Percent Canopy Cover Research Articles

MANGROVE HEALTH INDEX IN MARTAJASAH MANGROVE ECOTOURISM, BANGKALAN REGENCY, EAST JAVA, INDONESIA

Mangrove areas need to be considered from the condition of distribution and density of mangrove forests for future mangrove forest management planning, especially on Madura Island, especially Martajasah mangrove ecotourism. The purpose of this study is to determine the type of mangrove, canopy cover, and mangrove health index. The method used in this study is observation, which is to know the general overview of the research to be carried out. The selection of the research location was determined by the stratified random sampling method. The canopy cover on the mangrove was measured using the Hemispherical Photography method using the front camera of the OPPO Reno 6 phone with a camera resolution of 8 megapixels with a 180° angle of view at the point of taking the photo. The results of this study found 7 types of mangroves, including Sonneratia alba, Sonneratia caseolaris, Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata, Avicennia alba, Avicennia marina, and Lumnitzera racemosa. The percentage of canopy cover obtained an average score of 63.44% or in the solid category. This indicates that the mangrove ecosystem found in Martajasah mangrove ecotourism is in a good category. The Mangrove Health Index in Martajasah Mangrove Ecotourism is included in normal (33-66%).

Mapping percent canopy cover using individual tree- and area-based procedures that are based on airborne LiDAR data: Case study from an oak-hickory-pine forest in the USA

Canopy cover (CC) is the proportion of a forest floor covered by the vertical projection of tree crowns. Recently, it has become common to utilize LiDAR (light detection and ranging) canopy metrics to estimate CC over large areas. However, these metrics are primarily related to canopy density rather than the specific definition of CC. Here, two processes that employed individual tree segmentation (ITS) and area-based procedures based on LiDAR data are presented to estimate CC across the Talladega Division of the Talladega National Forest (93,694 ha) at the plot, stand, and landscape levels. The two analytical procedures were assessed using the results of a plot/grid method as a reference dataset, which focused on CC estimates within 255 field measurement fixed-area sample plots. The accuracy of a third process, employing an imagery-based visual CC assessment, was also compared against the two procedures and the reference dataset. The LiDAR-based analytical procedures were able to provide estimates of CC with an RMSE of approximately 15 %, which is acceptable for landscape-level assessments. Based on the results of this study, we conclude that CC maps, when created using LiDAR data, may be suitable for various operational tasks such as assessing the impact of forest disturbances and helping to determine the habitat suitability for certain wildlife species.

MACROZOOBENTHOS ABUNDANCE IN THE MANGROVE AREA OF TANAH MERAH SAMBOJA KUTAI KARTANEGARA EAST KALIMANTAN

Tanah Merah Beach is a coastal area of Samboja in East Kalimantan, which is a local tourist destination. The association of coastal ecosystems can be shown by macrozoobenthos, as one of the biota components in coastal areas to mangroves. This study identifies the species, calculates the abundance, and analyses the ecological index of macrozoobenthos, as well as looking at the relationship between nutrients and sediment texture with the number of macrozoobenthos found. The purpose of this research is to determine the condition of nutrients in the sediment substrate to its abundance in the mangrove ecosystem area. Sampling was conducted at three points based on the percentage of mangrove canopy cover in the Monmang version 2.0 application, with each point represented by 3 quadrant points measuring 0.25 m2. The results showed that the percentage of mangrove canopy cover was categorised as slight-moderate, the abundance of individuals was dominated by the Gastropoda class with 9 species and a small proportion of the Bivalve class. The ecological indices in order are the Diversity Index (H') in the low category, Diversity (E) in the low category, and dominance (C) found Cerithidae sp species dominating each point. The highest abundance was found at radius 2 canopy cover 77.24 - 83.13%. Nutrient content in sediment, nitrate (1.00-16.25 mg/L), phosphate (29.01-83.94 mg/L), organic carbon (2.23-3.24%) with confirmed sediment texture of sandy loam. Nitrate content ranged from 1.00-16.25 mg/L, Phosphate 34.65 - 44.51 mg/L and Organic carbon 2.23-3.24% (per mg) in the sediment and a significant effect of phosphate content on Macrozoobenthos abundance was found in the correlation test results.

