Local Plant Research Articles

Variability and pharmacological potential of bajakah (Spatholobus sp.) as an indigenous medicinal plant: a review

Bajakah (Spatholobus sp.) is an indigenous Indonesian plant that has been traditionally used as medicine, especially in Kalimantan Island, Indonesia. The variability and potential of bajakah as a traditional Indonesian medicinal plant have attracted research attention. This review article describes the traditional use, distribution, and pharmacological activity of bajakah. An integrative review method was employed, following procedures such as literature search, data analysis, and result presentation. Understanding the variations is important to understand the therapeutic potential and differences in active compound content among different types of bajakah. Furthermore, the chemical composition of bajakah has been identified, including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and triterpenoids, which can potentially exhibit pharmacological effects and mechanisms of action associated with its traditional use. This review provided additional insights into the potential of bajakah as an herbal medicinal in the future. Therefore, this review article provides an overview of the traditional use distribution, and pharmacological activity of bajakah as a promising traditional medicine. Further research, including clinical studies, is needed to scientifically validate the therapeutic potential of bajakah and further understand the mechanisms of action and potential side effects associated with it.

DOTTs-Database of Therapeutic Plants against Tuberculosis: Rationalizing traditional medicine for therapeutic applications

IntroductionMycobacterium tuberculosis, a highly resistant superbug causing tuberculosis disease, contributes to one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Improved drug regimens and therapeutics have been extensively studied, but still, none is proven to be fully effective in eliminating the pathogen or its drug-resistant forms. Therefore, alternative and novel therapeutic approaches to address this problem are the need of the hour. Traditional medicine can be vital in managing tuberculosis via codified (Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani) and uncodified systems (folk medicine). In recent years, the utilization of medicinal plants for TB therapy has garnered considerable attention. Identifying underexplored plants utilized as a remedy for tuberculosis can aid in developing future treatment strategies. The current study aims to assemble the ethnobotanical literature that provides insight into the undocumented tribal/folk medicinal practices against tuberculosis in one unified platform. MethodsThe medicinal plants with therapeutic properties against tuberculosis were identified manually by screening published literature. The data is represented to the users using a user-friendly web interface developed via the PHP-HTML platform using Bootstrap Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) theme, and the database is managed by MySQL Database Management System (DBMS). ResultsDatabase of Therapeutic Plants against Tuberculosis describes the medicinal plants used traditionally in different forms against tuberculosis by various indigenous tribes and communities in India. A total of 100 plants with their local names, taxonomical classification (order and family), tribe, plant part, and formulations, as well as the anti-tubercular attributes, are provided in the database. Additional information about the plants can be retrieved from the external links provided. ConclusionThe DOTTs database provides the ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological data of 100 Indian medicinal plants. This database will help the researchers acquire information about the plants that could be beneficial for further evaluation and discovery of potential leads in TB drug discovery. With proper investigation and advancement, it can be anticipated that TB will no longer be a serious public health risk.

On the value of orderly electric vehicle charging in carbon emission reduction

In this study, a bi-level model is developed to quantify the value of orderly electric vehicle (EV) charging in carbon reduction. Specifically, the upper-level model optimizes each EV driver’s charging schedule to diminish the total carbon emissions without impacting their travel plans, and the lower-level problem aims to fulfill electricity demands with minimal electricity dispatch cost. Based on real-world operation data obtained from 3,777 battery EVs (BEVs) in Shanghai over 11 months and local power plant data, the total carbon emissions generated by BEVs in Shanghai is calculated as 1,176,637 tons over this period, averaging 73 gCO2/km per BEV. By administering charging control to all BEVs in Shanghai, the above emission could be curtailed by 39%. Sensitivity analyses uncover that augmenting battery capacity and integrating wind power can significantly enhance emission reductions, while increasing the flexibility of the power plant might diminish the effectiveness of orderly EV charging.

