Diverse Ecoregions Research Articles

Scale-dependence in elk habitat selection for a reintroduced population in Wisconsin, USA.

Habitat selection is a critical aspect of a species' ecology, requiring complex decision-making that is both hierarchical and scale-dependent, since factors that influence selection may be nested or unequal across scales. Elk (Cervus canadensis) ranged widely across diverse ecoregions in North America prior to European settlement and subsequent eastern extirpation. Most habitat selection studies have occurred within their contemporary western range, even after eastern reintroductions began. As habitat selection can vary by geographic location, available cover, season, and diel period, it is important to understand how a non-migratory, reintroduced population in northern Wisconsin, USA, is limited by the lack of variation in topography, elevation, and vegetation. We tested scale-dependent habitat selection on 79 adult elk from 2017 to 2020 using resource selection functions across temporal (i.e., seasonal) and spatial scales (i.e., landscape and home range). We found that selection varied both spatially and temporally, and elk selected areas with the greatest potential to influence fitness at larger scales, meaning elk selected areas closer to escape cover and further from "risky" features (e.g., annual wolf territory centers, county roads, and highways). We found stronger avoidance of annual wolf territory centers during spring, suggesting elk were selecting safer habitats during calving season. Elk selected habitats with less canopy cover across both spatial scales and all seasons, suggesting that elk selected areas with better access to forage as early seral stage stands have greater forage biomass than closed-canopy forests and direct solar radiation to provide warmth in the cooler seasons. This study provides insight into the complexity of hierarchical decision-making, such as how risky habitat features and land cover type influence habitat selection differently across seasons and spatial scales, influencing the decision-making of elk. Scale-dependent behavior is crucial to understand within specific geographic regions, as these decisions scale up to influence population dynamics.

Machine learning allows for large-scale habitat prediction of a wide-ranging carnivore across diverse ecoregions

ContextResource selection functions are powerful tools for predicting habitat selection of animals. Recently, machine-learning methods such as random forest have gained popularity for predicting habitat selection due to their flexibility and strong predictive performance.ObjectivesWe tested two methods for predicting continental-scale, second-order habitat selection of a wide-ranging large carnivore, the mountain lion (Puma concolor), to support continent-wide conservation management, including estimating abundance, and to predict habitat suitability for recolonizing or reintroduced animals.MethodsWe compared a generalized linear model (GLM) and a random forest model using GPS location data from 476 individuals across 20 study sites in the western USA and Canada and remotely-sensed landscape data. We internally validated models and examined their ability to correctly classify used and available points by calculating area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUC). We performed leave-one-out (LOO) out-of-sample tests of predictive strength on both models.ResultsBoth models suggested that mountain lions select for steeper slopes, areas closer to water, and with higher normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and against variables associated with human impact. The random forest model (AUC = 0.94) demonstrated that mountain lion habitat can be accurately predicted at continental scales, outperforming the traditional GLM model (AUC = 0.68). Our LOO validation provided similar results (x̄ = 0.93 for the random forest and x̄ = 0.65 for the GLM).ConclusionsWe found that the added flexibility of the random forest model provided deeper insights into how individual covariates impacted habitat selection across diverse ecosystems. Our LOO analyses suggested that our model can predict mountain lion habitat selection in unoccupied areas or where local data are unavailable. Our model thus provides a tool to support discussions and analyses relevant to continent-wide mountain lion conservation and management including estimating metapopulation abundance.

Repeated patterns of reptile diversification in Western North America supported by the Northern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria coerulea).