Nicosulfuron Weed Control in Maize as Influenced by Adjuvants: Original vs. Generic Herbicide

In the absence of new herbicides on the market, adding adjuvants into the tank with herbicides is a strategy for increasing efficacy. In our research, we tested whether there are differences in weed control as influenced by the original nicosulfuron formulation and a generic counterpart. In this study, we tested the addition of two commonly used adjuvants: ammonium-sulfate (AMS) and non-ionic surfactant (NIS). In a three-year experiment, based on a percentage of biomass reduction and canopy cover, these results showed no differences in any treatments when comparing the original versus generic nicosulfuron. However, adding an NIS increased efficacy, while adding AMS decreased herbicide activity. The average percentage reduction of biomass in this study was about 80%, implying that using solely nicosulfuron as aceto-lactate synthase inhibiting herbicide is not a good solution in weed control in maize and that other methods for weed control should be considered and integrated, in order to increase weed control efficacy.

Improving urban flyways for bats: the importance of tree canopy structure

Urbanization can hinder movement and restrict landscape permeability for wildlife. However, there is the potential to improve landscape connectivity by establishing and maintaining movement corridors throughout urban areas. One way to achieve this is through the urban forest; the collection of trees in an urban area. Specifically, it is the characteristics of trees within this forest that can provide the structural and functional connectivity that enables wildlife to move effectively through urban areas. To investigate this, we explored the influence of four tree characteristics, alone and in combination, on bat commuting activity along 30 potential movement corridors in an urban setting in north central Texas. Along 10, 30, and 50 m corridor sections, we calculated percent canopy cover, maximum gap distance between canopies, and canopy rugosity using a 60 cm resolution tree canopy layer, while maximum tree height was determined in situ. We then conducted behavioral observations using thermal cameras and acoustic monitoring along the 10 m section of each site between March and September of 2022 and 2023 to determine the amount of time bats were observed commuting/h and species present. Our analysis revealed that increasing percent canopy cover and rugosity positively influenced commuting activity up to a certain threshold (> 60% and > 1.3, respectively), beyond which they may became detrimental. In contrast, the presence of gaps in the canopy lowered commuting, while tree heights > 11 m increased this activity. When considered together, bats in our study area showed a preference for commuting routes with tall trees and straighter, less cluttered canopies with no gaps. Additionally, sites with these features had a greater species diversity. These findings suggest that we can manage and plan the urban forest by establishing an interconnecting network of tree‐lines and forest edges to enhance landscape permeability for bats and subsequently aid urban bat conservation.

The aesthetic value of natural vegetation remnants, city parks and vacant lots: The role of ecosystem features and observer characteristics

Physical and mental well-being are linked to exposure to ecosystems perceived as aesthetically pleasing. However, the perceived aesthetic value is shaped by both ecosystem features and observer characteristics. This study explores the relationships between these two influential factors, and perceptions across three Canadian urban greenspace types: natural vegetation remnants (forest stands, marshes and peatlands), city parks, and vacant lots. We administered an online photo-questionnaire, completed by 514 respondents, who assessed the beauty of 45 greenspaces on a five-point Likert scale. Respondents were university students and staff, members of the general public, and specialists in ecosystem services. They also answered questions on socio-demographic factors, pro-environmental attitudes, nature-related travel habits, and ecological knowledge. We calculated five variables from each greenspace photo: vegetation structural complexity, visual complexity, percentage of green pixels, percentage of canopy cover, and presence/absence of artificial structures. On average, natural vegetation remnants and city parks were preferred over vacant lots. Among natural remnants, forests were preferred over semi-open peatlands. Different ecosystem features were associated with perceived beauty across the three greenspace types. For natural remnants and city parks, visual complexity was positively related to appreciation scores, whereas for vacant lots, the presence of artificial structures was associated with lower appreciation scores. Respondents who self-identified as environmental defenders, had greater knowledge of flora, and travelled to observe fauna gave higher appreciation scores to vacant lots compared to other respondents. Younger respondents, and those who engaged in frequent nature-related travelling attributed higher scores to natural remnants. We conclude that aesthetic preferences for natural vegetation remnants, city parks, and vacant lots are influenced by a complex interplay of ecosystem features and observer characteristics. Understanding these intricate relationships can guide the management of vacant lots and promote more inclusive engagement with greenspaces, by considering the varying preferences of diverse segments of the population.

