Open Access Pub publishes peer-reviewed, free-to-read open-access articles. Showing
articles matching biodiversity — open any to read the full text,
or download the PDF or XML.
Dec 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.2694-2275.jzr-25-5595
S GopalakrishnanCorresponding author
Andipalayam Lake, a freshwater body located in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, plays a significant role in sustaining the local ecosystem, particularly through its diverse insect populations. This study aims to document and analyze the insect biodiversity present in and around Andipalayam Lake, focusing on the ecological roles these species play in maintaining the lake’s health. Insects are key components of aquatic ecosystems, contributing to processes such as pollination and nutrient cycling and serving as prey for higher trophic levels. Despite their ecological importance, studies on the insect biodiversity of Andipalayam Lake have been limited, prompting the need for an extensive survey. This research employed a combination of sweep nets, pitfall traps, and light traps to collect insect species over a year, covering various seasons to capture population dynamics and seasonal variations. Water quality parameters, such as temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen, were monitored to assess their influence on insect diversity. The study identified over 38 species of insects from diverse orders, including Odonata (dragonflies), Diptera (flies), Coleoptera (beetles), and Hemiptera (true bugs). Seasonal variations were observed, with higher species richness during the monsoon period due to increased vegetation and moisture levels. The most abundant species were found to belong to Diptera and Coleoptera, indicating their adaptability to fluctuating water levels. Environmental factors such as pollution from nearby agricultural runoff and urban development were found to negatively affect insect diversity, with a notable decline in sensitive species during periods of increased contamination.
Dec 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.2694-2275.jzr-25-5455
Saeed Heydaranjad MohammadCorresponding author
Monitoring fish biodiversity and its changes over time and their ecological research is one of the important sources of information in their protection. They can be used to find fish biodiversity at different times, such as the capture and maintenance of whole fish, genetic samples, or the use of scales. In this regard, to check the prepared sample, 10-15 scales were prepared from the area of the lid, dorsal fin, and tail stem. Then, they were treated in 5% potassium solution and settled on a slide using a loop microscope equipped with a camera. Among the examined species, Luciobarbusbraczcephalus, Luciobarbuscapito and Capoetasaadispecies could be distinguished from other species with the highest accuracy. In the genetic studies conducted using the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 gene, the patterns observed in the neighbor joining genealogical tree were consistent with the differences in the genera and species studied. The results of this investigation show that the origin of species can be determined with more than 50% accuracy using genetic data.
Dec 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.2768-5209.ijen-25-5762
A. Abdellatif MahaCorresponding author
Sudan's ecological landscape is characterized by various zones, including deserts, semi-deserts, and savannas, which host a diverse array of forests, rangelands, and numerous plant and animal species. However, the sustainable management of these resources is becoming increasingly challenging due to human activities and the impacts of climate change. This article presents the results of a research project focused on monitoring and documenting biodiversity in Sudan's semi-arid regions, particularly emphasizing insect diversity. Insects are vital for maintaining ecosystem health through processes such as nutrient cycling, decomposition, pollination, and acting as natural predators to pests. Field surveys were conducted across three Sudanese states—North Kordofan, Gezira, and Khartoum—to assess the diversity of flora and fauna. Specifically, El Rawakeeb semi-arid land in Khartoum state was investigated, which comprised three sites with varying soil elevations: a hilly site at 420 meters above sea level, a flat site at 416 meters, and a valley site at 411 meters. Researchers utilized direct collection methods and butterfly nets to gather insect specimens, which were subsequently preserved and identified for further analysis. Diversity indices, including Simpson’s Diversity Index, Shannon-Wiener Index, and Margalef Richness Index, were computed to compare the biodiversity of these sites, along with metrics for evenness and species richness. Permanova analysis was carried out for insect variation between the study sites. A total of 1541 insect specimens were gathered from El Rawakeeb, encompassing 34 species distributed across 21 families and 9 orders. The order Lepidoptera exhibited