Species Evenness Research Articles

Responses of Legume‐Associated Rhizobacterial Communities to Plant Diversity and Soil Traits in Alpine Grassland

ABSTRACTLegume species are essential components of plant diversity and affect soil biodiversity across various ecosystems. Their effect on the diversity and traits of soil bacteria, particularly in degraded grasslands, remains unknown. This study analysed the relationships among plant diversity, soil traits and legume‐associated rhizobacterial communities in Xiahe (XH) and Maqu (MQ) in Gansu Province, Haibei (HB) in Qinghai Province and Hongyuan (HY) in Sichuan Province in the eastern Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau (QTP). The diversity index values (coverage, richness, Shannon index and evenness) of legume species were positively correlated with plant diversity. Several soil nutrients (ammonia‐nitrogen, nitrate‐nitrogen, total nitrogen, available potassium, available phosphorus and soil organic matter) and enzymes (urease, sucrase, peroxidase and dehydrogenase) were lower in HB and HY than in XH and MQ. The Shannon index for rhizobacterial diversity was higher in HB and HY than in XH and MQ. In contrast, the diversity index values were higher for geographical locations than for sympatric plant species. Additionally, HB and HY showed 50% fewer positive and negative associations with rhizobacteria than XH and MQ. Functional Annotation of Prokaryotic Taxa analysis indicated a higher relative abundance of nitrate reduction occurred in HB and HY than in XH and MQ, whereas nitrogen fixation occurred at a lower level in HB and HY than in XH and MQ. The Simpson index value for bacterial diversity was positively correlated with plant diversity, legume species diversity and soil multifunctionality. However, the Shannon index value was negatively correlated with these parameters. Changes in the composition of legume‐associated rhizobacteria across different geographical locations are strongly influenced by plant diversity and soil nutrients, reflecting the distribution characteristics of legumes in alpine grasslands.

Bacterial Diversity in Deep-Sea Sediment of West Pacific Nodule Province

Dense polymetallic nodule fields are found in different areas of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. However, limited knowledge exists about microbial diversity, processes and functions in deep-sea polymetallic nodule sediments. This study investigated microbial diversity, composition and function in sediments from various locations and depths in a western Pacific polymetallic nodule province. Sediment cores were collected, DNA extracted, and the V3–V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene were sequenced using Illumina MiSeq. The test results show that the abundance and diversity of microbial communities in sediments from different sites vary significantly. The dominant microbial communities at the family level in the three sediment samples were all mainly Marinobacteraceae and Alcanivoracaceae. Sediment samples from core 1 had similar microbial structures and microbial community functions. Surface sediment had higher species richness, diversity and evenness than the middle layer. The dominant phylum at different depths was consistent. There was significant spatial heterogeneity in the microbial community within sediments from polymetallic nodule regions. This study expands on our knowledge of the spatial and vertical distribution of microbial community diversity beneath polymetallic nodules in deep-sea settings.

Fire as driver of plant communities and soil properties changes in Puna grasslands in Southern Peruvian Andes

Fire occurrence has been increasing in the high Andean grasslands due to the presence of highly flammable elements and climate change. Understanding the effects of the fires is crucial for the conservation of these ecosystems. This study aimed to determine the effects of fires on the composition, diversity, fruiting of plant species, and physicochemical characteristics of soils in high Andean grasslands over two post-fire growing seasons. We assessed ten fires, five of which occurred in 2023 (one post-fire growing season) and the other five in 2022 (two post-fire growing seasons). Ten transects were established at each study site, five in burned areas and five in unburned areas. Species composition differed between burned and unburned areas across both post-fire growing seasons. Species diversity and evenness were higher in the burned areas compared to unburned areas after two post-fire growing seasons. In both post-fire growing seasons, dry mass was higher in unburned areas than in burned areas. Herbs showed a higher percentage of individuals in the reproductive stage in burned areas, but only after one post-fire growing season. In contrast, the presence of woody individuals with reproductive structures was higher in unburned areas across both post-fire growing seasons. Regarding soils, only some parameters (organic matter, Na+, CEC, pH, available P, and K+) were affected by fires, and the direction of these changes varied between ∼ 6 months and ∼ 18 months post-fires. Our study suggests that fire severity in this type of ecosystem is low, as most soil parameters were not significantly affected. The burning of grasses may lead to increased diversity, particularly due to the enhanced fruiting of herb species. However, the recovery of woody species and biomass requires more time, which is perceived negatively by the local population.

