International Journal of Ecology & Development最新文献

{"title":"Trophic Transfer and Accumulation of Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystem: Risk to Food Security and Human Health","authors":"H. T. Nair, Siddhuraju Perumal","doi":"10.1155/2022/1234078","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1234078","url":null,"abstract":"Plastic pollution is not at all a novel matter to the scientific as well as the public community. However, the knowledge of the general public when it comes to microplastic pollution is still in its infancy. The major sources of these tiny plastic particles in the aquatic environment are laundry, abrasion of household plastics, cosmetics, personal care products, tyre wear, food wrappings, and so on. However, the public is not much aware that they are part of these major emission sources and how much they are contributing to it. Also, the vast majority of research conducted to date on plastic pollution in all size fractions has focused more on marine ecosystems than freshwater ecosystems. Hence, people are more associated with freshwater ecosystems than marine ecosystems; it should be given additional importance.Rather than the effect on aquatic organisms through ingestion and other ways, the ecological risks posed by micro and nanoplastics as vectors for chemical contaminants and their accumulation through trophic transfer are more serious and of utmost importance. Aquatic life or aquatic ecosystem is already affected by a multitude of environmental stressors, and now microplastics and nanoplastics may represent a significant additional risk to food security. Micro and nanoplastics have already invaded our diet in various ways. Even if it does not show any immediate effect on human health, long-term exposure may pose a serious threat to the human population. Hence, identifying the possible sources and reducing exposure to these sources is of utmost importance.","PeriodicalId":43584,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Ecology & Development","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2022-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88140680","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":"First Ministry-Academia Collaborative Report on Causes and Remedies of Human-Animal Conflict at Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh, India","authors":"P. Mishra, Anubha Chaudhary, Aayush Raj Tyagi, Anjali Gangwar, Anurag Tyagi, Manisha Singh, Megha Kaushik, Shambhavi Mishra, Yashi Garg, Yakshi Sethi, Himanshi Jain, Jyoti Pal, N. K. Janoo, N. J. Gupta","doi":"10.1155/2022/3543650","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/3543650","url":null,"abstract":"Sustainable coexistence of different components of an ecosystem is a fundamental requirement for the overall welfare of the human population worldwide. Despite this fact, continued growth in human population, increasing demand for various available natural resources, and invasion of all inhabitable habitats have led to the destruction of the coexistence of wildlife and human and also caused the fragmentation of natural habitat for the wildlife in India. This in turn may viciously affect the rural population residing in the nearby area of such regions, for example, the area covered for sanctuaries, which are established in consideration to provide protection to the indigenous wildlife. Hence, it becomes essential to mitigate such conflicts to create a healthy environment for cosurvival of all stakeholders. Here, in this study, we have tried to figure out the possible reasons and provide certain cures to avoid the recurring human-wildlife conflicts in one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries, Hastinapur wildlife sanctuary, situated in Uttar Pradesh, India.","PeriodicalId":43584,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Ecology & Development","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2022-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85723893","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":"Population Status, Diurnal Activity Pattern, Feeding Ecology, and Habitat Association of Colobus Monkey (Colobus guereza) in Saja Forest, Kaffa Zone, Southwest Ethiopia","authors":"Misganaw Mola, Aklilu Ayiza, Muluye Asnakew, Tiruye Abuye","doi":"10.1155/2022/5090212","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/5090212","url":null,"abstract":"Colobus monkeys (Colobus guereza) are endemic to the Ethiopian plateau, distributed in different ecological habitats such as moist and deciduous forests, savanna woodlands, and montane forests. The population status, diurnal activity pattern, feeding ecology, and habitat association of Colobus guereza were investigated in Saja Forest, southwest Ethiopia, from June 2019 to February 2020, covering both wet and dry seasons. A total of 39 different types of transect were systematically established, distributed in both dense forest and in shrubland. Data were collected for 60 days in total across a wet and a dry season, both at dawn and in the afternoon. A total of 246 ± 39.1 individuals were recorded, of which 132 ± 24.4 and 114 ± 14.7 individuals were recorded during the wet and dry seasons, respectively. The population and group sizes did not statistically differ between the wet and dry seasons but shrubland habitat had fewer individuals and smaller groups than forest. Out of the recorded Colobus guereza, 33.5% were adult males, 34.5% were adult females, 28% were sub-adult males, 14.5% were sub-adult females, and 12.5% were juveniles/young. Feeding (29.5%) and resting (19.5%) were the most recorded daily activities for Colobus guereza. Young leaves were the largest (31%) contributor to the diet