Valuable Flora Research Articles

Economically valuable species growing in Northern Kyzylkum and their significance for practical use

Unique genetic resources of plant biodiversity are concentrated in Kazakhstan. Economically important species make a significant contribution to the structure of the Earth in comparison with taxa with insignificant or unknown economic use, many economically valuable species of Kazakhstan are of global importance. The purpose of this work is to identify economically valuable species of Northern Kyzylkum within the Republic of Kazakhstan. Objects and methods of research: To collect and identify species, classical botanical, route-reconnaissance; ecological-systematic; ecological-geographical methods were used. The main groups of useful plants of economically valuable flora species of Northern Kyzylkum were identified: woody, food, medicinal, fodder, decorative, technical species. During the research, it was revealed that 310 economically valuable species belonging to 62 families and 196 genera are found in Northern Kyzylkum within the Republic of Kazakhstan. According to the results of the classification, the dominant families are determined: Poaceae Barnhart has 34 genera, 58 species; Asteraceae Dumortier – 24 genera, 46 species; Chenopodiaceae Vent. – 19 genera, 30 species; Fabaceae Juss. – 11 genera, 23 species. The study analyzed 200 types of medicinal, 100 types of fodder, 22 types of decorative, 11 types of sand fixers, 9 types used for fuel according to significant economic valuable characteristics. According to the classification of economically valuable species by life forms, tree forms were identified in 6 species: Salix alba L., Populus diversifolia Schrenk, P. pruinosa Schrenk, Acer negundo L., Elaeagnus angustifolia L., Haloxylon persicum Bunge ex Boiss., 44 shrubs and semi-shrubs, 155 perennials, 105 biennial and annual plants. Key words: economically-valuable species, Northern Kyzylkum, fodder, medicinal, useful, decorative.

Impact of Jhum Cultivation on Forest Ecosystem and Environment Management Policies in Meghalaya, India

Shifting or jhum cultivation is one of the primary causes of deforestation in tropical areas. In Meghalaya, increasing human population density like in other states of India has resulted in the practice of unsustainable form of jhum that includes shortening of the fallow period of jhum cycle. This unsustainable form of jhum cultivation leads to soil degradation, soil erosion, loss of forest vegetation and threatens the survival of valuable flora and fauna. The study area is one of the richest reservoirs of plant diversity of North-East India as well as India. The decreasing fallow period from 15-20 to 2-3 years has a negative impact on the environment sustainability in Meghalaya which reduced the quality of soil. The overall reduction in the forest, mainly due to jhumming can severely affect the viable forest habitat of the endangered fauna. This study reveals the effects of short jhum cycle period on current forest ecosystem.

Which plants matter? A comparison of academic and community assessments of plant value and conservation status in the Moroccan High Atlas.

As interest in including local communities and their knowledge in biodiversity conservation increases, challenges to do so become clear. One of them is to harmonize local and academic assessments of conservation status. Here, we document the culturally valuable flora of two Amazigh communities in the Moroccan High Atlas Mountains and contrast local conservation observations with IUCN and other red-listing assessments. Our study reveals two levels of mismatch. Unsurprisingly, the species of interest of these two knowledge systems differ considerably. Moreover, species' availability and populations' trends of change and the conservation evaluations often diverge between local and academic assessments. Locally valuable species are rarely threatened, but a focus on locally prioritized species is essential to ensure the active participation of local communities in conservation initiatives. Given the salient role of IUCN Red Lists in guiding conservation action, a better understanding of the differences in plant value and conservation assessments between the two knowledge systems can help harmonize biodiversity conservation and community wellbeing goals.

