Wiener Diversity Index Research Articles

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

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

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

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

Vegetation composition, soil properties, and carbon stock of montane forests along a disturbance in the Garhwal Himalaya, India

The management of forests is essential for the conservation of biodiversity and climate change. Studies on the variation in forest tree diversity and carbon sequestration by the forests along altitudinal gradients are limited for most parts of the Garhwal Himalaya. The present study was carried out in montane forests in a part of district Tehri of the Garhwal Himalaya, India at four different sites between altitudinal ranges of 850 to 2,200 masl (i.e., 850–1,500 masl under sub-tropical region and 1,800–2,200 masl under temperate region) for vegetation, soil, and carbon stock analysis using different parameters including the existing pressure on the sites for fuel, fodder, timber, grazing, and browsing. All the standard methods were used for vegetation and soil analysis. The highest value of tree diversity (H = 0.48) and concentration of dominance (CD = 0.95) was recorded at 850–1,100 masl altitude under sub-tropical forests. The aboveground biomass density (AGBD) and belowground biomass density (BGBD) ranged from 271 to 703.20 and 83.21 to 163.92 Mg ha–1, respectively. The pH value ranged from 5.63 to 6.86 (0–15 cm) and 6.17 to 7.21 (15–30 cm). Similarly, soil organic carbon (SOC) was reported to range from 1.86 to 2.57% and 1.78 to 2.44% at 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm depths, respectively. Available nitrogen (N) under temperate forests was reported to be significantly higher than at other altitudes. Among the studied parameters, a significant positive correlation was reported between the pH of the soil and the Shannon–Wiener and Margalef diversity indices. The study revealed that the sub-tropical region was more diversified in terms of tree species whereas soil properties were reported to be better in the temperate region. Among the species in the study region, Pinus roxburghii, Boswellia serrata, Quercus leucotrichophora, and Cedrus deodara have shown good potential for carbon storage. Thus, based on the dominant and associated species present in the area, forest management activities may be followed for the survival and regeneration of species with the potential of being the next dominant species in the future.

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

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

Effects of Changing Restoration Years on Soil Nutrient Traits and Plant Community Diversity in a Phosphate Mining Area

The thinning vegetation and soil erosion problems left behind by extractive mining have caused serious environmental pollution, and vegetation restoration is one of the effective strategies to counter them. To study the effects of vegetation restoration on plant community species diversity, soil carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, and the response of their plant community succession, four communities of different ages (1, 7, 10, 40) and one natural forest (>50 years) in the Kunyang phosphate mine were selected, and the analysis was carried out using the methods and protocols for plant community inventory. The species composition was recorded, and soil was collected from 0–60 cm in each community to determine the response of soil nutrients and plant diversity to the restoration process. The results show that the species richness of the community increases with the restoration year, the species composition at 40 years of restoration is similar to that of the natural forest, and the Shannon–Wiener diversity index in the tree layer at 40 years of restoration is greater than in the natural forest. Soil pH showed a decreasing trend with restoration year, and TP and AP increased with increasing time series. And the linear stepwise regression analysis showed that soil pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), total phosphorous (TP), available phosphorous (AP), and restoration year were the main factors of plant diversity. Compared to restoration of 10 years, TP and AP at the restoration of 40 years increased to 11.9–20.0 g∙kg−1 and 33.4–75.5 mg∙kg−1. The SOC of the community reached a maximum at 40 years of restoration, 1.5, 2.8, and 2.4 times higher at 0–20 cm, 20–40, and 40–60 cm, respectively, than at 1 year. The organic carbon fraction increased with the restoration year in an ‘N’ pattern, and mineral-associated organic carbon (MOC) and unstable organic carbon fraction decreased at 10 years and 40 years of restoration. The SOC of natural forests decreased, but stable organic carbon increased. The soil pH, SOC, and organic carbon fraction of the communities decreased with increasing soil depth, while TP and AP increased with increasing soil depth at the later period of restoration. In general, with extended restoration years, 40 years plant of restoration in phosphate mines can be expected to allow for plant community succession to climax community, and the key influence on plant diversity are the phosphorus and stable carbon fractions. These results are expected to facilitate the future basis for vegetation succession and restore systems during mining area restoration.

