Diversity Status Research Articles

Diversity, distribution and conservation status of mangrove species in Pulias Bay, Indonesia

As an ecosystem, the mangrove ecosystem serves various purposes. The objectives of this study are to (1) identify the community structure of the important value index; and (2) evaluate the importance of the mangrove species diversity index in Pulias Bay in Ogodeide District, Tolitoli Regency. The study was conducted in 2021 using a quantitative descriptive methodology and survey method. The number of discovered species will be used to establish the species composition. The structure of the mangrove communities is being evaluated by calculating the relative density (RD) and frequency (FR). The data is tabulated to calculate the Important Value Index (IVI) value according to the Shannon-Wiener formula. There were 18 different species of mangroves discovered, including Rhizophora apiculata, Rh. mucronata, Rh. stylosa, Bruguiera parviflora, B. gymnorrhiza, Ceriops tagal, C. decandra, Sonneratia alba, S. caseolaris, S. ovata, Avicennia lanata, Xylocarpus moluccensis, Acrostichum aureum, Nypa fruticans, and Pemphis acidula. The Rhizophoraceae family predominated at each observation station, according to the findings of the vegetation analysis. Meanwhile the most rarely found species of mangrove were Acrostichum aureum, Sonneratia casiolaris, and Xylocarpus moluccensis, each with two specimens. The community structure reveals that X. moluccensis has the lowest IVI value of 12.7%, while Rhizophora mucronata has an IVI value of 101.3%. The mangrove Diversity Index (H') has a value of 2.48 and meets the standards for moderate diversity. Physical and chemical parameter measurements often indicate that the four stations or sites where the data was collected have similar conditions. Interestingly, we also found Avicennia lanata, a mangrove species that falls under the Vulnerable category. The collected information can be used to manage the mangrove forest in Pulias Bay in the Ogodeide Sub-District of the Tolitoli Regency and serve as a database for efforts to conserve mangroves and mitigate the effects of global warming.

Status of household dietary diversity and associated factors among rural and urban households of Northern Uganda

BackgroundIn Northern Uganda, 21 and 52.4% of children under five are underweight and stunted, respectively while 32.9% of pregnant women are anemic. This demographic situation suggests among other issues, a lack of dietary diversity among households. Good nutrition practices that confer dietary quality such as dietary diversity are known to depend on nutrition knowledge and attitude and are shaped by sociodemographic and cultural factors. However, there is a paucity of empirical evidence to support this assertion for the variably malnourished population of Northern Uganda.MethodsA cross-sectional nutrition survey was conducted among 364 household caregivers (182 from two locations in Northern Uganda; Gulu District (the rural) and Gulu City (the urban), selected through a multistage sampling approach. The aim was to determine the status of dietary diversity and its associated factors between rural and urban households of Northern Uganda. The household dietary diversity questionnaire and the food frequency questionnaire on a 7-day reference period were used to collect data on household dietary diversity whereas multiple choice questions and the five points Likert Scale were used to determine knowledge and attitude toward dietary diversity. Consumption of ≤ 5 food groups were regarded as low in dietary diversity, 6–8 food groups as medium and ≥ 9 as high dietary diversity score using the FAO 12 food groups. An Independent two-sample t-test was used to differentiate the status of dietary diversity between the urban and rural areas. The Pearson Chi-square Test was used to determine the status of knowledge and attitude while Poisson regression was used to predict dietary diversity based on caregivers’ nutritional knowledge and attitude and their associated factors.ResultsThe 7-day dietary recall period revealed that dietary diversity was 22% higher in urban (Gulu City) than in the rural area (Gulu District) with rural and urban households achieving medium (score of 8.76 ± 1.37) and high (score of 9.57 ± 1.44) dietary diversity status, respectively. Diets in both locations were dominated by starchy cereals and tubers while animal-source foods and fruits and vegetables were the least consumed. A higher proportion (51.65%) of urban respondents had good nutrition knowledge toward dietary diversity compared to their rural counterparts (23.08%) and a significantly higher proportion (87.91%) of the former exhibited positive attitude towards dietary diversity than the rural counterparts (72.53%). Application of the Poisson regression shows that nutritional knowledge was a positive predictor of dietary diversity in the rural (β = 0.114; ρ = 0.000) than in the urban areas (β = -0.008; ρ = 0.551). Caregivers attitude had no significant effect across locations. In terms of associated factors, marital status is a positive predictor of dietary diversity in the urban (β = 1.700; ρ = 0.001) than the other location (β = -2.541; ρ = 0.008). Whereas education level of household caregiver and household food expenditure show negative effects across the two locations, the educational level of the household head is an outlier as it positively predicted dietary diversity in the rural (β = 0.003; ρ = 0.002) when compared to urban area (β = -0.002; ρ = -0.011).ConclusionRural households in Northern Uganda have medium-level dietary diversity with urban households having high dietary diversity. Diets in both locations are dominated by starchy cereals and roots and tubers. The urban–rural food divide can be harmonized through nutrition education and outreach, specifically focusing on the FAO 12 food groups. Attitude toward consumption of fruits and vegetables which are seasonally abundant would improve dietary diversity and nutritional outcomes in the study area.

