Ecological Diversity of Pteridophytes Across Land Use Types in Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve, Luzon Island, Philippines

Changes are evident in fern species richness, composition, and abundance as a result of environmental changes caused by forest conversion to various land use types. This study identified fern species and described its distribution pattern with reference to ecological parameters obtained from various land use types across the northeastern slope of Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve, Los Baños, Philippines. The plot technique was employed using a 20x20 meter quadrat. Three 5x2 subquadrats were randomly distributed within the established quadrat. Cluster and ordination analysis were used and edaphic factors were analyzed. Fern specimens were identified (sensu PPG) and measured. Samples were collected for herbarium vouchers and were deposited at the Plant Biology Division Herbarium, University of the Philippines Los Baños (PBDH). Cluster analysis revealed six land use types: buffer, agroforest, agri-farm, roadside, mahogany, and forest. Twenty-nine (29) fern species belonging to 23 genera from 14 families were recorded across the different land use types. Among the land use types, the forest had the highest fern species richness (13) and the agri-farm and Mahogany had the least (6). Canonical correspondence analysis indicated that moisture, OM, pH, and CEC were significant explanatory drivers of fern distribution especially in the Mahogany and Agroforest land use type. Understanding the fern community patterns and edaphic factors in Mt. Makiling would aid in its conservation planning.

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Response of termite communities to natural forest conversion

Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity ◽

10.13057/biodiv/d221147 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (11) ◽

Author(s):

Sri Heriza ◽

DAMAYANTI BUCHORI ◽

IDHAM SAKTI HARAHAP ◽

NINA MARYANA

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Species Richness ◽

Dead Wood ◽

Natural Forest ◽

Forest Conversion ◽

Plantation Forest ◽

Termite Species ◽

Land Use Conversion ◽

Feeding Groups ◽

Land Use Types

Abstract. Heriza S, Buchori D, Harahap IS, Maryana N. 2021. Response of termite communities to natural forest conversion. Biodiversitas 22: 5092-5096. Natural forest conversion can affect termite communities resulting from the various types of land use conversion. This study aims to examine the impacts of natural forest conversion on termite communities based on species richness, feeding groups, and termite species composition. Four land use types were evaluated on a gradient from the least to the most disturbing: natural forest, plantation forest, oil palm plantations and settlements. The method used to observe termites in this study is a plot measured 50 m x 10 m and was divided into sub-plots of 5 m x 5 m. The termites were collected from leaf litter and soil, dead wood, trunks, and nests. The response of the termite community to the conversion of natural forest functions into other forms of land use types, where for termite species richness, there was no significant differences between land uses, but for abundance and based on feeding groups there were difference between them.

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Bat activity and species richness in different land‐use types in and around Chome Nature Forest Reserve, Tanzania

African Journal of Ecology ◽

10.1111/aje.12783 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Thomas Katunzi ◽

Pipat Soisook ◽

Paul W. Webala ◽

Kyle N. Armstrong ◽

Sara Bumrungsri

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Species Richness ◽

Forest Reserve ◽

Bat Activity ◽

Land Use Types

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Effect of land-use types on the ecomorphological structure of fish assemblage in distinct mesohabitats of neotropical streams

Biota Neotropica ◽

10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2020-1034 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Leonardo Antunes Pessoa ◽

Matheus Tenório Baumgartner ◽

Marcelo Percilio Santana Junior ◽

João Paulo Alves Pagotto ◽

Luiz Gustavo Antunes Pessoa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Urban Environment ◽

Fish Species ◽

Fish Assemblage ◽

Environmental Variables ◽

Environmental Changes ◽

Canopy Cover ◽

Distinct Species ◽

Urban Streams ◽

Land Use Types

Abstract The use and occupation of land by human population substantially influence environmental variables and fish assemblage in streams. However, there is little knowledge on how these changes affect the ecomorphological structure of fish assemblage in mesohabitats. Therefore, we aim to assess whether the land-use types affect the ecomorphological structure of fish assemblage in distinct mesohabitats. Environmental and ichthyofaunistic data were collected in three mesohabitats (rifles, runs, and pools) of five rural and five urban streams. Twenty-one ecomorphological indices were obtained from the mean of linear morphological measurements and areas of the fishes. Subsequently, the Euclidean distance was calculated, based on the ecomorphological indices, between each pair of species, to measure the ecomorphological distances for the mesohabitats of the rural and urban streams. The results show that the urban environment is more harmful to streams than the rural one, due to changes in the environmental variables and decrease in species richness. The main environmental changes found in urban streams were the decrease in canopy cover by riparian vegetation and dissolved oxygen, and the increase in electrical conductivity and bed silting. Also, there was a significant decrease in the morphological similarity between fish species in the mesohabitats of urban streams compared to rural ones. Therefore, we can conclude that the urban environment leads to the loss of morphologically similar fish species in the mesohabitats, with only a few functionally distinct species remaining.