Unpacking the complex relationships between agricultural investments and biodiversity in Ghana

The expansion of large-scale agricultural investments (LSAI) in Ghana has substantial implications for biodiversity and rural community well-being. This study explores the complex relationships between LSAI and biodiversity, focusing on species richness, evenness, Enhanced Vegetation Index, and Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index to assess ecosystem health. Using a mixed-methods approach, we combine panel datasets, remote sensing, and qualitative data to evaluate both ecological and social impacts of LSAI. While LSAI has potential economic benefits, it also poses risks to biodiversity by reducing species diversity and altering ecosystem services essential for rural communities' livelihoods. Our findings reveal that while LSAI increase vegetation cover and species evenness, they frequently lead to the loss of access to critical resources such as fuelwood, medicinal plants, and wild foods, impacting community resilience and social cohesion. These findings underscore the importance of balancing agricultural investments with policies that preserve biodiversity and maintain social equity, ensuring that long-term societal impacts of LSAI do not compromise ecosystem or local livelihoods. It calls for robust monitoring systems, and the inclusion of local communities in decision-making to ensure sustainable development. The study offers critical insights for policymakers and conservationists aiming to harmonize economic development with environmental conservation in Ghana and beyond.

Soil Seed Banks Dynamics and Restoration Potential of Some Selected Forest Reserves in Southwest, Nigeria

This research investigated the regeneration potential of soil seed-bank along three soil depths in three secondary forest communities within Southwest Nigeria, for a better understanding of the potentials of the soil seed banks in facilitating succession towards a more natural forest of native tree species in International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Forest Ibadan, Elephant Forest reserve Omo and Emerald Forest in Ikoyi Nigeria. Eight temporary plots of 20m by 40m using systematic line transect were laid in each forest. Soil samples were taken at three depths of 0–5 cm, 5–10 cm and 10–15cm and the seed bank composition was determined under a greenhouse condition. The results show that IITA forest has an abundance of 93 species with the highest in soil depth of 5-10 (35) and least exists at 10-15cm (24). The species evenness ranged from 0.92 to 0.96, with an average value of 0.94. Emerald forest had a total of 74 tree species with 0-5 cm depth having the highest species abundance (34), while depth of 5-10 cm (21) exhibit the least species abundance. At the forest, results of Species diversity indices show that at 0-5 cm depth 2.47 index value was recorded, a value much higher than what was recorded at 5-10 cm (2.40) and 10-15cm (2.36) respectively. The result of Elephant Forest reserve shows that a total of 87 tree species were recorded with 0-5 cm depth having the highest species abundance (40) followed by 5-10 cm (27), 10-15 (26) respectively. The Shannon Wiener index for Elephant Forest shows that 2.28 were recorded at 0-5 cm depth, 1.40 at 5-10 cm depth, and 1.70 at 10-15cm depth respectively. The soil seed bank could help in determining the status of regeneration potential of the three forests investigated. However, high dominance of tree species in the soil seed banks implies that the forest is disturbed and there is likelihood of tree species succeeding and dominating the forest ecosystem.

Exploring riverine aquatic animal diversity and establishing aquatic ecological monitoring approaches tailored to the Qinling region via eDNA technology.

