Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index Research Articles

The critical role of coastal protected areas in buffering impacts of extreme climatic conditions on bird diversity and their ecosystem services' provisioning in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

In this study, we documented the diversity of bird species in the Eastern Cape coastal nature reserves (i.e., Hluleka, Dwesa, Silaka and Mkhambati nature reserves), and determined the potential role of each bird species in habitat maintenance using two functional traits (i.e., body mass and feeding mode) as the function's proxy. We applied the timed species count approach during bird observations, coupled with drive-by surveys to maximise spatial coverage of each nature reserve over four years. To evaluate functional diversity, bird species were classified based on functional traits such as the adult body, and their potential ecological role derived from their feeding mode and habitat associations. Over 864 h, we accumulated 818 bird records containing 178 different bird species that were classified into 58 families with 32 species occurring in all nature reserves. Shannon-Wiener Diversity Indices showed very high overall species diversity across the nature reserves (H > 3.5) with no differences detected across sites. Although no significant correlations between vegetation changes measured through Normalised Difference vegetation Index (NDVI) in each nature reserve and the number of bird records, forest bird species were dominant (42.1%; N = 178) throughout years of observation and diversity remained high (H > 3.5). Bird species abundance only increased significantly across all nature reserves during 2018-2019. All four nature reserves had a similar distribution of bird functional traits with both high functional richness (FRic = 1), and divergence (FDiv = 0.8) and moderate evenness (FEve = 0.4). Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) demonstrated a positive correlation between bird sizes and functions with large birds mainly associated with predators and carrion. Small birds and medium birds had a similar composition of species in terms of functionality being seed dispersers across the nature reserves. A significant effect that insectivores and carrions displayed in MCA plots, suggest the availability of indirect pollination services. Despite extreme drought conditions across the country in 2019, NDVI levels remained largely consistent over time in these four reserves; and thus, they offer important refuge for birds during extreme climatic conditions such as drought.

Ferns Species Diversity in the Sekar Pudak Sari Waterfall Tourism Area, Wonosalam District, Jombang Regency, East Java, Indonesia

Ferns are significantly dominant in Indonesia. The waterfall area is one of the ferns habitats. This study aims to determine the diversity index of ferns species in the Tourism Area of Sekar Pudak Sari Waterfall Wonosalam District, Jombang Regency, East Java. This research was exploratory, descriptive. Data collection uses a single plot measuring 20x20 m at 500 masl, 700 masl, and 900 masl. Each observation plot has a sub-plot with a size of 2x2 m. Data analysis used the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H'), the taxonomic diversity index (Δ), and dominance (Δ*). The exploration results found 28 species from 11 families, 6 epiphytes, and the rest terrestrial. The taxonomic diversity index in plot 1 was 23.36 (low category), while plots 2 and 3 were 30.58 and 31.66 (medium category). This shows that the environment in the three plots is classified as stable, as indicated by the presence of ferns at various taxonomic levels. The highest dominance diversity index (Δ*) was 2.8 in Plot 2, while Plots 1 and 3 were 2.7 (low category). The total number of individual ferns found influenced the difference in the diversity index. The ferns found in the three plots were relatively few, indicating that the environment was classified as less stable. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H') in the three plots was 2.9 (medium category), indicating that the distribution pattern of ferns in the environment was balanced. The Sekar Pudak Sari Waterfall Tourism Area is a suitable habitat for the growth of ferns, so conservation efforts need to be made to maintain a balance of species and stabilize the ecosystem.

Diversity of fern plants (Pteridophyta) in the oil palm plantation area of Gontara Village, Central Sulawesi

Ferns are a kind of plant that exhibits a high degree of adaptability and may be cultivated with relative ease in the Gontara Village Region, located in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. The decline in the variety of this particular plant species can be attributed to the extensive conversion of land for oil palm plantations. So far, no empirical investigations or datasets have been conducted or published that provide insights on the extent of fern species diversity subsequent to the conversion of the region into an oil palm plantation. Hence, the present study was undertaken with the objective of ascertaining the various classifications of ferns and assessing the extent of fern variety. The present study employs the route approach in conjunction with a purposive sampling strategy. The present study was done in the oil palm plantation region of Gontara Village, Mori Atas District, Central Sulawesi. A total of 21 fern species were identified, belonging to 5 distinct classes, 5 orders, and 9 families. The Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index yields a value of 2.82, indicating the extent of diversity.