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Contrasting the Effect of Forest Landscape Condition to the Resilience of Species Diversity in a Human Modified Landscape: Implications for the Conservation of Tree Species

Land ◽

10.3390/land9010004 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 4 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mulugheta Ghebreslassie Araia ◽

Paxie Wanangwa Chirwa ◽

Eméline Sêssi Pélagie Assédé

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Species Richness ◽

Species Diversity ◽

Conservation Strategy ◽

Forest Landscape ◽

Leading Change ◽

Forest Reserve ◽

Local Species Richness ◽

Β Diversity ◽

Local Species

Using landscape moderation insurance and Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis (IDH) as frameworks, this study assessed the response of local assemblage among different land use regimes (mean β-diversity), using the Jaccard dissimilarity matrix in contrasting Human Modified Forest Landscapes (HMFLs). The study was conducted at the relatively simplified Mafhela Forest Reserve and the complex Thathe Vondo Forest Reserve in South Africa. The patterns of overall β-diversity between HMFL and State-protected Indigenous Forests (SIF) were compared and the leading change drivers were then untangled. This study found that human disturbance affects mean β-diversity of local assemblages among land use regimes between the two HMFLs in an ecologically contrasting manner. The HMFL in Mafhela Forest Reserve had distinct local assemblages among land use regimes and did not conform to the expectation of IDH. On average, HMFL had the same average local species richness as SIF, mainly due to change in species composition (species replacement) induced by land use disturbance. Land use intensity gradient was the leading change driver to explain the overall β-diversity of the Mafhela Forest Reserve. The findings in the Thathe Vondo Forest Reserve were in contrast with the Mafhela Forest Reserve. Although on average the HMFL had the same local species richness as SIFs, this was mainly due to a trade-off of species gain in trees along the rivers and streams and species loss in Culturally Protected Areas (sacred forests) (CPA) as expected by IDH. The contrasting findings imply that the effectiveness of any alternative conservation strategy is context-dependent. The resilience of local assemblages and conservation value of HMFL depends on the condition of the overall forest landscape complexity and cannnot be captured by one theory, nor by one species diversity matrix (e.g., β-diversity or Richness). It thus demands the application of complementary theoretical frameworks and multilevel modeling.

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Native forests but not agroforestry systems preserve arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal species richness in southern Ethiopia

Mycorrhiza ◽

10.1007/s00572-020-00984-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (6) ◽

pp. 749-759

Author(s):

Zerihun Belay ◽

Mesele Negash ◽

Janne Kaseva ◽

Mauritz Vestberg ◽

Helena Kahiluoto

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Species Richness ◽

Species Composition ◽

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Southern Ethiopia ◽

Native Forest ◽

Native Forests ◽

Land Use Types ◽

The Impact

Abstract The rapid conversion of native forests to farmland in Ethiopia, the cradle of biodiversity, threatens the diversity of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) pivotal to plant nutrition and carbon sequestration. This study aimed to investigate the impact of this land-use change on the AMF species composition and diversity in southern Ethiopia. Soil samples were collected from nine plots in each of three land-use types: native forest, agroforestry, and khat monocropping. The plots of the three land-use types were located adjacent to each other for each of the nine replicates. Three 10 × 10m subplots per plot were sampled. AMF spores were extracted from the soil samples, spore densities were determined, and species composition and diversity were evaluated through morphological analysis. Both spore density and species richness were statistically significantly higher in the native forest than in the agroforestry plots with no clear difference to khat, whereas the true diversity (exponential of Shannon–Wiener diversity index) did not differ among the three land-use types due to high evenness among the species in agroforestry. In total, 37 AMF morphotypes belonging to 12 genera in Glomeromycota were found, dominated by members of the genera Acaulospora and Glomus. The highest isolation frequency index (78%) was recorded for Acaulospora koskei from native forest. Consequently, the agroforestry system did not appear to aid in preserving the AMF species richness of native forests relative to perennial monocropping, such as khat cultivation. In contrast, the native forest areas can serve as in situ genetic reserves of mycorrhizal symbionts adapted to the local vegetative, edaphic, and microbial conditions.

