Dominant control of climate variations over land-use change on net primary productivity under different urbanization intensities in Beijing, China Publication date: Available online 27 July 2019 Source: Acta Ecologica Sinica Author(s): Yuhong Tian, Weilin Huang, Xiuchen Wu, C.Y. Jim, Xinpan Wang, Yiqing Liu Abstract Climate variations and land-use change induced by rapid urbanization can lead to crucial impacts on ecosystem Net Primary Productivity (NPP), especially in regions with intensive human activity. However, the relative contributions of land-use change and climate variations to NPP changes under different urbanization intensities are still a topic of debate. This study reports on a case study in Beijing, which is undergoing rapid urbanization, to estimate the effects of land-use change and climate variations on NPP in regions with diverse urbanization intensities in recent decades using remote-sensing data and the Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach (CASA) model. The results reveal obvious land-use changes in Beijing, showing an increase in both built-up and forested areas in the two inner, highly urbanized regions and a dramatic conversion from built-up area and grassy bush to forest in the two outer, less urbanized regions. Factorial experiments were performed to estimate the contributions of land-use change and climate variations to NPP changes for different regions and land-use types. An increasing trend in regional NPP was observed with decreasing urbanization intensity in all experiments. However, the increment in NPP between 2002 and 2009 tended to decrease with decreasing urbanization intensity in most experiments. Climate variation was the dominant factor in increasing NPP in the study region during 2002–2009, with a mean contribution of ~89.5% over different regions and land-use types. However, land-use change contributed to a certain extent to NPP changes for specific land-use types (e.g., ~28.1% for forests) in regions of intensive urbanization. Eco-engineering approaches such as increasing vegetation cover, especially forest, in built-up areas and reforestation and afforestation in non-built-up areas may be useful in mitigating the impacts of urbanization on NPP, especially in intensively urbanized regions.

Natural radioactivity concentrations and dose assessment in coastal sediments along the East Coast of Tamilnadu, India with statistical approach Publication date: Available online 5 July 2019 Source: Acta Ecologica Sinica Author(s): E. Devanesan, J. Chandramohan, G. Senthilkumar, N. Harikrishnan, M. Suresh Gandhi, Sanjay S. Kolekar, R. Ravisankar Abstract The present study was conducted to determine the activity concentration of 238U, 232Th and 40K in coastal sediments samples from Poombuhar to Karaikal along East coast of Tamilnadu, India using gamma ray spectrometry. The average activity concentration for 238U, 232Th and 40K were obtained as 36.82 (Bq kg−1), 50.11(Bq kg−1) and 320.38 (Bq kg−1), respectively. These obtained results were used to calculate the radiological hazard parameters like radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed gamma dose rate (DR), the annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), Annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE), Activity utilization index (AUI), External hazard index (Hex), Internal hazard index (Hin), Gamma representative level index (RLI) and Excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR). The computed radiological parameters values are compared with the internationally approved recommended values. The multivariate statistical method is used to simplify and organize large data sets to indicate natural associations between samples and variables. Graphical abstract

First approach to ecological niche of Numidian lycophytes and ferns in Algeria Publication date: Available online 8 June 2019 Source: Acta Ecologica Sinica Author(s): Sihem Haou, Gérard de Bélair Abstract The ecological niche of lycophytes and ferns is still very little studied in North Africa. This work aims, for the first time in Algeria, to set up a first approach on this issue in Numidia. For this study, we opted for a simple random sampling method, using the phytoecological method for the study of the flora. A statistical analysis of field data was processed by ADE.4, an analysis that highlights the effect of the variation of some ecological descriptors (substrate, vegetation density, humidity, immersion period, direction and altitude, etc) on the distribution of the 33lycophytes and ferns in Numidia, thus showing the multiplicity of niche dimensions for these species. Based on an analysis of the floristic niche of these lycophytes and ferns, we have been able to deduce the environmental gradients that manage the distribution of these species, as well as the degree of their clustering to each other. This causes us to conclude that the heterogeneity of the habitats studied in Numidia leads to non-uniform distribution of lycophytes and ferns. Thus, in some habitats such as forests and alder groves, are marked by a specific diversity, while in wet and rupicolous shrubs, the importance of the density of the lycophytes and ferns itself is perceived.

