The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential allelopathic effects of Euphorbia guyoniana (donor species) aqueous extract on germination efficiency of two weeds (Bromus tectorum and Melilotus indica) and one crop species (Triticum aestivum) under laboratory conditions. The germination efficiency, plumule and radicle length of Bromus was completely inhibited at the highest concentration of aqueous extracts of the donor species level (10%). The two recipient species exerted weak measures as affected by the highest concentration level of the donor. This inhibition was markedly obvious in B. tectorum than in M. indica indicating that B. tectorum is more sensitive to the tested donor, while the M. indica is more adapted to the aqueous extract than the B. tectorum.
Chlorophyll-a is one of the most widely used parameters to estimate trophic state of an aquatic environment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the planktonic chlorophyll-a concentrations in relation to environmental parameters in the east part of Iskenderun Bay (Northeastern Mediterranean Sea). Monthly measurements of chlorophyll-a and inorganic nutrients were done on two transects at 6 stations across the Bay. In addition, variations in temperature, salinity and some meteorological factors were also investigated, their correlation with chlorophyll-a were analyzed. The highest chlorophyll-a concentration (3.8 μg L-1) was found on coastal transect nearer to the bay. The first peak in chlorophyll-a occurred in May, a second smaller peak was recorded in September. The correlation of chlorophyll-a was significantly positive for Silicate-Si and Nitrate+nitrite-N but not important for Phosphate-P. No dramatic increase in chlorophyll-a levels was encountered in the area during the study period. It was concluded that, due to the hydrodynamic structure of the area, the land-based effects influence chlorophyll-a dynamics.
Many bird species are highly dependent on natural marsh habitat. Unfortunately this habitat is rapidly converted to other land uses. Therefore artificial or man-made marsh habitat may become an important alternative habitat for marsh dependent bird species. The main objective of this study was to determine the density and diversity of water and terrestrial birds at man–made marsh habitat at Putrajaya using distance sampling point count technique. A total of 20010 bird individuals of 102 species representing 31.05% water birds and 68.95% terrestrial birds were detected from March 2009 to June 2010. Density analysis showed that bird density is 0.64 + 0.02 birds ha-1 and range from 0.60 – 0.68 birds ha-1 at 95.0% confidence interval. It was found that terrestrial birds had a higher density 0.74 + 0.02 birds ha-1 than water birds 0.54 + 0.09 birds ha-1. For water bird species, the highest density was Black-crowned Nightheron; 2.92 + 1.80 birds ha-1 followed by Purple Heron; 1.55 + 0.93 birds ha-1 and Grey Heron; 1.05 + 0.13 birds ha-1. The lowest density was recorded in Pintail Snipe; 0.08 + 0.03 birds ha-1, Chinese Egret; 0.08 + 0.02 birds ha-1 and Great Egret; 0.07 + 0.08 birds ha-1, respectively. In terrestrial birds, the highest bird density was observed in Rock Pigeon 3.91 + 0.97 birds ha-1, followed by Eurasian Tree Sparrow; 3.72 + 1.03 birds ha-1, House Crow; 3.69 + 0.33 birds ha-1 and Philippine Glossy Starling; 3.38 + 0.53 birds ha-1. The lowest bird density was recorded in Brown-capped Woodpecker; 0.07 + 0.02 birds ha-1 and Lesser Coucal; 0.09 + 0.03 birds ha-1. The result also shows that terrestrial birds had higher species diversity i.e. Shannon–Wiener index (N1 = 3.10), species richness i.e. Margalef’s index (R1= 8.23) and species evenness i.e. Pielou’s J index (E = 0.71) as compared with water birds (N1 = 2.04; R1= 8.23 and E = 0.65). This study indicates that man–made marsh is a suitable habitat for diverse avian species and thus should be protected in order to enhance the population of avian species.