Struktur Tegakan dan Tutupan Kanopi Ekosistem Hutan dan Parak di Kecamatan Lubuk Kilangan Kota Padang

This study aimed to determine the stand structure and tree canopy cover in forest and parak ecosystems in Lubuk Kilangan District, Padang City. This is a descriptive research with a direct observation throught purposive random sampling method. Data were collected by making six of 20 x 20 m plots in each primary forest and parak ecosystem. Tree diameters ≥10 cm were measured in each plot and canopy cover were collected using the Hemispherical Photography method using a mobile phone front camera equipped with a fish-eye lens. Data were analyzed in terms of stand density, basal area, Stand Basal Area (SBA), and percentage of canopy cover. The average tree density in the primary forest area was 913 individuals/ha, while the tree density in the parak was 467 individuals/ha. The SBA value in the primary forest was higher than in the parak, which was 64.10 m2/ha in the primary forest and 14,72 m2/ha in the parak. The average percentage of canopy cover in both areas shows that the percentage of primary forest canopy cover was greater than that of parak. The average value of the percentage of canopy cover in the forest area was 80.48%, while in the parak area was 71.23%. Correlation between tree density, canopy cover, SBA was only occured in primary forest area where the canopy cover negatively correlated with SBA. This study showed that the primary forest area and parak in Lubuk Kilangan Subdistrict have a good tree density, SBA and tree canopy covers.

Examining the Percent Canopy Cover and Health of Winter Wheat in No-Till and Conventional Tillage Plots Using a Drone

The percent canopy cover and health of winter wheat are important crop performance indicators. Thus, understanding how tillage management practices affect these indicators is beneficial for improving crop performance and consequently yield. The availability of high-resolution drone data with spectral characteristics provides an opportunity to examine the percent canopy cover and health of winter wheat in different tillage systems. This is because the use of drones provides real-time high spatial resolution and temporal images to effectively monitor winter wheat conditions throughout the growing season. Nonetheless, very limited studies have utilized drone data for assessing the percent canopy cover and health conditions of winter wheat for different tillage practices. This study aimed to examine the percent canopy cover and health of winter wheat in no-till and conventional tillage plots using a drone. We used the mean Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) ± Standard Deviation (SD) (0.89 ± 0.04) of winter wheat for the growth stages of tillering, jointing, and boot/heading to generate the percent wheat canopy cover. The Normalized Difference Red-Edge (NDRE) produced for winter wheat at the middle and late growth stages was used as a proxy for wheat health condition. We found that the mean percentage canopy cover of winter wheat was about 4% higher in no-till compared to conventional tillage plots in most of the growing season. The mean NDRE ± standard error (SE) of winter wheat was about 0.44 ± 0.01 and 0.43 ± 0.01 for no-till and conventional tillage plots, respectively, during the mid- and late growth stages. There was no significant difference in either the percent canopy cover or health of winter wheat between no-till and conventional tillage plots. The results generated in this study could be used to support farmers’ decision-making process regarding tillage practices and wheat crop performance.

Examination of Drone Usage in Estimating Hardwood Plantations Structural Metrics

Planting hardwood trees on retired marginal agricultural land is one of the main strategies used to restore forested wetlands. Evaluating effectiveness of wetland restoration requires efficient monitoring to evaluate recovery trajectories and desired conditions. Recent advancements in unmanned aerial system (UAS) technologies have prompted wide-scale adoption of UAS platforms in providing a range of ecological data. In this study, we examined the use of UAS Structure from Motion (SfM) derived point clouds in estimating tree density, canopy height, and percent canopy cover for bottomland hardwood plantations within four wetland reserve easements. Using a local maxima approach for individual tree detection produced plantation level estimates with mean absolute errors of 150 trees per hectare, 0.5 m, and 18.4% for tree density, canopy height, and percent canopy cover, respectively. At the plot level, UAS-derived tree counts (r = 0.53, p < 0.01) and canopy height (r = 0.57, p < 0.01) were significantly correlated with ground-based estimates. We demonstrate that UAS-SfM is a viable method of assessing bottomland hardwood plantations for applications that require precision levels congruent with the mean absolute errors reported here. The accuracy of tree density estimates was reliant upon specific local maxima window parameters relative to stand conditions. Therefore, acquisition of leaf-off and leaf-on imagery may allow for better individual tree detection and subsequently more accurate tree density and other structural attributes.