Understanding the processes that shape genetic diversity by either promoting or preventing population divergence can help identify geographic areas that either facilitate or limit gene flow. Furthermore, broadly distributed species allow us to understand how biogeographic and ecogeographic transitions affect gene flow. We investigated these processes using genomic data in the Northern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria coerulea), which is widely distributed in Western North America across diverse ecoregions (California Floristic Province and Pacific Northwest) and mountain ranges (Sierra Nevada, Coastal Ranges, and Cascades). We collected single-nucleotide polymorphism data from 120 samples of E. coerulea. Biogeographic analyses of squamate reptiles with similar distributions have identified several shared diversification patterns that provide testable predictions for E. coerulea, including deep genetic divisions in the Sierra Nevada, demographic stability of southern populations, and recent post-Pleistocene expansion into the Pacific Northwest. We use genomic data to test these predictions by estimating the structure, connectivity, and phylogenetic history of populations. At least 10 distinct populations are supported, with mixed-ancestry individuals situated at most population boundaries. A species tree analysis provides strong support for the early divergence of populations in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and recent diversification into the Pacific Northwest. Admixture and migration analyses detect gene flow among populations in the Lower Cascades and Northern California, and a spatial analysis of gene flow identified significant barriers to gene flow across both the Sierra Nevada and Coast Ranges. The distribution of genetic diversity in E. coerulea is uneven, patchy, and interconnected at population boundaries. The biogeographic patterns seen in E. coerulea are consistent with predictions from co-distributed species.

Texas professionals are employing a one health approach to protect the United States against biosecurity threats

Texas is a geographically large state with large human and livestock populations, many farms, a long coastal region, and extreme fluctuations in weather. During the last 15 years, the state of Texas has frequently suffered disasters or catastrophes causing extensive morbidity and economic loss. These disasters often have complicated consequences requiring multi-faceted responses. Recently, an interdisciplinary network of professionals from multiple academic institutions has emerged to collaborate in protecting Texas and the USA using a One Health approach. These experts are training the next generation of scientists in biopreparedness; increasing understanding of pathogens that cause repetitive harm; developing new therapeutics and vaccines against them; and developing novel surveillance approaches so that emerging pathogens will be detected early and thwarted before they can cause disastrous human and economic losses. These academic One Health partnerships strengthen our ability to protect human and animal health against future catastrophes that may impact the diverse ecoregions of Texas and the world.

Profiling seed soluble sugar compositions in 1164 Chinese soybean accessions from major growing ecoregions

Soluble sugar is a key quality trait of soybean seeds. We developed rapid and economic extraction and quantification methods for seed soluble sugars using an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography system with a refractive index detector. We evaluated the soluble sugar compositions of 1164 soybean accessions collected from diverse ecoregions and grown in multiple locations and years. Total soluble sugar (TSS) content was influenced by accession type, year of cultivation, and ecoregion. The mean contents of fructose, glucose, sucrose, raffinose, stachyose and TSS were 3.31, 5.21, 55.60, 6.60, 35.47, and 106.19 mg g−1, respectively. The highest mean TSS content (108.71 mg g−1) was observed in accessions from Northern Region of China. Cultivars contained higher contents of sucrose, raffinose, and TSS, whereas landraces had a higher content of stachyose. Fourteen accessions with mean TSS contents >130 mg g−1 were identified as elite soybean resources. TSS was correlated with sucrose, raffinose, stachyose, protein, oil and total tocopherol. The main soluble sugar components were correlated with latitude and longitude, indicating that the geographical origin of the accessions affected their seed soluble sugar compositions. The developed methods and elite identified accessions can be used in the food and feed industry and in soybean breeding programs aimed at improving soybean seed nutrition.

Avian Haemosporidian Diversity in South Texas: New Lineages and Variation in Prevalence between Sampling Sources and Sites

Avian haemosporidian parasites (Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon, Plasmodium) in Texas are relatively understudied for such a large geographic area with diverse ecoregions. Our study sites in south Texas, located in two adjacent ecoregions, present the opportunity for investigating patterns and possible causes of infections between habitats, and characterizing the baseline makeup of the avian malaria community. We assessed the avian haemosporidian community using their mtDNA cytb gene in 576 birds, 25.69% of which were infected. The overall detection rate was much higher from blood samples than tissue samples, and the more arid ecoregion had a significantly lower overall prevalence. Findings also revealed significantly lower Plasmodium infections in the more arid ecoregion. We identified 25 novel lineages which included 16 Haemoproteus, 2 Leucocytozoon, and 7 Plasmodium lineages. This information establishes a baseline of prevalence for these ecoregions and provides insight to the disease ecology of resident and migrant birds of this area. We assert that baseline knowledge of this type is necessary for meaningful comparisons to areas of high anthropogenic change, and essential to aiding conservation efforts of birds in future.

