Floristic Composition and Structure of Yegof Mountain Forest, South Wollo, Ethiopia

Floristic composition, population structure, and regeneration status of woody species of Dabal forest found in East Hararghe zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia, were studied. Vegetation data were obtained from 52 main plots of 20 × 20 m for mature woody species and 5 subplots of 5 × 5 m for seedlings and saplings. Density and dbh of each live woody plant species found in each sample plot were recorded. Frequency, basal area, importance value, and Shannon-Wiener diversity indices were also computed. Totally 59 woody plant species distributed in 33 families were documented. Of these, 45.80, 44.10, and 5.08% were shrubs, trees, and lianas, respectively. Species diversity and evenness indices were 3.56 and 0.87, respectively. Stem count of all woody species was 3379 stems ha-1. Out of this, 44.6, 30.8, and 24.59% were seedlings (dbh <3.5 cm), saplings (dbh between 3.5 and 10 cm), and mature (dbh >10 cm) individuals, respectively. Total basal area of all individuals with dbh ≥3.5 cm was 29.88 m2 ha-1. Juniperus procera, Cupressus lusitanica, Eucalyptus globulus, Afrocarpus falcatus, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Myrsine africana, Maytenus undata, Hagenia abyssinica, Ekebergia capensis, and Cordia africana were species with top ten IVI. Most of these species were top densest, dominant, and frequent. Analysis of population structure based on pooled densities of all species in each dbh class showed that density of seedling > sapling > mature individuals, signifying healthy population structure with good natural regeneration potential. On individual basis, however, 35.6 and 8.5% of species showed fair and poor regeneration statuses, respectively, that deserve attention for conservation.

The green peafowl (Pavo muticus) has been nominated an a globally threatened bird species (ICBP). It is protected bird in Indonesia and a new species as mentioned in the red data book (IUCN). The present distribution of the bird in Java is irregular and locally. A few information about the bird population and the data in many cases are not available. Research was conducted in Baluran national park, East java. it was aimed to obtaining the case of concusing method population size, structure and mx ratio of Java green peafowl. Three different methods were used: call count transect method, consentration count and capture mark recapture. Call count method with transect lines ir appropriate on consering of the green peafowl population from sample area indicating in relatively better related to the number (118 bird in 1200 ha). However, population structure was dominated by adult bird 70% - 80 %. The bird mx ratio was 1 male : females, indicated that bird lived in polygamous system.

Ethiopia harbour the Eastern afromontane and Horn of Africa hotspots of biodiversity. The general objective of this study was to investigate the floristic composition and diversity of species, the structure and the regeneration status of the Hurubu forest. Three parallel transects lines with 1 km length were systematically laid across the forest with an interval of 500 m in south to north direction. Thirty sample quadrants of 20 m × 20 m were placed along transects at an interval of 200 m for mature trees and shrubs, while for the purpose of seedling and sapling inventory, four sub-quadrants of 1 m × 1 m were laid at each corner of the main quadrant. A total of 32 woody species representing 25 families were recorded consisting of trees and shrubs. The lower storey consisted of all woody plant species, except Ekebergia capensis tree species. The middle storey consisted about 14.41 % of the tree species while the upper storey involved only 2.35 % of the total individual trees in the forest. The total basal area of woody plants in Hurubu forest was 90 m2 per ha. The three most important woody species with the highest IVI were Juniperus procera, Osyris quadripartite and Myrsine africana in decreasing order. The general regeneration status of the tree species of the study site was satisfactory at the community level showing a ‘fair’ regeneration status. Therefore, special conservation actions should be implemented for the poorly and not regenerating woody species of the forest.

Tigray is one of the most environmentally degraded regions in Ethiopia left with remnant natural vegetation. The purpose of this study was to assess the plant communities of Embahasti remnant forest in southern Tigray, Ethiopia. Vegetation data were collected from 40 sample quadrates placed in transect lines, which were systematically laid. All vascular plant species including herbs, shrubs, lianas, and trees in each quadrat were recorded. Hierarchical cluster analysis and Canonical Correspondence analysis (CCA) performed that used for plant community analysis. Shannon-Wiener diversity Index was also computed for ecological data analysis. All the above analysis was performed using R 3.4.1 version software. A total of 74 plant species belonging 44 families were found in the study area; shrubs and trees (70.27%) species were dominant. Solanaceae, Fabaceae and Lamiaceae were the dominant families in terms of species. Three plant communities identified from the forest, namely Olea europaea subsp. Cuspidata – Juniperus procera, Myrsine africana – Erica arborea, Acacia abyssinica – Dodonea angustifolia. The highest Shannon-wiener diversity index was 3.26 while the least was 2.29 found in community one and three, respectively. Altitude, Slope, Grazing and human impacts are the factors influencing species distribution. It is, therefore, based on the results of this study, detailed ecological studies in relation to various environmental factors such as soil type and properties, ethnobotanical studies to explore indigenous knowledge on the diverse uses of plants, and sound management and monitoring as well as maintenance of biodiversity that promote sustainable use of the forest is recommended.