Protected Freshwater Ecosystem with Incessant Cyanobacterial Blooming Awaiting a Resolution

For 50 years persistent cyanobacterial blooms have been observed in Lake Ludoš (Serbia), a wetland area of international significance listed as a Ramsar site. Cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins can affect many organisms, including valuable flora and fauna, such as rare and endangered bird species living or visiting the lake. The aim was to carry out monitoring, estimate the current status of the lake, and discuss potential resolutions. Results obtained showed: (a) the poor chemical state of the lake; (b) the presence of potentially toxic (genera Dolichospermum, Microcystis, Planktothrix, Chroococcus, Oscillatoria, Woronichinia and dominant species Limnothrix redekei and Pseudanabaena limnetica) and invasive cyanobacterial species Raphidiopsis raciborskii; (c) the detection of microcystin (MC) and saxitoxin (STX) coding genes in biomass samples; (d) the detection of several microcystin variants (MC-LR, MC-dmLR, MC-RR, MC-dmRR, MC-LF) in water samples; (e) histopathological alterations in fish liver, kidney and gills. The potential health risk to all organisms in the ecosystem and the ecosystem itself is thus still real and present. Although there is still no resolution in sight, urgent remediation measures are needed to alleviate the incessant cyanobacterial problem in Lake Ludoš to break this ecosystem out of the perpetual state of limbo in which it has been trapped for quite some time.

Historical gardens and their potential use for proecological development of urban green space, as illustrated by Felin Manor Park in Lublin, Poland

Historical urban parks are particularly valuable in terms of their ecology, as they offer habitats to many valuable flora and fauna. A study was conducted in Felin Manor Park, Lublin, southeastern Poland, dating back to the end of the nineteenth and the first half of twentieth century. The aim of the study was to assess the suitability of this type of urban park for the proecological design of urban green areas that will comply with the legal requirements for historic gardens. The investigation demonstrate that long-living native tree species (e.g., <em>Tilia cordata</em>, <em>Quercus robur</em>, and <em>Fraxinus excelsior</em>) are the best preserved plants in this park. The dendroflora of the park is, however, characterized by a great variety of species flowering between early spring and fall. These reward species ensure continuity of the food base for insects throughout the vegetation season. A floristic inventory facilitated development of a concept for the restoration of the park combining cultural (historical, educational) and ecological functions. <em>Tilia cordata</em> was used for line planting arrangements along the park boundary. It is a component of the alley design along the driveway and is one of the most valuable nectar reward species. The survey allowed the definition of future design guidelines, i.e., the preservation of the historical park structures (formed by long-living native species) and complementation of the park dendroflora with species that are attractive for bees and other insect pollinators. To supplement their food base, it is recommended that a “bee garden” with herbaceous reward plants should be created.

The Development of Local Ecological Networks in Ukraine: the Example of Lviv Region

The conservation and renovation of biological diversity of territories are of vital importance in Ukraine. The concept of ecological networks has laid the foundation of these issues. In Ukraine, the law “On the ecological network” was adopted, and ecological networks were developed at the regional level. However, most developments do not fully take into account the location of reserved territories and places of concentration of valuable flora and fauna, and also often do not correspond to the principle of formation of a holistic system, which significantly reduces their environmental significance and the expediency of practical implementation. The authors of the article consider that one should estimate the natural potential of the territories in detail and objectively, as well as provide recommendations for practical actions for the renovation of biological and landscape diversity. One can do it in the process of the development of local ecological networks (at the level of separate administrative regions and territorial communities). One has developed the structure of the ecological network on the example of Stryi district of Lviv region and determined the estimation of the spatial connectivity of its crucial elements. The problem is that most of the connecting territories are formed from semi-natural and unnatural lands (hayfields, pastures, arable lands), which complicates the practical side of the project implementation. One needs to develop an effective mechanism to encourage landowners and land users to carry out environmental activities; to increase investments in re-naturalization of lands; to conduct environmental education and environmental public awareness campaign; to provide local government and other stakeholders with consulting services for the development of ecological network development programs at the local level in Ukraine.