Soil and plant attributes under grazing exclusion in semi-steppic semi-arid rangelands, Iran

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exclusion (20 years) on the attributes of soil and vegetation in northwest of Iran. Three sites in grazed and three sites in exclusion areas were selected. At each site, three 100 m transects were established for sampling purposes. Soil attributes, including electrical conductivity, pH, calcium carbonate, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, clay, silt, calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate were measured in the lab. Additionally, the primary and secondary attributes of vegetation including density, canopy cover, aboveground net primary production (ANPP) of plant functional types (PFTs), diversity, richness and evenness indices were recorded. The findings of our study indicate that the exclusion site exhibited significantly higher levels of soil organic carbon (1.91%), total nitrogen (0.95%), available phosphorus (1.75 ppm), and soluble potassium (163.52 ppm) compared to the grazed site. However, no significant differences were observed in other soil characteristics between the two sites. Density, canopy cover percentage, ANPP of PFTs (p < .01), diversity (1.92), and richness index (9.64), were higher in the exclusion area (p < .05), while, evenness showed no significant difference. The total species density and canopy cover within the exclusion area were also found to be higher than in grazed areas. Results suggest that exclusion in semi-arid semi-steppes plays an important role in rangeland management.

Vegetation Analysis of the Spring Water Surroundings at the Wanagama Rehabilitated Forest

Water is a basic need for all living things on earth. The existence of water on Earth cannot be separated from the hydrological cycle. The presence of vegetation has an impact on the water absorption process and protects the soil surface from the kinetic energy of rainwater. Vegetation measurements were carried out on plots measuring 8 m x 60 m. The measuring plot is made perpendicular to the contour direction or in the direction of the slope. Data processed with Ms. Excel continued with SExIFS software. Vegetation data was collected to create a profile diagram with horizontal and vertical projections as well as calculate the relative dominancy (DR), relative frequency (FR), and relative density (KR) to determine the important index (INP) value. The research results showed that the percentage of canopy cover varied from 33.13% in Tuk Umbul, followed by Sendang Tahunan and Sendang Ayu at 46.87% and 42.08%, then Sendang Mojo (74.17%) and the best is at the Salak Spring area (87.71%). The highest important index values are at teak (Tectona grandis), followed by Jabon (Neolamarckia cadamba), and Beringin (Ficus sp.).

Mangrove condition at a marine conservation area at Moramo Bay, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract. Oetama D, Hakim L, Lelono TD, Musa M. 2023. Mangrove condition at a marine conservation area at Moramo Bay, Sulawesi, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 6536-6544. The mangrove ecosystem is one ecosystem that supports biodiversity at the Marine Conservation Area (MCA) in Moramo Bay, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. The area of the mangrove ecosystem in Moramo Bay is approximately 1,933.09 hectares, with an MCA of 1,281.46 hectares. This ecosystem plays an important role in protecting the coastline from erosion due to the seawater filtration process in the bay. This study aims to provide information regarding the status of mangrove ecosystem in the MCA, including species, density, basal area, dominance, and canopy cover percentage, which was used to state the standard criteria for mangrove ecosystem damage. The methods involved a 10×10 m² transect and hemispherical photography using a fisheye lens with a 180° field of view. Seven species of mangrove were found in Moramo Bay MCA, including Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lam. (dominating with a basal area value of 136,963.66), followed by Sonneratia alba Sm. (153,111.90), Rhizophora mucronata Lam. (113,708.04), Rhizophora stylosa Griffith (28,869.95), Xylocarpus moluccensis (Lam.) M.Roem. (9,326.59), Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh. (3,419.46), and Rhizophora apiculata Blume with a basal area value of 1,690.11. The density of mangrove vegetation was in the criteria of rare to dense, with approximately 800-4,200 individuals per hectare. Furthermore, the mangrove ecosystem in the MCA was found to be damaged up to good condition, with canopy cover percentage values of 45.85%-98.88%. The condition of the mangrove ecosystem in Moramo Bay MCA preserves a basic deliberation for the Indonesian government for adaptive and sustainable management of conservation areas. Protection, preservation, and utilization of mangrove ecosystems should be maximized in all coastal areas to improve the quality of biodiversity.