The diversity and regional conservation status of wild edible fruit species in Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract. Suwardi AB, Syamsuardi, Mukhtar E, Nurainas. 2023. The diversity and regional conservation status of wild edible fruit species in Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 3245-3257. Sumatra Island is recognized as the distribution center of tropical fruit species in Indonesia. However, increased human activity threatens the existence of edible wild fruit plants in nature. The study aims to assess the diversity and regional conservation status of wild edible fruit plant species in Sumatra, Indonesia. The study was conducted in four provinces: West Sumatra, Riau, Jambi, and Bengkulu. For the sampling, a modified line transect method was used. A total of 331 wild edible fruit plant species at four studied sites in Sumatra consisted of 73 families. The highest number of fruit plant species was recorded in West Sumatra Province, i.e., 176 species, followed by Jambi (172 species), Riau (121 species), and Bengkulu (76 species). The diversity of wild edible fruit plant species was higher in West Sumatra Province (3.85) but lower in Riau Province (3.25). Artocarpus integer (Thunb.) Merr., Baccaurea lanceolata (Miq.) Müll.Arg., Baccaurea macrocarpa (Miq.) Müll.Arg., Baccaurea polyneura Hook.f., Garcinia atroviridis Griff. ex T.Anderson, Garcinia xanthochymus Hook.fil. ex J.Anderson, Mangifera foetida Lour., Mangifera laurina Blume, Mangifera odorata Griff., and Pometia pinnata J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. were the most frequently recorded wild fruit plant species in all of the study area. However, 74 wild edible fruit plant species were recorded only in West Sumatra, 45 in Riau, 79 in Jambi, and 9 in Bengkulu. Among the 331 wild edible fruit species in the present study, 1 taxon was classified as endangered (0.30%), 9 taxa (2.72%) as vulnerable, 11 taxa (3.32%) as near threatened, and 139 taxa (41.99%) as least concern, and 171 taxa (51.67%) as Data Deficient.

Structure and diversity in a periurban forest of Bucharest, Romania

Mitigating the adverse effects of climate change and worldwide urbanization is one of the main tasks of local authorities and city managers. As a long-term solution, urban and periurban forests have the potential to mitigate the impacts of climate change by providing ecosystem services such as removing air pollutants, mitigating the urban heat islands, storing carbon, regulating local climate, limiting the risk of flooding, reducing noise levels, and improving the physical and mental health of citizens and their welfare. To promote, conserve, and enhance the benefits offered by the periurban forests, it is needed to adequately describe the forest ecosystems state, and understand well their structure and functionality. The objective of this study was to investigate the structure, diversity, and health status of one of the main periurban forest in Bucharest. In 2015 and 2020, biophysical measurements (diameter at breast height, total height, wood quality, cenotic class) and assessments of forest health status were conducted in a permanent sample monitoring network (PSMN). This PSMN consists of 46 sample plots located in the periurban Stefănești forest near Bucharest, Romania. The calculation included tree characteristics and stand volumes, while the tree species diversity was characterized using the Shannon (H) and Gini (G) indexes. Our study confirmed that higher diversity indexes of tree species and variability amongst the biometric characteristics at forest stand level sustain ecosystem resilience and adaptability to climate change, simultaneously bolstering their capacity to provide various ecosystem services. The gained insights are critical in helping forest managers, policymakers, and any stakeholders in the effort to evaluate and model the ecosystem services.

