Diversity and community structure of Ephemeroptera in freshwater stream of Megamalai hills, Tamil Nadu, India

In the study on the diversity and community structure of Ephemeroptera in the freshwater stream of Chinnasuruli falls on Megamalai hills, a total of 523 specimens belonging to thirteen genera and five families were collected in six month periods. Of the five families, Teloganodidae and Leptophlebiidae exhibited high diversity and Caenidae showed low diversity. Choroterpes alagarensis (Leptophlebiidae) is the most dominant species. Diversity indices such as Shannon and Simpson indices showed that diversity was maximum in November and December and it was minimum in August and January. Canonical Correspondence Analysis revealed that rainfall, water flow, turbidity, and air temperature were the major stressors in affecting the Ephemeropteran community structure.

Bird diversity analysis in the lower mountain forest of mount Bulusaraung to support ecotourism’s activities in Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park

Lower mountain forest in the complex of Mount Bulusaraung Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park, is a one of bird’s habitat in the South Sulawesi. This area is a tourist destination, especially mountain climbing activities. Thus, it is necessary to know the diversity of animals, especially birds on this hiking trail, so that the information can be used to support ecotourism activities. This study aims to analyze the diversity of bird species in the complex of Bulusaraung Mountain, Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park in order to support ecotourism activities. This research was conducted from April to June 2018. Data was collected using the line transect method on three lines, namely the Balleanging, Kattokaddaro and Tompobulu lines. The second and third paths are hiking trails, while the rest are trails leading to community agricultural areas. The geographical position of the transect line was recorded using GPS. The GIS method was used to generate a bird watching trail map. Data analysis was carried out to calculate the individual density and frequency of bird presence. In addition, the species diversity indices, species evenness indices, and species richness indices were also calculated. The results showed that there were 44 species of birds found in the study area, which were 16 species in the Balleanging line, 27 species in the Kattokaddaro line and 37 species in the Tompobulu line. The highest bird species diversity indices value was found on the Tompobulu line (H' = 2.93), while on the Kattokaddaro line it was H' = 2.73 and the Balleanging H' = 2.55. The results of this study will support the management strategy in Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park in order to harmonize the conservation of biological resources through ecotourism activities that involve local communities to increase their economic income.

Comparison of four species diversity indices in mangrove community

Mulya H, Santosa Y, Hilwan I. 2021. Comparison of four species diversity indices in mangrove community. Biodiversitas 22: 3648-3655. Mangrove communities have a tidal environment that affects their species composition, which may be finite but the abundance may vary between species individuals. Many ecologists have used indices to measure species diversity without knowing the best suitable index for the community and its statistical characteristics. Therefore, this study aimed to compare species diversity indices in mangrove communities to obtain the best and most appropriate index for mangrove diversity. The comparison was done using the Simpson (1-D), Shannon, Menhinick, and Margalef indices, which were widely used and considered the best measures in various communities. The data was obtained from the field sampling using a single plot of 80×40 m2, and then it was simulated to obtain standardized variables so that the indices got the same treatment. It was calculated with descriptive statistics and species diversity indices among other Simpson, Margalef, Shannon, and Menhinick indices. Pearson correlation and UPGMA cluster were used to get conformity based on the best index criteria. The results showed the Margalef index was the best in performance that passed the assessment criteria more than Simpson (1-D), Shannon, and Menhinick index. It had a low correlation with sample variance and normality marker but had high variability of the index value. It was also sensitive to the number of species, good reduced individual sample, and good correlation with similar indices. Thus, we concluded that the Margalef index was the best index for mangrove community diversity measurement. The index was recommended for monitoring and evaluating the species diversity assessment for the mangrove community. It should not use several species diversity indices with similar meaning.

Microbial Diversity Based on Multifractal Analysis of Metagenomes

Species diversity in microbiome is a cutting-edge concept in metagenomic research. In this study, we propose a multifractal analysis for metagenomic research. From the chaos game representation (CGR) visualization of simulated and real metagenomes, we find that there exists self-similarity in the visualization of metagenomes. Then we compute the multifractal dimensions for simulated and real metagenomes. For simulated metagenomes, we also compute their diversity indices, such as species richness indices, Shannon’s diversity indices and Simpson’s diversity indices respectively for varying value of . Fom the Pearson correlation coefficients between their multifractal dimensions and traditional species diversity indices, we find that the correlation coefficients between the multifractal dimensions and species richness indices and Shannon diversity indices reach their maximums at respectively. The correlation coefficients between the multifractal dimensions and Simpson’s diversity indices reach their maximums at nearly. So the traditional diversity indices can be unified by the frame of multifractal analysis. These results coincided with the similar results in macrobial ecology. Finally, we apply our methods to real metagenomes of 100 infants’ gut microbiomes when they are newborn, 4 months and 12 months. Our results show that multifractal dimensions of infants’ gut microbiomes can discriminate the age difference.

