Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment最新文献

{"title":"Evaluation of plant based natural coagulants for surface water treatment of Pratapgarh District Uttar Pradesh, India","authors":"Sandhya Maurya, Abhishek Saxena, Anju Pate","doi":"10.31357/jtfe.v13i01.6437","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31357/jtfe.v13i01.6437","url":null,"abstract":"The efficacy of three plant-based natural coagulants, namely papaya seed powder, banana peel powder, and lemon peel powder, was evaluated in this study for their ability to remove high electric conductivity turbidity, hardness, fluoride, and nitrate from surface water. The experiments were conducted at room temperature without any adjustment to the initial pH. The results indicated that banana peel powder exhibited the highest turbidity removal rate, achieving 55.6% removal when used at a dosage of 0.4 g/L. Furthermore, banana peel powder demonstrated excellent removal efficiency for fluoride and nitrate, with 85% removal observed at the same dosage. Lemon peel powder also exhibited significant effectiveness, achieving 60% removal. Papaya seed powder proved to be the most efficient coagulant for removing hardness, demonstrating a removal rate of 69.66%. The study further revealed a noteworthy linear relationship between the removal of turbidity and hardness, as evidenced by correlation coefficients (R2) ranging from 0.67 to 0.88. Similar linear relationships were observed for turbidity removals, with R2 values ranging from 0.68 to 0.8. An additional advantage of using these natural coagulants was that they did not cause any pH alteration in the treated surface water. Moreover, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis of banana peels indicated the presence of functional groups such as carboxylic acid, hydroxyl, and aliphatic amines. These functional groups likely play a crucial role in facilitating coagulation and flocculation by neutralizing the charges of impurities in the water. \u0000This study suggests that inexpensive natural coagulants hold promise for surface water treatment, offering a viable alternative to conventional methods.","PeriodicalId":30404,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment","volume":"74 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140498768","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":"Ecological Significance of Aquatic Macroinvertebrates in Headwater Streams","authors":"Keerthi Sri, Senarathna Atapaththu","doi":"10.31357/jtfe.v13i02.6840","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31357/jtfe.v13i02.6840","url":null,"abstract":"Headwater streams are the starting points of river ecosystems, that consist of an array of unique microhabitats. Most of these stream segments are first-order streams and these aquatic ecosystems provide habitats for many macroinvertebrates including arthropods, mollusks, annelids, nematodes, and turbellarians. These species play a significant role in maintaining the ecological integrity of the river ecosystem. Specifically, their feeding habits of scraping, collecting, shuddering, and predating make a significant contribution to maintaining stable food webs within the stream ecosystems. These macroinvertebrates are highly sensitive to environmental changes and consequently, they have been used as indicators of environmental quality. Although the aquatic macroinvertebrates play a crucial role in headwater streams, they face stresses caused either by nature itself or man leading to their extinction on certain occasions. Global warming, acidification, deforestation, forest fires, industrialization, intensive agriculture, and livestock farming practices have been identified as potential stresses behind the extinction and biodiversity losses of macroinvertebrates in headwater streams. Therefore, the abundance and distribution of macroinvertebrates in headwater streams need to be critically considered in developing criteria for development projects, agricultural practices, and other environmental management strategies to protect and conserve these unique environmental creatures.","PeriodicalId":30404,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment","volume":"167 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140505207","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":"Density and Seasoning Characteristics of Pinus caribaea Lumber Grown at Suba Forest, Oromia, Ethiopia","authors":"G. Kaba, G. Desalegn, A. Tesfaye, M. Mussa, Tsegaye Wubshet, G. Mezgebu","doi":"10.31357/jtfe.v12i02.6345","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31357/jtfe.v12i02.6345","url":null,"abstract":"Determination of the seasoning characteristics, physical and mechanical properties of lumber species is helpful in identifying the main factors affecting the quality, suitability and overall performance of wood and wood-based products. The Pinus caribaea has been considered as industrial lumber species and there is a little study conducted in identifying the physical characteristics which on turn affects the quality of product derived from the lumber. Therefore, this study aimed at evaluating the density and seasoning characteristics of P. caribaea lumber. Sample trees were harvested from Suba Forest Oromia, Ethiopia. The experiments were carried out using air and kiln seasoning methods. To measure the initial moisture content, seasoning rate, shrinkage, wood density, and seasoning defects, six replicates of samples from each tree portions were prepared when green and promptly weighed. