Natural Forest Ecosystems Research Articles

Soils of Native Forest Ecosystems

Soils of Native Forest Ecosystems

Distinct patterns of the soil and phyllosphere antibiotic resistome in natural forest ecosystems under an altitudinal gradient

Warming affects microbial functioning of soil and the phyllosphere across global ecosystems. However, little is known about the impact of increasing temperature on antibiotic resistome profiles in natural forests. To address this issue, we investigated antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in both soil and the plant phyllosphere using an experimental platform established in a forest ecosystem that delivers a temperature difference of 2.1 °C along an altitudinal gradient. Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) showed that there were significant differences in the composition of soil and plant phyllosphere ARGs at different altitudes (P = 0.001). The relative abundance of phyllosphere ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and soil MGEs increased with temperature. More resistance gene classes increased in abundance in the phyllosphere (10 classes) than soil (2 classes), and a Random Forest model analysis suggested that phyllosphere ARGs were more sensitive to temperature change than soil. Increasing temperature as a direct consequence of an altitudinal gradient, and the relative abundance of MGEs were the main drivers that shaped the profiles of ARGs in the phyllosphere and soil. Biotic and abiotic factors affected phyllosphere ARGs indirectly via MGEs. This study enhances our understanding of the influence of altitude gradients on resistance genes in natural environments.

Assisted natural regeneration of selected tree species through silviculture interventions as a tool for restoring degraded natural forests in northwestern Ethiopia

Natural forest ecosystem assets and services are increasingly deteriorating due to forest degradation and deforestation in Northern parts of Ethiopia. Enhancing the natural regeneration status of native tree species through different silviculture practices is highly Forest regeneration method recommended. Thus, this study aims to investigate the role of different silvicultural interventions in enhancing the regeneration condition of selected ecological and economical important tree species. Three natural forests stands from different agro-ecologies were chosen and three silvicultural treatments including Fencing, Fence + hoeing, Fence + gap creation, and control (without any intervention) with 400 m2 plot areas established with three replications and randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a total of 36 plots. In each plot, seedling, and saplings under different mod of regeneration were recorded while height and diameter at breast height were measured and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics using R version 4.1. There was a significant difference (p < .05) in seedling density and regeneration status among forest stands, methods of regeneration, silvicultural methods, and season of regeneration. The Camboo forest stand recorded the highest regeneration (971 seedlings ha−1); seedlings regenerated from seed recorded the highest regeneration (368 seedlings ha−1), fencing and gap creation silvicultural intervention recorded the highest seedlings (961 seedlings ha−1), the highest regeneration density was recorded at mid-rainy season (570 seedlings ha−1); and Prunus africana and Albizia gummifera have the best regeneration capacity (245 seedlings ha−1) in the study forest stand. The regeneration status of trees under fencing and gap creation plots changed from J-shape to an inverted J-shape before and after silviculture intervention, respectively. The regeneration and population structure of many studied tree species showed particularly good condition in fenced plots than control plots which shows future management interventions for the restoration of degraded natural forest ecosystems in Ethiopia’s tropical forest ecosystems. Some native tree species, such as Hagenia abyssinica, Apodytes dimidata, and Ekebrgia capensis, have a weak response to silvicultural treatments that require advanced regeneration techniques such as clonal nurseries and invitro propagation.

IDENTIFIKASI KEANEKARAGAMAN JENIS MANGROVE (STUDI KASUS DESA KULI, KECAMATAN LOBALAIN, KABUPATEN ROTE NDAO, PROVINSI NUSA TENGGARA TIMUR)