Identification and quantitative analyses of medicinal plants in Shahgram valley, district swat, Pakistan Publication date: Available online 6 June 2019 Source: Acta Ecologica Sinica Author(s): Nazim Hassan, Mohy Ud Din, Faiz Ul Hassan, Iram Abdullah, Yu Zhu, Wang Jinlong, Mohammad Nisar, Ilyas Iqbal, Syed Fazal Wadood, Syed Sajid Iqbal, Syed Irfanullah Shah, Iqra Naeem, Ahsan Sarwar, Muhammad Ihsan, Hanif Khan, Umar Zeb Abstract The traditional use of medicinal plants used by the inhabitants of Shahgram Valley, District Swat, Northern Pakistan. A total of 90 plant species from 53 families were studied through questionnaire, interviews and group discussions. However, the family Asteraceae (10%) was the most important and dominant family. Plant habit wise percentage was observed as (herb 65.55%), (shrubs 20%) and (trees 14.44%) and part used as whole plant (42.22%) fruit (15.55%), leaves (7.77%), bark (7.77%), seed (6.66%), root (6.66%), stem (3.33%), flower (3.33%), rhizome (2.22%), tuber (1.11%), shoot (1.11%), corms (1.11%) and bulb (1.11%). For the preparation of ethnomedicines, the locals use decoction (43.33%), crushed (40%), extract (11.11%), paste (4.44%) and original (1.11%). Out of 18 disease categories diuretic (16.05%) was observed as high. Route of ethnomedicines was observed high oral as (88.88%). The dose was observed as once a day (41.11%), twice (53.33%), (5.55%) thrice. Informant consensus factor (ICF) was observed high for a diuretic (0.94). Highest plant species use citation was observed for a diuretic (187) and lowest (3) for Stimulant. High FL value (100) was observed for A. bracteosa, while lowest (50.0) for M. cummunis. Among trees, M. azedarach got a first rank (22) followed by shrubs, B. lyceum (16) and herbs, A. plantago (13). The research was carried out to identify and document traditional uses of medicinal plants in the locality for new drug discovery. Medicinal flora was found towards extinction due to overgrazing and unwise utilization.

Determination the most important variations in plant traits related to livestock grazing using multivariate statistical methods in Baladeh-Noor rangeland, Mazandaran Province, Iran Publication date: June 2019 Source: Acta Ecologica Sinica, Volume 39, Issue 3 Author(s): Iman Haghiyan Abstract Animal grazing affect rangelands ecosystems by changing dimensional characteristics. The aim of this study is to determine the most important variations on plant traits in response to the livestock grazing in Baladeh-Noor rangelands located Mazandaran province in North of Iran. Various plant characteristics were measured in moderate and high grazing intensity and exclosure for three key and palatable species of Artemisia aucheri, Astragalus sp and Bromus tomentellus. In order to detect plant properties variation in three sites (exclosure, moderate grazing and critical grazing) and to determine their sensibility, the DCA and PCA analysis were used. According PCA analysis, the most changes of grazing effect in first principal component is related to the crown and basal large diameter, underground biomass and root. It was observed significant changes in five plant properties. Also, the results showed that 92.98% of changes are described by first and second axes and the most of Eigen value are crown and basal large diameter and root with 0.982, 0.977 and 0.968 respectively. As a result, the correct management of grazing according to the potential of soil and vegetation cover of each site could improve the condition of rangelands and produce the constant and dominant forages and livestock.

