Long-term animal grazing and agricultural practices in the Central Anatolian Region have disturbed the vegetation cover and rendered the sites prone to erosion. Plantation practices have been carried out for about six decades in the region. However, tree-oriented plantation practices have not shown promising results. Thus, experimental data gathered in the region using new approaches with different plant species are urgently needed. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the potential usage of some of the ground-cover species for ecosystem restoration in the region. The seeds of 16 local species were collected during extensive field surveys in the summer and early fall of 2012 and 2013. Five sites scattered on the basin were chosen as experimental blocks. The area covers the driest part of the region, with less than 300 mm annual precipitation and 11°C average temperature. Soil texture for the first 20 cm of soil depth in the experimental units ranges from clay to sandy clay loam, with a high lime content. In October 2012, April 2013, October 2013, and April 2014 seeds of these 16 species were sown on three 40 cm × 600 cm beds. In the spring and summer of 2013 and 2014, sites were visited, and field emergence rates and seedling growth were recorded. Based on the results of the experiment, Atriplex hortensis, Glaucium corniculatum, Marrubium parviflorum, Onobrychis tournefortii, Peganum harmala, Reseda lutea, Stachys cretica, Teucrium polium and Vicia cappadocica appear to be the most promising ground-cover species for ecosystem restoration in the region.
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This study was conducted to determine the effects of altitude and aspect on the wood anatomical characteristics of oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) in Mountain (Mt.) Uludağ. A total of 36 samples from 36 trees, one sample per tree, were collected from six different elevations separated by 200 m (550–1550 m) on both the north and south aspects of Mt. Uludağ. Vulnerability, mesomorphy, and xeromorphy ratios were calculated for each sample. Duncan’s test and cluster analysis were conducted using all measurements related to the vessels, rays, and fibers of each sample. The results indicated that the diameters and lengths of vessel elements increased from the lower to upper altitudes when the vessel frequency decreased. The widths of narrow rays decreased from 550 to 1550 m, whereas the ray frequency per millimeter increased. The fiber lengths, the wall thickness of fibers, and the fiber lumen widths increased from 550 to 1550 m in both aspects. Moreover, according to cluster analysis, the groups and subgroups separated depending on elevations. Vulnerability and mesomorphy ratios increased significantly in relation to the elevation of up to 1550 m in both aspects, whereas the xeromorphy ratio decreased inversely. An altitude of 1550 m on the north aspect provided the best mesomorphic conditions, whereas an altitude of 550 m on the south aspect was dominated by an arid climate for the beeches. Finally, altitude was more effective than aspect on the anatomical features of the beech wood in Mt. Uludağ.
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Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF), such as Funneliformis mosseae, is the best microorganism for inoculating neem. We investigated the interaction between selected F. mosseae and five different plant growth-promoting rhizomicroorganisms (PGPR). The results indicate that the microbial consortia comprising F. mosseae and PGPR Paenibacillus polymyxa is the best for enhancing the growth and nutrition of neem seedlings under glass house conditions. Large scale forest nursery trials at Mandya district, Karnataka state, India, using 500 inoculated and 500 uninoculated neem seedlings, validated the results of the glass house study. The inoculated seedlings had 39% (average of 3 locations) higher bio-volume index (BI) when compared to that of the uninoculated seedlings. The uninoculated and inoculated seedlings, under large scale nursery trials, were out-planted in wastelands at 3 locations and their growth parameters were evaluated after 8 months. After 8 months of out-planting, the BI of plants inoculated with microbial consortia was 29% higher (average of 3 locations) than that of the uninoculated plants.
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The estimation of growth variables for a cleared tree is crucial in forest management. Most importantly, growth variable estimation for cleared trees allows for the conviction of illegal loggers in judicial proceedings and biomass estimation. Hence, the present study developed empirical models that are capable of precisely estimating the crown projection area (CPA) of trees from tree’s stump diameter (Ds) to serve as a crucial tool for evaluating tree loss and as descriptive evidence to inform the litigation process. The data for this study were gathered from 36 randomly laid 25 m×25 m temporal sample plots within six stand ages of Tectona grandis within a Nigerian reserved tropical rainforest. Least squares method was used to fit six regression models, namely simple linear, power, single logarithmic, growth, reciprocal, and square functions. The power model estimated CPA from Ds most appropriately by employing the lowest values of the root mean square error (8.42 m2), Akaike information criterion (6514.13), and Bayesian information criterion (6524.79). Furthermore, t-test result yielded a non-significant (p=0.431) difference between the observed and predicted CPA utilizing the power model. Hence, the power model was recommended for the conversion of counted stumps into harvested trees’ CPAs.
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The short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) is essantially a migrant species that overwinters in Turkey in small numbers. A limited number of studies exist investigating the short-eared owls’ diet, because it is difficult to determine their roosting areas and locate their pellets within the field. The pellet analysis of owls is one of the most prominently employed methods used to determine owl feeding strategies, and pellet analysis is important in the conservation studies of the short-eared owl. The present study is the first research investigating the diet of short-eared owl in Thrace. Our team gathered 153 pellets belonging to 308 prey items: 4 genus from Rodentia (Mammalia - Microtus sp, Mus sp, Crecitulus sp, Apodemus sp), 1 genus from Eulipotyphla (Mammalia - Crocidura sp) and 1 bird species from Passeriformes (Aves, Alauda arvensis) were identified within the pellets. Short-eared owls preferred in the majority of cases investigated small mammals (95%) in their diets, in particular Microtus sp (50%) and Mus sp (34%). Our team concluded that the Microtus and Mus genera occurred most commonly as the species in the study area. Various other small mammals identified in the pellets were comprised of Apodemus sp, Mus sp and Crocidura sp (11%), and a marginal number of birds (5%) were in addition found within the short-eared owl's diet. Short-eared owls, which display the characteristic behavior of an opportunistic predator, can shift their food habits with ease. However, our team found that a limited number of mammalian taxa comprised the short-eared owls’ diet, and because the owl’s diet consists mainly of rodents, the short-eared owl remains an important predator for agricultural fields and grasslands.
