Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography最新文献

{"title":"Biophysical Conditions and Land Use Methods Contributing to Watershed Degradation in Makueni County, Kenya","authors":"Raphael N. Kieti, M. Kauti, D. Kisangau","doi":"10.4172/2157-7625.1000216","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7625.1000216","url":null,"abstract":"Land use changes, rapid population growth, poverty, climate change variability and lack of livelihoods diversification aggravate watershed degradation through inappropriate land use methods resulting to water scarcity, land and water pollution, and governance issues. Soil erosion and siltation has led to land denudation, habitat loss and farm lands losing their soil fertility and compromising food security. The purpose of this study was to find out how land use methods influenced the biophysical and socio-economic conditions to accelerate watershed degradation and their effects on livelihoods in Makueni County, Kenya. The study investigated the land use methods practiced and how they affect the biophysical conditions influencing watershed degradation in Makueni County. The study used a descriptive survey research approach to obtain data on socio-economic characteristics of the study sites as well as historical trends of land use. Remote sensing and GIS was used to determine land use categories in the study area. Structured and semi- structured questionnaires were used to collect data from the community and key informants. The data collected was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel 2010. The study established that decline of ground water 90% (S.E=0.602 z=-0.725 sig.=0.468), increase in surface run-off 55% (S.E=0.314 z=0.394 sig.=0.693), increase in soil erosion 86% (S.E=0.660 z=-1.875 sig.=0.061), changes in rainfall and temperatures 75% (S.E=0.374 z=-0.547 sig.=0.585), decline in soil fertility 70% (S.E=0.362 z=-1.370 sig.=0.171) and drying of rivers 37% (S.E=0.398 z=1.739 sig.=0.082), contributed to watershed degradation. This predisposed farmers to adopt inappropriate farming methods and unsustainable livelihood strategies which compromised the watershed’s environmental integrity. The study made recommendations for efficient watershed management.","PeriodicalId":15637,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75121811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transgenic Crops and the Environment","authors":"L. MadhuSudhan","doi":"10.4172/2157-7625.1000218","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7625.1000218","url":null,"abstract":"Continuous practice of old methods in agriculture cannot reduce the food scarcity, as the over use of chemicals, drought and infertile soil are a severe issues where the investment is more and the yielding is less, these all due to unpredictable climatic changes and uncontrolled pesticides. To overcome these issues scientist have concentrated on the new technology by combining the specific genes in-vivo for the crops which is called transgenic crops/plants.","PeriodicalId":15637,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography","volume":"18 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-11-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73740019","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and Risk Factors for Bovine Thelaziasis at Mersa Town of South Wollo Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia","authors":"Mulat Asrat","doi":"10.4172/2157-7625.1000212","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7625.1000212","url":null,"abstract":"A cross sectional study was conducted from April 2014 to June 2014 in Mersa Town of South Wollo Zone, Amhara Regional Stat to determine the prevalence of thelaziasis of the disease in cattle associated risk factors responsible for the occurrence of the disease. A total of 384 cattle of both ages (98 young and 286 adult) sexes (203 male and 181 females) were examined using visual observation of the eyes by flushing the conjunctiva sac and lachrymal duct with sterile saline solution. The overall prevalence for thelaziasis was 18.23% (70 cases). Age, sex, body condition scores and management systems did not show any statistical significant difference (P>0.05) in the prevalence for thelaziasis. The prevalence was higher in male (24.12%) than female (11.6%), age groups of young (26.53%) were higher than adult (18.38%) in animals kept in extensive (20.69%) than those kept in semi-intensive system (13.01%). The prevalence of bovine thelaziasis was recorded highest it in poor (30.19%) than medium (17.79%) and lowest in good (14.48%) body conditioned score cattle. The results of the present study showed that bovine thelaziasis requires special attention considering its impact on cattle production and productivity.","PeriodicalId":15637,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography","volume":"58 1","pages":"1-4"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88745994","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Applications of Food Biotechnology","authors":"F. Haroon, Mobeen Ghazanfar","doi":"10.4172/2157-7625.1000215","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7625.1000215","url":null,"abstract":"Recently many advances in food industry represent great role of food biotechnology. GM plants and animals are used to enhance taste, shell life, nutrition and quality of food. On the other hand GM yeast and Bacteria are used to produce enzymes for the sake of food industry. These GM foods are produced by using biotechnological techniques specifically genetic engineering. Genetic engineering purpose is to introduce foreign gene of interest in an organism. This foreign gene introduction is for the purpose of enhancement in quality and quantity of food. So these techniques can be used to erase hunger from poor people of third world specially Africa. Besides positive aspects, there are some concerns. We are changing DNA that can be useful, harmful or neutral so it can result in any unexpected results. These results might include health problems. Due to these concerns, some people oppose food biotechnology. Naturalists are also against food biotechnology. According to them, genetic engineering is intervening