• Animal cells and systems
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.577-581
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• 1997

Species diversity of subcortical arthropod communities were assessed in two tropical regions and two temperate regions. In the tropics, communities of subcortical arthropods were more diverse in La Selva, Costa Rica, than on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Costa Rican communties yielses higher values of both Shannon and Simpson diversity indices than Panamanian communities. Compared to Panamanian communities, Costa Rican ones supported higher measures of both species richness and evenness. Between the two temperate regions, communities of subcortical arthropods in Korea scored consistently higher values of both Shannon and Simpson indices than the ones in eastern Massachusetts, U.S.A. When individual diversity components were compared, however, Korean communities yielded exceptionally high evenness measures but lower species richness than the communities in the U.S.A. Unusually high evenness values of Korean subcortical arthropods were due to extremely low population densities of all component species.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

Tropical forests whether fragmented or undisturbed or be they equatorial or deciduous, remain the storehouse of biodiversity for hundreds of thousands of plant and animal species. This unique characteristic continues to attract a wide range of scientists and international organizations to study and attempt to understand tropical forest ecosystems. Gene flow is mediated by pollen, seed and seedling dispersal, and factors affecting this gene flow include phenology, spatial distribution, population structures, seed predation, sexual and mating systems as well as physical and biological barriers to gene flow. Two methods are used in measuring gene flow: direct method that relies on the actual observation of seed and pollen dispersal, whereas indirect methods involve the use of genetic markers such as allozymes and DNA techniques. Political strife, extreme natural and artificial disasters, the lack of a comprehensive forestry research vision, coupled with difficult socio-economic conditions in Africa have made the environment quite difficult for sustained research activities on the part of those undertaking or wishing to undertake such studies. Gene flow studies in this region are few and far between. This review elaborates on the mechanisms of gene flow mediation in Sub-Saharan Africa.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.128-140
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• 2021

Tropical dry forests are one of the most threatened, widely distributed ecosystems in tropics and estimation of forest biomass is a crucial component of global carbon emission estimation. Therefore, the present study was aimed to quantify the biomass and carbon storage in trees on large scale (10, 1 ha plots) in the dry mixed evergreen forest of Javadhu forest of Eastern Ghats. Biomass of adult (≥10 cm DBH) trees was estimated by non-harvest methods. The total biomass of trees in this tropical dry mixed evergreen forest was ranged from 160.02 to 250.8 Mg/ha, with a mean of 202.04±24.64 Mg/ha. Among the 62 tree species enumerated, Memecylon umbellatum accumulated greater biomass and carbon stocks (24.29%) more than the other species in the 10 ha study plots. ANOVA revealed that there existed a significant variation in the total biomass and carbon stock among the three plant types (Evergreen, brevi-deciduous and deciduous (F (2, 17)=15.343, p<0.001). Basal area and density was significant positively correlated with aboveground biomass (R² 0.980; 0.680) while species richness exhibited negative correlation with above ground biomass (R² 0.167). Finding of present study may be interpreted as most of the trees in this forest are yet to be matured and there is a net addition to standing biomass leading to carbon storage.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.370-377
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• 2014

There are very few studies about soil chemical and biological properties under tropical dry evergreen forest Coromandel Coast, India. The present study was conducted in six tropical dry evergreen forests sites such as Oorani, Puthupet, Vadaagram, Kotthatai, Sendrakillai and Palvathunnan. We measured the quantity of soil chemical, biological properties and selected soil microorganisms for investigating the impacts of soil microbial populations on soil chemical and biological properties. The result showed that total N, P, Ca, S, Fe, Mn, Cu, Co, exchangeable K, Olson P, extractable Ca and phosphobacterial population were higher in the soil from Kothattai forest site. Organic carbon, total Mg, extractable Na, soil respiration, ${\beta}$-glucosidase activity, bacterial population, fungi population and actinomycetes population were higher in the soil from Palvathunn forest site. Total K, $NH_4{^+}$-N, $NO_3{^-}$-N, exchangeable K, extractable Ca, extractable Na, azotobacter population, bacillus population and rhizobacteria population were higher in the soil from Sendrakillai. Beijerinckia population, rhizobacteria and soluble sodium were higher in Puthupet forest soil. Total Si, total Na and exchangeable K were higher in soil from Oorani forest site. Total Mo and exchangeable K were higher in the soil from Vadaagaram forest site. The results showed that organic carbon, total N, $NH_4{^+}$-N, $NO_3{^-}$-N, extractable P, extractable Ca, soil respiration and ${\beta}$-glucosidase were significantly correlated with soil microbial populations. Therefore soil microorganisms are important factor for maintaining soil quality in tropical dry evergreen forest.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.172-186
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• 2017