Incorporating ECOSTRESS evapotranspiration in a paired catchment water balance analysis after the 2018 Holy Fire in California

Ecohydrological processes such as evapotranspiration (ET) and streamflow are highly variable after fire in Mediterranean systems and require accurate assessments to improve long-term risk mitigation of erosion and peak flows and revegetation strategies, especially at the small catchment scale. Using the case of the 2018 Holy Fire in southern California, we characterized 1) pre-fire rainfall and evapotranspiration conditions and 2) recovery of ecohydrological processes using a paired analysis between an unburned (Santiago) and burned (Coldwater) catchment. ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS), Operational Simplified Surface Energy Balance Model (SSEBop), vegetation indices, and local rainfall-runoff data were used to characterize the sites and investigate spatial and temporal patterns of post-fire ET. Consistent with the drought conditions in California, we observed low precipitation and ET prior to the fire. Additionally, compared to other vegetation types, montane hardwood species were more likely to be classified as high soil burn severity. We also found that the high spatial and temporal resolution of ECOSTRESS provided more information about the general ET patterns. After the fire, ECOSTRESS ET was sensitive to parameters such as slope aspect, soil burn severity, and vegetation species, which has implications for post-fire vegetation recovery and water storage. This work demonstrates opportunities to apply ECOSTRESS ET across globally diverse ecoregions and small catchment scales to identify potentially high-risk areas and improve fire risk and vegetation recovery assessments.

Evaluation of the Production Potential of Mung Bean Cultivar “Zhonglv 5”

High yields, high stress resistance, and wide adaptability are important cultivar traits, especially for crops sensitive to the photoperiod and temperature. Mung bean (Vigna radiata) is a typical short-day plant, traditionally cultivated in Asian countries, and consumed all over the world. However, there has long been relatively little research regarding its genetic improvement until in recent decades. Zhonglv 5 is a mung bean cultivar that was developed via crossbreeding in China in the early part of this century. It has since played an important role in improving mung bean production in the country because of its high yields, high stress tolerance, and wide adaptability. We herein describe the development of Zhonglv 5, summarize its yield performance and adaptability in diverse eco-regions within China, and predict its potential future uses to provide information relevant for mung bean breeding, production, trade, and related industries.

Woody plant encroachment pervasive across three socially and ecologically diverse ecoregions

Woody plant encroachment in grasslands represents one of the greatest challenges for global biodiversity conservation. Furthermore, this is a social-ecological problem, where human activity and behavior have resulted in significant changes in ecological processes that control woody plants, and failure to fully recognize the role of human activity has led to continued loss of grasslands worldwide. It is therefore critical that conservation professionals understand how ecological systems, settlement patterns, and fragmentation from anthropogenic development interact to influence rates of woody plant encroachment. Using annual estimates of tree cover derived from regionally available remote-sensing data, our objectives were, first, to describe rates of woody plant encroachment over the last 20 years (2000–2019) across three ecologically and socially diverse ecoregions in the Southern Great Plains of North America. Then, we examined how anthropogenic and biophysical variables influenced rates of encroachment (both directly and indirectly) within the region. Results indicate that, despite marked differences in social and ecological characteristics, all three ecoregions have experienced consistent increases in woody plant encroachment during the study period. This included the Flint Hills ecoregion of Kansas and Oklahoma, an area that experiences widespread and frequent fires. At the regional scale, rates of encroachment were directly and negatively related to the average area burned in a county, initial cover of trees, and fragmentation from row crops. Percent cover of development and row crop agriculture also indirectly alter rates of encroachment in a county by influencing initial tree cover and fire activity. The pervasive nature of woody plant encroachment, even in regions that experience frequent fires, suggests that many grasslands are being managed outside of critical ecological thresholds needed to maintain grasslands and limit woody encroachment, which can have significant implications for biodiversity. Our results show that anthropogenic or ecological factors do not act in isolation in their influence on woody plant encroachment and can form complex relationships that shape regional trends in woody plant encroachment.