The effects of anthropogenic noise and urban habitats on song structure in a vocal mimic; the gray catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) sings higher frequencies in noisier habitats

In urban and human-modified landscapes, animals face novel selection pressures resulting from differences in habitat structure and increased anthropogenic noise. Urban noise pollution can negatively impact songbirds because low-frequency noise often masks portions of birds’ mating signals and reduces signal transmission. Previous research has demonstrated that the songs of birds in more urban habitats have structural differences that can enhance signal transmission when noise is present. The majority of these studies have focused on species that deliver short, stereotyped songs and have limited repertoires. Gray catbirds (Dumetella carolinensis, family: Mimidae) sing long bouts containing imitated, improvised, and invented song elements, and therefore may have an increased ability to vary songs in response to noise. We hypothesized that aspects of developed habitats including loud anthropogenic noise and changes to land cover would impact catbirds’ song structural parameters, including song minimum, peak, and maximum frequency, frequency bandwidth, and entropy. We recorded and processed songs from 42 male catbirds and analyzed over 18,000 song elements from sites along an urban gradient from western Virginia to the Washington, DC metropolitan region. We quantified the urban intensity at each site-centroid based on percent canopy cover, percent impervious surface, and noise level. Song features such as minimum, maximum, and peak frequency increased significantly as noise levels increased, demonstrating that catbirds in noisier areas sing higher frequency songs compared to individuals in quieter habitats. Land cover variables also significantly predicted certain song features such as maximum frequency (impervious surface) or entropy (canopy cover). These structural differences in catbird song can limit the negative effects of environmental noise-masking, even for their long song bouts, and suggest that vocal mimics respond to anthropogenic noise. Future studies could investigate repertoire size and composition along an urban gradient and if these structural differences lead to functional consequences for the songs of vocal mimics.

Cover crop cultivars and species differ in root traits potentially impacting their selection for ecosystem services

Background and aimsCover crops have the potential to aid in adapting agricultural systems to climate change impacts through their ecosystem services, such as preventing soil erosion, remediating soil structure, and storing carbon belowground. Though roots are integral to these processes, there is a lack of cover crop root trait data. This study aims to characterize rooting behavior of several commercially available cover crops and assess how differences in root system architecture potentially impact their selection for ecosystem services.MethodsTwenty-two cover crop cultivars across the grass, legume, and brassica families were grown in O’Fallon, Missouri, USA. Canopy cover was monitored throughout the growing season. Shoot and root biomass samples were collected and analyzed.ResultsCereal rye and winter triticale were the most winter hardy cultivars and provided the highest percent canopy cover. Cereal rye and winter triticale also generated the highest amount of shoot and root biomass among treatments but diverged in their root system architectures. Winter triticale forms coarser roots and exhibited deeper rooting, which may be better suited for carbon sequestration. Rapeseed and Siberian kale have favorable C:N ratios for nutrient recycling, but rapeseed may invest more into lateral root formation and have a higher potential to “catch” excess nutrients.ConclusionSelection of cover crops for ecosystem services should account for root system architecture and their suitability for these ecosystem services. Differences in root traits among cultivars within the same family highlight the potential to breed cover crop root system architecture to further enhance ecosystem service efficacy.

Classification of Mangrove Vegetation Structure using Airborne LIDAR in Ratai Bay, Lampung Province, Indonesia

Mapping and inventory of the distribution and composition of mangrove vegetation structures are crucial in managing mangrove ecosystems. The availability of airborne LiDAR remote sensing technology provides capability of mapping vegetation structures in three dimensions. It provides an alternative data source for mapping and inventory of the distribution of mangrove ecosystems. This study aims to test the ability of airborne LiDAR data to classify mangrove vegetation structures conducted in Ratai Bay, Pesawaran District, Lampung Province. The classification system applied integrates structure attributes of lifeforms, canopy height, and canopy cover percentage. Airborne LiDAR data are derived into canopy height models (CHM) and canopy cover percentage models, then grouped by examining statistics and the zonation distribution of mangroves in the study area. The results of this study show that airborne LiDAR data are able to map vegetation structures accurately. The canopy height model derived using a pit-free algorithm can represent the maximum tree height with an error range of 3.17 meters and 82.3-88.6% accuracy. On the other hand, the canopy cover percentage model using LiDAR Fraction Cover (LFC) tends to be overestimate, with an error range of 16.6% and an accuracy of 79.6-94.7%. Meanwhile, the classification results of vegetation structures show an overall accuracy of 77%.

