EFFECTS OF THE ABUNDANCE OF PARTHENIUM HYSTEROPHORUS ON THE COMPOSITION AND DIVERSITY OF OTHER HERBACEOUS PLANT SPECIES IN SIMANJIRO RANGELAND, TANZANIA

Parthenium hysterophorus is an annual herbaceous plant native to tropical America; and an invasive plant in Africa causing distressing effects on natural flora. This study investigated the effects of P. hysterophorus on the composition and diversity of native herbaceous plant species in Simanjiro rangeland, Tanzania. Plant species count data were collected from 60 (1m2) quadrats. Using generalized linear models (GLM), the abundance of P. hysterophorus was regressed against the abundance and diversity of the native herbaceous plants. Also, Jaccard’s similarity index was used to compare species composition. Results showed that there were 14 herbaceous plant species belonging to 13 genera and 10 families in the study area. Parthenium hysterophorus was the most dominant species recorded. The abundance of P. hysterophorus has a substantial negative effect on the abundance and diversity of other herbaceous plant species. Moreover, Jaccard’s similarity index showed a slightly significant difference between the infested and non-infested areas. This finding suggests that P. hysterophorus has a substantial potential threat on other herbaceous flora which are sources of food and nutrients to livestock and wild animals in the area. Thus, integrated management strategies are required to control the weed from spreading to other nearby rangelands.

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Limited natural regeneration of unique Scalesia forest following invasive plant removal in Galapagos

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0258467 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (10) ◽

pp. e0258467

Author(s):

Anna Walentowitz ◽

Michael Manthey ◽

María Belén Bentet Preciado ◽

Rafael Chango ◽

Christian Sevilla ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Natural Regeneration ◽

Large Scale ◽

Invasive Plant ◽

Linear Models ◽

Light Availability ◽

Percent Cover ◽

Introduced Plants ◽

Adult Trees ◽

Sapling Survival

More than 60% of the flora of the Galapagos Islands is introduced and some of these species have become invasive, severely altering ecosystems. An example of an affected ecosystem is the Scalesia forest, originally dominated by the endemic giant daisy tree Scalesia pedunculata (Asteraceae). The remnant patches of this unique forest are increasingly being invaded by introduced plants, mainly by Rubus niveus (blackberry, Rosaceae). To help large-scale restoration of this ecologically important forest, we seek to better understand the natural regeneration of S. pedunculata after invasive plant control. We monitored naturally recruited S. pedunculata saplings and young trees over five years in an area where invasive plant species are continuously being removed by manual means. We measured survival, height and growth of S. pedunculata saplings and young trees along permanent transects. Percent cover of surrounding plant species and of canopy shade directly above each S. pedunculata individual were determined, as well as distance to the next mature S. pedunculata tree. We identified potential factors influencing initial sapling survival and growth by applying generalized linear models. Results showed a rapid growth of saplings and young trees of up to 0.45 cm per day and a high mortality rate, as is typical for pioneer species like S. pedunculata. Sapling survival, growth and mortality seemed to be influenced by light availability, surrounding vegetation and distance to the next adult S. pedunculata tree. We concluded that natural regeneration of S. pedunculata was high only five months after the last herbicide application but that 95% of these recruits had died over the 5-year period. Further studies are needed to corroborate whether the number of surviving trees is sufficient to replace the aging adult trees and this way maintain remnants of the Scalesia forest. Urgent action is needed to help improve future restoration strategies to prevent further degradation of this rapidly shrinking threatened forest ecosystem.

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Bio-herbicide potential of naturalised Desmodium uncinatum crude leaf extract against the invasive plant species Parthenium hysterophorus

Biological Invasions ◽

10.1007/s10530-019-02075-w ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (12) ◽

pp. 3641-3653 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Fredrick Ojija ◽

Sarah E. J. Arnold ◽

Anna C. Treydte

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Leaf Extract ◽

Invasive Plant ◽

Parthenium Hysterophorus ◽

Invasive Plant Species ◽

Crude Leaf Extract

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Herbaceous Vascular Flora Of Forested Seep Wetlands In Winneshiek County, Iowa, USA

The Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science ◽

10.17833/0896-8381-124.1-4.1 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 124 (1-4) ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Elizabeth A. Lynch ◽