In this study germination requirements, plant-soil interactions and population biology of Centaurea kilaea was studied. The plant and soil samples were collected from Sofular Village (Şile District) and shore of Çatalca District (Istanbul) in Turkey by using standard methods. Methods like Scheibler, Wetdigestion, Kjeldahl and Olsen were employed for measurement of soil texture, structure and other physical and chemical characteristics (pH, total protein and electrical conductivity) using spectrophotometer, flame photometer, calcimeter and ICP. The results showed that ranges of different elements in the soil were 0.007-0.2% for N, 0.0007-0.001% for P, 0.001-0.01% for K, 0.0001-0.0002 % for Na. N, P, K and Na values in the plants were 2.17, 0.005, 0.1 and 0.006%, respectively. The data revealed that germination success of the seeds was influenced by the environmental factors such as pH, germination season and temperature.
The purpose of the investigation was to study the early spring plant diversity distributed in different vegetation types and their life forms, in relation to different altitudes. The investigation was carried out in accordance with itinerary method beginning from the shoreline up to the mountain. The results showed that 100% of the totally collected plants from the desert vegetation were therophytes; 100% from steppe vegetation were geophytes; 50 from forest were geophytes and the other 50% were hemicryptophytes. It is concluded that the life forms of early spring plants change depending on the altitude corresponding to changes in the air temperature as well as climatic and edaphic factors.
Plant biomass represents a sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide, which is one of the most important greenhouse gas. Eugeissona tristis (Bertam) is a common palm species found in tropical lowland forest contributing to carbon and biomass stock estimation. However, the species has been neglected in most studies because of differences in sampling procedures and lack of equations. The objective of this study was to develop an allometric equation in estimating biomass and carbon content of Eugeissona tristis. This study was conducted in 10 20 m × 50 m plots in Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve (AFHR). Carbon content was estimated using carbon analyzer. The results showed AHFR contained 104 clumps/ha and distribution of E. tristis was not influenced by slope. The aboveground biomass of E. tristis was estimated to be 0.879 t ha-1 corresponding to 1096 t for AHFR area (0.4% from total aboveground biomass). It contains 51% of carbon which contributes about 0.44 t C ha-1 and 548 t C for the whole area, depicting that this species contributed to the overall carbon stock to a reasonable extent in AHFR.
Turkey has three major bio-geographical regions namely Euro–Siberian, Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian. There are very different types of ecosystems such as agricultural, mountain, forests, steppes and wetlands, as well as coastal and marine. The country has rich floral and faunal diversity, high endemism and wide genetic diversity. A good progress has been made in protecting nature and biodiversity rich areas. Since 1990, the extent of protected areas has almost doubled to reach 7.2% of the territory. There are 40 national parks, 31 nature conservation areas, 107 natural monuments, 184 nature parks, 81 wildlife reserve areas, 58 conservation forests, 239 genetic conservation areas, 373 seed stands, 15 specially protected areas, 1273 natural sites, 14 Ramsar sites and 1 biosphere reserve. In this paper information on different ecosystems of the country is presented.
Minuartia nifensis Mc Neill belongs to Caryophyllaceae family. It is distributed only on Nif Mountain. In order to prepare the basis for the ex-situ and in-situ protection principles, ecological data was collected as well as population size and distributon areas were recorded in an earlier study. Present study investigates the M. nifensis anatomically, morphologically and cytologically, with the aim of improving the description of this endemic species and establishing the basic information for future biosystematic studies.
MeSH terms: Ecology; Population Density; Caryophyllaceae
The present study was carried out to find the environmental and biotic indicators for site suitability of Crimean juniper (Juniperus excelsa L.) in the Acıpayam district, Turkey. Data were collected from 100 sample plots. Environmental variables (elevation, slope, radiation index, topographical position, landform characteristics and parent material) and plant species were recorded at each sample plot. Generalised addictive model (GAM) and indicator species analysis (ISA) were applied in order to model the distribution of Crimean juniper and determine the indicator species within its range. The results of the applied GAM analysis and the distribution model obtained showed that most suitable sites for the occurrence of Crimean juniper are the areas in the higher zones (supra and mountain Mediterranean zones) covered by limestone. The results obtained from indicator species analysis (ISA) confirmed the applied GAM results, in the sense that thermo-Mediterranean plant species such as Arbutus andrachne, Cercis siliquastrum, Cotinus coggyria, Pistacia terebinthus and Styrax officinalis are the negative indicator plant species for Crimean juniper while its positive associates from supra- and mountain-Mediterranean elements are Berberis crataegiana, Lonicera etrusca var. etrusca, Juniperus feoettidissima and Phlomis armeniaca. These findings are crucial to predict the suitable sites for the utilization of Crimean juniper in afforestration efforts by field managers in degraded and forestless areas of the Acipayam district.