Kuli Village , Lobalain District , Rote Ndao Regency has a relatively natural mangrove forest ecosystem. For the people of Kuli Village, the existence of mangrove forests which are very important as a support for their lives directly and indirectly has been felt by the people of Kuli Village. The most worrying thing about the destruction of mangrove forests is the loss of mangrove species which causes a decrease in the species diversity of mangrove forests. The purpose of this study was to identify the types of mangroves in the Coastal Area of Kuli Village, Lobalain District, Rote Ndao Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province.This research was conducted in Kuli Village, Lobalain District, Rote Ndao Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province .The determination of the measuring plot is done in a simple random sampling manner. The data collection techniques used in this study are primary data and secondary data. From the data collected, descriptive and quantitative data analysis was carried out. The results of the study obtained that there are 6 types of mangroves that grow, namely Perepat (Soneratia alba), Mangrove (Rizhopora apiculata), Pedada (Sonneratia caseolaris), White mangrove (Bruguiera cylindrica), Fire-fire (Avicennia marina) and Black Flames (Avicennia alba). The diversity index (H') of all types was obtained at 1.352. This shows that the level of diversity of mangrove species in Kuli Village is included in the moderate category .

Fromforest floor to tree top: Partitioning of biomass and carbon stock in multiple strata of forest vegetation in Western Himalaya.

The foremost role of forest vegetation in storing biomass and carbon (C) stock constitutes one of the main nature-based solutions to mitigate climate change. In this study, we aimed to quantify biomass and C stock partitioning in multiple vegetation strata (tree, shrub, herb, and ground floor layers) of major forest types in Jammu and Kashmir,Western Himalaya, India. We used a stratified random cluster sampling strategy to collect field data in 96 forest stands of 12 forest types (altitudinal range: 350 to 3450m) in the study region. We evaluated the degree to which the carbon stock of the entire ecosystem was dependent on the multiple vegetation strata using the Pearson method. Across all the forest types, the average total ecosystem-level biomass was estimated to be 181.95 Mgha-1 (range: 60.64-528.98). Forest strata-wise, the maximum biomass of 172.92 Mgha-1 (range: 50.64-514.97) was found in the tree vegetation, followed by 5.58 Mgha-1 (range: 2.59-8.93) in understory vegetation (shrubs and herbaceous), and 3.44 Mgha-1 (range: 0.97 and 9.14) in the forest floor. The total ecosystem-level biomass showed a peak at mid-elevation coniferous forest types, whereas the lowest was observed in low-elevation broad leaved forest types. At the ecosystem-level, on average, the understory contributed 3% and the forest floor 2% to the total C stock across the forest types. The shrub layer contributed up to 80% of total understory C, with the herbaceous layer accounting for the remaining 20%. The ordination analysis clearly shows that anthropogenic and environmental variables significantly (p ≤ 0.002) influence the forest types' C stock in the region. Our findings have significant implications for conserving natural forest ecosystems and restoring degraded forest landscapes in this Himalayan region, which in turn can lead to better carbon sequestration and climate mitigation outcomes.

Plant-pathogen management in a native forest ecosystem

Forest ecosystems all over the world are facing a growing threat from plant-disease outbreaks. As pollution, climate change, and global pathogen movement intensify, so too do the impacts of forest pathogens. In this essay, we examine a case study of the New Zealand kauri tree (Agathis australis) and its oomycetepathogen, Phytophthora agathidicida. We focus on the interactions between the host, pathogen, and environment - the building blocks of the 'disease triangle', a framework used by plant pathologists to understand and manage diseases. We delve into why this framework is more challenging to apply to trees than crops, taking into account the differences in reproductive time, level of domestication, and surrounding biodiversity between the host (a long-lived native tree species) and typical crop plants. We also address the difficulties in managing Phytophthora diseases compared to fungal or bacterial pathogens. Furthermore, we explore the complexities of the environmental aspect of the disease triangle. In forest ecosystems, the environment is particularly complex, encompassing diverse macro- and microbiotic influences, forest fragmentation, land use, and climate change. By exploring these complexities, we emphasize the importance of targeting multiple components of the disease triangle simultaneously to make effective management gains. Finally, we highlight the invaluable contribution of indigenous knowledge systems in bringing a holistic approach to managing forest pathogens in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.

