Swampy Forest Research Articles

Ind

To enhance effectiveness of natural resources evaluation an assessment on the trend of land- use and its impacts is necessary. This is needed by regions which are interacted each others and covering large areas. A remote sensing technology is a reliable and appropriate choice for such area. A study on the land-use assessment was employed using manual method through the implementation of Spot, Landsats, and Radar imageries. The results were as follows: 1) Until the year 1980, the concession area situated at Long Nah, administratively under authority of PT Inhutani I. East Kalimantan were mostly still covered by virgin forest with occasional and scattered small villages 2) Manual interpretation using imageries of Spot, Landsats and Radars disclosed the following results: (a) Spot imageries turned out to be 64. 7% as the correct figure and 35.3% as the false figure;, (b) Landsat imageries interpreted 53.3% as correct and 46.7% as false; (c) Radar imageris conducted in March and April 1998 revealed 38. 1% as correct and 61.9% as false. 3) Changes forest land-use during the period 1980-1998 occurred in low-land dry forest and partly in swampy forest, which were further converted to the plantation forest. Meanwhile, the changes for other land-uses among others agriculture were almost insignificant ( less than 3%). This is because soil layers in the corresponding land were thin and acidic rendering unsuitable for agriculture activities. 4) In order to reduce high commission error, the appropriate number of strata relevant to the land-use interpretation should not be too detailed but adequately established as simply aspossible.

Variations in Runoff from Drained Swamps and Swampy Lands Involved in Agricultural Production

Data from long-term hydrometeorological observations are taken on drainage areas in southern Karelia. The role of the factors that govern the transformations of the water balance of bogs and swampy forests in the process of their development is established. The anthropogenic components of runoff dynamics from drained fields are calculated.

Analysis of Genetic Relationships of Calathea Species and Cultivars by AFLP Markers

Calathea, the largest genus in the family Marantaceae, is composed of 100 species native to tropical America in moist or swampy forest habitats. Because of their brilliant patterns of leaf color and different textures plus ability to tolerate low light levels, calatheas have been widely produced as ornamental foliage plants for interiorscaping. Thus far, genetic relationships among its species and cultivars have not been documented. This study analyzed the relationships of 34 cultivars across 14 species using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Six EcoR I + 2/Mse I + 3 primer set combinations were used in this investigation. Each selected primer set generated 105 to 136 scorable fragments. A total of 733 AFLP fragments were detected of which 497 were polymorphic (68%). A dendrogram was constructed using the unweighted pair-group method of arithmetic averages (UP-GMA) technique and a principal coordinated analysis (PCOA) was used to analyze the relationships. The 34 cultivars were divided into four clusters. Cluster I had 19 cultivars derived from C. roseo-picta and C. loesnerii with Jaccard's similarity coefficients from 0.74 to 0.97, of which six are somaclonal variants or sports and two cultivars are genetic identical. Only C. kennedeae `Helen' is positioned in cluster II. Cluster III had 10 cultivars across seven species; Jaccard's similarity coefficients among them varied from 0.41 to 0.63. Four species were situated in cluster IV with Jaccard's similarity between 0.27 to 0.41. Results from this study indicate that broadening of genetic diversity is needed for cultivars in cluster I as they are the most commonly grown calatheas but genetically are very close.

Fitting abundance distribution models in tropical arboreal communities of SE Brazil

The species abundance distribution of ecological communities has been represented through several mathematical models, of which the most common are: geometric series, logseries, lognormal, and a type of broken stick, this latter found only in animal communities. There is no consensus on the underlying biological processes, but initial observations on plant communities related these models to equilibrium and high richness (lognormal), stress or disturbance and low richness (logseries and geometric series). Recently the value of these relationships was challenged, and other descriptors were considered better predictors of richness, disturbance and stress. We aimed at investigating how these models and their parameters, as well as dominance and evenness are related with species richness, stress and disturbance in six tropical forest communities, SE Brazil: two well-conserved fragments, two disturbed by fire, and two swampy forests (anoxic stress). The models did not show consistent relationships with richness, disturbance or stress. The parameters and indices of diversity a (logseries) and l (lognormal) varied closely with richness, and the dominance was larger in the communities submitted to stress or disturbance. Our results indicate the need of further studies in order to validate (or refute) the use of abundance distribution models for detection of patterns related to richness, stress or disturbance in tropical arboreal communities. On the other hand, richness and dominance did respond to disturbance and stress.