This dataset is a shapefile representing the proportion of threatened endemic species (both plants and animals) in 247 countries along with associated environmental and socioeconomic drivers. The geographic coordinate system is World Geodetic System 1984 (EPSG: 4326). Information on a total of 65,125 endemic species including 27,294 globally threatened endemic species (55% threatened plant species, 45% threatened animal species) was extracted from the IUCN Red List. The categories of threatened species used in the analyses included vulnerable (VU), endangered (EN), critically endangered (CR), extinct in the wild (EW) and globally extinct (EX). We calculated the proportion of globally threatened endemic species among the total number of assessed endemic species per country (Chamberlain et al., 2020). Associated environmental socioeconomic regional correlates included: 1) Cropland: The proportion of each country covered by crops (including food, fibre and fodder crops and pasture grasses) was determined based on a FAO global map with a resolution of 5 arc-minutes (von Velthuizen et al., 2007); 2) HANPP: The proportion of net primary production appropriated by humans (HANPP) by harvesting or burning biomass and by converting natural ecosystems to managed lands with lower productivity was derived for the year 2010 from Krausmann et al. (2013); 3) Delta HANPP: We also computed the increase in HANPP over the period 1962-2010 (Krausmann et al., 2013); 4) per area GDP: The per area gross domestic product (GDP, in international $) was obtained by calculating the median value over each country of all 5 arcmin cells of a recently gridded GDP dataset (Kummu et al., 2018); 5) Human Footprint (HFP): The global terrestrial human footprint (HFP) is an index integrating the influence of built environments, population density, electric infrastructure, croplands, pasture lands, roads, railways, and navigable waterways on the environment based on remotely-sensed and bottom-up survey information (Venter et al., 2016). We extracted from a 1 km resolution HFP map the median value over each country in 2009; 6) Delta HFP: We also calculated the increase in median HFP over the period 1993-2009 (Venter et al., 2016); 7) Invasive alien plants: The richness of invasive alien vascular plant species recorded in each country was compiled by Essl et al. (2019); 8) Invasive alien animals: The richness of invasive alien animal species was derived from the Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species database (http://griis.org/ accessed on 27-6-2018); 9) Delta temperature: Based on decadal climate maps produced by the IPCC over the last century with a 0.5° resolution, we calculated the median of the change in annual mean temperature (in °C) between 1901-1910 and 1981-1990 (Mitchell & Jones, 2005); 10) Delta rainfall: The same for annual precipitation (in mm); 11) Velocity temperature: We also calculated the median velocity of climate change based on the formula from Hamann et al. (2015) to evaluate the distance (in °) over which a species must migrate over the surface of the earth to maintain constant temperature conditions; 12) Velocity rainfall: The same for precipitation; 13) Roadless areas: The median area of a roadless fragment (in km²) was calculated from the global map of roadless areas published by Ibisch et al. (2016); 14) Wilderness areas: The proportion of wildlands (categories ‘wild woodlands’ and ‘wild treeless and barren lands’) was calculated from the anthropogenic biome map of Ellis et al. (2010); 15) Protected areas: The proportion of protected areas was estimated from the IUCN’s shapefile of World Database on Protected Areas (https://www.iucn.org/theme/protected-areas/our-work/world-database-protected-areas); 16) Conservation spending: The mean annual conservation spending of each country (in international $) was taken from Waldron et al. (2017) to quantify investment to mitigate biodiversity loss; 17) Completeness of biodiversity information: We used data on the estimated percentage completeness of species records in GBIF, as assessed through comparison with independent estimates of native richness. Inventory effort indices available for vertebrates (Meyer et al., 2015) and vascular plants (Meyer et al., 2016) were merged into a single metric based upon an average weighted by estimated native species richness.