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) has been employed in interpreting the experimental results. The obtained results have shown that the mean initial moisture content for air stacks was 78.2% while for the kiln seasoning stacks 82.9%. Seasoning time for sawn boards of 3 cm thick to reach 17% moisture continent (MC) required 61 days, while for kiln seasoning took 4.3 days to reach 14.62% MC. This showed that kiln seasoning was about 14 times faster than air seasoning. In air seasoning the MC (%) of the lumber from 78.2% to 16.9%; and, the obtained mean values of shrinkages were tangential (3.6%), radial (1.9%) and volumetric (5.4%). The initial moisture content (IMC) and green density (GD) of the lumber were significant difference along the tree height at a 95% probability level. The seasoning rate % and final MC (%) along the tree height were significant difference at 95% probability level, while the seasoning rate % and final MC were significant difference between seasoning methods at 99% probability level. Seasoning defects such as cup, bow, twist, and crook were observed on kiln seasoned. In addition, end checks and splits were observed on air seasoned boards. Therefore, the experimental factors should be monitored and optimized properly to obtain the lumber with good quality and utilize it for different purposes, including construction and industrial applications.","PeriodicalId":30404,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment","volume":"48 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80302858","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":"The need of ecohydrological research in tropical forests for healthy watersheds","authors":"G. Chandrathilake","doi":"10.31357/jtfe.v12i02.6346","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31357/jtfe.v12i02.6346","url":null,"abstract":"Tropical forests play a critical role in providing clean water and maintaining healthy watersheds, yet they face numerous threats such as deforestation, land use change, and climate change. To address these challenges, there is a growing need for ecohydrological research that can inform land use planning and management strategies for healthy watersheds. Ecohydrology is an emerging science that seeks to understand the functional interactions between hydrology and biota. It quantifies and explains the relationships between hydrological processes and biotic dynamics as well as linkages among upland, riparian, and aquatic components on a watershed scale. However, most of the ecohydrological studies have been concentrated on temperate regions, and for tropical regions, such studies are lacking. This article argues that there is a high time to launch research for identifying critical ecohydrological functions and driving forces that regulate the quality and quantity of water, and their role in providing water-based ecosystem services in tropical watersheds. The article outlines the main challenges facing tropical forests and watersheds, and highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and long-term monitoring for effective ecohydrological research. It also provides examples of successful ecohydrological research projects in tropical forests, and discusses the potential benefits of investing in ecohydrological research for tropical forest conservation and watershed management. Overall, this article emphasizes the importance of ecohydrological research in tropical forests for healthy watersheds and calls for more attention and resources to be devoted to this field.","PeriodicalId":30404,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment","volume":"75 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79498315","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":"Physical and mechanical properties of Ayous wood (Triplochiton scleroxylon) from Cameroon","authors":"Bertin Biekop, P. William, Mejouyo Huisken, D. Fokwa, E. Njeugna","doi":"10.31357/jtfe.v12i02.6347","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31357/jtfe.v12i02.6347","url":null,"abstract":"The present study deals with Ayous wood from the East Cameroon forest reserve in the locality of Abong-Mbang. The water absorption rate of Ayous wood and the absorption kinetics were evaluated. Ayous wood reached its absorption saturation around 28 days. The primary diffusion coefficient was found to be 1.51 x 10-11 m2/s with a standard deviation of 0.23x10-11 m2/s while the saturation absorption rate is 144% with a standard deviation of 16.3%. About the modeling of kinetic absorption, many models were tested, and (Sikame, 2014) was the best model for our experiments. In order to determine the mechanical properties, four point bending and compression test were done through the three orthotropic directions.  