Species Diversity and Carbon Stock of Mangrove in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, Philippines

Mangrove forests sequester substantial amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide, store carbon in their biomass, and have the highest carbon pool of any forest. The Philippines is one of the mangrove-rich countries, with almost 1.9% of the global mangroves. No current published works on mangroves exist in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, Philippines. This study utilized a non-destructive technique through quadrat sampling to identify and measure mangroves’ biodiversity and carbon stock. The allometric equation was applied to quantify the carbon stock and Shannon-Wiener diversity index to determine the biodiversity. Twelve species were identified from the 36 sampling plot with 10 × 10 meter. Results showed the mean species evenness of 0.28 and the Shannon-Wiener diversity value of 0.92, indicating very low diversity. The overall aboveground, belowground, total carbon stock, and CO2 sequestration of 209 t/ha, 76 t/ha, 157 t/ha, and 575 CO2 t/ha, respectively. The test revealed that comparing the six barangays regarding species diversity and carbon stocks gives no statistically significant difference of 0.032 and 0.046, respectively. Considering the estimated carbon stock and CO2 equivalent accounted from the tree biomass, the mangrove stands in Guiuan have the potential to store and sequester a large amount of carbon dioxide.

Effects of Summer and Autumn Drought on Eutrophication and the Phytoplankton Community in Dongting Lake in 2022.

Since July 2022, the Yangtze River basin has experienced the most severe hydro-meteorological drought since record collection started in 1961, which has greatly affected the ecological environment of the Dongting Lake (DTL) basin. To investigate the effects of drought events on the eutrophication and phytoplankton community structure of DTL, the lake was sampled twice in August and September 2022 based on the water level fluctuations resulting in 47 samples. Furthermore, we combined the comprehensive trophic level index (TLI) and phytoplankton Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H) to characterize and evaluate the eutrophication status. The key influencing factors of the phytoplankton community were identified using redundancy analysis (RDA), hierarchical partitioning, and the Jaccard similarity index (J). Our results showed that the TLI of DTL changed from light-moderate eutrophication status (August) to mesotrophic status (September), whereas the H changed from light or no pollution to medium pollution. The phytoplankton abundance in August (122.06 × 104 cells/L) was less than that in September (351.18 × 104 cells/L) in DTL. A trend in phytoplankton community succession from Bacillariophyta to Chlorophyta and Cyanophyta was shown. The combination of physiochemical and ecological assessment more accurately characterized the true eutrophic status of the aquatic ecosystem. The RDA showed that the key influencing factors in the phytoplankton community were water temperature (WT), pH, nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients, and the permanganate index (CODMn) in August, while dissolved oxygen (DO) and redox potential (ORP) were the key factors in September. Hierarchical partitioning further indicated that temporal and spatial variations had a greater impact on the phytoplankton community. And the J of each region was slightly similar and very dissimilar, from August to September, which indicated a decreased hydrological connectivity of DTL during drought. These analyses indicated that the risk to the water ecology of DTL intensified during the summer-autumn drought in 2022. Safeguarding hydrological connectivity in the DTL region is a prerequisite for promoting energy flow, material cycle, and water ecosystem health.

Environmental DNA unveiling the fish community structure and diversity features in the Yangtze River basin

Fish, as top predators in aquatic ecosystems, play an important role in maintaining the structure and functioning of these ecosystems, making their diversity a topic of great interest. This study focused on the Yangtze River Basin to investigate the fish community structure and diversity using environmental DNA (eDNA) technology. The results showed that a total of 71616 fish operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and 90 fish belonging to 23 families were detected, with the Cyprinidae family being the dominant group, followed by the Cobitidae, Amblycipitidae, etc. Compared to historical traditional morphological fish surveys, the quantity of fish detected using eDNA was relatively low, but the overall distribution pattern of fish communities was generally consistent. The highest fish Shannon-Wiener diversity index in the Yangtze River Basin sites reaches 2.60 with an average value of 1.25. The fish diversity index was higher in the downstream compared to the middle and upstream regions, and there were significant differences among different sampling sites. Significant environmental factors influencing α-diversity included chlorophyll-a, chemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, total nitrogen, and elevation. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis revealed significant differences in fish community composition between the upstream and middle/lower reaches of the Yangtze River, while the composition of fish communities in the middle and lower reaches was more similar. Redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that total organic carbon (TOC) was positively correlated with fish community distribution in the upstream, while water temperature and NO3–N were negatively correlated with fish distribution in the upstream. NH3–N and CODMn were negatively correlated with fish distribution in the middle and downstream regions, indicating a relatively severe water pollution in these areas. Additionally, fish communities in the Yangtze River displayed a typical distance decay pattern.

