Showing papers on "Undergrowth published in 2015"

Niche partitioning and environmental factors affecting abundance of strepsirrhines in Angola

Abstract: The African nocturnal primates (galagos, pottos, and angwantibos: suborder Strepsirrhini) are the result of the first major primate radiation event in Africa, and are found in different primate communities spread across the entire sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, they represent an interesting group of taxa to investigate community strategies to avoid interspecific competition. Here, we present the result of the first study on nocturnal primate communities in western Angola. We aimed to identify habitat factors influencing strepsirrhine abundance, collect evidence of spatial niche segregation, and discuss possible indications of competitive exclusion in this region. We conducted nocturnal surveys at four study sites: Kumbira, Bimbe, Northern Scarp, and Calandula. At each encounter we recorded species, group size, height of animals above ground, and GPS location. We sampled vegetation using the point-centered quarter method and collected data on canopy cover, disturbance, and undergrowth density. We observed a total of five strepsirrhine species with varying community structures. We did not encounter Galagoides thomasi but we recorded a new species Galagoides sp. nov. 4. Levels of disturbance, canopy cover and undergrowth density were the habitat factors that most influenced variation in abundance of Galagoides demidovii and Perodicticus edwardsi, the latter also preferring the habitat with higher tree density. Vertical separation between sympatric strepsirrhines was strongest in Northern Scarp, where overall relative abundance was also highest. Competitive exclusion between G. thomasi and G. sp. nov. 4 may explain why the former was not present within the Angolan Escarpment sites. We observed coexistence between mainly allopatric Otolemur crassicaudatus and P. edwardsi in Kumbira, and of Galago moholi and G. demidovii in Calandula. Both unusual combinations showed some levels of spatial segregation. Habitat characteristics of the Escarpment region are likely to allow for unique nocturnal primate species assemblages. We urge immediate conservation interventions in the Angolan Escarpment.

Transformation of taiga ecosystems in the Western Siberian invasion focus of four-eyed fir bark beetle Polygraphus proximus Blandford (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae)

Abstract: The role of Polygraphus proximus Blandf., an invasive bark beetle of Far Eastern origin, in the transformation of taiga ecosystems of the plains of Western Siberia is evaluated. It is shown that this species is currently one of the main factors of degradation of the Siberian fir forests and various changes in their ecosystems. The consequences of invader outbreaks in fir forests of the region are massive mortality of forest stands, reduction in the number of and deterioration in the vitality of fir undergrowth, and significant changes in the species composition and structure of the vegetation cover and xylophilous insect fauna.

Carbon Stock in Adaba-Dodola Community Forest of Danaba District, West-Arsi Zone of Oromia Region, Ethiopia: An Implication for Climate Change Mitigation

Abstract: Forests can capture and retain enormous amount of carbon over long period of time. Their role in carbon emission balance is also well documented. However, especially in developing country, wide spread deforestation and forest degradation is continuing unknowingly and deliberately. This study was conducted to estimate carbon stock in dry Afromontane forest type of Danaba community forest (CF) of Oromia Regional State of Ethiopia. A systematic sampling method was used to identify each sampling point. Results revealed that the total mean carbon stock of the CF was 507.29 t·ha-1 whereas trees share 319.43 t·ha-1, undergrowth shrubs 0.40 t·ha-1, litter, herbs and grasses (LHGs) 1.06 t·ha-1 and soil organic carbon (SOC) 186.40 t·ha-1 (up to 30 cm depth). The ultimate result implies that Danaba CF is a reservoir of high carbon. To enhance sustainability of the forest potentiality, the carbon sequestration should be integrated with reduced emission from deforestation and degradation (REDD+) and clean development mechanism (CDM) carbon trading system of the Kyoto Protocol to get monetary benefit of CO2 mitigation. Keywords: Carbon sequestration, climate change, community forest, mitigation.

Pure and Mixed Plantations of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Cupressus lusitanica: Their Growth Interactions and Effect on Diversity and Density of Undergrowth Woody Plants in Relation to Light

Abstract: Published results on the growth interactions of non-nitrogen fixing mixed plantations species, and their impact on the regeneration of woody plants are scant. This paper addresses the growth interactions of pure and mixed plantations of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Cupressus lusitanica and their impact on the regeneration of woody plants in relation with light. Data on the regenerated woody plants, individual characteristics of the plantation species and light reaching under the canopies were collected using sample plots (n = 4) with a size of 20 m × 20 m for each plantation type. The result showed that, E. camaldulensis was suppressing the growth of C. lusitanica while its growth was favored when it was mixed with C. lusitanica (p 0.05). Density of plantation trees were found not having a significant relationship with diversity of species (p = 0.801). There was a significant but not direct relationship between light reached in the understory of the canopies and diversity of species in the plantations (p = 0.027). Overall, the result indicated that both the pure and the mixed plantations were favoring the recruitment of woody plants.