In this study, medicinal plants which are traditionally used for treatment of diabetes mellitus in Manisa and its environs have been investigated. A detailed market survey and ethnobotanical enquiry was performed in the region. In all, 121 medicinal herb dealers were interviewed together with the patients suffering from diabetes. After questionnaire studies, plant specimens were collected from medicinal herb markets known locally as ‘aktars’ or ‘baharatchi’, a total of 27 plant taxa belonging to 15 families were identified to be used for the treatment of diabetes. These taxa mostly belonged to the families Rosaceae (5 taxa), Lamiaceae (3 taxa), Fabaceae (2 taxa) and Asteraceae (2 taxa). The most important anti-diabetic plants are; Zizyphus jujube Mill. (jujube), Origanum onites L. (oregano), Ceracus mahaleb L. (mahaleb) and Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek). Attempts are being made to investigate their active compounds responsible for the hypoglycemic activity.
This study constitutes the first record of a mixed-species heron colony and of a breeding population of Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides) in Cyprus. The colony, located at Famagusta Freshwater Lake, was surveyed from March to June 2007. The survey were terminated after 25 June when it was not possible to boat to the colony due to decreasing water levels. The total number of active nests, i.e. containing eggs and/or hatchlings, was 135 for Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis); 38 for Squacco Heron and 4 for Little Egret (Egretta garzetta). Cattle Egrets started nest building and egg laying at the beginning of March and hatching started by the end of March. Egg-laying and hatching continued throughout June, possibly due to second broods. Mean clutch size was 3.5±0.8 eggs (range 1-5; n=135). Mean hatching success was 2.9±1 hatched egg per nest (range = 1-5; n=54) and mean breeding success was 2.8±1 chick per nest (range = 0-5; n=36) for chicks surviving up to 15 days after hatching. Squacco Herons started nest building and egg laying by the end of May and hatching started by mid June. Egg-laying and hatching continued throughout June and probably in July and August. As surveys were terminated in June, it was not possible to collect sufficient data on the breeding chronology of this species. Mean clutch size was 3.1 ± 0.8 egg (range 2-4; n=38), which was lower than European estimates. A multitude of activities at and around Famagusta Freshwater Lake pose potential threats to the conservation of the colony resulting in an urgent need for management of the wetland.
The present study was carried out to investigate the composition of species and species diversity at Compartment 28A in the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve (UMFR), located in north-west of Peninsular Malaysia. The area covered was one ha. Stems with diameter at breast height (dbh)as ≥ 1 cm were enumerated, identified and their height measured. The importance value index (IVI) was estimated to show which species have the highest value, since species density was also estimated. We recorded 722 species from 81 genera belonging to 42 families. The highest IVI was recorded for Macaranga hosei (42.40). It was also the highest in stand density (33 individuals / 4.43 %) in one ha. Species from Euphorbiaceae were represented at the highest level, with 11 genera (about 210 individuals). The total above-ground biomass (TAGB) in one ha using three different modifications from Kato et al. (190.3 t/ha), Kueh and Lim (2522.8 t/ha) and Lim (174.7 t/ha) were noted from family Dipterocarpaceae.
Veronica scutellata L. occurs in moist and wet habitats, such as ponds, marshes and other wetlands. This study was conducted on this species to examine its mineral element uptake status in terms of interactions between soil and plant. Experimental materials were taken from the Southern coast of Black Sea at coordinates 40º36’N and 31º16’E at an altitude of 1400 m above sea level from Bolu – Turkey; using standard methods and plant (root, stem and leaf parts) and soil mineral element measurements (Al, B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni and Zn) were done. During the study, ICP-OES was employed for the measurement of mineral elements. It was observed that considerable amounts of B, Ca, K, Mg, Mn, Na and Zn are accumulated by the plant.
