Life Forms Research Articles

Handedness in Animals and Plants.

Structural and functional asymmetries are traceable in every form of life, and some lateralities are homologous. Functionally speaking, the division of labour between the two halves of the brain is a basic characteristic of the nervous system that arose even before the appearance of vertebrates. The most well-known expression of this specialisation in humans is hand dominance, also known as handedness. Even if hand/limb/paw dominance is far more commonly associated with the presence of a nervous system, it is also observed in its own form in aneural organisms, such as plants. To date, little is known regarding the possible functional significance of this dominance in plants, and many questions remain open (among them, whether it reflects a generalised behavioural asymmetry). Here, we propose a comparative approach to the study of handedness, including plants, by taking advantage of the experimental models and paradigms already used to study laterality in humans and various animal species. By taking this approach, we aim to enrich our knowledge of the concept of handedness across natural kingdoms.

Viperin immunity evolved across the tree of life through serial innovations on a conserved scaffold.

Evolutionary arms races between cells and viruses drive the rapid diversification of antiviral genes in diverse life forms. Recent discoveries have revealed the existence of immune genes that are shared between prokaryotes and eukaryotes and show molecular and mechanistic similarities in their response to viruses. However, the evolutionary dynamics underlying the conservation and adaptation of these antiviral genes remain mostly unexplored. Here, we show that viperins constitute a highly conserved family of immune genes across diverse prokaryotes and eukaryotes and identify mechanisms by which they diversified in eukaryotes. Our findings indicate that viperins are enriched in Asgard archaea and widely distributed in all major eukaryotic clades, suggesting their presence in the last eukaryotic common ancestor and their acquisition in eukaryotes from an archaeal lineage. We show that viperins maintain their immune function by producing antiviral nucleotide analogues and demonstrate that eukaryotic viperins diversified through serial innovations on the viperin gene, such as the emergence and selection of substrate specificity towards pyrimidine nucleotides, and through partnerships with genes maintained through genetic linkage, notably with nucleotide kinases. These findings unveil biochemical and genomic transitions underlying the adaptation of immune genes shared by prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Our study paves the way for further understanding of the conservation of immunity across domains of life.

How Does Neoliberalism Form Our Lifes? A Praxeological Approach with Jaeggi and Foucault

ABSTRACT Michel Foucault’s work has immensely enriched the way critical social theorists understand power. Beyond his work on disciplinary normalisation, Foucault’s genealogy of the modern state has discussed governmental power as the conduct of conduct of subjects and populations. Foucault reserves his understanding of norms and normalisation for explaining the prescriptive force of disciplinary power. Accordingly, he hardly uses the language of norms to explain how neoliberal policies interfere in social conduct. In this paper, I aim to elucidate what kind of normative intervention neoliberal governmentality encompasses. By mobilising Rahel Jaeggi’s understanding of forms of life as ensembles of normatively imbued social practices, I suggest that neoliberal governmentality introduces the rationality of market competition into the problem-solving horizon of social conduct, thereby creating and instituting a “neoliberal form of life”. Hence, I argue that neoliberal governmentality is a form of domination that intervenes in ethical norms and social practices that build everyday forms of life.

Friedrich Nietzsche’s Philosophy of Nihilism in the Posthumous Fragments (1885–1888)

This article highlights the main principles of the Nietzschean view of nihilism. The analysis is focused on considering nihilism as a special approach to examination of the modern world. Nietzsche is positioning himself not only as a theorist or an investigator of cultural and anthropological symptoms of decadence, but also speaks as a prophet or a visionary. The article traces how Nietzsche gradually comes to the problem of dangerous nihilism. Already in his first significant work devoted to Greek tragedy he traces the tendencies of the decline of Western culture. Later on, the philosopher demonstrates that the origins of nihilism go back to the doctrine of true and false worlds in Platonism and this particular idea is the basis of the Christian moral doctrine. Nietzsche continues, as a result of the spread of the Judeo-Christian worldview, the ideals of hatred, resentment, bad conscience, and guilt are established, based on which the physical world is devalued. Therefore, the weakest forms of life are justified. This has a suggestive influence on all domains of culture: philosophy, science, art, literature, etc. Finally, a man turns into a possessor of the will to nonbeing. Nietzsche exposes different types of this nihilistic movement. His words ‘death of God’ become a figure of human loss of values that provided a person with meaning, purpose, and integrity. A tired and exhausted human being is disposed to pessimism as a symptom of nihilism. In Western society, substitutes for God—progress or collective happiness—are invented to save the situation. In contrast to this, Nietzsche’s active nihilism, which opposes passive nihilism—indifference and weakness that indicates trivial joys instead of the will to power—will be able to change the condition.