Effects of elevation gradients and soil components on the vegetation density and species diversity of Alabna escarpment, southwestern Saudi Arabia Publication date: June 2019 Source: Acta Ecologica Sinica, Volume 39, Issue 3 Author(s): Sami Asir Al-Robai, Haidar Abdalgadir Mohamed, Abdelazim Ali Ahmed, Abdul Wali Ahmed Al-Khulaidi Abstract The study was conducted on Alabna escarpment, southwestern Saudi Arabia, for evaluating the effects of elevation and soil components on the species diversity and plant community. Among 241 species (167 genera and 53 families) recorded in total, therophytes and chamaephytes prevailed in the area while bryophytes were rare. Clustering analysis revealed the presence of four community types which had a remarkable overlapping in species composition. Group 2 was the most diverse and represented by one stand with 58 species in which 19 plant species were only recorded in this group. Group 1 comprised two stands and the other two groups had more than two stands. Diversity and distribution of species were affected by elevation and element contents in the soil. The soil was slightly alkaline, not saline, contained a reasonable amount of elements and very poor in P content. Heavy metals were found in neglected quantities indicating that the area was unpolluted.

A potential habitat corridor for Western Purple-faced Langur between Forest Reserves in Sri Lanka: GIS as a tool in connectivity modelling Publication date: June 2019 Source: Acta Ecologica Sinica, Volume 39, Issue 3 Author(s): P.A.B.G. Panagoda, V.P.A. Weerasinghe Abstract Endemic Western purple-faced langur (Semnophithecus vetulus nestor) of Sri Lanka, is an exclusively arboreal, critically endangered primate whose habitats are severely fragmented with the human population expansion. Labugama-Kalatuwawa Forest Reserve (LKFR) which is identified as the last strongholds for maintaining viable populations of the species over the long-run and Indikada Mukalana Forest Reserve (IMFR) which is located in a closer proximity to LKFR have no connection with each other at the current status. As there is no assertion of regional habitat connectivity at a metapopulation context, the study aimed to identify a potential habitat corridor for S. v. nestor between LKFR and IMFR by using GIS as a tool in connectivity modelling. Study area was first divided into 0.04 km2 grids using ‘fishnet’ tool. Five main resistance criteria for S. v. nestor movement were selected namely; land use, road density, canopy cover, human tolerance and Feeding Plant Species Richness and Density (FPSRD). Each grid was assigned with resistance values for above criteria ranging from 1 to 6. Overall resistance layer for S. v. nestor movement was created using ‘weighted overlay’ in GIS environment. The best potential habitat corridor was identified via least-cost modelling. The resultant corridor falls within an area which mainly comprises of forest and rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) monoculture. It further accounts for the highest human tolerance, canopy continuity, FPSRD and least road density. Resultant corridor can be improved by bridging existing gaps and enriching the corridor habitats which would play an important role in conservation of S. v. nestor by minimizing the isolation of local populations, ensuring the gene flow and maintaining the minimum viable metapopulation in the long run. This study further demonstrates that GIS can be used as an effective tool for least-cost modelling which helps to identify potential wildlife movement corridors at minimum cost.

The effects of seed coat removal on the activity of peroxidase enzyme in Acer Velutinium Publication date: June 2019 Source: Acta Ecologica Sinica, Volume 39, Issue 3 Author(s): Fatemeh Mohammadnia, Seyed Yousef Torabian, Afsaneh Rezaie, Seyed Armin Hashemi Abstract Persian maple (PM) (Acer velutinum) is a fast-growing and broad-leaved tree that is native of Iran. It occurs in the coastal plains of the Caspian Sea. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of seed coat removal on the activity of peroxidase enzyme in PM seed.PM seeds were collected from Deiez forest located at Northern Iran. The seeds were categorized into two groups including coated and uncoated seeds. Extracts from each group were prepared at 4 stages including stage 1 (day 10), stage 2 (day 20), stage 3 (day 30) and stage 4 (day 40). Electrophoresis of peroxidase enzyme was performed using polyacrylamide gels. Peroxidase activity was assessed using a spectrophotometer. The Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-wallis tests were used to compare means of peroxidase activity between different groups. P-value of <0.05 was considered as significant. The mean (SE) of peroxidase activities were 1.86 (0.19) and 1.13 (0.30) (P = .04). The activity of perdoxidase enzyme in coated seeds showed significant decrease between stage 1 and the stage 4 (P < .001). But, our results did not show significant decrease in peroxidase activity in uncoated seeds during the study period. We found higher peroxidase activity in coated PM seeds. The results of previous studies showed higher rates of germination in uncoated seeds. So, diverse effects of seed coat removal including increase in the rate of germination and decrease in the activity of peroxidase enzyme should be taken into account.