Effects of a windthrow disturbance on the carbon balance of a broadleaf deciduous forest in Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract: . Forests play an important role in the terrestrial carbon balance, with most being in a carbon sequestration stage. The net carbon releases that occur result from forest disturbance, and windthrow is a typical disturbance event affecting the forest carbon balance in eastern Asia. The CO2 flux has been measured using the eddy covariance method in a deciduous broadleaf forest (Japanese white birch, Japanese oak, and castor aralia) in Hokkaido, where incidental damage by the strong Typhoon Songda in 2004 occurred. We also used the biometrical method to demonstrate the CO2 flux within the forest in detail. Damaged trees amounted to 40 % of all trees, and they remained on site where they were not extracted by forest management. Gross primary production (GPP), ecosystem respiration (Re), and net ecosystem production were 1350, 975, and 375 g C m−2 yr−1 before the disturbance and 1262, 1359, and −97 g C m−2 yr−1 2 years after the disturbance, respectively. Before the disturbance, the forest was an evident carbon sink, and it subsequently transformed into a net carbon source. Because of increased light intensity at the forest floor, the leaf area index and biomass of the undergrowth (Sasa kurilensis and S. senanensis) increased by factors of 2.4 and 1.7, respectively, in 3 years subsequent to the disturbance. The photosynthesis of Sasa increased rapidly and contributed to the total GPP after the disturbance. The annual GPP only decreased by 6 % just after the disturbance. On the other hand, the annual Re increased by 39 % mainly because of the decomposition of residual coarse-wood debris. The carbon balance after the disturbance was controlled by the new growth and the decomposition of residues. The forest management, which resulted in the dead trees remaining at the study site, strongly affected the carbon balance over the years. When comparing the carbon uptake efficiency at the study site with that at others, including those with various kinds of disturbances, we emphasized the importance of forest management as well as disturbance type in the carbon balance.

Pemanfaatan tumbuhan bawah di zona pemanfaatan Taman Nasional Gunung Merapi oleh masyarakat sekitar hutan

Abstract: Suharti S. 2015. The use of undergrowth species on utilization zone of Mount Merapi National Park. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 1: 1411-1415. People’s dependency towards natural environment including forest is a manifestation of efforts to meet their needs. Commodity widely used by people surrounding forest is various undergrowth species found in the forest area. In Mount Merapi National Park (TNGM), undergrowth species got less attention because its utilization is considered still limited and some regarded it as a weed. This research aims to study the diversity of undergrowth species in utilization zone of TNGM and its use by surrounding village communities. To determine the distribution pattern and to identify undergrowth species, vegetation analysis (ANVEG) was done in nine plot observations with a size of 1 x 1 m2. Each plot was divided into 10 x 10 cm2 subplots and observed. To assess utilization of undergrowth species, interviews were conducted with 30 respondents purposively selected from the village of Umbulharjo and Glagahharjo. The results showed there were 23 undergrowth species found in the plot observations in TNGM utilization zone. Some residents around TNGM already used it for various purposes, such as for mix/additional fodder, fertilizer, traditional medicines, beverages, and cattle bedding. However, nowadays its utilization was limited only on several species i.e., ireng-ireng (Eupatorium riparium), kirinyuh (Chromolaena odorata), rumput eri (Chrysopogon aciculatus), tapak liman (Elephantopus mollis) and regedeg (Centella asiatica). Therefore, utilization of undergrowth species needed to be disseminated widely to surrounding community so as to utilize it optimally.