followed by mature leaves (22%) in both seasons. Other common dietary items were shoots (20%), barks (13%), fruits (11%), and flowers (3%). Colobus guereza were observed feeding on a diverse diet of 26 plant species belonging to 21 genera within 21 families. The habitats of these primates are currently diminishing due to anthropogenic activities such as agricultural expansion, human settlement, livestock grazing, and other forms of human wildlife conflict. Furthermore, guerezas are hunted for their skin and are also major sources of meat for the Menja people in the study area. Therefore, awareness creation for local people towards wildlife conservation is needed.","PeriodicalId":43584,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Ecology & Development","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2022-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79883469","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":"Identification of Suitable Land for Livestock Production Using GIS-Based Multicriteria Decision Analysis and Remote Sensing in the Bale Lowlands, Ethiopia","authors":"Abel Balew, Behailu Legese, Derara Kunbushu, Worku Nega, Wubshet Alebel, Abebe Kerbesh, Md. Mijanur Rahman","doi":"10.1155/2022/9585552","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/9585552","url":null,"abstract":"Rangeland resources of the Bale lowlands have been degraded due to climate change, human factors, lack of sufficient environmental and rangeland policies, disaster mitigation strategies, and good management. The study identified suitable rangeland for cattle, sheep, goat, and camel production in the Bale lowlands using GIS-Based Multicriteria Decision Analysis and remote sensing techniques. Land-use and land-cover, rainfall, water accessibility, slope, and soil types were used for the suitability analysis. The study showed that an area of 4112, 16311, 6643, and 9820 km2 was highly suitable for cattle, sheep, goats, and camels, respectively. The results of the study also indicated that an area of 40099, 30925, 41981, and 36802 km2 was moderately suitable for cattle, sheep, goats, and camels, respectively. In addition, an area of 7644, 4671, 3630, and 5632 km2 was marginally suitable for cattle, sheep, goats, and camels, respectively. On the other hand, an area of 399 and 346 km2 was not suitable for cattle and sheep, respectively. The study is important for improving livestock production and mitigating the impacts of traditional livestock mobility on local communities. The study can also provide insights for government authorities to formulate environmental and rangeland policies to identify rangeland types and separate the rangeland for each livestock category.","PeriodicalId":43584,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Ecology & Development","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2022-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72451125","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 Conditions and Ecosystem Services of Artificial Wetlands in Semiarid Ethiopian Highlands","authors":"A. Moges, Tesfaye Mebrate","doi":"10.1155/2022/7667611","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/7667611","url":null,"abstract":"The main purpose of the study was to investigate the ecological status, ecosystem services (ESs) with their relative importance, and the local communities’ perception of the management of Washa and Borale artificial wetlands located in the Semiarid Ethiopian Highlands. The results revealed that many of the communities relied mainly on farming and livestock rearing with small land size (≤ 1 ha) and large family size. Grass harvesting, free grazing, farming, wetland conversion, and water extraction were the main anthropogenic factors causing the wetlands’ ecological disturbance. The ecological status of Washa and Borale wetlands were thus moderately (67) and highly degraded (80), respectively. Yet, the various ESs categorized as provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services, were still delivered from both sites. Vegetables (carrots, potatoes, garlic), crops (barley, beans), grass, water, and crafting materials were the products obtained from the wetlands. Some educational, research, and recreational services were also delivered mainly from the Washa site. Still, erosion, flooding, carbon regulation, and biota (plants, birds, fish) supporting services were provided at both sites. Yet, many of the ESs provided had low and medium importance due to the wetlands’ impairedness. Yet, the water and food delivered from the wetlands had high and even higher importance than the other services due to their being designed for providing water mainly for irrigation and livestock watering. Still, Washa provided higher cultural, regulating, and supporting services than the Borale’s owing to its being moderately impaired and lesser buffer and catchment area disturbance. Overall, many of the ESs delivered had low and medium importance because of the wetlands’ biodiversity loss, ecological degradation, and water reduction chiefly in the dry season. Yet, the people had good perceptions of the wetlands’ management. Hence, for the wetlands’ restoration, urgent action is required via developing a management plan.","PeriodicalId":43584,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Ecology & Development","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2022-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72739007","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":"Climate Variability Impacts and Coping Strategies in Malipati Communal Area, Chiredzi District, Southeast Zimbabwe","authors":"Itai