Insecticides resistance and detoxification enzymes activity changes in brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens in Guizhou Province Publication date: June 2019 Source: Acta Ecologica Sinica, Volume 39, Issue 3 Author(s): Li Guoyong, Wu Yan, Liu Yangyang, Chen Xiangsheng Abstract The brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Homoptera: Delphacidae), is a kind of seriously pest of rice crops throughout Asia and effective control is essential for economical crop production. Insecticides Abamectin, Imidacloprid, Chlorantraniliprole, Phoxim and Chlorpyrifos have been broadly used to control the brown planthopper for recent years. To investigate the resistance development of the BPH in Guizhou Province, we collected BPH from 5 sites (Panxian, Jinping, Sandu, Daozhen and Huaxi) in Guizhou Province June–August 2014. Their responses to two diagnostic doses of 5 insecticides (LD50 and detoxification enzyme activity) were examined. The results showed that LD50 value for Chlorantraniliprole in Jinping and Huaxi BPH population were 199.810 and 282.082 μg/g higher than imidacloprid, phoxim and chlorpyrifos. LD50 value for Imidacloprid in Jinping population was 3.957 μg/g lower than other BPH populations for 4 insecticides. The GSTs activity is significantly higher with Abamectin, Chlorpyrifos and Phoxim treatments. AchE activity is higher with Chlorantraniliprole and Imidacloprid, but lowest among three enzymes with Phoxim and Chlorpyrifos. The data demonstrate the development and spread of multiple resistance in N. lugens in Guizhou Province and support reports of reduced field efficacy of imidacloprid.

Changes in photosynthetic pigments and uptake of some soil elements by chicory supplied with organic fertilizers Publication date: June 2019 Source: Acta Ecologica Sinica, Volume 39, Issue 3 Author(s): Hossein Gholami, Askar Ghani, Fatemeh Raouf Fard, Mohammad Jamal Saharkhiz, Hossein Hazrati Abstract Due to the important role of medicinal and aromatic plants in different industries, it is important to increasing production of yield and secondary metabolite produced without the use of harmful chemical fertilizer. The use of organic fertilizers like humic acid and vermicompost is the best way to achieve safe production. Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is a vegetable with possible medicinal properties. The research was undertaken to determine the effects of humic acid at 0, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 kg.ha−1 and vermicompost at 0, 5, 7.5 and 10 t.ha−1 on mineral elements N, P, K, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu uptake, photosynthetic pigment concentrations, and fresh and dry yield. The experiment was based on randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement. The humic acid and vermicompost benefitted nutrient uptake, yield and photosynthetic pigment concentrations of chicory. The highest of N (4.64%) and P value (0.83%) was in the 10 t.ha−1 vermicompost plus 0.6 kg.ha−1 humic acid treatment. The maximum potassium content (11.05%) was obtained by application of 0.6 kg.ha−1 humic acid and vermicompost (7.5 t.ha−1). Humic acid and vermicompost did not affect on Mn content in aerial parts. Application of 10 t.ha−1 vermicompost in combination with 0.6 kg.ha−1 humic acid increased total chlorophyll content (average 3.63 mg.g−1 FW). In humic acid treatments, the highest carotenoid pigments contents are measured 9.85 and 9.62 mg.g−1 FW, by application 0.6 kg.ha−1 and 0.9 kg.ha−1 humic acid, respectively. While as relation to vermicompost, the maximum content 10.08 mg.g−1 FW was determined in 10 t.ha−1 vermicompost treatment. Appropriate concentrations of vermicompost and humic acid can be used for organic production of chicory. Graphical abstract