This study thoroughly examines biodiversity and aquatic ecosystems across 14 sampled sites within the Shitou River basin by utilizing environmental DNA technology. Through integrated analysis and high-throughput sequencing, the study elucidates a diverse array of biodiversity, encompassing 27 fish species and 341 freshwater benthic macroinvertebrates (FBM) species. Using various biodiversity indices, we found significant differences in diversity and stability across different environments. Regions with more complex habitats had higher species richness and evenness. Further analyses showed complex relationships between diversity metrics for FBM and fish, indicating potential interactions between these groups. The standardized mean score (SMS) was developed to aid in the assessment of water quality. Specifically, SMS scoring revealed that sites STH3, STH4, and STH14 excelled across multiple dimensions, earning an "Excellent" rating, while site STH12 was rated as "Poor" due to subpar performance across several metrics. This project not only enhances current understanding regarding aquatic ecological dynamics but also establishes a strong foundation for detailed environmental evaluation and monitoring, aligned with the priorities of contemporary ecological management and caution.

Comparative Analysis of Intestinal Morphology and Gut Microbiota of Spinibarbus sinensis Under Different Aquaculture Systems

Fish gut health is influenced by various factors, with the environment being a significant one. S. sinensis is a key aquaculture species in China, yet research on the impact of different aquaculture systems on its intestinal health remains limited. This study aims to explore the changes in intestinal morphology and gut microbiota of S. sinensis under two aquaculture systems. The juveniles of S. sinensis were divided into two groups and cultured in traditional ponds (CT) and an in-pond tank culture system (JY), with equal amounts of feed provided daily over a 72-day experimental period. The results showed no significant differences in growth performance metrics, including the specific growth rate, weight gain rate, hepatosomatic index, and viscerosomatic index between the two groups. In terms of intestinal morphology, the JY group villus width was significantly wider than the CT group, and the number of goblet cells in the CT group was significantly higher than that of the JY group (p < 0.05), which suggested that the fish in the JY group may have better intestinal nutrient absorption capacity, while the water quality in the CT group may be worse. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis of the gut microbiota showed that the JY group had a significantly higher Shannon index compared to the CT group (p < 0.05), indicating greater species richness and evenness. Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) revealed a distinct clustering of gut microbiota between the two groups. At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Fusobacteriota was significantly higher in the CT group, whereas Bacteroidota and Proteobacteria were significantly higher in the JY group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, KEGG pathway predictions indicated differences in the potential metabolic capabilities of the gut microbiota between the two groups (p < 0.05). Overall, this study is the first to conduct a comparative analysis of the growth performance, intestinal tissue morphology, and gut microbiota of S. sinensis under two different aquaculture systems, which has valuable implications for the further optimization of aquaculture practices.

Survey of Reptiles in Nechisar National Park, Southern Ethiopia

Species diversity, composition, relative abundance and evenness of the reptilian communities in Nechisar National Park were studied. The survey was conducted using pitfall traps, active search and cover sheet methods. The study identified 34 reptile species belonging to 3 orders (Squamata, Testudines, and Crocodylia). Squamata was the most diverse containing 30 species belonging to 2 suborders: Sauria which consists of 19 species from 7 families and 10 genera; and Serpentes which consists of 11 species from 5 families and 10 genera. Testudines included 3 species from 2 families and 3 genera. Crocodylia was represented by a single species. Reptile diversity varied among the different habitat types, with the bushland habitat having the highest number of species representing 29.69% of the total species recorded.