Macroinvertebrate Response to Internal Nutrient Loading Increases in Shallow Eutrophic Lakes.

In eutrophic lakes, even if external loading is controlled, internal nutrient loading delays the recovery of lake eutrophication. When the input of external pollutants is reduced, the dissolved oxygen environment at the sediment interface improves in a season without algal blooms. As an important part of lake ecosystems, macroinvertebrates are sensitive to hypoxia caused by eutrophication; however, how this change affects macroinvertebrates is still unknown. In this study, we analysed the monitoring data of northern Lake Taihu from 2007 to 2019. After 2007, the external loading of Lake Taihu was relatively stable, but eutrophication began to intensify after 2013, and the nutrients in the sediments also began to decline, which was related to the efficient use of nutrients by algal blooms. The community structure and population density of macroinvertebrates showed different responses in different stages. In particular, the density of oligochaetes and the Shannon-Wiener index showed significant differences in their response to different stages, and their sensitivity to eutrophication was significantly reduced. Under eutrophication conditions dominated by internal loading, frequent hypoxia occurs at the sediment interface only when an algal bloom erupts. When there is no bloom, the probability of sediment hypoxia is significantly reduced under the disturbance of wind. Our results indicate that the current method for evaluating lake eutrophication based on oligochaetes and the Shannon-Wiener diversity index may lose its sensitivity.

Malacofaunal diversity (Gastropods and Bivalves) along the mangrove forest area of the Gulf of Mannar marine biosphere region, South India

The mangrove ecosystem is one of the most distinctive biospheres, and it is under threat from habitat loss, aquaculture expansion, overharvesting, and pollution, all of which impact the malacofaunal diversity. This study aimed to investigate the malacofaunal diversity along the mangrove region of the Gulf of Mannar (GoM) and Physico-chemical properties of the sediments were measured to correlate the malacofaunal diversity. The diversity of the molluscs along the Thoothukudi coast was investigated from December 2020 to September 2021, documenting 84 mollusc species, represented by 45 gastropods and 39 bivalves. The class Gastropoda represented 7 orders, 15 families, and 30 genera, with Caenogastropoda having the highest species (19), followed by Neogastropoda with 7 species, while in bivalves, Venerida had the most species (14 species), followed by Cardiida (9 species). Palayakayal had the greatest number of species (68), followed by Punnakayal (63), Karapad Bay (32), and Machoda Bridge (33). Palayakayal has the highest Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H’) and Margalef species richness (d) at 4.11 and 10.81, followed by Punnakayal at 4.05 and 10.16; Karapad at 3.39 and 5.65; and Machoda Bridge at 3.55 and 3.55 respectively. The BC (Bray–Curtis)​ similarity index identified the most similarity (86.91%) between Palayakayal and Punnakayal. Palayakayal has the greatest (H’) and (d) values due to its pristine mangrove habitat and low anthropogenic activity. The Physico-chemical results showed that salinity and diversity were positively correlated, while hydrogen sulfide, organic matter, and molluscan diversity were negatively correlated. The malacofaunal diversity has been documented to provide useful baseline data for conservation management. Additionally, the findings showed that salinity is a crucial factor in favoring diversity. The anthropogenic activities in the ecosystem first alter the salinity of the soil, directly impacting malacofaunal diversity. Such studies might increase knowledge among the public and policy-makers, enabling them to develop legislation adequately.

Diverse Interactions: Root-Nodule Formation and Herb-Layer Composition in Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) Stands.