Wildlife species diversity indices and seasonal distribution assessment in road-side markets of South-west Nigeria

Wildlife species are under serious exploitation by the rural populace in Nigeria because hu­man beings have understood their ecology. The need to update the existing knowledge of wildlife population is therefore essential. Twenty-three games markets along five Roads in South-west Nigeria were visited to document the wildlife displayed for sale. Two hundred and fifty copies of structured questionnaire were administered using systematic random sampling (odd) method for wildlife species information from market stakeholders. Direct method was counting for species and their numbers. Data generated were analysed through Species Diver­sity Indices Assessment. All emergent species were compared with International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) abundance rating. Road seasonal distribution of the marketed wildlife was determined by percentages, standard deviation, standard error of mean, mean differences, t-test, and tests of significance and Diversity Indices. Results revealed that 69,398 wild animals were displayed. Also more wildlife were sold during rainy than dry seasons. Appropriate recommendations of government sensitization of rural and urban settlers against over-utilization of wildlife resources, encouragement of the public towards animal domesti­cation and others were made.

Effects of Environmental Factors on Diversity of Orthopteran Population in District Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab, Pakistan

Environment is the predominant factor for deciding the appropriation and abundanceof Orthoptera species globally. During present study, the impact of major environmental factors on abrupt occurrence of Orthoptera species was examined. Orthopterans landed on vast agricultural fields of cotton, wheat, maize, sugarcane and other standing crops in fertile parts and sandy regions of district Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab, Pakistan. The survey on different localities of district Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab was conducted from January to December 2019, special attention was paid during rainy season. The total 4908 specimens of order Orthoptera, suborder Caelifera belonged to 8 species were collected from different localities of tehsils Sadiqabad, Rahim Yar Khan, Khanpur and Liaqatpur of district Rahim Yar Khan. The highest number of population, 2080 belonged to Schistocerca gregaria and lowest number of individuals belonged to Acrida exaltata were 135. However, other six species i.e., Peokilocerus pictus, Oxya hyla hyla, Sphingonotus savignyi, Heteracris littoralis, Aiolopus thalassinus thalassinus, Diabolocatantops innotabilis were 1090, 480, 386, 355, 195, 187 respectively. Among them 3472 were males and 1436 were females. The % relative abundance of Orthoptera species recoded from agricultural areas was 61.63 and 38.36 from desert areas. The species diversity indices, richness and equity of agricultural areas were 0.7766, 5.0377, 2.0110 and 0.8600 and sandy areas were 0.5132, 2.3663, 1.5268 and 0.6595 respectively. The highest numbers of specimens collected in the month of October were 1084 due to favourable environmental factors while lowest 112 specimens in the month of January due to unfavourable conditions. The abundance of Orthoptera populations were coincidence with different environmental factors i.e., temperature, humidity and rainfall in different months of year.

Investigating the Relationship between Tree Species Diversity and Landsat-8 Spectral Heterogeneity across Multiple Phenological Stages

The emergence of the spectral variation hypothesis (SVH) has gained widespread attention in the remote sensing community as a method for deriving biodiversity information from remotely sensed data. SVH states that spectral heterogeneity on remotely sensed imagery reflects environmental heterogeneity, which in turn is associated with high species diversity and, therefore, could be useful for characterizing landscape biodiversity. However, the effect of phenology has received relatively less attention despite being an important variable influencing plant species spectral responses. The study investigated (i) the effect of phenology on the relationship between spectral heterogeneity and plant species diversity and (ii) explored spectral angle mapper (SAM), the coefficient of variation (CV) and their interaction effect in estimating species diversity. Stratified random sampling was adopted to survey all tree species with a diameter at breast height of > 10 cm in 90 × 90 m plots distributed throughout the study site. Tree species diversity was quantified by the Shannon diversity index (H′), Simpson index of diversity (D2) and species richness (S). SAM and CV were employed on Landsat-8 data to compute spectral heterogeneity. The study applied linear regression models to investigate the relationship between spectral heterogeneity metrics and species diversity indices across four phenological stages. The results showed that the end of the growing season was the most ideal phenological stage for estimating species diversity, following the SVH concept. During this period, SAM and species diversity indices (S, H′, D2) had an r2 of 0.14, 0.24, and 0.20, respectively, while CV had an r2 of 0.22, 0.22, and 0.25, respectively. The interaction of SAM and CV improved the relationship between the spectral data and H′ and D2 (from r2 of 0.24 and 0.25 to r2 of 0.32 and 0.28, respectively) at the end of the growing season. The two spectral heterogeneity metrics showed differential sensitivity to components of plant diversity. SAM had a high relationship with H′ followed by D2 and then a lower relationship with S throughout the different phenological stages. Meanwhile, CV had a higher relationship with D2 than other plant diversity indices and its relationship with S and H′ remained similar. Although the coefficient of determination was comparatively low, the relationship between spectral heterogeneity metrics and species diversity indices was statistically significant (p < 0.05) and this supports the assertion that SVH could be implemented to characterize plant species diversity. Importantly, the application of SVH should consider (i) the choice of spectral heterogeneity metric in line with the purpose of the SVH application since these metrics relate to components of species diversity differently and (ii) vegetation phenology, which affects the relationship that spectral heterogeneity has with plant species diversity.