It is found that the modulus of elasticity value is 8792.75 MPa with a standard deviation of 527 MPa and the fracture stress (σl) value is 53.6 MPa with a standard deviation of 8 MPa. Longitudinal, radial and tangential compressive stress are 31.51 MPa, 29.15 MPa and 31.4 MPa respectively, with standard deviations of 4.34MPa, 4.52 MPa and 4.23 MPa.","PeriodicalId":30404,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment","volume":"273 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84606085","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":"Impact of Urbanization on Land Cover Changes and Land Surface Temperature in Iseyin Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria","authors":"Adeleke S.O., Moshood F.J.","doi":"10.31357/jtfe.v12i02.6348","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31357/jtfe.v12i02.6348","url":null,"abstract":"Urbanization, without any iota of doubt, is one of the leading factors modifying the Earth’s surface because it has a significant impact on land cover changes and Land Surface Temperature (LST). This study assessed the impact of urbanization on land cover changes and LST in Iseyin Local Government Area. Landsat images of 22 years duration (2000, 2013, and 2022) and 30 m resolution were used in the study. The result showed that in 2000, vegetation occupied 58538 ha (43%), the built-up areas covered 2535 ha (2%), farmland covered 61248 ha (45%), rocky/hilly areas accounted for 3226 ha (2.4%), water bodies accounted for 431.17 ha (0.3%) while bare land covered 8642 equivalent to 6.42% of the area. In 2013, the built-up area occupied 3.4% (4577 ha), water body covered 0.21% (281 ha), vegetation covered 35% (48136 ha), farmland covered 48% (64352 ha), bare land covered 11% (15944 ha) while rocky/hilly area covered 1.02% (1376 ha). In 2022, built-up areas covered 6393 ha (4.8%), water bodies, vegetation and farmland covered 515 ha, 33819 ha, and 75999 ha respectively while bare land and rocky/hilly areas also covered 14346 ha and 3594 ha respectively. The LST result showed a mean temperature value of about 32oC, 27oC and 29oC in 2000, 2013, and 2022 respectively. The study concludes that urbanization has largely affected the land cover types in Iseyin LGA and increased the LST between 2000 and 2022. The study has therefore provided a scientific reference to policymakers to develop effective and sustainable policies in Iseyin LGA.","PeriodicalId":30404,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment","volume":"44 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78198243","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":"Traditional agroforestry of Angami Nagas of Nagaland state, India- a quantitative assessment of socio-cultural values and agrobiodiversity","authors":"Akoijam Basanta Singh, R. Teron, A. Tamuli","doi":"10.31357/jtfe.v12i01.6119","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31357/jtfe.v12i01.6119","url":null,"abstract":"Nhalie (shifting cultivation) and teizie (home garden) are the major forms of traditional agroforestry practices of Angami Nagas in Kohima district of Nagaland. They are characterized by high socio-cultural significance and prevalence of high degree of agrobiodiversity. The present study aims to assess agrobiodiversity and socio-cultural values of nhalie agroforestry of Angami Nagas in Kohima district of Nagaland, India. This study collected primary data from 60 households across five Angami villages by using methods of group discussion and participatory interview. Teizie and nhalie had higher average cultural ecosystem service values of 7.5 and 7.1, respectively. In term of economic ecosystem services, nhalie cultivation was perceived to be an important agroforestry practice with social use value (SUV) of 52.21. A total of 136 landraces of traditional crops belonging to 36 species were recorded. Two scented rice landraces (kethselha and rüluoo) and one sticky landrace (nhalenya) were reported. High overall Simpson’s Diversity Index value of 0.72 revealed high level of crop species diversity in nhalie agroforestry of Angami Nagas. Rice was the most common crop with the highest genetic diversity (22 landraces) followed by pumpkin, squash, taro, cucumber and maize. Nhalie agroforestry could serve as the major reservoir of traditional crop species and contribute to the conservation of these valuable traditional crop species on-farm. Further, the existing agrobiodiversity managed with the traditional wisdom of Angami Nagas in nhalie agroforestry systems is required to be preserved and disseminated for sustainable use of bioresources.","PeriodicalId":30404,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90075468","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":"Carbon Net-Zero by 2050: Benefits, Challenges and Way Forward","authors":"H. Ranasinghe","doi":"10.31357/jtfe.v12i01.6107","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31357/jtfe.v12i01.6107","url":null,"abstract":"In accordance with the Paris Agreement, to which Sri Lanka is a Party to, global temperature rise must be kept well below 2°C relative to pre-industrial levels and efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5oC above pre-industrial level must be pursued. In response to this, countries who signed the UNFCCC, including Sri Lanka, submitted their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in 2016 which will come into force during 2021-2030. However, according to Emissions Gap Report 2021 (UNEP  2021), climate pledges combined with other mitigation measures put the world on track for a global temperature rise of 2.7°C by the end of the century which is above the goals of the Paris climate agreement which intended to keep the global temperature rise well below 2°C.  