The black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is the second-most abundant deciduous tree in forest plantations, and one of the most important invasive woody species worldwide. The species has a strong transformer capacity, especially expressed by its nitrogen enrichment effect caused by nitrogen-fixing bacteria living in its root-nodules. The aim of this study was to explore the mutually interacting factors of nitrogen-fixing root-nodules, site characteristics, and herb-layer composition of 28 North Hungarian black locust stands. In the herb-layers of the study sites, a total of 121 plant species were identified, representing a relatively low species richness. The studied black locust stands showed high variability both in their herb-layer compositions and root-nodule formation, but no clear relationship could be demonstrated between these characteristics. The PCA component with which the species richness and Shannon-Wiener diversity index were strongly correlated was negatively associated with all root-nodule parameters (number, surface area, and weight), supporting the biodiversity-reducing effect of black locust by its nitrogen-fixing bacteria. All of the root-nodule parameters were negatively correlated with the PCA factor predominantly determined by stand age, confirming that the root-nodule biomass decreases as time progresses.

Assessment of macrobenthic communities of rocky intertidal zone from Zhejiang offshore islands with AZTI marine biotic index

The structure of macrobenthic communities in island intertidal zones serves as an important indicator for assessing the health status of ecosystems. In recent years, the unregulated and extensive development and utilization of island resources in China, coupled with the continuous deterioration of the ecological environment in the surrounding marine areas of islands, have significantly impacted the health and stability of island ecosystems. Four investigations during spring (2018, 2021) and autumn (2017, 2020) of the Niushan Island intertidal zones and surrounding waters, located off the coast of Taizhou, Zhejiang, were conducted in this study. The purpose was to explore the external factors influencing the structure of intertidal macrobenthic communities and to assess the ecological status of the island. There was a clear vertical zonation observed in the distribution of the macrobenthic communities. During this survey, the eutrophication index improved, and the temperature, salinity, and suspended particulate matter exhibited seasonal fluctuations. Dissolved inorganic phosphorus and nitrate were the environmental factors that required special attention in coastal ecological monitoring, which significantly affected the distribution of the macrobenthic communities and was strongly correlated with the biotic indices and different ecological group biomasses. Most of the islands were classified as having a moderate status based on the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H'). The AZTI Biotic Index (AMBI) and Multivariate AMBI (MAMBI) indicated that almost all islands were in good status, and the evaluation results demonstrated that the AMBI and MAMBI tended to overestimate the ecological status of the rocky intertidal zone. There was a significant correlation between the MAMBI and several traditional biological indices, suggesting that the MAMBI could be introduced as an evaluation indicator for the ecological status of rocky reefs. Nevertheless, it is important to consider the boundaries of different assessment levels.

Bird Diversity in Ake Jawi Village, Aketajawe Lolobata National Park, Halmahera, North Maluku

Aketajawe Lolobata National Park is located in the Wallacea area with 167,319.32 hectares. The park is home to 108 buffer villages, one of which is a bird-friendly village in Ake Jawi Village. This study aims to determine the types of birds, analyze diversity, dominance, and feeding habits. For data collection the visual encounter survey (VES) method was applied for bird sightings along available paths. The study identified 31 bird species grouped into 23 families and 31genus, 15 of them are Indonesian endemics, and 12 species are endemics to North Maluku. Based on the ShannonWiener diversity index, Ake Jawi Village belongs to the medium category, with an index value of 2.889, and a low dominance category with 0.098. The percentage of encounters with insect-eating birds (insectivore) such as the Glossy Swiftlet, Cotton-halmahera, and Goliath Lathe reached 39%, followed by frugivores such as the Papuan Hornbill, White Cockatoo, and Gray-headed Walik by 36%.

Testing the applicability of marine biotic indices for ecological quality in the northern East China Sea

The northern East China Sea is currently subjected to anthropogenic disturbances during the past few decades. Using data collected in July 2019 and July 2020, the AZTI's Marine Biotic Index (AMBI), multivariate-AMBI (M-AMBI), Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H′), and BENTIX index were adopted to assess their applicability and evaluate the benthic ecological quality of the northern East China Sea. The results of the Pearson correlation between biotic indices and eutrophication environmental factors showed that H′ and M-AMBI were suitable biotic indices for evaluating the benthic ecological quality in the northern East China Sea rather than AMBI and BENTIX. The overall benthic ecological quality in the northern East China Sea was moderate to good during 2019–2020. Ecological quality showed a positive correlation with distance to mainland. However, a slow declining trend was detected for the benthic ecological quality of the northern East China Sea, especially the nearshore areas.