Landscape heterogeneity correlates with bee and pollen diversity while size and specialization degree explain species-specific responses of wild bees to the environment

Access to adequate pollen sources in agricultural landscapes is critical for the nutrition and development of bees. The type and quantity of pollen available to bees and may be determined by local plant diversity, land-use intensity and landscape structure but different bee species likely respond differently to these parameters. Identifying community and specific responses is therefore imperative to understand pollinator population dynamics in agricultural landscapes. We sampled bees in 36 plots along a land-use gradient at 4 sites in Belgium and Germany over two years. We collected 1821 bees from 100 bee species and constructed a pollen foraging network with 36 common wild bee species based on pollen metabarcoding. We investigated differences in community responses and species-specific responses to environmental variables.Landscape heterogeneity positively correlated with bee species richness, diversity and functional richness, and significantly explained bee community composition per plot. Bee collected pollen diversity correlated with bee species diversity. Furthermore, landscape heterogeneity positively correlated with bee collected pollen diversity when pooling abundant bee species, while it did not correlate with pollen diversity of the most abundant generalists. Land-use intensity and local plant diversity had no significant effect on bee diversity. Larger bees showed negative responses to increasing land-use intensity and bees with more specialized diets showed positive correlations with landscape heterogeneity. Our study goes beyond mere floral diversity and provides new insight into the responses of wild bee communities to landscape structure and regional pollen availability, as well as the interplay between bee abundance and pollen foraging traits. Our results highlight the importance of determining species-specific nutritional needs and considering landscape level structure in pollinator conservation programs.

Formulation of complementary flours from pretreated pumpkin pulp, soybeans and spinach leaves: Nutritional, functional and sensory characterization

One of the major causes of the high prevalence of young children suffering from malnutrition in developed countries is inadequate complementary feeding practices, and especially the low quality of homemade complementary foods. The present study aimed to use available local plant foods to formulate a complementary flour Which can be able to meet energy and nutrients requirements of children aged from 6 to 23 months. To achieve this goal, pumpkin was fermented, soybean soaked and roasted, and spinach steamed. The pre-treated ingredients were ground to obtain individual flours, which were blended in various proportions to obtain four complementary flours (PSS1, PSS2, PSS3, PSS4). The proximate and micronutrient composition, and the energy value of the blends were determined, and based on the results, two of them, that is; (PSS1 [Pumpkin 70 %/Soybean 25 %/Spinach 5 %], and PSS2 [Pumpkin 65 %/Soybean 25 %/Spinach 10 %]) were selected to pursue the Study. The functional properties (water absorption capacity, water solubility index, bulk density) and pasting properties of these two flours were then evaluated. Gruels were prepared from the flours and their energy densities, physical as well as sensory properties were evaluated. Moisture, ash, protein, fat, and sugar contents of PSS1 and PSS2 met the FAO/WHO standards. Fiber content in both flours was higher than the recommendation. Vitamin A and iron were sufficient in PSS2, while PSS1 had low iron content. Calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium content of PSS1 and PSS2 were significantly higher than the standards. PSS1 and PSS2 had good water absorption capacity and solubility index, with low viscosity values (213 and 173 cP respectively), interesting functional properties for complementary flours. The gruels prepared with PSS1 and PSS2 flours had good fluidity and energy densities. They were fairly appreciated based on their organoleptic characteristics, with scores of 5.96 and 5.75 for overall acceptability. PSS2 could be recommended as infant flour rich in iron, vitamin A, and protein, with good nutritional values and functional properties.

Bio Evaluation of Mirabilis Jalapa Leaves Extract for Anxiolytic Activity in Animal Model

Anxiety is an exaggerated feeling of apprehension, uncertainty and fear. It is an unpleasant state of tension with an anticipation of imminent danger. It may be regarded as a particular form of behavioral inhibition that occurs in response to environmental events that are Novel. In recent times, there are many indigenous plants have beneficial properties to treat mental disease and psychic complaints. Mirabilis Jalapa Linn (family- Nyctanginaceae) is one of the plants that used for health care and medicinal purpose for thousands of years. It has traditionally been used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, muscle pain, abdominal colic, and diarrhea. However, studies have evidenced its antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-stress and many other activities. The purpose of this study was to prepare & evaluate Methanolic extract of leaves of mirabilis Jalapa for the treatment of anxiety in animal models. The dried leaves were extracted with methanol separately and administered the dose of 200mg/kg and employed in elevated plus maze test and open field test with 2mg/kg i.p.of Diazepam as a standard drug to assess the anxiolytic activity. The result reveled that methanol leaf extract was more impetus due to high amount of flavonoid, phenolic compound, steroids; terpenoid contents possess tremendous anti-anxiety activity. This study suggested that the M.Jalapa is much more active compound consistent medicinal plant to derive a potent drug against Anxiety

