Forests In Coastal Areas Research Articles

Salinity Tolerance in Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl.: Seed Emergence in Field and Germination Trials

The effect of salinity on seed germination/emergence in narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) was studied both under field and laboratory conditions, in order to detect critical values to NaCl exposure. Research Highlights: Novel statistical methods in germination ecology has been applied (i) to determine the effects of chilling length and salinity (up to 150 mM NaCl) on Fraxinus angustifolia subsp. oxycarpa seed emergence, and (ii) to estimate threshold limits treating germination response to salinity as a biomarker. Background and Objectives: Salinity cut values at germination stage had relevant interest for conservation and restoration aims of Mediterranean floodplain forests in coastal areas subjected to salt spray exposure and/or saline water introgression. Results: Salinity linearly decreased germination/emergence both in the field and laboratory tests. Absence of germination was observed at 60 mM NaCl in the field (70–84 mM NaCl depending on interpolation model) and at 150 mM NaCl for 4-week (but not for 24-week) chilling. At 50 mM NaCl, germination percentage was 50% (or 80%) of control for 4-week (or 24-week) chilling. Critical values for salinity were estimated between freshwater and 50 (75) mM NaCl for 4-week (24-week) chilling by Bayesian analysis. After 7-week freshwater recovery, critical cut-off values included all tested salinity levels up to 150 mM NaCl, indicating a marked resumption of seedling emergence. Conclusions: Fraxinus angustifolia is able to germinate at low salinity and to tolerate temporarily moderate salinity conditions for about two months. Prolonged chilling widened salinity tolerance.

Notes on the biology of the threatened Island ThrushTurdus poliocephalus xanthopusin New Caledonia

SummaryThree subspecies of Island ThrushTurdus poliocephaluswere historically found in New Caledonia. All these subspecies were considered extinct until 1978, whenT. p. xanthopuswas rediscovered on two small islands, Néba (∼ 3.5 km2) and Yandé (∼ 13 km2). On Néba, we estimated the population at 44–58 individuals. This Island Thrush population is dependent on the coastal forest, the richest habitat for invertebrates. However, the coastal forest habitat has been degraded in quality and extent. The Island Thrush forages in the litter by removing leaves with its bill. Fruits (diameter < 10 mm), picked from trees and swallowed whole, are also a significant component of its diet. Néba and Yandé are currently free of two nest predator species, the black ratRattus rattusand the New Caledonian CrowCorvus moneduloides. On Néba, a low breeding success rate of 15.4% was found. To ensure conservation of these relict thrush populations, two actions at least should be implemented: setting up a biosecurity programme to keep islands free of black rats and increasing the area of coastal forest. The latter could be done by cutting down coconut trees in abandoned groves and planting tree species used by the Island Thrush to provide shade, fruits, good leaf litter, and nest support.

The Diversity of Soil Macrofauna on Agroforestry Teak (Tectona grandis) and Polynesian Arrowroot (Tacca leontopetaloides)

Teak and polynesian arrowroot is a new pattern of agroforestry to support food security of communities around forests in coastal areas. The presence of polynesian arrowroot under teak stands is not only expected to be food sources but also to provide ecological benefits for biodiversity, especially soil macrofauna. The study aims is to determine the diversity of soil macrofauna in teak and polynesia arrowroot agroforestry patterns. The study was conducted in Garut Regency in April 2017. The method used in this study was monolithic technique and analyzed by calculating diversity and richness index. The object was an agroforestry demonstration plot with three polynesia arrowroot spacings under 7-years-old teak stand and monoculture teak. The results showed that there were 5 soil macrofaunas in teak and polynesian arrowroot agroforestry which are from five families and five orders. The dominance order was coleoptera with Important Value Index (IVI) = 133.93% -157.78% and opisthophora with IVI = 103.51%. The diversity and richness of soil macrofauna in teak and polynesian arrowroot agroforestry patterns is low (H '= 0.28-0.55; R' = 0.87-1.48). Although agroforestry cultivation is carried out intensively, there is no difference in the diversity of soil macrofauna when compared to teak monoculture.