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Relationships between site characteristics, farming system and biodiversity on Australian mixed farms

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an09042 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 49 (10) ◽

pp. 869 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Kerry Bridle ◽

Margy Fitzgerald ◽

David Green ◽

Janet Smith ◽

Peter McQuillan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Species Richness ◽

Resource Management ◽

Natural Resource Management ◽

Natural Resource ◽

Agricultural Production ◽

Farming System ◽

Remnant Vegetation ◽

Land Use Types ◽

Farm Scale

A collaborative project between researchers, regional natural resource management organisations and landholders set out to explore three questions about the relationships between biodiversity and land use in Australia’s mixed-farming landscapes: (1) the extent to which farm-scale measures of biodiversity were related to agricultural production; (2) the influence of the type and intensity of agricultural production on native biodiversity on farms; and (3) the relative influence of site and farming system on selected measures of biodiversity. Four land-use types on 47 mixed farms across nine regions, derived from several of Australia’s 56 natural resource management regions, were surveyed in autumn and spring 2006 and 2007. Surveys of birds, surface invertebrates (beetles, ants, spiders), vegetation and soils were undertaken on four land classes on each farm; crop, ‘rotation’ (break crop/pasture phase), perennial pasture and remnant vegetation. Data were collected by participating regional staff, using a standard protocol, which were sent to a central collection point for collation, analysis and interpretation. Species richness, functional diversity and vegetation structure were assessed. This introductory paper focuses on results relating to species richness, which for most taxa was greater in remnant vegetation than other land-use classes and declined along a disturbance gradient (remnant, pasture, rotation, crop). Properties with a greater proportion of perennial pastures recorded higher species richness than properties that were dominated by crop. Properties that recorded high wheat yields (t/ha) also recorded lower species richness for spiders and birds. The presence of insectivorous birds and beneficial invertebrates (spiders, beetles and ants) in all land-use classes suggests the potential to apply integrated pest management approaches to mixed-farming systems across the country. Site and system features were found to be important determinants of biodiversity, with their relative importance varying with the scale of investigation and the taxa. At the landscape scale, bird species richness was correlated with the amount of remnant vegetation within a 5-km radius of the farm boundary, and with the condition of native vegetation on the farm. The average size of remnant vegetation patches was 5 ha or less on nearly half of the properties surveyed. At the farm scale, ant species richness was correlated with site features, while beetles were correlated with management/system features such as the presence and fertility of perennial pastures. Analyses at the functional group level will provide more detailed information on relationships between different land-use types. Further experimental work needs to be undertaken to qualify the suggested impact of land management practices on different taxa, while repeated surveys will allow for the collation of datasets over time, from which population dynamics may be determined.

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Integrating Climate Change and Land Use Impacts to Explore Forest Conservation Policy

10.20944/preprints201706.0100.v2 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Hyeyeong Choe ◽

James H. Thorne

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Land Use ◽

Species Richness ◽

Forest Policy ◽

Forest Conversion ◽

Climate Projections ◽

Climate Change Scenarios ◽

Land Use Impacts ◽

Current Time ◽

Future Policy

A scenario-based approach to the impacts of land use and climate change can help in identifying future policy directions. This study models the impacts of different land use and climate change scenarios on the forest ecosystems of South Korea to identify national-scale forest policy options. Climatically suitable forest areas for 1,031 climate vulnerable plant species were identified for current time and for 2050. We calculated change in species richness under four climate projections. We built forest conversion models and created four 2050 forest scenarios: (1) forest loss continues at current rates; (2) similar loss, but with conservation in areas with suitable future climates; (3) a reduction of loss by 50%; and (4) a combination of preservation and overall reduction of loss by 50%. We then crossed the forest conversion models with the climate-driven change in species richness, and categorized current forest areas into four classes to offer forest policy alternatives. By deploying the scenarios which preserve climatically suitable forests, the average species richness where forests converting to other land uses reduced significantly. We suggest conserving forests with suitable climates for biodiversity conservation and the establishment of forest plantations targeted to areas where species richness will decline based on our results.

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Conservation ecology of birds in Mt. Hilong-hilong, a Key Biodiversity Area on Mindanao Island, the Philippines

Journal of Threatened Taxa ◽

10.11609/jott.6760.13.5.18110-18121 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 18110-18121

Author(s):

Arturo G. Gracia Jr. ◽

Alma B. Mohagan ◽

Janezel C. Burlat ◽

Welfredo L. Yu Jr. ◽

Janine Mondalo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Environmental Changes ◽