Seed treatment affected establishment and yield in two pennycress lines

IntroductionOilseed pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) is an emerging biofuel crop for use in the aviation industry that has potential as a rotational crop in corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cropping sequences. Ensuring autumn emergence of pennycress after early broadcast seeding is key because this practice may result in uneven spatial distribution due to the small seed size and variable germination, soil contact, and moisture availability. The objective of this research was to evaluate the impact of five seed treatments and enhancements on autumn establishment in two pennycress lines (MN106NS and tt8-t/ARV1) in broadcast seeding compared with no treatment.MethodsTested treatments were (i) gibberellic acid (GA) soak, (ii) fludioxonil fungicide, (iii) pelleting with diatomaceous earth and a commercial binder, (iv) fungicide plus pelleting, or (v) fungicide plus pelleting with GA added to the binder. Seeds were planted at nine sites in four U.S. states to assess establishment (stand counts and percentage canopy cover) in the autumn and spring and seed yield after maturity.ResultsThe MN106NS line had greater plants m−2 and percent green cover with treatments that included GA compared to the control. Line tt8-t/ARV1 had reduced stands when pelleted compared to the untreated, and establishment was unchanged when treated with GA compared to the untreated. Pelleting treatments without GA were not beneficial for stand establishment of either line. Seed yield for MN106NS was 20% greater than the untreated when treated with GA only or pelleted. Seed yield for tt8-t/ARV1 did not increase over the untreated with any treatment and was reduced by 20%–40% when pelleted.DiscussionThese results suggest minimal benefit of seed treatment and pelleting for the tested lines under broadcast seeding, though black-seeded lines may still benefit from GA treatment. Plant establishment and yield were negatively correlated with total precipitation post-planting, suggesting that excessive rainfall post-planting (&amp;gt;60 mm) may impede establishment when broadcast seeded.

Factors affecting the occupancy of sloth bear and its detection probability in Parsa-Koshi Complex, Nepal.

Understanding factors associated with coexistence of human and wildlife in human-dominated landscapes is crucial for effective species conservation. Among the wildlife species, the sloth bears Melursus ursinus are found both inside and outside the protected areas of Nepal, and with increasing cases of human and bear conflicts in both areas. This highlights the necessity for a comprehensive understanding of anthropogenic and ecological factors that affect the occurrence of sloth bear. The understanding of these factors is important for its coexistence and conservation in human-dominated areas through establishing management and conservation action plan. We studied the sloth bear's occupancy and their coexistence in human-dominated environments with other large predators in the Parsa-Koshi Complex of Nepal using camera traps from December 2022 to March 2023. We identified the occupancy and detection probability of the sloth bear as 0.12 and 0.31, respectively. Our analysis reveals a positive relationship between sloth bear occurrence and the presence of large predators (βpredators = 3.104 ± 0.968), such as tigers (Panthera tigris) and leopards (Panthera pardus), as well as the number of humans detected (βhuman = 1.428 ± 1.216) and canopy cover percentage (βcc = 1.002 ± 0.737). However, the number of livestock detected shows a negative interaction with the occurrence of sloth bears (βlivestock = -2.240 ± 1.467). There was insignificant interaction between sloth bear occupancy and distance to human settlements, roads, and water bodies. These findings underscore the complex dynamics between sloth bears, humans, large predators, and livestock in human-dominated landscapes. To ensure the long-term survival of sloth bear populations and promote species conservation, comprehensive conservation strategies that account for both ecological and socio-economic factors are essential.