Diversity of drought-resistant plants and the benefits of their biomass for improving fertility of a degraded soil of Brantas River Basin

Abstract: In support of healthy agriculture development to improve farmer’s prosperity status, soil remediation and land conservation efforts maybe relied on the use of biomass of local vegetation. Results of field exploration conducted at Brantas Watershed of East Java indicated that there were at least 154 species of undergrowth scrubs, 47 species of agriculture-plantation crops, and 59 species of road shelter trees. The native undergrowth vegetations had undergone enormous seasonal variations. Biomass of predominance vegetations, e.g. Psophocarpus tetragonolobus, Phaseolus lunatus, Flemingia, Mimosa somian, Acacia villosa, Cassia mimosoides, Mucuna could potentially be used as organic matter sources to improve availability of nitrogen and phosphorus in soils. The amount of nitrogen and phosphorus contributed of the plant biomass significantly correlated with quality of the biomass.

Edge effects on the structure and dynamics of an Atlantic Forest fragment in northeastern Brazil

Abstract: Edge effects on the structure and dynamics of the canopy and understory of a forest fragment were examined in Igarassu, PE, Brazil. Two 10 × 100 m transects perpendicular to the forest edge (and divided into 10 × 10 m plots) were separated into outer (0-50 m) and inner edges (50-100 m) and their vegetations compared to those of 10 plots in a 20 × 50 m transect in the forest interior (280 m from the edge). The plots were the sampling units. All woody plants with stem perimeters at breast height (PBH) > 15 cm (canopy) were identified and measured within each plot. Plants with PBH 3 cm (understory) were also identified and measured in the 5 × 5 m subplots. Measurements were made in 2005 and repeated in 2008. Higher numbers of canopy species (39 in both edge) and plant densities (2020 and 2280, for inner and outer edge, respectively, in 2005. Similar results were observed in 2008) were encountered along the forest border, while higher understory species numbers (50), plant densities (9960 in 2005 and 13800 in 2008), and basal areas (2.8 in 2005 and 5.2 in 2008) were encountered in the forest interior. The number of recruited understory plants was lower along the forest border (55 individuals) and their mortality rate was higher (6.65 %yr-1). The results indicated that canopy and undergrowth at the edge of the forest fragment studied were not totally recovered in structural terms, for most of the parameters analyzed.

Effect of Forest Fire on Soil Nutrients in Blue Pine ( Pinus wallichiana A.B. Jackson) Ecosystems

Abstract: Forest fire is recognized as one of the major natural disaster, damaging huge forest and grassland areas worldwide. Fire can change plant composition, devastate biomass, alter soil physical and chemical properties and decrease nutrient pools. In recent years, Blue Pine ( Pinus wallichiana ) forests in South Kashmir are experiencing a heavy loss due to fire with respect to damage to undergrowth and disturbance in soil nutrient status. An assessment of damage in terms of ecological and economic attributes due to fire is deemed to be much. The frequency of fire is rising as biotic pressure on forest resources. This study demonstrates assessment of soil macro-nutrient alteration on sites on burnt with unburnt sites. The study sites are in South circle of Kashmir division in Jammu and Kashmir State of India. Our samples show 60% less soil carbon at 0-30 cm depth in burnt sites against their respective unburnt sites, Available soil nitrogen concentration was 35.28% lower on burnt sites, Available soil phosphorus was 38.89 % higher in burnt than unburnt sites and available soil potassium was 29.66 % higher on burnt sites in comparison to unburnt sites. Some implications of these results for forest managers are discussed. Organic carbon and nitrogen decreased in burnt areas while as potassium and phosphorus concentration witnesses an increase in burnt sites.

Comparative Analysis of the Diversity of Undergrowth Plants in Secondary Forest and Eucalyptus Plantations

Abstract: This study investigated the diversity of undergrowth plants growing under secondary broadleaf forest and under Eucalyptus plantations in southern China. Under secondary forest 123 undergrowth species were found and these represented 52 families whilst in Eucalyptus plantations 102 undergrowth species were found these represented 49 families. There were 64 undergrowth species in common between the secondary forest and Eucalyptus plantations, indicating that species structure was different between these two forest types. Measures of diversity for the understory species including richness index, evenness index and diversity index for secondary forest were slightly higher than those for Eucalyptus plantations. Analyses of variance revealed significant differences between the understory plants of these two habitats. There were only three species in common between the top 10 species ranked by Importance Value in each of the two habitats. Even so, the diversity of undergrowth plants of Eucalyptus plantations was similar to secondary forest.

