scholarly journals Plant community analysis and effect of environmental factors on the diversity of woody species in the moist Afromontane forest of Wondo Genet, South Central Ethiopia

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamo Kebede ◽  
Eshetu Yirdaw ◽  
Olavi Luukkanen ◽  
Mulugeta Lemenih
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Community Analysis ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Species Identity ◽  
Central Ethiopia ◽  
South Central ◽  
Afromontane Forest ◽  
Restoration Strategies

Abstract Floristic diversity and the composition of vascular plants are described for the moist Afromontane forest (MAF) of Wondo Genet, south-central Ethiopia. A total of 75 (20 x 20 m) quadrats were sampled and data on species identity, abundance, elevation, slope and aspect were recorded. Different diversity indices and ordination techniques were used to analyze the data. A total of 240 plant species including seven endemic plant species were found representing 94 families and 210 genera, of which trees constitute 23.8%, shrubs 25%, herbs 35%, lianas 11.3% and ferns 5%. Cluster and indicator species analyses revealed five plant communities described as: Teclea nobilis-Calpurnia aurea, Erythrococca trichogyne-Millettia ferruginea, Croton macrostachyus-Vernonia hochstetteri, Protea gaguedi-Rhus retinorrhoea and Dodonaea angustifolia-Hypericum quartinianum. Elevation (R2=0.48, P<0.001), slope (R2=0.14, P<0.001) and aspect (R2=0.04, P<0.01) correlated significantly and negatively with species richness, whereas only elevation (R2=0.30, P<0.001) and slope (R2=0.13, P<0.001) related significantly and negatively with abundance. Sørensen’s similarity coefficient indicates that the forest of Wondo Genet is similar to moist montane forests of southwestern and southeastern Ethiopia. Given the high diversity, coupled with the existence of endemic species, ecosystem conservation and restoration strategies with further research are warranted.

Resource partitioning within a browsing guild in a key habitat, the Chobe Riverfront, Botswana

2005 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 641-649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shimane W. Makhabu
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Resource Use ◽  
Resource Partitioning ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Food Resources ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Population Increase ◽  
Species Identity ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Elephant Population

Resource partitioning between elephant, giraffe, kudu and impala was assessed. This was to address concerns that elephant population increase adversely affects other species through depleting their food in key areas close to permanent water. Resources considered were woody species browsed, height browsed and plant parts browsed. Animals were observed as they browsed and the plant species, browsing heights and plant parts browsed were recorded. Observations were made over 1 y and the data were divided between wet and dry season. Schoener's index of resource use overlap was calculated for plant species, browsing heights and plant parts eaten and differences in overlap between wet and dry season were tested. Levin's measure of niche breadth in plant species utilized by the different browsers was calculated. Woody species identity was the main separator between food resources that elephant used and those giraffe, impala and kudu used. Giraffe, kudu and impala mainly browsed the same species and plant parts but browsed at different heights. There was no difference in resource use overlap between seasons with different resource availability. Since elephant browsed different woody species from those browsed by the others, it is unlikely that the increasing elephant population will deplete food resources for the other browsers.

Regeneration Success and Plant Species Diversity of Allegheny Hardwood Stands After Roundup Application and Shelterwood Cutting

1994 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 109-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen B. Horsley
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Plant Species Diversity ◽  
Herbaceous Species ◽  
Species Groups

Abstract The presence of desirable regeneration and plant species diversity was studied in five Allegheny hardwood stands before and for 7 yr after application of Roundup herbicide and shelterwood cutting to remove interfering understories of hayscented and New York fern, striped maple, and beech and to establish desirable hardwood regeneration. In each of five 20 ac stands, 10 ac were sprayed with 1 lb ai (active ingredient)/ac of Roundup in August 1979; the remaining 10 ac were unsprayed. The entire 20 ac stand received a shelterwood seed cut the following winter. On treated plots, fern was reduced from 57% stocking before treatment to 7% 1 yr after treatment; striped maple and beech stocking was reduced by 16% during the same time. By the fourth year after treatment, regeneration stocking of desirable hardwood species had doubled on treated plots but remained unchanged on untreated control plots. Species diversity was measured by species richness, three diversity indices--Berger-Parker, Margalef and Shannon, and index-free diversity ordering. Neither the herbicide treatment nor the shelterwood seed cut had a statistically significant effect on species richness of either woody species or herbaceous species groups. Nor was there a significant effect of treatments on woody species diversity as measured by the three diversity indices. Index-free diversity ordering showed. (1) a trend toward increase in less common species on Roundup-treated areas, and (2) the diversity of herbaceous species groups was higher in all 7 yr after treatment with Roundup. Values of the three diversity indices were higher for herbaceous species on Roundup-treated subplots for 2 to 7 yr after treatment. Much of this increase resulted from germination of seed bank grasses, sedges, and Rubus spp. With the qualification that long-term and current browsing by deer has impoverished the flora of the Allegheny hardwood forest, diminishing potential treatment effects, the study demonstrated that Roundup treatment aided desirable regeneration establishment, did not have a negative impact on woody species or herbaceous species group diversity, and may have increased diversity of herbaceous species. North. J. Appl. For. 11(4): 109-116.