Taxonomic diversity of the macrobenthos and its relationship with environmental factors in the Huanghe River (Yellow River) estuary and adjacent seas, China

Data on the macrobenthos, bottom seawater, and sediment from 26 sampling stations in the Huanghe River estuary and adjacent seas in China, were collected in June 2020. Community structure, species diversity, taxonomic diversity of the macrobenthos, and the relationships of these variables with environmental factors were analyzed. The funnels and contours of average taxonomic distinctness (Δ+) and variation in taxonomic distinctness (Λ+) were used to indicate the disturbance status of the estuary seas. These findings revealed differences in macrobenthic community structure and biodiversity between the estuary and the adjacent seas. A total of 88 macrobenthic species were collected in the Huanghe River estuary and its adjacent seas. Abundances in the estuary, Section C, and Section D were 60 ind. m−2, 183 ind. m−2, and 320 ind. m−2, respectively, The biomass in the estuary, Section C, and Section D was 6.74 g·m−2, 15.72 g·m−2, and 9.07 g·m−2, respectively. There were significant differences in the number of species and their abundances between the estuary and adjacent seas (p < 0.01). Glycinde bonhourei, Sternaspis scutata, Moerella hilaris, Liljeborgia serrata, Iphinoe tenera, and Lineus sp. were the dominant species. The community dissimilarity of the estuary and adjacent seas reached >79.66% (p = 0.001). The results of k-means clustering analysis showed that the macrobenthic community could be divided into three types. High Margalef richness index (d) and Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H′) values were observed in the northern portion of the estuary and the seas in Laizhou Bay. The theoretical mean values of Δ+ and Λ+ were 90.8 and 267.7, respectively. High values of Δ+ were observed in Section A2-B2-C2-D2 where the communities were distantly related. Low values were observed in Laizhou Bay. The distribution of Λ+ was the complete opposite of that of Δ+. Deviations in the 95% confidence interval were observed at five stations (A2, A3, B1, B2, and D2). The northern sea of the Huanghe River estuary was disturbed. Spearman correlation analysis showed that ∆ was positively correlated with total organic carbon, heavy metals, fine silt, and clay. Heavy metal and TOC in the Huanghe River estuary and adjacent seas may be positively correlated with the reproduction of opportunistic species.

Diversity and Distribution of 18 Cephalopod Species, and Their Link with Some Environmental Factors in the NW Pacific

Some cephalopods are important fishery resources, with some major economic species living in pelagic waters, possessing short life history cycles, and responding strongly to environmental changes. The analysis of cephalopod community species composition, catch distribution, and their relationship with environmental factors in important marine areas can provide a basic reference for cephalopod biogeography and resource development and utilization. In this study, based on the cephalopod survey data in the spring of 2015 and summer of 2016 in the Pacific Ocean, we analyzed the cephalopod species composition, diversity index (the Margalef richness index, Shannon–Wiener diversity index, and Pielou uniformity index), main contributing species, and catch distribution in the two seasons of spring and summer in the Pacific Ocean. We also analyzed the relationship between cephalopod catch, each diversity index, and environmental factors in each season using the GAM model. The results show that 18 species of cephalopods were captured in the spring and summer, the Margalef richness index, Shannon–Wiener diversity index, and Pielou uniformity index in summer was higher than that in spring; the average catch biomass in spring was significantly higher than that in summer. The main contributing species in spring was Todarodes pacificus, while the main contributing species in summer was Ommastrephes bartramii. The interaction of the “longitude” and “latitude” has a great impact on cephalopod catch biomass in spring, and “sea surface temperature” has a great impact on cephalopod catch biomass in summer. The results of the study can provide a basic reference for the study of cephalopod diversity and resource development and utilization in the Pacific Ocean.

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.

Vegetation Structure and Tree Species Diversity inside and outside a Newly Established Zalon Taung National Park in Northwest Myanmar

