July 2014

Biodiversity in Khajjiar Lake of Himachal Pradesh, India: Threats and conservation

Faunal resources of Kalatop-Khajjiar sanctuary, which is one of the oldest preserved forests of the state are under severe anthropogenic pressure and need urgent attention of the field biologists as it is one of the most favoured tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh. Biodiversity of Khajjiar area of Himachal Pradesh has 223 species of different faunal groups (invertebrates and 100 vertebrates), comprised of 93...

Author(s): Vikram Singh and H. S. Banyal

July 2014

The pattern and cost of carnivore predation on livestock in maasai homesteads of Amboseli ecosystem, Kenya: Insights from a carnivore compensation programme

Several papers have been written on the experiences, successes and challenges facing compensation schemes for wildlife, some of whom criticize the strategy while others support it.  What is clear among the Maasai is that the burden of conserving wildlife, particularly predators that roam freely on their land and predate upon their livestock, is too great to bear: support in terms of financial compensation and...

Author(s): Moses Makonjio Okello, Richard Bonham and Tom Hill

July 2014

Diversity, distribution, indigenous uses and conservation prioritization of the economically important floristic diversity in Nadaun Block of Hamirpur District, Himachal Pradesh

The present study was carried out in 11 representative villages in Nadaun Block of Hamirpur district in Himachal Pradesh. Total 265 economically important species belonging to 81 families and 211 genera includes 78 species of trees, 46 shrubs and 141 herbs were records. The dominant families were Poaceae (20 species); Fabaceae (18 species) and Asteraceae (14 species). Twenty eight (28) families were monotypic. The...

Author(s): Jyoti, S. S. Samant, Kamal Kishor, Brij Mohan Upreti, Mamta Bharti, Neetu Bohra, Pankaj Sharma and Lalit M. Tewari

July 2014

Analysis of human activities in and around protected areas (PAs): Case of Kakum conservation area in Ghana

This study was conducted around Kakum Conservation Area (KCA) to investigate the effect of human activities in 5 km belt of KCA on the ecological functioning and conservation of the PA, as well as effect of KCA on local livelihood. Supervised classification of multi-spectral ASTER imagery was used to determine land-use/cover types in the study area. Open ended questionnaires, group discussions and key informant...

Author(s): Joseph K. Binlinla, Alexey Voinov and William Oduro

July 2014

Impact of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsly) A. Gray on the soil, species diversity and composition of vegetation in Ile-Ife (Southwestern Nigeria), Nigeria

In Nigeria, most especially in the southwestern region, Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsly) A. Gray had been identified to be invasive following their introduction and fast spread, displacing the native species and affecting the soil nutrient status. Hence, we decided to evaluate the impact of T. diversifolia on the diversity and floristic compositions of native species and soil nutrient status of the invaded vegetation....

Author(s): Agboola Oludare and Joseph I. Muoghalu

July 2014

Endemic plant species composition and their status in Boda Dry Evergreen Montane Forest, West Showa, Ethiopia

The present study was aimed to show the species compositions and their status in Boda forest Oromia Regional State, West Ethiopia. Systematic sampling method was used to collected vegetation data from 60 plots of 20 x 20 m (400 m2) quadrats laid at every 50 m along five transect lines from south-north direction was employed for the analysis of woody species using compass and subplots of 1 x 1 m at the four corners and...

Author(s): Fikadu Erenso and Melesse Maryo