Public Perception of Urban Green Spaces and its Tree Diversity in Delhi

The relationship between man and nature plays an important role in the everyday lives of human societies. Places like Delhi and its people face major challenges and issues of urbanisation affecting their health and well-being. Urban greens such as parks play a major role in bringing greenness into the lives of urban dwellers. Trees are seen as a major green component in the urban greens. This paper attempts to understand how public sees green spaces and their uses. Tree diversity index (The Shannon Index also known as Shannon Weiner Index, is a statistical index that measures diversity by estimating species richness and evenness.) canopy cover, and tree trunk diameter have been taken as indicators of greenness of park. Tree distribution at the species level is studied in one of the parks managed by Delhi Development Authority as ‘Landmark greens’. The park users’ perception is studied using an ethnographic method. Whereas the Shannon index is 2.2, which is a moderate value, 50 per cent of the visitors could only identify the popular species namely Neem, Banyan, Ashok, and Peepal. People are aware of the potential benefits of trees and plants or the role of green spaces in their overall well-being. Some of the visitors are the regular ones as they use the park with a purpose to heal from respiratory tract infection, obesity, diabetes, and palpitation, while there are 22 per cent visitors who found the park unsafe during certain instances.

Comparative analysis of biofilm bacterial communities developed on different artificial reef materials.

Artificial reefs play a vital role in restoring and creating new habitats for marine species by providing suitable substrates, especially in areas where natural substrates have been degraded or lost due to declining water quality, destructive fishing practices, and coral diseases. Artificial reef restoration aimed at coral larval settlement is gaining prominence and initially depends on the development of biofilms on reef surfaces. In this study, we hypothesized that different artificial reef materials selectively influence the composition of biofilm bacterial communities, which in turn affected coral larval settlement and the overall success of coral rehabilitation efforts. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the impact of six different reef made materials (porcelain, granite, coral-skeleton, calcium-carbonate, shell-cement, and cement) on the development of biofilm bacterial communities and their potential to support coral larval settlement. The biofilm bacterial communities were developed on different artificial reef materials and studied using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and analysis. The bacterial species richness and evenness were significantly (P<0.05) low in the seawater, while these values were high in the reef materials. At the phylum level, the biofilm bacterial composition of all materials and seawater was majorly composed of Pseudomonadota, Cyanobacteria, and Bacteroidetes, however, significantly (P<0.05) low Bacteroidetes were found in the seawater. At the genus level, Thalassomonas, Glaciecola, Halomicronema, Lewinella, Hyphomonas, Thalassospira, Polaribacter, and Tenacibaculum were significantly (P<0.05) low in the coral-skeleton and seawater, compared to the other reef materials. The genera Pseudoaltermonas and Thalassomonas (considered potential inducers of coral larval settlement) were highly abundant in the shell-cement biofilm, while low values were found in the biofilm of the other materials. The biofilm bacterial community composition can be selective for different substrate materials, such as shell-cement exhibited higher abundances of bacteria known to facilitate coral larval settlement, highlighting their potential in enhancing restoration outcomes.

Structure of Zooplanktocenoses of Water Bodies of Zoogenic Origin of Different Types in a Specially Protected Natural Territory

The features of the structure of zooplankton in beaver ponds and the course of successions in zooplanktocenoses have been studied in the territory of State Natural Reserve “Kologrivsky Les” named after M.G. Sinitsyn. Ponds are divided into groups according to the nature of the watercourse on which they are formed, the height of the floodplain, and the duration of existence. The seasonal succession of zooplankton for all types of ponds begins with the predominance of juvenile stages of Copepoda. In the summer, in newly formed ponds and ponds on rivers with high floodplains, a typical zoogenic transformation of communities is observed occurs with the development of large Cladocera. In long-term ponds on streams and rivers with low floodplains, the dominance of Rotifera and small Cladocera, characteristic of anthropogenic eutrophication, and the highest average values of abundance and biomass, indices of species diversity and evenness were noted.

Biodiversity assessment and environmental risk analysis of the single line transgenic pod borer resistant cowpea.