Extinction Risk ◽

Bird Species ◽

Relevant Information ◽

The Philippines ◽

Vital Role ◽

Combining Data ◽

Negative Impacts ◽

High Level

The identification of key areas for conservation and protection according to science-based evidence is an important component to circumvent the negative impacts of environmental changes within geopolitical territories and across the globe. Priority areas for biodiversity played an important role to ensure the protection of many species particularly those that are unique and threatened. There are more than 200 Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in the Philippines, yet many important research and biodiversity data are either unpublished or unconsolidated. Birds are commonly studied indicators for KBA identification due to their high species richness, diversity, and sensitivity to forest ecosystems. By combining data from past and present surveys, we accounted for a total of 148 bird species of 51 families, with 20 new records from recent field surveys. Our analysis showed a high level of endemism within Mt. Hilong-hilong with 36% Philippine endemic, 14% restricted to Mindanao faunal region and 11% migrant. In terms of conservation, 8% of the species were considered in threatened categories. The species richness and endemism were higher in lowland to mid-elevation areas compared to higher elevation areas of the KBA. Endemism (i.e., Mindanao endemic) and increasing body mass were important determinants of binary extinction risk for bird species in Mt. Hilong-hilong. The high biodiversity in Mt. Hilong-hilong indicates an example of the vital role of KBAs in preserving nationally and globally important bird species. Lastly, we emphasise the importance of collaboration and integrating past and present information to synthesise relevant information to complement ongoing conservation efforts in Mt. Hilong-hilong and other key habitats in the Philippines.

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Insect Communities Associated with Siam Weed: Evaluation after Three Decades of Cecidochares connexa Release as Biocontrol Agent

Diversity ◽

10.3390/d12090344 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. 344

Author(s):

Damayanti Buchori ◽

Akhmad Rizali ◽

Luna Lukvitasari ◽

Hermanu Triwidodo

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Species Richness ◽

Natural Enemies ◽

Negative Relationship ◽

Field Research ◽

Trophic Interaction ◽

Insect Communities ◽

Invasive Weed ◽

Land Use Types ◽

Geographical Regions

Chromolaena odorata is well known as an invasive weed, and its existence in agricultural habitats causes an undesirable effect on crop plants. The invasion of C. odorata alters local biodiversity and shapes the new trophic interaction with local herbivores and other insects. This research was conducted to study the insect communities associated with C. odorata and evaluate the success of the release of Cecidochares connexa, the natural enemy of C. odorata. Field research was conducted in two different geographical regions in Bogor Regency (Java) and South Lampung Regency (Sumatera), Indonesia. In each region, we selected five villages that have two land-use types (oil palm plantations and open area) and contain a high population of C. odorata. Observation of insects and natural enemies of C. odorata was conducted in each land-use type using two methods: suction sampling and gall collection, which were performed in 30 plants as sampling units. In total, we found 255 species of insects associated with C. odorata. The difference of region affected the abundance of insects but not their species richness. The species composition of insects showed difference between regions as well as between land-use types. There was a positive correlation between elevation and species richness of insects. In addition, the population of C. connexa (gall numbers) was significantly affected by regions and was found to be higher in Bogor and Lampung. The same pattern also was shown for its parasitoids (based on parasitized galls). We found a negative relationship between the number as well as parasitize galls and elevation. In conclusion, the presence of C. odorata, as well as its natural enemies, shape the new trophic interaction with local insects, and as consequence, its introduced natural enemies may not be effective to control the population of C. odorata.

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Lichen Responses to Disturbance: Clues for Biomonitoring Land-use Effects on Riparian Andean Ecosystems

Diversity ◽

10.3390/d11050073 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 73 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Leiddy Chuquimarca ◽

Fernando P. Gaona ◽

Carlos Iñiguez-Armijos ◽

Ángel Benítez

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Species Richness ◽

Community Composition ◽

Functional Traits ◽

Environmental Changes ◽

Land Use Changes ◽

Urban Land Use ◽

Land Use Intensity ◽

Riparian Ecosystems ◽

Natural Ecosystems

The transformation of natural ecosystems due to anthropogenic land use is considered one of the main causes of biodiversity loss. Lichens, due to their poikilohydric nature, are very sensitive to natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Therefore, lichen communities have been widely used as bioindicators of climatic and environmental changes. In this study, we evaluated how the species richness and community composition of epiphytic lichens respond to land-use intensity in riparian ecosystems of the Andes in southern Ecuador. Additionally, we evaluate how the richness of six functional traits (photobiont type, growth form, and reproductive strategy) changed across the different land-use intensity. We selected 10 trees in twelve sites for a total de 120 trees, equally divided into four riparian land-use intensities (forest, forest-pasture, pasture and urban). We recorded a total of 140 lichen species. Species richness was highest in the forest sites and decreased towards more anthropogenic land uses. Lichen community composition responded to land-use intensity, and was explained by microclimate variables (e.g., precipitation, percentage forested area) and distance to the forest. Richness of functional traits of lichens also differed significantly among the four land-use intensity and decreased from forests to urban land-use. Taxonomic diversity and functional traits can be effectively applied as bioindicators to assess and monitor the effects of land-use changes in the riparian ecosystems of tropical montane regions.

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