NATURAL DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT OF AN ESTUARY MOUTH SYSTEM

Estuaries often are the focus of both man-made infrastructure and valuable flora and fauna. Sand spits are common at the mouth of estuaries, and are one of the key features that influence hydrodynamics and geomorphology in estuaries. The Environment Agency has delivered a long term coastal management scheme, which has recently been designed and built, to manage the Dawlish Warren sand spit at the mouth of the Exe Estuary, in south Devon, UK. This scheme is designed to • Protect 3,000 properties and critical national infrastructure from flooding. • Restore 2km of internationally designated (SAC) dune and associated ecology continue protection to the SPA bird assemblages in the Exe Estuary. • Provide a flexible way forward through this century for the sand spit to be managed in a sustainable and balanced manner. The Exe Estuary is macrotidal with a range of 4m, and main tributary inflows of the order of 20-400m3/s. Dawlish Warren sand spit covers three quarters of the estuary mouth width, sheltering the estuary from the coastal wave and tide climate. Consequently, the inestuary extreme wave heights are limited to less than 1.1m, with storm surges of up to 1-2m. The estuary exhibits high tidal velocities through its mouth, with flood/ebb tidal deltas and offshore banks present. The sand spit has breached around 13 times over the last two centuries, prompting reactive construction of concrete, rock armour and

Morphology and genome size of Epipactis helleborine (L.) Crantz (Orchidaceae) growing in anthropogenic and natural habitats.

BackgroundThe process of apophytism or spreading native species to human-made habitats is one of the main elements in the creation of plant cover in anthropogenic areas. Lately, an increase of anthropogenic localities with valuable flora has been observed. Apophytes are also members of the family Orchidaceae, especially from the genus Epipactis. The aim of the study was to (i) determine and compare the phenotypic variation of E. helleborine (L.) Crantz plants in anthropogenic and natural habitats, (ii) compare the genome size of plants growing in natural and anthropogenic habitats. The results reported in this study may indicate that a habitat influences morphological characteristics of plant species.MethodsField studies were conducted on four native stands and four stands in anthropogenic areas of E. helleborine in Poland in years 2011–2013. Biometrical analyses were performed on shoots and flowers. The flowers were characterised by 25 biometric features and measured using a Nikon SMZ 800 binocular, microscopic Moticam-1SP cameras and the MIPlus07 programme (Conbest Co.). The nuclear DNA content was determined in fresh and young leaves of E. helleborine, collected from four natural and four anthropogenic populations.ResultsWe observed that in anthropogenic populations: (i) shoots were higher than shoots from natural populations, (ii) flowers differed significantly in terms of ten biometric features between habitats, (iii) the genome size of some population differed significantly between plants growing in natural and anthropogenic habitats.DiscussionAccording to some researchers, the presence of phenotypic variability and the occurrence of ecotypes are adaptation strategies of plants to environmental changes. In our opinion, in the case of the studied anthropogenic habitats (roadside) in which the E. helleborine populations grew, we can talk about ecofen due to the often repeated set of characteristic features, i.e., high shoots, long inflorescence and long, broad leaves. We agree, however, that it is difficult to isolate a taxonomic unit for ecofen due to the lack of experimental research.

Assessing Tropical Deforestation and Biodiversity Loss in the Cross River Rainforest of Nigeria

The Cross River Rainforest of South Eastern Nigeria is one of Africa’s last remaining areas of pristine tropical high forest, extremely rich in a wide variety of flora and fauna species, and is among the twenty five biodiversity hotspots in the world. The forest has important biophysical properties which affect local, regional and global environmental quality. Using a combination of document research, GIS report, field observations, interviews and focus group discussions, the study reveals that the ecological integrity of this forest is being seriously threatened by a myriad of human activities, such as unsustainable agricultural practices, illegal logging, population explosion/expansion of human settlements, construction of highways, mining activities, and high unemployment/pressure on natural resources. All the above factors have combined to impact heavily on the depletion and extinction of valuable flora and fauna species in the region. Rigorous research-based innovative forestry and biodiversity policies and programmes, forest restoration initiatives, community-based forest management, and sustainable land use practices are recommended to save the Cross River Rainforest from total destruction.

