October 2018

“Ecology of soil seed banks: Implications for conservation and restoration of natural vegetation”: A review

Seed bank (henceforth referred to as SB) refers to viable seed which is present on or in soil and associated with litter/humus. Under different land use/land cover systems and climatic regions, density of seeds in the soil is variable both in space and time. SB density decreases with increasing depth and age of seeds in the soil. Smaller seeds are more easily incorporated, moved to deeper soil layers and persist longer...

Author(s): Wakshum Shiferaw, Sebsebe Demissew and Tamrat Bekele

October 2018

Characteristics of macrophytes in the Lubigi Wetland in Uganda

The Lubigi wetland, which is located in the north-western part of Kampala, the capital city of Uganda has been severely strained from anthropogenic encroachment and activities. These activities include harvesting of Cyperus papyrus and other plants, land filling for reclamation, human settlements and disposal of wastewater into the wetland among others. As a result of these anthropogenic activities, the macrophytes...

Author(s): John K. Kayima and Aloyce W. Mayo  

October 2018

Resource partitioning among sympatric species of primates at Kakum Conservation Area, Ghana

We investigated how four primate species in Kakum Conservation Area (KCA) coexisted after logging shrunk their feeding resources. We used multivariate discriminant function analysis to determine whether feeding sites and food types could discriminate them. Results showed that lower canopy discriminated Cercopithecus mona and Cercopithecus petaurista; middle canopy, C. petaurista and Procolobus verus; upper canopy P....

Author(s): Kwaku Brako Dakwa, Kweku Ansah Monney and Enoch Amasa Ashie  

October 2018

Spatial variation in diversity of woody vegetation species within Kwara State University Malete campus, Kwara, Nigeria

The roles of woody vegetations and Africa savanna in human development and survival as attracted interest in their conservation to prevent the depletion or loss of those resources. However, there is need for accurate data on species composition, distribution and conservation of woody species in many parts of Africa for adequate planning, monitoring, management and conservation efforts. This study assessed woody species...

Author(s): Romoke Monsurat Suleiman, Henry Olawale Sawyerr, Abdulrasheed Adio and Gabriel Salako  

October 2018

Butterfly species composition and diversity in a protected area of Karnataka, India

Field investigations were made to record the diversity of butterflies at six forest ranges in Nagarahole National Park (NNP), Karnataka during 2014 to 2015. 138 butterfly species were recorded from 94 genera, which belong to five families such as Hesperiidae, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, Papilionidae, and Pieridae. Species composition varied significantly (F = 93.85; P < 0.05) among forest ranges in NNP; 113 butterfly...

Author(s): Basavarajappa S., Gopi Krishna V. and S. Santhosh  

October 2018

Determinants of revegetation on landslide scars in an agro-based socio-ecological system in Bududa, Uganda

Landslides cause displacement or loss of plant cover, soil and other materials on slopes. Exposure of soil accelerates erosion processes thus contributing to stream sedimentation. Though playing a crucial role in stabilising scars there is limited understanding of the plant species colonisation process. This study aimed at examining the determinants and status of plant revegetation on a recent landslide scar in Bududa...

Author(s): Nakileza B. R. and Tushabe H.