Ecological restoration principes relative to Nothofagus pumilio (Poepp. & Endl.) Krasser (Nothofagaceae) forest restoration

Abstract: r Leaf surfaces are arranged in forested ecosystems so that solar radiation is effectively captured. In other words, the potential for photosynthesis is maximized as a function of plant community structure. In Nothofagus pumilio forest, tree crowns are densely branched and contain abundant, closely placed, small leaves that flutter on stout, subsessile petioles (Marticorena & Rodriguez, 2003) in windy realms of Tierra del Fuego, Chile. If sunlight escapes a leaf that was momentarily twisted on edge by the wind, that radiation is likely to be absorbed by another leaf that lies immediately below it. Light that escapes the tree canopy altogether may be captured by undergrowth plants, ephiphytes, or even corticolous bryophytes.

Ground beetles (Coleoptera Carabidae) diversity patterns in forest habitats of high conservation value, Southern Bulgaria

Abstract: The study presents a comparison between the diversity of the carabid beetles taxocoenoses and their spatial distribution in different forest types of high conservation value in Strandzha (8 sites), the Rhodopes (4 sites) and Belasitsa (6 sites) mountains. The diversity indices have demonstrated the highest species richness and the highest diversity values in the riverside sites of Strandzha Mountain. The lowest species richness has been found in the tertiary relict forest of oriental beech with undergrowth of rhododendron (Strandzha Mountain) and in the centuryold sweet chestnut forest (Belasitsa Mountain). The lowest values of diversity and evenness have been found in the beech forest sites in Strandzha and the Rhodopes due to the prevalence of the Aptinus species. This low diversity is a natural condition for the studied sites. The classification of the ground beetles complexes from the studied sites by similarity indices and TWINSPAN has been made. A high level of dissimilarity among the sites has been found, showing unique species composition and abundance models in each site. Carabid beetles taxocoenoses in the forests of Strandzha Mountain have shown a low similarity level by species composition and abundance even in the range of the same mountain. Indicator species have been shown. The ordination of the carabid complexes has showed that the sites have been distributed continuously along two significant gradients. The first gradient has been found to be the altitude (probably due to the temperature conditions) in a combination with the hydrological regime. The second significant gradient probably has been under the complex influence of the climate conditions and vegetation type. Carabidae; diversity; conservation; Bulgaria.

Contrasting development of declining and living larch-spruce stands after a disturbance event: A case study from the High Tatra Mts.

Abstract: The decline of spruce stands caused by bark beetle outbreaks is a serious economic and ecological problem of forestry in Slovakia. In the preceding period, the decline affected mainly secondary spruce forests. Over the last decade, due to large bark-beetle outbreaks this problem has been observed also in natural spruce forests, even at high elevations. We dealt with this issue in a case study of short-term development of larch-spruce stands in the High Tatras (at a site called Start). We compared the situation in the stand infested by bark beetles several years after the wind-throw in 2004 with the stand unaffected by bark beetles. We separately analysed the development of the mature (parent) stands and the regeneration. The results indicated that forest decline caused by bark beetles significantly depended on the stand structure (mainly tree species composition), which affected the period of stand disintegration. Mortality of spruce trees slowed down biomass accumulation (and thus carbon sequestration) in the forest ecosystem. In the new stand, pioneer tree species dominated (in the conditions of the High Tatras it is primarily rowan), although their share in the parent stand was negligible. The results showed different trends in the accumulation of below-ground and above-ground biomass in the declined and living stands. In the first years after the stand decline, rowan accumulated significantly more biomass than the main tree species, i.e. spruce. The reverse situation was under the surviving stand, where spruce trees accumulated more biomass than rowan. The different share of spruce and pioneer tree species, mainly rowan, affected the ratio between fixed (in woody parts of trees) and rotating (in foliage) carbon in the undergrowth. Forest die-back is a big source of carbon emissions from dead individuals, and the compensation of these losses in the form of carbon sequestration by future stands is a matter of several decades.

Floristic diversity under anthropogenic activities in the protected forests of Duekou and Scio in southwestern Cte dIvoire

Abstract: This study analyses the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on trees and shrubs floristic α-diversity in two protected rain forests in southwestern Cote d’Ivoire. These forests have been under timber harvesting since their protection in 1929. The forestry service had developed plantations of indigenous timber species and teak since 1996 to increase their productivities for timbers. Additionally, they host many plantations of cash crop among which coffee, cocoa and rubber are the most important. To understand how these plantations affect the local flora, the diversity of shrubs and trees with DBH ≥ 10 cm was analyzed through the species number and diversity indices. Plots were of 20 m x 50 m size and a total of 10 per vegetation type. Highest species numbers, Shannon-Wiener’s index, Hill’s index and Pielou’s index, in both plots and vegetation types were found in natural forest and undergrowth cleared forest which had similar values of these parameters. Plot richness was ranked between 1 and 7 species whilst vegetation type richness varied from 4 to 12 species for all plantations. Yet Simpson’s diversity index showed highest values in plantations. Richness in plantation was influenced by the location of plantation site and the nature of crop but no influence was found with the combination site and crop nature. Key words: Forest protection, cash crops, agroforestry, flora and diversity, South-West Cote d’Ivoire.

