a borítólapra  Súgó epa Copyright 
Applied Ecology and Environmental ResearchVol. 10. No. 3. (2012.)

Tartalom

  • Borítóen [64.99 kB - PDF]EPA-02583-00028-0010
  • Abstract: Consumption of ecosystem goods and services is the foundation of coupled human-natural systems. This paper reported the change in fuelwood consumption in remote northwestern Chinese villages and the ecological consequences that have occurred as a result of the Sloping Land Conversion Program (SLCP), one of China's biggest ecological restoration programs. We conducted this study using structured questionnaires that collected data on fuelwood consumption in 1999 and 2008. For these villages, fuelwood was the most important fuel source (84% of total fuel consumption in 1999). The SLCP restricted cutting of forests, so fuelwood consumption decreased to 39% of the 1999 total by 2008. In response to this decrease and increased planting of trees, the forest area increased. However, a spatial imbalance in fuelwood consumption persisted; the remaining demand for fuelwood meant that forests near villages were under high pressure, with harvesting often exceeding the natural productivity. To meet the demand for fuel and replace the fuelwood, coal consumption increased by 562%. The switch from fuelwood to coal increased CO2 emissions by 339% from 1999 to 2008. These results have clear consequences for the region's ecology and suggest the need to take measures to account for the consequences of the SLCP.

    Keywords: Ecological consequences; Fuelwood; Fuel consumption; Sloping Land Conversion Program; Northwestern China

  • Abstract: Examined area can be found at Balaton Uplands National Park (Hungary). 5 sample areas were examined in Badacsonytördemic: 1: 32 hectare under-grazed pasture, 2: 38 hectare overgrazed pasture, 3: 34 hectare hayfield, 4: trampled area, 5: beaten track. Livestock population was 118 in the monitored pastures. Sampling was executed along five 52m long circular transects, within 5cm × 5cm interlocking quadrates. Based on the data we can state that the curve of the drinking area was the highest of speciesarea examinations however weed appeared because of degradation which provided more species. According to species-area examinations overgrazed areas were richer in species then other examined areas. Based on diversity data drinking area considered degraded, while meadow and overgrazed areas was considered as proper state. Diversity of meadow was larger, but dominance of economically useful species was smaller. The amount of less valuable species – Carex hirta – increased.

    Keywords: grazing, pasture, hayfield, species composition, nature conservation

  • B. K. Mishra ,
    J. Dash ,
    T. Das ,
    R. N. Kar :

    Abstract: Sulfate Reducing Bacteria (SRB) are a diverse heterogeneous group of anaerobic microorganisms inhabiting in various environmental conditions. SRB are one of the most important groups of microorganisms that participate in various nutritional cycles of the environment and cause degradation of various organic matters through the process of dissimilatory sulfate reduction. They are known to be implicated in cases of microbially influenced corrosion arising in a wide range of natural and industrial circumstances. SRB are known to utilize the indigenous sulfate source and hence produce the deadly poisonous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas. In the present study one strain of SRB designated as WS-1 was collected from sewage water. The sample was enriched in a basal mineral media in an anaerobic condition using lactic acid as carbon source. The isolated strain (WS-1) was Gram negative cocci shaped and occured in chains and pairs. Biochemical characterization of the strains revealed that, the strain WS-1 was closely related to Veillonella. Sulfate reduction and sulfide formation were evident both in case of lactic acid and acetic acid as carbon source. It was observed that sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate were effective in controlling sulfide formation.