Metagenome-wide association study of gut microbiome features for myositis

PurposeThe clinical relevance and pathogenic role of gut microbiome in both myositis and its associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of gut microbiome in myositis through comprehensive metagenomic-wide association studies (MWAS). MethodsWe conducted MWAS of the myositis gut microbiome in a Chinese cohort by using whole-genome shotgun sequencing of high depth, including 30 myositis patients and 31 healthy controls (HC). Among the myositis patients, 11 developed rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) and 10 had chronic ILD (C-ILD). ResultsAnalysis for overall distribution level of the bacteria showed Alistipes onderdonkii, Parabacteroides distasonis and Escherichia coli were upregulated, Lachnospiraceae bacterium GAM79, Roseburia intestinalis, and Akkermansia muciniphila were downregulated in patients with myositis compared to HC. Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Parabacteroides distasonis and Escherichia coli were upregulated, Bacteroides A1C1 and Bacteroides xylanisolvens were downregulated in RP-ILD cases compared with C-ILD cases.A variety of biological pathways related to metabolism were enriched in the myositis and HC, RP-ILD and C-ILD comparison. And in the analyses for microbial contribution in metagenomic biological pathways, we have found that E. coli played an important role in the pathway expression in both myositis group and myositis-associated RP-ILD group. Anti-PL-12 antibody, anti-Ro-52 antibody, and anti-EJ antibody were found to have positive correlation with bacterial diversity (Shannon-wiener diversity index and Chao1, richness estimator) between myositis group and control groups. The combination of E. coli and R. intestinalis could distinguish myositis group from HC effectively. R. intestinalis can also be applied in the distinguishment of RP-ILD group vs. C-ILD group in myositis patients. ConclusionOur MWAS study first revealed the link between gut microbiome and pathgenesis of myositis, which may help us understand the role of gut microbiome in the etiology of myositis and myositis-associated RP-ILD.

Viability of zooplankton resting eggs in rice field sediment after pesticide applications.

Many herbicide products are commonly used in agricultural areas to prevent and eliminate weeds. Contamination from these toxicants in water might affect aquatic organisms not only in the active stage, but also in the diapause stage. To test the effect of herbicide on the resting eggs of zooplankton, we prepared two rice fields: one field without the application of pesticides (RF-NPA) and one with the application of pesticides (RF-PA) in a sampling year. We conducted a hatching experiment for 30 days. Twenty-four taxa of zooplankton were found. Sixteen species of these were rotifers, seven species were cladocerans and one taxon was an unidentified nauplius copepod. The species richness of zooplankton between RF-NPA (17 taxa) and RF-PA (16 taxa) was close, but species compositions between RF-NPA and RF-PA were different, indicated by the similarity index of 0.545. Lecanidae was the most diverse family of rotifers in both rice fields with nine species, while Chydoridae was the most diverse family of cladocerans (four species). The total abundance of zooplankton of RF-NPA was higher than RF-PA with 1,897 and 1,286 individuals, respectively. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H´) and Pielou's evenness (J) in RF-NPA were higher than in RF-PA. The high species richness of zooplankton in both rice fields occurred on days 18 to 30. On the other hand, the highest abundance was recorded on day 18 for RF-NPA and on day 24 for RF-PA. The non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) demonstrated significant differences in zooplankton community composition between RF-NPA and RF-PA (p < 0.05; ANOSIM test). According to the diversity indices, the RF-NPA has more diversity than the RF-PA, which might be a result of herbicide application in the sampling year. This study suggests that the toxicity of glyphosate should be a concern in terms of the biodiversity of rice field ecosystems.

