Tree species diversity in Kalidhar forest of western Shiwaliks, Jammu, JK (UT)

The present study was conducted in Kalidhar forest of western Shiwaliks, Jammu, JK (UT), to assess the tree diversity and undertake phytosociological analysis in three major land use (LU) classes i.e. Forest, Agriculture and Scrub area. A total of 70, 50 and 50 sample plots of 0.1 ha were laid respectively in forests, scrub and agriculture LU classes. The study revealed that in forests possess a total 39 tree species belonging to 19 families and 31 genera, whereas, in scrub and agriculture lands a total of 9 tree species (8 families and 9 genera) and 60 tree species (26 families and 46 genera) were recorded respectively. Mallotus philippensis was the most dense tree species with 2.85 individuals per ha in forests followed by Pinus roxburghii 2.06 per hectare. In scrub and agriculture land Acacia modesta and Grewia optiva were found the densest species respectively. The value of Importance value index (IVI) was found highest for Pinus roxburhii (44.63) in forests, whereas, respective values were recorded highest for Syzygium cumini (82.64) and Grewia optiva (29.0) in scrub and agriculture lands. Flacourtia indica and Pinus roxburghii showed random distribution in forest and Syzygium cumini was also found to have random distribution in the scrub lands. Contiguous distribution was found for all tree species encountered in agriculture (LU) class. The diversity values of Shannon Wiener and Simpson indices showed highest tree diversity in agriculture lands with the values of 3.19 and 0.07 respectively followed by that in forests (2.47 and 0.14). Tree species richness was found high in agriculture area with Margalef’s (59.86) and Menhinick’s (1.80).

Distribution Pattern and Phytosociological Study of Agroforestry Trees in Poonch District of Jammu and Kashmir, India

This study focuses on distribution pattern, diversity and phytosociology of tree species associated with traditional agroforestry in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Data was collected from fifty quadrats (10×10m) sized thrown randomly in agriculture fields. Twenty six tree species belonging to 16 families and 21 genera were encountered. Grewia optiva, Pyrus persica and Celtis australis were the dominant tree species. Grewia optiva was the most dense tree species 3.88 stem/ha followed by Pyrus persica with 3.74 stem/ha. Buxus wallichiana was recorded as the least dense species (0.82 stem/ha). The study revealed that the area has vast potential sites for the plantation of various agroforestry tree species to solve fuel, fodder and timber. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2020, 6(2): 77-82

Study on the Stability of Slopes Reinforced by Composite Vegetation Combined with a Geogrid under Rainfall Conditions

The planting of shrubs and trees on geogrid-reinforced slopes is an important ecological slope protection method that is frequently implemented in the rainy areas of southern China. First, this paper analyzes the soil-fixing principle of the geogrid and root system and demonstrates the feasibility of using composite vegetation of shrubs and trees to reinforce the slope with a geogrid. Using the Yushi Expressway project in Guizhou, we conducted a stability analysis of slopes under different working conditions and different reinforcement modes. We determined that the ecological protection method of combining composite vegetation with a geogrid can effectively increase the stability of slopes. The maximum displacement of the ecological slope under rainfall conditions was reduced by 82% compared with the original slope, and the overall stability was improved by 35%. Four factors affect the slope stability: the depth of shrub reinforcement, depth of anchorage of trees, distribution of trees, and spacing of the geogrids. An orthogonal analysis considering these 4 factors with 3 levels was implemented. The following optimal combination was obtained to ensure ecological protection under rainfall conditions: a shrub reinforcement depth of 0.6 m, a tree anchorage depth of 3 m, a grid spacing of 0.4 m, and a top-sparse and bottom-dense tree distribution. The combined slope protection schematic was applied to the Yushi Expressway project in Guizhou, and a strong reinforced slope protection effect was observed.

TWO NEW RUPICOLOUS DAY GECKOS OF THE Cnemaspis alwisi GROUP (REPTILIA: GEKKONIDAE) FROM SRI LANKA

We investigated diminutive day geckos of the genus Cnemaspis in Sri Lanka, and based on morphological evidence, two populations belonging to the C. alwisi group within the C. podihuna clade are described. Both populations are morphologically closely allied to C. hitihamii, but can be clearly distinguished based on a combination of morphological characters, hence named here as two new species. The two new species occur respectively in (i) lowland dryzone (alt. 385 m a.s.l.) forests which have a dense tree cover in Ritigala Nature Reserve, Anuradhapura District and (ii) lowland wetzone (alt. 50 m a.s.l.) forests and adjacent human habitations which have a dense tree cover in Gampaha District, near Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. We also update the available key for these and previously recognized species from Sri Lanka, based on collected material and literature.