Penerapan Jamu Ternak Menggunakan Bahan Alami Kepada Peternak di Dusun Kiera Kabupaten Maluku Barat Daya

Indonesia's nature has quite high biodiversity, especially plants and is a cultural heritage in utilizing medicinal plants to treat various diseases. This makes many farmers utilize local medicinal plants to be mixed into traditional medicines called livestock herbal medicine. The Community Service Program (PKM) carried out by PSDKU lecturers in the Animal Husbandry Study Program at Pattimura University in West Maluku Regency in collaboration with KKN students through training in making traditional herbal medicine for livestock carried out in Kiera Hamlet, Tounwawan Village, West Maluku Regency. The purpose of implementing this service is to introduce, practice and motivate livestock communities to mix livestock herbal medicine using simple tools and materials available in the surrounding environment. As well as obtaining economic potential in the form of increased income and welfare of livestock communities. The results obtained from this PKM activity were that all participants were very enthusiastic in participating in the intended activity because it was in accordance with the needs of livestock farmers.

Antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-biofilm activities of selected indigenous plant species against nosocomial bacterial pathogens.

Biofilms are responsible for over 60% of nosocomial infections. The focus of this study was to investigate the antioxidant, antibacterial, antibiofilm, and anti-motility activities of Gardenia volkensii, Carissa bispinosa, Peltophorum africanum, and Senna petersiana. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using free radical (DPPH) scavenging and ferric reducing power assays. Antibacterial and antibiofilm activities were evaluated using the broth micro-dilution and the crystal violet assays, respectively. Anti-motility was evaluated using anti-swarming activities, and the brine shrimp lethality assay was used for cytotoxicity. Gardenia volkensii and C. bispinosa acetone extracts had low EC50 values of 9.59 and 9.99μg ml-1on the free-radical scavenging activity, respectively. All the plant extracts demonstrated broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonasa aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus aureus [minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)<0.63mg ml-1]. The initial cell adherence stage of P. aeruginosa and E. coli was the most susceptible stage where sub-MICs resulted in inhibitions>50%. Peltophorum africanum had the least cytotoxic effects. All extracts had anti-motility activity against P. aeruginosa and E. coli. This study showed that not only do the plants have strong antibacterial activity but had noteworthy inhibition (>50%) of initial cell adherence and may be suitable candidates for the treatment of nosocomial pathogens.

A High-Resolution Distribution Dataset of Paddy Rice in India Based on Satellite Data

India, as the world’s second-largest rice producer, accounting for 21.7% of global rice production, plays a crucial role in ensuring global food supply stability. However, creating high-resolution rice maps for India, such as those at 10 to 30 m, poses significant challenges due to frequent cloudy weather conditions and the complexities of its agricultural systems. This study used a sample-independent mapping method for rice in India using the synthetic aperture radar (SAR)-based Rice Index (SPRI). We produced 10 m spatial resolution rice distribution maps for three years (i.e., 2018, 2020, and 2022) for 23 states in India, covering 98% of Indian rice production. The method effectively utilized the unique characteristics of rice in the vertical–horizontal (VH) backscatter coefficient time series of Sentinel-1, from ttransplantation to the maturity stage, combined with cloud-free Sentinel-2 imagery. By calculating the SPRI values for each agricultural field object using adaptive parameters, the planting locations of rice were accurately identified. On average, the user, producer, and overall accuracy over all investigated states and union territories was 84.72%, 82.31%, and 84.40%, respectively. Additionally, the regional-scale validation based on the statistical area at the district level showed that the coefficient of determination (R2) ranged from 0.53 to 0.95 for each state, indicating that the spatial distribution of the statistical planted area at the district level was reproduced well.