Weed Community Structure in Patia Village Rice Fields Patia Sub-District, Pandeglang Regency

Rice is a very important type of food crop because it is a staple food source. Crop losses at the farmer level due to competition with weeds reach 10-1.5%. This study aims to determine the structure of rice weed communities in rice fields in Patia Village, Patia District, and Pandeglang Regency. The research method uses an observation method with the sampling technique used as a random method. The plot used was 2 m x 2 m. Weed sampling was carried out by recording the types of weed types and counting the number of individuals of each species. Measurements of environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, pH, and light intensity were measured. The data parameters measured include the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H'), evenness index (J'), dominance index (D), wealth index (S), and abundance of rice weed species. The results of the study were that the types of rice weeds found in the rice fields of Patia Village, District, and Patia, Pandeglang Regency, namely Ludwigia octovalvis (Jacq) Raven, Commanded cylindricaL. Beauv, Spigelia anthelmia, Ageratum conyzoides, Spihemoclea zeylanica, Altemanthera sessillis, Eclipta prostate, Cypress deformed L., Digitaria sp. and Mimosa chaste L. The structure of the weed community in the rice fields of Patia Village, Patia District, Pandeglang Regency is the Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (H') of 1.94; Evenness Index (J') of 0.884; Dominance Index (D) of 0.15.

Ecological habitat quality assessment of a highly urbanized estuary using macroinvertebrate community diversity and structure

Urban estuaries are subject to a variety of ecological crises caused by humans as a result of rising shore-based human activities. In this study, environmental variables, community composition, structure and diversity indices of benthic macroinvertebrate were studied to assess the ecological health status of an urbanized estuary, Karnaphuli river estuary. The results revealed that dissolved oxygen (DO) was very low, and organic matter was much higher in the estuary. There were significant (p < 0.05) differences among the environmental variables across the sites. 31 taxa were identified yielding a total of 49167 Ind./m2 with overall mean density (±SD) of 159 (±327) Ind./m2. Annelida (61.8%) were the most abundant taxonomic group followed by Polychaeta (34.88%) and Oligochaeta (26.92%). The high abundance of pollution indicator taxa (Tubificidae, Capitellidae) and low abundance of pollution sensitive taxa (Lumbrinidae, Sabellidae, Maldanidae, Nephtyide) indicated detrimental ecological condition. The values of Shannon-Wiener diversity index (1.95–2.63), Pielou’s evenness index (0.60–0.81) and the Margalef diversity index (1.03–2.12) suggested moderate pollution status with extremely low species richness and low abundance in polluted areas. A PERMANOVA showed significant differences in faunal assemblages (F = 2.189, p < 0.001) among sites. Species abundance and density were higher (p = 0.32) at the upper estuary (where pH and salinity were low) and reduced in the middle and lower portion of the estuary which reflected the gradient of pollution level. Cluster analysis (CA) demarcated three distinct communities in terms of species similarity. SIMPER identified the highest average dissimilarity value (66.66%) across all the stations. The Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) results suggested benthic macroinvertebrate community was influenced by environmental variables, for instance, salinity, dissolve oxygen, soil and water pH, total dissolved solids, and sediment texture.

Diversity and Relative Abundance of Avian Species in the Wetland Area Northwest of Lake Abaya, Southern Ethiopia

Studies on the diversity and relative abundance of birds are crucial for improving wetland bird conservation in Ethiopia. The current study aimed at investigating the diversity and relative abundance of avian species in the wetland area around Lake Abaya’s northwest tip in southern Ethiopia due to the lack of previous studies that were conducted in the area. A line transect method was applied to determine the avian species in the area. A total of eight line transects were established along the banks. Using encounter rates, which provide crude ordinal scales of abundance, the relative abundance of avian species was calculated. In the intended habitat, Shannon-Wiener diversity indices (H′) were employed to analyze the diversity of avian species. During the study period, a total of 34 bird species belonging to 18 families and 12 orders were recorded. Ardeidae and Threskiornithidae were the two most dominant families. In this study, 13 bird species were frequent, four were common, four were rare, one was uncommon, and 10 had abundant records. The highest species diversity (H′ = 3.40), species evenness (0.093), and Margalef’s richness index (N = 30) were recorded during the months of June, July, and May, respectively. The lowest species diversity (H′ = 3.13), evenness (0.088), and Margalef’s richness index (N = 23) were all recorded during the month of February. The present findings will provide relevant information to the concerned bodies and policymakers to take appropriate conservation measures for wetland birds.

