Estimation Of The Value Of Goods And Services Produced By Protected Areas: Case Of The Ndock Sare Community Forest In Senegal

The community forests of Senegal, and particularly those of the Groundnut Basin, play an important role in the lives of rural populations. They are significant sources of supply of various products and services. But despite their economic and ecological importance, community forests have never been the subject of an economic evaluation. This is likely to obscure the decision-making auspices of sustainable management of community forests. This study, based on vegetation surveys and socio-economic surveys, assessed the value of ecosystem goods and services. The results of the analysis showed that the forest has 21 species distributed among 08 families and that this diversity varies from one area to another. With this specific diversity, the basal area is evaluated at 2.64 m2/ha and the cover of 6081.17 m²/ha for a density of 327 individuals per hectare. The forest has a carbon storage capacity evaluated at 15.32 tons. The goods and services of the forest were estimated at 3,391,757 F CFA/year. This value is divided between direct uses estimated at 1,236,575 F CFA/year, indirect uses of 168,495 F CFA/year and an existence value of 1,986,687 F CFA/year. The study also showed that the exploitation of the forest is the most viable management option, as strict conservation imposes a social cost of 370,058 CFA francs per year on the population. In the context of decentralization, these results can serve as a basis for policy dialogue and decision-making processes on the sustainable management of forest resources

Linking Man and Nature: Relictual Forest Coenosis with Laurus nobilis L. and Celtis australis L. in Antica Lavinium, Italy

The Mediterranean basin has been a refugium for relict plant taxa and native laurophyllic forests. The Latium coasts and, especially, the Antica Lavinium site, host relict forest communities, whose natural importance is enriched by their cultural value. Here, we aim at investigating the ecological framework, cultural and historical values, and management over time, of relict communities that have Laurus nobilis and Celtis australis as their priority habitats. To achieve this, we performed vegetation surveys and we conducted statistical analyses (PCA, NMDS). Among the 45 vegetation surveys, 25 were characterized by the two target species. The PCA analysis highlighted how the L. nobilis formations and the mixed formations with C. australis present some differences but are not sufficient to describe different coenosis. The comparison among similar forests in central and southern Italy confirmed the wide coenological amplitude of L. nobilis with respect to other laurophyllic species. Antica Lavinium has an overall good preservation of laurel forest formations, but also of mixed formation with C. australis. In the area, historical, cultural, and natural characteristics mutually contributed to the development of human civilizations and plant communities, highlighting their deep linkage.

Carex delongii (Cyperaceae), a new sedge from Russia

While performing vegetation surveys in the southern part of the Lena delta, a new species of Carex from section Phacocystis has been found. Morphologically, Carex delongii sp. nov. is most close to C. cespitosa and C. minuta but differs from the former in smaller inflorescences, shorter pistillate spikes, narrow and soft leaves, oblong-ovoid (vs. ovoid) utricles; from the latter, it is distinguished by having smaller spikes and larger utricles. This relationship is also confirmed by molecular data. A detailed description of Carex delongii, its comparison with related species, illustrations, characteristics of habitat and phylogenetic position are reported.

Spatial associations between plants and vegetation community characteristics provide insights into the processes influencing plant rarity

Determining the drivers of plant rarity is a major challenge in ecology. Analysing spatial associations between different plant species can provide an exploratory avenue for understanding the ecological drivers of plant rarity. Here, we examined the different types of spatial associations between rare and common plants to determine if they influence the occurrence patterns of rare species. We completed vegetation surveys at 86 sites in woodland, forest, and heath communities in south-east Australia. We also examined two different rarity measures to quantify how categorisation criteria affected our results. Rare species were more likely to have positive associations with both rare and common species across all three vegetation communities. However, common species had positive or negative associations with rare and other common species, depending on the vegetation community in which they occurred. Rare species were positively associated with species diversity in forest communities. In woodland communities, rare species were associated negatively with species diversity but positively associated with species evenness. Rare species with high habitat specificity were more clustered spatially than expected by chance. Efforts to understand the drivers of plant rarity should use rarity definitions that consider habitat specificity. Our findings suggest that examining spatial associations between plants can help understand the drivers of plant rarity.