Woody species diversity and coffee production in remnant semi-natural dry Afromontane Forest in Zegie Peninsula, Ethiopia

2018 ◽  
Vol 93 (5) ◽  
pp. 1793-1806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beyene Belay ◽  
Solomon Zewdie ◽  
Wolde Mekuria ◽  
Abrham Abiyu ◽  
Dagninet Amare ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Coffee Production ◽  
Afromontane Forest ◽  
Woody Species Diversity ◽  
Dry Afromontane Forest

scholarly journals Mauritian coloured nectar no longer a mystery: a visual signal for lizard pollinators

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis M Hansen ◽  
Karin Beer ◽  
Christine B Müller
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Evidence ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Flowering Plants ◽  
Visual Signal ◽  
Honest Signal ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Floral Trait ◽  
Flower Visitation ◽  
Artificial Flowers ◽  
Endemic Plant Species

Most floral nectars are clear as water, and the enigmatic coloured nectar in three endemic plant species in Mauritius has puzzled scientists studying it. One hypothesis about the possible ecological function of coloured nectar is that it serves as a visual signal for pollinators. Recent studies have shown that at least two of the three Mauritian plant species with coloured nectar are visited and pollinated by endemic Phelsuma geckos. We here provide experimental evidence for the visual signal hypothesis by showing that Phelsuma ornata geckos prefer coloured over clear nectar in artificial flowers. In flowering plants, coloured nectar could additionally function as an honest signal that allows pollinators to assert the presence and judge the size of a reward prior to flower visitation, and to adjust their behaviour accordingly, leading to increased pollinator efficiency. Our study provides a first step in understanding this rare and intriguing floral trait.

scholarly journals Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids and Fatty Acids from the Endemic Plant Species Rindera umbellata and the Effect of Lindelofine-N-oxide on Tubulin Polymerization

Molecules ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 10694-10706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris Mandić ◽  
Milena Simić ◽  
Ivan Vučković ◽  
Ljubodrag Vujisić ◽  
Miroslav Novaković ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids ◽  
Tubulin Polymerization ◽  
Endemic Plant ◽  
Endemic Plant Species

scholarly journals Tree Species Diversity and Composition of Miombo Woodlands in South-Central Angola: A Chronosequence of Forest Recovery after Shifting Cultivation

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco M. P. Gonçalves ◽  
Rasmus Revermann ◽  
Amândio L. Gomes ◽  
Marcos P. M. Aidar ◽  
Manfred Finckh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shifting Cultivation ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Distinct Group ◽  
Forest Recovery ◽  
Miombo Woodlands ◽  
Principal Coordinates Analysis ◽  
South Central ◽  
Principal Coordinates ◽  
Management Plans

The study was carried out in the Cusseque area of the Municipality of Chitembo in south-central Angola. Our objectives were to assess the floristic diversity, the species composition, and stand structure of Miombo woodlands during regeneration after shifting cultivation. A total of 40 plots of 1000 m2were surveyed and analyzed, corresponding to mature forests/woodlands and three fallow types of different age. The analyses were based on plot inventories of all trees with DBH ≥ 5 cm. A total of 51 woody species, 38 genera, and 19 families were recorded. The dominant family was Fabaceae, with subfamily Caesalpinioideae being very abundant. Shannon Diversity and Evenness were highest in mature forests and young fallows, while the mature forest stands showed the highest species richness. A Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) showed many species shared between the intermediate fallow types, but only few species were shared with young fallows. Mature forests formed a clearly distinct group. This study shows potential pathways of forest recovery in terms of faster regeneration after agricultural abandonment and, thus, the results presented here can be used in future conservation and management plans in order to reduce the pressure on mature forests.

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