Ultisols with Unique Soil Properties and their Implications in Carbon Enhancement Strategies for Indian Tropical Soils

Million years old Ultisols, developed as an end stage of advance soil weathering on base-poor rock systems under forest and plantation crops of the Indian sub-continent, are enriched with organic carbon (OC). Despite their remarkable acid chemical reaction, they show an upward increase in extractable bases (EB) and base saturation (BS) in the pedon, and on some occasion BS &gt; 35% in surface horizons. Recent research suggests that the litter falls from forest species provide bases on soil surface, which causes similar depth distribution of EB and BS in Andisols of Nilgiri Hills of humid tropical southern India, developed on pre-weathered lateritic materials consisting primarily of Fe and Al oxides/ hydroxides. Under similar humid tropical (HT) climate in protected rain forest, million years old OC rich soils of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, developed on base-poor rock systems, have similar chemical and clay mineralogical properties of Ultisols except however their EB and BS, which are more than 10% and much above 50%, respectively and therefore, they are acidic Alfisols. Formation of Alfisols on the Island is a unique example on the formidable role of vegetation in soil formation, suggesting that if inland Ultisols are kept under natural protected forest ecosystem, they may phase towards Alfisols thereby facilitating OC sequestration and perform other ecosystem functions. The preservation of natural or semi-natural ecosystems is thus essential to raise the OC stocks of soils, which would help to gain various ecological benefits.

Assessing the Extent of Tree Species Plantation across Different Land Use Types, in Case of Ale District, Ilu Aba Bor Zone, Southwest Ethiopia

Large-scale imports of exotic tree species are thought to be one of the main causes of worldwide environmental changes and alien forest plantations, putting many of our native forest ecosystems in danger. In comparison to the condition of native tree species, the status of alien tree plantings receives more attention from the community and encompasses many forms of land use. This study's goals were to evaluate the situation of plantings of exotic tree species across various land use categories. Purposive sampling was used in the data collection design. Plots of 20 m by 20 m, or 400 m² per grazing area, along the roadside, homestead, coffee farm, agricultural boundary, and woodlot were all used as locations for tree evaluation plots. The study's findings showed that there are 78% exotic tree species and 33.91% farmland on which individual families have planted exotic tree species in the Ale district plantation land use status. The tree basal areas are 24.69 m² ha^-1 for exotic tree species and 15.88 m² ha^-1 for native tree species, respectively. There were a lot of exotic tree plantings along the sides of the road, on the edges of agricultural land, and in wooded areas. In comparison to native trees, exotic tree species have been widely planted and now dominate most different forms of land use. Examples of these species are eucalyptus and <i>Grevillea robusta</i>. In order for policymakers to develop conservation and management strategies that can support the sustainability of indigenous tree species, the land use policy should be adopted or changed. The study area is not used for scientific research; there is a gap in the southwestern zone; and exotic tree species are widely planted through various forms of land usage.

Lipid profiles of plants and soil microbial communities are shaped by soil parent material in Australian sclerophyll forests

Background and aimsPlant and soil microbes can reduce their phosphorus (P)-requirements by replacing phospholipids with non-P containing lipids (e.g., galactolipids, sulfolipids, and betaine lipids). There have been few studies of this process in the field (i.e., in natural ecosystems); thus, it is unclear whether a similar replacement of phospholipids with non-P lipids occurs across natural gradients of soil P-availability.MethodsWe compared the membrane lipid profiles of plant leaves, roots, and soil microbial communities between two adjacent native Australian sclerophyll forest ecosystems—one situated on a severely P-deficient sandstone-derived soil and the other on a comparatively P-rich shale-derived soil. The herbaceous species, Lomandra longifolia, which occurred across both soils was sampled, along with two Myrtaceae tree species associated with each soil type.ResultsThe phospholipid content of plant leaves and soil microbes was two- to three-fold greater in the shale site than the sandstone site, but non-P lipid content did not differ between sites.ConclusionOur results indicate that plants and soil microbes can have a lower investment of P into phospholipids in response to P-deficiency without a concomitant increase in non-P lipid content. Modulations in phospholipid concentration occurred across all plant- and soil microbial-associated phospholipid classes.