Shifts in soil testate amoeba communities associated with forest diversification.

Abstract: We studied changes of testate amoeba communities associated with the conversion of spruce monocultures into mixed beech-fir-spruce forests in the Southern Black Forest Mountains (Germany). In this region, forest conversion is characterized by a gradual development of beech undergrowth within thinned spruce tree stands leading to multiple age continuous cover forests with a diversified litter layer. Strong shifts in the abundance of testate amoeba observed in intermediate stages levelled off to monoculture conditions again after the final stage of the conversion process had been reached. The average number of species per conversion stage (i.e., local richness) did not respond strongly to forest conversion, but the total number of species (i.e., regional richness) was considerably higher in the initial stage than in the mixed forests, due to the large number of hygrophilous species inhabiting spruce monocultures. Functional diversity of the testate amoeba community, however, significantly increased during the conversion process. This shift was closely associated with improved C and N availability as well as higher niche diversity in the continuous cover stands. Lower soil acidity in these forests coincided with a higher relative abundance of eurytopic species. Our results suggest that testate amoeba communities are much more affected by physicochemical properties of the soil than directly by litter diversity.

O uso da terra nas margens da Represa Atibainha, Sistema de Água Cantareira (SP): conflitos com a legislação ambiental vigente

Abstract: The management of hydrographic basins for water supply involves land use diagnose for environmental quality assessment and liabilities resulting from practices that can be harmful to water resources. The identification of different forms of land use in Permanent Preservation Areas (PPA), as defined in the New Brazilian Forest Code (Federal Law 12.651/12), is necessary for the assessment of expected impacts on water quality. The objective of this work is to comprehend territorial dynamics in the Atibainha Reservoir tributary basin, located in Nazare Paulista and Piracaia (SP). GIS techniques were applied to define the PPA size on the margins of the reservoir, adopting widths of 100 meters for rural areas and 30 meters for urban areas. Remote sensing techniques were applied to map land cover through the automatic supervised classification. Land cover mapping showed the presence of 55.9% native forest, 29.3% undergrowth, 6.9% reforestation, 4.5% water and 3.4% of area built in the tributary basin. 98.5% of the total area of the reservoir (1596.24 km 2 ) corresponds to rural areas. The marginal Atibainha Reservoir Atibainha Reservoir PPA is composed of 58.9% native forest, 33.5% undergrowth, 5.7% built-up area and 1.9% reforestation. A growing urban development of homes and clubs around the dam is observed, affecting the PPA in varying alarming ways, which leads one to consider the urgent need of public policies for the.

Impact of slope position on the growth and undergrowth species diversity of Larix principis-rupprechtii plantation

Abstract: The slope has a great influence on silviculture and management measures of Larix principis-rupprechtii plantation but the discomfort slope will lead to the imbalance of forest structure and the destruction of the ecological function,resulting in the ecological consequences of soil erosion and reduction in biodiversity.To study the effect of slope on the growth of Larix principis-rupprechtii and the undergrowth biodiversity,the growth of Larix principis-rupprechtii plantation and diversity of undergrowth vegetation on the different slope positions of Weichang Xinfeng Forest Farm were investigated and analyzesed.The result showed that:(1)there was no significant impact of slope positions on the forest stock volume;(2)The slope had a significant effect on DBH of Larix principis-rupprechtii plantations at the 5%significant level;(3)The slope had an extremely significant impact on the biodiversity of North China Larch plantatiion,with the evenness index and species diversity indices in the herb layer higher than those in the shrub layer.