Rapid Coastal Forest Decline in Florida’s Big Bend

Coastal ecosystems throughout the world are increasingly vulnerable to degradation as a result of accelerating sea-level rise and saltwater intrusion, more frequent and powerful extreme weather events, and anthropogenic impacts. Hardwood swamp forests in the Big Bend region of Florida’s Gulf of Mexico coast (USA) are largely devoid of the latter, but have degraded rapidly since the turn of the 21st Century. Photographs of the forest, collected on the ground since 2009, were used to guide an analysis of a 60 km2 study area using satellite images. The images confirm that the coastal forest area declined 0.60% from 1982 to 2003, but degraded rapidly, by 7.44%, from 2010 to 2017. The forest declined most rapidly along waterways and at the coastal marsh–forest boundary. Additional time series of aerial-photographs corroborated the onset of degradation in 2010. Degradation continued through 2017 with no apparent recovery. Previous research from the area has concluded that increased tidal flooding and saltwater intrusion, of the coastal plain, represent a chronic stress driving coastal forest decline in this region, but these drivers do not explain the abrupt acceleration in forest die-off. Local tide gage data indicate that sea-level rise is 2 mm yr−1 and accelerating, while meteorological data reveal at least two short-term cold snap events, with extreme temperatures exceeding the reported temperature threshold of local vegetation (−10 °C) between January 2010 and January 2011, followed by more extremes in 2016. The Big Bend hardwood forest experienced acute cold snap stress during the 2010–2017 period, of a magnitude not experienced in the previous 20 years, that compounded the chronic stress associated with sea-level rise and saltwater intrusion. This and other coastal forests can be expected to suffer further widespread and lasting degradation as these stresses are likely to be sustained.

Estimation of Tsunami Inundation and Disaster Mitigation in Bulukumba, Indonesia

The study aims to determine the potential of earthquake that could lead to tsunamis in the Flores Sea. Furthermore, based on the potential of earthquake magnitude, can be known high run-up of tsunami in the southern coastal region of Bulukumba regency. The height run-up of tsunami can show the vulnerability of tsunami impact and eects spatially based on the eect of land function in the southern coastal area of Bulukumba Regency. To plan an eective mitigation scenario in the southern coastal area of Bulukumba Regency can be based on the vulnerability of tsunami impacts and eects. This study uses secondary data consisting of three data. The condition of land function and the density of community infrastructure is obtained basedon RTRW data of Bulukumba District and Satellite Bing Maps image data; historical data of earthquake events inthe Flores Sea from 1927 to 2016 from the USGS site, and BMKG; as well as topographic data. Field check activityon land function condition is done as a form of conformity of secondary data. The results showed that the potential of seismicity in the Flores Sea is high, with magnitude (M 7 SR) potentially causing tsunamis around it, not least Bulukumba Regency, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. The area of tsunami inundation in Bulukumba Regency is 13.617 km2. The coastal area of Ujungbulu sub-district is a dense residential area that has the highest risk to the tsunami with an estimated 3,331 km2 inundation. Land cover in Bontotiro sub-district dominated by vegetation with kerapatandengan interval distance of more than 3 m is seen able to reduce the tsunami with a height of 17 m and 25 m. Tsunami disaster mitigation scenario in Bulukumba regency is to make coastal area as conservation area of coastal forest (mangrove plant) that function as green belt of tsunamiwave holder.