Apple flower-visiting insects’ diversity and abundance in selected central Kenya orchards

Flower-visiting insects are essential in maintaining a healthy and productive agricultural landscape through ecosystem services such as pollination. Fruits are important sources of vitamins and micronutrients, and several fruit crops depend on animal pollination, which enhances their nutritional content. Besides honey bees, apple orchards can sustain a large number of arthropod species that also aid in pollination. In this present study, we assessed the diversity and abundance of insect flower visitors in six apple orchards in Nyeri and Laikipia East. Six plots, each with more than 20 apple trees, were purposefully selected. Data were collected through timed visual searches and sweep netting. Sampling was done from 0900 hours to 1700 hours, six days a week, for five months consecutively in 2019. Diversity indices were computed using the Shannon-Wiener diversity index, while abundance patterns were displayed using species abundance curves. Differences in species diversity and abundance between sites were compared using a one-way analysis of variance. A total of 1,221 insects belonging to 23 families, 82 species, and 4 orders (Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Diptera) were recorded. The order Hymenoptera (bees, wasps, and ants) was the most abundant, with 1,176 individuals, and had the most species-rich taxa, with 56 species in 9 families. The order Coleoptera (beetles) was second, with 26 individuals and 12 species in 6 families. Lepidoptera were the least abundant with 10 individuals and the least species-rich taxa with 7 species in 5 families, followed closely by Diptera with 7 individuals and 7 species in 3 families. There were significant differences in flower visitors’ composition among the six sites. The study provides important information on the status of key apple flower visitors, which can guide orchard management practises to increase apple yield through pollinator conservation. Conserving apple pollinators will enhance fruit production, promote the livelihoods of farmers, and contribute to the national economy.

Benthic macroinvertebrates community in relation to environmental variables of the Cimandiri River and Estuary, Indonesia

Benthic macroinvertebrates, the community that lives in the river and coastal, play important role in the transfer of organic materials. This study aimed to determine the diversity of it in Cimandiri river and estuary. Also, to understand the relation between the community with environmental variables. The research was conducted in September and November 2020, which taken from 10 locations at Cimandiri waters. Benthic macroinvertebrates were collected using the Ekman grab sampler with three replications. Moreover, physicochemical parameters of water and sediment were measured. In general, about 35 taxa belonging to six Classes, including Gastropod, Bivalve, Insect, Malacostraca, Clitellata, and Polychaeta have been found during sampling. Furthermore, Stenelmis sp., one of Insects was predominant benthic invertebrates in the river, whereas Tarebia granifera predominated inhabit the estuary. Margalef richness and Shannon-Wiener diversity index in the river area were about 2.69 and 1.47, while in the estuary was around 1.59 and 0.87. Canonical Correspondence Analysis shows that the number of individuals of 25 taxa tended to correlate with water temperature, TDS, salinity, total of nitrate (TN), total of phosphorus (TP), and total of organic matters (TOM). While, 10 other taxa correlated with pH, turbidity, dissolved of oxygen (DO), ammonia, and the total of suspended solids (TSS).

Effect of moderate livestock grazing on soil and vegetation characteristics in zokor mounds of different ages

Mounds formed by plateau zokors (Eospalax baileyi) in alpine meadows are easily disturbed by livestock. We aimed to reveal the effect of moderate livestock grazing (from October 15 to March 15 of the following year) on plant and soil characteristics of zokor mounds. This study explored the effect of zokor mounds of different ages (2015–2018) on soil nutrient content, soil enzymatic activity, plant diversity, and aboveground biomass (AGB) at grazing and non-grazing sites. Compared with the non-grazing sites, soil organic carbon (SOC), total soil phosphorus, and ratio of SOC to total nitrogen were 16.6%–98.7% higher and soil urease activity was 8.4% and 9.6% higher in 1- and 3-year-old mounds, respectively, at the grazing sites. Grazing significantly increased the plant Pielou index, richness, and Shannon–Wiener diversity index of 4-year-old mounds by 20.7%–52.4%. Partial least squares path modeling showed that plant species diversity was the main factor affecting the plant AGB of mounds at the grazing sites, whereas soil enzyme activity was the primary factor at the non-grazing sites. We propose that moderate grazing increases soil nutrient content and the plant diversity in zokor mounds in alpine meadows, which should be considered in future grassland restoration.