The discussion surrounding biological diversity has reached a critical point with the introduction of Nigeria's first transgenic food crop, the pod borer-resistant (PBR) cowpea. Questions have been raised about the potential risks of the transgenic Maruca vitrata-resistant cowpea to human health and beneficial insects. Public apprehension, coupled with social activists' calling for the removal of this crop from the nation's food market, persists. However, there is a lack of data to counter the assertion that cultivating PBR cowpea may have adverse effects on biodiversity and the overall ecological system. This research, with its multifaceted objective of examining the environmental safety of PBR cowpea and assessing its impact on biodiversity compared to its non-transgenic counterpart, IT97KN, is of utmost importance in providing the necessary data to address these concerns. Seeds for both the transgenic PBR cowpea and its isoline were obtained from the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) Zaria before planting at various farm sites (Addae et al., 2020). Throughout the experiment, local cultural practices were strictly followed to cultivate both transgenic and non-transgenic cowpeas. Elaborate taxonomic keys were used to identify arthropods and other non-targeted organisms. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to evaluate potential modifications in all ecological niches of the crops. The lmer function of the R package lme4 was used to analyze diversity indices, including Shannon, Pielou, and Simpson. The Bray-Curtis index was used to analyzed potential modifications in the dissimilarities of non-targeted organisms' communities. Examination of ecological species abundance per counting week (CW) revealed no disruption in the biological properties of non-targeted species due to the cultivation of transgenic PBR cowpea. Analysis of species evenness and diversity indices indicated no significant difference between the fields of transgenic PBR cowpea and its isoline. Principal component analysis results demonstrated that planting PBR cowpea did not create an imbalance in the distribution of ecological species. All species and families observed during this study were more abundant in transgenic PBR cowpea fields than in non-transgenic cowpea fields, suggesting that the transformation of cowpea does not negatively impact non-targeted organisms and their communities. Evolution dynamics of the species community between transgenic and non-transgenic cowpea fields showed a similar trend throughout the study period, with no significant divergence induced in the community structure because of PBR cowpea planting. This study concludes that planting transgenic PBR cowpea positively influences biodiversity and the environment.

Species Checklist and Diversity of the Herpetofauna of Tun Razak Agricultural Research Center, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia

Herpetofauna represents a significant portion of global biodiversity. Understanding their distribution, ecology, and behavior is essential for conservation efforts. Many reptile and amphibian species are threatened or endangered due to habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and disease. A study was conducted to explore the herpetofauna in Tun Razak Agricultural Research Centre from 22 February 2023 to 17 March 2023 through Visual Encounter Survey (VES), covering four types of habitats; ponds, forest, oil palm and residential. A total of 23 species of herpetofauna were recorded, representing 14 amphibians and nine reptiles. Hylarana erythraea emerged as the most dominant species, followed by Fejervarya limnocharis. These species were found abundantly in ponds due to its suitability for breeding and ample food sources. The presence of these species indicates that the ecosystem has various habitat niches. Most of the species found were globally classified as Least Concern. However, the survey also recorded Ophiophagus Hannah and Cuora amboinensis, listed as Vulnerable and Endangered respectively. The study highlighted the importance of clean water in ponds for frog breeding, as it ensures proper oxygenation and minimizes exposure to harmful substances. Furthermore, the study demonstrated the potential of herpetofauna as a bioindicator, with changes in their populations reflecting environmental changes or disturbances. The species rank abundance curves showed that the oil palm habitat exhibited the highest species evenness, suggesting a balanced distribution of species within the ecosystem. However, further surveys are needed in the area to determine the full extent of herpetofauna composition. Overall, the findings emphasise the necessity of preserving various habitats to support herpetofauna populations while also maintaining ecosystem health and balance for human-animal coexistence.

Seasonal insights for integrative mosquito management from multi-year baseline entomological data on Aedes aegypti in Lee County, Florida.