in nature.","PeriodicalId":15637,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography","volume":"2016 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88717700","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Wildlife Environmental Conservation: A Case Study of Oba Hill Forest Reserve","authors":"Wahab Mka","doi":"10.4172/2157-7625.1000214","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7625.1000214","url":null,"abstract":"This paper draws attention to the major threats of nature conservation in Nigeria (Oba Hill Forest reserve) and reviews critically the measures needs to adopt for the protection of wildlife resources in Oba hill forest reserve, Osun State, Nigeria. The major problems include habitat degradation (through uncontrolled logging, agricultural projects, highway and urban development, exploitation for fuel wood, over hunting and poaching. The study was conducted in Oba hill forest reserve between the wet and dry seasons in the year 2015. \u0000Relevant data collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire administered in five (5) sampled communities’ areas within the study site. The villages are choosing purposely due to their proximity to the forest reserve. A random sampling technique method was use to analyze one hundred (100) respondents randomly selected and interviewed. \u0000The necessary steps need to take so far to protect wildlife in this reserve include making it to be a national park, enactment of wildlife laws, signing it of international treaties and manpower empowerment development. These measures have however failed to produce the desired effect owning largely to public apathy, low level of funding, inadequate game laws and weak enforcement of existing legal provisions. \u0000Summarily, it is suggest that the federal Government should intervene more positively in favour of conservation by creating more national parks and assuming joint responsibility with the state Government for formulating wildlife laws. In addition, the role of non-governmental agencies/organization in influencing conservation policies and mobilizing public opinion will be crucial in the difficult years ahead.","PeriodicalId":15637,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography","volume":"33 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74214332","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Physicochemical Properties of Water, Soil, and Morphological Characteristics of Mangrove Forests in the Island of Kamaran, Al Hodaidah, Yemen","authors":"Adel Alshawafi, M. Analla, M. Aksissou, P. Triplet","doi":"10.4172/2157-7625.1000211","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7625.1000211","url":null,"abstract":"Mangrove forest in Yemen is considered one of the most important components of wetlands and as an ecosystem affecting the ecological balance and biodiversity .The target of this study is to analyze the mangrove assemblages on the island of Kamaran, Featuring two species of mangrove trees black mangroves (“Crimea”, Avicennia marina) and red mangroves (“Algendl”, Rhizophora mucronata). This latter is the most widespread on the island. Both species grow indense forests, the study also aims to identify the most important factors contributing to growth and spreading of mangroves. This study is based on field visits, sampling, and physicochemical analysis. The results show that the trees are distinguished in terms of density, propagation, and improvement of soil properties. Avicennia marina has a large ability to grow in soil with varying proportions of sand and clay. Both mangrove species tolerate high salinity values. These results can be used to clarify the difference between mangroves that grow on the islands in areas protected and those that grow on the coasts. They can also contribute to the development of actions aiming to maintain the sustainability of these trees, so they can keep playing their vital role in the ecological balance.","PeriodicalId":15637,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography","volume":"2009 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82533225","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Improving Resource Use Efficiency of Cereal Based Cropping Systems with Integration of Best Management with Conservation Agriculture Under Changing Agricultural Scenarios in Cauvery Delta of Tamil Nadu","authors":"Sheetal Sharma, R. Rajendran, Ravi, P. Panneerselvan, P. Janarthanan, Y. Saharawat, J. Ladha","doi":"10.4172/2157-7625.1000213","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7625.1000213","url":null,"abstract":"Cropping systems in Cauvery Delta Zone of Tamil Nadu is intensive rice based with double or triple rice crops in a year. The rice system in the region is threatened by yield stagnation, scarcity of water and labour, increased costs of cultivation, and resource degradation. During 2009-2012, we evaluated four scenarios involving a range of best management practices (BMPs) with and without conservation agriculture (CA) components for improving the system productivity and economic returns of rice-based system. Four scenarios were (i) current farmers’ practice (S1), (ii) BMPs with conventional tillage (S2), (iii) BMPs with conservation agricultural technologies (S3), and (iv) BMPs with conservation agricultural technologies along with crop diversification (S4). The key parameters tested were crop yields, system productivity, labour and energy use efficiency, and economics. Results indicated that compared to S1, the BMPs in S2 improved system crop productivity (22–57%), and net economic returns (67–166%) with reduced cultivation cost (10-16%), and total system energy use (4.4-8%), and higher labour productivity (18-59%). Compared to farmers practices (S1), BMPs with CA practices such as zero/reduced tillage, direct seeding of rice in dry season and mechanical transplanting of rice in wet season (S3) had lower labor (14-25%) and energy (20-37%) usages with higher economic returns (25-73%). Crop diversification with maize in place of dry season rice in S4 though saved in labor input, crop productivity and economic returns were also lower. This study concluded that there is potential of improving productivity and