Modelling the effects of bioclimatic characteristics and climate change on the potential distribution of a monospecific species Colophospermum mopane (Benth.) Leonard in southern Africa.

Global climate change is gradually changing species distribution and their patterns of diversity. Yet, factors that influence the local distribution and habitat preferences for southern African species remain largely unexplored. Here, we computed the suitable habitats in the southern African region for Colophospermum mopane (Benth.) using the maximum entropy (Maxent) modeling approach. We utilized one Global Circulation Model (GCM) and three Representative concentration pathways (RCPs) to determine the current and future distribution of C. mopane. The results showed that the distribution of C. mopane was mainly influenced by solar radiation, annual temperature range, and annual precipitation. According to the species response curves, this species preferred habitats with annual precipitation of 130-200 mm, an annual temperature range of 28˚ C, and elevations of about 500 m above sea level. The results highlight that the geographic range of C. mopane is likely to expand along the borders of Zambia and Zimbabwe in the future, particularly in the miombo plains. Conversely, suitable habitat areas reduce significantly in the eastern area of the southern African region, while the western areas expand. Overall, the appropriate habitat areas will likely decline in the 2050s under both RCPs and expand in the 2070s under the two scenarios. This knowledge is important for landscape planners and rangeland managers working to safeguard biodiversity from extinction.

Mapping floristic communities in Southern Africa savannas, Mozambique

The present study was carried out in Limpopo National Park (LNP) with the objective to map floristic communities that occur inside the park. Three (3) Landsat 8 satellite images were obtained by Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) tools and were pre-processed and classified, culminating in six (6) types of land use and cover. The floristic survey consisted of stratified sampling in three (3) main LNP landscapes types, namely landscape of limestone soils, landscape of rhyolite shallow soils and landscape of deep sandy soils. The final map presents 13 floristic communities identified by the names of greatest value of ecological importance (IVI) species. The community of Terminalia sericea / Combretum apiculatum / Guibourtia conjugata / Colophospermum mopane presented a larger occurrence area. Colophospermum mopane was the most representative species among the mapped communities, mostly occurring in association with other species. The overall accuracy was 74% and the Kappa index was 68%, thus giving a good rating. The mapping also showed that human occupied areas are larger than some floristic communities areas, so we suggest that these smaller communities, should be given priority actions for their conservation, especially those without human occupation.

Potential for crown diameter as a predictor of canopy cover under National Park conditions

The global loss of biodiversity has led to relentless calls from conservationists to protect the environment and natural habitats. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of crown diameter for prediction of canopy cover under national park conditions. The study was conducted in Etosha National Park, Namibia in 2015. Three tree species, namely Combretum imberbe, Colophospermum mopane and Terminalia prunioides were considered as representative members of the park species based on their relative population density. The study employed regression analysis to examine the nature of relationships between tree crown diameter (the dependent variable) and tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH) and distance from watering holes as independent variables. The regression coefficients for Combretum imberbe were not significant (P = 0.116; P = 0.431; P = 0.884, respectively), suggesting that crown diameter was not well estimated by these explanatory variables. On the other hand, there were significant relationships between DBH and crown diameter, as well as between crown diameter and tree height. Tree height emerged as the stronger predictor of crown diameter for both Terminalia prunioides and Colophospermum mopane. Therefore, the relationship between tree height and crown diameter as explained by cubic function can further be used to evaluate and estimate canopy cover under national park conditions.

Neotropical jumping plant-lice (Hemiptera, Psylloidea) associated with plants of the tribe Detarieae (Leguminosae, Detarioideae)

The Detarieae, a small tribe of tropical arborescent Leguminosae, has been reported as host of two species of jumping plant-lice: the Neotropical Macrocorsa beeryi (Caldwell) on Hymenaea courbaril and the Afrotropical Retroacizzia mopanei (Pettey) on Colophospermum mopane. Here we add from Brazil 18 new species of Colophorina, Jataiba gen. nov. and Mitrapsylla from Copaifera, as well as nine species of Jataiba gen. nov. and Platycorypha from Hymenaea. In addition to Jataiba, a new genus which is created for five new species on Copaifera and one on Hymenaea, we erect the new genus Apsyllopsis for Psyllopsis mexicana, which is synonymised with Psyllia beeryi Caldwell. Two new combinations are proposed: Apsyllopsis mexicana (Crawford), comb. nov. from Psyllopsis, and Epiacizzia favis (Brown & Hodkinson), comb. nov. from Euphalerus. The new taxa are described and illustrated, and keys are provided for the identification of adults and immatures, as far as known. Immatures of Apsyllopsis and Colophorina induce galls on the leaves whereas those of the other taxa are free-living. Colophorina spp. seem to be monophagous whereas members of the other genera tend to be oligophagous. All host species are associated with two or more psyllid species. Copaifera langsdorffii, which hosts 11 species of three genera, constitutes a super-host.