The effects of application of fuel-reduction treatment in wildfire management has not been tested in dry forests of Ghana. Therefore, the short-term ecological effects of prescribed burning and hand thinning treatments followed by experimental wildfire were investigated in degraded forests and Tectona grandis forest plantations in two forest reserves of different levels of dryness in Ghana. The results showed that more trees were killed in prescribed burning (average of 41% in degraded forest and 18% in plantations) than hand thinning (7.2% in degraded forests and 8% in plantation). More tree seedlings were also killed in prescribed burning (72%) than hand thinning (47%). The mortality of trees and seedlings were greater in Worobong South forest, a less dry forest reserve than the Afram Headwaters forest, a drier forest reserve. Fuel treatment especially prescribed burning compared to the control reduced wildfire effects on forest canopy particularly in the less dry forest and tree mortality especially in the drier forest. Prescribed burning temporarily increased pH, exchangeable potassium (52%) and available phosphorus (82%) in the surface soils of the entire plots. The two fuel treatment methods did not have much influence on basal area, organic matter and total nitrogen. Nevertheless, they were able to reduce the adverse wildfire effects on soil pH, exchangeable potassium, available phosphorus, organic matter and total nitrogen concentrations. Fuel treatments therefore have potential application in dry forest management in Ghana due to their ability to retain important forest ecological traits after a wildfire incidence.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.292-303
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• 2021

Studies that relate the structure of tropical regrowth vegetation to soil properties are generally lacking in the literature. This study proposes three indices for assessing the structural regeneration of secondary forests. They are: (1) the tree diameter class, (2) the plant life form and (3) the woody/herbaceous plants ratio indices. They were applied to assess the regeneration status of forest regrowth vegetation (aged 1-10 years), derived savanna regrowth vegetation in south western Nigeria, and to secondary forests in different stages of succession in Columbia and Venezuela, Bolivia, Mexico in South and Central America and semi-arid savanna in Ethiopia and seasonal deciduous forest successional stages in India. In all the cases, the indices increased with increasing age of regrowth vegetation and hence, with increasing structural complexity of regenerating vegetation. The tree diameter class index increased from 32.1% in a 9-year secondary forest to 69.0% in an 80-year-old secondary forest in Columbia and Venezuela and from 0.4% in a 1-year fallow to 20.9% in 10-year regrowth vegetation in southwestern Nigeria. In semi-arid savanna in northern Ethiopia, the woody/herbaceous plants ratio index increased from 18.1% in a 5-year protected grazing enclosure to 75.1% in 15-year protected enclosure, relative to the status of 20-year enclosure. The indices generally had correlations of 0.6-0.90 with species richness and Simpson's/Margalef's species diversity, implying that they are appropriate measures of ecosystem development over time. The proposed indices also had strong and positive correlations with soil organic carbon and nutrients. They are therefore, significant indicators of fertility status.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.330-341
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• 2017