Short Communications the Breeding System of the Orange-Crowned Manakin

AbstractI studied the lek organization and courtship displays of the Orange-crowned Manakin (Heterocercus aurantiivertex) in undisturbed, lowland rain forest in northeastern Peru. The majority of leks were in seasonally flooded or swampy forest, and most were situated around the borders of old ox-bow lakes. Males maintain loosely packed courts inside exploded leks or “quasi leks,” which may extend for more than 1 km. Within leks, males vocalize throughout the day and occasionally perform two distinctly different solitary displays. One is a spectacular aerial performance that begins above the canopy. The “log display” is performed just above ground- or water-level and consists of a series of short, ritualized jumps.

SHORT COMMUNICATIONS THE BREEDING SYSTEM OF THE ORANGE-CROWNED MANAKIN

Abstract I studied the lek organization and courtship displays of the Orange-crowned Manakin (Heterocercus aurantiivertex) in undisturbed, lowland rain forest in northeastern Peru. The majority of leks were in seasonally flooded or swampy forest, and most were situated around the borders of old ox-bow lakes. Males maintain loosely packed courts inside exploded leks or “quasi leks,” which may extend for more than 1 km. Within leks, males vocalize throughout the day and occasionally perform two distinctly different solitary displays. One is a spectacular aerial performance that begins above the canopy. The “log display” is performed just above ground- or water-level and consists of a series of short, ritualized jumps.

Leaf Ecology of Pre-reproductive Ontogenetic Stages of the Palm TreeEuterpe edulisMart. (Arecaceae)

We studied leaves of 208 seedlings (S), infants (I) and juveniles (J) ofEuterpe edulis,randomly selected from plants in 1 ha of swampy forest in SE Brazil. Each new leaf began extending after the complete development of the preceding leaf. The sequence steps of leaf growth were emergence, linear growth while closed, opening of segments and logarithmic growth of the petiole. Average leaf production rate (2.21 leaves per plant year−1) did not vary among ontogenetic stages, conforming to a plastochronic rhythm. Average linear growth rate of the closed leaf was directly related to average area of the open lamina. Herbivores attacked 33.0% of all leaves giving rise to up to 10% loss of area and included damping-off-inducing suckers (7.1%), ordinary suckers (9.8%), chewers (5.4%), miners (2.7%) and multiple attacks (8.0%). These attacks varied among stages (S=22.4%, I=38.1%, J=33.3%), as did leaf mortality rates (S=26.5%, I=14.3% and J=0.0%). Unknown factors were the main cause of leaf mortality (S=14.3%, I=7.1%). Not losing a leaf while a seedling and attaining a minimum leaf area in the infant stage were critical events for survival. Plants gained leaf area by not losing leaves while a seedling, by producing larger leaves with greater growth rates, and by accumulating leaves with longer lifespans. The petiole can simulate an energetically cheaper branch, delimit a vital space around the stem, favourably position the leaf lamina and substitute provisionally for stem growth in height.

Insects as food of the Irian Jaya populations

Insects and terrestrial invertebrates are presumed to have consistently contributed to the diet of our ancestors and it is estimated that 1386 insects are still adopted worldwide for human nutrition. As elsewhere in the tropical world, insects are a part of the diet of Irian Jaya populations. The distribution of insect food consumption on the western side of New Guinea island follows different patterns, according to the environment and to population subsistence economy. In the forest biome of the periferic mountain areas, many different insect species are collected in small numbers, mainly by women and children. Insect collection occurs by chance but probably helps these subjects, the most vulnerable to possible food‐shortages, to complement their diet with some extra proteins and fats. In the western lowlands, a complex cultural system is centered around the traditional staple: sago (Metroxylon sagu and rumphii). The pit of this palm, which grows spontaneously in the swampy forest plains, contains a high amount of starch and is easily gathered by the local people. A beetle (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus papuanus) is strictly linked to the sago palm and oviposits especially on damaged or felled specimens. Villagers manage the sago palms in order to increase palmworm oviposition and to collect a consistent number of larvae about 6 weeks later. This ancient sago culture, favoured by an abundant and reliable resource, has developed a rich ceremonial life connected with sago larvae consumption. Ecologic, economic and cultural factors influencing the variety of insect consumption modalities are taken into account. The development of local, small‐scale invertebrate breeding systems can contribute to the development of sustainable, renewable resources and protect tropical forests from degradation.

