A survey of medicinal plants of Wadi Al-Kouf in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, Libya

Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar (the Green Mountain) of Cyrenaica, Libya is known to have the highest plant species diversity in the country, particularly in the depressions and the valleys of the mountain. Wadi Al-Kouf is the largest valley in the mountain, with a rich flora of aromatic and medicinal plants. The present investigation was conducted to record and list the medicinal plant species growing in the valley during the flowering season of 2019. Results revealed that Wadi Al-Kouf hosts 107 medicinal plant species belonging to 49 families and 93 genera. Dicotyledons were the most represented group of angiospermae with 38 families, 79 genera and 89 species, whereas Monocotyledons were represented by only 8 families, 10 genera and 13 species. Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Fabaceae and Solanaceae were the families with the highest number of species; 11, 9, 6 and 6 species, respectively. The most dominant life forms found in the valley were Therophytes (25.2%), Phanerophytes (25.2%) and Chamaephytes (24.3%), followed by Hemicryptophytes (15.9%) and Geophytes (9.3%). Nine endemic species were detected and recorded.

Malakofauna navrhované přírodní rezervace Houžetín v CHKO České středohoří [Mollusc fauna of the proposed Houžetín Nature Reserve in the České středohoří Protected Landscape Area]

Although the České středohoří PLA is one of the most malacologically explored areas in Central Europe, ongoing research shows that there are still previously unexplored places with rich malacofauna. The Houžetín Hill near the village of Skalice hosts extremely rich flora and its research has also shown relatively rich mollusc fauna (45 species). Unexpectedly, many strictly forest species were found there in 2019, such as Discus perspectivus, Isognomostoma isognomostomos, Aegopinella nitidula and many others. It is unusual for this part of the PLA and it proves that the forest environment has been maintained there continuously for a long time, probably since the forest climatic optimum of the Holocene.

Floristic diversity and conservation value of the biodiversity refuge area of the Soubré hydroelectric dam (South-West of Côte d'Ivoire)

After the establishment of the biodiversity conservation area of the Soubré hydroelectric dam, scientific studies showing its value as a biodiversity reserve and its importance for the population were not implemented. As a result, no sustainable management strategy has been initiated. this study was conducted to make up for this shortcoming. It aims to assess its conservation value. The data collection methodology combined botanical inventories and an ethnobotanical survey. The analyse of data was based on the plant diversity and the importance of the area for local populations. Investigations show a rich flora of 346 species. There are 38 endemic species, 10 vulnerable and 8 locally threatened with extinction. This flora richness allows to attribute to the conservation area the High Conservation Value of category 1 (HCV 1). Among the species list, 84 are cited by the populations as useful plants. The use categories are, in order of importance, medicinal use, food use, Handicrafted use, timber. The organs sought are mainly the leaves in the practice of traditional medicine, the fruits in food and the stem in crafts, timber and firewood. Among useful species, 13 are very important for local population. Of these, 6 are less abundant in the area such as Ricinodendron heudelotii, Carpolobia lutea G. Don. The capacity for the area to serve as a refuge for useful species gives it the HCV 5. These results will allow the implementation of appropriate management.

What are the contributions of native plants to the urban ecosystem?

For the coming years, it is a potential danger that the ecosystems existing in urban areas will be heavily affected, especially under the pressure of climate change. In the face of this danger, it is of great importance to ensure the sustainability of life chains in urban areas. In this context, a good understanding of the natural landscape and the adoption of local species make important contributions to urban areas for sustainable ecosystems. Natural plants interact with all physical and biotic factors in their areas and contribute to the life of natural living communities by easily adapting to environmental conditions. This research was carried out in Bursa (Turkey), which has a rich flora in terms of natural plant taxa. The contributions of 72 woody taxa in Bursa flora to the ecosystem were examined. The relationships that emerged in terms of the criteria examined revealed important results. The existence of a positive relationship between features, which are considered among ecological criteria in terms of contribution to the ecosystem, such as shelter for animals, being a food source, being a food source for humans, attracting butterflies, attracting bees, and preventing erosion, shows that the use of native plants is extremely important for the preservation of ecosystem integrity in urban areas.

From Charged Particles to Plasma Physics

In this chapter we move from single particle motion to the statistical description of a large number of charged particles, the plasma. This discussion provides the basis for the rich flora of plasma waves that are essential for understanding the sources and losses of radiation belt particles through wave–particle interactions.

Beekeeping in the Desert: Foraging Activities of Honey Bee during Major Honeyflow in a Hot-Arid Ecosystem