ECOLOGICAL NICHE MODELING AND AN UPDATED GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION MAP OF Leptodactylus notoaktites HEYER, 1978 (ANURA, LEPTODACTYLIDAE) WITH A NEW OCCURRENCE RECORD

Leptodactylus notoaktites Heyer, 1978 (Anura, Leptodactylidae) is a Neotropical frog that can be found in open areas, forest edges, and inside forest clearings in southern Brazil. In this study, we present an updated distribution map of this species for a variety of vegetation types in the Atlantic Rain Forest and report a new occurrence record in the Alto Parana Atlantic Forests. We also performed an Ecological Niche Modeling (ENM) which combined environmental variables with occurrence records to predict environmentally suitable areas for this species. Our study was based on published data, specimens collected in the field, and specimens from Brazilian herpetological collections. The ENM predicted high environmental suitability ranging from Sao Paulo, Parana, and Rio Grande do Sul states, mainly in Serra do Mar Coastal Forest areas, while the lowest values were in the states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul and some inland regions in the states of Sao Paulo and Parana. Based on the distribution of L. notoaktites , we suggest that field efforts should be extended to inland regions of the Atlantic Rain Forest. In fact, species restricted to coastal regions of the Atlantic Rain Forest could have larger ranges than expected if data from such inland regions was available.

Potential impacts of the Sunderban mangrove degradation on future coastal flooding in Bangladesh

The coastal areas of Bangladesh are recognized by the United Nations (UN) as the most vulnerable areas in the world to tropical cyclones and also the sixth most vulnerable country to floods around the world. Cyclone Sidr (2007) was one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in Bangladesh causing nearly 10,000 deaths and $1.7 billion damage. During cyclone Sidr, mangrove forests in coastal areas played a crucial role in the mitigation of these deadly effects. Sunderban mangrove, the world’s largest mangrove ecosystem with 7900 sq. miles, forms the seaward frontier of the bay and is now facing significant degradation. The Sunderban mangrove ecosystem is increasingly being degraded for a variety of purposes such as agriculture, fishing, farming and settlement. In this study, we evaluate the potential impacts from the degradation of the Sunderban mangrove on storm surge flooding. We evaluate two hypothetical and extreme scenarios: 1) the conversion of the entire mangrove land cover to an estuarine forested wetland; and 2) by considering a full degradation scenario where the entire mangrove is converted to grassland. To quantify the benefits of the mangrove forests to attenuate storm surge in this area, we applied a framework combining a spatial characterization of mangroves vegetation with numerical simulations. Storms surge was calculated using a hydrodynamic model (ADCIRC) coupled with wave model (SWAN) under a High Performance Computing environment. An unstructured numerical mesh with 200,000 nodes was developed and validated along with the coupled SWAN+ADCIRC model at six separate locations in the Bangladesh coast using Cyclone Sidr (2007) meteorological inputs. Twenty-seven model simulations were performed considering nine cyclones of different categories to quantify the effects of mangrove degradation on spatial flood inundation and storm surge magnitude. Simulation results showed that, on average, the mangroves degradation to grassland could raise the surge elevation as high as 57% and had a significant impact on increasing the velocity of the flood wave by up to 2730% for category 3 cyclones. In addition, the inundation inland penetration and total flooded area would increase almost 10km and 18% respectively for low intensity cyclones. Furthermore, these hypothetical scenarios support the importance of the existing Sunderban mangrove in the reduction of surge elevation, velocity, inundation penetration and flooded area. More importantly, it also demonstrates how the continuous degradation of this important ecosystem has the potential to adversely impact the future cyclone induced hazards in the region.

Future changes in climatic water balance determine potential for transformational shifts in Australian fire regimes

Most studies of climate change effects on fire regimes assume a gradual reorganization of pyrogeographic patterns and have not considered the potential for transformational changes in the climate-vegetation-fire relationships underlying continental-scale fire regimes. Here, we model current fire activity levels in Australia as a function of mean annual actual evapotranspiration (E) and potential evapotranspiration (E0), as proxies for fuel productivity and fuel drying potential. We distinguish two domains in space according to the dominant constraint on fire activity being either fuel productivity (PL-type fire) or fuel dryness (DL-type fire) and show that the affinity to these domains is related to fuel type. We propose to assess the potential for transformational shifts in fire type from the difference in the affinity to either domain under a baseline climate and projected future climate. Under the projected climate changes potential for a transformational shift from DL- to PL-type fire was predicted for mesic savanna woodland in the north and for eucalypt forests in coastal areas of the south–west and along the Continental Divide in the south–east of the continent. Potential for a shift from PL- to DL-type fire was predicted for a narrow zone of eucalypt savanna woodland in the north–east.