The population status of Osyris quadripartita (Africa sandalwood) is endangered in some places due to overexploitation for commercial values. The study aim was to assess distribution, association and structure at Arba Minch Zuria and Banna-Tsemay Districts, Southern Ethiopia. An inventory of species was carried out for determining the relative proportion of the selected woody species in communities. Systematic sampling was used to collect data from 62 quadrats (20 m x 20 m) established along transects. Woody species DBH of >2.5 cm and Height of >1.5 m were measured at each sampled plots. The result showed that 75 woody species from 29 families were recorded from both sites; Fabaceae (17%) and Combretaceae (12%) had the highest number of species. From five major plant community identified, Community type IV was highest in species richness while diversity and evenness were highest in community type III. Likewise, Osyris species highest richness was recorded in community IV. The stem density and DBH classes of the species showed the reversed J-shaped plots. But, basal area and regeneration status of the species showed Gaussian curve (Mayile site) and inverted J-shape (Shara site). The analysis results showed fair regeneration status, but high disturbance on matured trees. We conclude that current over harvesting of mature trees from parenttree influenced the regeneration status of species. If this unsustainable harvesting by local people continues, the capacity of the species to maintain its wild population is significantly reduced. Therefore, management and conservation strategies that incorporates to supporting the livelihood peoples under such environment.

The floristic composition and vegetation structure of Denkoro forest, South Wello Zone of Amhara Region, N. Ethiopia, were described during November–December, 2002. A total of 95 sample plots were analysed, and 174 species of vascular plants representing 66 families were recorded. Out of these, 41 species were new records reported for the first time from Wello. Eleven endemic species, which are included in the IUCN Red List categories, have been recorded. Based on the results of vegetation classification, six clusters were recognized and designated as local plant community types: 1) Erica arborea - Hypericum revolutum, 2) Myrsine melanophloeos - Dombeya torrida, 3) Myrsine africana – Maesa lanceolata – Prunus africana, 4) Olinia rochetiana – Olea europaea, 5) Olinia rochetiana – Allophylus abyssinicus – Apodytes dimidiata , and 6) Maytenus gracilipes – Teclea nobilis. Structural analysis of the forest showed the density of individuals > 10 cm DBH to be almost twice as that of individuals with DBH >20 cm. A higher proportion of woody individuals (ca. 65%) fell in the low height classes (i.e., SINET: Ethiopian Journal of Science Vol. 29(1) 2006: 45–56

Soil salinity in both coastal and inland, is known to affect vegetation structure and functions. Mangrove vegetation at Kala Oya estuary on the north western coast of Sri Lanka was selected to study the effect of soil salinity on structure, potential gross primary productivity and plant biomass of the ecosystems. Five belt-transects were laid perpendicular to the shoreline, covering 3.5 km upstream and approximately at 750 m intervals to collect data for the purpose. Vegetation structure was determined using data collected on plant species diversity, density, basal area, leaf area index and tree height. Biomass (total of above and below ground) of mangrove trees was estimated by allometric methods and potential gross primary productivity was calculated using leaf area index measured with terrestrial radiation sensor. Total of eight (8) true mangrove species were encountered in the area and highest density was recorded for Rhizophora mucronata (528 trees/ha), followed by Excoecaria agallocha (447 trees/ha) and Lumnitzera racemosa (405 trees/ha). Vegetation complexity index (CI), basal area, total tree biomass leaf area index and potential gross primary productivity measurements revealed an inverse correlation with soil salinity. Mangrove species were observed to possess varying salinity tolerance levels and Avicennia marina was the most salinity tolerant species, followed by Rhizophora mucronata, Ceriops tagal and Lumnitzera racemosa. Excoecaria agallocha was the least salt tolerant species in the area. Mangrove areas located around 2 km from the estuary mouth, where the soil salinity ranged from 8-12 mg/l, was observed to be with the highest species richness and diversity, indicating its’ ecological and conservation significance that may be considered in mangrove management decision-making for the area. Presence of a few species of terrestrial and freshwater plants among the mangroves indicates salinity changes that would have taken place due to trans-basin diversion of water to the area for irrigation purposes.

Biodiversity assessment and forest ecosystem are critical for species conservation. However, limited research had been done in Sierra Leone’s tropical forests. This research explores the feasibility between two different protected areas of forest. This was accomplished by comparing the forest status in terms of tree species composition, diameter at breast height of each tree (to assess basal area), tree species density, and species abundance. Systematic sampling design, with a total of 15 sampling plots each, were districted in both forest ecosystems. All tree species (dbh ≥ 10 cm) in every plot were classified and their height, diameter at breast height (dbh) and diameters at the top, middle and base were evaluated for Otamba Kilimi National Park (strictly protected) and Kangari Hills Forest Reserve. There were 180 individual trees belonging to 24 species in the National Park, and 155 individual trees belonging to 58 species in the Forest Reserve. The most abundant species in the Forest Reserve was Xylopia aethiopica with 25 species compared to the National Park, which was dominated by Spondias mombin with 35 individual species. The Forest Reserve had a higher Shannon-Wiener index (3.63) and evenness (0.89) than the National Park with Shannon-Wiener index (2.76) and evenness (0.87). The Forest Reserve had a higher basal area (33 m2 ha-1) and volume (741.32 m3 h-1) compared to the National Park with a basal area (12.42 m3 ha-1) and volume (184.42 m3 h-1). Results indicate that the Forest Reserve is a potential biodiversity hotspot compared to the National Park. We conclude that the National Park is of lower tree diversity than the Forest Reserve by a degree that probably varies depending on improved management strategies, reforestation measures such as seed regeneration and/or enrichment planting, which will facilitate the gradual return of complex forests. The information on tree species structure and composition can provide baseline information for biodiversity conservation of protected forests in the country.