Characterisation of LPS+ bacterial extracellular vesicles along the gut-hepatic portal vein-liver axis.

Gut microbiome dysbiosis is a major contributing factor to several pathological conditions. However, the mechanistic understanding of the communication between gut microbiota and extra-intestinal organs remains largely elusive. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), secreted by almost every form of life, including bacteria, could play a critical role in this inter-kingdom crosstalk and are the focus of present study. Here, we present a novel approach for isolating lipopolysaccharide (LPS)+ bacterial extracellular vesicles (bEVLPS) from complex biological samples, including faeces, plasma and the liver from lean and diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. bEVLPS were extensively characterised using nanoparticle tracking analyses, immunogold labelling coupled with transmission electron microscopy, flow cytometry, super-resolution microscopy and 16S sequencing. In liver tissues, the protein expressions of TLR4 and a few macrophage-specific biomarkers were assessed by immunohistochemistry, and the gene expressions of inflammation-related cytokines and their receptors (n=89 genes) were measured using a PCR array. Faecal samples from DIO mice revealed a remarkably lower concentration of total EVs but a significantly higher percentage of LPS+ EVs. Interestingly, DIO faecal bEVLPS showed a higher abundance of Proteobacteria by 16S sequencing. Importantly, in DIO mice, a higher number of total EVs and bEVLPS consistently entered the hepatic portal vein and subsequently reached the liver, associated with increased expression of TLR4, macrophage markers (F4/80, CD86 and CD206), cytokines and receptors (Il1rn, Ccr1, Cxcl10, Il2rg and Ccr2). Furthermore, a portion of bEVLPS escaped liver and entered the peripheral circulation. In conclusion, bEV could be the key mediator orchestrating various well-established biological effects induced by gut bacteria on distant organs.

Towards an Abolitionist Concept of Beauty: The Aesthetics of Counter-Communities

Abstract: Many oppressed groups describe their forms of life in aesthetic categories. This article explores the implicit conception of beauty and the shared characteristics of counter-communal aesthetic practices. It reconstructs the hegemonic conception of beauty via a reading of Schiller and explores two exemplary discourses on the beauty of counter-communities: Peter Weiss' reflections on the aesthetics of resistance and Saidiya Hartman's description of Black fugitive aesthetics. What both examples share is that they locate beauty not in harmony, but in conflict and struggle. They lay the foundation for an aesthetic standpoint theory: counter-communities are economically, politically and culturally marginalized, but they are more beautiful than dominant forms of life.

Changes in soil bacterial community characteristics in patches of different vegetation types under different stages of restoration in the desert of northern China.

In desert areas, the process of mobile sandy land changing to semi-fixed sandy land and eventually to fixed sandy land after undergoing vegetation restoration is inevitable. The presence of shrub patches and herb patches is common in this restoration process. No relevant studies have reported the soil bacterial community characteristics of different vegetation-type patches (shrub patches and herb patches) under different stages of restoration. Therefore, we utilized long-established experimental plots to collect soil from 0-20 cm soil layer under shrub patches (dominated by Salix psammophila) and herb patches under different stages of restoration (i.e., mobile sand land, semi-fixed sand land, and fixed sand land), by determining soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activities, and soil bacterial communities. Our results found that soil bacterial α-diversity under different restoration stages showed higher shrub patches than herb patches. The dominant bacterial communities (phyla) in shrub patches and herb patches at different recovery stages were Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidota. When the mobile sandy land returned to fixed sandy land, the relative abundance of Actinobacteria and Bacteroidota gradually decreased under shrub patches and herb patches, while the relative abundance of Proteobacteria increased significantly. In addition, herb patches significantly increased the relative abundance of bacteria (genus) relative to shrub patches at different stages of recovery. Soil nutrients, soil fine particles, and soil enzyme activities were significantly higher under shrub patches than under herb patches when fixed sandy land due to differences in life form and architecture between shrub patches and herb patches. Based on this, soil bacterial community composition and diversity under shrub patches were driven by more soil properties during the restoration of sandy land. This study complements the dynamic recovery processes and driving mechanisms of soil bacterial community structure under different vegetation patches in sandy areas, especially in the context of global climate change.