Ecological breeding method suitable for mountain forest land undergrowth chicken raising

Abstract: The invention discloses an ecological breeding method suitable for mountain forest land undergrowth chicken raising. The ecological breeding method comprises the following steps: selecting a mountain forest land of which the slope is less than 30 degrees to establish an undergrowth chicken raising ecological breeding aquatics village (1), wherein the average height of the forest canopy of the undergrowth chicken raising ecological breeding aquatics village (1) is above four meters, and the canopy density of the forest canopy is 0.5-0.6; at least planting a shrub isolation layer (2) on an edge near the bottom end of a hillside of the undergrowth chicken raising ecological breeding aquatics village (1). Compared with the prior art, the ecological breeding method has the advantages that the method can effectively alleviate a water and soil loss problem caused by vegetation deterioration in a mountain forest land undergrowth chicken raising process while a purpose of isolation protection is achieved. The ecological breeding method has the advantages of simpleness in operation, low cost and ecological environment protection and is an auxiliary protection means for the ecological breeding.

Method of regrowth of protective forest plantations

Abstract: FIELD: agriculture.SUBSTANCE: method comprises stimulation of undergrowth formation. On the trunks of parent trees above the places of the undergrowth formation the belts are tightly superimposed, made of material providing gradual constriction of conducting vessels during tree growth. The belts are left on the trunks to complete destruction of the old above-ground part of the parent trees and placed at a distance from the soil surface, sufficient for formation of a minimum number of coppice shoots.EFFECT: method enables to avoid a break in complete reclamation efficiency of plantation when its undergrowth restoration.3 cl, 2 ex

Carbon storage and distribution in poplar and poplar-crop intercropping forests

Abstract: Carbon storage and distribution in poplar and poplar-crop intercropping forests were studied in Dafeng Farm,north of Jiangsu Province. We concluded that the carbon storages of poplar and poplar-crop agro-forestry ecosystem were( 101. 59 ± 8. 1) and( 116. 65 ± 10. 3) t/hm2 respectively. And the soil and wood carbon storage were more than 90% of the total in both ecosystems. The carbon storage of undergrowth vegetations and litter-fall was about 6% in poplar-crop agroforestry ecosystem,twice of that in poplar forest. There was significant difference in soil carbon storage between poplar and poplar-crop agro-forestry ecosystem within the soil layers 10 ~ 25 and 50 ~ 100 cm. Carbon storages in the harvested parts( woods and undergrowth vegetations) of poplar forest were significantly lower than that in poplar-crop agro-forestry ecosystem. The carbon return in litter-fall showed no differences between two ecosystems. The results showed the agro-forestry ecosystem had relatively a high potential in carbon absorption and sequestration.

Diversidad florística en arreglos agroforestales asociados a cacao (Theobroma cacao), de cuatro municipios del sur colombiano

Abstract: Companion planting with other plant species in a production system, is a way; to keep, integrates and articulates aspects of the natural environment –ecological– and the economic and social environments. In this regard, one of the most successful agro forestry systems has been the one associated to cocoa cultivation, given the condition of the plant species Ombrofila undergrowth, which requires the use of permanent and semi-permanent shadows. However, alternatives should be presented to producers as they are the ones that decide how and which species to associate with their cultivation, which vegetation type to keep associated with, knowing in advance the horizontal and vertical structure, composition, degree of floristic similarity and the relationship of the structure of production and ecosystem services. This study was conducted in agro­forestry systems associated to cocoa cultivation, located in four municipalities in the north of Huila, southern Colombia. Forty plots (20 x 50 m) type Gentry were established, and 51 samples of lifting of vegetation between June and August 2015 were taken, all individuals with a diameter at breast height (DBH) were registered in an inventory ­ 1.30 m greater than 2.5 cm, 2820 individuals were registered in total, corresponding to 74 species distributed in 61 genera and 29 families. The richest family regarding the number of genera and species is Fabaceae (10 genera / 13 species), in terms of genus Ficus plant is the richest with four (4) species.

State, ecological-coenotic characteristics, and prospects of the silver birch (Betula pendula Roth, Betulaceae, Dicotyledones) forest cultures in steppe afforestation

Abstract: In the summer of 2010, thermal damages to birch in cultures reached 4.2–4.8 points according to the authors’ five-point scale. In 2011, the stands of birch trees were weakened to variable degrees, but some healthy stands remained. High-density forest massifs and birch forest belts are more drought-resistant. The grass cover is weakly developed therein. Thinned birch cultures become overgrown with herbs and die out after droughts. The root exudates of shrubs depress the intensity of photosynthesis of steppe plants by 10–25%. In vegetation experiments, various species of shrubs stimulate or slow down the growth of shoots and roots and the intensity of photosynthesis of the birch by 10–30%, on average. It is recommended to cultivate birch trees in forest belts using shrubby borders with high allelopathic activity for biological defense of the soil from overgrowth with weedy and steppe plants.