Mushroom based Cosmeceuticals: An Upcoming Biotechnology Sector

ABSTRACT: Mushrooms have been an established source of nutrition for hundreds of years. They are recently being exploited for their potential applications in other sectors as well. One of their emerging applications has been in the cosmetic industry where their bioactive properties are being used either as cosmeceutical for topical administration or as nutricosmetics for oral administration. Certain genera of mushrooms which are being used in cosmetic industries are Lentinula, Ganoderma, Pleurotus, Cordyceps, Inonotus, Tremella, Grifola, Schizophyllum, Pleurotus, Coriolus, Ganoderma, Euphorbia, Pistacia, Trametes, Agaricus, Phellinus, Antrodia. The mushroom extracts and their bioactive metabolites show excellent anti-oxidant, anti-wrinkle, anti-aging, moisturizing and skin whitening effects making them ideal and multi-functional cosmetic components. The mounting benefits of various mushroom extracts in skin and hair care products have also fast-tracked the commercial production of mushrooms which is worth mass attention. The present review discusses about the role, diversity, properties and commercial status of mushrooms that are being exploited by the cosmetic industry.

A global assessment of species diversification in aquaculture

Aquaculture is a diverse food production system, and a high species diversity in aquaculture can make the global food system more resilient. Species diversification could facilitate aquaculture growth through multiple mechanisms and increase the sector's resilience and long-term sustainability. Facing increasing challenges from climate change, disease outbreaks, market fluctuations, and other disturbances, species diversification has become a widely recognized and endorsed development strategy in the policy and scientific communities for the growth and resilience of the aquaculture sector. However, many attempts to establish new species have yielded little long-term success, and the private sector often concentrates efforts on the most advantageous species for rapid growth. This paper presents a comprehensive assessment of aquaculture species diversification at the global, regional (more than 30 country groups), and national (nearly 200 countries) levels, covering the period 1950 to 2020 with a focus on 1990 to 2020. The assessment employs the concept of “effective number of species” as a measure of diversity and uses two sub-indicators to assess within-group versus between-group diversity. The indicator system reveals detailed patterns of species diversity and uncovers different driving forces of species diversification. Additionally, the study maps the status and trends of species diversity to offer a refined perspective on species diversity profiles and diversification patterns. The findings reveal that beneath high species diversity in world aquaculture lies generally low diversity at the national level; nearly half of national aquaculture has no within-group or between-group diversity. Furthermore, species diversification has been losing momentum in recent decades, and concentration has become a more prominent development pathway, with a tendency to drive aquaculture towards a low-diversity system similar to terrestrial farming. Public interventions are crucial to promote species diversification in aquaculture for the sector's resilience and long-term sustainability. It is important to not only reduce the cost of species diversification for the private sector but also to dedicate more public efforts towards increasing its benefits and viability. While diverse diversification patterns among national aquaculture indicate no one-style-fits-all species diversification pathway, a country may draw guidance from others' experiences, especially since countries with similar species diversity profiles or diversification patterns tend to cluster geographically. Evidence-based policymaking and sector management regarding species diversification entail collaborative efforts among policymakers, scientists, and the aquaculture community to expand and refine assessment frameworks, improve data availability and quality, and efficiently utilize information, knowledge, and insights generated by these assessments to inform decision making at various levels.

