Role of small-scale trees plantation and farmers' attitude and skill toward propagation of indigenous and exotic trees: The case of Sidama, Ethiopia

The tree land cover in Ethiopia is declining due to deforestation, agricultural land expansion, overgrazing, firewood use and construction. Farm tree plantation has a potential to improve tree cover and the country's vision towards reducing greenhouse gases (GHG) emission by 2030. This study was conducted in Sidama of Ethiopia to assess the role of small-scale tree plantations, and the attitudes and skills of farmers in propagating and conserving indigenous trees as compared to exotic ones, and to identify major impediments for exotic and indigenous tree plantation. By using stratified random sampling, 149 household heads were selected and interviewed, and the tree plantation practices of 46 randomly selected farmers were observed. Advice and support given to farmers concerning tree plantation and nursery care were collected from 16 Woreda Rural Development Experts. During the study a total of 46 tree species were identified, and 92% of the trees on the farmland were exotic. The percentage composition of the five most dominant tree species were Eucalyptus spp. (79.6%), Cupressus spp (8.5%), Cordia africana (4.8%), Grevillea robusta (3.3%), and Millettia ferruginea (1.8%). The trees provide several direct and indirect socio-economic and ecological importance (construction, fuel, income, medicinal value, fencing, asset for present and next generation, fodder for livestock, garden shade, aesthetic, recreation, spiritual value, improve soil fertility and environmental impact remediation). The majority of farmers prefer exotic trees due to their fast growth, ease of nursery preparation and fast establishment, and higher income generation in shorter period. Though farmers like to plant indigenous trees for their ecological services such as improving soil fertility, producing durable household utensils, shading and other ecological values; land shortage and lack of knowledge on plant biology, nursery preparation and propagation method constrained its plantation. Therefore, introduction of appropriate technologies to the existing farming system is required for sustainable indigenous tree plantation in the study area.

VYSHKOVO REFORMED CHURCH – THE INCREDIBLY VALUABLE ARCHITECTURAL MONUMENT OF WESTERN UKRAINE

The church, built according to various sources in the IX-XIII centuries, is interesting for its monumental, restrained architecture and preserved interior. The clear straight lines of the building with sharp elements remind us of the Gothic style, although according to legend it was built much earlier. Covered with drawings of the XVIII century. the ceiling of the temple is related to the famous painted ceiling of the church in Chetfalva. Next to the church is a beautiful, shingled wooden bell tower of the Marmara type. The monument is located in a picturesque, well-groomed courtyard, surrounded on all sides by a wall, where exotic trees and flowers grow. In front of the entrance gate there are several Hungarian carved wooden sculptures erected in memory of important historical events in Vyshkovo. The purpose of the article is to attract the attention and acquaint readers with the incredibly valuable architectural monument of Western Ukraine – Vyshkovo Reformed Church. The article presents the preconditions and the process of construction, determining the type of materials used, design analysis, detailed consideration of decorative elements and various plans of the oldest church in Transcarpathia. My own research of this architectural object, which I have been conducting for three months, describes to us: the methods of construction at that time, the execution of the frames of door and window openings, and the decoration of the facade of the church. Religion has always played an important role in the life of the people of Vyshkovo. People are proud of their church, they constantly visit it. Being in the middle of the building, there is a feeling of authenticity and complete immersion in the events described by the priest, because of the very good acoustics of this ancient church.

Forest edges negatively influence daily nest survival rates of a grassland tinamou, the Spotted Nothura (Nothura maculosa)

Grassland degradation and fragmentation produced by land use have globally impacted biodiversity. In the Neotropics, the Pampas Grasslands have been greatly altered by agriculture and the introduction of exotic trees. To evaluate the effects of changing habitat features on native grassland fauna, we studied a breeding population of a ground nesting bird, the Spotted Nothura Nothura maculosa (Temminck, 1985) in a natural grassland under cattle-grazing in central-east Argentina. We estimated daily nest survival rate (DSR) and modeled it as a function of habitat (distance to habitat edges, cattle density and nest concealment) and temporal factors. Of the 80 nests found, 64 (80 %) failed, predation being the principal cause of failure. DSR was 0.874, estimating a cumulative survival of only 6.8 % throughout egg laying and incubation. DSR increased with distance to continuous forests and decreased with nest age. Nests located near forest edges could have increased predation risk because they are potentially exposed to forest dwelling predators in addition to grassland dependent ones. Considering the low success found and the ongoing invasion of exotic trees in the region, we encourage governments to protect large areas of grassland that ensure adequate nest success for tinamous and other ground nesting birds.

Opportunities and challenges in using remote sensing for identifying grassland restoration sites and invasive tree species management in a global biodiversity hotspot

ABSTRACTTropical montane grasslands (TMG) support biodiverse and endemic taxa and provide vital ecosystems services to downstream communities. Yet invasive alien tree species across the world have threatened tropical grasslands and grassland endemic species. In India, TMG in the Shola Sky Islands of the Western Ghats have been reduced due to exotic tree invasions (acacias, pines, and eucalyptus species). The loss of grassland habitat has, in turn, reduced the range sizes of species endemic to grasslands (plants, birds, amphibians, and mammals), driving some populations to local extinction. Grassland conversion to exotic trees has also reduced the annual runoff in the Western Ghats. Conserving existing grassland and restoring invaded habitat is critical to reverse these losses. This research focused on identifying grassland restoration sites using satellite images with a high spatial resolution (RapidEye). We used an object-oriented Random Forest classification to map the area for grassland restoration. We have identified an area of 254 sq. km. as suitable for grassland restoration and an area of 362 sq. km. for grassland conservation and prevention from invasion by exotic tree species. For restoration, we recommend a cautious removal of young and isolated exotic trees at the invasion front and restoring grasslands, instead of removing dense stands of mature exotic trees. We find that areas with low fire frequency areas tend to be invaded, but areas invaded by exotic trees tend to burn hotter which may be harmful to grassland species and ecosystems. We assume that removing exotic tree species in the identified restoration sites and restoring the grassland will be helpful in recovering lost habitat and ensuring the viability of populations of indigenous and endemic species and increasing streamflow.

Distribuição espacial da infestação por hemiparasitas Loranthaceae na arborização viária de Blumenau, SC

This study evaluated the degree of infestation of hemiparasites of the family Loranthaceae in the urban street trees of Blumenau in 200 random sample points considering a buffer of 100 m. It was identified 19 families, 33 genera, and 39 species, counting 167 trees. From these, 66% were exotic species, 17.3% with some degree of infestation. By contrast, only 1.97% of native species were infected with mistletoe. Heat maps indicate that the highest density of infested trees occurred in central areas of the city where the presence of street trees is greater and, consequently, the possibility of contagion. Intervention is recommended in affected individuals through manual pruning and removal of the hemiparasites. Given the susceptibility of infestation in exotic trees, it is recommended to be replaced by species less susceptible.