Ethnobotanical Study and Plant Diversity in the Forest of Kedarnath Valley, Garhwal Himalaya, India

The present study was carried out in the forest of Kedarnath valley in Garhwal Himalaya. The aim of the study was to access the diversity status and ecological status. The study was conducted following the stratified sampling techniques by placing quadrates (1m×1m) for herbs, (5m×5m) for shrubs, and (10m×10m) size for trees in the forest area. A total number of 221 plant species were recorded during the floristic survey in the project area. Plant diversity of the project area encompasses 49 species of trees, 28 species of shrubs, and 144 species of herbs. Important value index, the Shannon diversity index, and total basal area species were recorded. The tree density in the present study was highest in the Kedarnath valley which ranged from 0.3 to 8.5 no./ha. Shrub density in the present study varied from 0.4 to 13.5 no./ha, whereas herb density ranged between 0.2 to 22.4 no.ha-1. Total basal cover (TBC) for trees showed a range of 9.542 to 0.075 m2.ha-1, and the Shannon diversity index (H) for tree species was recorded from a minimum of 0.976 to a maximum of 3.048. The horrific disaster in the Kedarnath valley in 2013 caused a lot of damage to the bugyals (High altitude grass) and forests of the valley. About 500 species of vesicular medicinal plants, fodder plants, and other important plant species were washed away (Botanical Survey of India 2015). The current study is a pioneer in the aspect and can be helpful in making district forest plans, protocols, and implementation of forest policy to protect the forest by local people.

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Floristic Composition, Diversity and Plant Community Along Elevational Gradients in the Afro-alpine Vegetation of Abohoy Gara Mountain, northern Ethiopia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1198475/v1 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Muhidin Tahir ◽

Yemane G. Egzabher ◽

Meheretu Yonas ◽

Kidane Giday ◽

Hayal Lemma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Plant Diversity ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Elevational Gradient ◽

Shannon Diversity Index ◽

Community Type ◽

Northern Ethiopia ◽

Alpine Vegetation ◽

Shannon Diversity

Abstract This research was conducted in Afro-alpine vegetation of Abohoy Gara Mountain in northern Ethiopia with the aim of analyzing floristic composition along elevational gradients, threats and conservation methods. Data were collected from 53 quadrats (15 m x 15 m) laid at 100 m interval along parallel vertical transects spaced at 500m to each other to record shrubs and trees, whereas 1 m x 1 m plots were used to record herbs. Cover abundance data were used to do community analysis using R version 3.1.2 software. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to determine significant level of species richness; abundance and Shannon diversity index along elevational gradient, whereas pearson’s correlation test was applied to check the relationship between environmental variables with species richness, species abundance and Shannon diversity index (H’) using SPSS v20. Ninety-seven plant species composed of 82 genera under 40 families were recorded. The mean number of plant species showed significant difference along elevational gradient (P < 0.05). Besides, significant (P < 0.05) negative correlation of elevation with the plant richness, abundance as well as Shannon diversity index had been observed. Based on dominant species, a total of five plant communities were identified. The maximum plant diversity occurred in community type III (3.79), whereas the least plant diversity occurred in community type IV and community type V. Vegetation cover and species composition of Abohoy Gara Mountain is being endangered by agricultural expansion, over grazing and logging of wood for construction material. Hence, it needs application of complementary on-site and offsite conservation approaches. This calls for further joint management of the Abohoy Gara Mountain by the local people and administrative bodies in the overall conservation actions that can save and rehabilitate the plant resources and their habitats.

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On a Variational Definition for the Jensen-Shannon Symmetrization of Distances Based on the Information Radius

Entropy ◽

10.3390/e23040464 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (4) ◽

pp. 464

Author(s):

Frank Nielsen

Keyword(s):

Diversity Index ◽

Diversity Indices ◽

Shannon Diversity Index ◽

Probability Measures ◽

Variational Optimization ◽

Shannon Diversity ◽

Concept Of Information ◽

Jensen Shannon Divergence

We generalize the Jensen-Shannon divergence and the Jensen-Shannon diversity index by considering a variational definition with respect to a generic mean, thereby extending the notion of Sibson’s information radius. The variational definition applies to any arbitrary distance and yields a new way to define a Jensen-Shannon symmetrization of distances. When the variational optimization is further constrained to belong to prescribed families of probability measures, we get relative Jensen-Shannon divergences and their equivalent Jensen-Shannon symmetrizations of distances that generalize the concept of information projections. Finally, we touch upon applications of these variational Jensen-Shannon divergences and diversity indices to clustering and quantization tasks of probability measures, including statistical mixtures.