The Zalon Taung National Park (ZNP) in Banmauk township, northwest Myanmar, is a recently established protected area to protect the area’s cultural value, ecosystems, native flora, and wildlife. This research examined the vegetation structure, tree species diversity, and composition within (ZNP) and outside (the Banmauk unclassified forest (BUCF)) the park to inform conservation and resource utilization for sustainable management. We conducted the vegetation survey in April-May of 2022 by setting up 34 sample plots (40 × 40 meters) using a random sampling approach. We used stand density, basal area, Shannon–Wiener diversity index, Simpson index, Pielou's evenness, Fisher’s α diversity, and Importance Value Index (IVI) to determine the forest structure and tree diversity. A total of 116 tree species (≥10 cm·dbh), representing 87 genera and 48 families, were identified. The ZNP sample plots had a slightly higher stand density (201 individuals ha−1) and basal area (20.6 m2·ha−1) than BUCF (stand density: 191 individuals ha−1 and basal area: 15.0 m2·ha−1), which is accessible to collect firewood and timber extraction by residents. The reverse J-shaped pattern of the population structure indicated that the stands’ populations were progressive and healthy. BUCF featured the most Verbenaceae (12.9%) and the ZNP the most Euphorbiaceae (7.2%) families. Protium serratum had the highest IVI in the BUCF (26.91%) and Dipterocarpus alatus (18.39%) in the ZNP. Dipterocarpus alatus and Dalbergia oliveri (IUCN Red List-endangered species) dominate in BUCF and require special attention in conservation planning. In the ZNP, previous logging activity dramatically reduced the relative density and the IVI values of commercially important species such as Tectona grandis, Dalbergia oliveri, and Protium serratum. According to the NMDS ordination, differences in tree species compositions were significantly linked with elevation, the intensity of logging, and distance to the village and road. The results will help park managers plan effective land use to promote biodiversity conservation and local livelihoods.

Woody Species Composition, Structure, and Regeneration Status of Gosh-Beret Dry Evergreen Forest Patch, South Gondar Zone, Northeast Ethiopia

Owing to its variable topographic features, Ethiopia is endowed with rich biological resources. However, nowadays, these vital resources, mainly forests, are declining alarmingly, largely, due to agricultural expansion and energy consumption. This study was conducted at Gosh-Beret forest with the objective of investigating the status of forest species. Fifty-one main plots, spaced at a 100 m interval, were laid on north-south oriented transects. Within the main plots, five subplots, at each corner and center, were set to collect data for juveniles. In each plot, individuals of each woody species were identified and recorded. Percent cover abundance of each woody species per plot was genuinely estimated, which was later converted into the modified Braun–Blanquet scale. For each mature woody species, diameters at breast height (DBH ≥ 2 cm) were measured. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to identify community types. The Shannon–Wiener diversity index and Sorensen’s similarity coefficient were used to compare the species diversity and composition among communities, respectively. The structure and regeneration status of the forest species were analyzed using structural parameters and size-class ratios, respectively. A total of 52 woody species distributed in 35 families were recorded. Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Asteraceae were the most dominant families with 4 species each. The overall species diversity of the forest was 2.6, and five community types were generated from cluster analysis. In the study forest, frequency and density of species decrease with increasing frequency and density classes. Likewise, density of individuals in each class decreases as DBH classes increase. The total basal area of the forest was 19.81 m2ha−1, and the forest was at fair regeneration status with species having small IVI values and few/no seedlings. Therefore, immediate conservation measures are required to save species with small IVI values and few/no seedlings.

Population Structure and Regeneration Status of Woody Plant Species in Tulu Korma Dry Afromontane Forest, West Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.

A study was conducted on Tulu Korma afromontane forest to assess woody plant species' population structure and natural regeneration status. Data were collected from 52 main quadrats of 400 m2 for mature woody species and 260 subplots of 25 m2 for seedlings and saplings. All live woody plant species were recorded with their densities, heights, and DBH. Frequency, basal area, importance value, and Shannon-Wiener diversity indices were computed. A total of 101 species that belonged to 45 families were documented. Diversity and evenness indices were 3.44 and 0.7, respectively. Combined density of woody species of all developmental stages was 4971 stems ha-1 of which 39, 32, and 28% were with DBH < 3.5 cm (seedlings), between 2 and 10 cm (saplings), and >10 cm (mature wordy species), respectively. The total basal area of individuals with DBH ≥ 3.5 cm was 116.18 m2 ha-1. Olea europaea and Podocarpus falcatus were the most dominant species. About 41.58% of the species had IVI < 1. Population structure based on combined densities revealed that density of seedling > sapling > mature individuals, suggesting healthy population structure and good regeneration. On individual basis, however, species showed different patterns of population structure of which 12, 51, and 37% species showed good, fair, and poor regenerations, respectively. Species with least IVI and poor regeneration should be given conservation priority.

Species Diversity, Structure, and Regeneration Status of Woody Plants in Saleda Yohans Church Forest, South Wollo, Ethiopia.