Anna Burke Weckwerth

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Invasive Plant ◽

Herbaceous Plant ◽

Upper Midwest ◽

Deer Herbivory ◽

Creek Watershed ◽

Skunk Cabbage ◽

C Value ◽

Coefficient Of Conservatism ◽

Current Species

Forested seep wetlands dominated by skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) occur frequently in the Canoe Creek watershed of the Upper Iowa River, but this type of wetland has not been described systematically in the upper Midwest. The goal of this study is to document the herbaceous plant flora of five seeps. Although individual seeps are small (200-500 m2), they provide habitat for a high number of plant species. Five seeps with total area less than 0.2 ha supported more than 120 native vascular herbaceous taxa, 20 of which have a coefficient of conservatism (C-value) of 7 or higher and 23 that are obligate wetland species. Several species that were common in these habitats 100 years ago appear to have been locally extirpated or have become uncommon in the region, including Gentianopsis crinita, Cirsium muticum, Eupatorium altissimum, Chelone glabra, and Micranthes pensylvanica. Today, these plant communities are threatened by invasive plant species, high levels of deer herbivory, and destruction by human activities. We hope that by documenting their current species composition we can inspire protection of these wetlands and provide a baseline for monitoring future changes.

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The impact of beech and riparian forest herbaceous plant species with contrasting traits on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi abundance and diversity

Forest Ecology and Management ◽

10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119245 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 492 ◽

pp. 119245

Author(s):

Szymon Zubek ◽

Katarzyna Rożek ◽

Anna M. Stefanowicz ◽

Janusz Błaszkowski ◽

Małgorzata Stanek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Plant Species ◽

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Riparian Forest ◽

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽

Herbaceous Plant ◽

Abundance And Diversity ◽

The Impact

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Vegetation and soil seedbank dynamics in Parthenium hysterophorus L. invaded subtropical grassland in Nepal

10.1101/760561 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Maan Bahadur Rokaya ◽

Jyoti Khatri-Chettri ◽

Shiba Raj Ghimire ◽

Bharat Babu Shrestha

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Grazing Intensity ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Parthenium Hysterophorus ◽

Deep Soil ◽

Potential Threat ◽

Invasive Weed ◽

South Central ◽

Introduced Range ◽

Soil Seedbank

AbstractParthenium hysterophorus is a noxious invasive weed and is ever expanding in its introduced range including Nepal. Understanding vegetation dynamics including soil seedbank in Parthenium invaded communities and the growth pattern of the weed itself is essential for effective management of Parthenium. We monitored growth of Parthenium (height, density, cover and soil seedbank) and plant species composition of associated species for 5-year period from 2009 in a grassland invaded by Parthenium in south-central Nepal. We found that Parthenium cover and height decreased from 2009 to 2010 and then slightly increased in 2013. Parthenium density decreased from 2009 to 2010 and then was variable until 2013. Year × grazing interactions had significant effect on Parthenium cover and density. Parthenium soil seedbank was eight times higher near the soil surface than in deep soil. It increased from 2009 to 2012 but decreased in 2013. Seedbank was also affected by interactions of year × depth, depth × grazing, and year × depth × grazing. Altogether, 87 plant species were recorded in Parthenium invaded sites and their species richness decreased until 2012 but slightly increased in 2013. The composition of associated plant species was affected by animal grazing intensity, Parthenium density, cover, and their interactions. Parthenium invasion has been ever increasing in our study site and many palatable plant species are under potential threat. Thus, there is an urgent need to carry out awareness campaign, formulate proper management plans, and implement such plans properly to manage Parthenium weed in Nepal.

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Impact of invasive plant species on the livelihoods of farming households: evidence from Parthenium hysterophorus invasion in rural Punjab, Pakistan

Biological Invasions ◽

10.1007/s10530-019-02047-0 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (11) ◽

pp. 3285-3304 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ali Ahsan Bajwa ◽

Muhammad Farooq ◽

Ahmad Nawaz ◽

Lava Yadav ◽

Bhagirath Singh Chauhan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Invasive Plant ◽

Parthenium Hysterophorus ◽

Invasive Plant Species ◽

Farming Households

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Floristic composition and distribution pattern of herbaceous plant diversity in fallow lands of the central districts of Punjab, India

Journal of Threatened Taxa ◽

10.11609/jott.5032.12.8.15864-15880 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (8) ◽

pp. 15864-15880

Author(s):

Jashanpreet Kaur ◽

Rajni Sharma ◽

Pushp Sharma

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Plant Diversity ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Similarity Index ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Wiener Index ◽

Diversity Indices ◽

Herbaceous Plant ◽

Dissimilarity Index ◽

Fallow Lands

This study explores the change in composition of herbaceous plants with change in season and site in the fallow lands of central districts of Punjab, India. Overall 41 plant species were reported from studied sites. Poaceae and Asteraceae were recorded as dominant families with seven and six plant species, respectively. Density and IVI values of perennial plant species were recorded to be the maximum from July to September and for annuals maximum values were from February to March and from July to September. Diversity indices like Shannon Wiener index, evenness index, Menhinick index, and Simpson diversity index values showed variation with season and site. Similarity index value between studied sites was recorded to be the minimum in July (0.45) which indicates a maximum value of dissimilarity index in this month. The information generated in this study can be exploited by researchers for conservation of natural plant diversity and timely assessments of such areas help to study climate change. ,,,,,.

