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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In this study, the resistivity of Ten Nigerian hardwood trees to fungi and subterranean termites was evaluated through visual and percentage weight loss using standard procedures in the Nigerian Guinea Savannah. The experimental samples were prepared from heartwood and sapwood portions of the species. Fungal decay resistance tests were conducted according to the ASTM D 2017-81 standard method using two fungi species, Lentinus sajor-caju (Fr.) Fries. (white rot fungi) and Sclerotium rolfsii (Curzi) C.C. Tu & Kimbr. (teleomorph) (brown rot fungi). The wood specimens were also exposed to subterranean termites to determine their weight loss due to attack. After exposure, the species were grouped into durability classes based on the weight loss due to resistance of the heartwood to the selected biodeteriorating agents. Lannea welwitschii, Vitellaria paradoxa, Afzelia africana, Albizia zygia, and Syzygium guineense were found to be resistant to both fungi. Khaya ivorensis and Isoberlinia doka were highly resistant to S. rolfsii, and Vernonia colorata was highly resistant to L. sajor-caju. L. welwitschii and Irvingia gabonensis were nonresistant to termite attack unlike their resistance to both fungi, but Anogeissus leiocarpa was highly resistant unlike its moderate resistance to the fungi. K. ivorensis and I. doka were highly resistant to all the biodeteriorating agents. K. ivorensis was ranked best, whereas I. gabonensis was ranked lowest, in terms of their resistance against decay. K. ivorensis showed the highest resistance against ter-mite attack, whereas L. welwitschii and I. gabonensis were nonresistant to termite attack. In general, K. ivorensis exhibited the best natural durability against the selected biodeteriorating agents.
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Based on a 41-year-long (1978-2018) ring-width chronology (RWI), we have determined the main climate variables affecting the radial growth of Oriental beech trees (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) and the correlation coefficients between RWI and the streamflow drought index (SDI) of the Kocaırmak River in northwestern Turkey. Higher average maximum temperatures (Tmax) in June caused decreased radial growth (r = -.34, p < .05), whereas higher total precipitation (Prep) in the same month caused increased radial growth (r = .29, p < .05). Moreover, the mean and minimum temperatures (Tmean and Tmin) in December of the previous year caused increased radial growth (r = .27 and .32, respectively, p < .05). Compared to Period 1 (1978-1996), there was a significant relationship between RWI and climate variables (Prep and Tmax in June and Tmean and Tmin in December) for Period 2 (1997–2015). Moreover, significant correlations were obtained for February (r = .41, p < .05), June (r = .51, p < .01), and August (r = .44, p < .05) between RWI and SDI1 (1-month SDI), which indicates that radial growth was reduced in the years with negative SDI1 values in February, June, and August. Similarly, significant correlations between RWI and SDI3 (3-month SDI) for July–September (r = .51, p < .05) and June– August (r =.57, p < .01) indicated the reduced radial growth in the years with negative SDI3 values.
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This study quantified carbon in tree biomass and soil in the coastal afforestation sites of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. It estimated that the total biomass density of Avicennia alba, Avicennia officinalis, Casuarina equisetifolia, and Sonneratia apetala were 225.81 ± 13.85, 56.07 ± 9.21, 320.39 ± 20.84 and 179.82 ± 4.69 tha-1, respectively, with mean annual increment of 9.82 ± .60, 7.01 ± 1.15, 32.07 ± 1.63 and 7.82 ± .2 tha-1, respectively. Furthermore, the total biomass carbon of A. alba, A. officinalis, C. equisetifolia, and S. apetala were 112.90 ± 6.92, 28.03 ± 4.61, 160.19 ± 10.42 and 89.91 ± 2.34 tCha-1, respectively, with mean annual increment of 4.91 ± .30, 3.51 ± .58, 16.04 ± .81 and 3.91 ± .10 tCha-1yr-1, respectively. The soil organic carbon stock was the highest in the A. alba plantation (12.45 ± .20 tCha-1 at 10 cm depth and 37.33 ± .61 tCha-1 at 30 cm depth). On the contrary, the soil carbon stock in the C. equisetifolia stands were the lowest at both soil depths (4.43 ± .20 at 10 cm depth and 13.30 ± .61 tCha-1 at 30 cm depth). However, the total carbon, which includes that of the tree biomass and soil, was the highest at both soil depths in the C. equisetifolia stands (164.63 ± 10.58 tCha-1 and 173.49 ± 10.90 tCha-1), and the lowest in the A. officinalis stands. The present study concludes that C. equisetifolia stands have enormous potential to mitigate climate change in the coastal areas of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The findings of the study will expedite the research and policymaking on climate change mitigation in Bangladesh.
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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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Urbanization is one of the strongest negative effects on vegetational change within and around a city. In this study, it is aimed to determine the flora and vegetational changes within and around the city based on the identification and mapping of the biotopes which show differences in terms of ecologic factors met in Gurun district center and its vicinity and which are suitable for Corine biotope classification. First, 13 main biotope types are classified. In the biotopes, total 666 plant taxa were identified, 84 of which were endemic. Vegetation of the biotopes was determined, and then similarity levels of main biotopes are calculated according to the similarity coefficient method of Sorensen. Accordingly, while the similar areas are health facilities and agricultural areas the most different ones are parks and sports areas and drainage areas. The results emphasize the similarity levels of vegetation in biotopes and the negative effect of human intervention in the study area. As a result, with its rich natural structure, vegetation covers and endemism rate, the district of Gurun has significant natural biotopes and it is suggested that biotope classification should be considered in determining vegetation change and urban planning.
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The aim of this study was to determine the species used in road planting in Trabzon, Turkey, and to reveal the opinion of the city population on this subject. The research method was designed in two stages. During the first stage, the three most important routes in the city of Trabzon were examined, and the plant species used in roadside spaces and traffic islands were determined. In the second stage, a survey was conducted with the users to reveal their opinions about roadside landscapes. A total of 109 plant taxa/76 genera in the first route, 83 plant taxa/64 genera in the second route, and 73 plant taxa/56 genera in the third route were identified. Consequently, a total of 118 plant taxa/81 genera were determined in all three areas. In the survey, a total of 18 questions were asked, and the degree of their implementation in these areas was investigated. In conclusion, the analysis of the required benefits for the three routes demonstrated that there were no significant differences between them. It can be said that the focus of the study was to determine whether there were significant differences between the identified three routes based on the planting design benefits they offer.
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