Fine‐scale alpine plant community assembly: Relative roles of environmental sorting, dispersal processes and species interactions

Abstract Besides environmental sorting, other processes like biotic interactions and dispersal limitation are vital for the assembly of plant communities in high mountains and their re‐assembly under changing climatic conditions. Nevertheless, studies that compare the impact of these factors on plant community assembly above the tree line are largely lacking so far. We analysed occurrence changes in vascular plant communities of 492 permanent 1‐m2 plots in the alpine‐nival ecotone of Mt. Schrankogel, Austrian Alps by comparing resurvey data from 2014 with data from the initial survey in 1994. We combined these data with species inventories from 899 additional plots sampled in 2021 and 2022 across a larger landscape above the tree line covering an elevational range of 1700 m, which we used for fine‐scale habitat suitability modelling. We assessed the relative effects of projected habitat suitability, propagule pressure from surrounding populations and biomass density of neighbours on 1532 colonization and 372 extirpation events of 31 species observed on the permanent plots. We found that all three factors are significantly related to both colonisations and extirpations, with habitat suitability having the strongest, propagule pressure a slightly weaker, and vegetation density the weakest effect. Colonisations can be better explained by the three process proxies than extirpations. Our results indicate a crucial role of dispersal limitation besides the predominant effect of environmental filtering on the (re‐)assembly of the alpine‐nival plant community, while competitive/facilitative effects between plants tend to play a minor role. The strong imprint of nearby source plant populations on colonization/extirpation events suggests that recent plant migrations predominantly occur in small steps. This implies that while the topographically complex alpine terrain offers climatic microrefugia for plants, it may also pose potential barriers, hindering species from following their suitable climatic niches upwards. Synthesis: Besides filtering by environmental conditions dispersal limitation had a strong effect on the observed changes in a local alpine plant community over two decades. Limited dispersal capacities of plant species may counteract the ability of isolated cold areas to effectively shelter high alpine plants from the effects of climate warming.

The impact of Nassella trichotoma (Nees) Hack. ex Arechav. on plant diversity, richness and soil properties in South Africa

Nassella trichotoma (Poaceae) is a highly invasive South American grass that is invading montane grasslands in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces of South Africa. Although N. trichotoma has been recognised as a major problem in these mountains for decades, the primary concern has been on impacts on rangeland productivity and management, while the impacts of invasions on plant biodiversity have not been considered. To understand the impact of N. trichotoma on local plant biodiversity, 81 pairs of plots (total of 162 plots) were laid out in the Sneeuberg and Eastern Cape Drakensberg mountains, Eastern Cape, in March 2020 and March 2021. At each site plots were located in grassland invaded by N. trichotoma and in nearby uninvaded grassland (control). A total of 20 N. trichotoma patches were sampled with two to four plot pairs per site. All vascular plant species were recorded in all plots, the cover abundance of each species per plot was visually estimated, and the topsoil was sampled and analysed for differences in nutrient and physical factors between invaded and uninvaded plots. Plant species diversity was 24 % higher in uninvaded areas, and the native grasses Pentameris airoides (Χ2 = 4.93, d.f. = 1, p < 0.01), Tenaxia disticha (Χ2 = 5.51, d.f. = 1, p < 0.01), and Themeda triandra (Χ2 = 9.28, d.f. = 1, p < 0.001) were significantly less abundant in invaded plots. Uninvaded areas had greater native species diversity (65 species) and fewer alien species (3) than invaded areas (47 and 9 respectively). Of the 18 soil variables measured, the following were significantly higher in invaded areas than uninvaded areas: boron (23 %), calcium (18 %), phosphorous (58 %), silt (10 %), total cations (12 %), and zinc (68 %). This suggest that N. trichotoma alters soil nutrients. The results indicate that N. trichotoma is a powerful driver of native biodiversity erosion in these montane grasslands and should be a cause for major concern by landowners and government.