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Species richness and diversity in shrub savanna using ordinary kriging

Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0100-204x2016000800008 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 51 (8) ◽

pp. 958-966 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Anderson Pedro Bernardina Batista ◽

José Márcio de Mello ◽

Marcel Régis Raimundo ◽

Henrique Ferraço Scolforo ◽

Aliny Aparecida dos Reis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spatial Distribution ◽

Species Richness ◽

Spatial Dependence ◽

Ordinary Kriging ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Spatial Models ◽

Shannon Diversity Index ◽

Shannon Diversity ◽

Species Richness And Diversity ◽

Number Of Species

Abstract: The objective of this work was to analyze the spatial distribution and the behavior of species richness and diversity in a shrub savanna fragment, in 2003 and 2014, using ordinary kriging, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. In both evaluation years, the measurements were performed in a fragment with 236.85 hectares, in which individual trees were measured and identified across 40 plots (1,000 m2). Species richness was determined by the total number of species in each plot, and diversity by the Shannon diversity index. For the variogram study, spatial models were fitted and selected. Then, ordinary kriging was applied and the spatial distribution of the assessed variables was described. A strong spatial dependence was observed between species richness and diversity by the Shannon diversity index (<25% spatial dependence degree). Areas of low and high species diversity and richness were found in the shrub savanna fragment. Spatial distribution behavior shows relative stability regarding the number of species and the Shannon diversity index in the evaluated years.

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A checklist of gilled mushrooms (Basidiomycota: Agaricomycetes) with diversity analysis in Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam, India

Journal of Threatened Taxa ◽

10.11609/jott.1770.7.15.8272-8287 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 7 (15) ◽

pp. 8272 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Girish Gogoi ◽

Vipin Parkash

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Abundant Species ◽

Shannon Diversity Index ◽

Diversity Analysis ◽

Wildlife Sanctuary ◽

Shannon Diversity ◽

Number Of Species ◽

Simpson Diversity Index ◽

Richness Index

Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary is comprised of five distinct compartments. A total of 138 species of gilled mushrooms belonging to 48 genera, 23 families, five orders of the class Agaricomycetes, division Basidiomycota, have been collected and analyzed. The order Agaricales was was found with the highest number of species (113), followed by Russulales (14), Polyporales (5), Cantharellales (4) and Boletales (2). The species Coprinellus disseminatus and Megacollybia rodmani have shown the highest (8.26) and the lowest density (0.05), respectively. A total of 24 species, e.g., Termitomyces albuminosus, Marasmius curreyi, Marasmiellus candidus, Leucocoprinus medioflavus, Mycena leaiana, Hygrocybe miniata, Collybia chrysoropha, Gymnopus confluens were common with frequency percentage of 11.9, whereas Megacollybia rodmani with less frequency percentage (2.4) was found only in few quadrates of the sanctuary. The highly abundant species were Termitomyces medius (91.7) and Coprinellus disseminatus (86.8), and less abundant species were Psilocybe wayanadensis (1.0) and Lepiota sp. (1.0) in the study site. The order of the species richness index (R) compartment wise was 2>3>4>5>1. Both the Shannon diversity index and Simpson diversity index of agarics was maximum (1.88, 0.98) in compartment 2, whereas minimum (1.72, 0.95) in compartment 1 and 5, respectively. Moreover, the compartment 2 was found very much similar with compartment 3 and very less similar with compartment 1.<div> </div>

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Modeling Soil Erosion and Landscape Metric Analysis of River Catchments in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Journal of Southwest Jiaotong University ◽

10.35741/issn.0258-2724.55.3.19 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 55 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Sumayyah Aimi Mohd Najib