Time of weed control and fertilizer application usually decide the profitability of crop production. The effects of weed control and macronutrients on maize crop were investigated. The study was undertaken in March 2009, using a RCBD design with split plot arrangements. The experimental set up was established at the Agricultural University Peshawar and seedbeds were prepared with the proper moisture regime. Maize was planted with one plot left weed free for first six weeks while another infested with weed. The combinations of macronutrients used were nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen-phosphorus, nitrogen-potassium, phosphorus-potassium and nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium. Control (no fertilizer) was included for comparison. The observations revealed that when a comparison was made between the application of fertilizers and weed control, the latter proved more important because weed infested plots had no harvestable maize plants. The role of main nutrients in crop production is well known and cannot be left aside, however weed infestation does not provide us a fair choice of fertilizers application. The maximum maize grain yield was recorded under nitrogen-phosphorus combination and promising results were obtained. The weeds and maize benefited equally in terms of fresh and dry weed biomass with an application of fertilizer in particular N singly or together with P. In view of this, application of fertilizer should be changed from broadcast to band and/or placement. In general, a positive interaction was seen between N and P promoting the growth of maize and weeds. It can be said that herbicide application for weed control is important because of the fact that hand weeding is not economical, difficult, time consuming because of perennial weeds and hot weather conditions in the month of June.
The Central Black Sea Region has an unique vegetation because different vegetation types occurred. In the present study plant communities (from Mediterranean-type to temperate forests) in the Central Black Sea Region along an elevational gradient was evaluated on Ellenberg’s Indicator Values (EIVs). EIVs were calculated for nutrient availability, pH and temperature variables (nutrient availability (N), pH (R) and temperature (T)) with the help of weighted averages. Additionally, the vegetation of the study area was classified by using two way indicator species analyses (TWINSPAN) method and the interactions among plant species and EIVs were also studied by the help of Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). We found some differences between our data and the previous data which were obtained from similar vegetation types with respect to EIV’s for nutrient availability, pH and temperature. Pteridium aquilinum, Fragaria vesca and Euphorbia amygdaloides var. amygdaloides may be used as an indicator of nutrient availability. There were significant differences among species regarding EIVs for temperature because the study area includes temperate and Mediterranean-type communities.
The Kashmir Himalaya, being nestled within north-western folds of the Himalaya, harbours a rich floristic diversity of immense scientific interest and enormous economic potential. Though scientific studies on the floristic diversity in the Kashmir Himalaya have been started about two centuries ago, yet they fall short of the requirements needed urgently in the post-Rio Summit. In fact, at the spatial scale, many far flung areas and difficult terrains in the hinterland are still either least- or totally-unexplored; and at the taxon scale, floristic studies especially with regard to the lower plants are insufficient, thus posing serious problems in assessing the floristic diversity in the region. With such a perspective in hindsight, the present paper dilates upon the progress achieved so far, highlights the problems being faced and envisages the future prospects with regard to floristic diversity in this region. First, a broad overview of the current status of floristic diversity in this Himalayan region is presented, followed by a critical analysis of the knowledge base presently available on various taxonomic groups of plants. The yawing gaps in our knowledge of floristic diversity in this region are identified and an action plan to bridge these gaps is also outlined. Hopefully, addressing these challenges in the immediate future could facilitate the documentation, conservation and sustainable use of plant resources in this region, so as to steer this ‘Himalayan Paradise’ towards the path of sustainable development
Diplotaxis tenuifolia is a medicinally important perennial plant species, distributed widely alongside the roads in Turkey. The samples were collected from 54 sites, including highways, sideways, industrial areas, urban centres and rural environs. Both the plant and soil samples were analysed to determine the concentrations of different metals using AAS. The results showed that in the soil samples copper and lead were highest near highway 45.533 and 2.865 mg/kg, respectively; but lowest values of copper were determined around industrial areas (3.514 mg/kg), latter however showed higher concentrations of cadmium (0.726 mg/kg) and iron (82.766 mg/kg). The lead as well as iron were the lowest around sideways 1.917 mg/kg and 54.073 mg/kg, respectively, whereas chromium concentrations in the soils were highest near sideways (18.397 mg/kg) and lowest around industrial areas (0.182 mg/kg). The sideways showed very low nickel concentrations (0.271 mg/kg), as compared to the rural areas which had higher nickel concentrations (0.726 mg/kg). No cadmium was detected in the urban soil samples. In the plants copper and chromium were higher in the urban areas 50.130 and 0.238 mg/kg, respectively. The former was lowest around sideways (32.377 mg/kg) and latter around highways (0.114 mg/kg). Both nickel and cadmium were higher in the samples from industrial areas 0.238 and 0.016 mg/kg, respectively. Their values around the highways were lowest 0.182 and 0.005 mg/kg. The samples from urban sites revealed highest values of lead (3.474 mg/kg) and iron (61.304 mg/kg), but the values of lead were lowest around sideways (2.420 mg/kg) and those of iron in the vicinity of industrial areas (20.600 mg/kg). All these findings depict that there is some aerial deposition of these metals on the leaves. A significant correlation is seen between the plants and the soils.