The spread of arboviruses like yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, transmitted by the invasive mosquito Aedes aegypti has led to the development of many strategies to suppress mosquito populations. Given the rapid development of resistance to common chemical larvicides and adulticides in some Ae. aegypti populations, as well as the ever-shrinking chemical options for mosquito control, there is a pressing need for new tools and deployment of those innovative tools as a component of integrative mosquito management programs. Prior to the adoption of any mosquito population intervention, be it conventional or innovative, understanding the baseline population is essential to evaluate the efficacy of the control measure. The Lee County Mosquito Control District in Florida has collected a three-year-long period of baseline entomological surveillance data collection for Ae. aegypti on Captiva and Sanibel Islands as foundational information prior to implementation of a new integrative mosquito management approach. We identified 18 mosquito species and described their population dynamics during the rainy and dry seasons. The two islands had no significant differences in species richness, diversity, dominance, or evenness overall. Yet, there were clear differences between the high rain season and low rain season in the Shannon diversity index, Simpson dominance index, and Pielou species evenness index within each site. Our data suggest that any innovative intervention should begin before mid to late April when the mosquito population is at its lowest and certainly before populations build up to their summer peak between June and September. These data also show the spatial distribution of Ae. aegypti is dynamic in space and time, identifying hotspots of mosquito abundance to focus on for future interventions. Overall, our study emphasizes the importance of entomological data collection to understand the population dynamics of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes, including the impact of environmental factors such as temperature and precipitation.

The Mycobiota of Library Books in Russia.

Abstract-Numerous studies of microorganisms isolated from the surface of cultural heritage objects, including library documents, are regularly carried out in different countries. Although the micromycete composition in each case varies, some species are constantly isolated. The structure of micromycete communities that inhabit library documents was studied in 57 cities of Russia located in seven federal districts (Northwestern, Central, Southern, Volga, Ural, Siberian, and Far Eastern). Micromycetes of 95 species from 32 genera were isolated and identified. The mycobiota of the library documents represented by Ascomycota has more than 90% of the species richness; Mucoromycota make up 3-9% and Basidiomycota, 3-4%. The Aspergillaceae family was the leading family: it accounted for 48.5-67.3% of the total species richness. In all regions, species diversity is moderate: the Shannon index ranged from 2.7 to 3.3. The Mcintosh species richness index is high everywhere (48-126), except in the Ural district (15.3). The McIntosh (0.76-0.84) and Pielow (0.80-0.91) dominance indices indicate a high level of species evenness in the mycobiota. The obtained values demonstrate the stability the document mycobiota in libraries from different regions. Significant species similarity between the districts was revealed by calculation of binary coefficients: the Jaccard coefficient was from 0.44 to 0.60; the Sørensen's qualitative measure of similarity was from 0.63 to 0.75; the quantitative similarity measure of Sørensen was from 0.44 to 0.71, and Morisita-Horn was from 0.66 to 1.0. The groups of dominant species in different regions are quite similar. The study of the ecological diversity of mycobiota on library books demonstrated the moderate diversity and the stability of the community. A high degree of similarity of taxonomic structures was established regardless of the climate conditions of the regions. Cosmopolitans characterized by high frequency of occurrence formed the major core of the library book mycobiota: Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Mucor plumbeus, and Penicillium aurantiogriseum.

Avian diversity across guilds in North America versus vegetation structure as measured by the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI)