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Soil Erosion ◽

Soil Loss ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Land Use Changes ◽

Shannon Diversity Index ◽

Universal Soil Loss Equation ◽

Data Sampling ◽

Shannon Diversity ◽

Soil Loss Equation

To determine the soil erosion in ungauged catchments, the author used 2 methods: Universal Soil Loss Equation model and sampling data. Sampling data were used to verify and validate data from model. Changing land use due to human activities will affect soil erosion. Land use has changed significantly during the last century in Pulau Pinang. The main rapid changes are related to agriculture, settlement, and urbanization. Because soil erosion depends on surface runoff, which is regulated by the structure of land use and brought about through changes in slope length, land-use changes are one of many factors influencing land degradation caused by erosion. The Universal Soil Loss Equation was used to estimate past soil erosion based on land uses from 1974 to 2012. Results indicated a significant increase in three land-use categories: forestry, built-up areas, and agriculture. Another method to evaluate land use changes in this study was by using landscape metrics analysis. The mean patch size of built-up area and forest increased, while agriculture land use decreased from 48.82 patches in 1974 to 22.46 patches in 2012. Soil erosion increased from an estimated 110.18 ton/km2/year in 1974 to an estimated 122.44 ton/km2/year in 2012. Soil erosion is highly related (R2 = 0.97) to the Shannon Diversity Index, which describes the diversity in land-use composition in river basins. The Shannon Diversity Index also increased between 1974 and 2012. The findings from this study can be used for future reference and for ungauged catchment research studies.

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Exercise training-induced changes in the gut microbiota of Standardbred racehorses

Comparative Exercise Physiology ◽

10.3920/cep160015 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 119-130 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

A.H.D. Janabi ◽

A.S. Biddle ◽

D. Klein ◽

K.H. McKeever

Keyword(s):

Exercise Training ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Training Group ◽

The Body ◽

Shannon Diversity Index ◽

Training Period ◽

Control Group ◽

Shannon Diversity ◽

Over Time

Exercise has a significant effect on different physiological systems in the body of human and animals. Only limited numbers of published studies in laboratory animals or humans have shown the effect of exercise on the gut microbiota, and no studies have shown this effect in horses. In this study, 8 horses (4 mares, 4 geldings) were exercise trained for 12 weeks, and 4 additional mares were used as a parallel seasonal control. To identify bacterial community changes over time for both groups, rectal faecal samples were collected, DNA was extracted, and the 16S rRNA gene (V3-V4) was sequenced using the Illumina Miseq platform. One-way ANOVA, Shannon diversity index, and Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) were used to identify differences between and among samples. The exercise training group showed significant changes in the levels of Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Spirochaetes phyla (P<0.05), while there were no changes in the gut microbiota of the seasonal control group through the three months of the study (P>0.05). Moreover, with training two genera significantly changed in their relative abundance over time, namely Clostridium and Dysgonomonas (P<0.05). Dysgonomonas spp. was significantly changed in abundance during the exercise training period (P<0.05). Also Treponema spp. showed significant changes during the exercise training period (P<0.05). Shannon diversity index was decreased (P<0.05) in the exercise group at the beginning of the study, but then returned to pre-training levels. PCoA showed significant separation between time points of the exercise training group as far as the levels of genera and species (P<0.05) represented. Our results show that exercise training influences the gut microbiota, especially at the beginning of training.

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Prevalence of Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia Coli and Associated Risk Factors in Dug Wells in Ile-Ife, Southwestern Nigeria

10.21203/rs.3.rs-255440/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Babatunde Odetoyin ◽

Olawumi Ogundipe ◽

Adebola Onanuga

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Escherichia Coli ◽

Drinking Water ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Shannon Diversity Index ◽