Floral Distribution of a Sub-Bituminous Coal Dumpsite in Enugu, Nigeria

The remnant floral diversity of a naturally reclaimed area proximal to an abandoned mine was assessed. The coal mine site, the Incident zone (IZ) and an unsullied site, the Control zone (CZ), were sampled. Using a 5 m2 quadrat, the floristic composition was determined by the occurrence, distribution analysis, and species diversity indices. The study revealed a degraded vegetation type and recorded a total of 60 species, 53 genera and 27 families. Both the IZ and CZ shared 26.67% species similarity, while 36.67% are were unique to each zone. Five species were dominant (Ageratum conyzoides, Panicum maximum, Calopogonium mucunoides, Chromolaena odorata). While the dominant genera vary between IZ (Borreria, Dioscorea, Ipomoea, and Phyllanthus) and CZ (Desmodium, Euphorbia, and Ipomoea), Asteraceae and Poaceae were the dominant families in both zones. Forbs were the most dominant life forms in both zones; Cyclosorus sp. and Adiantum sp. were only found on the IZ, whereas, Kyllinga erecta and Mariscus alternifolius were exclusive to the CZ. Our results reflect that species composition and vegetation paradigm in the study area could be influenced by coal mining, farming, infrastructural installations and climate. Hence, we suggest future studies to investigate how the species adapt to the environment. Although most of the species encountered belonged to lower-risk conservation, the conservation of the species to this area is imperative.

Temporal change in molluscan assemblages (bivalves and gastropods) of Frobisher Bay, Nunavut, Canada, over fifty years

Long-term studies provide an effective way to assess the ecological impacts of decades-long environmental change in Arctic coastal benthic environments but are undertaken rarely in the Canadian Arctic. In light of this, historical datasets can be compared with modern samples to examine temporal differences in benthic community structure. Frobisher Bay, Nunavut provides a unique opportunity to use a historical census to examine the impacts that long-term environmental change have had on the marine benthos. Between 1967-1976 and in 2016, infaunal samples were collected in inner Frobisher Bay and were compared to determine how the molluscan assemblages have changed between the two time periods. Molluscan assemblages in two regions of inner Frobisher Bay (Iqaluit and Cairn Island) were examined to minimize sampling discrepancies between the two time periods. A long-term increase in mean annual air temperature and a decline in the length of the ice cover season were observed. Both regions exhibited some change in sediment composition and quality and in molluscan assemblage between the two time periods and species diversity indices also indicated some change between time periods. Both the 1967-1976 and 2016 molluscan datasets provide a baseline for future long-term studies in a changing Arctic.

The mid-domain effect of mountainous plants is determined by community life form and family flora on the Loess Plateau of China

The mid-domain effect (MDE) explains altitudinal patterns of species diversity of mountainous plants at different elevations. However, its application is limited by the species life form and family flora in different layers of plant communities. To verify the MDE hypothesis at the plant community level, we chose a mountain with representative characteristics of the study area in the east of the Loess Plateau, China, such as obvious elevation (from 1324 to 2745 m) and latitude (from 36° 23′ to 39° 03′) gradients and considerable vegetation types (mainly coniferous and broad-leaved forests). We measured the life forms, families, and species diversity indices of tree, shrub, and herb communities along different elevations. We determined that the family numbers of the herb and shrub communities presented unimodal patterns across an altitudinal gradient, and the highest values occurred at intermediate elevations. The importance values of dominant families in the shrub and tree communities presented unimodal patterns, but the lowest values occurred at intermediate elevations. The species diversity indices of the herb, shrub, and tree communities conformed to unimodal change patterns following an altitudinal gradient, but the greatest diversity occurred at high, low, and intermediate elevations, respectively. At higher elevations, forbs and grasses grew well, whereas sedges grew well at lower elevations. Responses of different tree life forms to the altitudinal gradient were greater for evergreen coniferous tree species than for deciduous coniferous and deciduous broad-leaved tree species. We concluded that the MDE hypothesis of species diversity for mountainous plants is influenced greatly by the community life form and family at the plant community level in a temperate semi-arid region of the Loess Plateau, China. This conclusion tested and modified the MDE hypothesis and may be valuable for fueling prediction of biodiversity models and for the comparison with similar studies in arid and semi-arid mountainous regions.