Regeneration of submediterranean species Euonymus latifolius (L.) Mill. at its southernmost limit in Europe

Due to the ongoing effects of climate change in the Mediterranean (increasing temperature and decreasing rainfall), conditions for Submediterranean species are disappearing as their habitats are dwindling. We have focused on Euonymus latifolius (L.) Mill., a nemoral-Submediterranean species, at its southernmost populations of Europe. The aim was to evaluate the population structure and regeneration niche of the species at microhabitat scale. We selected five larger populations among the 13 existing ones, marking 25-30 individuals per population. We measured twice: height, width, vegetation cover, survival, soil moisture and temperature. As result, we provided data of the 13 existing populations, containing 93 adults and 350 juveniles. Moreover, we have obtained a very skew population structure with a low number of recruits for five selected populations, especially at smaller populations. Most E. latifolius juveniles were encountered under dense tree canopy (more than 80 % in cover) formed by a mixture of Submediterranean and Mediterranean species. Biovolume per population showed significant differences among the main populations CP and CV, presenting this last a higher recruitment, while recruitment was very low in general. For soil parameters, we found a critical role of canopy, which showed a positive effect on juvenile microhabitat (higher moisture and lower soil temperature). The results showed us the critical situation of the species, with very fragmented populations, low number of individuals, and scattered spatial patterns of individuals within the populations. Also, survival problems, a non-balance demographic structure, and regeneration problems were detected. Finally, we propose a sere of conservation measures, from monitoring to active measures (key tree species plantation, reintroduction, reinforcements), combined with threat control (herbivory, pests, and impact from outdoor activities). All combined may help to preserve this species at its southernmost populations.

A new passeriform (Aves: Passeriformes) from the early Oligocene of Poland sheds light on the beginnings of Suboscines

The paper describes a complete specimen of a passerine bird from the early Oligocene of Poland, preserved as imprints of bones and feathers on two slabs. Crosnoornis nargizia gen. et sp. nov. is just the fifth passerine species described from the Paleogene worldwide and the fourth complete. The features preserved in the distal elements of the wing exclude Acanthisittidae and Oscines and indicate that this bird can be included in Suboscines, making it the second complete representative of this group in the Paleogene. A strong, straight beak indicates that this bird could feed on a variety of foods, including hard seeds, fruit and invertebrates, and, therefore, occupied a different foraging niche than the Oligocene passerines described so far. The wing proportions, a very short tail and relatively long legs indicate that this bird spent most of its time in the forest, close to the ground in dense shrubs or dense tree crowns.

A NEW DIMINUTIVE DAY GECKO SPECIES OF THE GENUS Cnemaspis STRAUCH, 1887 (REPTILIA : GEKKONIDAE) FROM PILIKUTTUWA, NEAR THE CAPITAL OF SRI LANKA

We investigated diminutive day geckos of the genus Cnemaspis in Sri Lanka, and based on morphological evidence, a new species belonging to the C. podihuna complex is described herein. The new species occurs in lowland wetzone (alt. 50 m a.s.l.) forests and adjacent human habitations which have a dense tree cover in Gampaha District, near Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. We also provide a key for this and previously recognized species from Sri Lanka, based on collected material and literature.

Foraging behaviour of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) in conifer forests regenerating after fire

Wildfires in conifer forests create patchy, heterogeneous landscapes. For many animal species, this post-fire variability means having to navigate quite different habitat patches to locate adequate cover and food. For snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus Erxleben, 1777), post-fire landscapes could include risky open patches, as well as dense regenerating stands rich in food and cover. We analyzed snowshoe hare tortuosity, speed of movement, and amount of browse along winter foraging pathways in unburned mature forest and in dense regenerating stands or open areas with sparse regeneration 12–13 years after the Okanagan Mountain Park fire (>25 000 ha near Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada) to determine whether hares change foraging behaviour in relation to cover type. Hares moved the fastest and browsed the least in open habitats. Hares browsed most often in areas where sapling regeneration was dense; their main forage was lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon). No differences were found in pathway tortuosity in relation to cover type (open, regenerating, or mature patches). When hares moved slower along foraging pathways, they also moved slightly more tortuously and ate more. These results suggest that hares prefer post-fire areas with dense tree regeneration.

Landscape analysis and land use evolution in the hydrographic basin of Barra Seca river, ES

Multitemporal analysis for monitoring land cover and use is an important tool for understanding the evolutionary dynamics of a region, assisting the knowledge on the environmental reality. This study aimed at mapping the land cover classes of the Barra Seca River basin, in northern Espírito Santo, obtained using the Bhattacharya algorithm supervised classification in 1985, 1996, 2006 and 2016. The land use and occupation map allowed characterizing quantitatively the areas identified in the basin map in 10 classes as follows water bodies, agriculture and grasses, dense tree cover, sparse tree cover, exposed soil, wetlands, urban areas, rocky outcrops, shade, and clouds. The landscape maps were obtained using the Patch Analyst extension. In the studied time interval, the land use and occupation in the basin changed little, with areas dominated mostly by agriculture and grasslands, followed by forests while the basin vegetation area also remained mostly unchanged. However, the quantitative analysis using landscape metrics indicates an increasing fragmentation and edge effect in the Barra Seca River basin.