the greatest number of species (35.29%), followed by Coleoptera (20.59%). The orders Neuroptera, Orthoptera and Thysanoptera recorded the fewest species (2.94% each). From the hilly site, 514 insect specimens were collected, representing 9 orders, among which Hymenoptera included 4 species, while Lepidoptera had 3 species, and Odonata, Orthoptera, and Thysanoptera each had 1 species. The highest individual counts were recorded for Copriniklobe (dung beetle), Dacus longistylus (fruit fly), Camponotussp. (carpenter ant), and Anax ephippiger (dragonfly). In a flat site, 484 insect specimens were collected, classified into 15 species, 12 families, and 7 orders. The highest individual counts were noted in four species: Onthophagusnuba (dung beetle), Dacus longistylus (fruit fly), Camponotussp. (carpenter ant), and Anax ephippiger (dragonfly). In a valley site, 543 insect specimens were collected, categorized into 17 species, 16 families, and 9 orders. Insect Diversity in three research sites. Simpson's Diversity Index revealed varying levels of insect diversity across the three sites. The valley site exhibited the highest diversity level with an index score of 0.857, followed by the flat site at 0.826, and the hilly site at 0.819. The Shannon diversity index of 2.22 indicated the highest diversity among the three sites, suggesting a relatively diverse insect community. The relative abundance of insects was greatest in the valley site at 35.24%, followed by the hilly site at 33.35%, and the flat site at 31.41%. The Margalef Richness Index indicated a moderate level of richness in the insects collected from the three locations. Certain insect species were found in some sites but were absent in others. The PERMANOVA revealed notable variations among the three study sites (F = 2.24, p-value = 0.035).
Nov 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.3070-3379.jwc-25-5549
Chukwuma Sr ChrysanthusCorresponding author
This short communication/mini-review immensely emphasizes human health to explicate and elucidate management of the global scourge associated with the determinants and impact of vulnerabilities to extreme hydrologic events and climate change in the absence of risk reduction and their concomitant sequelae. The most effective approach for risk reduction associated with biodiversity, environmental, and health vulnerabilities due to climate change and extreme hydrological events, an ecological framework must take into cognizance exposure, vulnerability, and resilience. This framework emphasizes the significance of understanding the inextricable linkage between ecosystems and human communities are exposed and susceptible to hazards, sensitivity to these hazards, and capacity to cope, adapt and recuperate. Risk reduction incorporates structurally attenuating exposure, strengthening resilience, and sustainably enhancing overall vulnerability management. Extreme weather and climate-associated incidents impinge on human health with consequential morbidity, mortality and socioeconomic challenges and constraints. Climate change and extreme event have altered the frequency, intensity, geographic distribution, and propensity as drivers for change in the future. The indicted variables include hydrological events, such as precipitation, floods and droughts as well as heat waves, wildfires, global warming, extreme temperatures, and hurricanes. The pathways inextricably-linked with extreme events to economic dissipation, human health prognosis and outcomes remain inexplicably diverse and complex; and thus, difficult to predict due to their emergence and reemergence from local, societal and environmental factors which influence disease burden.
Sep 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.3070-2232.jf-23-4696
Baron ByronCorresponding author
Small island states, such as Malta face numerous, unique challenges in relation to agricultural sustainability, with solutions amenable to larger states being unfit given the particular characteristics of the island. These include the poor soil conditions, the limited water resources, the aging farmer population, farming being mainly part-time, and most farmers having no formal training. Currently farmers practice intensive agriculture to achieve higher crop productivity at lower production costs by relying heavily on agri-chemicals and over-extracting groundwater. This destroys the Maltese natural environment and urges for the development and implementation of sustainable agriculture practices, whereby traditional farming is supplemented with sustainable alternatives such that local agriculture remains productive in the long-term while safeguarding the local environment. Here we outline some of the critical issues that urgently need to be addressed and potential ways forward in relation to soil, water and biodiversity, implementing permaculture principles in small-scale, practical actions in order to improve the sustainability of local agricultural through a combination of scientific evidence, agricultural technology and traditional practices.