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Vachellia kirkii naturally grows along the Muvumba River near Nyagatare Township, north-eastern Rwan-da, where irrigated rice cultivation thrives. In Rwanda, irrigated rice farming in wetlands is expanding to ensure the rapidly growing population’s food security. Deforestation and the loss of biodiversity are among the most critical consequences of rice farming expansion. This study aimed to evaluate V. kirkii forest cover and plant diversity and their changes over time in the Muvumba wetland and the sur-rounding savannah. High-resolution imagery and remote sensing techniques were used to generate land-use maps for 2008 and 2018 and to detect temporal changes. Random sampling was done to study vegetation structure and floristic composition. Thirty circular plots of 16 m diameter were established randomly in the V. kirkii forest, and fifteen 500 m long transects spaced at 50 m apart in the savannah. Trees and shrubs in both vegetation types were identified and counted. Grass and herbaceous species were identified in 1×1 m quadrants established at the center of each of the main plots. Vachellia kirkii individuals dominated as a monoculture near the river, and 49 other plant species were identified in the study area. During one decade (2008-2018), V. kirkii cover shrank by approximately 70%. Rice farming threatens V. kirkii forest and its associated plant species. There is a need for urgent, environmentally sus-tainable development measures to save V. kirkii forests and their associated biodiversity from extinction in this east-central African region.
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Xylaria polymorpha is known to cause root rot disease in hardwood trees. In the present study, trees of the species Lannea coromandelica infected with X. polymorpha showed symptoms consistent with root rot disease and also presented with a soft rot decay pattern. Bright-field microscopy, Confocal Microscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed that fungal mycelia penetrated the S2 layer of the fiber wall while axial parenchyma was found to be relatively resistant without much visible damage. Occasionally, separation of the parenchyma adjacent to fiber occurred due to the dissolution of the compound middle lamella. Ray parenchyma cells showed several boreholes having irregular shapes and sizes. Enlargement of the pits in axial and ray parenchyma was present in all the samples investigated. Xylem fibers were the most susceptible cell type and developed several tunnels through the S2 layer. Tunnels formed in the S2 layer of the fiber wall by the mycelia showed L- and/or T-bending. The diameter of the tunnels started narrow, increasing in size as the tunnels extended into the S3 layer. In some instances, complete removal of the S3 layer and fusion of the tunnels with the fiber lumen appearing as U-shaped erosion troughs was observed. At the advanced stage of decay, extensive damage was observed in the vessel walls, leaving the middle lamella and wall layer facing the vessel lumen intact. In conclusion the anatomical characteristics observed in the present study suggests that X. polymopha is an aggressive saprobe with strong ligninolytic activity causing soft rot type 2 decay in the wood cell wall of Lannea coromandelica.
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Roadside barriers called as passive safety systems are presently produced from various materials such as steel, concrete, wood, and plastic. Existing roadside barriers have prioritized safety over aesthetics and environmental concerns. To this end, a new environmental barrier-the renewable hybrid barrier (RHB)-has been designed that can fulfill safety requirements as well as add value in terms of aesthetics. Sand is placed inside the barrier, and the barrier’s outer shell is covered by fir timber. A life cycle analysis was completed to ensure the sustainable production of RHBsand to better understand their environmental impacts. The amount of greenhouse gas emitted into nature during the production of RHB and steel and concrete barriers was calculated and compared. Our results showed that concrete and steel barrier production releases approximately 4.5 times more greenhouse gases than RHB production. The live biomass equivalent of the wood materials used in RHB production was also calculated. We found that RHBs sequestrated 45.94 kg-CO2eq. It is thought that more widespread use of RHBs can contribute positively to the environment and nature.
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Human wildlife conflicts are increasing globally around the globe. Effective human wildlife conflict management requires designing and conducting complex operations, which require complex operational plans. Human wildlife conflict management plans guide practitioners in the decision-making process when confronted with human wildlife conflict; however, there are currently no global standards for these plans. For this study, a selection of 32 conflict management plans were examined in terms of their structure and information presentation. The management plans ranged from 5 to 184 pages in length. Most plans were dominated by plain text, with varying degrees of visual richness. This study found that 10 key elements should be considered in conflict management plans to increase their operational effectiveness. Better human wildlife conflict management plans could positively contribute to human wildlife coexistence.
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In this paper, the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) algorithm was applied to estimate the current and potential distributions of cork oak (Quercus suber L.) in the Maarmora forest of Morocco to provide a basis for its conservation under climate change conditions in the Mediterranean basin. A total of 1,428 field-based spatial records of cork oak locations were used (altitude and 19 bioclimatic environmental variables) to model the potential distribution of the cork oak. The adjusted model had a good predictive quality (area under the curve=0.81). Precipitation during the wettest quarter of the year, seasonality in precipitation, altitude, and seasonal variations in temperature were the key factors determining the distribution of the cork oak in the Maamora forest. Most areas with currently suitable conditions for cork oak were located in the western and central Maamora forest regions, which enjoy a humid bioclimate and receive significant sea spray from the Atlantic Ocean. Moving away from the ocean, the humidity decreases, and the temperature increases, such that the cork oak faces difficulties in adapting and regenerating. The results can be used to identify the high-priority areas for cork oak restoration and conservation of this species against the expected impact of climate change.
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