Avian diversity, a key indicator of ecosystem health, is closely related to canopy structure. Most avian diversity models are based on either optical remote sensing or airborne lidar data, but the latter is limited to small study areas. The launch of the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) instrument in 2018 has opened new avenues for exploring the influence of vegetation structure on avian diversity. To examine how direct measurements of canopy structural characteristics explain bird diversity across North America, we analyzed 18 GEDI metrics from 2019 to 2022, along with corresponding Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) counts and AVONET morphological data, analyzing effects across broad regions and at varying spatial extents. We grouped 440 bird species into 20 ecological guilds under six guild categories and employed random forest algorithms to model avian diversity across eight spatial extents (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, and 39.2 km). The models predicted six diversity indices, including species richness (sRich), functional richness (fRich), evenness (fEve), dispersion (fDis), divergence (fDiv), and redundancy (fRed) across eight spatial extents. The best-predicted guilds varied for each diversity index. The most accurate models were sRich (pseudo-R2 = 0.71, RMSE = 4.28) and fRed (pseudo-R2 = 0.60, RMSE = 0.13) for forest specialists guilds; fRich (pseudo-R2 = 0.55, RMSE = 0.18) for urban guilds; fEve (pseudo-R2 = 0.28, RMSE = 0.08) for insectivore guilds; and fDiv (pseudo-R2 = 0.38, RMSE = 0.12) and fDis (pseudo-R2 = 0.53, RMSE = 0.87) for short distance migrants guilds. Our results highlight the critical role of canopy structure, including its horizontal and vertical distribution and variation, in predicting avian diversity, as measured by the mean number of detected modes (num_detectedmodes), the standard deviation of foliage height diversity (FHD), num_detectedmodes, canopy cover, and plant area index (PAI) across the spatial extents centered on BBS routes. Therefore, we recommend incorporating the GEDI metrics into avian diversity modeling and mapping across North America, thereby potentially enhancing bird habitat management and conservation efforts.

Potential of Agroforestry Practices on Woody Species Diversity and Composition: Implication for Conservation of Indigenous Trees in Selected Districts of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Human activities such as expanding farmland, producing charcoal, and harvesting construction materials and fuel wood are major contributors to forest degradation and biodiversity loss in Northern Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess woody species' diversity, composition, and threat levels in different agroforestry practices to prioritize their conservation. As the result three potential Agroforestry practices were purposively identified and selected for the study. A total of 45 sample plots, 15 plots from each agroforestry practices such as Woodlot agroforestry (WLAF) (10m x 10m), Homegarden Agroforestry (HGAF) (20m x 10m), and Parkland agroforestry (PLAF) (50m x 100m). Data on woody species were analyzed using Past version 2.17c and SPSS version 20. The results identified 36, 26, and 21 woody plant species from 31, 23, and 19 genera, as well aswell as 22, 16, and 15 families in HGAF, PLAF, and WLAF, respectively. Significant differences (p &lt; 0.001) were found among the agroforestry practices in terms of tree density, species richness, species abundance, and Shannon diversity, though species evenness did not vary. The Importance Value Index (IVI) highlighted the top species in HGAF as A. etbaica (75.2), F. albida (33.1), and A. seyal (30.6). Species with low IVI values, such as B. polystachya (1.56), R. vulgaris (1.57), G. ferruginea (1.62), and C. aurantiifolia (0.90), require significant conservation efforts. In PLAF, the key species were F. albida (131.03), A. seyal (59.33), and C. africana (26.21). In WLAF, E. globulus (61.8), A. seyal (8.83), and C. edulis (31.4) were the most abundant, frequent, and dominant. Trees and shrubs in HGAF and WLAF had smaller stem diameters compared to those in PLAF. However, WLAF had greater tree height and basal area (BA, m²) than both HGAF and PLAF, with HGAF also showing a higher BA than PLAF (p ≤ 0.05). The study concluded that HGAF and PLAF are vital for sustaining local livelihoods, providing food, and conserving biodiversity. These agroforestry systems enhance natural forests and help prevent the extinction of woody species. Therefore, developing and enhancing HGAF, and PLAF in densely populated landscapes should be integral to biodiversity conservation strategies.

Lipoic acid-functionalized platycodin D nanocarrier improves mitochondrial dysfunction and reverses diabetes