Tropical forests play a key role for functioning of the planet and maintenance of life. These forests support more than half of the world's species, serve as regulators of global and regional climate, act as carbon sinks and provide valuable ecosystem services. Forest floor biomass and litterfall dynamics was measured in different sites influenced by fire in a seasonally dry tropical forest of Bhoramdeo wildlife sanctuary of Chhattisgarh, India. The forest floor biomass was collected randomly placed quadrats while the litterfall measured by placing stone-block lined denuded quadrat technique. The seasonal mean total forest floor biomass across the fire regimes varied from $2.00-3.65t\;ha^{-1}$. The total litterfall of the study sites varied from $4.75-7.56t\;ha^{-1}\;yr^{-1}$. Annual turnover of litter varied from 70-74% and the turnover time between 1.35-1.43 years. Monthly pattern of forest floor biomass indicated that partially decayed litter, wood litter and total forest floor were differed significantly. The seasonal variation showed that leaf fall differed significantly in winter season only among the fire regimes while the wood litter was found non significant in all the season. This study shows that significant variation among the site due to the forest fire. Decomposition is one of the ecological processes critical to the functioning of forest ecosystems. The decomposing wood serves as a saving account of nutrients and organic materials in the forest floor. Across the site, high fire zone was facing much of the deleterious effects on forest floor biomass and litter production. Control on such type of wildfire and anthropogenic ignition could allow the natural recovery processes to enhance biological diversity. Chronic disturbances do not provide time for ecosystem recovery; it needs to be reduced for ecosystem health and maintaining of the high floral and faunal biodiversity.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.107-110
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• 2008

Tropical fire ant, Solenopsis geminata (Fabricius) is distributed over the tropical and temperate areas. It is a polyphagous pest attacking to various plant and causes the pain to the people doing outdoor work. So it is known for a hygienic pest to human being, especially the people doing outdoor activities. It can cause severe pain to human, even with just a bite. Of particular concern is the possibility of its settlement in this country, if it invade to the farmlands and/or forests of Jeju Island and southern part in Korea. It is listed as a regulated pest in Plant Quarantine Act of Korea. This ant is usually imported through a ship and early settled in the port area where it is already distributed. Recently its distribution is rapidly spreading into Southeast Asia and southern part of China. In Korea, it was detected the one time in 1990s, but was detected the ten times from 2000 to 2006 by an imported plant quarantine process. Therefore, we would like to provide some information on the species, including morphology, distribution, host plant, damaged symptom and its general bionomics, which will be useful data for plant quarantine process and control.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.96 no.5
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• pp.572-579
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• 2007

Tree species diversity is an important aspect of forest ecosystem stability. Tree species inventories at defined sites and in minimum diameter classes give a reliable indicator of the diversity level as well as the structural stability level of a study site. This study was conducted to investigate the species composition and the stand structure of the natural forest, timber-harvested forest (logged-over forest) and degraded forest of the Oak-twin Township in the Bago Yoma Region of Myanmar. Natural forest showed the highest family and species richness in all the investigated forests. At the family level, Verbenaceae occupied the highest importance value index (IVI) in all the forest stands while teak (Tectona grandis Linn. f.) occupied the highest IVI at the species level. However, the small diameter classes of T. grandis and other commercial species were less than those of big diameter classes in all the investigated forests. This abnormal pattern of diameter distribution could be a problem for the sustainable production of commercial timber species in the near future.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.99-107
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• 2013

This study surveyed the distribution and characteristics of epiphytes and host trees in Jejudo's warm-temperate evergreen forests area. The gathered data will be used for evaluating ecological changes according to climate change. The study found 46 species of epiphytes in Jejudo; 12 of which were species of pteridophytes and 5 species of orchids, totaling 17 species of epiphytes. The appearance frequency was the greatest with Lepisorus thunbergianus, followed by Lemmaphyllum microphyllum and Lepisorus onoei. The area with the greatest diversity of epiphytes was nutmeg tree forests which have the largest number of 2.89 average species. Lemmaphyllum microphyllum had the greatest percent cover of the epiphytes whose importance was found to be the greatest. The factors involved were the epiphytes' diversity index (0.64), maximum species diversity (1.23), evenness (0.52), and dominance (0.48). The study has noted the distribution characteristics of epiphytes according to altitudes above sea level. The Lemmaphyllum microphyllum can survive at an altitude of 600 m above sea level, Lepisorus thunbergianus at 200 - 1,400m above sea level, Lepisorus onoei. at 400 - 1,000 m, and Gonocormus minutus at an altitude above 800 m. The host trees, consisting of Quercus serrata, Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii, and Carpinus laxiflora, stands at 2-19 m high and 2.5 - 120 cm wide, showing diverse kinds of trees and sizes. Jejudo's warm-temperate evergreen forests have lower epiphyte diversity compared with those of subtropical and tropical areas in Japan and China. Based on the characteristics of the host trees order, epiphytes' distribution associated with the altitude above sea level was typical.