Valorization of hydro-distillate of fruit peels of Citrus paradisi macfad. Cultivar. Foster: Chemical profiling, antioxidant evaluation and in vitro and in silico enzyme inhibition studies

The major commercial crops in Pakistan are citrus fruit trees, which are farmed extensively and serve as the country's principal source of foreign exchange. A local citrus plant, Citrus paradisi, variety Foster is famous for its valuable fruit and fruit juice, however, tons of peels of this fruit are thrown as waste, which otherwise can be utilized in formulating nutraceutical and cosmetics. In the present study, essential oil of fruit peels was obtained through hydro-distillation, which was then analyzed through GC-MS analysis and studied for its antioxidant and enzyme inhibition potential. GCMS analysis revealed the presence of several components; major were found to be limonene, α-terpineol, caryophyllene, δ-amorphene, elemol, γ-eudesoml, nootkatone and di-isooctyl phthalate. Although, the oil showed weak free radical inhibition, it was potentially active in CUPRAC, FRAP, phosphomolybdenum and metal chelating antioxidant assays. The oil also exhibited anti-glucosidase, anti-amylase activities and also exhibited potent inhibition of the enzyme tyrosinase, which makes it strong candidate for nutraceuticals and skin care products. The docking studies also substantiate our results and caryophyllene, γ-eudesoml and nootkatone showed good binding affinity α-glucosidase and α-amylase and all tested compounds showed the higher binding affinity towards the enzyme tyrosinase.

Advancements and Challenges in Chemoinformatics: From Drug Discovery to Natural Products Research

Chemoinformatics, an interdisciplinary field combining chemistry, computer science, and information technology, is revolutionising scientific research by using computational methods to analyse, interpret, and predict chemical and biological data. This review explores its pivotal role across drug discovery and natural product research, highlighting key methodologies and challenges. It is critical in drug discovery because it expedites the identification and optimization of drug candidates through techniques such as virtual screening, molecular docking, and quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies. It also facilitates the integration of computational chemistry with experimental validation, improving predictions iteratively. Chemoinformatics helps with managing databases, virtually screening bioactive compounds, and figuring out structures through molecular dynamics simulations and metabolomics in the field of natural products research. These tools enable researchers to explore the therapeutic potential of indigenous medicinal plants and other natural sources, facilitating the discovery of novel bioactive molecules with potential pharmaceutical applications. However, challenges such as data quality, computational resources, and ethical considerations persist, particularly in regions with limited infrastructure and expertise. The integration of machine learning and big data analytics promises to further enhance predictive modelling and accelerate discoveries in chemoinformatics. Keywords: Chemoinformatics, Drug Discovery, Natural Products, Research

Anaerobic fermentation for hydrogen production and tetracycline degradation: Biodegradation mechanism and microbial community succession

The misuse and continues discharge of antibiotics can cause serious pollution, which is urgent to take steps to remit the environment pollution. In this study, anaerobic bacteria isolated from the aeration tank of a local sewage treatment plant were employed to investigate hydrogen production and tetracycline (TC) degradation during anaerobic fermentation. Results indicate that low concentrations of TC enhanced hydrogen production, increasing from 366 mL to a maximum of 480 mL. This increase is attributed to stimulated hydrolysis and acidogenesis, coupled with significant inhibition of homoacetogenesis. Furthermore, the removal of TC, facilitated by adsorption and biodegradation, exceeded 90 %. During the fermentation process, twenty-one by-products were identified, leading to the proposal of four potential degradation pathways. Analysis of the microbial community revealed shifts in diversity and a decrease in the abundance of hydrogen-producing bacteria, whereas bacteria harboring tetracycline resistance genes became more prevalent. This study provides a possibility to treat tetracycline-contaminated wastewater and to produce clean energy simultaneously by anaerobic fermentation.