Transcending Carbon Life: A Vision for Sustainable Future

Abstract The concept of “transcending carbon life” proposes a shift from traditional carbon-based biological existence to a data-centric, digital form of life. This is driven by the need to address escalating environmental crises caused by carbon-intensive human activities. The main challenges of carbon-based life include climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation. “Transcending Carbon Life” aims to address these issues by leveraging advancements in digital technologies and data science. The core principles involve digital existence, where life forms could be replicated and preserved as data, and data-centric living, emphasizing the use of high-quality data and synthetic data to drive decision-making and innovation. Potential benefits include improved environmental sustainability, enhanced medical research and life extension, and better global connectivity and knowledge sharing. However, significant technological development, ethical considerations, and infrastructure challenges need to be addressed to make this vision a reality. Overall, “transcending carbon life” represents a transformative approach to ensuring the long-term survival, superior intelligence governance, and ecological balance of all living entities on earth.

Temporal trajectories of plant functional traits in mediterranean grasslands under different grazing regimes

AbstractAimsMediterranean grasslands are semi‐natural ecosystems that have been affected by land‐use intensification and abandonment during the past decades. Adaptative multi‐paddock grazing regimes, where grazing alternates with long periods of vegetation recovery, have been proposed as a more biodiversity‐friendly management compared with continuous grazing. This study aimed to compare the effect of these two different grazing regimes on a set of plant traits in mediterranean grassland vegetation over time.LocationCentral part of Sardinia (Italy) at 350 m a.s.l. in a permanent grassland system.MethodsWe applied the point quadrat method to quantify the specific contribution of each species along permanent transects in spring and winter from 2018 to 2022. We considered the following plant traits: leaf dry matter content, life forms, flowering start and length of flowering. Overall, we performed 128 surveys and measured traits for 61 species. We ran a linear mixed model to test the effect of season, grazing regimes and years on functional diversity and community‐weighted mean for single traits.ResultsAdaptative multi‐paddock regimes over time increased the leaf dry matter content. However, compared with grazing regimes, seasonality through time had the greatest effect on flowering traits and life forms.ConclusionThe relatively small variation in the plant traits suggests that the mediterranean grassland was rather stable despite wide variation in grazing regimes, probably linked to their long history of human association. Nonetheless, adaptative multi‐paddock regimes may have higher beneficial effects compared with continuous grazing, favouring more palatable species and improving soil fertility. By contrast, the high variation in the plant traits over time suggests a high vulnerability of the same grassland to climatic changes.

The Correlation Between Comfort Level and Quality of Life in Female Patients With Urinary Incontinence: Structural Equation Modeling Approach.

The aim of this study was to develop a model to determine the correlation between comfort level and quality of life in women with UI. Cross-sectional, descriptive correlational research design with causal modeling. The study was conducted in the urology outpatient clinic of a university hospital in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. The sample comprised 233 women admitted to the outpatient clinic between December 2017 and May 2018. Participants had a mean age of 52.5 (SD=13.9) years. Data were collected using a researcher-designed Descriptive Characteristics Form, the Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL) form, the Urinary Incontinence and Frequency Comfort Questionnaire (UIFCQ), and the Short Form-36 (SF-36). Multivariate correlations were analyzed using structural equation modeling; an AMOS covariance-based structural equation model was developed. The correlational pathway between I-QOL, UIFCQ, and SF-36 was statistically significant. As a result of the confirmed model, I-QOL scores were moderately correlated with SF-36 scores (r =.65, P =.001) and highly correlated with UIFCQ scores (r =.76, P =.001). Mean UIFCQ scores were moderately correlated with SF-36 scores (r =.66, P =.001). The structural equation modeling resulted in a model with a good fit. The higher the comfort level, the higher the UI-specific and health-related quality of life. Risk factors related to UI should be monitored, and necessary training and counseling should be provided to eliminate this common problem.

Harmonia z naturą: odkrywanie zrównoważonego rozwoju przez pryzmat tradycji hinduskiej

The study explores the Hindu tradition’s profound connection to sustainable development, emphasizing the importance of harmony with nature, as dictated by the principles of Dharma (duty) and Ahimsā (non-violence). The Hindu tradition, found in sacred texts such as the Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita, underscores humanity’s ethical and moral obligation to protect and nurture the environment. Key concepts such as vegetarianism, reverence for all life forms, and eco-conscious rituals are integral to this philosophy, offering practical approaches to modern sustainability. Additionally, the paper examines the global perspective promoted by the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which underscores our interconnectedness with the world. In conclusion, the Hindu tradition provides a valuable perspective on sustainable development, emphasizing the unity of all life and our shared responsibility to safeguard our planet, underscoring the significance of living in harmony with nature.