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome, particularly type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), is steadily increasing on a global scale. It is widely acknowledged that multi-organ insulin resistance serves as the central pathological mechanism underlying T2DM. Mitochondrial dysfunction is recognized as a significant contributor to insulin resistance, with a focus on maintaining homeostasis and addressing cellular functional impairments. In recent years, the emergence of natural compounds has shed light on the potential of platycodin D (PD) in the realm of diabetes management. However, optimizing its bioavailability and targeted delivery within the intricate gastrointestinal system remains a critical challenge. This study involved the development of PD nanocarriers (PD NPs) through an enzymatic reaction, followed by lipoic acid esterification onto PD NPs to create mitochondrial-functionalized nanocarriers (PA NPs). Cell experiments demonstrated that PA NPs effectively targeted mitochondria and mitigated cellular oxidative damage. In vitro simulations revealed that PA NPs successfully navigated the gastric environment and reached the intestinal tract for controlled release. Animal studies showcased that PA NPs improved islet morphology and function, and its mechanism may be achieved by regulating the GSK3-β/IRS1/AMPK signal pathway cascade. Furthermore, PA NPs modulated the gut microbiota derangement in STZ-induced diabetic mice, driving a healthier state, species evenness, and abundance.

Contributions of Urban Woodlands to Bird Diversity and Abundance in The Anatolian Side of Istanbul

Aim of study: The study aimed to assess the impact of urban woodlands on bird species diversity and abundance in the Anatolian side of Istanbul, focusing on species typically absent from urban centers but found within urban environments. The findings are intended to contribute to the development of future conservation and habitat management strategies. Area of study: The study was conducted in five areas in Üsküdar and Beykoz, including an urban center, three urban woodlands (Fethipaşa, Hidiv, and Beykoz Abrahampaşa) and a natural area in Istanbul's northern region. Material and methods: Data on bird species and their abundances were collected and tabulated through 900 point counts from April 2022 to March 2023. The data was analyzed using abundance values, species richness and diversity, identifying distribution and evenness through rank abundance distribution and curves. Similarity analysis was performed using the clustering method and species composition was compared using a Venn diagram. Main results: Seventy-two bird species were identified across the study areas. A decrease in urbanization density enhances bird species richness, diversity and evenness, with the natural area recording the highest values. Urban woodlands harbor species absent from more urbanized locations. Distinctions in species distribution and bird diversity between the areas were revealed. Research highlights: Urban woodlands are crucial areas for wildlife in metropolises, providing significance from both ecological and sociocultural perspectives. Although they may not match natural areas in species diversity, these woodlands significantly contribute to bird diversity within the urban environments. Further research is needed to explore the unique characteristics of each woodland and their contributions to urban ecosystems.

Bioprospecting for sustainable and eco-friendly bioproducts: A case study of multi-enzyme production by soil microbes

Microbial multi-enzyme production is a promising research area involving microbes that can simultaneously synthesize numerous enzymes for the degradation of substrates with environmental sustainability and other industrial applications as the focus. During this study, we isolated, screened, and identified some multi-enzyme-producing microbes from three soil sites in Ibadan: Apete Dumpsite (ADS); Botanical Garden University of Ibadan- (BGUI); and Eleyele Cassava Processing Field- (ECPF). Precisely 500 g of soil were collected per point at different depths (0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm) and further analyzed. The microbial load and type and enzyme assays were determined. The highest average microbial count (6.9 × 108 CFU/g) was recorded in the ECPF soil sample at 0–10 cm depth, while the lowest microbial count of 3.3 × 105 CFU/g at 20–30 cm soil depth in BGUI. Multi-enzyme-producing microbes were identified phenotypically and molecularly. This study revealed an inverse relationship between microbial community composition and soil depth. Bacterial and fungal genera had higher species richness, biodiversity, and evenness than yeast from all sampled points. With significant amylolytic, proteolytic, lipolytic, cellulolytic, and pectinolytic activities, 22 of the 193 isolates were identified as multienzyme producers. The blasted 16S rRNA and ITS rRNA amplicon sequences compared with sequences in the NCBI gene bank identified Bacillus, Roseomonas, Aeromonas, Phanerochaete, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Trametes, and Rigidoporus species. Results from this study show that topsoils (0–10 cm), rich with organic matter, are good reservoirs of multienzyme-producing microorganisms- applicable for environmental sustainability and in other important industries for waste management, food processing, and biomaterial production.