Feb 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2997-2248.jwl-23-4439
Haile Chankallo TamiratCorresponding author
Ethiopia is one of the countries found in the eastern horn of Africa, which is endowed with beautiful landscape and topography from which diverse habitats and fauna composition. The objective of this paper is to review relevant documents on distribution of protected area and large-sized mammals order in Ethiopia. The Method of the data were by compiling related information from different sources like published articles grey literature and other office reports from concerned institutions. Altitudinal and geographical variations made the Ethiopia to be among the biodiversity-rich nations in the world. Mammal fauna in Ethiopia consists of 326 species, among 144 genera, 43 families and 14 orders; out of which 32 mammals of the country categories under critically threated group. Among the mammals in Ethiopia eight of them are endemic. Among mammals’ antelopes are flagships (charismatic). The large mammals are mainly concentrated in the south and southwest border.
Jun 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2832-5311.jpcd-22-4182
Md. Iqbal FarukCorresponding author
Sclerotiniasclerotiorum, the causal agent for white mold (Sclerotinia stem rot), is a devastating fungal pathogen. Currently, Sclerotinia is most commonly managed using the chemical fungicide which can lead to Sclerotinia resistance development, impacting biodiversity and interfering with key ecosystem services. In this regards, field experiments were conducted during 2017-18 planting seasons to evaluate the efficacy of different components viz. sawdust burning, stable bleaching powder, fungal and bacterial bio-control agents, chemical fungicide Rovral 50 WP and integration of different components for the management white mold disease of bush bean, mustard and garden pea in three different locations viz. in the field of Plant Pathology Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Burirhat, Rangpur and RARS, Ishurdi, Pabna, respectively. The results showed that different treatments displayed varying levels of effectiveness against the disease. All the treatments gave satisfactory reduction of white mold disease development and increased plant growth as well as yield of bush bean, mustard and garden pea. Among the treatments, integration of saw dust burning + soil amendments with Trichoderma based bio-fungicide + bacillus based bio-control agents + application fungicide Rovral 50 WP is the best treatment which reduced 97.49%, 77.72%, 72.26% white mold disease incidence and 84.61%, 81.14%, 71.01% white mold disease severity of mustard, bush bean and garden pea, respectively and increasing plant growth parameter as well as 52.16%, 27.74%, 36.97% yield of mustard, bush bean and garden pea, respectively. Application of only fungicide Rovral 50 WP also better treatment in reduction of white mold disease incidence and disease severity and increasing plant growth parameter as well as increasing yield of mustard, bush bean and garden pea. Soil amendment with fungal or bacterial bio-control agents also gave satisfactory results in reduction of white mold disease incidence and disease severity and increasing plant growth parameter as well as increasing yield of mustard, bush bean and garden pea. It could be concluded from the obtained results that integration between bio-control agents as a soil treatment and foliar application chemical fungicide might be useful as a good tool for controlling white mold disease caused by S.sclerotiorum and obtained higher yield of bush bean, mustard and garden pea under field condition.
Jan 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-21-3703
Nuti MarcoCorresponding author
Institute of Life Sciences, School of Avanced Studies Sant’Anna – Università di Pisa, 56124 Pisa (Italy)
Since a decade in Apulia, south-east of Italy, an increasing number of olive trees developed the quick decline syndrome (OQDS) leading to partial or total dessication of the canopy and subsequent death. Currently six million of olive trees show the symptoms of the decline, despite the mitigation measures which were undertaken to contrast the progression of the dessication. Associated with the syndrome, several phytopathogenic fungi were detected in the rhizosphere, endosphere and phyllosphere of the trees, along with the phytopathogenic bacterium Xylellafastidiosasubsp. pauca. Alongside, other pathogenic events were clearly identified, mostly defeating soil resilience: salinization, pollution, erosion, decline of biodiversity. Further events include delays in the adoption of appropriate mitigation measures not directed to challenge solely a bacterial pathogen, misuse of the territory, erratic agronomic management practices. The OQDS impacted also societal aspects. All the above concurrent causes strongly suggest that (1) the olive quick decline in Apulia is not a too symplistic epidemic outbreak due to a bacterium, but rather a syndemic outbreak formed by several diverse biotic and abiotic pathologies and (2) only a more holistic approach can help coping with the uncertainties and difficulties of an enduring co- existance with this syndemic events.