Penilaian Kondisi Komunitas Mangrove di Kawasan Hutan Mangrove Ciletuh, Sukabumi, Jawa Barat

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; This study aimed to analyze the composition of mangrove vegetation, the Important Value Index (IVI) of mangroves, the condition of the mangrove community (mangrove density and mangrove canopy cover), and environmental parameters as supporting data in the Ciletuh Mangrove Forest Area, Sukabumi, West Java. The research method used in this research is a quantitative descriptive method. The number of stations determined is four; each observation station is made of a plot of 10 x 10 meters, with three plots for each station. The results found seven mangrove species, namely Avicennia marina, Bruguierra cylindrica, Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata, Aegiceras corniculatum, Hibiscus tiliaceus, and Nypa fruticans. The mangrove species found were dominated by A. marina, where this species was found at all stations and had the highest Important Value Index (IVI) value among other species, ranging from 88.96 - 195.55%. Mangrove communities in the Ciletuh Mangrove Forest Area are in good condition referring to the Decree of the Minister of Environment No. 201 of 2004 concerning Standard Criteria and Guidelines for Mangrove Damage with density values ranging from 1533 – 2933 stands/ha and the percentage of mangrove canopy cover ranging from 80.54 - 82.22%.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

A comparison of spatial and temporal drivers of stream metabolism

Abstract Stream metabolism provides insight into the functional processes that regulate trophic status, biomass, and nutrient cycling in streams. Comparative (spatial) analyses of streams generally do not account for shifting at‐site controls on stream metabolism over time and, thus, may not identify the primary controls on cross‐site differences in trophic status, biomass, and nutrient cycling over longer time scales. The spatial component included assessing environmental factors controlling stream metabolism (daily values) during a summer low‐flow period (August) at 17 wadable stream sites in four regions of the United States. Explanatory variables for the spatial analysis included discrete nutrients and physical parameters. The temporal component included assessing 12 of the 17 sites with more than 90 days of stream metabolism values, and continuous nitrate, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), turbidity, maximum water temperature (°C) and stream stage (water surface elevation). Spatial analysis at the 17 sites during August (31 days) found that average gross primary production (GPP) ranged from 0.1 to 4 g O2 m−2 day−1 and ecosystem respiration (ER) from 0.37 to 6.4 g O2 m−2 day−1. Sites were primarily heterotrophic; however, some sites varied from autotrophic to heterotrophic daily. Multiple regression indicated that GPP was a function of orthophosphate, percent canopy cover, and the number of days since a high flow (R2 = 0.51), whereas ER was primarily a function of GPP (R2 = 0.40). Temporal patterns in daily stream metabolism were evaluated using at‐site autoregressive models at 12 streams with relatively complete, continuous records. PAR, nitrate and maximum water temperature were the dominant variables influencing GPP, and water depth and nitrate were the most common explanatory variables for ER models. The autoregressive components (i.e., GPP or ER for the previous day) had a strong influence on both GPP and ER except after spates, indicating that biomass may be the dominant control on metabolism rather than variability in environmental factors during stable‐flow periods. We found two dominant temporal metabolism regimes: a seasonal pattern with elevated spring metabolism followed by low stable summer metabolism and a temporally disturbed pattern which tended to occur in streams with frequent spates. These patterns were not indicated by differences in metabolism among streams during stable low‐flow conditions. Because streams are generally heterotrophic with only limited periods when production may be high, comparative analyses must estimate stream metabolism over a time scale representing at‐site spatial variability and account for controls on periods of high production to adequately characterise differences between streams.

The canopy cover Webmap of the United Kingdom’s towns and cities

ABSTRACT Urban trees and other green infrastructure are advocated as a cost-effective sustainable solution to ameliorate the socio-economic and environmental challenges of urbanisation. UK research has only recently started to quantify urban trees. Tree canopy cover percentage (TCC) is a useful indicator of tree presence. Its estimation can be reproducible, simple, fast, and cost-effective; it can also be evaluated through citizen science, improving people’s appreciation for urban trees and widening the data collection resource pool. This research summarises a citizen science assessment of the TCC of the UK’s 5,749 urban wards. Descriptive statistics are presented spanning local authority to country. The area-weighted mean (and standard error) of TCC across urban wards was 17.3 ± 0.1%. Nationally, the TCC were 11.8 ± 0.5%, 15.7 ± 0.5%, 17.5 ± 0.2%, and 18.1 ± 0.5%, for Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales, respectively. Results show that only 27.6% of urban wards had a TCC higher than 20%, previously suggested as a minimum target for UK towns. The findings highlight substantial geographical variance in TCC equity, as well as a negative correlation between TCC and deprivation. This information will be of value in urban forest strategy and management.