Rhynchosia velutina, a Critically Endangered Legume Crop Wild Relative in Sri Lanka

A small population of Rhynchosia velutina Wight & Arn. was found in an unprotected coastal forest area, immediately south of Wilpattu National Park in the Puttalam District, during a recent Environment Impact Assessment of a site earmarked for development. This species was a legume crop wild relative known in Sri Lanka from only two previous collections in 1932 and 1973 from two protected areas in the south eastern coastal forests. The species is very rare and considered critically endangered in Sri Lanka. This new finding is the only record of this species in the west coast of Sri Lanka and therefore this location should be regarded as a refugium as it lies outside protected areas. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v43i1.7284 Ceylon Journal of Science (Bio. Sci.) 43(1): 147-150, 2014

Land cover and land use change related to shrimp farming in coastal areas of Quang Ninh, Vietnam using remotely sensed data

Rapid development of shrimp farming may lead to unrecognized and undesirable changes of land cover/land use patterns in coastal areas. Of special concern is the loss of mangrove forest in coastal areas such as Quang Ninh, Vietnam, which is adjacent to the World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay. Understanding the status and changes of land cover/land use for coastal shrimp farms and mangrove forests can support environmental protection and decision-making for sustainable development in coastal areas. Within this context, this paper uses the 1999/2001 Landsat ETM+ and the 2008 ALOS AVNIR-2 imagery to investigate the contraction and expansion of shrimp farms and mangrove forests in coastal areas of Ha Long and Mong Cai, which now have a high concentration of intensive and semi-intensive shrimp farms. Images were separately analyzed and classified before using post-classification comparisons to detect land cover/land use changes in the study area. The results of this study found that the area of mangrove forest has been reduced by an estimated 927.5 ha in Ha Long and 1,144.4 ha in Mong Cai, while shrimp farming areas increased by an estimated 1,195.9 and 1,702.5 ha, respectively, over the same period. The majority of shrimp farms in Mong Cai were established at the expense of mangrove forest (49.4 %) while shrimp farms in Ha Long were mainly constructed on areas previously occupied by bare ground (46.5 %) and a significant proportion also replaced mangroves (23.9 %). The remarkable rate of mangrove loss and shrimp farming expansion detected in this study, over a relatively short time scale indicate that greater awareness of environmental impacts of shrimp farm expansion is required if this industry is to be sustainable, the important estuarine and coastal marine ecosystems are to be protected over the long term, and the capturing and storing of carbon in mangrove systems are to be enhanced for global climate change mitigation and for use as carbon offsets.

Impact of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami on Beach Morphology Along the Northern Sendai Coast

At 14:46 JST on March 11, 2011 a magnitude 9.0 earthquake (2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami) occurred off the Pacific Coast of Miyagi Prefecture. This study investigated the extensive changes in beach morphology due to the earthquake and tsunami along the 15 km Northern Sendai Coast using remotely sensed data. The remote sensing analysis on the beach topography and coastal forest demonstrated the following notable characteristics of beach morphological change: erosion of the northern barrier at the mouths of the Nanakitagawa and Natorigawa Rivers; erosion at an old river channel; scour landward of the seawalls in the longshore direction; erosion and deposition in beach areas with detached breakwaters; and deposition in coastal forest areas. Linkage of the deposition in the forest areas with the damage type of coastal forests was observed. The impact of the earthquake and tsunami on the beach morphology was serious; roughly 60% of the study area was degraded by 0.2–0.5 m in elevation mainly due to land subsidence, and a total of 0.4 km2 of beach area was eroded mainly due to erosion of the northern barrier at the mouths of the Nanakitagawa and Natorigawa Rivers. This study explores the geographical changes brought on by a tremendous earthquake and tsunami, which will help to elucidate the mechanisms of coastal forest destruction, beach erosion, and their interaction during tsunami events.