Jan 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-18-2496
Raj GuptaCorresponding author
Nutrient depletion and imbalanced use of fertiliser nutrients, inappropriate tillage and rain- water management practices often result in land degradation. Declining soil health contributes to climate change through loss in soil productivity, biodiversity, soil carbon, and moisture and ecosystem services. In order to address declining soil health, government of India has launched a soil health card (SHC) scheme aimed at need base use of chemical fertilisers. The paper points out the short-comings in the SHC scheme. Balanced and need base use of chemical fertilizers can be helpful in environmental protection and restoring soil health. The paper identifies potential agronomic practices and production management systems that can reduce our dependence on synthetic nutrients. Integration of soil fertility management domains with computer based QUEFT crop model has the potential of making fertiliser recommendations more domain and crop specific and less cumbersome. For soil health assessment chemical indicators must be integrated with physical and biological properties of the soils which can be predicted through reflectance spectroscopy. For assessing soil health related issues across different agro-ecoregions, there is however an urgent need for building-up more robust soil reflectance libraries.
Oct 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-3166.jar-18-2397
Masoero GiorgioCorresponding author
Accademia di Agricoltura di Torino, Torino, Italy
The measurement of the in vivo raw pH of vegetative organs is a unusual way obtaining plant knowledge. The authenticity of the pH parameter of the leaf and its independence from soil pH has already been highlighted. In the present work we observe how and to what extent water-temperature mechanisms as well as bio-fertilizers inocula can affect the raw pH and how great the biodiversity is in plants. A trial with Arabidopsis thaliana in a phytotrone has shown that, in the dark, the raw pH did not change from +18 to +35 °C (b = -0.0027 N.S.), while in the light, the regression coefficients were significant and negative, and the acidification in the leaves progressed from high (-0.0097) to normal (-0.0127) and then to low (-0.0370) water level. We have confirmed that warming induces a decrease of raw petiole pH of -0.070 pH C°-1 in grapevine leaves. In accordance with water-temperature mechanisms, the raw pH in grapevines has been found to be significantly higher in well-watered plants (pH = 4.29) than in stressed ones (4.12), with a pH decay of -3.9%. On the other hand, an average reduction of 0.10 units of raw pH would signal an increase in water stress of about -0.59 Mpa. Among the phenomena that can influence the raw pH, we have outlined three biotic factors: i) acidification as a result of a symbiotic farming fertilization i.e through the use of mycorrhizal and microbial fertilizers, with an average decay of around -3%, as a probable signature of symbiosis; ii) an “acida plantarum natura” scenario over 49 species, ranging from pH 3.06 to 6.38 ; iii) a strong (R2= 0.9) inverse polynomial pseudo-relationship of the number of fungicide sprays on the raw pH in a set of 15 species. It is suggested that this simple new multifaceted parameter can deserve interest.
Oct 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2637-6075.jpae-18-2336
C.N Angaye TariwariCorresponding author
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
Environmental impact of anthropogenic activities from industrial sources, have become a threat to biodiversity. Water samples were collected from rivers around the flow station, and analysed from some physicochemical parameters and hydrocarbon contents. Result of the physicochemistry was reported for: pH (6.58± 0.04 - 6.76±0.01), conductivity (168.30±13.98 - 194.57±3.78 µS/cm), conductivity 8.29±0.04 - 10.66±0.02 NTU, salinity (0.07±0.00 - 0.09± 0.00 mg/l), and Total Solids (83.96±1.49 - 103.66±0.60mg/l). Other elemental analysis includes: sulphates (2.43±0.01 - 4.28 ±0.02 mg/l), nitrates (0.19±0.01 - 0.28±0.01 mg/l), carbonates (1.14±0.07 - 2.06±0.07 mg/l), calcium (8.45±0.10 - 11.70±0.25 mg/l), magnesium (1.14±0.07 - 2.56±0.03 mg/l), and sodium (4.37±0.15 - 5.62±0.03 mg/l). The values of THC and TPH were 0.92±0.08 - 1.51±0.03, and 0.37±0.13 - 0.76±0.07 mg/l respectively. Generally, the result indicated mild level of contamination in terms of Hydrocarbon contents. However, diagnostic data emerging for physicochemistry and some elemental property indicates the water is unfit for consumption. Notwithstanding, the order on contamination were reported as; downstream > midstream > upstream. Therefore this study concludes that there should be frequent monitoring of the recipient water bodies associated with the flow station in order to check anthropogenic activities, and conserve biodiversity.