The effects of agrochemicals on an aquatic ecosystem : A case study from the Krian River basin, Malaysia

The existing environment of the Krian River basin in Malaysia is not in its natural form for it has been much developed into agricultural lands (105,000 ha). The growing demand for agricultural lands requires further reclamation of swampy forests, which will result in an increased use of fertilisers (estimated 10 percent increase, from 29,500 t to 32,500 t), weedicide, dalapon (estimated 6 percent increase, from 187,620 kg to 199,530 kg) and pesticides, BHC and thiodan/endosulfan (estimated 2 percent increase, from 312 kg to 318 kg). Contrary to belief, the concern over increased levels of nitrogenous fertilisers and pesticides concentrations used in the existing agricultural projects is unfounded. The agrochemicals contribute insignificant amounts of contaminants into the aqueous system. Deleterious deterioration of water quality in the waterways is not apparent. The rich assemblage of icthyofauna comprises 14 freshwater fish species, 21 saltwater-freshwater interface species, like the freshwater prawn and marine fishes that have acclimatised to freshwater conditions, and 28 coastal- marine water fish species, two brackish water penaeids and three molluscs of commercial value. However, if the water quality data are used in isolation to interpret the consequences of large- scale usage of agrochemicals, the conclusion is inadequate and may be misleading. The impact of the flow condition in fields, the localised long-term effects like the fate and spatial distribution on the surrounding media (water, sediments and exposed aquatic life), bio-accumulation and bio-magnification should be considered. Though of no acute toxicity to hardy icthyofauna in the Krian Rice Irrigation basin, lipophilic organochlorines pose health risks to consumers of contaminated fishery products from these Krian rice fields.

Floristic Composition and Community Structure of a Central Brazilian Gallery Forest

An intensive study was made of a gallery forest near Cuiabá, State of Mato Grosso. Analysis of the vegetation on 67 plots of 30 m 2 demonstrated a great deal of heterogeneity related principally to differences in topography and drainage. Four distinct communities were recognized: dry cerradão, wet cerradão, wet forest and swampy forest. Comparison of an informal site classification based on field observations, showed a very high degree of coincidence with ordination and a hierarchical classification based on analysis of floristic, topographic and soil data from plots. A total of 89 species with individuals ≥3 cm basal diameter were recorded. Soil data for the plots are also presented.

Chronological and paleogeographical background to the study of Oreopithecus bambolii

Oreopithecus bambolii belongs to a unique faunal assemblage found only in Tuscany. Six localities have yiclded specimens of this Maremma Local Fauna, which at Baccinello can be seen to occur in two horizons: V2, dated to about 8·5 Ma, and the older V1. The Casteani faunule corresponds to the latter, while Monte Bamboli (type locality of O. Bambolii ) is similar to V2. Updated faunal lists for the two horizons are provided. Several rodents and a charophyte indicate European affinities for part of the assemblage, while two bovids and Oreopithecus are of African origin. Although the paucity of species (especially carnivores) and the presence of “giant” rodents suggested an insular environment to Hurzeler and Engesser, the lack of any concomitant reduction in size of the large mammals does not support this view. Faunal and floral considerations indicate that although open country may have occurred nearby, Oreopithecus probably inhabited a swampy forest. Analysis of the regional paleogeography suggests that a tectonically folded passageway may have permitted the one-way “filter-bridge” migration of terrestrial mammals from northern Africa and from continental Europe into Tuscany, but probably at different times.