economic returns of rice based cropping systems with BMPs and CA in Cauvery Delta Zone of Tamil Nadu. However, more medium to long-term adaptive system research is needed to identify compatible alternative crops/management practices in rice based systems to diversify the food production and increase the system productivity while conserving the natural resources.","PeriodicalId":15637,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography","volume":"63 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89500181","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Roles of Socio-Economic Incentives towards Sustainable Environmental Conservation of Kondoa Rehabilitated Rural Areas, Dodoma, Tanzania","authors":"Chami Aa","doi":"10.4172/2157-7625.1000210","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7625.1000210","url":null,"abstract":"This paper was an attempt to reveal the less known roles of socio-economic incentives towards influencing environmental conservation of rehabilitated rural areas of Kondoa. The cross-sectional research design was employed. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 30 respondents from each of the four study villages and make a total of 120 respondent households. The study was conducted in Mafai, Ntomoko, Kalamba- Juu and Kalamba-Chini villages. Data were collected using pre-tested and pilot-tested questionnaires, focus group discussions and interviews. Ms-Excel and SPSS 20.0 computer software were used to analyze data. Descriptive statistics were employed to reveal various parameters in the study. Binary logistic regression analysis was further employed to reveal statistically significant socio-economic incentives towards sustainable environmental conservation in KRA. The study findings revealed the available five socio-economic incentives namely tree seedlings, fertilizer, improved seeds, beekeeping inputs and education programs. The binary logistic regression analysis further revealed tree seedlings (P<0.01), and education programs (P<0.05) as statistically significant socio-economic incentives in influencing the awareness of environmental conservation in KRA. The study findings further revealed roles of socioeconomic incentives in influencing the awareness of environmental conservation such as afforestation, reduce drought, supportive source of energy, improve yield, increase income, improve food security, control human activities and increase awareness on sustainable environmental conservation in KRA. The study concludes that socioeconomic incentives can significantly contribute to the restoration of forest loss and fragmentation hence leading to sustainable conservation of the biodiversity. The study recommends for the conservationists, environmentalists and policy makers to make use of the available five socio-economic incentives namely tree seedlings, fertilizer, improved seeds, beekeeping inputs and education programs in the course of implementing effective environmental conservation measures. However the study sought a high need of highly integrating tree seedlings and education programs in all sustainably practiced environmental conservation initiatives.","PeriodicalId":15637,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76458212","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nature and Management of Some Marine Ecosystems in Vietnam: A Case Study at The Hon Mun Island at Nha Trang","authors":"Sarfo Isaac, A. Whyte, T. Pradeep","doi":"10.4172/2157-7625.1000208","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7625.1000208","url":null,"abstract":"Nha Trang is a city in Vietnam endowed with several sceneries which has attracted several tourists around the world over the past few decades. The city is highly characterized by coastal features as well as beautiful landscapes. Among these features are; beaches, caves with swift-let birds, resort centers, islands, traditional temples, forts and so on. The act of enhancing economic activities, coupled with some natural factors like; climate change as well as the increasing number of tourists’ over the years has led to the alteration of some of these ecosystems, that gives the city its value, hence, sense of attracting numerous tourists from all walks of life. The Hon Mun Islands are located to the south of Nha Trang Bay. Hon Mun MPA is situated in central - South Vietnam, offshore from the coastal resort city of Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province. The name “Hon Mun” (means Black Island) comes from the high and rugged cliffs forming up caves, particularly black rock here as ebony, very rarely seen elsewhere. Due to the island’s location adjacent to the hot sea-currents from the equator, suitable to the development conditions of corals and various types of tropical sea creatures, the sea bed of Hon Mun is home to an abundant and diverse group of marine species, an interesting and useful place for researchers, oceanographers and tourists to observe and explore more of the sea creatures’ life [1]. It is for these reasons why this study was conducted to delve into the nature, management and threats posed on the ecosystems at the Hon Mun Island at Nha Trang in Vietnam.","PeriodicalId":15637,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography","volume":"43 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74186187","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Organic Farming-Ecofriendly Agriculture","authors":"L. MadhuSudhan","doi":"10.4172/2157-7625.1000209","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7625.1000209","url":null,"abstract":"Agriculture became a high investing and low yielding due to uncontrolled use of synthetic chemicals which are becoming harmful to the ecosystem. To protect our ecosystem organic farming is well practiced without using harmful chemicals, they are replaced by bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides etc. this also maintains the soil fertility, use of chemical fertilizers kills the useful soil organisms but the organic farming can support the life of soil organisms and gives high yielding.","PeriodicalId":15637,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88671537","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}