The Impact of Soil Erosion on Biodiversity Conservation in Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Southeastern Nigeria

The impact of soil erosion on the conservation of biodiversity in Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Southeastern Nigeria was examined. Data were obtained through focus group discussions and plant species enumeration. Diversity indices of plant species were derived from quadrat analysis using Shannon Wiener’s diversity index. Eighteen soil samples were collected from agricultural erosion sites in the study area and analysed in the laboratory. The results obtained were analysed using principal component analysis (PCA). The rotated component matrix of the soil properties, as well as plant and animal diversity indices from the PCA isolated three components that together explained 93.821% of the observed variation. The results show that bush clearing in the form of slash and burn, uncoordinated bush burning and harvesting of plant species are the activities that cause soil erosion in the study area. Agro-forestry, bush fallowing, reforestation and legislation on indiscriminate harvesting of plant species were recommended.

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Transition management for organic agriculture under citrus cultivation favors fungal diversity in soil

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s1742170518000352 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 120-127

Author(s):

Juliana Cristina Scotton ◽

Sérgio Kenji Homma ◽

Wesley Luiz Fialho Costa ◽

Diego Fontebasso Pelizari Pinto ◽

José Silvio Govone ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Agriculture ◽

Management System ◽

Fungal Diversity ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Principal Component ◽

Diversity Indices ◽

Transition Management ◽

Farming Practices ◽

Soil Fungal Community ◽

Innovative Solution

AbstractThe present international scenario recognizes organic agriculture as an innovative solution to reduce agrochemicals and practices that degrade the agroecosystem. Yet, the shift from an already well-established agricultural model to a relatively new one is a challenging task and requires further scientific support. This work investigated the influence of transitional management – TM (from conventional to organic agriculture) on the soil fungal community under citrus, in dry and rainy periods. From 2012 to 2015 on, an area in Mogi Guaçú, SP, Brazil was selected, and two treatments were installed: a conventional management (CM) system based on farming practices with agrochemicals and fertilizers use, and another, transition management (TM) based on a 25% reduction per year of the chemical substances used in CM, with soil conditioner bokashi introduced. The performance of the transition system was evaluated in the context of soil fertility and diversity index of fungal taxa, by plate culture isolation, through the richness of Margalef (Dmg), diversity of Shannon (H′) and reverse Simpson (D). Differences in the occurrence and frequency of Paecilomyces, greater under CM and Penicillium, greater under TM, highlighted the influence of the management system employed. Richness and diversity indices were higher under TM. Principal component analysis revealed that 49.9% of the differences in fungal diversity was due to the management system. Only 16.5% was a result of the season of sampling. Four years of reduction/replacement of chemical practices in TM was sufficient to modify and favor some soil fungal taxa and consequently their activity. This research brings promising results to organic agriculture initiatives with relevant results for a tropical climate area.

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An approach for the determination and correlation of diversity and efficiency of software development teams

South African Journal of Science ◽

10.17159/sajs.2018/20170331 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 114 (3/4) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Seher Altiner ◽

Mustafa B. Ayhan

Keyword(s):

Software Development ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Real Life ◽

Diversity Indices ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

Educational Backgrounds ◽

Gender Information ◽

Experience Education ◽

And Gender ◽

The Impact

We examined the impact of diversity on team efficiency. To do so, a model was developed to measure both the efficiency and diversity of the teams. Based on these measures, the correlation between efficiency and diversity was also analysed. In addition, to demonstrate the applicability of the model, it was applied to a real-life problem involving five teams dealing with different software development projects. Firstly, diversity indices were calculated based on age, experience, education and gender information on each member for each team by using Simpson’s Diversity Index. Then, four key performance indicators (KPIs) were defined to measure the success rate of the teams. Depending on these KPIs, efficiencies of the teams were measured through data envelopment analysis (DEA). The correlation between team efficiency and each diversity factor was analysed and all four factors had positive correlation with efficiency. That is, in order to increase efficiency, teams should be composed of members with diverse characteristics. Education was the diversity factor that had the most positive correlation with team efficiency. This result highlights the importance of different educational backgrounds on team efficiency.