Effects of tree diversity on soil microbial community in a subtropical forest in Southwest China

Soil microorganisms are crucial for biological diversity and ecosystem processes in terrestrial ecosystems. Plant diversity has been reported to have positive effects on microbial communities. However, further research is required to understand the complex mechanisms that regulate the interactions between plants and soil microorganisms, especially the corresponding variations in soil microbial communities under tree diversity gradients in natural forest ecosystems. Therefore, we conducted a field investigation in a natural subtropical forest and collected 45 soil samples to evaluate how the soil microbial biomass and community diversity (represented by phospholipid fatty acid biomarkers) responded to a tree diversity gradient as well as their associations with plant (root and litter) traits and soil variables. The contents of total PLFAs ranged from 86.4 to 325.5 nmol g−1 soil with an average of 183.2 ± 66.1 nmol g−1 soil across the 45 plots. Tree diversity significantly enhanced microbial biomass and decreased microbial diversity. Hierarchical partitioning analysis revealed that the soil substrates (including inorganic and organic nutrients) were the major determinants of microbial biomass. Structural equation models also demonstrated that the effects of tree diversity on the biomass and diversity of soil microbial communities were mainly dependent on soil substrates and soil water content, respectively. In addition, soil microorganisms may potentially metabolize relatively recalcitrant carbon components under low tree diversity, whereas they tended to utilize labile carbon sources under high tree diversity. Overall, these findings suggested that the soil microbial community biomass and diversity exhibited distinct changes along the tree diversity gradient, and highlighted the key role of soil substrates availability in controlling microbial biomass.

Assessing ecosystem vulnerability under severe uncertainty of global climate change

Assessing the vulnerability and adaptive capacity of species, communities, and ecosystems is essential for successful conservation. Climate change, however, induces extreme uncertainty in various pathways of assessments, which hampers robust decision-making for conservation. Here, we developed a framework that allows us to quantify the level of acceptable uncertainty as a metric of ecosystem robustness, considering the uncertainty due to climate change. Under the framework, utilizing a key concept from info-gap decision theory, vulnerability is measured as the inverse of maximum acceptable uncertainty to fulfill the minimum required goal for conservation. We applied the framework to 42 natural forest ecosystems and assessed their acceptable uncertainties in terms of maintenance of species richness and forest functional type. Based on best-guess estimate of future temperature in various GCM models and RCP scenarios, and assuming that tree species survival is primarily determined by mean annual temperature, we performed simulations with increasing deviation from the best-guess temperature. Our simulations indicated that the acceptable uncertainty varied greatly among the forest plots, presumably reflecting the distribution of ecological traits and niches among species within the communities. Our framework provides acceptable uncertainty as an operational metric of ecosystem robustness under uncertainty, while incorporating both system properties and socioeconomic conditions. We argue that our framework can enhance social consensus building and decision-making in the face of the extreme uncertainty induced by global climate change.

The Contribution of Physical Factors and Cultural Reinforcement Activities in the Tourism Industry of Nuwara Eliya

The tourism industry is one of the major sources of income in the world. Thus, Sri Lanka is a pearl of the Indian Ocean that excels in the field of tourism. Sri Lanka is an island nation surrounded by the sea, blended with natural forest ecosystems and rich bio-diversity. Nuwara Eliya is one of the most important tourist destinations in Sri Lanka, located amidst the central hill mass of the island. The research titled “The Contribution of Physical Factors and Cultural Reinforcement Activities in the Tourism Industry of Nuwara Eliya” is fully focused on the contribution of physical properties and cultural strengthening activities in the tourism industry of Nuwara Eliya. The objectives of the study are to identify the importance of physical factors in the tourism industry in Nuwara-Eliya and to present the cultural and reinforcement measures to be taken to promote tourism in the study area. Quantitative and qualitative data for the study area have been systematically obtained and the data were analyzed comprehensively using the compilation and inference methods. Secondary data were obtained from previous research, published articles, unpublished books and satellite images. Spatial and attribute data were analyzed using Arc GIS 10.3 and MS-Excel 2016 software, in order to find out the physical properties that contribute Nuwara Eliya tourism industry. As well the study further highlights tourism development through cultural reinforcement activities.