Livestock for Livelihoods: Role of Goats in Improving the Livelihood and Well-being of Women Pastoralists in Ethiopia and Uganda

Abstract Farm Africa worked with semi-nomadic pastoralist women living in the South Omo region of Ethiopia and Karamoja subregion in Uganda, thereby supporting them to set up sustainable, small-scale goat-rearing enterprises that contributed to increased household income, improved dietary diversity and nutritional status of their families. The project also supported community-based animal health service delivery as part of the integrated approach. Livestock is the main source of livelihood for the pastoralist communities in East Africa, though disease, drought and degraded grasslands make it unproductive. Rural women in pastoralist communities in Ethiopia and Uganda lack nutritional knowledge, financial skills, credit access and a voice in household decision making, which result in them having a low economic status and which contribute to malnutrition. Declining animal health services, due in part to reduced government capacity, exacerbate the challenge of increasing goat productivity. Farm Africa through the Livestock for Livelihoods project (March 2019–July 2021) supported 10,000 women to improve their socio-economic status and improve household nutrition. It supported women beneficiaries to be more economically empowered through access to finance provided by Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) and facilitated them to be involved in profitable enterprises in the goat value chain (goat breeding, leather tanning and milk value addition). These activities stimulated livelihood diversification and trade, contributing to reduced levels of poverty and malnutrition. Some of the remarkable results include increased revenue that women acquired from the sale of live goats, meat, hides, skins and milk; improved dietary diversity in children under 5 years and women; and increased Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) scores. This project created and strengthened a network of Community-Based Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) linked to agro-input dealers to enhance pastoralists’ access to quality animal health services. A total of 155 CAHWs (127 men and 28 women) in the two countries were empowered to provide animal health services to the pastoralists across the project area. The logo of Farm Africa. Information © The Author 2023

Forty Years after Poverty Reduction in China: The Role of Women's Empowerment in Enhancing Food Security and Diet Diversity.

This study analyzed the role of women's empowerment in diversifying the diet of households through their own production. Developed from empowerment and food security theories, this study constructed measures from the household dietary diversity score (HDDS) and Women's Empowerment Index (WEI). The study focused on poverty-stricken regions in China and conducted a thematic questionnaire-based household survey on gender and food consumption in 2021. Based on micro-level evidence from 1199 rural households, this research found a low score of women's empowerment and an average WEI of 0.689; the status of diet diversity, measured by the HDDS, varied by income and social class; and the average rate was low. Agricultural production diversity and women's empowerment are positively associated with diet diversity. There is strong evidence that women's employment mitigates the side effects of decreasing production diversity on households' diet security. As a result, women's empowerment can potentially mitigate the adverse consequences of low agricultural diversification in household diet quality in less developed areas. This study provides evidence for repurposing food and agricultural policies toward healthy diets and gender-responsive agrifood systems.

Terrestrial Orchid Diversity in Sagara Taluk of Shimogga District Central Western Ghats Region of Karnataka

The current article evaluates the study of terrestrial orchids in Sagara taluk of Shimogga district, reports total 26 terrestrial orchid species in Sagara taluk region Shimogga district Karnataka from the period of January 2019-January 2022 and provides information on their distribution, phenology aspects and biological status in the district. Extensive field surveys were carried out periodically in different part of the taluk particularly in grasslands and hilly region to study the diversity and phenological character of the plant. It was noticed that, when compared to other species, the Habenaria species is richly distributed in Sagara taluk regions. During field visits also noticed some anthropogenic activities highly effects on the diversity of the terrestrial orchids. The further study has to be carried out to get more information related to diversity and current status of terrestrial orchid species in Sagara taluk region of Shimogga district Karnataka.

Agricultural production diversity, child dietary diversity and nutritional status in poor, rural Gansu Province of China.