Novel insights into marine fish biodiversity across a pronounced environmental gradient using replicated environmental DNA analyses

AbstractSafeguarding marine ecosystems is essential for maintaining ecosystem function and biodiversity, but effective monitoring of marine habitats can be logistically challenging, costly, and difficult to regularly implement. Environmental DNA‐based biomonitoring is a rapidly growing tool that is non‐destructive, cost‐effective, and reliable. However, discrepancies in eDNA sampling protocols and methodology persist, which can greatly impact the interpretations of biomonitoring results, particularly across highly diverse ecosystems with historically elevated biodiversity. The South African coastal system is a unique and highly diverse ecoregion consisting of two ocean boundary currents creating one of the most diverse biological regions on the planet. Here, we present the first eDNA‐based metabarcoding assessment of South African coastal fishes while also providing key management insights into study and sample design. We observed strong ecological associations with fish species richness across the extent of the South African coast, along with weaker associations with seasonality. We detected 466 operational taxonomic units across 112 of the 270 families described previously from the region, with greater species richness on the eastern subtropical coast compared to the western coast, which follows expected species richness patterns. Additionally, we provide evidence that biological replication is necessary to detect intra‐site fish diversity and that three biological replicates are sufficient for capturing species diversity dynamics. Our work highlights the value of eDNA biomonitoring across space and time enabling biodiversity characterizations for the management of a gradient of coastal marine environments.

Seed tocopherol assessment and geographical distribution of 1151 Chinese soybean accessions from diverse ecoregions

Soybean seeds are primary sources of natural tocopherols used by food and pharmaceutical industries owing to their beneficial impacts on human health. Here, we profiled the seed tocopherol compositions of 1151 Chinese soybean accessions that originated from different ecoregions, grown in three locations for two years in China. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of accessions, ecoregions of origin, accession types and geographical factors on tocopherol content of soybean as well as unveil the correlations among tocopherols and other important seed quality traits. The highest average contents of α- and γ-tocopherols (15.43 μg g−1 and 151.44 μg g−1, respectively) were observed in the Northern Region (NR) accessions of China. Also, α-, γ-, and total tocopherol contents were higher in cultivars than landraces. The correlation analysis showed that tocopherols were significantly associated with other seed quality traits. α- and γ-tocopherols had significant positive correlations with latitude and longitude, while δ-tocopherol showed a contrary trend. Taken together, we identified novel soybean accessions that can be utilized as raw materials for food industries and in breeding programs to improve the tocopherols contents of soybean seeds.

Diversity, Ecology, Biogeography, and Evolution of the Prevalent Brown Algal Genus Lobophora in the Greater Caribbean Sea, Including the Description of Five New Species1.

Distributed in tropical and warm-temperate waters worldwide, Lobophora species are found across the Greater Caribbean (i.e., Caribbean sensu stricto, Gulf of Mexico, Florida, the Bahamas, and Bermuda). We presently discuss the diversity, ecology, biogeography, and evolution of the Greater Caribbean Lobophora species based on previous studies and an extensive number of samples collected across the eastern, southern, and to a lesser extent western Caribbean. A total of 18 Lobophora species are now documented from the Greater Caribbean, of which five are newly described (L. agardhii sp. nov., L. dickiei sp. nov., L. lamourouxii sp. nov., L. richardii sp. nov., and L. setchellii sp. nov.). Within the Greater Caribbean, the eastern Caribbean and the Central Province are the most diverse ecoregion and province (16 spp.), respectively. Observed distribution patterns indicate that Lobophora species from the Greater Caribbean have climate affinities (i.e., warm-temperate vs. tropical affinities). In total, 11 Lobophora species exclusively occur in the Greater Caribbean; six are present in the western Atlantic; two in the Indo-Pacific; and one in the eastern Pacific. Biogeographic analyses support that no speciation occurred across the Isthmus of Panama, and that the Greater Caribbean acted as a recipient region for species from the Indo-Pacific and as a region of diversification as well as a donor region to the North-eastern Atlantic. The Greater Caribbean is not an evolutionary dead end for Lobophora, but instead generates and exports diversity. Present results illustrate how sampling based on DNA identification is reshaping biogeographic patterns, as we know them.