Therefore, in order to address this alarming situation, many countries including Sri Lanka have given pledges to become carbon neutral by 2050. This means that the emissions from economic sectors will be reduced as per the NDC scenario and even beyond while increasing the carbon sequestration. \u0000In this equation, plants play a unique role as they are the only organisms which can absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide in the photosynthesis function. According to the Third National Communication of Sri Lanka, forests/trees will contribute to 11.5% of the Green House Gas (GHG) emission reduction which is projected by all sectors in the country by 2030. It is required to increase this contribution to a much higher level in order to achieve carbon neutral status. In this context while drastically reducing the deforestation almost to zero, it is required to increase the tree cover in the country including natural forests and trees outside forests which includes home gardens, urban forests and avenue plants, coconut plantations, shade trees in tea lands etc.","PeriodicalId":30404,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment","volume":"115 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76684019","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":"Diversity and Habitat Preferences of Moths (Insecta: Lepidoptera) in Indikadamukalana, a Lowland Wet Zone Forest in Sri Lanka","authors":"P. Gunathunga, C. Dangalle, N. Pallewatta","doi":"10.31357/jtfe.v12i01.6109","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31357/jtfe.v12i01.6109","url":null,"abstract":"The moths (Insecta, Lepidoptera) of Sri Lanka have not been well studied and no comprehensive scientific study on their diversity has been carried out over the past 100 years. Thus, establishing species richness and diversity of moths in different habitats of the island is important. The present study was carried out to investigate moth species diversity and habitat factors which can affect moths in Indikadamukalana Forest Reserve situated in the wet zone of Sri Lanka. Moth diversity of the forest was investigated for a period of approximately seven months in 2018, where two habitat types as forest edge and within forest were studied. Transect line count method was used to sample diurnal moths and light traps were used to study nocturnal moths. Aerial nets and fruit-baited traps were used to improve the sampling efficiency. Weather parameters of the two habitat types were estimated using a potable weather station. A total of 138 moth species of 19 families were recorded, with forest edge habitat recording 18 families (91 species) and within the forest habitat recording 15 families (47 species). Crambidae and Erebidae were the most prominent families of moths found in both habitats of the forest. Gelechiidae was recorded only from within the forest habitat while Sphingidae, Hepialidae, Tortricidae and Bombycidae were recorded only from the forest edge habitat.  Weather parameters between the two habitats did not depict a significant difference. Maintenance of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity hotspot status lies within the wet zone of the country. Thus, long term studies of moth communities of the wet zone are of vital importance","PeriodicalId":30404,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81960080","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":"Presence of Actinomycetes in agarwood tissues of Aquilaria crassna: A preliminary study","authors":"A.N.G.C.K. Vidurangi, D. Manamgoda, S. Subasinghe","doi":"10.31357/jtfe.v12i01.6112","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31357/jtfe.v12i01.6112","url":null,"abstract":"Agarwood is a valuable resin produced inside certain tree species of the family Thymalaeaceae distributed in the Asian region. Agarwood production occurs as a defense mechanism when the trees are under physical or biological stresses. However, the formation of agarwood resins in significant extractable quantities due to natural stress conditions is rare; therefore, the farmers use various methods to induce its formation artificially. Certain fungal species such as Fusarium and Aspergillus become more popular among them to produce high-quality agarwood. However, studies are rare on using other microbial organisms such as Actinomycetes, which exhibit properties of both bacteria and fungi. Among the agarwood-producing species, Aquilaria crassna is one of Asia's most commonly planted species for agarwood production. This species was introduced to Sri Lanka in 2012 for mid and lower elevations of the wet zone. Due to the lack of studies on agarwood resin formation by non-fungal microbial methods, the present study attempted to identify the presence of Actinomycetes species in agarwood resinous tissues of A. crassna. Agarwood resinous tissue samples were collected from four plantations in the wet zone of the country. Surface sterilized, small sized tissues were placed on starch casein agar medium and incubated at room temperature for ten days. Using the morphological and microscopic characteristics, it was possible to identify Nocardia, Psuedonocardia, and three Streptomyces species with varying abundance. The species level should be confirmed using molecular analysis, and their potential for agarwood resin formation inducement should be tested by re-inoculating to the healthy A. crassna trees.","PeriodicalId":30404,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87337628","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}