Research has shown mixed findings on the link between production diversity and household dietary diversity. The question is whether this link holds for children. In this study we examine the relationship between household's agricultural production diversity and child dietary diversity, and between production diversity and child nutritional status. Smallholder farm households (n = 1067) and children (n = 1067) aged 3-16 years from two then nationally designated poverty counties in Gansu Province of China were interviewed in 2019. Production diversity was assessed with the production richness score and production diversity score. Production diversity was calculated from agricultural production data covering a period of 12 months. Child dietary diversity was assessed with food variety score (FVS) and dietary diversity score (DDS). DDS was calculated based on 9 food groups using a 30-day recall method. Data were analysed using Poisson and Probit regression models. We find that both agricultural production richness score and revenue generated from selling agricultural products are positively associated with food variety score, with the relationship being stronger for the latter. Moreover, production diversity score is positively associated with children's dietary diversity score whereas negatively associated with their probability of being stunted, but not with their probabilities of being wasted or zinc deficient. Household social economics status were also positively associated with child dietary diversity.

The diversity and conservation status of snakes in the eastern part of PT GAN, Riau Province

PT Global Alam Nusantara (GAN) is one of ecosystem restoration concessions in Kampar Peninsula managed by Riau Ecosystem Restoration (RER). Unlike other companies under RER, information on the diversity of snake species in PT GAN is not yet available. Therefore, this study aims to determine the diversity and conservation status of snake species in PT GAN. There are 4 transects are placed systematically based on habitat conditions. Two transects are located near the river (transect 1 and transect 2), the other two transects are far from the river and are located around the peat dome (transect 3 and transect 4). Observations were made using the Visual Encounter Survey (VES) method on four observation transects. Data analysis used the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H') and the Sorensen Index (IS). The snakes found were 16 individuals, belonging to three families and 11 species, namely: Ahaetulla prasina, Boiga jaspidae, Boiga cynodon, Boiga drapiezii, Coelognathus flavolineatus, Dendrelaphis caudolineatus, Dryocalamus subannulatus, Lycodon subcintus, Sibynophis melanochepalus, Tripodolaemus wagleri, and Calliophis bivirgatus. The diversity of snakes in PT GAN was moderate with a low Sorensen similarity index. All snake species found are unprotected, with low-risk IUCN status, and have not been included in the CITES appendix.

Changes in Household Dietary Diversity in Herder Communities over the Past 20 Years: Evidence from Xilin Gol Grassland of China.

Food security is critical for socioeconomic development. In grassland areas, inappropriate food consumption patterns can cause irreversible damage to vulnerable local ecosystems. This study aims to examine the household dietary diversity status and development trend over the past 20 years in Chinese herder communities. We draw on a cross-sectional dataset of 230 households involving 652 family members from the Xilin Gol Grassland areas in North China. Household dietary diversity was assessed using the household dietary diversity score (HDDS), which was calculated based on 12 food groups. Results show that HDDS increased from 3.74 in 1999 to 5.92 in 2019, with an annual average growth rate of 2.45% during the past 20 years. The increase in plant-based food scores made a major contribution to the HDDS improvement. The variations in household dietary diversity status between pastoral areas and agro-pastoral areas showed differences among different types of grassland in arid and semiarid transitional zones. It is worth paying more attention to monitoring the main impact factors that affect HDDS and how these changes might impact the local ecosystem, which will benefit regional sustainable development.

Dung treated by high-temperature composting is an optimal bedding material for suckling calves according to analyses of microbial composition, growth performance, health status, and behavior