Southwestern Nigeria ◽

E Coli ◽

Shannon Diversity ◽

Dug Wells ◽

Associated Risk Factors

Abstract BackgroundDiarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) strains are common bacterial causes of morbidity and mortality in young children. Waterborne DEC could pose a potential health risk to humans through domestic use of contaminated water. However, epidemiological studies on DEC strains in drinking water are scarce in Nigeria. This study determined the prevalence, diversity and factors associated with the presence of DEC in dug wells in Ile-Ife, southwestern Nigeria.MethodsWe assessed 143 wells for safety by coliform count using the multiple tube technique. A standardized questionnaire was used to obtain relevant information about the wells and their owners. Contaminating isolates were identified as E. coli by amplifying their 16S rRNA gene. Five DEC pathotypes comprising enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) and Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) were detected using two sets of multiplex PCR assays. Isolates diversity was determined by (GTG)5 Repetitive element palindromic PCR and Shannon diversity index. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify associated risk factors. Results Fifty-eight (40.6%) wells were contaminated by diarrhoeagenic E. coli. Wells with dirty platforms, damaged by erosion and sited near septic tanks significantly harboured DEC (p<0.05). There was a preponderance of STEC among the isolates with nine isolates carrying multiple diarrhoeagenic genes and 10 (17.2%) wells contaminated by multiple DEC strains. The (GTG)5-PCR fingerprinting assigned all DEC strains into six clades, with an overall Shannon diversity index of 18.87. A diverse profile was obtained among and between the isolates recovered from different sources.ConclusionsThe presence of DEC strains in drinking water highlights the risk to human health associated with the use of untreated water. There was a high degree of genetic diversity among the isolates implying multiple sources of contamination. There is a need for periodic sanitation and inspection of wells for cracks to prevent seepages and possible outbreaks of waterborne diseases.

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The spleen bacteriome of wild rodents and shrews from Marigat, Baringo County, Kenya

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.12067 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. e12067

Author(s):

Rehema Liyai ◽

Gathii Kimita ◽

Clement Masakhwe ◽

David Abuom ◽

Beth Mutai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

16S Rrna ◽

Bacterial Diversity ◽

Small Mammals ◽

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Shannon Diversity Index ◽

Gene Sequences ◽

16S Rrna Analysis ◽

Shannon Diversity ◽

Mitochondrial Cytochrome B

Background There is a global increase in reports of emerging diseases, some of which have emerged as spillover events from wild animals. The spleen is a major phagocytic organ and can therefore be probed for systemic microbiome. This study assessed bacterial diversity in the spleen of wild caught small mammals so as to evaluate their utility as surveillance tools for monitoring bacteria in an ecosystem shared with humans. Methods Fifty-four small mammals (rodents and shrews) were trapped from different sites in Marigat, Baringo County, Kenya. To characterize their bacteriome, DNA was extracted from their spleens and the V3–V4 regions of the 16S rRNA amplified and then sequenced on Illumina MiSeq. A non-target control sample was used to track laboratory contaminants. Sequence data was analyzed with Mothur v1.35, and taxomy determined using the SILVA database. The Shannon diversity index was used to estimate bacterial diversity in each animal and then aggregated to genus level before computing the means. Animal species within the rodents and shrews were identified by amplification of mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) gene followed by Sanger sequencing. CLC workbench was used to assemble the cytb gene sequences, after which their phylogenetic placements were determined by querying them against the GenBank nucleotide database. Results cytb gene sequences were generated for 49/54 mammalian samples: 38 rodents (Rodentia) and 11 shrews (Eulipotyphyla). Within the order Rodentia, 21 Acomys, eight Mastomys, six Arvicanthis and three Rattus were identified. In the order Eulipotyphyla, 11 Crucidura were identified. Bacteria characterization revealed 17 phyla that grouped into 182 genera. Of the phyla, Proteobacteria was the most abundant (67.9%). Other phyla included Actinobacteria (16.5%), Firmicutes (5.5%), Chlamydiae (3.8%), Chloroflexi (2.6%) and Bacteroidetes (1.3%) among others. Of the potentially pathogenic bacteria, Bartonella was the most abundant (45.6%), followed by Anaplasma (8.0%), Methylobacterium (3.5%), Delftia (3.8%), Coxiella (2.6%), Bradyrhizobium (1.6%) and Acinetobacter (1.1%). Other less abundant (<1%) and potentially pathogenic included Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, Leptospira, Borrelia, Brucella, Chlamydia and Streptococcus. By Shannon diversity index, Acomys spleens carried more diverse bacteria (mean Shannon diversity index of 2.86, p = 0.008) compared to 1.77 for Crocidura, 1.44 for Rattus, 1.40 for Arvicathis and 0.60 for Mastomys. Conclusion This study examined systemic bacteria that are filtered by the spleen and the findings underscore the utility of 16S rRNA deep sequencing in characterizing complex microbiota that are potentially relevant to one health issues. An inherent problem with the V3-V4 region of 16S rRNA is the inability to classify bacteria reliably beyond the genera. Future studies should utilize the newer long read methods of 16S rRNA analysis that can delimit the species composition.

