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Influence of Forest Roads, Distance from the Boundary and Location of Sites on Illegal Activities in Arabuko Sokoke Forest, Coast-Kenya
Mwendwa A. Kaleb,
Agevi Humphrey
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 6, November 2020
Pages:
235-246
Received:
21 February 2017
Accepted:
21 April 2017
Published:
30 October 2020
Abstract: Forest roads play an important role in the management of forests. There is a high dependency on natural forests and its products by the forest adjacent communities (FACs) in the tropics. Protection is a key element in controlling the illegal activities in these forests and road networks within and around them play an important role. Arabuko Sokoke forest (ASF) in the Coast of Kenya has been under threat from the illegal activities. A study was carried out to assess the influence of forest roads, distance from the boundary, and relative location of sites on the illegal activities of the Arabuko Sokoke forest. Four (4) Road classes (20c, 40c, 50c, and 75c.-with 20c being the poorest in that order), 3 distances from the boundary (DFB -1km, 2km and 3km) and 10 sites (Dida, Jilore, Kaembeni, Malanga, Matsangoni, Mida /Arabuko, Mwambani Nature Reserve, Pahalipeupe and Sokoke) were the main factors assessed relative to the number of stumps, traps, herbs collection, paths, stacks and debarking incidences. DFB, road class and site interactions were highly significant (p<0.05) on the number of stumps, traps and paths found in the forest. Dida>Kaembeni> Mwambani sites had the most illegal incidences compared to the others. In several areas, DFB of 3km and 20c and 40c road-classes were interactions were found to be highly significant (p<0.05). The study showed that poorer roads classes in the Arabuko Sokoke forest is encouraging the illegal activities. The poorer the road classes the higher the occurrence of the illegal activities. There is a need to reassess the road network with a view of increasing efficiency of patrol. The number of patrolmen and vehicles need to be increased. The vehicles should be equipped with a geographic positioning system (GPS) tools to increase monitoring of the activities and enhance the planning of patrol programmes. Surrounding populations and historical factors were found to be important in those three areas.
Abstract: Forest roads play an important role in the management of forests. There is a high dependency on natural forests and its products by the forest adjacent communities (FACs) in the tropics. Protection is a key element in controlling the illegal activities in these forests and road networks within and around them play an important role. Arabuko Sokoke ...
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Study on Leaf Function Traits of Typical Plants in Plantation of Shouguang National Wetland Park
Yifu Yuan,
Zhen Zhao,
An Mao,
Yujie Luo
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 6, November 2020
Pages:
247-251
Received:
5 November 2020
Accepted:
19 November 2020
Published:
23 November 2020
Abstract: Plant functional traits reflect the influence of surrounding environment and adaptability to environmental changes. Plants growing on saline soil can adapt to this kind of stress by adjusting plant functional traits. In order to study the effect of saline environment on plant functional traits, we selected a plantation in a coastal park as the research object. We sampled trees, shrubs and grass layers, and analyzed the differences of leaf functional traits among different plants, and discussed the adaptive performance of plants to salinization stress through functional traits. In this study, ten species (Fraxinus chinensis, Ailanthus altissima, Sophora japonica, Populus tomentosa, Salix babylonica, Gleditsia sinensis, Tamarix chinensis, Sonchus oleraceus, Conyza Canadensis, Echinochloa crusgalli) were selected as the research objects to analyze their leaf area, leaf perimeter and leaf aspect ration, to explore the differences of functional traits among plants and their adaptation to saline environment. The results showed that the main leaf functional traits of F. chinensis remained stable in different forest ages, and significant differences were found in the leaf area and leaf aspect ration among different layers of plants.
Abstract: Plant functional traits reflect the influence of surrounding environment and adaptability to environmental changes. Plants growing on saline soil can adapt to this kind of stress by adjusting plant functional traits. In order to study the effect of saline environment on plant functional traits, we selected a plantation in a coastal park as the rese...