Structure of Microscopic Fungal Species in Soils at Amber Mining Territories before and during the use of New Technology of Pine Plantation Formation.

Introduction: Ukraine is one of the European leaders in amber deposits. The main deposits of the mineral are concentrated in the forests of the Rivne, Zhytomyr and Volyn regions. As a result of the extraction process, the integrity of forest’s ecosystems is violated, the fertile soil layer is destroyed, and 3.5 thousand hectares of forests have to be restored. Aim: Evaluation of different forest management strategies in degraded soil regeneration. Objective: The study aims to explore the response of soil mycobiota to extreme conditions associated with amber mining and to propose biotechnology to restore the fertile soil layer by methods of regenerative land use, namely the use of biomass of various ways of birch cuts, which is the primary succession to the indigenous pine stands in the region. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on the territory of the Klesiv amber deposit in the Ukrainian Polissya. The bioindication method with the help of soil micromycetes was used to assess the quality of the plant development environment in the conditions of ecosystem restoration after amber extraction. To determine the species composition of hyphomycetes, the method of serial dilutions and direct seeding on agar media of soil suspensions was used. The analysis of soil mycobiota was performed using quantitative ecology methods. The method of correlation groups was used to determine the taxonomic diversity of hyphomycetes. To determine the effectiveness of the restoration of the studied forest soils, the express analysis of the content of essential nutrients using NPK-sensor was used. Standard methods for the determination of mobile phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen compounds were used as controls. Results: The species composition and taxonomic characteristics of soil micromycetes of forest ecosystems disturbed by amber mining have been studied. It was found that in the areas of amber mining, soil micromycetes form linear connections and three-membered structures, which is characteristic of disturbed biocenoses. In the 60-year-old plantation, soil micromycetes form strong six-membered structures that are characteristic of menopausal ecosystems or intact biocenoses. The biotechnology of restoration of the indigenous plantation characteristic of these conditions - pine with an admixture of hanging birch is offered. The result of the application of this technology will allow to reproduce natural forest ecosystems in large areas. Conclusion: For the first time, the structure of fungal complexes in the areas of amber mining has been determined, which indicates that the formation of a stable structure requires time and a systematic approach to the restoration of damaged soils. In the soils disturbed by amber mining, initial linear, three-membered and four-membered structures were formed, the structural genera of which are the “pioneer genera” Penicillium, Mucor, Rhizopus, the species of which were the first to inhabit plant remains. In the process of reforestation in areas affected by amber mining, biotechnology was used for the first time, which involved the formation of natural pine stands by cutting birch, forming the primary succession in the studied areas. The comparison of the results of chemical analysis of soils of the studied areas of the Klesiv forestry before and after the application of birch pruning technology for the formation of pine stands proves the effectiveness of the technology, as in all areas nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were increased in the soil.

Description of Bothriurus mistral n. sp., the highest-dwelling Bothriurus from the western Andes (Scorpiones, Bothriuridae), using multiple morphometric approaches.

We describe Bothriurus mistral n. sp. (Scorpiones, Bothriuridae) from the Chilean north-central Andes of the Coquimbo Region. This is the highest elevational discovery for Bothriurus in the western slopes of the Andes. This species was collected in the Estero Derecho Private Protected Area and Natural Sanctuary as part of the First National Biodiversity Inventory of Chile of the Integrated System for Monitoring and Evaluation of Native Forest Ecosystems (SIMEF). Bothriurus mistral n. sp. is closely related to Bothriurus coriaceus Pocock, 1893, from the lowlands of central Chile. This integrative research includes a combination of traditional morphometrics and geometric morphometric analyses to support the taxonomic delimitation of the species.