The study was conducted to determine woody plant species composition, structure, and regeneration status in Saleda Yohans Church forest, South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia. Five transect lines oriented to north-south directions at a distance of about 500 m were laid down along transects across the forest. Fifty main plots of 20 m × 20 m were laid for tree/shrub data collection. Within each main plot, 5 small quadrats of 5 m × 5 m were laid in the corners and centre for the collection of seedling and sapling data of woody species. All vegetation data within the plots were counted and recorded. Tree height and diameters at the breast height of plants were also measured and estimated. Moreover, frequency, basal area, diversity, evenness, and other vegetation data were analyzed. The result showed that this Church forest is composed of 50 woody plant species distributed in 31 families. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index and evenness values of the forest were found to be 3.82 and 0.84, respectively. Lamiaceae was the dominant family followed by Fabaceae in their species composition. The density of trees/shrubs, saplings, and seedlings was 625, 650, and 935 ha-1, respectively. Based on the result, the entire vegetation of Saleda Yohans Church forest is in good regeneration status. In conclusion, although this Church forest appears to be in a good regeneration status, its species richness is low compared to a similar study of some other vegetation. Therefore, attention should be given to the rehabilitation of this forest.

Long-term mowing and burning have more of an effect on soil fungal communities than on bacteria in a semiarid sandy land

Mowing and burning, two common human disturbance methods, have different impacts on the soil fungal and bacterial communities of sandy land ecosystems in semiarid areas. Thus, the effects of long-term mowing and burning on plant and soil microbial communities in the semiarid Horqin Sandy Land are unclear. In this study, the effects of soil microbial community structure from mowing and burning on plant and soil microbial communities over six years were assessed by high-throughput sequencing. First, we found that mowing and burning significantly reduced vegetation coverage (V) (p < 0.05), and burning significantly increased plant Shannon–Wiener diversity (H), Pielou evenness (E), and Simpson dominance (λ) indices (p < 0.05). Second, the two human disturbances markedly affected fungal diversity and abundance more than bacterial diversity and abundance. In fungi, burning significantly reduced beta diversity (p < 0.05) and the relative abundance of Basidiomycota (p < 0.05) but markedly increased the relative abundance of Ascomycota and Mortierellomycota. Third, redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that vegetation coverage was a significant factor in bacterial species distribution (p < 0.05). For fungi, the significant factors were species richness (S) and vegetation coverage (p < 0.01). Taken together, these data suggest that long-term mowing and burning have more of an effect on soil fungal communities than bacteria in a semiarid sandy land, improving our understanding of how terrestrial ecosystems respond to human disturbances and providing guidance for the management and restoration of sandy desertification.

Diversity of insect flower visitors of cayenne pepper in agricultural landscapes, Banggai, Central Sulawesi

The existence of semi-natural habitats around agricultural land has the potential to support ecosystem services by providing resources for beneficial insects. The study aimed to analyze the abundance, diversity index, and evenness of the insects visiting cayenne flowers. This research was carried out in cayenne cultivation areas in the Banggai Regency. Sampling locations were divided into two categories: cayenne fields close to and far from forests or semi-natural habitats. Insect collection was carried out from June 2022 to August 2022, in the morning and evening, using insect nets. The results showed that 16 families and 52 cayenne flower-visiting insects were identified. Lasioglossum sp.3, Lasioglossum sp.5, Megachile sp.2, ?Parancistrocerus sp. and Rhynchium sp. have a higher abundance than the others. The highest Shannon and Wiener diversity index was found in cayenne fields in Tolisu Village (H'= 2.491), Mansahang (H'= 2.216), Salodik (H'= 2.145), and the lowest in cayenne fields in Kembang Merta Village (H'= 1.211), Dale-Dale (H'= 1.112 ), and Beringin Jaya (H'= 1.149 ). The highest evenness index (E) was found in the fields in Lembah Makmur Village (E= 0.9721) and Mansahang (E= 0.9172), and the lowest was found in cayenne fields in Petak Village (E= 0.3975) and Lenyek (E= 0.4405). The highest species richness was found in cayenne fields in Tolisu (14 species), Salodik (14 species), and Petak (12 species). Cayenne fields in the three villages are close to semi-natural habitats. Our findings show that agricultural land adjacent to semi-natural habitats has increased the species richness of cayenne flower visitor insects. Thus, semi-natural habitats are critical to sustaining insect communities in agricultural landscapes.