Riparian Vegetation of Suhuyon River, North Sulawesi

Abstract: Riparian vegetation has important ecological roles in maintaining river quality. The declining of riparian vegetation will cause to decreasing of water quality and aquatic and terrestrial biodiversities. This study aimed to analyze riparian vegetation of Suhuyon River, North Sulawesi. Vegetation analysis method used in this study from upstream to downstream in February to July 2015. The method applied in vegetation analyzing was quadrat line transect. The plot size was 2 m x 2 m for undergrowth up to 1.5 m height. Riparian vegetation will be analyzed descriptevely with several indeces i.e. Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H’), Evenness Index, and Sorensen Similarity Index.Riparia zone has been used as agricultural land and settlements. Riparian plants are coconuts, bananas, manggoes, langsat, durio and arenga palm. Vegetation habitus are shurbs, epiphytes, lianas, and small trees. Riparian vegetation are classified into Acanthaceae, Amaranthaceae Araceae Aspleniaceae Asteraceae, Athyroaceae Caesalpiniaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Costaceae, Fabaceae, Magnoliaceae, Malvaceae, Marattiaceae, Melastomaceae, Mimosaceae Moraceae Myrtaceae Lamiaceae, Piperaceae, Poaceae, Rubiaceae, Selaginellaceae Thelypterdidacea, dan Verbenaceae. Riparian vegetasi were found 36 species and 24 families. Diversity index of undergrowth riparian vegetation of Suhuyon River are moderate fom upstream to downstream, i.e. 2.70; 2.73 and 2.25. Evenness values of third station showed the dominance of certain species. Evenness values are respectively from upstream to downstream i.e. 0.89; 0.91 and 0.83. Similarity index of riparian vegetation showed that undergrowth riparian vegetation is different i.e. 44% and 56% .

Assessment of Floristic Composition of Forest Undergrowth of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Forest Reserve Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract: Assessment of understorey species of a tropical rainforest ecosystem in South-western Nigeria, exemplified by International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) forest reserve, Ibadan. A total of twenty-four permanent sample plots of 0.0625ha were used for the assessment of understorey composition, density and frequency. Relative frequency, Relative Density and Importance Value Index(IVI), similarity, diversity and Detrended Correspondence Analaysis (DCA) statistics were used to analyse the data. The result showed a total of 3,833 individual from 128species and 44 families (28 shrub, 57 trees, 33herbs, 2 grasses and 8 climbers ) were identified. Papilonaceae had the height number of species (11) followed by Moraceae (10), Albizia zygia had the height frequency of occurency (24), density of 169.33/ha. However Culcasia scandens had the height density of 299.33/ha. Highest Importance value index of 13.82 was recorded for Culcasia scandens , followed by Chromolaena odorata (11.80). The least (IVI) 0.18 was recorded for Blepharis maderaspatensis, Carica papaya, Cissus pinata. Similarity between paired plots varied from 0.16 to 0.75, Simpson diversity (0.9529) and dominance of 0.0471, number of species present in each of the plot ranged from 0-39. Plot 84 had the highest species (39), high Eigen value (73.7%), length of ordination space (-2 to 6) and the location of all the plots in the first quadrant indicated that the environment was stable indicative of minimal variation in floristic composition between plots and high heterogeneity of the site and species respectively. These findings showed that the IITA forest is diverse in species composition and the diversity of the understory may act as a catalyst for successful natural forest succession. Hence may be creating a more favourable environment for the establishment of native forest flora and habitat for fauna. Ultimately may be leading to conserving biological diversity. The study eventually concludes that a proper protection from human interferences and scientific management of undergrowth of the study area may lead a biodiversity rich site in the country. Keywords: understory, ordination, Important value index, density, family

Некоторые теоретические и методические аспекты прогнозирования состояния лесных фитоценозов

Abstract: An approach to forecasting the state of the forest phytocoenosis, based on an assessment of the number of individuals in the areas of natural regrowth of small undergrowth vitality class «а». It is shown that in the north of the north-east of Ukraine in the future is expected to expand the areas of oak and pine-oak forests, in the central – the increase in the proportion of ash tree and maple-ash tree phytocoenosis, in the south – increase of Aser platanoides in the structure of forests