Advances in adsorption technologies for hexavalent chromium removal: Mechanisms, materials, and optimization strategies

In the realm of environmental engineering and water treatment, significant attention has been devoted to the removal of hexavalent chromium Cr (VI) from wastewater. Delving into the mechanisms of adsorption reveals a complex interplay of ion exchange, surface complexation, and electrostatic interactions dictating the binding of Cr (VI) to various adsorption materials. Utilizing diverse adsorbents like 2-D materials, metal oxides, and bio-based substances is driven by their exceptional absorptive capacity and specificity. Key parameters such as pH, temperature, initial concentration, and dosage are scrutinized to optimize the efficiency of adsorbent removal and ascertain the absorptive nature of the adsorbate. Beyond natural sources, human activities have exacerbated chromium contamination across ecosystems, posing a threat to food chains due to chromium's non-biodegradable nature and persistence. Chromium affects a wide range of life forms, including humans, aquatic organisms, and terrestrial species, through the accumulation and repercussions of chromium discharge. The leaching of chromium into ground and surface water triggers various health issues such as dermatitis, allergic reactions, skin ulcerations, bronchial carcinoma, asthma, and gastroenteritis. This review intended to list different treatment technologies for chromium removal along with their mechanism. Different types of sensors used for chromium detection have also been explored.

Toxicological evaluation of copper oxide nanoparticles following their intraperitoneal injection to Wistar rats.

Copper oxide (Cu2O) nanoparticles (CO NPs) are in extensive use during our everyday life as antimicrobial agent, lubricant, in manufacturing electrodes of lithium ion batteries as well as for photo catalytic degradation of organic pollutants. Due to extensive and diverse use Cu2O NPs, they are likely to accumulate in the environment and to affect the live forms. Present investigation was aimed to report the biocompatibility of CO NPs in Wistar rats in sex specific manner. CO NPs, having average diameter of 14.06nm, were synthesized by co-precipitation method and scanning electron microscopy and X ray diffraction were used for their characterization. For 14 consecutive days, Wistar rats (6weeks old) of both sexes were intraperitoneally injected with 10mg/mL saline/Kg body weight of CO NPs, while the control groups intraperitoneally received saline solution for same duration. Behavioral tests (open field and novel object recognition), complete blood count, selected biomarkers of oxidative stress and Copper concentration in brain and liver were determined in all subjects. High mortality rates [male 40% and female 60%] were observed in rats exposed to CO NPs. A sever decrease in body weight was also observed in both male and female rats exposed to CO NPs. Female rats treated with CO NPs spent significantly more time with novel object as compared to control [P=0.05] during second trial of novel object test. CO NPs treated female rats had higher mean corpuscular hemoglobin [P<0.001] levels and Copper concentration in liver [P=0.04] than control. Male rats exposed to CO NPs had significantly higher mean corpuscular volume [P=0.02] and superoxide dismutase [SOD] [P=0.04] in lungs than their control group. All other studied parameters non significantly varied upon comparison between CO NPs treated and untreated rats of both sex. In conclusion, we are reporting that intraperitoneal injections of CO NPs for 14days can disturb complete blood count and biomarkers of oxidative stress in lungs of Wistar rats.

Comparative biomonitoring of airborne potentially toxic elements using mosses (Hypnum cupressiforme, Brachythecium spp.) and lichen (Evernia prunastri) over remote areas.

The selection of the appropriate biomonitor species is a crucial criterion for biomonitoring on a broad spatial scale. Mosses Hypnum cupressiforme and Brachythecium spp. and lichen Evernia prunastri were sampled at 22 remote sites over Serbia aiming interspecies comparison of their bioconcentration capacities. The concentration of 16 potentially toxic elements (PTEs), Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sr, V, and Zn, was measured in the samples. Between the co-located mosses, linear regression analysis (type II) showed significant determination coefficients only for a couple of the elements (Cd and S), while for H. cupressiforme vs. lichen, significant regression lines were obtained for a broader set of elements (Ba, Cd, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Sr). The ratio of the PTEs in the mosses discovered higher concentrations in H. cupressiforme than in another moss at some sites and vice versa at other sites. According to the PTE ratios, H. cupressiforme accumulated much more element content than the lichen, but followed a similar spatial pattern. In addition, principal component analysis (PCA) pointed out a different grouping of the PTEs depending on the species tested. The poor correlation of the moss-moss data is perhaps because several species of the genus Brachythecium were sampled, which possibly influenced the average genus accumulation capacity. In addition, morphological features of the mosses (concave vs. flat leaflets, creeping vs. cushiony life form) presumably delegate differences in PTE accumulation. To conclude, it should be careful with using more biomonitor species, even of the same genus, within the same study.