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Diversity and Abundance of Insects at the Campus of Higher Polytechnic Institute of Manica, Mozambique

Asian Journal of Research in Zoology ◽

10.9734/ajriz/2021/v4i130106 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 34-39

Author(s):

António C. Manhice

Keyword(s):

Relative Abundance ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Polytechnic Institute ◽

Shannon Diversity Index ◽

Sampling Techniques ◽

Insect Diversity ◽

Pitfall Traps ◽

Shannon Diversity ◽

Diversity Sampling

The aim of this study was to assess insect diversity and abundance at the Campus of Higher Polytechnic Institute of Manica, Mozambique. Collection of insects was carried out by pitfall traps a long linear transects and sweep nets during 21 days of October 2019. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical and Shannon diversity index. A total of 1780 individuals of insects belonging to 8 orders, 15 families and 27 species were collected. Highest relative abundance was observed in Hymenoptera order (92.64%), and the least were Blattodea (2.70%), Diptera (2.13%), Coleoptera (0.82%), Orthoptera (1.52%), Phasmatodea (0.06%), Mantodea (0.28%) and Hemiptera (0.11%). The abundant specie was Crematogaster peringueyi (Hymenoptera) with 89.83% follwed by Macrotermes natalensis (Blattodea) and Chrysonmya chloropyga (Diptera) with 2.47% and 1.63% respectively. Higher insect diversity was observed in Orthoptera order (Shannon, H'=1.76), while the orders Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Blattodea, Phasmatodea, Hemiptera, had the lowest diversity (Shannon, H'<1). Further work need to be done in the study area, expanding the duration of the study and applying diversity sampling techniques.

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Variability of morphological traits in sunflower inbred lines

Genetika ◽

10.2298/gensr2003911c ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 52 (3) ◽

pp. 911-923

Author(s):

Nemanja Cuk ◽

Sandra Cvejic ◽

Velimir Mladenov ◽

Brankica Babec ◽

Vladimir Miklic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Morphological Traits ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Inbred Lines ◽

Shannon Diversity Index ◽

Discriminatory Power ◽

Seed Color ◽

Vegetable Crops ◽

Disk Flower ◽

Shannon Diversity ◽

Novi Sad

Except agronomic important traits, great diversity in sunflower is present in morphological traits which are very useful in breeding studies. The main objective of the paper was to determine genetic diversity among the 110 inbred lines in the collection of Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops Novi Sad (IFVCNS) by screening 34 morphological traits according to a list of descriptors of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) as to conduct the Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability Test (DUS). The diversity of morphological traits was estimated by Shannon diversity index (H?) and the diversity of sunflower inbred lines was performed by homogeneity analysis (HOMALS) as well as discriminatory power of the traits. The values of the traits in Shannon diversity index were the highest (H?=0.99) for height of the tip of the blade compared to insertion of petiole and bract position, while branching, head shape and seed color showed low diversity (H?>0.1). The uniformity of inbred lines distribution determined discriminative power of descriptors. Disk flower anthocyanin coloration of stigma, hypocotyl anthocyanin coloration and intensity, leaf blistering, leaf serration, seed stripes on and between the margins showed the strongest discriminatory power. According to these six traits, the collection of inbred lines was divided into two main groups and three subgroups which better explained the relationships among the various inbred lines. Inbred lines showed the great variability of morphological traits in the whole collection and also among the inbred lines from the same type of use.

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