PERCENTAGE YIELD OF VOLATILE OIL FROM WOOD DUST OF TREES FROM SAW MILL IN HIMALAYAN AREAS

ABSTRACTObjective: Trees with medicinal values have always been ignored and neglected from their inherent medicinal value. Instead of their medicinal use,such plants are widely used by carpenters and also by people for cooking. The irrational uses of such valuable flora are diminishing our medicinalplants’ bank. There is no doubt that the uses of such plants by carpenters are a necessity of growing society. Then, we need to opt any other middleway to fulfill both the necessities from such valuable flora. By considering this, all the present study is focused on the extraction of volatile oil fromsawdust of Pinus roxburghii and Cedrela toona (SDPR and SDCT) was carried out in the present study.Methods: Here, in the present work, we have collected the fresh powder near from the running saw of working carpenter cutting Pinus roxburghiiwood and Cedrela toona wood into flat board. The SDPR and SDCT were then weighed and filled separately to two 500 ml round bottom flask, andclevenger apparatus assemblies were adjusted for both. The temperature was adjusted at75°C. Hydrodistillation was continued for 3 hrs.Result: The result revealed 0.5% v/w of volatile oil from SDPR in 3 hrs. The meniscus observed for SDCT is slightly blurred up to 0.5 ml (2 mm) whichwas considered as volatile oil. The total percentage so obtained was calculated as 0.25% v/w.Conclusion: The present study may guide to utilize the saw rust from pine and red cedar plant to isolate valuable medicinal constituents. Further, thestudy may help the researcher to use wood dust to research different ways.Keywords: Pinus roxburghii, Cedrela toona, Hydrodistillation, Herbal medicine.

Student’s Perception of Missed Care: Focus Group Results

Background: With the inflation of economic constraints on health care and demand to increase care quality, there is an increasing need to develop a clear understanding of what actions by health professionals are perceived as threatening quality care. Objective: To explore graduate nursing and pastoral care student’s perceptions of missed care in Norway. Research design: A qualitative study was employed with the formation of six focus groups. Data was analyzed via a thematic content of the discussions. Participants and research context: Thirty-one students attending a University College in Oslo participated. Findings: Five major themes and thirty subthemes were identified. Major themes included labor constraints, organizational contraints, professional constraints, communication constaints and emotional strain. Discussion: Findings of this study resonate with other research as well as with studies on missed nursing care. Findings also lend support to the definition of missed nursing care actions as required care that is omitted, either in part or whole, or delayed. Conclusion: The findings from this study extend understanding of what barriers health professionals perceive as inhibiting them from offering quality care. The focus groups provided a valuable flora for discussion regarding what participants perceived as missed.

Ecotourism in wetland environment: a case study of Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary (Ramsar Site) of Assam (India)

Ecotourism in simple words means management of tourism and conservation of nature in a way so as to maintain a fine balance between the requirements of tourism and ecology on one hand. Well-planned Ecotourism can benefit both protected areas and residents of surrounding communities by linking long term Bio-diversity conservation with local social and economic development. Assam in fact is a global Bio-diversity hot spot (Myers, 1988; 1991) and has a rich cultural Heritage. It also forms part of two endemic bird areas, viz.-Eastern Himalaya and Assam plain. (Coller, 1994). Assam plain comprises a good number of Wetlands (Beels) in the Brahmaputra valley abounds in bio-diversity and productivity. These wetlands maintain ecosystem diversity, as they are the natural storehouse of valuable flora and fauna of an area. Besides these, they are also used for various economic purposes by the people living in and around it through ecotourism activities like bird watching, angling, boating etc. The wetlands are of great value for both man and environment for long term financial sustainability by the surrounding communities as well as conservation of nature. Through the paper the author tries to highlight such possibilities on the basis of assessment of potential ecotourism resources of the Deepor Beel (Wetland) of Guwahati through field experience gained in the area.

Exploration of ITK with the self help group-a cost effective technique to develop digital databases for sustainable agriculture