This study investigated the outgoing and pollen-gathering foraging activities of Apis mellifera jemenitica (AMJ) and Apis mellifera carnica (AMC) under a hot-arid environment in the presence of nectar-rich melliferous Ziziphus nummularia flora. The data revealed the differential effects of weather conditions and Z. nummularia flora on the foraging activities of the studied honey bee subspecies in the Rawdat-Khuraim oasis in central Saudi Arabia. Z. nummularia exhibited two flowering seasons, from June–July (season I) and August–October (season II), with a significantly higher mean flowering density observed during season II (404 flowers/m2) than during season I (235 flowers/m2). AMJ showed significantly higher foraging activities (outgoing and pollen-gathering) than AMC (exotic bees) during all months in each flowering season. The mean outgoing and pollen-gathering foraging rates of AMJ (32.40 ± 0.67 and 4.88 ± 0.40 workers/colony/min, respectively) were significantly higher than those of AMC (15.93 ± 1.20 and 2.39 ± 0.23 workers/colony/min, respectively). The outgoing and pollen-gathering foraging activities of the two subspecies fluctuated throughout the different times of day. Foraging activities were considerably high at sunrise (SR) and low at noon (N) during both flowering seasons. We also observed seasonal variations in the foraging activities of both bee subspecies. The mean foraging activities (outgoing and pollen-gathering) were slightly higher in season I (27.43 ± 1.21 and 4.46 ± 0.45 workers/colony/min, respectively) than in season II (21.71 ± 0.86 and 3.02 ± 0.22 workers/colony/min, respectively). The thermal window analysis revealed a significant difference between the flight activities (bees exiting and returning to the nest throughout the day) of AMJ and AMC; AMJ had a higher temperature threshold than AMC. The outgoing and pollen-gathering foraging activities within each bee subspecies were positively correlated. The present study can help researchers understand the performances of honeybees and the association of their performances with weather and nectar-rich flora conditions.

Screening of 20 Pantanal Wetland Plants for Anti-Candida Activity using HPLC-DAD-MS/MS and Bioautography to Characterize Active Compounds

The Pantanal wetland harbors a rich flora with uncharted pharmacological potential. This study evaluated 20 Brazilian Pantanal plants against Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and C. krusei. Fungal susceptibility was determined by agar diffusion and broth microdilution; active compounds were identified by bioautography and HPLC-DAD-MS/MS. Sesbania virgata, Polygala molluginifolia, and Cantinoa mutabilis extracts and their chloroform and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fractions exhibited the best activity against all Candida species tested. The EtOAc fraction of P. molluginifolia proved to be more efficient in inhibiting C. parapsilosis and C. krusei growth (Minimum inhibitory concentration of 125 and 62.5 μg/mL, respectively). Bioautography of this fraction revealed two active bands, characterized by HPLC-DAD-MS/MS as a mixture of podophyllotoxin derivatives blumenol, besides some flavonoids. This work demonstrated antifungal potential of P. molluginifolia podophyllotoxin derivatives and the versatility of bioautography with HPLC-DAD-MS/MS to identify the bioactive compounds.

Issues, Challenges and Scope for Tourism Development in Kumaun Region of Uttarakhand

Tourism industry in the modern era is emerging one of the largest service-sector industry which is contributing in many ways towards economies through generating national income as well as by creating job opportunities especially for local population and thus become an avenue of socio-economic development and cultural exchange. Travel and Tourism is not only an activity for leisure and entertainment but it is also enriching and energizing activity. Uttarakhandone of the most beautiful state in the northern belt known as ‚Devbhoomi‛ or ‘Abode of Gods’ is a site of temples and pilgrimage, endowed with salubrious climate, exotic greenery, rich flora besides its rich culture. ‚Kumaon‛one of the two region of the state Uttarakhandattracts large numbers of tourists and is becoming as one of the preferred choice of visit among travellers. Beside all this the tourism industry in the Kumaunregion is facing some issues and challenges which need to be considered to capitalize the potential of tourism in the Kumaun region. The present study tries to examine the Challenges and scope of tourism development in the Kumaun region of the Uttarakhand state, the nature of the research is qualitative and employs the secondary sources of data. The results of the study reveals that there are challenges for tourism development, but with certain improvements and proper planning the region can be developed as one of the best tourist destination because there is vast scope in new forms of tourism and which can be capitalized with proper and efficient planning and execution

Identification, Mapping and Ethnobotany of Plant Species in the Peruvian High Andean Wetlands: Stimulating Biodiversity Conservation Efforts towards Sustainability

The high Andean wetlands of Peru provide not only the well-known ecosystem services such as water storage, flood mitigation, erosion control, and purification of water, but are also a source of income for local economies (as fodder), have medicinal properties, are a source of food, contribute to the development of ecotourism among many other uses. Economic and population growth have already damaged many parts of the high Andean wetlands including their rich flora. In order to promote the conservation of its diversity and unique flora, this study conducted extensive botanical explorations to identify and map the floristic composition of the high Andean wetlands of La Libertad, Peru, as well as their influence on local communities. The authors conducted explorations taking taxonomic, biogeographic and ethno biological data of the flora species as well as their therapeutic and economic botany. The study identified 64 species of flora distributed in 46 genera and 27 families including Asteraceae (with 8 species), Juncaceae (with 7 species), Poaceae (with 6 species), Cyperaceae (with 5 species), Licopodiaceae and Rosaceae (with 4 species each), Apiaceae, Gentianaceae, Orobanchaceae and Sphagnaceae (with 3 species each) and Poligonaceae (with 2 species). With reference to economic botany, it was found that 32.8% of species constitute resources with a very good economic benefit. The study concludes that it is imperative to take actions to protect the high Andean wetlands as they are ecosystems with great biodiversity. This study contribution expects to raise concerns regarding the increasing impact of economic and population growth on the loss of not only natural habitats but species as well. Conservation efforts will help protect the heritage of the Andes wetlands for future generations.

Diversity of tropical cryptophytes

The paper presents the preliminary data on the diversity of cryptomonad in the tropics (Vietnam and India). Isolation of algae into culture (more than 200 strains) and their study using molecular methods made it possible to reveal the rich flora of the genus Cryptomonas, consisting of 51 species (statistically supported clades).