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Diversity of Ethiopian tetraploid wheat germplasm: breeding opportunities for improving grain yield potential and quality traits

Plant Genetic Resources ◽

10.1017/s1479262108994223 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Yifru Teklu ◽

Karl Hammer

Keyword(s):

Total Variation ◽

Phenotypic Diversity ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Tetraploid Wheat ◽

Principal Component ◽

Diversity Indices ◽

Yield Potential ◽

Wheat Improvement ◽

Geographical Regions ◽

Diversity Studies

In this paper, Shannon–Weaver diversity indices were employed to examine the phenotypic diversity in 271 Ethiopian tetraploid wheat accessions in relation to characters, regions of origin and altitude. Moreover, review of genetic diversity studies in Ethiopian tetraploid wheat was made to explore breeding opportunities. The diversity index varied widely across regions. Among the four altitudinal classes, the highest (0.72) and lowest (0.61) mean diversity indices were observed in altitude classes II and IV, respectively. The diversity index (H′) showed that most traits are polymorphic. The partitioning of the total phenotypic diversity into within- and among-region diversity indicated that 71% of the total variation was attributed to the within-region diversity. Principal component analysis was computed to examine the regional and altitudinal patterns of variation. On regional bases, the first four axes, whose eigenvalues are greater than 1, explained about 82% of the observed phenotypic diversity in the 271 tetraploid wheat accessions. On altitudinal bases, however, only the first two principal components explained 89.7% of the total variation. In general, phenotypic diversity showed considerable differences for each trait in different geographical regions and altitudinal classes which could be utilized in wheat improvement programmes. Breeding opportunities and strategies are suggested.

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Multiple comparisons of diversity indices invaded by Lantana camara

Brazilian Journal of Biology ◽

10.1590/1519-6984.222147 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

H. Qureshi ◽

T. Anwar ◽

N. Habib ◽

Q. Ali ◽

M. Z. Haider ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Diversity Indices ◽

Lantana Camara ◽

Native Plant ◽

Heterogeneous Nature ◽

Significant Magnitude ◽

Native Plant Diversity ◽

And Control ◽

The Impact

Abstract Current study assessed the impact of Lantana camara invasion on native plant diversity in Pothohar region of Pakistan. The approach used for study was random samplings and comparisons of diversity indices [number of species (S), abundance (N), species richness (R), evenness (Jꞌ), Shannon diversity index (Hꞌ) and Simpson index of dominance (λ)] with two categorical factors i.e., invaded and non-invaded (control). Control plots harboured by an average of 1.74 more species/10m2. The control category was diverse (Hꞌ=2.56) than invaded category (Hꞌ=1.56). The higher value of species richness in control plots shows heterogeneous nature of communities and vice versa in invaded plots. At multivariate scale, ordination (nMDS) and ANOSIM showed significant magnitude of differences between invaded and control plots at all sites. The decrease in studied diversity indices in invaded over control sites indicated that plant communities become less productive due to Lantana invasion.

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Behavioural diversity as a potential welfare indicator for professionally managed chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes): Exploring variations in calculating diversity using species-specific behaviours

Animal Welfare ◽

10.7120/09627286.30.4.002 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 381-392

Author(s):

K Hall ◽

J Bryant ◽

M Staley ◽

JC Whitham ◽

LJ Miller

Keyword(s):

Pan Troglodytes ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Immunoglobulin A ◽

Diversity Indices ◽

Human Interaction ◽

Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites ◽

Stereotypic Behaviour ◽

The Impact ◽

Shannon’S Diversity Index ◽

Behavioural Diversity

Behavioural diversity may serve as a positive indicator of animal welfare that can be applied in long-term monitoring schemes in managed settings (eg zoos, laboratories, farms). Behavioural diversity is often higher when animals live in stimulating environments and experience positive events. Unfortunately, welfare researchers have not adopted consistent, standardised approaches to measuring behavioural diversity. The goal of this exploratory study was to utilise data from 41 adult chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) housed across 16 zoological institutions to examine various models of Shannon's Diversity Index. Specifically, we investigated the impact of: combining versus splitting behaviours, including only positive behaviours, including human interaction, and considering recipient behaviours. We evaluate how the inclusion or exclusion of different behaviours impacts the relationship of behavioural diversity with: (i) concentrations of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (GCM), a common indicator of adrenal activity; (ii) concentrations of immunoglobulin-A (IgA), an indicator of immune function and potential indicator of positive welfare; and (iii) stereotypic behaviour, a validated indicator of poor welfare. Most indices had significant negative relationships with faecal GCM. Animals that express a variety of behaviours from their species-typical repertoire have lower average faecal GCM concentrations and are likely experiencing better welfare. We did not find significant relationships between the behavioural diversity indices and IgA concentrations. Two indices were inversely associated with stereotypic behaviour. Our findings provide additional support for using Shannon's Diversity Index to calculate behavioural diversity as a robust, valid measure of positive welfare. However, future publications must justify the process for including or excluding behaviours from calculations.