Effectiveness of natural herbs on sewage and treated municipal wastewater: A comparative study

Improperly handled sewage is the main cause of water pollution. Nearly 62% of wastewater in urban India remains untreated or partially treated, which further gets disposed of in the natural water bodies. The usual treatment methods include the activated sludge process, oxidation ponds, aerated lagoons, and trickling filters. These methods need spacious areas, a lot of energy and time, which drives up the cost of the treatment. The expense of the treatment process can be decreased by using natural coagulants. The indigenous medical system uses plants, which are abundant in secondary metabolites, to treat a variety of illnesses. The purpose of this study was to comprehend how these indigenous plants can be utilized for treating sewage water, as a low-cost accessible method that can be used by citizens to get access to clean drinking water. Material &amp;amp; Methods: A quick and low-cost method was created to investigate the efficacy of Moringa oleifera (Moringa), Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), and Azadirachta indica (Neem) in the treatment of sewage water. This herb treated water was then compared to municipal treated water from the Ghatkopar Wastewater treatment facility, managed by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), Mumbai, India. All the herb-based components were bought from regional markets, and water samples from a lagoon found in the nearby Ghatkopar lagoon in Mumbai. Results: When compared to the lagoon-treated water, the efficacy of the sewage water treated with herbs was higher or comparable. Coliform and copper levels decreased considerably in the treated sample. Herb-treated samples showed a reduction in the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) levels as compared to the treated water. Conclusion: When combined, the herbs had a significant impact on lowering the COD, Copper, and coliform levels, making the native plants a valuable source for the treatment of sewage water.

Plant biodiversity assessment of locally cultivated crops and household food security in Northern Iran

BackgroundLocally cultivated crops play an important role in the food security. The biodiversity of these crops can be important for the livelihood of households in current and future generations. This research aims to study the socio-economic, agronomic, and ecological aspects which contribute to the maintenance of crop diversification and food security in the study area.MethodBased on latitude and topography 10 villages were randomly selected, which was done in a study with 227 household farm managers. Food security was evaluated based on the species richness, and area under cultivation of food groups, and the probit logistic regression model was used for evaluation. Probit regression, also known as probit models, is used when the output or dependent variable of the model is bivariate. In inverse probit models, the standard normal distribution is modeled as a linear combination of predictor variables. In this situation, the application of normal regression methods is not applicable because the distribution occurred in two levels. In this study, it is assumed that the protection of biodiversity of local plants is related to food security, and for this reason, we have used this model.ResultsThe findings showed that socio-economic status of different households and farms in this coastal area is one of the key factors affecting the biodiversity of locally cultivated crops. Local cultivars, especially those of rice, are resistant to most environmental factors and contribute to family food security. Food security and rice abundance are significantly correlated in all of the research area’s communities.ConclusionsTo ensure the sustainability, and health of production, and to ensure food security, planting various crops in this study area is recommended. Future research is needed to focus on solutions and technologies rich in diversity tailored to the socio-economic and environmental factors of locally cultivated crops.

Neighbourhood effects on herbivory damage and chemical profiles in short-rotation coppice willows and their hybrids

Short rotation coppices (SRCs) represent an important source of biomass. Since they are grown in various mixtures, SRCs represent an excellent opportunity for assessing the effects of local plant neighbourhoods on their performance. We used a common garden experiment consisting of plots that varied in genotype diversity of SRC willows to test for the effects of chemical traits of individual plants and chemical variation in the plots where they grew on insect herbivory. We also explored whether the composition of willows planted in a plot affected their chemistry. To do this, we performed untargeted metabolomics and quantified various chemical traits related to the total set of metabolites we detected, flavonoids, and salicinoids in four willow genotypes. We measured the leaf herbivory that the plants suffered. The genotypes differed in most chemical traits, yet we found only limited effects of individual traits on herbivory damage. Instead, herbivory damage was positively correlated with structural variation in salicinoids in a plot. When analysing the effects of plot chemical variation on herbivory damage separately for each genotype, we found both positive and negative correlations between the two, suggesting both associational resistance and susceptibility. Finally, we also observed a significant effect of the interaction between genotype and plot composition on structural variation in plant chemistry. Overall, our results suggest that high chemical variation in mixed willow SRCs does not necessarily lower the herbivory damage, possibly due to spillover effects of insect herbivores among genotypes. Our results also show that different genotypes respond differently to plot composition in terms of herbivory damage and chemical composition, which may affect their suitability for growing in mixed stands.

