) showed that plant species responded differently to the treatments. In the experimental conditions, there were recorded stimulating effects on plant growth. However, nutritional imbalances for macro and micronutrients were observed, as well.

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The influence of the 1991/92 drought on the woody vegetation of the Kruger National Park

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v38i2.316 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

A.J. Viljoen

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Woody Species ◽

Aerial Photographs ◽

Woody Vegetation ◽

General Area ◽

Variable Intensity ◽

The North ◽

Olifants River ◽

Area North ◽

The Impact

All observations and data related to the impact of the 1991/92 drought on the woody vegetation, excluding the riverine vegetation of major rivers, are summarised. This includes data from a visual estimate of damage from aerial photographs, surveys on selected sites, and general observations. Despite lower rainfall, the area north of the Olifants River (excluding the far-northern part) was less affected than the area south of it, suggesting that the woody vegetation in the north is more adapted to drought. A characteristic of the drought was the localised distribution pattern and variable intensity of damage to the same species in the same general area. Information on 31 species are presented briefly. Although a large number of woody species was to some extent damaged, when the woody vegetation is considered as a whole, the influence of the drought was not very severe.

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Methodological Guidelines for Accurate Detection of Viruses in Wild Plant Species

Applied and Environmental Microbiology ◽

10.1128/aem.03538-15 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 82 (6) ◽

pp. 1966-1975 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Christelle Lacroix ◽

Kurra Renner ◽

Ellen Cole ◽

Eric W. Seabloom ◽

Elizabeth T. Borer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Disease Risk ◽

Virus Detection ◽

Plant Viruses ◽

Wild Plants ◽

Wild Plant ◽

Content Type ◽

Wild Plant Species ◽

Methodological Guidelines ◽

Wild Hosts

ABSTRACTEcological understanding of disease risk, emergence, and dynamics and of the efficacy of control strategies relies heavily on efficient tools for microorganism identification and characterization. Misdetection, such as the misclassification of infected hosts as healthy, can strongly bias estimates of disease prevalence and lead to inaccurate conclusions. In natural plant ecosystems, interest in assessing microbial dynamics is increasing exponentially, but guidelines for detection of microorganisms in wild plants remain limited, particularly so for plant viruses. To address this gap, we explored issues and solutions associated with virus detection by serological and molecular methods in noncrop plant species as applied to the globally importantBarley yellow dwarf virusPAV (Luteoviridae), which infects wild native plants as well as crops. With enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), we demonstrate how virus detection in a perennial wild plant species may be much greater in stems than in leaves, although leaves are most commonly sampled, and may also vary among tillers within an individual, thereby highlighting the importance of designing effective sampling strategies. With reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), we demonstrate how inhibitors in tissues of perennial wild hosts can suppress virus detection but can be overcome with methods and products that improve isolation and amplification of nucleic acids. These examples demonstrate the paramount importance of testing and validating survey designs and virus detection methods for noncrop plant communities to ensure accurate ecological surveys and reliable assumptions about virus dynamics in wild hosts.

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The problem of introduction of rare and endangered plants of the middle Urals’ flora

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202017603008 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 176 ◽

pp. 03008

Author(s):

M. Y. Karpukhin ◽

A. V. Abramchuk

Keyword(s):

Wild Plants ◽

Wild Plant ◽

Middle Urals ◽

Human Beings ◽

Seed Formation ◽

The Middle Urals ◽

Rare And Endangered Species ◽

Wild Plant Species ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Rare And Endangered