FloraVeg.EU — An online database of European vegetation, habitats and flora

AbstractThis article describes FloraVeg.EU, a new online database with open‐access information on European vegetation units (phytosociological syntaxa), vegetated habitats, and plant taxa. It consists of three modules. (1) The Vegetation module includes 149 phytosociological classes, 378 orders and 1305 alliances of an updated version of the EuroVegChecklist modified based on the decisions of the European Vegetation Classification Committee. Vegetation units dominated by vascular plants are characterized by country‐based distribution maps and data on the dominant life forms, phenology, soil properties, relationships to vegetation regions, elevational vegetation belts and azonal habitats, successional status, and degree of naturalness. A list of diagnostic taxa is also provided for each class. (2) The Habitats module includes vascular‐plant‐dominated terrestrial, freshwater, and marine habitat types from the first to the third or fourth highest hierarchical levels of the EUNIS classification. Of these, 249 vegetated habitats are characterized by a brief description, a point‐based distribution map, diagnostic, constant, and dominant taxa, and a list of the corresponding alliances. (3) The Species module provides information on 37 characteristics of European vascular plant species and some infrageneric or infraspecific taxa, including functional traits (habitus and growth type, leaf, flower, fruit and seed traits, and trophic mode), taxon origin (native vs alien), and ecological information (environmental relationships, Ellenberg‐type indicator values, disturbance indicator values, and relationships to vegetation units and habitat types). Values for at least three variables are available for 36,404 species. Individual taxa, vegetation units, and habitats in these three modules are illustrated by more than 34,000 photographs. The Download section of FloraVeg.EU provides open‐access data sets in a spreadsheet format that can be used for analyses. FloraVeg.EU is a new resource with easily accessible data that can be used for research in vegetation science, ecology, and biogeography, as well as for education and conservation applications.

Metabolic and Immune Systems Are the Primary Tenets of Biological Life

A theory is much broader than a hypothesis or a conjecture if it can provide explanations for a wide range of observations while remaining robust to challenges through experimentation. There is a paucity of such theories in biology. The main motivation behind this research was to propose a broad theory of biological life and to explore whether it can be used as a framework for understanding health and disease conditions. A conceptual and theoretical approach was followed for this purpose. Extensive exploration and analysis of the biomedical literature in a non-systematic but purposeful manner were undertaken. They were then extrapolated using a top-down approach to identify the fundamental systems mediating life processes. Two attributes must exist for the survival of any biological life form, including the ability to grow and the ability to self-protect. These two functions are performed by the metabolic system and immune system, respectively. It is proposed that all other processes and every entity in a life form are involved in conducting these two fundamental functions. It is inferred that both of these functions exhibit the universal characteristics of duality and complementarity, features that cut across disciplines. A given life form may thus be biased toward one of the two processes mediated by the immune system and metabolic system at different stages in its life history. Identifying factors that confer bias might provide a better understanding of biology with direct implications for medicine. It is proposed that life and disease could be the result of the interplay of immune and metabolic systems acting complementarily. Other physiological systems lend support to the balancing act between the immune and metabolic systems in a biological life form.

Miasma as Earthquake Impact Depicted in Ambon Manuscript: A Disaster Semiotic Perspective

This study aims to explore the concept of miasma and the spiritual implications of earthquakes as depicted in the Naskah Cerita Gempa (The Story of Earthquake) manuscript found in Ambon, “The Story of Earthquake” is a manuscript from the collection of Husain Hatuwe. It is cataloged in both the Ambon Manuscript Catalog and the Religious Catalog of the Makassar Research and Development Center, under the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. The manuscript has been digitized through a collaborative effort between the Pernaskahan Nusantara Foundation and the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at the University of Indonesia, in partnership with the Endangered Archives Programme (EAP) of the British Library. The digitized version of “The Story of Earthquake” manuscript can be accessed online via the EAP British Library’s website using the code EAP276/7/10. This study employs a textual analysis adopting Han-Liang Chang’s disaster semiotics methodology which categorizes disasters into three phases: natural events, interpretations and effects. The findings of this study reveal that natural events, in the form of weather changes associated with miasma, have a significant impact on all forms of life, including animals, plants and humans. These changes lead to damage and death, prompting individuals to seek protection. This research underscores the profound spiritual and physical effects of natural disasters as interpreted through the lens of the Naskah Cerita Gempa manuscript.