Plant Species Composition and Diversity in Dalbergia melanoxylon Dominated Zones in Mitarure Forest Reserve in Kilwa District

The study was designed to assess the plant species composition and diversity in the Dalbergia melanoxylon dominated zone in Mitarure Forest Reserve and the nearby community forests particularly Ngea and Nambawala in Kilwa District, Tanzania. Thirty (30) circular concentric plots were established in the forest reserve and fifteen (15) plots in each of the two-community forest and used to collect vegetation data. The plant species diversity was determined using Shannon-Wiener diversity index, evenness, richness and Simpson and their indices were compared using ANOVA. Plant species diversity and evenness assessed in Mitarure Forest Reserve did not differ significantly from those from community forests. However, the plant species diversity based on Simpson index and richness were significantly higher in the Mitarure Forest Reserve compared to those in community forests. A total of 56 plant species were recorded in Mitarure forest reserve, 39 plant species in Ngea forest and 36 plant species in Nambawala forest. Mitarure forest reserve and the nearby community forests have high plant species diversity with a good stand characteristic of a typical natural forest. However, with an intensive human disturbance, the tree species composition decreases that needs an intervention through local community involvement. This strategy may contribute in the future survival of species and the natural forests in Kilwa District. Data from this study stand as baseline information for the future monitoring of the performance of stands in the natural forest ecosystem in the Dalbergia melanoxylon-dominated zones in Kilwa District.

What Promotes Natural Forest Protection and Restoration? Insights from the Perspective of Multiple Parties

The natural forest protection and restoration (NFPR) system is imperfect due to contradictions between the objectives of natural forest protection and the reality of situations, outdated cultivation concepts, conflicting interests among participating parties, and the lack of regulation guarantees and assessment criteria. These problems are not only common in China but also in international forest protection. As the NFPR system is more focused on the protection of natural forests, the level of natural forest restoration in China has been poor, with low natural forest quality and forest productivity. At the same time, the value of natural forest ecosystem services does not match the demand of farmers, forest management, and other multiple participating parties. As a result, except for the government, other multiple parties lack the intrinsic motivation to participate in NFPR, ultimately forming a sustainable management dilemma. Under the institutional analysis and development (IAD) framework, the objective of this research was to explore the influencing factors and outcomes of the participation of multiple parties in NFPR and to construct a multiple parties’ participation mechanism for solving this dilemma. This research found that among external variables, multiple parties’ characteristics, biophysical conditions, attributes of community, and rules-in-use jointly influence and constitute the driving mechanism of multiple parties’ participation in NFPR. The rules-in-use directly impact the participation action scenario and regulate the other three external variables. Various factors and mechanisms in NFPR interact in the action space and produce outcomes that create positive incentives for each external variable, thus promoting the whole mechanism to achieve a virtuous cycle of sustainable management. This study provides a theoretical contribution to understanding the behavior of multiple parties participating in NFPR.

Stand density, climate and biodiversity jointly regulate the multifunctionality of natural forest ecosystems in northeast China

Stand density, climate and biodiversity jointly regulate the multifunctionality of natural forest ecosystems in northeast China

Land use effects on soil protists and their top-down regulation on bacteria and fungi in soil profiles

Soil protists play an essential role in shaping microbial community structure and soil nutrient cycling. However, our understanding of land use effects on soil protists and their functions in the microbial food web in soil profiles is still limited. This study is designed to i) compare the community distributions of soil protists along soil depths in different land uses (forest vs vineyard agricultural), and ii) investigate the role of protists in microbial top-down regulation on bacteria and fungi. Soils were sampled in native forest and vineyard agricultural ecosystems in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia at depths: 5-15 cm, 45-55 cm, and 90-100 cm. We found that: 1) different protist community structures were observed between topsoils and subsoils, and the influence of land use decreased with depth; 2) protists community was largely driven by soil properties, i.e., soil pH and soil organic carbon; 3) protists functioning as consumers constitute the largest part of soil protists community (e.g., >75 % in topsoils), which regulated bacterial and fungal community diversity. This study presents the varying distribution patterns of soil protists in soil profiles from different land uses and highlights the importance of soil protists on microbial community regulation. Manipulation of the soil protist community may influence microbial functions in soils.