The problem of gene pool protection of wild plant species has gained a special relevance in modern times. In connection with the growth of population there is an increase in economic activity of human beings and their active influence on nature: wild lands plowing, overpasses plotting, construction of new and widening the boundaries of existing settlements. In addition, intensive harvesting of plants as medicinal, decorative, food, forage, etc is in progress. All this has a negative effect on the condition of wild plants: their stocks are declining, and some species are disappearing at all. A number of plants such as: spring adonis (Adonis vernalis L.), martagon lily [Liliumpilosisculum(Freyn)) Miscz,L.], butterfly orchid [Platantherabifolia(L.) Rchb], PaeoniaanomalaL. , rosewort (Rhodiolarosea L.) in their status, they belong to the group of rare and endangered species, they are listed in the Red Book of the Middle Urals, and their conservation requires introduction. The study found that the species studied are culturally resistant, adapting well to new conditions. During the growth process, they went through all phenological phases, ending the development cycle with the fruiting phase with seed formation. Seeds with high enough sowing properties was provided by martagon lily, for which self-seeding is characteristic; low germination of seeds is noted in Rhodiolarosea L. and Platantherabifolia (L.) Rchb.

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An Assessment of Multiple Drivers Determining Woody Species Composition and Structure: A Case Study from the Kalahari, Botswana

Land ◽

10.3390/land8080122 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (8) ◽

pp. 122 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Meyer ◽

Holloway ◽

Christiansen ◽

Miller ◽

D’Odorico ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Abundance ◽

Woody Species ◽

Environmental Variable ◽

Woody Vegetation ◽

Tobit Regression ◽

Species Identity ◽

Rainfall Gradient ◽

Composition And Structure ◽

Species Richness And Abundance ◽

The Impact

Savannas are extremely important socio-economic landscapes, with pastoralist societies relying on these ecosystems to sustain their livelihoods and economy. Globally, there is an increase of woody vegetation in these ecosystems, degrading the potential of these multi-functional landscapes to sustain societies and wildlife. Several mechanisms have been invoked to explain the processes responsible for woody vegetation composition; however, these are often investigated separately at scales not best suited to land-managers, thereby impeding the evaluation of their relative importance. We ran six transects at 15 sites along the Kalahari transect, collecting data on species identity, diversity, and abundance. We used Poisson and Tobit regression models to investigate the relationship among woody vegetation, precipitation, grazing, borehole density, and fire. We identified 44 species across 78 transects, with the highest species richness and abundance occurring at Kuke (middle of the rainfall gradient). Precipitation was the most important environmental variable across all species and various morphological groups, while increased borehole density and livestock resulted in lower bipinnate species abundance, contradicting the consensus that these managed features increase the presence of such species. Rotating cattle between boreholes subsequently reduces the impact of trampling and grazing on the soil and maintains and/or reduces woody vegetation abundance.

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Influence of the Land Use Type on the Wild Plant Diversity

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants9050602 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 602

Author(s):

Ina Aneva ◽

Petar Zhelev ◽

Simeon Lukanov ◽

Mariya Peneva ◽

Kiril Vassilev ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Plant Diversity ◽

Tree Cover ◽

Wild Plant ◽

Species Number ◽

Land Use Type ◽

Grazing Land ◽

Land Use Types ◽

Bioclimatic Variables ◽

The Impact

Studies on the impact of agricultural practices on plant diversity provide important information for policy makers and the conservation of the environment. The aim of the present work was to evaluate wild plant diversity across the agroecosystems in two contrasting regions of Bulgaria; Pazardzhik-Plovdiv (representing agroecosystems in the lowlands) and Western Stara Planina (the Balkan Mountains, representing agroecosystems in the foothills of the mountains). This study conducted a two-year assessment of plant diversity in different types of agricultural and forest ecosystems, representing more than 30 land use types. Plant diversity, measured by species number, was affected by the land use type only in Pazardzhik-Plovdiv region. More pronounced was the effect of the groups of land use types on the diversity, measured by the mean species number per scoring plot. Climatic conditions, measured by 19 bioclimatic variables, were the most important factor affecting plant species diversity. Six bioclimatic variables had a significant effect on the plant diversity, and the effect was more pronounced when the analysis considered pooled data of the two regions. The highest plant diversity was found on grazing land with sparse tree cover, while the lowest one was in the land use types representing annual crops or fallow. The study also established a database on weed species, relevant to agriculture. A number of common weeds were found in the Pazardzhik-Plovdiv region, while the most frequent species in the Western Stara Planina region were indigenous ones. Overall, the natural flora of Western Stara Planina was more conserved; eleven orchid species with conservation significance were found in the pastures and meadows in that region. The present study is the first attempt in Bulgaria to characterize the plant diversity across diverse agroecosystems representing many different land use types and environmental conditions. The results can contribute to nature conservation, biodiversity, and the sustainable use of plant resources.