Citologia vaginal de preguiça-de-coleira (Bradypus torquatus)

As preguiças-de-coleira (Bradypus torquatus) são mamíferos arborícolas da família Bradypodidae. Podem ser encontradas nos trechos de Mata Atlântica do Brasil e a maior diversidade genética de suas populações ocorre em matas do sul da Bahia. A observação desses animais na natureza é muito difícil, pois passam a maior parte da vida escondidos no denso emaranhado das copas, por isso, dados sobre aspectos reprodutivos são escassos e não existem informações sobre ciclo estral dessa espécie. Este trabalho teve por objetivo identificar as células do epitélio vaginal da preguiça-de-coleira (Bradypus torquatus) como forma de viabilizar o uso dessa técnica para estudar as fases do ciclo estral desses animais. As amostras para citologia vaginal foram obtidas de quatro preguiças de coleira que habitavam áreas de Mata Atlântica do sul da Bahia. Após captura manual do animal, procedeu-se a coleta de material biológico, introduzindo uma escova ginecológica estéril, na comissura dorsal da vulva. Para cada amostra foram feitos dois esfregaços rotacionando a extremidade da escova sobre cada lâmina de vidro, fazendo-se em geral três impressões lineares. O esfregaço foi imediatamente corado pelo método Panótico rápido (Laborclin®). Nas preguiças BT033, BT065 e BT042 foi possível identificar respectivamente 30%, 33% e 7% de células parabasais (PB); 56%, 22% e 10% de células intermediárias pequenas (IP); 6%, 18% e 6% de células intermediárias grandes (IG); 2%, 13% e 24% de células superficiais nucleadas (SN); 6%, 14% e 53% de células superficiais anucleadas (SA). Na preguiça BT464 foi possível fazer duas coletas com intervalo de 13 meses. Os dados da primeira e segunda coleta foram, respectivamente: 6% e 17,5 de células PB, 5% e 25% de células IP, 11% e 15,5% de células IG, 8% e 19,5% de células SN e 70% e 22,5% de células SA. Enfatiza-se que as porcentagens de células do epitélio vaginal variaram entre indivíduos e também na mesma preguiça. Isto sugere que a citologia vaginal possa ser uma ferramenta de avaliação do ciclo estral em preguiça-de-coleira.

Sea‐level rise and drought interactions accelerate forest decline on the Gulf Coast of Florida, USA

AbstractSea‐level rise threatens low‐lying coastal ecosystems globally. In Florida, USA, salinity stress due to increased tidal flooding contributes to the dramatic and well documented decline of species‐rich coastal forest areas along the Gulf of Mexico. Here, we present the results of a study of coastal forest stand dynamics in thirteen 400 m2 plots representing an elevation gradient of 0.58–1.1 m affected by tidal flooding and rising sea levels. We extended previously published data from 1992–2000 to 2005 to quantify the full magnitude of the 1998–2002 La Niña‐associated drought. Populations of the dominant tree species, Sabal palmetto (cabbage palm), declined more rapidly during 2000–2005 than predicted from linear regressions based on the 1992–2000 data. Dramatic increases in Juniperus virginiana (Southern red cedar) and S. palmetto mortality during 2000–2005 as compared with 1995–2000 are apparently due to the combined effects of a major drought and ongoing sea‐level rise. Additionally, coastal forest stands continued to decline in species richness with increased tidal flooding frequency and decreasing elevation. Stable isotope (H, O) analyses demonstrate that J. virginiana accesses fresher water sources more than S. palmetto. Carbon isotopes reveal increasing δ13C enrichment of S. palmetto and J. virginiana with increased tidal flooding and decreased elevation, demonstrating increasing water stress in both species. Coastal forests with frequent tidal flooding are unable to support species‐rich forests or support regeneration of the most salt‐tolerant tree species over time. Given that rates of sea‐level rise are predicted to increase and periodic droughts are expected to intensify in the future due to global climate change, coastal forest communities are in jeopardy if their inland retreat is restricted.