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Performance Evaluation and Adaptation of Food Barley (Hordeum Vulgare L.) Varieties in the Highlands of North Gondar Ethiopia
Asaye Birhanu,
Zeynu Tahir,
Manye Tilahun,
Mellie Tilahun,
Abebe Hailu
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 6, November 2020
Pages:
252-257
Received:
29 September 2020
Accepted:
2 November 2020
Published:
27 November 2020
Abstract: In Ethiopia, barley is also one of the oldest cultivated crops and currently it is the fifth most important cereal crop next to maize, tef, sorghum, and wheat and the study was conducted at Debark, Dabat and Wogera in 2014/15 main season with the objectives of identify high yielder food barley varieties using seven improved food barley varieties including local check in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. At Debark, the analysis of variance revealed highly significant difference (p≤0.01) among treatment means for days to heading, plant height and thousand seed weight. Significant difference at (p≤0.05) also observed among treatments for Maturity days, spike length, biomass and grain yield. The mean grain yield ranged from 3403kg/ha-5143kg/ha. Highest mean grain yield was recorded from variety HB-1307 (5143kg/ha), EH1493 (4636kg/ha) CROSS41/98 (4184kg/ha) and lowest mean grain yield was recorded from variety AGEGNEHU (3403kg/ha). At Dabat, the analysis of variance showed that significant difference (p≤0.05) for days to maturity, seeds per spike and thousand seed weight. The rest parameters exhibited non-significant difference among varieties. At Wogera, the analysis of variance showed highly significant difference at (p≤0.01) among tested varieties for days to maturity, spike length, seeds per spike, thousand seed weight and grain yield. Longest maturity days were recorded from variety CROSS-41/98 (124 days), while shortest maturity days were recorded from variety AGEGNEHU (112 days). The mean grain yield ranged from 2015kg/ha-5008kg/ha. At Wogera highest mean grain yield was recorded from variety HB-1307 (5008kg/ha) followed by CROSS41/98 (4416kg/ha). Over locations combined analysis of variances showed highly significant difference at (p≤0.01) among varieties for all yield and yield components except days to heading. The interaction of location by variety indicated that significant effect on biomass and grain yield. The rest yield components not affected by the interaction of genotype by location. Over location grain yield results ranged from 3641-4680 kg/ha. Lowest and highest grain yield were recorded on Local check (3641kg/ha) and HB-1307 (4680kg/ha), respectively. Therefore, HB-1307 and CROSS 41/98 recommended for seed production at highland areas of north Gondar and similar agro ecologies.
Abstract: In Ethiopia, barley is also one of the oldest cultivated crops and currently it is the fifth most important cereal crop next to maize, tef, sorghum, and wheat and the study was conducted at Debark, Dabat and Wogera in 2014/15 main season with the objectives of identify high yielder food barley varieties using seven improved food barley varieties in...
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Farmers Local Knowledge on Niche Selection, Management Strategies and Uses of Cordia africana Tree in Agroforestry Practices of Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia
Latamo Lameso,
Wondmagegn Bekele
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 6, November 2020
Pages:
258-264
Received:
2 November 2020
Accepted:
17 November 2020
Published:
27 November 2020
Abstract: In Ethiopia Cordia africana is one of the indigenous multipurpose tree species which is being endangered and suffering a lot from overexploitation. Agroforestry is taken as potential ecosystem for counteracting indigenous multipurpose trees species extinction through providing complementary habitat for such species. In Sidama zone of south Ethiopia, farmers deliberately integrate and manage C. africana tree by using their own indigenous knowledge for both its productive and protective functions. However, comprehensive study has not been undertaken to assess and document the local knowledge associated with C. africana tree. Thus, study was designed to assess local knowledge of farmers on niche selection, management practices and uses of C. africana tree in agroforestry practices of Sidama zone. To do so household survey, key informants’ interview and focus group discussions were undertaken to generate the necessary data. A total of 126 sample respondents were randomly selected based on wealth category. In addition to this, about 72 sample households were considered for tree inventory purpose. The inventory was done in the niches of Coffee-Enset tree based, Coffee tree based and Enset-tree based homegarden agroforestry practice. Data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Results obtained from the study show that, mean number of stems of tree is found to be significantly higher (p<0.05) in Enset- tree based niche of homegarden agroforestry followed by Coffee-tree based niche. The finding also shows that mean basal area of tree in Enset-tree based niche was significantly (p<0.05) higher of the remaining niches of agroforestry practices over both the midland and lowland agroecological zones. The commonly management practices employed for C. africana by the local farmers were branch pruning (80.6% and 73.2%), coppicing (32.2% and 42.8%) and pollarding (33.8% and 19.6%) in midland and lowland agroecology, respectively. Farmers also have profound knowledge on uses of C. africana tree. From the reported uses; timber production, soil improvement, household utensils, shade and cash generation are the major ones as these could be also vary over age, size and parts of the species to be used. Finally, the study has suggested that, for a conclusive recommendation the effect of C. africana tree on coffee-Enset yield and yield component needs to be further investigated.