New or Otherwise Interesting Mosses from Alberta

Twenty-eight taxa of mosses are added to the 530 previously known taxa of bryophytes from Alberta. A recent compilation of the bryophyte taxa reported from Alberta (Bird, 1966), following the up-to-date nomenclature of Crum, Steere and Anderson (1965), enumerated 530 taxa. The present account adds 28 taxa and presents new data for five previously reported species. Voucher specimens have been deposited at UAc and CAN. Buxbaumia indusiata Brid. Waterton Lakes National Park: Trail from Cameron Creek to Lower Rowe Lake, Pinus contorta-Picea-Abies lasiocarpa forest, Crum & Schofield 6027. An uncommon boreal species which occurs on humus and well rotted logs. Calliergon richardsonii (Mitt.) Kindb. ex Warnst. Jumping Pound Creek Watershed: 10 mi. SE of Morley, wet depression in swampy Picea glauca forest, 4,500 ft., Hagel 43. Kananaskis River Watershed: Between Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes, partially submerged in pools in sedge fen, 5,700 ft., Bird & Glenn 13945. Banff National Park: Near Lake Louise, 5,000 ft., Crum & Schofield 3764. Jasper National Park: 4 mi. W of Giekie, swamp, 3,500 ft., Crum & Schofield 4769. An arctic-boreal species which occurs in pools and depressions in fens and wet forests. Cynodontium alpestre (Wahlenb.) Milde. Jasper National Park: Medicine Lake, humus on dry shaded cliff, 4,700 ft., Crum 3574. An uncommon boreal species of rock outcrops. Cynodontium tenellum (B.S.G.) Limpr. Elbow River Watershed: 6 mi. SW of the village of Bragg Creek, on dry exposed limestone rock, 4,750 ft., Seaborn 1314. Banff National Park: Windermere Highway, on cliff, 5,400 ft., Crum & Schofield 3728, 3739. A boreal species found on rocks in forested regions. In Alberta it occurs at mid-elevations (4,7505,400 ft.) in the mountains. Dichodontium pellucidum (Hedw.) Schimp. Bow River Valley: 3.5 mi. WSW of Exshaw, mixed woods, submerged on rock in spring-fed stream that does not freeze over in winter, 4,300 ft., Bird & Glenn 11123. Elbow River Watershed: Ford Creek, 2 mi. N of the Elbow River, on rocks submerged in rushing water, 5,740 ft., Bird 8770. Kananaskis River Watershed: Elpoca Creek, 3 mi. E of Lower Kananaskis Lake, wet rocks in rushing water, 6,500 ft., Bird & Glenn 13497. An arctic-boreal species of submerged rocks in

Anatomical Identification of Fossil Woods from the Coal Seams of North Kyushu

The frequent occurrence of silicified erect stumps or lying trunks (commonly called “Matsuiwa”) in the coal seams makes a particular feature of the coal fields (Palaeogene) which are developed in a wide-spread area of the northern part of Kyushu Island. In observing through a considerable number of specimens obtained from several important coal-fields, I found that all of them belong to one and the same species which should be considered as a new taxon of Taxodioxylon in a wide sense (Taxodioxylon matsuiwa Watari in Bot . Mag. Tokyo, 79. 165-173, 1966). On the other hand, the clastic sedimentary strata of the Palaeogene of this area also contain the fossil woods abundantly and result of observations on these woods makes us possible to suppose the existence of laxuariant flora rich in dicot trees under warm-temperate or subtropical climate. It may highly be possile to assume, under the mutual supports presented by these palaeobotanical evidences and many geological investigations, that Taxodioxylon matsuiwa ever consisted the pure and swampy forests resembling those of the moderen Taxodium or Glyptostrobus in the growing habit.

Analyse palynologique de quelques echantillons de marne a lignite (Oligocene superieur) du bassin de Bagnasco (Italie, prov. de Cuneo)

Abstract The Oligocene of the Bagnasco basin in the Piedmont of northwestern Italy is poor in microflora in general, but pollen spores from a bed of lignitic marl indicate the presence of a swampy forest of Taxodiaceae and Cupressaceae surrounded by mountainous terrain with a predominantly pine forest.