Bridging the Research-Implementation Gap in Weed Management on California Rangelands

Substantial gaps exist between weed management researchers and practitioners with respect to prompt exchange of knowledge between the two groups, hindering the implementation of effective management to solve weed problems. We conducted a survey between 2016 and 2018 among weed management practitioners (n = 259) across diverse ecoregions on California rangelands and collected essential information from practitioners for bridging the research-implementation gap. The information included management costs, high-priority weeds, and spatial scales and temporal changes in weed management. The management cost had a mean of $5.12 ha−1yr−1 with a large variance implying the uncertainty of this information. The percentage of annual budget dedicated to weed management explained about 30% of the variation in this cost. Moreover, this annual per-unit area cost decreased with increasing management area. The average size of rangeland managed by survey respondents was 1 256 ha. The top three high-priority weeds statewide were yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis), medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae), and all thistles combined. Medusahead and some thistle species remained on the top list in each ecoregion. Respondents overwhelmingly (80.9%) noted changes in weed problems in the past 5−10 yr, specifically citing greater weed pressure and changes in weed species. A significantly higher proportion of respondents from agencies and private businesses reported changes in weed problems than those from universities and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), further underscoring the gap between practitioners and researchers. A majority of the respondents (75.3%) indicated the record-setting California drought had a negative effect on weed management, reducing treatment efficacy and favoring weeds over desirable species. Overall, our findings illustrate increasing challenges in weed management on California rangeland. These challenges call for adaptive management-research programs to increase cost-effectiveness of weed management and to swiftly and effectively respond to dynamic weed problems on large spatial and long temporal scales.

Seed isoflavone profiling of 1168 soybean accessions from major growing ecoregions in China.

Soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) isoflavones are secondary metabolites of great interest because of their beneficial impact on human health. We profiled the seed isoflavone composition of 1168 soybean accessions collected from diverse ecoregions of China in three locations over two years. We observed significant differences in isoflavone content among the accessions, accession types, years of growth and ecoregions of origin. Total isoflavone (TIF) concentration of the soybean accessions ranged from 745μgg-1 to 5253.98μgg-1, which represents a 7-fold difference. The highest mean TIF concentration (2689.27μgg-1) was observed in the Huang Huai Hai Valley Region (HR) accessions, followed by accessions from the Southern Region (SR) and Northern Region (NR) with TIF concentration of 2518.91μgg-1 and 1942.78μgg-1, respectively. Thirty-five accessions were identified as elite soybean resources based on their higher TIF concentration (4024.74μgg-1 to 5253.98μgg-1). Pairwise correlation analysis showed significant positive correlations between individual isoflavones and TIF concentrations. Malonyldaidzin and malonylgenistin showed the highest correlations with TIF concentration (r=0.90 and r=0.92, respectively), whereas acetyldaidzin showed the lowest correlation. The main isoflavone components had significant negative correlations with latitude and longitude, indicating that the geographical origin of the accessions influenced their seed isoflavone composition. Based on principal component analysis, glycosides and malonylglycosides of isoflavones were the major discriminative components for the soybean accessions. The present study demonstrated the geographical distribution of soybean seed isoflavone concentrations across the main ecoregion of China. The identified soybean accessions with both high and low TIF concentrations, which are desirable materials for industrial uses and could also be used as parents to breed soybean lines with improved isoflavone quantity and composition in the seeds.