    Keywords: Sulfate Reducing Bacteria, nitrate, sulfide

  • Abstract: Climate change is a major global issue that impacts vegetation, agriculture, biodiversity and human safety. These impacts are predicted to be intense in the Mediterranean region. The aim of this paper is to define how local climatic trends are affecting plant communities in the Tolfa-Cerite area (Northern Latium), which is a semi-coastal area with Mediterranean to broad-leaf vegetation. Climate data analysis covered a long time period (1951-2007), considering 18 gauging stations. Data were analyzed using geostatistical methods and descriptive statistics. Climate trends and drought indicators, in relation to different vegetation associations, were analyzed using the zonal statistic tool (ArcGIS). During the investigated period, rainfall showed a uniform decreasing trend, while temperature increased, with an irregular trend. The specialization of climatic data showed a shift towards a thermo-Mediterranean bioclimate. Local climatic trends showed to have more severe impacts on specific plant communities (mesophilous forests, endangered shrubland-pastures, relict associations of meadows, etc). The observed trends towards aridity occurred in many areas covered by vulnerable plant communities. Considering the predicted changes in climate conditions for the Mediterranean area, these communities will face a further aridity increase. A permanent monitoring of these communities may increase the effectiveness of conservation policies and sustainable regional planning.

    Keywords: Bioclimate analysis, climate change, Mediterranean plant communities, Italy

  • K. Sanghamitra ,
    P. V. V. Prasada ,
    G. R. K. Naidu :

    Abstract: The ability of the invasive weed species Parthenium hysterophorus L. for the accumulation of the heavy metal Zn was studied in a greenhouse experiment. This study was aimed at identifying a metal tolerant species from natural vegetation and assess the phytoextraction potential of the plant. To compare metal concentrations in the aboveground biomass to those in roots and in soils along with nutrients. To study their effect on growth and comparison with metal amended soils treated with EDTA. The Zn accumulated by the test species was increased significantly after 0.1g/kg of EDTA was added to the medium. An increase in metal uptake with increase in test concentrations was observed. The metal uptake could effect the leaf pigments as it reduced with increase in metal exposures and time especially in EDTA treatment. This could be due to the accumulation of Zn. The phosphorus levels were found to be low in higher uptakes of the plant. The BCFs of shoots and roots and TFs being greater than 1 shows the validity of the weed species for hyperaccumulation of the metal and can be a promising species for phytoextraction of heavy metals and remediation of metal contaminated soils which is economical and ecofriendly.

    Keywords: Accumulation, EDTA, bioconcentration factor, translocation factor

  • Composition of zooplankton assemblages along the Zagyva River291-302en [565.98 kB - PDF]EPA-02583-00028-0070

    Abstract: The species composition, longitudinal distribution and seasonal dynamics of zooplankton were studied in the Zagyva River, Hungary. A total of 108 taxa was recorded from which 61 were new for the river. Rotatoria was the most abundant group, microcrustaceans were less important, only nauplii and copepodites were represented in similar individual numbers. Frequent species included Anuraeopsis fissa, Pompholyx spp., Keratella cochlearis, Brachionus angularis, Bdelloida sp., Bosmina longirostris. Dominance of cosmopolitan species was observed both in the river and its reservoir, and species characteristic of eutrophic waters were of major importance in the latter. There was a downstream decrease in zooplankton densities, which was explained by modified conditions. The relatively large number of individuals in autumn months, and the characteristic large number of individuals in the upper section contrasted general findings of potamoplankton dynamics. On the basis of the species abundance matrix, three river sections can be distinguished (upper, middle, lower section). Due to waste water discharges - received from the Tarján Stream - we found extremely high number of individuals and the lowest diversity at the sampling site Nagybátony (148 rkm).

    Keywords: Rotatoria, Copepoda, Cladocera, reservoir, spatial distribution

  • R. Kumar ,
    N. Ramawat ,
    H. L. Sharma :