Modern pollen – vegetation – plant diversity relationships across large environmental gradients in northern Greece

Past vegetation and biodiversity dynamics, reconstructed using palaeoecological methods, can contribute to assessing the magnitude of the current biodiversity crisis and anticipating future risks and challenges. Among the different palaeoecological techniques, pollen analysis is probably the most widely used to reconstruct vegetation and plant diversity changes through time. Such reconstructions demand robust and comprehensive calibration studies addressing the pollen representation of extant vegetation to be sound. However, calibration studies are rare in the Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot, particularly regarding plant diversity. Here, we contribute to filling this gap by investigating the modern pollen signature of Mediterranean vegetation across a large environmental gradient in northern Greece. At each sampling site ( n = 61), we quantitatively compared the composition and diversity of plant (vegetation surveys) and pollen assemblages (moss/topsoil samples) using numerical techniques. Further, we compared these terrestrial pollen assemblages with those from lake sediment surface samples of the same region. We found an overall good match between plant and pollen assemblages, with maquis and mixed deciduous forest displaying particularly distinct pollen signatures. In contrast, the high regional importance of pines and oaks and their large pollen production blurred the pollen representation of other forested vegetation types and of shrublands and grasslands. Plant and pollen richness and their evenness showed similar declining trends with increasing altitude, but plant and pollen evenness bore a better match than richness. A more detailed vegetation-specific view on the data suggests that pine pollen seriously affected pollen richness and evenness in most of the pine-dominated stands. Lastly, our results suggest a rather straightforward application of vegetation-pollen relationships from moss/topsoil samples to interpret pollen assemblages from lakes in Mediterranean settings.

Avian recolonization of unrestored and restored bogs in Eastern Canada

Over the last several decades, peat has been extracted from bogs of temperate, populated regions of Eastern Canada, leaving large areas devoid of vegetation if unrestored. For the last 25 years, projects have been conducted in these regions to re-establish vegetation and facilitate recolonization by wildlife. We tested whether vegetation structure and bird species assemblages 10 to 20 years post extraction differ among natural, unrestored and restored bogs at the scales of individual sites and entire bogs. We conducted bird counts and vegetation surveys between 1993 and 2019, using both point counts (309 sites) and Autonomous Recording Units (80 sites). According to our vegetation surveys, restoration of sites that were previously used for peat harvesting accelerated the establishment of Sphagnum and herbaceous strata, but ericaceous and tree strata were unaffected over a 17-year period. None of the bird species with large home ranges were associated specifically to natural, unrestored, or restored areas at the bog level. Bird species diversity was similar in restored and natural sites, but lower in unrestored sites. Alder Flycatcher and American Goldfinch occupied restored and unrestored sites more frequently than natural sites, independent of the number of years post extraction. Occupancy of restored sites by Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers increased over the years, reaching levels similar to those in natural sites 20 years after restoration was implemented. Occupancy of restored sites by Song and Savannah sparrows increased from 1993-2019 and diverged from their declining occupancy of natural sites. Species assemblages of restored and unrestored sites differed significantly from those of natural sites soon after peat extraction ceased or post restoration. But assemblages from restored and unrestored sites became progressively similar to those of natural sites during the first 20 years, especially in restored sites. We conclude that bird species assemblages of restored bog sites are converging toward those of natural sites, and that restoration provides novel habitats for regionally declining species, e.g., Savannah Sparrows.