Dhliwayo, C. Mutanga, C. Mashapa, N. Muboko, E. Gandiwa","doi":"10.1155/2022/8493977","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/8493977","url":null,"abstract":"The spatial-temporal impacts and coping strategies to climate variability vary across human communities. Focusing on Malipati Communal Area in Chiredzi District, southeast Zimbabwe, the study analysed the impacts of climate variability and coping strategies adopted by local communities. Data were collected between May and June 2018 in five (5) villages in Ward 15 of Malipati Communal Area, where a total of 133 participants were involved through focus group discussions, questionnaires, and key informant interviews. The results showed an increase in livestock mortality and in contrast no significant changes in crop yields between 1990 and 2018. Further, the study established that local communities have negative perceptions towards the adaptive coping strategies to climate change, especially on the production of small grains. There is a need for other innovative strategies to enable communities to continuously buffer the impacts of climate variability inclusive of diversifying economic activities.","PeriodicalId":43584,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Ecology & Development","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2022-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72483279","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":"Conferring the Midas Touch on Integrative Taxonomy: A Nanogold-Oligonucleotide Conjugate-Based Quick Species Identification Tool","authors":"Rahul Kumar, Ajay Kumar Sharma","doi":"10.1155/2022/1009066","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1009066","url":null,"abstract":"Nanogold or functionalized gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have myriad applications in medical sciences. GNPs are widely used in the area of nanodiagnostics and nanotherapeutics. Applications of GNPs in taxonomic studies have not been studied vis-à-vis its extensive medical applications. GNPs have great potential in the area of integrative taxonomy. We have realized that GNPs can be used to visually detect animal species based on molecular signatures. In this regard, we have synthesized gold nanoparticles (<20 nm) and have developed a method based on interactions between thiolated DNA oligonucleotides and small-sized GNPs, interactions between DNA oligonucleotides and target DNA molecules, and self-aggregating properties of small-sized GNPs under high salt concentrations leading to a visible change in colour. Exploiting these intermolecular and interparticle interactions under aqueous conditions, in the present work, we have demonstrated the application of our procedure by using a DNA oligonucleotide probe designed against a portion of the mitochondrial genome of the codling moth Cydia pomonella. This method is accurate, quick, and easy to use once devised and can be used as an additional tool along with DNA barcoding. This tool can be used for distinguishing cryptic species, identification of morphovariants of known species, diet analysis, and identification of pest species in quarantine facilities without any need of performing repetitive DNA sequencing. We suggest that designing and selecting a highly specific DNA probe is crucial in increasing the specificity of the procedure. Present work may be considered as an effort to introduce nanotechnology as a new discipline to the extensive field of integrative taxonomy with which disciplines like palaeontology, embryology, anatomy, ethology, ecology, biochemistry, and molecular biology are already associated for a long time.","PeriodicalId":43584,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Ecology & Development","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2022-08-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75791584","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":"Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies in Madda Walabu District, Bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia","authors":"Umer Abdela","doi":"10.1155/2022/5658440","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/5658440","url":null,"abstract":"Climate change is one of the most serious environmental challenges affecting people all over the world causing widespread agitation and having an impact on economic systems such as agricultural production. Local communities in Madda Walabu District of Bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia, are heavily dependent on agriculture. In contrast, the agricultural activity of the local community was depressed by threats such as increased temperature, prolonged drought, and changes in rainfall distribution. To mitigate the adverse consequences of climate change, it is important to understand the local knowledge of adaptation and mitigation actions. This research was a look into the climate change adaptation and mitigation in Ethiopia’s Madda Walabu District households to survive. The objective of the study was to investigate climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies for the synergy of the communities in the Madda Walabu District. A multistage stratified random sampling procedure and three villages were randomly selected. A total of 150 sample households from the three villages were interviewed. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyse data, and the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used for analysis. The results showed that most of the respondents have perceived an increase in temperature, fluctuation in the rainy season, and a decrease in the amount of rainfall. The respondents perceived that they are vulnerable to local climate variability. This study also revealed that 78% of the respondents followed different adaptation strategies to climate change, such as irrigation intensification, agroforestry, agronomic, and cultural practices. Adaptation and mitigation measures can be developed by enhancing the adaptive and mitigating capacity of forest-dependent communities. Therefore, awareness creation on climate change, variability, adaptation, and mitigation measures should be considered toward enhancing the adaptive capacity of the local communities in line with providing seasonal weather information. More research in the domain of climate change and mitigation techniques is needed as several statistical results were not as predicted, and the amount of adaptation and mitigation synergies was low. Furthermore, the study’s households were predominantly pastoralists, and their climate change adaptation and mitigation strategy for the livestock sector was an issue that needed to be addressed urgently.","PeriodicalId":43584,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Ecology & Development","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2022-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84866937","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":"Rangeland Degradation and Its Impacts Post-1992: Constructing the Perceptions of Boorana Pastoralist, Southern Ethiopia","authors":"G. Dika, D. Tolossa, Shiferaw Muleta Eyana","doi":"10.1155/2022/7978744","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/7978744","url":null,"abstract":"The rangelands of Africa have been subject to substantial changes. The changes in the savanna rangelands ecology were from different points of view. This study constructs the perceptions of Boorana pastoralists on historic changes in rangelands post-1992 based on the Gadaa timelines. The construction of pastoralist perceptions can make an immense contribution to comprehending the rate, trends, indicators, and impacts of rangeland degradation in Boorana rangelands. This study thus points out that pastoralists can better understand and describe rangeland conditions and factors associated with such changes in the Gadaa periods. The study was based on the data collected from 332 pastoralists using a survey questionnaire and qualitative data, and the results were analyzed using descriptions of responses and narrations of cases. The study revealed that the conditions of the Boorana rangelands have been deteriorating over time and rangeland degradation showed unprecedented growth trends, mainly attributed to vegetation, rangeland production, human, environmental, and climate change-related factors. The study also shows that the progressive degradation of rangeland resources has jeopardized rangeland production, livestock productivity, and human well-being in the Boorana rangeland system. The study suggests that the recognition and promotion of indigenous ecological knowledge of pastoralists could sustain the pastoralist community in arid and semiarid rangelands. It is, therefore, imperative to understand pastoralists’ knowledge of rangeland ecology for sustainable management of rangeland resources.","PeriodicalId":43584,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Ecology & Development","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2022-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87966231","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":"Ethnozoological Study of Traditional Medicinal Animal Parts and Products Used among Indigenous People of Assosa District, Benishangul-Gumuz, Western Ethiopia","authors":"Goshu Kumera, Girum Tamire, G. Degefe, Hussein Ibrahim, Dereje Yazezew","doi":"10.1155/2022/8430489","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/8430489","url":null,"abstract":"Traditional medicine is a global practice and depends on locally available natural resources and indigenous knowledge. Animals and their products have been used in the preparation of traditional remedies in various cultures since time immemorial. This study aimed to identify and document traditional medicinal sources from animals and associated indigenous knowledge in Assosa Districts, Benshangul Gumuz region, western Ethiopia, from September 2019 to July 2020 to ensure sustainable utilization of natural resources and biodiversity. A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect ethnozoological information with regard to animals used for medicinal purposes, parts used, ingredients added, ailments treated, method of preparation, mode of administration, dosage and duration of treatment, and the mechanisms of knowledge transfer. A total of 38 animal species were used as medicine to treat over 35 different kinds of human diseases including anatomical, physiological, psychological, and spiritual ailments and veterinary treatment. Over 15 animal species were found to score fidelity level (FL) more than 50%, of which the skin of Crocuta crocuta used for the treatment of evil eye had the highest FL (n = 35, 92.1%), followed by the blood of Sus scrofa domestica for treatment of stomach illness (n = 32, FL∼84.2%), the milk of Equus asinus to treat cough and eye disease (n = 28, Fl∼73.7%). The study area harbors diverse medicinal animals that represent key medical alternatives for local communities. The documentation of this indigenous knowledge of animal-derived medicine and the practice helps in developing strategies for conservations of biological diversities.","PeriodicalId":43584,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Ecology & Development","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.2,"publicationDate":"2022-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87001726","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}