The natural forest in Ethiopia has significant contribution to the ecological and economy of the country. The study was conducted at Dembeza natural forest to explore woody plant species diversity. Systematic and predetermined sampling method was followed to collect the inventory data. The main objective of the study was to undergo inventory of indigenous woody plant species, record regeneration status, determining floristic composition and list out the plant species which have threatened and need immediate conservation. The study was conducted during December to January 2021. A total of four transect and 40 plots were used to collect the inventory data. From the natural forest a total of 66 plant species belongs to 41 families were recorded. The life form distribution of this species was 2 (3.17%) herb, 4 (6.34%) liana, 41 (65.07%) shrub and 16 (25.39%) tree. Fabaceae was found the most species rich families comprising 7 (11.11%) also Lamiaceae and Celastraceae follow with the same 4 (6.34%). The variation of the species frequency ranges between 2.5- 85% showing high heterogeneity in species distribution. Among those Acacia lahai 2.5%, Ekebergia capensis 2.5% Apodytes dimidiata 5% held less in distribution while, Abutilon figarianum 22.5%, Acacia abyssinica 60%, Carissa spinarum 65% and Croton macrostachyus 85% are comparatively recorded high in frequently appearing or widely distributed woody plant species. The total seedling density per hectare of the forest was 6606.25, which have highest density in the forest were Juniperus procera (206.25), Acanthus sennii (218.75), Carissa spinarum (381.25), Myrsine africana (293.75), Calpurnia aurea (418.75) and top Croton macrostachyus (1375). While species which have lowest density were Acacia lahai, Acokanthera schimperi, Calusena anisata, Dovyalis abyssinica, Dodonaea angustifolia, Rhus glutinosa, Rosa abyssinica, Steganotaenia araliacea which mean species not recorded seedling during the inventory. The major factor recorded in the forest were browsing, cutting and logging. Minimizing human intervention, eradicating of invasive alien species and prevent forest disturbance should applied in Dembeza natural forest.

H. SIMBOLON & SUKENDAR. 1987. Vegetation and soil conditions of forest in Lelofui, Mount Mutis, Soe, East Nusa Tenggara. Suppl. Berita Biologi 3 : 6 - 10.Research on vegetation and soil conditions of forest in Lelofui, Mount Mutis, Soe East Nusa Tenggara has been done. The density of trees were 358 per nectar; height of canopies ranged between 25 m and 35 m with Eucalyptus urophylla as a dominance species.The relative basal area of E. urophylla was 72,82% which was greater than total basal area of remaining species.The others important species were Podocarpus imbricates, Ilex odorata and Acer niveum.The density of saplings were 708 per hectar.The dominant species of this sapling was Daphniphyllum laurinum with the relative basal area of 69,93% The height of sapling species were less then 10 m. The other important species of saplings were Scutellaria discolor and Acer niveum.The plot consisted of 17 species of trees and 9 species of saplings.This species composition was very small comparing to other tropical rain forests elsewhere.This small number of species composition is suggested not directly correlated with a soil fertility.Soil analisis form the plot showed that its properties was not so distinct from other tropical rain forest soil conditions.