Etude biophysique et socio-économique du fruitier forestier Detarium senegalense J. F. Gmel. en Basse-Casamance (Thiobon, Bignona, Sénégal)

Au Sénégal, la Basse-Casamance est une zone où la recherche a du terrain à explorer en raison de la situation de conflit qui y prévaut depuis de nombreuses années. C'est l'une des principales zones de production des fruits de Detarium senegalense, qui sont très importants pour la consommation humaine et pour le gain derevenus. L’objectif de cette étude est d’établir les caractéristiques biophysiques et socio-économiques deDetarium senegalense dans le peuplement ligneux du terroir villageois de Thiobon en Basse-Casamance. Pour y parvenir, des enquêtes ont d’abord été menées auprès de la population, puis 64 relevés de végétation ont été effectués sur des placettes de 2500 m². Les résultats ont montré que la flore est constituée de 85 espèces relevant de 73 genres appartenant à 26 familles botaniques. Les familles des Fabaceae, Moraceae, Anacardiaceae et Apocynaceae sont les plus diversifiées. Les espèces les plus fréquentes sont Detarium senegalense (93,75%), Parkia biglobosa (75%), Cassia sieberiana (68,75%), Dialium guineense (64,06%), Anacardium occidentale et Piliostigma reticulatum (54,69%), Terminalia macroptera et Uvaria chamae (50%). La densité réelle est de 342 individus.ha-1, la surface terrière est de 18,07 m².ha-1 avec un taux de recouvrement de 81,49% et un taux de régénération de 81,47% pour le peuplement. Les résultats des enquêtes ont révélé que les principaux usages faits de Detarium senegalense sont l’autoconsommation, la vente des fruits et la pharmacopée. 71% de la population affirment que la tendance de la population de Detarium senegalense est progressive et 56% pensent que sa production augmente au cours des années. Les formes de régénération de l’espèce sont le semis naturel et le rejet de souche. Les fruits de Detarium senegalense sont vendus par comptage et par panier à des prix variant de 5 francs CFA (Communauté Financière Africaine) le fruit à 12000 francs CFA le panier. Cette étude permettra d’établir la situation actuelle des ressources forestières de la zone, mais également d’en améliorer la gestion en proposant des pistes d’amélioration des méthodes de gestion existantes. In Senegal, Basse-Casamance is an area where research has to explore because of the conflict situation that has prevailed there for many years. It is one of the main production areas for Detarium senegalense fruits, which are very important for human consumption and for income generation. The objective of this study was to establish the biophysical and socioeconomic characteristics of Detarium senegalense in the woody stand of the village of Thiobon in Lower Casamance. To achieve this, surveys were first conducted among the population and then 64 vegetation surveys were carried out on 2500 m² plots. The results showed that the flora consists of 85 species from 73 genera belonging to 26 botanical families. The families Fabaceae, Moraceae, Anacardiaceae and Apocynaceae are the most diversified. The most frequent species are Detarium senegalense (93.75%), Parkia biglobosa (75%), Cassia sieberiana (68.75%), Dialium guineense (64.06%), Anacardium occidentale and Piliostigma reticulatum (54.69%), Terminalia macroptera and Uvaria chamae (50%). The actual density is 342 individuals.ha-1, the basal area is 18.07 m².ha-1 with a cover rate of 81.49% and a regeneration rate of 81.47% for the stand. The results of the surveys revealed that the main uses of Detarium senegalense are self-consumption, sale of fruits and pharmacopoeia. 71% of the population affirm that the population trend of Detarium senegalense is progressive and 56% think that its production increases during the years. The forms of regeneration of the species are natural seedling and stump rejection. The fruits of Detarium senegalense are sold by counter and by basket at prices ranging from 5 CFA francs (Communauté Financière Africaine) per fruit to 12,000 CFA francs per basket. This study will establish the current situation of forest resources in the area, but also improve management by proposing ways to improve existing management methods.

Biodiversity outcomes of an urban revegetation programme in Wellington, New Zealand: The role of patch size, isolation, age and the urban matrix