Lignocellulosic materials consist of lignin walls and cellulose fibrils that are bounded into lignin matrix preventingenzymatic activities to occur efficiently. Natural microorganisms such as fungi have the ability to break down this matrixand make the lignocellulosic components more accessible to enzymes. We report on the ability of four white rot fungi:Oxyporus latemarginatus, Rigidoporus vinctus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Coriolus versicolor, to degrade kenaf biomass. Fungi were inoculated separately onto kenaf medium and weight loss was determined after four weeks ofincubation period. We observed O. latemarginatus as the fastest-growing fungus when compared with the rest and thusrecorded the highest in biomass weight loss (3-fold higher). Filtrates from the fermentation were assayed for ligninase activity. All species produced high levels of lignin peroxidase (LiP), about the same amount of laccase except for P. chrysosporium and very low levels of manganase peroxidase (MnP). When analyzing for cellulase activities, all fourspecies produced similar amounts of endoglucanase, exoglucanase and β-glucosidase. Because of its consistently fastgrowth and high enzymatic activities, O. latemarginatus stands as a superior candidate in biological pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass.
DNA markers based on the PCR techniques are being broadly utilized during the past two decades. Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) is one of these techniques employed for determining the polymorphisms. In this study, we performed a molecular analysis using DNA markers for some olive (Olea europaea) cultivars grown in the Marmara Region of Turkey. Our goal was to determine the genetic relationships between 12 olive cultivars and ‘Delice’, the outgroup. Seven RAPD primers out of 60 (10 base-pair long) amplified gDNAs with repeatable bands. These primers generated 84 characters / bands in total and 39 out of these were polymorphic. After a Branch-and-Bound analysis and a Neighbour Joining (NJ) analysis via PAUP* software, the smallest genetic distance was found between Gordales and Karamursel Su cultivars as 0.03571 whereas the greatest distances were found between Arbequina and Ascolana, Manzanilla, Hermandos, Gemlik, Verdial and Vegral cultivars as 0.17857, respectively. Maximum parsimony (MP) analysis yielded 8 equally most parsimonious trees with 65 steps. Alternatively, NJ analysis produced one tree mostly congruent with MP tree number one. In conclusion, Turkish olive cultivars grown in the Marmara Region appear to be sister to the Spanish olive cultivars based on the RAPD data.
A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Sarcopenia and its association with health profiles and oxidative stress among multiethnic older adults in an urban area of Malaysia. Sarcopenia was assessed using Bioimpedance analysis (BIA) and the associations between demography, socioeconomic status, lifestyle practices, health risk factors and blood profile were examined on 388 apparently healthy subjects aged 60 years and above. Prevalence of sarcopenia was 89.0% in men and 40.3% in women with the overall prevalence of 59.8%. It was found that prevalence of severe sarcopenia was 13.9% and sarcopenia obese was 23.5%. Binary logistic regression showed that there was no predictor found in men or women. However, a decline in muscle mass was observed in sarcopenic as compared with normal subjects. Sarcopenia is prevalent and there is a need to implement interventional strategies to prevent sarcopenia and its associated comorbidities.