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Diversity, Distribution and Density of Estuarine Phytoplankton in The Sundarban Mangrove Forests, Bangladesh

Bangladesh Journal of Botany ◽

10.3329/bjb.v41i1.11086 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 41 (1) ◽

pp. 87-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Abdul Aziz ◽

Mashrura Rahman ◽

Ashfaque Ahmed

Keyword(s):

Diversity Index ◽

High Capacity ◽

Principal Component ◽

Diversity Indices ◽

Mangrove Forests ◽

Low Salinity ◽

Wiener Diversity Index ◽

Phytoplankton Communities ◽

Sundarban Mangrove ◽

Estuarine Phytoplankton

Diversity, distribution and density of estuarine phytoplankton from nine sites under four Ranges of the Sundarban Mangrove Forests (SMF), Bangladesh have been studied. The phytoplankton communities represented by 36 species which belonged to Chlorophyceae (3), Euglenophyceae (2), Bacillariophyceae (30) and Xanthophyceae (1). Occurrence of taxa and their densities were highest near the confluence of Hangsha River (R) with the river Murdat at Patcosta. Shannon-Wiener diversity index was also highest (H = 3.494) in this area. Lowest density of phytoplankton and diversity indices (H = 1.661) were found in Bal R., Bisandri Khal and Kalabogi R. Oocystis pusilla, Coscinodiscus excentricus, C. lineatus and Navicula brekkeansis occurred abundantly, while Cyclotella comta, Thalassionema nitzschioides and Lioloma delicatula were common. Coscinodiscus lineatus was distributed in all the nine sites including high and low tides indicating its high capacity to tolerate habitat fluctuations. Chaetoceros socialis was found only in Passur R. with low salinity, conductivity and total dissolved solids. The total numbers of phytoplankton individuals per liter were generally higher during low tide than those of high one. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed the relationship between pH and some species of phytoplankton DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v41i1.11086 Bangladesh J. Bot. 41(1): 87-95, 2012 (June)

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Does Altitude Effect on Species Composition and Diversity on Himalayan Rangeland?

Himalayan Journal of Science and Technology ◽

10.3126/hijost.v1i0.25818 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

pp. 26-30

Author(s):

Dilkumar Limbu ◽

Madan Koirala ◽

Zhanhuan Shang

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Species Diversity ◽

Altitudinal Gradient ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Grazing Intensity ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Diversity Indices ◽

Altitude Effect ◽

Wiener Diversity Index ◽

The Impact

Himalayan rangelands have diverse floristic composition and important ecological services. The floristic diversity and composition play an important role in grassland ecosystem regulation. It is different in altitudinal gradient due to grazing intensity, climatic condition and topography. To reveal the vegetation composition values, this work was conducted on August and September 2011 in Tinjure-Milke mountain ridge, Guphapokhari, Nepal. In the present study we have described the impact of altitude on the species richness, species diversity and dispersion behavior of different plants (grasses) in Himalayan rangeland. The values of community indices were observed to be: RD (0.09 to 49.57), RF (3.57 to 14.71), RA (0.23 to 47.59), IVI (3.89 to 111.87), Shannan-Wiener diversity index (1.09 to 2.23) and species diversity evenness (0.12 to 0.19) at the study area, MilkeJaljale, eastern Nepal. Similarly, Species richness (R) value of 8.87 to 11.86 and Simpson dominant index value of 0.12 to 0.42 were observed. All diversity indices were reversed to altitudinal gradient higher the altitudes lower the values. Species richness of all plants showed a unimodal relationship with altitude. Similarly, negative correlation of density and species richness with altitude and slope was recorded.

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Effects of the invasive plant Xanthium strumarium on diversity of native plant species: A competitive analysis approach in North and Northeast China

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0228476 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (11) ◽

pp. e0228476

Author(s):

Mazher Farid Iqbal ◽

Ming-Chao Liu ◽

Aafia Iram ◽

Yu-Long Feng

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Plant Species ◽

Plant Communities ◽

Northeast China ◽

Invasive Plant ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Diversity Indices ◽

Xanthium Strumarium ◽

Native Plant ◽

Native Plant Species

Xanthium strumarium is native to North America and now has become one of the invasive alien species (IAS) in China. In order to detect the effects of the invader on biodiversity and evaluate its suitable habitats and ecological distribution, we investigated the abundance, relative abundance, diversity indices, and the number of the invasive and native plants in paired invaded and non-invaded quadrats in four locations in North and Northeast China. We also analyzed the effects of monthly mean maximum and minimum temperatures, relative humidity (%), and precipitations (mm). Strong positive significant (P < 0.01) correlation and maximum interspecific competition (41%) were found in Huailai between invaded and non-invaded quadrats. Shannon’s Diversity Index showed that non-invaded plots had significantly (P < 0.05) more diversified species than invaded ones. The significant (P < 0.05) Margalef’s Richness Index was found in Huailai and Zhangjiakou in non-invaded recorded heterogeneous nature of plant communities. Similarly, significant (P < 0.05) species richness found in Huailai and Zhangjiakou in non-invaded quadrats compared to invaded ones. Maximum evenness of Setaria feberi (0.47, 0.37), Seteria viridis (0.43) found in Fushun and Zhangjiakou recorded more stable in a community compared to other localities. Evenness showed positive relationship of Shannon Entropy within different plant species. The higher dissimilarity in plant communities found in Huailai (87.06%) followed by Yangyuan (44.43%), Zhangjiakou (40.13%) and Fushun (29.02%). The significant (P < 0.01) value of global statistics R (0.943/94.3%) showed high species diversity recorded in Huailai followed by Zhangjiakou recorded by non-metric multidimensional scaling and analysis of similarity between invaded and non-invaded plots. At the end it was concluded that the diversity indices reduced significantly (P < 0.05) in invaded quadrats indicated that native plant species become less diverse due to X. strumarium invasion. The degrees of X. strumarium invasion affected on species richness resulted to reduce diversity indices significantly in invaded quadrats.