Hammerhead sharks (Sphyrnidae) of southeast Queensland: habitat and movements

Tesso Nilo area which is located at Riau province covers an area of 188.00 ha. Recently, it is famous because of a sharply increased in encroachment activities for forest conversion, especially for oil palm plantations and village sites. It was conducted in logged forest around Segati river, Toro river, Mamahan river and Sawan river in June 2003. The results showed that the area had the high richness of plant species which was indicated by the high value of Mennhenick index. Records from the 1 ha studied plot identified a total of 360 species included 165 genera and 57 families with 215 tree species 305 sapling species. Some important tree species which were included in the Red List of IUCN were ‘gaharu’ (Aquilaria malaccensis), ‘ramin’ (Gonystylus bancanus), Shorea spp. and Dipterocarpus spp. The local community utilized 83 species of medicinal plants and 4 species of toxic plants for fishing. The total number of recorded bird species was 114 species represented 29% of the total Sumatran bird species. The most important bird species were the Wrinkled Hornbill (Aceros corrugatus), Crestless Fireback (Lophura erythrophthalma), Crested Fireback (Lophura ignita) and Hooked-billed Bulbul (Setornis criniger). The total number of recorded mammal species was 34 species or 16.5% of 206 species of Sumatran mammals. The most important mammal species included Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatrensis), the Sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) and three species of primates: Hylobates agilis, Presbytis femoralis and Macaca nemestrina. The herpetofauna contained 15 reptile species and 18 amphibian species. The most important herpetofauna was the endangered False Gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii) and the vulnerable Common Softshelled turtle (Amyda cartilaginea). The number of recorded fish species was 50 represented 18% of the total Sumatran fish species (272 species). The important fish species were Breinsteinea sp. and Chaca bankanensis which were unique and rare. Since insects are the largest group of animal, this study only focused on beetles. The identified beetles were classified into 644 species and 34 families. The important beetles were the Longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) and the Scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae).The small mammal parasites consisted of ectoparasites which were categorized into 14 species and endoparasites which were categorized into 2 orders and 3 species. Keywords: biodiversity, logged forest, richness, Sumatran tiger, Sumatran elephant

The Wdzydzki Landscape Park lies in the Tuchola Forests which are among the areas of key importance for conservation of dragonflies in Poland. In the years 2002–2009, 55 dragonfly species were recorded in the park and its buffer zone. Lakes and Sphagnum bogs housed the highest species richness. Among the recorded species, one is included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, two in the European Red List, two in the Polish Red List, ten species legally protected in Poland and ten “umbrella species”. Peatbog lakes and Sphagnum bogs were most important for conservational issues. Dragonfly fauna of the studied area is among the species-richest in Poland. Its conservation value is high due to occurrence of stenotopic species, its importance for the conservation of rare and endangered species as well as for maintenance of odonatocoenoses typical of a range of natural waters. It results mostly from the forest coverage and high richness, variety and good ecological state of the surface waters. Interesting from the zoogeographical point of view was development of some thermophilic species in the lake littoral. It may be an indication of changes in thermal regime of surface waters, related to climate warming.

Although aquatic beetles are one of the most diverse groups significantly contributing to species diversity in freshwaters, their occurrence and distribution has been studied very poorly in mid-western Poland. Consequently, our knowledge about the current aquatic beetle species richness and habitat preferences is still scarce in large parts of this region. To close this knowledge gap, we investigated a selected area of approximately 500 km2 in the south-western part of the Lubuskie Province, part of the Wielkopolsko-Kujawska Lowland, to obtain the richness of total, protected, endangered and rare species of aquatic beetles, as well as to analyse their diversity and ecological groups in representative habitats. For the study, 70 sampling sites representing ditches (5 localities), streams (4), rivers (13), small water bodies in open landscapes (7) and in forests (6), temporary (8) and permanent (7) fish ponds, lakes (4), fens (1), peat bogs (13) and marshes (2) were investigated from April to September 2011. In total, 115 species, including 10 protected by law or/and listed on the Polish Red List, as well as 11 rare and local in Poland species were found in the study area. Among them special attention should be paid to Macroplea appendiculata – a recently-discovered for the Wielkopolsko-Kujawska Lowland and critically endangered in Poland species as well as Rhantus incognitus – an endangered and rare species in Poland. The most frequent species was Hyphydrus ovatus (34.3% of sites), whereas 29 species, mostly stenotopic specialists, were recorded in only one site. Eurytopes and tyrphophiles were both present in each habitat type. Further, the most diverse habitats were temporary ponds containing 7 groups of stenotopes, whereas in streams only 2 groups were found. On average, the most species rich habitats were permanent ponds (median = 11 species) and bogs (11), but the highest species numbers were found in a temporary pond (44 species) and in a small water body in open landscape (42). The lowest species richness was found in streams (maximum 4 species per site). According to an evaluation of habitat types based on protected, threatened and rare species, the most important were permanent and temporary ponds in the forested, water-rich parts of the study area. In agriculturally dominated parts, however, small rivers and occasionally small water bodies were of high importance for rare species. We conclude that the species richness and abundance of protected, endangered and rare species are high in the study area in comparison to other parts of Poland. The most important habitats in terms of high diversity of aquatic beetles are predominantly permanent fish ponds and bogs, whereas permanent and temporary fish ponds play a key role for the high content of rare and protected species in the area.