Plant Species Composition and Conservation Values at Dilla University Botanical and Ecotourism Garden, Dilla, Ethiopia

Ethiopia has a diverse topography with higher plant species composition and estimated to the higher proportion of endemic plant species. Currently, several factors drive natural forest destruction in the country, extensive agricultural land expansion triggered by increasing human population is probably the dominant force. The Dilla University Botanical and Ecotourism Garden was established targeting to rescue threatened flora from extinction, contribute towards conservation, and research on biodiversity and sustainable education as well as ecotourism development. The study was aimed to generate basic scientific information by identifying and documenting the formerly available plant species in to the garden and provide information for farther plant collection planning and research. Systematic sampling method was used to collect the vegetation data from 52 plots of 20 m × 20 m (400 m2) quadrats. To collect data for herbaceous plants, five 1 m × 1 m subplots were laid in each of the main plot, where four were at the corners and one at the centre. Vegetation classification was performed using R-programme version 3.6.1 software packages. Shannon–Wiener Diversity Index was used to calculate species diversity, richness, and evenness. A total of 408 plant species, including trees (30%), shrubs (25%), herb (30%), grass (6%), and 9% of other species, were collected. The identified species belong to 287 genera and 105 families. Out of this, 27 species of plants are endemic to Ethiopia and 72 plant species were screened as a medicinal plant used for the treatment of human diseases. Based on IUCN Red Data List, among the endemic plant species nineteen species were least concern; two were near threatened; two were endangered while four were vulnerable. Three vegetation community types were identified from the hierarchical clustering analysis. The result designates that Dilla University Botanical and Ecotourism Garden has high plant species composition and diversity with a good distribution. The higher composition of this ecologically, economically, and socially important plant species at its early stage makes the garden a unique garden in the country and realize to be a centre for research, education, and tourist destination.

Diversity and species richness of butterfly in soraipung range of Dehing Patkai National Park, Assam, India

BackgroundThe present study deals with the butterfly diversity in Soraipung Range of Dehing Patkai National Park. The site was chosen on the basis that it lies in between Eastern Himalaya and Indo-Burma which is acclaimed as global biodiversity hotspot.ResultsA total of 92 butterfly species belonging to 5 families were recorded during the study of which 13 species were listed as protected under various schedules of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and 11 species were restricted to the Eastern Himalaya, India. Members of the Nymphalidae family were found to be dominant with (41) number of species followed by Papilionidae (17), Lycaenidae (16), Hesperiidae (10) and the least Pieridae (8). The maximum diversity is obtained in Nymphalidae family: where Shannon–Wiener Diversity Index (H′) is 3.604584 and Evenness (E) is 0.970651 while the minimum diversity is in Pieridae family where Shannon–Wiener Diversity Index (H′) is 1.936217 and Evenness (E) is 0.970651.ConclusionsThe study reveals that Soraipung range is rich in butterfly diversity but on the contrary their study is poorly documented. During the survey 13 threatened species and 11 species restricted to the Eastern Himalaya have been also documented in the National Park, thus making it an important butterfly habitat in the state. Therefore, its necessary to conduct more study as well as research on the butterflies in Dehing Patkai National Park for effective conservation and management programs.

The Effectiveness of Various Types of Local Hydromacrophytes on The Phytoremediation Process of Catfish Pond Wastewater using a Batch Culture System

This study aimed to determine the effectivity of various types of local hydromacrophytes on the remediation of wastewater from catfish culture ponds in Gondosuli village, Gondang, Tulungagung, East Java, Indonesia, using a batch culture system. This experiment used a completely random design and was conducted in the glasshouse. The batch culture system was conducted in a 30 L tank containing sand and gravel as the medium for hydromacrophytes. This research consisted of five treatments (emer-gent, submerged, floating leaf, polyculture of 3 types of hydromacrophytes, and control without hydro macrophytes). This study was repeated three times at the same time. The effectiveness of the phytoremediation model was monitored using indicators of water physicochemical parameters and the biotic index of phytoplankton.The biotic indices were used the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H') of phytoplankton and the diatom biotic index (Trophic Diatom Index (TDI) and Percentage of Pollution Toler-ant Value (%PTV)). After giving the treatment, monitoring was carried out on days 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40. The results showed that the batch culture system for phytoremedi-ation post-harvest catfish pond wastewater with local hydromacrophytes improved the water quality. However, not all water physicochemical parameters after treatments meet Indonesian water quality standards. Abundance showed water quality fluctua-tions over time, while Shannon Wiener's diversity index (H' value) decreased as water quality decreased. This study's PTV value demonstrated that pollutant levels vary by treatment. Only the control and submerged hydromacrophytes improved their TDI status; another treatment remained moderate. The best treatment was 40 days after acclimatization with polyculture treatment of three types of local hydromacrophytes. Research and othersystems like continuous culture are needed for optimal results to improve water quality. Keywords:Batch culture, Catfish pond, Hydromacrophyte, Remediation, Wastewater, Water qualit