Abstract: In Ethiopia Cordia africana is one of the indigenous multipurpose tree species which is being endangered and suffering a lot from overexploitation. Agroforestry is taken as potential ecosystem for counteracting indigenous multipurpose trees species extinction through providing complementary habitat for such species. In Sidama zone of south Ethiopia...
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Study on Leaf Functional Traits of Main Tree Species in Songshan Mountain
Yifu Yuan,
An Mao,
Yujie Luo
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 6, November 2020
Pages:
265-269
Received:
1 November 2020
Accepted:
18 November 2020
Published:
27 November 2020
Abstract: The functional traits of plant leaves are closely related to the habitat environment of plants, which are the most sensitive organs to environmental changes. Through the study of plant leaf traits, we can understand the growth status of plant species and their tolerance to adverse environmental conditions such as barren and drought. The mixed artificial communities of Cotinus coggygria and Platycladus orientalis were investigated by transect method in Songshan Mountain. We selected three native plants (Rhamnus parvifolia, Lespedeza bicolor and Vitex negundo) and a kind of introduced tree C. coggygria as research objects. There were significant differences in leaf functional traits among these four plants. The leaf area of C. coggygria was much larger than that of the other three plants, while the specific leaf area (SLA) of L. bicolor and R. parvifolia was significantly larger than that of C. coggygria, which was a typical trait strategy to adapt to low light environment. The SLA of C. coggygria was smaller than that of other plants, which was beneficial to improve water use efficiency. But the difference of SLA between C. coggygria and other plants did not reach a significant level, which indicated that there were similarities in drought adaptability between the native plants and the introduced plants.
Abstract: The functional traits of plant leaves are closely related to the habitat environment of plants, which are the most sensitive organs to environmental changes. Through the study of plant leaf traits, we can understand the growth status of plant species and their tolerance to adverse environmental conditions such as barren and drought. The mixed artif...
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Sichuan Agricultural Science and Technology Service Industry: Current Station, Problems and Countermeasures
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 6, November 2020
Pages:
270-278
Received:
6 December 2020
Accepted:
17 December 2020
Published:
28 December 2020
Abstract: The development of Agricultural Science and Technology Service Industry is of great significance to promote the modernization and high-quality development of agriculture. The service industry of Agricultural Science and technology in Sichuan is characterized by the diversification of agricultural science and Technology Service Subjects, the diversification of agricultural science and Technology Service modes, and remarkable achievements in agricultural science and Technology Service, however, there are some problems such as the shortage of agricultural science and Technology Service personnel, the disconnection between the supply and demand of agricultural science and Technology Service, the segmentation of Agricultural Science and Technology Service Management, the backward construction of agricultural science and technology service system, and the difficulty of agricultural science and technology supervision. By focusing on the cultivation of science and Technology Service Industries in seven major fields such as R & D design, information resources and business incubation, to promote the development of agricultural science and Technology Service Industry, we will implement related policies such as industry access, innovative financial policies, improving investment and financing system, and strengthening the construction of agricultural science and technology service personnel.
Abstract: The development of Agricultural Science and Technology Service Industry is of great significance to promote the modernization and high-quality development of agriculture. The service industry of Agricultural Science and technology in Sichuan is characterized by the diversification of agricultural science and Technology Service Subjects, the diversi...
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