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Diversitas dan Asosiasi Tumbuhan Liar pada Lahan Padi (Oryza sativa) dan Jagung (Zea mays) di Unit Pelaksana Teknis Pengembangan Benih Palawija Singosari Kabupaten Malang

BIOSAINTROPIS (BIOSCIENCE-TROPIC) ◽

10.33474/e-jbst.v5i1.216 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 18-24

Author(s):

Ifadotul Lailatussholiha ◽

Ari Hayati ◽

Hasan Zayadi

Keyword(s):

Zea Mays ◽

Oryza Sativa ◽

Plant Species ◽

Contingency Table ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Wild Plants ◽

Wild Plant ◽

Chi Square ◽

Corn Field ◽

Wild Plant Species

The research aims to find out the diversity and association between wild plant species on rice fields (Oryza sativa) and corn (Zea mays) at technical unit of Singosari Seed Crop Development, Malang Regency. In this study using the survey method, by observing directly any wild plants found in the fields of rice and corn. The exploration of wild plants was carried out by exploratory methods, namely observing wild plants found around rice and maize plantations in predetermined plots. Analysis of the data used is the Shannon-Wienner Diversity Index and Pielou Evenness Index. Whereas to find out the association between wild plant species that is by calculating the Chi-square test based on the results of the 2x2 contingency table whose value is obtained from the presence or absence of speces in a plot. Furthermore, to find out the positive or negative interactions that occur, the correlation coefficient calculation is also based on the 2x2 contingency table. The results obtained for the highest Diversity Index value of 2.729 was on land II from the corn field. Whereas the high palin value of Pielou's Tightness Index of 0.371 is on land II from the corn field. Keywords: Diversity, association, wild plants ABSTRAK Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengetahui diversitas dan asosiasi antar spesies tumbuhan liar pada lahan tanaman padi (Oryza sativa) dan jagung (Zea mays) di UPT Pengembangan Benih Palawija Singosari Kabupaten Malang. Penelitian ini mengunakan metode Eksploratif, dengan mengamati langsung setiap tumbuhan liar yang terdapat pada lahan tanaman padi dan jagung. Pengambilan sampel tumbuhan liar dilakukan cara purposive sampling yaitu mengamati tumbuhan liar yang terdapat di sekitar pertanaman padi dan jagung pada plot-plot yang sudah ditentukan. Analisis data yang digunakan yaitu Indeks Keanekaragaman shannon-Wienner dan Indeks Kemerataan Pielou. Sedangkan untuk mengetahui asosiasi antar spesies tumbuhan liar yaitu dengan menghitung uji Chi-square berdasarkan hasil tabel kontingensi 2x2 yang nilainya didapatkan dari ada atau tidak adanya spesies dalam suatu plot. Selanjutnya untuk mengetahui positif atau negatifnya interaksi yang terjadi dilakukan perhitungan koifisien korelasi yang juga didasarkan pada tabek kontingensi 2x2. Hasil yang didapatkan untuk Indeks Keanekaragaman yaitu nilai paling tinggi berada pada lahan II dari lahan tanaman jagung yaitu 2,729. Sedangkan nilai paling tinggi dari Indeks Kemeratan Pielou berada pada lahan II dari lahan tanaman jagung yaitu 0,371. Kata kunci: Diveritas, asosiasi, tumbuhan liar.

