Charismatic or Abundant Species Are Not Always Good Indicators for Monitoring Biodiversity & Ecosystem Changes
Ahmed Ali Hassabelkreem Siddig,
Ahmed Mustafa Morad Hasoba
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 2, June 2022
Pages:
14-17
Received:
12 February 2022
Accepted:
11 March 2022
Published:
8 April 2022
DOI:
10.11648/j.eeb.20220702.11
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Abstract: Many selected populations from plants and animals have been frequently used as indicators species for monitoring ecological changes and ecosystems dynamics overtime, giving early warning signs for possible deviations in ecosystems, and allowing for measuring performance of management interventions. However, there is recent criticism and discussion among the environmental scientists and mangers about the pitfalls of the approach. This article aims at reviewing limitations & challenges of selecting and using indicator species in monitoring biodiversity & ecosystem changes. Particular objectives are (1) outlining and briefly discussing common challenges and limitations, (2) pointing out ways for overcoming limitations mentioned including list of best signs that must be observed and considered when identifying indicator species for monitoring ecological changes, and finally (3) providing a path for future research work needed in this topic. Literature review showed that criticism and limitations are including subjectivity and vague justifications in selecting single or group of indicators, methodological challenges during data collection, and lack of knowledge about responses of such indicators to future climate change and subsequent impacts on their effectiveness in ecological monitoring schemes. In conclusion, the best indicator species should have among others; known responses to disturbances, quickly indicate changes and cause-and-effects relationships in ecological state variables, has a stable population in space and time, and easily detected and measured. Finally, future work needed in this topic should be directed towards: (1) assessing and increasing the effectiveness of the indicators; (2) understanding the limitations of indicators including their sensitivity to anticipated climatic changes; (3) which taxonomic groups are better for which monitoring purpose; and (4) lastly, finding better quantitative multimetrics indices to assess the efficiency of the indicators.
Abstract: Many selected populations from plants and animals have been frequently used as indicators species for monitoring ecological changes and ecosystems dynamics overtime, giving early warning signs for possible deviations in ecosystems, and allowing for measuring performance of management interventions. However, there is recent criticism and discussion ...
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The Impact of Organic Amendment on the Anatomical Structure of Cyperus iria Linn and Echinochloa colona Link Expose to Heavy Metal Pollution
Amadi Noble,
Gbosidom Victor Lebura,
Worlu Adedoyin Anike
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 2, June 2022
Pages:
18-22
Received:
24 February 2022
Accepted:
15 March 2022
Published:
14 April 2022
DOI:
10.11648/j.eeb.20220702.12
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Abstract: The effect of NPK, orange and plantain peels amendment on anatomical structure of Cyperus iria and Echinochloa colona in heavy metal polluted soil was investigated in this study. Factorial experiment fitted into Randomized Complete Block Design was adopted. Two kilogram (2kg) of homogenized heavy metal polluted soil were weighed into planting bags and amended with 40g NPK fertilizer, 100g orange peels waste and 100g plantain peel waste in six replications respectively. A double control of unpolluted and polluted soils without amendments in six replications were also set up. Two (2) weeks old seedlings of Cyperus iria and Echinochloa colona were transplanted from nursery onto the respective experiment blocks. The set up was monitored with constant watering at the rate of 500ml for two months of post treatment. At the end of the experiment, the anatomical structure study of roots and shoots of the study plants grown in control soil and soil amended with NPK 20:20:20 showed distortion in the vacuole bundles and cortex. On the contrary, Cyperus iria and Echinochloa colona grown in soil amended with orange and plantain peels waste observed to be similar in anatomical structure with Cyperus iria and Echinochloa colona grown in double control. The result also showed that the vascular bundles of Cyperus iria and Echinochloa colona grown in NPK amendment treatments and control soil lost their shape in roots and shoots. Therefore, orange and plantain peels amendment were effective in reducing the negative impact of metals on plants anatomical structure. These amendments can be harnessed as chelators in making phytoextraction techniques feasible by controlling wilting of plants during remediation processes.
Abstract: The effect of NPK, orange and plantain peels amendment on anatomical structure of Cyperus iria and Echinochloa colona in heavy metal polluted soil was investigated in this study. Factorial experiment fitted into Randomized Complete Block Design was adopted. Two kilogram (2kg) of homogenized heavy metal polluted soil were weighed into planting bags ...
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Insight into the Relationship Between Plant Photosynthetic Production Allocation and Ontogeny from Population Dynamics
Renfei Chen,
Suping Xiao,
Yongji Wang,
Qindi Zhang
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 2, June 2022
Pages:
23-29
Received:
1 April 2022
Accepted:
18 April 2022
Published:
25 April 2022
DOI:
10.11648/j.eeb.20220702.13
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Abstract: Plant biomass allocation is a central issue in ecology. Plant ontogeny, as biotic influencing factors, spurs allocation shift among plant different organs. The difficulty is separating the obscure and mixed effect of ontogeny and environmental stress on biomass allocation because of lacking specific information during plant whole life history. In combination with theory in population dynamics and metabolic theory of ecology, we developed a theoretical framework in biomass allocation to investigate the quantitative relationship of leaf biomass fraction vs. plant age, leaf primary productivity fraction vs. plant age. These models fit well with the analysis results from empirical forest dataset. The results show that plant photosynthetic efficiency in accumulation decrease with plant ontogeny, but the annual growth photosynthetic efficiency has no regression relationship with plant age. In addition, plant taxon plays an important role in the relationship of leaf biomass fraction and plant age, and evergreen plants have a higher leaf biomass fraction than deciduous ones. The research here will provide a foundation for further understanding the effect of both plant “true plasticity” and “apparent plasticity” on plant biomass allocation patterns, respectively.
Abstract: Plant biomass allocation is a central issue in ecology. Plant ontogeny, as biotic influencing factors, spurs allocation shift among plant different organs. The difficulty is separating the obscure and mixed effect of ontogeny and environmental stress on biomass allocation because of lacking specific information during plant whole life history. In c...
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