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STUDI ETNOBOTANI TIGA PASAR TRADISIONAL DI KABUPATEN TABANAN BALI

BERITA BIOLOGI ◽

10.14203/beritabiologi.v17i3.3342 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Wawan Sujarwo ◽

I Nyoman Lugrayasa ◽

Farid Kuswantoro

Keyword(s):

Cluster Analysis ◽

Plant Species ◽

Local Community ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Cocos Nucifera ◽

Principal Component ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Use Value ◽

Traditional Markets ◽

Sørensen Index

The trade process makes traditional market able to become a pool of traditional knowledge for various local wisdoms that develop in the local community, including the use of plants. This study aims to document the traditional uses of plant species traded in three traditional markets in Tabanan regency. Data collection was carried out by semi-structured interview toward 64 traders of Baturiti, Marga, and Tabanan traditional markets, respectively. Data analysis was performed quantitatively by calculating the use value index, and some ecological indices, such as diversity index, margalef index, pielou index, sørensen index, cluster analysis, and principal component analysis. Qualitative analysis was also used to tabulate and presented the data into tables and figures. The study documented 52 plant species belonging to 48 genera and 30 families. Herbs are the most widely used habitus, and Zingiberaceae is the most widely used plant family. The most widely used use-category is condiments, and Cocos nucifera is a plant species with the highest use-value. The study also showed a highly plant diversity, which is traded in each market, with slightly different similarities. Cluster analysis and PCA showed that there is a little difference in plants species traded in three traditional markets. Differences in altitude may affect the diversity of plant species traded, including the buyer's preference (community).

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Medicinal Plants in Semi-Natural Grasslands: Impact of Management

10.21203/rs.3.rs-494673/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Marika Kose ◽

Indrek Melts ◽

Atsushi Ohwaki ◽

Kei Uchida ◽

Katrin Heinsoo

Keyword(s):

Principal Component Analysis ◽

Medicinal Plants ◽

Medicinal Plant ◽

Plant Species ◽

Principal Component ◽

Medicinal Plant Species ◽

Species List ◽

Natural Grasslands ◽

Wooded Meadows ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background: Semi-natural grasslands as valuable ecosystems are significant for their high biodiversity, cultural importance and landscape values. Quantitative information about medicinal plants in semi-natural grasslands facilitates the evaluation of ecosystem services of these plant communities. Methods: Different literature sources and floristic inventory databases were used to assess the ratio and frequency of medicinal plant species in several Estonian grassland types and the impact of management on these values assessed both in Estonian and Japanese case studies. Lists of medicinal plant species according to different definition scenarios is included as Supplementary Material. Principal Component Analysis was applied for environmental preferences of medicinal plant species compared to other vascular plant species in the semi-natural grasslands.Results: The ratio of medicinal plant species in local total plant species list was the largest in alvars, followed by floodplain and wooded meadows. The average number of medicinal plant species per study plot in wooded meadows and alvars was about twice that found in naturally growing broadleaved forest (according to the most detailed MP species list 7.2, 7.8 and 4.3, respectively). Fertilization of Estonian wooded meadows had no significant impact on medicinal plant species ratio, but decreased the proportion of medicinal plant biomass in total yield. Estonian coastal meadows had a short list of medicinal plant species and the impact of management quality depended therefore on adopted definition scenario. In Japanese Miscanthus sinensis grassland case mowing or burning+mowing combination should be preferred to favor medicinal plant species number. Principal Component Analysis revealed that MP species are more drought-tolerant, common and anthropophyte than the rest of studied grassland species.Conclusions: Alternative usage of herbaceous plant species from semi-natural grasslands is a promising option to achieve sustainable development goals and increase public awareness. Further close cooperation of ecologists, economists and pharmacists is required to guarantee fair and sustainable trade of this ecosystem service in the future.

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