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Assemblage Patterns of Hymenoptera at Different Elevations of Gunung Datuk, Rembau

Scientific Research Journal ◽

10.24191/srj.v14i2.9358 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Noor Nasuha Abd Aziz ◽

Siti Khairiyah Mohd Hatta ◽

Idris Abd Ghani ◽

Saiyid Jalaluddin Saiyid Shaifuddin

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Diversity Index ◽

High Elevation ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Index Site ◽

Evenness Index ◽

Abundance And Diversity ◽

Richness Index ◽

Paired T Test ◽

Malaise Traps

A study on abundance and diversity of Hymenoptera was conducted in Gunung Datuk, Rembau. Samplings were conducted from November 2014 to February 2015 using six Malaise traps. Three traps were placed at Site 1 at 700m height for high elevation and the remaining traps were placed at Site 2 at 200m height for low elevation. A total number of 221 Hymenopteran were collected which consist of nine families namely Ichneumonidae, Formicidae, Braconidae, Bethylidae, Evaniidae, Tiphiidae, Vespidae, Pompilidae and Apidae. In this study, 93 individuals were obtained from Site 1, comprising nine families and 43 morphospecies while 127 individuals were obtained from Site 2 with nine families and 45 morphospecies. Formicidae was the most dominant family collected from both sites with a total of 104 individuals while the least family recorded was Apidae with only one individual. Shannon’s Weiner Diversity Index (H’) showed Site 1 had the higher diversity value with H’ = 3.17 compared to Site 2 with value H’ = 3.12. For Evenness Index, Site 1 had higher value compared to Site 2 with E’ = 0.84 and E’ = 0.82 respectively. Moreover, for Margalef Richness Index, Site 1 recorded R’ = 9.24 while site two recorded R’ = 9.08 which concluded that Site 1 had higher species richness compared to Site 2. Paired t-test showed that both sites had no significant difference with p>0.05. Overall study showed that the diversity and abundance of Hymenoptera in Gunung Datuk were low since the value of H’ is less than 3.50.

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Comparing Patient Characteristics, Clinical Outcomes, and Biomarkers of Severe Asthma Patients in Taiwan

Biomedicines ◽

10.3390/biomedicines9070764 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 764

Author(s):

Shih-Lung Cheng ◽

Kuo-Chin Chiu ◽

Hsin-Kuo Ko ◽

Diahn-Warng Perng ◽

Hao-Chien Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Severe Asthma ◽

Clinical Characteristics ◽

Linear Models ◽

Patient Characteristics ◽

Emergency Department Visits ◽

Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Asthma Patients ◽

Patients At Risk

Purpose: To understand the association between biomarkers and exacerbations of severe asthma in adult patients in Taiwan. Materials and Methods: Demographic, clinical characteristics and biomarkers were retrospectively collected from the medical charts of severe asthma patients in six hospitals in Taiwan. Exacerbations were defined as those requiring asthma-specific emergency department visits/hospitalizations, or systemic steroids. Enrolled patients were divided into: (1) those with no exacerbations (non-exacerbators) and (2) those with one or more exacerbations (exacerbators). Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine the optimal cut-off value for biomarkers. Generalized linear models evaluated the association between exacerbation and biomarkers. Results: 132 patients were enrolled in the study with 80 non-exacerbators and 52 exacerbators. There was no significant difference in demographic and clinical characteristics between the two groups. Exacerbators had significantly higher eosinophils (EOS) counts (367.8 ± 357.18 vs. 210.05 ± 175.24, p = 0.0043) compared to non-exacerbators. The optimal cut-off values were 292 for EOS counts and 19 for the Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) measure. Patients with an EOS count ≥ 300 (RR = 1.88; 95% CI, 1.26–2.81; p = 0.002) or FeNO measure ≥ 20 (RR = 2.10; 95% CI, 1.05–4.18; p = 0.0356) had a significantly higher risk of exacerbation. Moreover, patients with both an EOS count ≥ 300 and FeNO measure ≥ 20 had a significantly higher risk of exacerbation than those with lower EOS count or lower FeNO measure (RR = 2.16; 95% CI, 1.47–3.18; p = < 0.0001). Conclusions: Higher EOS counts and FeNO measures were associated with increased risk of exacerbation. These biomarkers may help physicians identify patients at risk of exacerbations and personalize treatment for asthma patients.

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