Discovery and enumeration of Swahilian Coastal Forests in Lindi region, Tanzania, using Landsat TM data analysis

The Swahilian Coastal Forests in eastern Africa are recognised to be a globally important habitat containing large numbers of endemic species, yet are still poorly known over much of their extent. Floristic diversity and endemism in these forests appears to peak in SE Tanzania, where only a few forests have hitherto been surveyed. We carried out a digital analysis of Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data to identify other potential areas of Coastal Forest in Lindi and Kilwa Districts, SE Tanzania, followed by a field survey to ground truth and fine-tune our analysis. Our analysis has identified, mapped and sub-classified all remaining areas of Coastal Forest in Lindi and Kilwa Districts, and includes the discovery of a large and hitherto undescribed area of Coastal Forest at Namatimbili, which would make it one of the largest known blocks of contiguous Coastal Forest in eastern Africa. This forest furthermore appears to be minimally impacted by human disturbance. Given the rapidly increasing threats to forested vegetation in this area, urgent efforts are required by the conservation community to ensure the immediate and continued protection of Namatimbili forest.

Density and population estimates of Amani Sunbird Anthreptes pallidigaster in Kenya's Arabuko-Sokoke Forest

The Arabuko-Sokoke Forest (ASF) is the largest area of coastal forest remaining in East Africa. However, encroachment and habitat degradation threaten the existence of many plant and animal species, including the East African endemic Amani Sunbird Anthreptes pallidigaster. The aim of this study was to arrive at an estimate of population size for Amani Sunbirds within the ASF. Forty transects were surveyed over 3 months in 1999. The total length of all transects was 63.572 km. In total, 103 Amani Sunbirds were detected at an estimated density of 36.6 birds/km2. Thus with a total area of 77 km2, the Brachystegia woodland of the ASF should hold about 2,818 Amani Sunbirds. This estimate is much lower than the 5,800–9,400 birds estimated by Britton and Britton (1978). While it is possible that their estimate was inaccurate, the apparent decline in the population could be due to natural population fluctuations. Habitat degradation is another possible cause, as illegal logging and tree-felling continue in and around the ASF. Since the majority of the local people around the ASF are farmers, there is little concern for the welfare of the forest, especially when they see few benefits stemming from conserving the resource. Future funding towards the conservation of the ASF should focus on (1) setting up a consistent monitoring programme that will provide further population estimates for endangered species such as Amani Sunbird, and (2) ensuring that local people get some benefit.

Estimation of Mediterranean forest transpiration and photosynthesis through the use of an ecosystem simulation model driven by remotely sensed data

ABSTRACTAim This paper investigates the use of an ecosystem simulation model, FOREST‐BGC, to estimate the main ecophysiological processes (transpiration and photosynthesis) of Mediterranean coastal forest areas using remotely sensed data.Location Model testing was carried out at two protected forest sites in central Italy, one of which was covered by Turkey oak (Circeo National Park) and the other by holm‐oak (Castelporziano Estate).Methods At both sites, transpiration and photosynthesis measurements were collected in the field during the growing seasons over a four‐year period (1999 and 2001 for the Turkey oak; 1997, 1999 and 2000 for the holm‐oak). Calibration of the model was obtained through combining information derived from ground measurements and remotely sensed data. In particular, remote sensing estimates of the Leaf Area Index derived from 1 × 1‐km NOAA AVHRR Normalized Difference Vegetation Index data were used to improve the adaptation of the model to local forest conditions.Results The results indicated different strategies regarding water use efficiency, ‘water spending’ for Turkey oak and ‘water saving’ for holm‐oak. The water use efficiency for the holm‐oak was consistently higher than that for the Turkey oak and the relationship between VPD and WUE for the holm‐oak showed a higher coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.9238). Comparisons made between the field measurements of transpiration and photosynthesis and the model estimates showed that the integration procedure used for the deciduous oak forest was effective, but that there is a need for further studies regarding the sclerophyllous evergreen forest. In particular, for Turkey oak the simulations of transpiration yielded very good results, with errors lower than 0.3 mm H2O/day, while the simulation accuracy for photosynthesis was lower. In the case of holm‐oak, transpiration was markedly overestimated for all days considered, while the simulations of photosynthesis were very accurate.Main conclusions Overall, the approach offers interesting operational possibilities for the monitoring of Mediterranean forest ecosystems, particularly in view of the availability of new satellite sensors with a higher spatial and temporal resolution, which have been launched in recent years.