    Abstract: Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important cereal crops of the world. Investigations were carried out for determination of genotypic coefficients of important varieties of maize by using CERES-Maize model in the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT v 3.5). The CERES-Maize model was evaluated with experimental data collected during two field experiments conducted in Palampur, India. Field experiments comprising of four dates of sowing (June 1, June 10, June 20 and June 30) and four varieties (KH 9451, KH 5991, early composite and local) of maize were conducted during Summer 2003 and 2004 in split plot design. Observations on development stages, dry matter accumulation at 15 days interval, yield attributes, yield (grains, stover and biological), nitrogen content and uptake were recorded. Genotypic coefficients of important varieties of maize were worked out. CERES-Maize model successfully simulated phenological stages, yield attributes (except single grain weight), yield and also N uptake with coefficient of variation (CV) nearly equal to 10 %. CERES-Maize model was validated with fair degree of accuracy. Simulation guided management practices were worked out under potential production and resource limiting situations. Best time of sowing of both hybrids (KH 9451, KH 5991) was worked out to be last week of April. While for early composite (EC), first week of May proved advantageous and for local variety second fortnight of April was the best time of sowing. The best schedule of N application was 60 kg ha-1 at sowing time and 30 kg ha-1 at knee high stage for all varieties except for local where it was 60 kg ha-1 at sowing and 30 kg ha-1 each at knee high and silking stages.

    Keywords: Crop simulation, CERES-Maize, Yield, Decision Support, Validation

  • D. Haibo ,
    W. Zhengfang ,
    L. Ming ,
    Z. Shengwei ,
    M. Xiangjun :
    Quantitative division of vegetation ecotones in Northeast China319-332en [1.29 MB - PDF]EPA-02583-00028-0090

    Abstract: The present study aims to quantitatively divide the forest vegetation transition zones, the transition zone between humid forest and semi-humid meadow steppe and that between semi-humid meadow steppe and semi-arid grassland in Northeast China, using the rate of eco-climatic guarantee of the warmth and humidity index. The results indicated that there are two categories of vegetation ecotones in the Northeast China. 1) The first one has the major determinant of temperature factor. There are two sub classifications under this category. One lies in the place between cold temperate coniferous forest and temperate broad-leaved coniferous mixed forest, distributing mainly in the Northern Da Hinggan Mountains. The warmth index of it is the range of 37.8-52.2°C month. The other one locates at the place between warm temperate deciduous broad-leaved forest and temperate broad-leaved coniferous mixed forest, the warmth index value of which is 77.8-92.2°C month. It mostly distributes in the zone between Changbai Mountains and the mountains of Eastern Liaoning Province and, 2) the second category of vegetation ecotones is mainly decided by water factor. One is located between humid forest and semihumid meadow steppe, the humidity index of which is the range of 6.63-8.37 mm/(°C month), mainly distributing in the Heilongjiang-Songhua-Wusuli Rivers Plain (the Sanjiang Plain) and in the transition region between the Northeast China mountains area and the Liaohe-Songhua-Nenjiang Rivers Plain (the Songliao Plain). The other one is the transition zone between semi-humid meadow steppe and semi-arid grassland, whose humidity index value is 4.47-6.53 mm/(°C month), mostly locating in the Hulun Buir plateau and the narrow and long region in the Songliao Plain.

    Keywords: Vegetation ecotone; rate of eco-climatic guarantee; vegetation-climate classifications; Kriging interpolation

  • R. Sánchez-Carmona ,
    A. Rodríguez-Ruiz ,
    L. Encina ,
    M. V. Rodríguez-Sánchez ,
    C. Granado-Lorencio :
    Consequences of species grouping for food web structure333-347en [490.23 kB - PDF]EPA-02583-00028-0100

    Abstract: Effects of trophic species aggregation on the structural properties of food webs in six Mediterranean streams were assessed here. In each stream, we created three different variations of the original food web, according to the trophic species aggregation applied. The aggregations used here were based on predator-prey relationships, i.e., species were lumped at different levels of trophic habits in the food web into top (T), intermediate (I) and basal (B) species. In our studied food webs, these species corresponded to fishes, macroinvertebrates and different types of detritus, respectively. No significant differences were found in structural properties when we analyzed the stream effect, but these were found in the analysis of aggregation variation effect. Species grouping, and the level within the food web at which it occurs, influenced the structural properties of the food web. However, these properties were comparable between all the studied streams when the same resolution was considered. The relationship between omnivory and connectance was not affected by trophic species grouping. These properties were positively and significantly related in all aggregation variations of the food webs, suggesting that the stabilizing role of omnivory is maintained regardless of the particular grouping method utilized.