Bedding materials are important for suckling buffalo calves. Treated dung has been used as a bedding material for dairy cows but the lack of an appropriate safety assessment limits its application. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of treated dung (TD) as a bedding material for suckling calves by comparing TD with rice husk (RH) and rice straw (RS) bedding materials. The TD was prepared through high-temperature composting by Bacillus subtilis. Thirty-three newborn suckling buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis, 40.06 ± 5.79 kg) were randomly divided into 3 bedding material groups (TD, RH, and RS) and bedded with 1 of the 3 bedding materials for 60 d. We compared cost, moisture content, bacterial counts, and microbial composition of the 3 bedding materials, and investigated growth performance, health status, behavior, rumen fermentation, and blood parameters of bedded calves. The results showed that TD contained the fewest gram-negative bacteria and coliforms on d 1 and 30 and the lowest relative abundance of Staphylococcus throughout the experiment. The RH and TD bedding materials had the lowest cost. Calves in the TD and RS groups showed a higher dry matter intake, and final body weight and average daily gain in the TD and RS groups tended to be higher than in the RH group. Calves in the TD and RS groups had a lower disease incidence (diarrhea and fever), fewer antibiotic treatments, and lower fecal score than calves in the RH group. Higher contents of IgG, IgA, and IgM were observed in calves of the TD and RS groups than in calves of the RH group on d 10, indicating higher immune ability in TD and RS groups. Furthermore, TD bedding increased the butyric acid content in the calf's rumen, whereas RS bedding increased the acetate content, which might be attributed to the longer time and higher frequency of eating bedding material in the RS group. Considering all of the above indicators, we concluded that TD is the optimal bedding material for calves based on economics, bacterial count, microbial diversity, growth performance, and health status. Our findings provide a valuable reference for bedding material choice and calf farming.

Diversity, distribution, and conservation status of fish species in Kallar Stream, Achankovil River, Western Ghats of Kerala, India

The current study presents the findings of fish species inventories conducted at 12 locations in ‘Kallar’, the perennial tributary of the undammed Achankovil River that flows through the Achankovil Reserve Forest in Kerala State. A new checklist of ichthyofauna is prepared, by adding the updated scientific names, which comprises 35 species from 27 genera, 13 families, and eight orders. In order of abundance, Opsarius bakeri, Salmostoma boopis, and Garra surendranathanii were the most prevalent species in the Kallar tributary. Eight of the total species documented are listed as threatened on IUCN Red List. The study reports the presence of a poorly known smiliogastrin cyprinid, Dawkinsia lepida for the first time in the Achankovil River as well as the range expansion of the threatened catfish, Batasio travancoria, and the Malabar Spiny Eel Macrognathus guentheri to the Kallar tributary. The study also reports a species of Balitora from Kallar, distinct from its congeners in several morphometric and meristic characteristics. The absence of any non-native fish species in the study area revealed the pristine nature of the stream habitat. A comparison of diversity indices with the available pre-flood study revealed that the fish species composition in Kallar stream has not altered as a result of the 2018 catastrophic flood. The main existing threat is the practice of destructive fishing at high levels by local communities adjacent to but outside the forest area during the dry season by damming the streamlets and then applying plant-based piscicides. It is recommended that fishing be banned during dry season because this is the time of year when the majority of the upstream fishes breed. The existing environment and fisheries acts should also be strictly enforced. For the sake of future conservation, the competent authorities should see to it that the last remaining natural forest cover in the Kanayar and Kallar ranges are safeguarded from being converted to forest plantations.

Woody species diversity and regeneration status of Sub-Alpine forest of Mount Adama exclosure site, Northwestern highlands of Ethiopia

Forests provide a wide range of ecosystem services. Despite these facts, the expansion of agriculture and settlement at the expense of forest resources has threatened the forest resources and results in biodiversity loss. To halt this problem, various conservation practices that believed to restore the degraded lands and biodiversity of the country have been implemented. Area exclosure is among the conservation strategies that have been used to restore the degraded lands in Mount Adama forest. However, its role in woody species regeneration in Mount Adama was not investigated. Thus, the objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of area exclosure on woody plant species composition, regeneration status, structure and diversity in Mount Adama. A systematic transect sampling method was used to collect vegetation data. Hence, 53 plots with 400 m2 area were laid along 11 transects. Then, within the main plots, five subplots with 1 m2 were laid to determine the abundance and frequency of seedlings. The results showed that about 31 woody species that belong to 30 genera and 19 families including four endemic species were identified. The majority (67.74%) of the species were categorized under shrub habitat, while the remaining 19.35% and 12.90% were trees and lianas or climbers, respectively. Asteraceae family was dominant by contributing 4 species followed by Rosaceae and Solanaceae each contributed 3 species. Hypericum revolutum was the dominant species with 53.38 important value index followed by Erica arborea and Hagenia abyssinica with 49.12 and 40.05, respectively. The overall Shannon- Wiener diversity index and Shannon evenness in the exclosure site were 2.6 and 0.73, respectively. Furthermore, the number of seedlings and saplings were higher in the exclosure than the untreated site. The results of the study evidently showed that area exclosure that implemented in Mount Adam successfully contributed to the biodiversity restoration. Therefore, further conservation efforts targeting species with low IVI values are needed for sustainable management and ecological recovery of the area.