The ethnobotany of the Midzichenda tribes of the coastal forest areas in Kenya: 1. General perspective and non-medicinal plant uses

The coastal forests of Kenya represent a rare and threatened forest type, rich in biodiversity, with an estimated flora of over 3 000 plant taxa, of which about 550 taxa are endemic. The existing forest patches include sacred kaya forests, which are the historical forest village homes of Midzichenda tribes. Living in the kaya forest villages, the Midzichenda have had diverse experiences over generations, giving rise to a rich traditional knowledge of plants. This paper presents some of this traditional knowledge of plants among three Midzichenda tribes: Duruma, Giriama and Digo. The plant resources found in the forest areas are significantly important to the Midzichenda for basic domestic needs, cultural obligations and to understand their natural environment. In addition some forest plant resources are traded at a low scale by some members of the community. The plant usage is based on 'fitness' for purpose, as well as on traditional virtues (faith, traditions and taboos) in the Midzichenda social system. There is a significant relationship between utility and labelling of plant taxa, but utility is not the only basis used in the traditional plant classification. Some traditional preparation procedures of plants for usage are important and can be justified by orthodox science.

The ethnobotany of the Midzichenda tribes of the coastal forest areas in Kenya: 2. Medicinal plant uses

The Midzichenda have relied on plant resources for their basic needs, which included medicinal use, for centuries. This paper presents an inventory of some of the indigenous knowledge on medicinal plant uses of three Midzichenda tribes: Duruma, Giriama and Digo. A significant proportion (56%) of all plant species used were employed for the basic health care system and magical rituals and this is likely to remain so in future. Some plant species used for medicinal purposes are known to possess therapeutic characteristics, while other medicinal plants are used only on the basis of mythical beliefs within the society. However, much of the traditional knowledge on medicinal plants used by the Midzichenda has not been tested ethnopharmacologically.

千葉県外房に位置する平砂浦海岸における保安林造成と海岸侵食

Relation between beach erosion and the development of coastal forest was investigated by comparing past aerial photographs, taking the Heisa-ura coast in Chiba Prefecture as the example. Sand dune has been well developed at this coast due to the strong wind-blown sand in winter in the past. In order to prevent the damage due to wind-blown sand, coastal forest has been extensively planted. However, excess development of coastal forest in recent years as well as the construction of earth dike along the coastal forest caused shoreline recession by the excavation of beach sand to supply the construction materials. Appropriate land management isrequired between the coastal forest area and the shore protection area in order to avoid devastation of natural sandy beach.

Dragonfly communities in coastal habitats of Kenya: indication of biotope quality and the need of conservation measures

This study highlights the species diversity of Odonata from coastal forests in southern Kenya, identifying indicator species for certain habitat types and emphasising the importance of conserving the last remaining coastal forest areas. A total of 78 species were recorded from coastal habitats in southern Kenya in this study; five species for the first time in eastern Africa. Dragonfly communities relative to different habitat types from indigenous forest to cultivated landscapes are described and compared. The forest species are often confined to coastal forests of East Africa. They are stenotopic and highly sensitive to disturbance. With increasing habitat disturbance the species richness increases at first, but most of the colonisers are eurytopic species that are common and widely distributed in Africa. The species assemblages between different habitat types in the disturbed landscape are more or less the same; the β-diversity is much lower than in different habitat types of the natural coastal landscape. In the end, management implications are briefly discussed.