Profiling of seed fatty acid composition in 1025 Chinese soybean accessions from diverse ecoregions

The stability of soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) oil is determined mainly by its fatty acid (FA) composition. We evaluated the FA composition of 1025 Chinese soybean accessions collected from diverse ecoregions and grown in multiple locations and years. We observed highly significant differences (P < 0.001) between accessions in palmitic acid (PA), stearic acid (SA), oleic acid (OA), linoleic acid (LA), and linolenic acid (LNA) contents. Growth year affected (P < 0.001) the abundance of all FAs except PA. The mean PA, SA, OA, LA, and LNA contents were 12.2%, 3.8%, 21.5%, 54.2%, and 8.3%, respectively. The geographical origin of the accession influenced seed FA composition, indicating that accessions originating in each ecoregion tend to have distinct FA composition. We observed significant positive correlations among the three locations and between the two years, suggesting the high heritability and stability of individual accessions across contrasting environments. We also observed a relatively high negative correlation between the contents of OA and both LA and LNA (r = −0.90 and −0.59, respectively, each significant at P < 0.001), providing a potential entry point for developing strains producing oil with higher OA and lower LA and LNA levels. These would be appropriate for specialized use in the food industry. Our results will be useful in breeding soybean with improved quality to meet human nutritional and industrial needs.

Battle of the sexes: a multi-male mating strategy helps lionesses win the gender war of fitness

Abstract In species exhibiting infanticide by males, females lose out with high stakes and should adopt preemptive mechanisms, pitching the genders in an evolutionary arms race for maximizing fitness. African lions remain a quintessential model of this gender war, with a coalition of males gaining temporary but exclusive breeding rights over a female group after killing all cubs of former males. However in Asiatic lions, now found as a single population in Gir forests, India, adults live in same-sex groups that interact primarily for mating. Intensive monitoring of 70 adult lions revealed that female groups (n = 9) used exclusive territories, whereas male ranges (n = 11 coalitions) overlapped at areas of intense female use. A social network of mating events (n = 76) indicated that lionesses mated with multiple rival coalitions before conceiving. These neighboring coalitions, although hostile to each other were tolerant toward the same litters, suggestive of confused paternity among them. Given a land-tenure system where lionesses encounter many males capable of killing unfamiliar cubs, multi-male mating buffers cub infanticide and likely diversifies paternal lineages in litters. Consequently, infanticide was observed only when “new” males invaded a female group’s territory. An age-based mate choice was observed in lionesses: maiden breeders chose males having highest range overlaps, whereas experienced females selected peripheral males. The intergender spacing patterns and resultant sexual strategies of lions differ in Asia and Africa probably because of contrasting resource availability, highlighting behavioral plasticity within species inhabiting diverse eco-regions. By mating with multiple males, lionesses safeguard their investments and outdo the males in the war of fitness.

Evaluating the effectiveness of Floristic Quality Assessment as a tool for determining the condition of depressional wetlands across ecoregions

Floristic Quality Assessment (FQA) has been recognized as a useful tool for evaluating wetland condition and guiding conservation and management efforts. However, FQA validation to confirm that results represent actual wetland condition is limited. Moreover, FQA has been applied across large regions without consideration for the high environmental variability (e.g., temperature, precipitation, and topography) within application areas, which may limit the effectiveness of FQA as an assessment tool. Because Oklahoma contains diverse ecoregions and extreme environmental gradients, this provides an opportunity to examine the influence of spatial and environmental variability on FQA results. We sampled 68 depressional wetlands dispersed across the state to (1) validate an FQA metric, Floristic Quality Index (FQI), with two established condition assessment methods (i.e., Landscape Development Intensity Index [LDI] and Oklahoma Rapid Assessment Method [OKRAM]) and (2) evaluate the influence of environmental variation (e.g., high and low precipitation) on FQI scores. In our validation analysis, we found a strong positive relationship between FQI and OKRAM, indicating the FQI was able to detect changes in wetland condition in depressional wetlands along a disturbance gradient. Additionally, strong negative relationships between FQI and LDI suggest that FQI is responsive to stressors within the surrounding landscape. When evaluating environmental influence on FQI scores, we found substantial variation between reference wetlands based on location, with higher scores occurring in eastern sites (high precipitation) and lower scores occurring in western sites (low precipitation). We used Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) to assess the relationship between plant communities and environmental variables, and found that precipitation was more indicative of plant species distribution than wetland condition (i.e., disturbed or reference condition). Thus, C-values of plant species (i.e., predetermined values assigned to individual plant species) and corresponding FQI scores differed significantly across ecoregions based on high and low precipitation, regardless of wetland condition. This phenomenon highlights the importance of considering regional environmental differences when developing FQI thresholds for wetland assessments, especially across diverse states or ecoregions. To reduce the influence of regional differences on FQIs, as well as other vegetation-based methods, condition class thresholds and reference criteria should be established based on ecoregions to more accurately capture wetland condition using FQI.