GROUPING OF GEOSYSTEMS ACCORDING TO THE DEGREE OF ECOLOGICAL TENSION AND ORGANIZATION OF ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT IN LANDSCAPE PLANNING

Aim: This article aims to assess the ecological situation in the Gudyalchay-Samurchay interfluve area to support landscape planning and socio-economic management. The study focuses on identifying natural-anthropogenic effects, sustainability, natural resources, socio-economic functions, and natural-anthropogenic conflicts in the area. Methodology: The study employs landscape-ecological planning and analysis techniques to evaluate the ecological condition of landscapes in the area. The tension level of the ecological situation is categorized into five levels: satisfactory, dangerous, stressed, crisis, and catastrophic. The assessment considers various landscape types and their structural and functional characteristics, as well as the impact of natural and anthropogenic factors. Results: The study reveals that landscapes with satisfactory ecological conditions are predominantly found in nival and subnival rock-glacial ecosystems. However, other landscape types show limited areas with satisfactory conditions. Dangerous, stressed, crisis, and catastrophic ecological situations are observed in different landscape types, with varying degrees of ecological stress and irreversible changes in the landscape components. The ecological assessment and the implementation of the ecological carcass concept are crucial for landscape planning and the sustainable development of the Gudyalchay-Samurchay interfluve area. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and land managers in balancing socio-economic activities with ecological considerations, protecting natural resources, and improving the overall ecological situation in the region. Scientific Novelty: The article highlights the concept of the ecological carcass as a framework for nature protection and management. It emphasizes the importance of specially protected natural areas, ecological corridors, natural forest ecosystems, and ecological education for local communities. The ecological carcass approach aims to ensure the ecological balance, prevent biodiversity loss and landscape degradation, and promote sustainable coexistence of humans and natural resources.

Analysis of Land Use Change and Associated Implications on Soil Ecosystem Functions in South Eastern Nigeria

Land use change affects soil functions and its capacity to provide ecosystem services. Though much of the tropics are experiencing accelerated increases in land use change, associated impacts of such changes are poorly understood and studied. This study assessed the extent to which land use changes affect the soil ecosystem functions in a rainforest zone of south eastern Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from 24 sample locations in selected natural forest, cashew and palm plantations. Samples were analyzed in triplicate in the laboratory for geochemical analysis, after which the result was subjected to statistical analysis—ANOVA, correlation and regression. Forest carbon had higher % mean carbon content; though there was no significant difference (F (2, 21) = .246, p = .784) in carbon level across land uses. R value of .301 showed low correlation between % carbon, organic matter and % loss in ignition. Furthermore, R2 value of 9.1% total variation in the dependent variable could only be explained by the independent variables. CEC, Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus content of the land uses did not differ significantly: CEC (F (2, 21) = .844, p (.44); Nitrogen (.243), p (.79), Potassium (.140), p (.87), Phosphorus (.783), p (.47). This showed that there was no significant variation in soil fertility of the land uses, although natural forest had higher concentrations for these variables. Across the land uses, soil texture equally had no significant variations: % sand (F (2, 21) = .320, p (.729) % clay (.430), p (.656), % silt (.043), p (.958). Soil carbon was seen to be more enhanced in natural forest ecosystems than other land uses. Though plantations had reduced capacities to provide ecosystem functions, establishing such in modified landscapes is still advocated as they can coexist with such and yet ensure ecosystem functions.