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Ethnobotanical study of Indigenous Knowledge on Some Wild Plants in Parsa District, Nepal

Journal of Natural History Museum ◽

10.3126/jnhm.v29i0.19042 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 29 ◽

pp. 103-121 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shila Singh

Keyword(s):

Traditional Knowledge ◽

Group Discussion ◽

Sustainable Use ◽

Future Generations ◽

Wild Plants ◽

Wild Plant ◽

Ethnobotanical Study ◽

Folk Knowledge ◽

Wild Plant Species ◽

The Rich

The present study was carried out to document ethnobotanical informations of some wild plants used by the Tharu community of Parsa district forest area of Nepal. This study was designed to gather primary folk knowledge on different plant based therapies used at four adjacent villages; Gadi, Madhuban mathwal, Sonbarsa and Shanker Sharaiya for various purposes through frequent field visits in the forest and adjoining villages, participatory observations, group discussion, interviews with tribal's and local knowledgeable people in the year 2013 from February to November. A total of 54 ethno-medicinal wild plant species belonging to 29 families and 44 genera were documented in this study. It can be concluded that Tharu community of the Parsa district possess valuable traditional knowledge on plant based therapies. Present documentation will provide novel information to protect traditional knowledge for the conservation and sustainable use of the rich biodiversity for future generations and serve to open the door for new pharmacological research. J. Nat. Hist. Mus. Vol. 29, 2015, Page: 103-121

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Non-Medicinal Uses of Selected Wild Plants By The People of Mustang District, Nepal

Journal of Natural History Museum ◽

10.3126/jnhm.v24i1.2237 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 24 ◽

pp. 47-57

Author(s):

Sandesh Bhattarai ◽

R. P. Chaudhary ◽

R SL Taylor

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

In Situ Conservation ◽

Construction Materials ◽

Local People ◽

Wild Plants ◽

Wild Plant ◽

Medicinal Uses ◽

Local Resources ◽

The People ◽

Wild Plant Species

The local people of Mustang district use several wild plant species to fulfill various daily needs. Local people were interviewed during 2005-2007 regarding their uses of plants. We recorded several uses of 51 plant species (29 herbs,12 shrubs and 10 trees), belonging to 19 families under 31 genera. Among 51 species recorded, 23 species were used as fodder; followed by decoration materials and organic manure (nine species each). Plants were also used to make household articles, construction materials, recreational drugs, dye, soap, to make a beverage that is consumed as a substitute for tea and others. It is hoped that sustainable harvesting of these local resources will play an important role in in-situ conservation and ultimately help to maintain a sustainable ecosystem.Key words: Fodder; Mustang; Sustainable; Valuable resources; Wild plantsJournal of Natural History MuseumVol. 24, 2009 Page 47-57

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Reorganisation of rhizosphere soil pore structure by wild plant species in compacted soils

Journal of Experimental Botany ◽

10.1093/jxb/eraa323 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 71 (19) ◽

pp. 6107-6115 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jasmine E Burr-Hersey ◽

Karl Ritz ◽

Glyn A Bengough ◽

Sacha J Mooney

Keyword(s):

Sandy Loam ◽

Pore Space ◽

Plantago Lanceolata ◽

Root Surface ◽

Wild Plants ◽

Wild Plant ◽

Compacted Soils ◽

Wild Plant Species ◽

Loam Soil ◽

X Ray Computed

Abstract Soil compaction represents a major impediment to plant growth, yet wild plants are often observed thriving in soil of high bulk density in non-agricultural settings. We analysed the root growth of three non-cultivated species often found growing in compacted soils in the natural environment. Plants of ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), and spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare) were grown for 28 d in a sandy loam soil compacted to 1.8 g cm–3 with a penetration resistance of 1.55 MPa. X-Ray computed tomography was used to observe root architecture in situ and to visualise changes in rhizosphere porosity (at a resolution of 35 μm) at 14 d and 28 d after sowing. Porosity of the soil was analysed within four incremental zones up to 420 μm from the root surface. In all species, the porosity of the rhizosphere was greatest closest to the root and decreased with distance from the root surface. There were significant differences in rhizosphere porosity between the three species, with Cirsium plants exhibiting the greatest structural genesis across all rhizosphere zones. This creation of pore space indicates that plants can self-remediate compacted soil via localised structural reorganisation in the rhizosphere, which has potential functional implications for both plant and soil.

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