Is Grazing Good for Wet Meadows? Vegetation Changes Caused by White-Backed Cattle

Wetland ecosystems are highly productive and valued for numerous reasons including wildlife habitat, biodiversity, water quantity and quality, and human uses. Grazing livestock on wet grasslands can sometimes be controversial due the humidity of the habitat, but on the other hand, it plays an important role in grassland preservation. Therefore, we evaluated the impact of Polish white-backed cattle grazing on changes in the vegetation (13 phytosociological relevés taken in years 2016–2019) of wet meadows as well as forage quality based on the species composition. Biodiversity was estimated based on species richness, Shannon–Wiener diversity and evenness indices, and Rényi diversity profiles. The peatland featured mostly high-sedge and wet meadows communities of the Magnocaricion and the Calthion alliances. The species and biodiversity indices demonstrated significant rising trends. Extensive grazing resulted in the decreased cover of the dominant species of rush meadows, e.g., the common reed, acute, and tufted sedge. The gaps that had emerged thanks to the reduced cover of the dominant species were filled by meadow plants, which led to increased biodiversity. During the four years of grazing, the cattle obtained satisfactory weight gains, particularly in 2019, which indicates that wet meadows are suitable for grazing and can provide sufficient feed for cattle.

Plant Diversity and Quantitative Characteristics Of Wetland Community on the North Bank of Hanjiang River in Cheng GU, Shaanxi Province, China

Four water ecological surveys were carried out on the north bank of Hanjiang river in two seasons from 2020 to 2021. Based on the field wetland quadrat survey and literature data, the species diversity index was determined. The research showed that there are 360 species of wetland plants belonging to 108 families and 264 genera on the north bank of Hanjiang river, and the geographical composition of seed plants is at the genus level, mainly temperate distribution types, with 160 species. In the community species diversity index, the mean value of Patrick index was 18.80 ± 5.19. The mean Shannon Wiener diversity index was 2.15 ± 0.39. The mean value of Simpson dominance index was 0.81 ± 0.10. The average Pielou evenness index was 0.75 ± 0.10. The mean value of Margalef index was 3.44 ± 0.87. The Patrick index and Margalef index of the Bidens pilosa form were the lowest. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index，the Simpson index，and the Pielou index of the Potamogeton malaianus form were the lowest. The Patrick index of the Colocasia esculenta form was the highest,and the Pielou of the Sapium sebiferum form was the highest. The Shannon- Wiener diversity index and Simpson index of the Populus canadensis form group were the highest, and the Margalef index of the Flueggea virosa form was the highest. The research results provide basic data and scientific basis for the protection and restoration of wetland ecosystems and management of wetland resources in Yuan'an and similar areas. Bangladesh J. Bot. 51(4): 839-848, 2022 (December) Special

The vegetation cover dynamics and potential drivers of habitat change over 30 years in the Free State National Botanical Garden, South Africa

As a conservation strategy, the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) establishes biodiversity gardens in areas with unique vegetation types that are vulnerable to extinction. The study aimed to (1) determine the vegetation cover dynamics of the Free State National Botanical Garden (FSNBG) over a 30-year period (1987–2017), focusing on different vegetation classes; (2) evaluate the ecological integrity of the Critical Biodiversity Area 1 (CBA1) vegetation using species abundance and vegetation cover; and (3) quantify potential conservation threats that may be drivers of vegetation cover changes. The “moderate vegetation cover” and “dense vegetation cover” had increased by 25.1 ha and 8.6 ha respectively in the FSNBG. Woody vegetation cover expanded significantly over the past 30-year period, suggesting “bush” encroachment. Shannon–Wiener diversity indices showed high overall plant species diversity of CBA1 vegetation type (H = 3.5), with the vegetation cover remaining high (79.6 ± 15.9%), 50 plant species no longer existing, suggesting reduced taxonomic richness. Major conservation threats included the presence of 27 alien and invasive plant species interspersed within different vegetation patches and anthropogenic habitat fragmentation in the past 19 years (i.e. covering ~ 18% of the buffer zone). We conclude that increased vegetation cover is associated with bush encroachment and we recommend interventions to reduce the population density of woody plants and establish permanent vegetation monitoring plots.