    Keywords: structural properties, Mediterranean streams, omnivory, connectance

  • Abstract: When examining the ecological effects of climate change those databases which contain monitoring results of long-term time series have a key role. We used the daily Lepidoptera data of the Hungarian Plant Protection and Forestry Light Trap Network between 1962 and 2006 to analyse the influence of the change of temperature on the ecological dynamics of Lepidoptera. Using the quantile regression analyses we concluded that in the examined period, for the total number of individuals, seasonal phenomena shifted forward, however the days with higher diversity occurred over a shorter period. The analysis of the heat sums shows that the spring warming started earlier, although, at the same time the low quantiles of the captured Lepidoptera occurred at lower and lower heat sums over the years, while the heat sums at which the high quantiles of the number of Lepidoptera occurred showed a steady increase, meaning that the active period of the Lepidoptera community has expanded. A strong correlation was observed between diversity and temperature.

    Keywords: biodiversity, quantile regression, climate change, Lepidoptera, light trap

  • A. R. Malik ,
    G. S. Shamet ,
    J. S. Butola :

    Abstract: Pinus gerardiana Wall. locally known as ‘chilgoza’ is near endemic and endangered to Himalayan region. The species has aptly been described as the “Champion of Rocky Mountains” as it grows under extremely rough site conditions. Being a flavorsome wild edible, the chilgoza pine nuts have high demand in local, national and international markets and fetch very high prices. Due to rampant harvesting of cones, natural regeneration of this species is being fatally hampered. In present study, the natural regeneration assessment of the species was conducted in the forests of Kinnuar of Himachal Pradesh, India. The whole distribution area of the species was divided into three zones, viz., Dry temperate, Semi arid and Arid. The sampling plots of 20m × 20m were selected in which the regeneration sampling quadrates of 2m × 2m were laid in the eastern and western bank of river Sutlej. The results revealed that the semiarid zone on the western aspect of the area have maximum established regeneration of the species (291.66 plants/ha). Overall, the mean natural regeneration status of the species was very poor (15%). Thus, the species is facing higher risk of extinction and needs to be considered as ‘Critically Endangered’ in Indian Himalayan Region. It is suggested here that a suitable strategy and action plan including sustainable harvesting methods should be prepared and implemented on priority basis.

    Keywords: Pinus gerardiana, natural regeneration, status, endangered, Himachal Pradesh

  • A. M. Gbadebo ,
    A. M. Taiwo ,
    H. Ayedun ,
    A. J. Adeola :
    Geochemical analysis of groundwater quality in Agbara and environs375-384en [129.75 kB - PDF]EPA-02583-00028-0130

    Abstract: This study examines the geochemical compositions of groundwater from three communities viz: Agbara, Igbesa and Lusada to determine their suitability for human consumption. A total of seventeen (17) boreholes were sampled and analyzed using standard procedures. The parameters determined include: pH, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), redox potential (RP), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), anions (Cl-, PO4 3-, NO3-, SO4 2-, HCO3- and metals (As2+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, Mn2+ and Cd2+). Results showed variations in the values of water quality parameters from one community to another. pH of water samples from Agbara and Igbesa were acidic (4.1 - 5.8) and generally fell below World Health Organization (WHO) limit of 6.5 – 8.5 while that of Lusada was within the WHO range. Chloride, phosphate, bicarbonate and BOD values were generally high in all the three study areas greater than the acceptable limits in drinking water. Metal concentrations in all the sampled groundwater were very low while cadmium and arsenic were not detected in Igbesa and Lusada samples. Since most of the parameters with abnormal values have no (WHO) health-based guidelines, groundwater in these study areas may be suitable for direct consumption.

    Keywords: groundwater resource, geochemistry, parameters, consumption, Agbara