Plant Diversity On Protected Forest Vegetation Of Dempo Mountains, Pagar Alam, South Sumatera

Vegetation is a collection of plants that usually consist of several species and live together in one place. Vegetation analysis is a way of studying the composition (component type) and the shape (structure) of vegetation or vegetation communities. Forests are the most important habitat component of life, hence the condition of plant communities within the forest, whether plant species composition, species dominance, density or closure of the canopy should be measured. The island of Sumatra is one of the most diverse ecoregion regions in the world. World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) as one of the world's conservation organizations incorporates mountainous rainforest as a conservation area. The Sumatra mountain forests are one of the 200 critically endorsed ecoregions and a priority of global conservation. Mount Dempo is a protected forest area located on a cluster of hills line the island of Sumatra. This mountain has a height of 3159 asl (above sea level) and is the highest mountain in the area of South Sumatra. This study aims to determine the diversity of plants in the protected forest vegetation of Mount Dempo, Pagar Alam City, South Sumatera. Vegetation analysis was done by purposive sampling with bitterlich method, i.e measurement done on plot measuring 2x2, 5x5, 10x10, and 20x20 m. Analyzes were performed on two plots of different locations, and all plant species found in each plot were recorded of the type and amount. The parameters measured include the type name, the individual number of each type, the diameter, the height, and the height of the free branch. The results obtained at the Importance Value Index (INP) in Gunung Dempo, Pagar Alam of 294 stated that Mount Dempo has a high vegetation that is still preserving the existing plant, but it is also able to used as tourist visit as the stage of environmental and nature care.

Biogeography and genotypic diversity of Metarhizium brunneum and Metarhizium robertsii in northwestern North American soils.

The biogeography and genotype diversity of Metarhizium species in northwestern North American soils was examined; 20 ecoregions were sampled, including 58 agricultural and 80 natural habitat subsites, and areas that were glaciated during the Pleistocene epoch. One hundred and twenty-nine isolates of M. brunneum, 26 isolates of M. robertsii, four isolates of M. guizhouense, one isolate of M. flavoviride, and 55 isolates of Beauveria were recovered. Metarhizium and Beauveria species were isolated in diverse ecoregions within the study area, but a trend for increased isolation of Metarhizium species in western regions of the study area was observed. Consistent with this observation, the prevalence of M. brunneum and M. robertsii decreased at higher elevations, and the opposite was true for Beauveria. Both M. brunneum and M. robertsii were more commonly isolated from agricultural and natural habitat subsites, and considerable genotypic diversity was observed in both habitats and within the same subsite. Metarhizium robertsii, but not M. brunneum, was more commonly isolated from nonglaciated locations; however, less diversity and richness was observed for M. brunneum recovered from glaciated versus nonglaciated locations consistent with insular biogeography. The study has implications for microbial control strategies in the region.

Optimism, hopes and fears: local perceptions of REDD+ in Nepalese community forests

SUMMARY This paper examines local views and experiences of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) in Nepal, using a mixed-method political ecology approach in three community forest user groups across Nepal's diverse forest ecoregions with varying levels of REDD+ experience. The study finds positive expectations of REDD+ to varying degrees, paired with key concerns arising throughout REDD+ implementation. In particular, forest products needed for livelihood practices cannot be fully replaced by monetary benefits of REDD+ for forest harvesting restrictions. Further, increased elite capture, corruption, and power shift away from the community through the alliance of local elites with external actors in response to increased upward accountability for carbon increments. The findings urge that REDD+ should scrutinize and mitigate local adverse effects on existing community governance, and its goals need to be carefully reconciled with the local non-monetary livelihood needs.