Ethnobotanical Study on Plants Used As Natural Dye by Handwritten &lt;i&gt;Batik&lt;/i&gt; Craftsmen in Cirebon Indonesia

Cirebon Regency is one of the few Indonesian batik craft center which still use natural dyes in hand-written batik making. The natural dyes are generally extracted from plants. The kind of plants used as natural dyes source for batik in Cirebon Regency are not yet known. This ethnobotanical research aimed to describe the kinds of plants and their characteristics, the frequency of citation by respondents, the parts of the organs used, the sources of obtaining plants, the colors produced, usage technique, as well as the role of using natural dyes in batik to support implementation of green economy. The research approach was exploratory descriptive through observation and interview techniques for data collection. The research was carried out at Kebon Gedang Block, Ciwaringin Village, Cirebon Regency, Indonesia in September 2023. Thirty respondents were selected by purposive sampling method and subjected to the interview. The results showed there were 14 plants species from 12 families used as natural dyes. The most frequently used species were Mangifera indica and Indigofera tinctoria. The organ most widely used was the bark which comes from the purchased, and the color generally produced was brown. The most frequently coloring method used was boiling technique. This research is the first study in this area and useful for providing data and strategic potential for developing local plants as environmentally friendly natural dyes, as well as supporting efforts to use natural dyes in the batik industry.

Dynamics of soil water potential as a function of stand types in a temperate forest: Emphasis on flash droughts

In the context of a changing climate and the increasing occurrences of extreme events, including droughts, field evidence, and models suggest that cases of forest decline and migration of tree species to more suitable climates will augment in the 21st century. In northeastern North America, an expansion of American beech at the expense of maples has been observed since the 1970s and has been associated to several causes. Through an analysis of time series leveraging thousands of data collected in a temperate forest in southern Quebec, Canada, dynamics of soil water potential were analyzed in interaction with soil temperature, meteorological variables and forest types, including hardwoods (mostly maple) with a large presence of beech trees (hardwood-beech stands), hardwoods (maple and birch) and mixedwoods (maple and fir). During flash drought events with a net precipitation deficit and water stress, the presence of beech led to a decrease in soil temperature and favored the maintenance of low soil water potential and faster restoration of water reserves compared to mixedwoods. Using machine learning-based approaches, distinct critical soil temperature thresholds in regard to water potential were identified for the various forest types, and the temporality in soil water regime changes was more favorable under hardwood-beech stands. The presence of beech appears to render greater resilience in regard to water stress in this forest. A greater capacity of beech to preserve and restore soil water not only offers an additional explanation for its establishment in hardwoods in the last decades, but greater water conservation in the presence of beech, assuming it remains in the landscape, could also help local plant species adapt to climate change and to the predicted increased water deficits, as well as species migrating northward to find more suitable environmental envelopes.

A quick and effective trait-based protocol for selecting appropriate native plant species for the reforestation of degraded tropical mines.

A critical issue in tropical forests is that anthropogenic deforestation (i.e., mining) degrades the integrity of its ecosystem. Reforestation with appropriate native plant species helps to alleviate these detrimental impacts. A protocol to select appropriate plant species for this purpose currently lacks efficacy and timeliness. We provided a trait-based protocol to quickly and effectively select native plant species for mining reforestation. A 0.2-km2 area of Baopoling (BPL) at Hainan Island, China, was used as a study site, which has been severely degraded by 20 years of limestone mining for cement production. First, we identified the tree species in nearby undisturbed tropical forests, followed by evaluating the similarities in functional traits of the most dominant one (target species) and 60 local candidate native plant species (candidate species) whose saplings can be purchased from a local market. This dataset was used in our trait-based protocol, and only within 1 month, we successfully selected eight plant species which are very similar to target species from the 60 candidate species. We also quantified whether the eight selected plant species were indeed suitable for sustained reforestation by testing their effects on landscape and also their survival rate and recruitment ability after using them to perform reforestation in BPL from 2016 to 2023. Finally, these eight plant species are indeed suitable for reforestation due to their huge influences on a significant shift from originally degraded landscape (comprising only barren rocks) to a forest landscape totally and also their high survival rate (90%-97%) and ability for natural recruitment after 7 years' reforestation in BPL. Thus, we anticipate that this protocol would be integral to species selection during reforestation of tropical mining areas.