Climate change is inevitable although it is slow but steady .Although this inevitable change is perennial. But the anthropogenic commitment of human civilization in the name of industrialization, urbanization and so called market economy has expedited this change. In the past couple of years, an unprecedented interest and documentation in the phenomenon of climate change and its possible impact in the environment has been noticed. Global temperature is the main indicator of the climate change and a mean increase of average global temperature has a detrimental effect on environment-both on the man-made and natural ecosystem. An increase of spring temperature can accelerate the early flowering of many plants and the melting of ice caps can cause the extinction of valuable flora and fauna in general and marine ecosystem in particular. Thus biodiversity of natural as well as man-made agricultural ecosystem is supposed to be effected leading to the complication of food production. Indian economy, an agricultural based economy will suffer a lot leading to the ever increasing population into a starvation, Not only that the post harvesting management of agricultural crops is too unscientific to maintain a desirable buffer stock for the growing population. Due to climate change, the plants can develop a desirable adaptation much faster than animal but not too fast to cope up with the growing demands of millions. So the convenient tools to be explored with dependable inputs that can catalyze the productivity in sustainable manner for the on growing Population. As far as the modern scientific agricultural information system is concerned, the digital data base comprising of number of desirable parameters can built up to mitigate the problems. The cost effective agricultural based data base management system with the help of traditional knowledge of farmers including resistant varieties, soil parameters, weather parameters and others expertise opinions to maintain an avenue for the sustainable agricultural for the new millennium. The improved crop varieties along with management system can only solve the problems of emerging crisis corresponding to the global climate change. . The natural water cycle will be disturbed having droughts somewhere while additional rainfall may cause flood like situation. The increase of sea level will may bring catastrophe. The stability of natural environment and sustainability of the economy and human welfare will be affected a lot which may costs 20% of global income. The irreparable loss of bio-diversity will expedite the gene erosion along with the projections of epidemic like situations will arise both on the human as well as the plant groups that contribute the economic growth. The agricultural practices will suffer a lot and there will be a expansion of starvation of millions in general and third world countries population in particular. So, for the sustainability of the human population with respect to basic socio-economic in general and agricultural crops in particular, the indigenous traditional knowledge and its exploration can mitigate the problem.

The conservation of small water reservoirs in the Krajeńskie Lakeland (North-West Poland)

This study comprised an inventory of vascular plants in 450 small water reservoirs (up to 1 ha in size). Most water bodies (76%) in the study area (Krajeńskie Lakeland, NW, Poland) were located in an agricultural landscape, typical of the region. A total of 576 species of vascular plants were recorded. Of these, about 76% were native species, 34 taxa were listed as legally protected in Poland and endangered in the region (Western Pomerania) or in Poland. 201 plant communities were identified, including 128 associations. Depending on the surrounding habitat, the following groups of ponds were identified: (1) mid-forest ponds; (2) mid-wetland ponds; ponds between arable fields, including (3) water basins with wide, well developed ecotone zones and (4) ponds with narrow or disturbed contact zones; and (5) ponds in urban areas. 30 ponds of each type were compared in detail. Differentiation and plant species richness of small water reservoirs was dependent on landscape type. The richest ponds were located within fields but isolated from their surroundings by a natural belt of rushes or trees, whilst mid-forest ponds were the poorest. Valorization was based on the presence of valuable flora (e.g. native, rare, and endangered species) and plant communities. This revealed that mid-forest and mid-wetland ponds were the most natural, while ponds in urban areas were the most strongly transformed. Ponds in the study area (n = 450) were also analysed for anthropogenic impacts. Anthropogenic stressors were observed in 51% of ponds. The most serious threats to the ponds of the Krajeńskie Lakeland were deterioration due to drainage and eutrophication. Over 35% of ponds were connected to a network of drainage ditches, with the highest percentage (57.1%) found in mid-forest ponds type.

Eco-Morphological Problems in the Yangtze Estuary and the Western Scheldt

This paper compares the Yangtze Estuary in China and the Western Scheldt Estuary in The Netherlands by their morphodynamic and ecological systems, their engineering works and estuarine management issues, and the major challenges in studying them. Physically speaking, the two estuaries are very different. The Yangtze Estuary is much larger and much more influenced by the upstream river than the Western Scheldt. Yet, they also have a number of morphological and ecological features in common. Both estuaries have a multi-channel system and extensive intertidal flats and wetlands with ecologically valuable flora and fauna. These eco-morphological systems are influenced by similar societal developments and human activities. Examples of the latter are engineering works and dredging activities for improving and maintaining the navigation channels, and shoreline management activities including land reclamations and setbacks. The fundamental eco-morphological phenomena that remain to be analysed and understood are the same for the two estuaries and will be discussed in this paper.