Activating an artisanal saltpan: tourism crowding in or waterbirds crowding out?

Purpose There is an increasing interest in visiting protected areas in the Algarve (Portugal). Tourists are interested in contact with nature activities. However, protected areas are quite sensitive to human pressure and are limited in their carrying capacity. The purpose of this study is to fill a literature gap concerning which features attract tourists who visit saltpans via a pedestrian tour and what sort of pressure they inflict on waterbirds’ behaviour. Design/methodology/approach The tour consists of a predefined path with interpretive boards and guides who provide explanations to visitors. This study is threefold: to find out if waterbirds are disturbed by the presence of tourists, if tourists prefer to learn more about saltpans instead of finding waterbirds and if tourists have any preferred waterbird species. The methods used are direct observations with binoculars of the saltpan area and a short questionnaire. With the data collected, three hypotheses are tested. Findings The results show that the occurrence of waterbirds does not vary according to the presence or absence of tourist visits, tourists prefer visiting saltpans rather than watching waterbirds and there is some waterbird species preference. Practical implications Few people can visit the saltpan while keeping disturbance of both waterbirds and workers to a minimum. This study gives insights into sustainable ecotourism practices and how to articulate them with saltpan works. Originality/value The value of this study can be demonstrated by the interconnection between traditional salt production, waterbirds’ habitat, visitors’ interest and their interaction.

Woodpecker foraging activity in oak-dominated hill forests in Hungary

We documented the foraging activities of woodpeckers on selected trees in an established conservation-oriented management study in five oak-dominated forests in Hungary. We examined the tree species preference of woodpeckers as a group and the impact of specific tree characteristics on the habitat use of woodpeckers. We estimated the percentage of visible foraging signs on the trunks and upper limbs of selected trees through the winter and early spring of 2019–2020. Based on the Jacobs’ index, woodpeckers preferred oak species for foraging and most foraging signs were on limbs rather than trunks. Foraging signs on trunks were more frequent on those of larger diameters and greater heights. It was also found that the lower the tree, the greater the effect of its diameter on the occurrence of signs.

Where do the good foragers live?

<p>Plant species differ in their ability to preferentially grow their roots into nutrient-rich patches in the substrate - this aspect of plant phenotypic plasticity is known as "root foraging". Using a set of approx. 80 Central European herbaceous species of open habitats we show how the root foraging precision of the species is linked to their usual environment. We have obtained the root foraging data experimentally and we combine them with tabelar data that describe species' preference for soil moisture and soil nutrients availability (Ellenberg's Indicator Values), species' ability to occupy frequently disturbed habitats and typical habitats of the species in general. </p>

Wild Herbivore Forage Preferences in Semi-Natural Mountain Hay-Meadows

In the context of increasing grassland abandonment we observed wild herbivore impact on the vegetation in order to understand their influence. To quantify semi-natural grassland usage by wild herbivores, we determined grazing intake in semi-natural hay-meadows surrounded by forest vegetation. Grazing exclusion cages were placed at three locations in the Valea Mare village area situated in Bistriţa-Năsăud County, Romania, from 1 April 2014 – 5 October 2014. Sampling took place at two times during this period, first shortly before the hay meadows were mowed and second at the end of the vegetation growing season. Herbage air dry matter yield was measured using two types of observation plots (cage protected plots and unprotected plots). Plant composition on the studied hay-meadows was analyzed using PC-ORD (in order to explain the preference of herbivores for each location. Although herbage production did not vary significantly between locations, the herbage intake of total dry matter production did vary between locations. Wild animals grazed through the entire growing season and based upon the floristic composition analyses we explained differences in herbage intake based on plant species preference. The management of these meadows maintains an offer of good quality forage throughout summer, and the forest surrounding grasslands provides cover when needed. In order to inhibit woody vegetation and to conserve species-rich open landscape further observation need to be made about the optimal deer species densities.

Tree species preference and rehabilitation perspective by local community: Case study in Bondowoso, East Java, Indonesia

Danarto SA, Budiharta S, Fauziah. 2019. Tree species preference and rehabilitation perspective by local community: Case study in Bondowoso, East Java, Indonesia. Asian J For 3: 54-63. Study of community’s preference on tree species used for rehabilitation programs was conducted in Gubrih sub-watershed, Sampean watershed in Bondowoso District, East Java. The aim of the study was to find out tree species that have ecological values as well as are preferred by local community for rehabilitation program in the region. Questionnaires were distributed to respondents chosen randomly (i.e. to minimize bias) to select tree species which have ecological and/or economic values. Result of the study showed that among 62 species of trees listed in the questionnaire, there were 45 species chosen by the respondents. There were 13 species of trees selected by more than 20% of total of respondent (high preferred), suggesting the potential list of species for rehabilitation programs in the region. Local community in Gubrih Sub-watershed have understood the importance of trees as a source of income as well as a measure to conserve environmental functions. This is strengthened with land-use systems they selected which prefer tree-based land-use system, such as in the form of plantation of timber species and agroforestry over dry land agriculture. The findings of this study suggest that there is opportunity in rehabilitating degraded lands in Sampean watershed using tree species preferred by local community under the land use system of timber plantation or agroforestry. Our study demonstrates that similar strategy of incorporating ecological and socio-economic perspectives could be applied to another regional context to enhance the chance of success of rehabilitation programs.

Tree species preference and rehabilitation perspective by local community: Case study in Bondowoso, East Java, Indonesia

Danarto SA, Budiharta S, Fauziah. 2019. Tree species preference and land rehabilitation perspective by local community: Case study in Bondowoso, East Java, Indonesia. Asian J For 3: 54-63. Forest and land rehabilitation efforts require socio-economic assessment to enhance the likelihood of success when such efforts are implemented on the ground. This study aimed to find out local community’s preference on tree species used for rehabilitation programs and their perspective that influence such selections in regard to social, economic and ecological objectives of land management. The study was conducted Gubrih sub-watershed, Sampean watershed in Bondowoso District, East Java, Indonesia which provided an ideal case study of land rehabilitation. Questionnaires were distributed to respondents chosen randomly to select tree species that have ecological and/or economic values. Result of the study showed that among 62 species of trees listed in the questionnaire, there were 45 species chosen by the respondents. There were 13 species of trees selected by more than 20% of total respondents (high preferred), suggesting the potential list of species for rehabilitation programs in the region. Local community in Gubrih Sub-watershed had understood the importance of trees as a source of income as well as a measure to conserve environmental functions. This was strengthened with land-use systems they selected which preferred tree-based land-use systems, such as in the form of plantation of timber species and agroforestry over dry land agriculture. The findings of this study suggested that there is opportunity in rehabilitating degraded lands in Sampean watershed using tree species preferred by local communities under the land use system of timber plantation or agroforestry. Our study demonstrates that similar strategy of incorporating ecological and socio-economic perspectives could be applied to another regional context to enhance the chance of success of rehabilitation programs.