The extirpation of medium and large mammal species from the Ehotilé Islands National Park, south-eastern Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract In West Africa, high deforestation rates and poaching have induced dramatic declines of mammal’s populations and local extinctions. Due to their isolation, island species are more vulnerable than mainland species. The premises of that scenario are perceptible in the Ehotilé Islands National Park, south-eastern Côte d’Ivoire, but have not been documented. This study aimed to update the diversity and conservation status of medium and large mammals in that protected area. Several surveys were conducted between 2019 and 2021, using ethno-zoological interviews and individual surveys with local populations, as well as reconnaissance walks and camera trapping to collect data on the presence or absence of mammals. From interviews with local populations and literature review, a list of 27 species of mammals that were potentially present in the park in the past was established. Most “lost” species are large mammals, especially primates that are globally threatened. A total of 11 species were pictorially identified, including two Near threatened species (Aonyx capensis and Hydrictis maculicollis) and one Vulnerable species (Cercopithecus lowei). The study confirms a trend of population decline and the erosion of mammal diversity in the park, hence highlighting the need for urgent conservation actions.

Rehabilitation options for degraded secondary forests in Adiyo district of Kaffa zone, Southwest Ethiopia

Forest degradation is a very serious environmental problem. It leads to decline of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Thus, the objective of the study was to identify rehabilitation options for the degraded secondary forest in the Adiyo district in southwest Ethiopia. Data were collected from 30 quadrats (20 m × 20 m) across five treatments established for three years to examine stand structures, diversity, regeneration status of woody species, and enriched planting. The diameter at breast height (DBH) and height (H) of woody species were measured in the main quadrats and their seedlings and sapling were counted in the five subplots (4 m × 4 m) inside each main quadrat. A complete random design with three replications was employed to examine the growth performance and survival of planted trees with two permanent blocks having an area of 10,000m2. The diversity and evenness of woody species were estimated using Shannon Diversity Index (H') and Evenness (E). The importance value index (IVI) of woody plants was calculated to identify the status of ecologically significant species. A total of 30 woody species belonging to 27 genera and 20 families were recorded. The dominance value in the combination of assisted and enrichment of planting (CAREP) treatment reached 3.7 times higher than in open disturbed (OD) forest and exhibited a significant difference at p < 0.05. Shannon (H') and Simpson (D) diversity values also exhibited maximum in CAREP (H' = 2.60, D = 0.91) than other treatments. The highest IVI of woody species, the healthy population structure pattern, and potential regeneration species were found in CAREP treatment. Similarly, seedlings of H abyssinica, P. africana, and S. abyssinica demonstrated higher growth performance (3.41 to 4.35 m) and survival rate (76 to 85%) in the CAREP than in other treatments. In conclusion, the stand structure, diversity and regeneration status of woody species as well as the survival rate and growth performance of enriched species exhibited improvement in the CAREP treatment. It should be the best rehabilitation option for degraded secondary forest and need to be promoted for further adoption.