칸트 선험적 인식론에 대한 듀이의 비판 일고찰

I. Kant’s transcendental epistemology is known to suppose dualistic thinking in that it attempted to explain knowledge as a synthesis of the subject and its object in an ‘external’ relationship, and as a synthesis of Thing-in-itself and phenomenon. According to J. Dewey, in order to overcome this epistemological dualism, we must understand our reason as an organic concept, and the subject and its object must be understood as parts inseparably connected to the organism. Dewey’s experimental theory of knowledge is based on this concept of reason and explains knowledge through the activity of reason, that is, ‘inquiry’ (thinking, reflection). According to Dewey’s theory, knowledge is established in the functional relationships between ‘concepts’(hypotheses) and ‘facts’(results) as key elements of the process of inquiry, and in this case the validity of knowledge is not depend on the foundation of certainty as Thing-in-itself but on the security of those functional relationships. However, Dewey’s functionalist way of thinking falls short in correctly establishing the validity of knowledge. According to D. W. Hamlyn, the validity of knowledge cannot be explained without agreement in judgment with other peoples, and therefore agreement in forms of life is an indispensable condition for elucidating the objectivity and truth of knowledge. In light of Hamlyn’s opinion, unlike Dewey’s criticism of Kant, the transcendental concepts and Thing-in-itself in Kant’s epistemology can be reinterpreted in relation to forms of life.

Floristic Inventory, Diversity, and Community Structure of the Riparian and Coastal Sand Dune Landscapes in the Lower Padsan River Basin, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines

Padsan River basin, the largest river system in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, encompasses two vital ecological landscapes: coastal sand dunes and riparian areas. Despite its ecological importance, the floristic diversity of these landscapes still needs to be better understood and documented. A vegetation assessment was conducted to characterize the composition, diversity, and community structure of plants in the lower Padsan River landscapes. Eighteen 10 m x 10 m nested quadrats were established across six sampling stations. The study recorded 82 species of vascular plants from 80 genera and 41 families. Fifty-two percent are introduced species, 48% are native species, and 27% are invasive species. The plant life forms are composed of trees (34 spp.), herbs (17 spp.), vines (13 spp.) and grasses (9 spp.). Fabaceae and poaceae were the most species-rich plant families. Prosopis juliflora (Candaroma) was the most dominant tree species, comprising 29% of the entire population. The lower Padsan River basin landscapes exhibits moderate tree diversity (H’ = 2.7), with Shannon diversity indices ranging from 0.89 to 2.43 across sampling locations. The riparian areas showed higher tree Shannon diversity, richness, and evenness, while the coastal sand dune areas had higher tree dominance but lower Shannon diversity. The plant community structure varies between the two types of ecological landscapes (ANOSIM Global R=0.7, p&lt;0.05). P. juliflora dominates the coastal sand dune, while a mix of the Leucaena-Pithecellobium-Terminalia community characterizes the riparian area. This study provides essential baseline information on the floristic diversity and community structure, serving as a foundation for developing an integrated river management plan and strategies for conserving important ecological landscapes in the downstream section of the Padsan River Basin.

Nature Speaks: Agency and Environment in Ben Okri’s The Famished Road

This study explores the linguistic strategies in Ben Okri’s “The Famished Road” to construct ecological interdependencies and agency in the novel. Employing systemic functional linguistics and ecolinguistic analysis, the study examines how Okri’s linguistic strategies elevate the agency of non-human elements, representing them as vibrant and willful participants within their ecosystem. The purpose of this analysis is to understand how language in “The Famished Road” conveys agency and a symbiotic relationship between humans and non-human elements, thereby addressing broader ecological and environmental concerns. Employing an ecolinguistic analysis, the research examines linguistic portrayals that challenge anthropocentric views and emphasize respect for nature. Results show that the novel frames nature and non-human entities as vibrant, active participants, influencing ecological consciousness and fostering ethical considerations towards the environment. This study concludes that Ben Okri’s ‘The Famished Road’, through its unique linguistic strategies, reflects and advocates for a symbiotic relationship between all life forms, highlighting the potential of literary works to contribute to environmental advocacy and consciousness. This analysis adds depth to our understanding of language’s role in ecological literature and encourages further exploration into how textual practices can influence ecological and ethical perceptions.