<p>Urban revegetation programmes are an important contribution to the biodiversity of our landscape environment. Wellington city has, for nearly two decades, promoted revegetation of the city with a focus in latter years on eco-sourced native species. This is a substantial urban greening project planting 100,000 native plants per annum. This thesis analyses the native revegetation programme and posits recommendations for continuance and enhancement for consideration. Data were collected from a sample set of twenty revegetated sites and four reference sites in Wellington city. Two transects per site were set up with invertebrate pitfall traps, lizard pitfall traps, lizard tree covers, bird count stations and vegetation surveys. The data were collected over a twelve-month period. Ordination was used to examine the community composition of revegetation sites in relation to each other and the four reference sites. Multiple regression was used to examine the influence of patch age, patch size, isolation and residential land cover upon a range of biodiversity variables. The key findings of this study are that revegetated sites lacked the level of ground cover by native seedlings that were characteristic of the mature reference sites. Also found was that revegetation sites in Wellington City require around ten years of growth before natural regeneration of native seedlings began to become apparent. Large native birds were more likely to be found in close proximity to mature primary bush, confirming that mature primary bush is an essential element of the landscape. Weta were found in increased numbers as distance from mature primary bush increased. Northern grass skinks were the only species of lizard found, in association with a higher proportion of residential area in the matrix. The key management recommendations of this study are; the development of a collaborative connective strategy; further enrichment planting designed to maximize structural diversity over time; the investment in well planned robust monitoring programmes. This research contributes to the understanding of biodiversity outcomes of an urban native revegtation programme, providing baseline data for future monitoring purposes.</p>

Biodiversity outcomes of an urban revegetation programme in Wellington, New Zealand: The role of patch size, isolation, age and the urban matrix

<p>Urban revegetation programmes are an important contribution to the biodiversity of our landscape environment. Wellington city has, for nearly two decades, promoted revegetation of the city with a focus in latter years on eco-sourced native species. This is a substantial urban greening project planting 100,000 native plants per annum. This thesis analyses the native revegetation programme and posits recommendations for continuance and enhancement for consideration. Data were collected from a sample set of twenty revegetated sites and four reference sites in Wellington city. Two transects per site were set up with invertebrate pitfall traps, lizard pitfall traps, lizard tree covers, bird count stations and vegetation surveys. The data were collected over a twelve-month period. Ordination was used to examine the community composition of revegetation sites in relation to each other and the four reference sites. Multiple regression was used to examine the influence of patch age, patch size, isolation and residential land cover upon a range of biodiversity variables. The key findings of this study are that revegetated sites lacked the level of ground cover by native seedlings that were characteristic of the mature reference sites. Also found was that revegetation sites in Wellington City require around ten years of growth before natural regeneration of native seedlings began to become apparent. Large native birds were more likely to be found in close proximity to mature primary bush, confirming that mature primary bush is an essential element of the landscape. Weta were found in increased numbers as distance from mature primary bush increased. Northern grass skinks were the only species of lizard found, in association with a higher proportion of residential area in the matrix. The key management recommendations of this study are; the development of a collaborative connective strategy; further enrichment planting designed to maximize structural diversity over time; the investment in well planned robust monitoring programmes. This research contributes to the understanding of biodiversity outcomes of an urban native revegtation programme, providing baseline data for future monitoring purposes.</p>

Risk factors and plant management activities for the terraced agricultural systems on the Amalfi coast (Italy): an interdisciplinary approach

Cultivated terraces are outstanding modifications of mountains and hills to obtain arable land. These terraced agricultural systems are widespread traditional landscapes within the Mediterranean area. The cultivated terraces of the Amalfi Coast (Southern Italy) are outstanding examples of cultural landscapes, and they represent one of the key descriptors of the UNESCO Site. Terraces have characterized the landscape of the Amalfi Coast for a long time as their construction started during the Middle Age. However, their conservation is now threatened by abandonment, which has dramatically risen in the last 60 years, and by the ongoing climatic changes with the increased incidence of heavy rainfall events. We combined interviews with local farmers and vegetation surveys to understand which management activities are carried out to improve the conservation of cultivated terraces on the Amalfi Coast. To this end, we analyzed the linkages between these management practices and their influence on the vegetation growing on the terrace risers. Our informants identified the maintenance of waterways and walls as crucial factors influencing terrace and slope stability. The preservation of the integrity of terraces depends on periodic vegetation control and the maintenance of water drainage systems, which are carried out thanks to the active presence of farmers. According to our informants, the vegetation growing on the walls has a relevant role in the stability of terraces, and we found a prevalence of Hemicryptophytes that increase with the number of interventions over the year. Thus, active and vital agriculture becomes pivotal for the preservation of this cultural heritage.