Diversity, composition and conservation status of avian fauna in the forest and the wetland sites of Hastinapur wildlife sanctuary, India

Almost, in all flora and fauna, the species richness is affected by environmental changes; hence it is important to survey regularly to understand the current composition and diversity of different wildlife species in an ecosystem. The present study surveyed to assess the species distribution, conservation status, abundance and diversity of birds using the point count method, at two different habitats, a wetland (BhikundJheel; BJ) and a forest (Arjun Van; AV) in Hastinapur wildlife sanctuary, India. We surveyed early in the morning (before and after sunrise) and evening (before sunset) for 20 min at every point from January 2019 to April 2019. A total of 96 bird species were recorded, which belong to the 40 families and 15 orders. Out of 96 species, we recorded 67 resident bird species and 29 migratory bird species. The number of bird species specific to the type of habitat was higher in BhikundJheel than those in Arjun Van. The species richness and abundance were higher in the wetland (81; 5605)than in the forest habitat(45; 1716); however, evenness (J’) and diversity [Shannon-Weiner (H’) and Simpson diversity (D)]indices were higher in the forest habitat (J’: 0.827, H’: 3.420, D: 0.960) than in the wetland habitat (J’: 0.669, H’: 2.940, D: 0.827). Overall, we found that in the wetland habitats had more species richness than in the forests.

KEANEKARAGAMAN DAN POTENSI JENIS IKAN HASIL TANGKAPAN NELAYAN DI TEMPAT PELELANGAN IKAN (TPI) PAMAYANGSARI KABUPATEN TASIKMALAYA

This study aims to determine the diversity and potential of fish caught by fishermen at the Pamayangsari fish auction, Tasikmalaya Regency. This study uses descriptive quantitative methods with survey techniques. Data collection was carried out using catch data from January 2020 to October 2022 and conditional direct observations for 2 weeks in October 2022 carried out at the fish auction at Pamayangsari. The results showed that 58 fish species were identified at the fish auction of Pamayangsari, Tasikmalaya Regency, belonging to 2 classes, namely 55 species from the Actinopterygii class and 3 species from the Elasmobranchii class. As for the status of species diversity (H’) in the high category, the type wealth index (R1) is moderate, the evenness index (E) is high and stable, and the dominance index (C) is low which indicates that the community structure is quite stable. Overall catch results from January 2020 to October 2022. Based on these data the fish caught by fishermen landed at the fish auction of Pamayangsari, Tasikmalaya Regency, were quite abundant.

Forest structure, tree species diversity and distribution status for wildlife habitat in ukpon river forest reserve, cross river state, Nigeria

For effective conservation management, it is crucial to comprehend the diversity, abundance, and distribution of the forest as wildlife habitat. The fundamental composition of the forest is significantly influenced by the ecological features of the sites, species diversity, and rate of tree species regeneration. This finding aimed to assess the diversity, abundance, and distribution of tree species as suitable habitat for wildlife species and for sustainable forest management, climate change mitigation, and environmental resilience. The study was conducted in dry season (between 5th September, 2021 and April, 2022). Purposive sampling techniques and systematic line transects were used for data collection and plot delineation. There were laid 8 transects, each 1000 meters long and 500 meters apart. Descriptive statistics such as mean, frequencies, and percentages were used to analyze the data. Correlation analyses and diversity indices were carried out using the R programming software. In the study area, 68 tree species from 34 families were found. Meliacea (6 trees per ha), Caesalpiniceae, and Moracea (5 trees per ha) were the three most common tree species in the study area. Melicia excelsa showed the highest relative frequency (2.256%) and (2.241%). The species Bialonella toxisperma had the highest relative dominance (4.970%). In Melicia excelsa, IVI recorded the highest value (4.970%). The tallest tree and Dbh (Diameter at Breast Height) measured 80.5 cm and 68.3m). The Margelef index was 36.10, the Shannon Wiener index was 5.058, and species richness was 68. However, the high proportion of smaller-diameter trees in the forest reserve implies that, it is strong and healthy. Since natural areas play a critical role in slowing down climate change, strict oversight of these areas should be strongly encouraged.