Diversity of Orchids in Terms of Their Distribution, Uses and Conservation in Annapurna Conservation Area of Nepal

The Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA), the first conservation area and the largest protected area (PA) in Nepal, is incredibly rich in biodiversity. Notwithstanding this, orchids in the ACA have not been explored enough yet thus making the need for ambitious research to be carried out. Previous study only included 81 species of orchids within ACA. This study aims to update the record of species and genera richness in the ACA. In total 198 species of orchids, belonging to 67 genera (40% and 62% of the total recorded orchid species and genera in Nepal) has been recorded in ACA. This represents an increase of 144% in species and 56% in genera over the previous data. Out of the 198 species, 99 were epiphytes, 6 were holomycotrophic and 93 were terrestrial. Among the 67 genera, Bulbophyllum (17) species were dominant, followed by Dendrobium (16), Herminium (10), Coelogyne, Plantanthera (9 each), Eria, Habenaria, Oberonia (8 each), Calanthe (7), and Liparis (6). Fifty-six species were found to be ornamentally significant and 85 species medicinally significant.

What are the underlying causes and dynamics of land use conflicts in metropolitan junction areas?A case study of the central Chengdu–Chongqing region in China

Land use conflicts(LUCs),as a spatial manifestation of the conflicts in the human-land relationships,have a profound impact on regional sustainable development.For China’s metropolitan junction areas(MJAs),the existence of“administrative district economies”has made the issue of LUCs more prominent.Based on a case study of the central Chengdu–Chongqing region,we conducted an exploratory spatial data analysis of the evolutionary process of regional LUCs.Furthermore,structural equation modeling was utilized to analyze the dynamic mechanism of LUCs in MJAs,with a particular emphasis on exploring the influences of administrative boundary.The results showed that from 2010 to 2020,LUCs in the central Chengdu–Chongqing region continued to worsen,and the spatial process conflict and spatial structure conflict indices increased by more than 30.0%.The intensification of LUCs in the central Chengdu–Chongqing region from 2010 to 2020 was mainly the result of the deterioration of conflicts in evaluation units with low conflict levels.LUCs in China’s metropolitan areas generally presented a circular gradient distribution,weakening from the core to the periphery,but there were some strong isolated conflict zones in the outer regions.LUCs in China’s MJAs were the result of interactions among multiple factors,e.g.,natural environment,socio-economic development,policy and institutional processes,and administrative boundary effects.Administrative boundary affected the flow of socio-economic elements,changing the supply-and-demand competition of stakeholders for land resources,consequently exerting an indirect influence on LUCs.This study advances the theory of the dynamic mechanism of LUCs,and provides theoretical support for the governance of these conflicts in transboundary areas.

Soil Organic Carbon Stock Variation under Different Soil Types and Land Uses in the Sub-Humid Noun Plain, Western Cameroon

This study was conducted to assess the current stock of soil organic carbon under different agricultural land uses, soil types and soil depths in the Noun plain in western Cameroon. Three sites were selected for the study, namely Mangoum, Makeka and Fossang, representative of the three dominant soil types of the noun plain (Andosols, Acrisols and Ferralsols). Three land uses were selected per site including natural vegetation, agroforest and crop field. Soil was sampled at three depths;0 - 20 cm, 20 - 40 cm, and 40 - 60 cm. Analysis of variance showed that soil type did not significantly influence carbon storage, but rather land uses and soil depth. SOCS decreased significantly with depth in all the sites, with an average stock of 66.3 ± 15.8 tC/ha at 0 - 20 cm, compared to an average stock of 33.3 ± 7.4 tC/ha at 40 - 60 cm. SOCS was significantly highest in the natural formation with 57.2 ± 19.7 tC/ha, and lowest in cultivated fields, at 37.7 ± 10.6 tC/ha. Andosols, with their high content of coarse fragments, stored less organic carbon than Ferralsols and Acrisols.

Development and Evolution of Papermaking in Ancient China based on the Uses and Forms of Paper

In the past,scholars have divided the history of Chinese papermaking into different stages based on the development of ancient papermaking technology,emphasizing the development and progress of papermaking in different historical periods but paying less attention to the changes in the form of paper.Here,the stages are defined based on changes in use and function rather than technological developments.When this approach is combined with the history of printing,books,calligraphy,and painting,the history of Chinese papermaking can be divided into the writing paper,writing and printing paper,printing paper,and calligraphy and painting paper periods.Different periods of paper have significant differences in texture,form,and performance owing to their different applications.This significant difference provides a reference for the identification of ancient papers and reveals the internal connection between the history of printing,books,calligraphy,painting,and papermaking.

The Malicious Uses of Artificial Intelligence(MUAI)and Psychological Security in the Case of Iran

Artificial intelligence(AI)is attracted great attention in the world,because its uses are going to be prevailed in many areas and issues.As a result,keeping the situation to use AI in the positive and optimistic manner would be meant that it is well-protected the society’s mentality.The malicious uses of AI in the case of Iran are mattered by the three issues-the huge sanctions imposed to Iran by the Western countries,the psychological dissonance there is in the Iran’s decision making process,and by ontological security perceived by the Iran’s officials.It is tried to examine them in accordance with the technical,cognitive,and the institutional levels of AI.

Identification of Heterogeneity of Social and Economic Environment of Land Uses in China

The robust principal component analysis （RPCA） is a technique of multivariate statistics to assess the social and economic environment quality. This paper aims to explore a RPCA algorithm to analyze the spatial heterogeneity of social and economic environment of land uses （SEELU）. RPCA supplies one of the most efficient methods to derive the most important components or factors affecting the regional difference of the social and economic environment. According to the spatial distributions of the levels of SEELU,the total land resources of China were divided into eight zones numbered by Ⅰ to Ⅷ which spatially referred to the eight levels of SEELU.

Some Processing Steps and Uses of Cashew Apples: A Review

In addition to the cashew nut, which is the main product, the cashew tree also produces the cashew apple which is considered a by-product. The cashew apple has a high nutritional potential. Indeed, it is rich in vitamin C, carotenoids, dietary fibers, vitamins, sugars and mineral elements where are essential for human nutrition. In addition to its nutritional quality, the cashew apple has technological advantages: the edible part of the fruit is between 85% and 100% higher than that of other traditional tropical fruits, and its juicy and sweet flesh is free of seeds or pits. In addition, very large volumes are available. As a result, the development of this fruit represents a considerable economic challenge. This paper first presents the cultivation of cashew trees and the bibliography of the work done on cashew juice. The favorable conditions for cashew tree cultivation and the planting method were presented. Then, the study highlights the work done on the physicochemical characteristics of cashew apples, the effect of the growing area, the variety and the stage of maturity on its characteristics. It also shows the influence of the processing steps on the nutritional value and organoleptic quality of the cashew apple;as well as the methods of clarification, stabilization, concentration and dehydration. Some uses of cashew apple were reviewed: beverage, food, substrate, bioethanol, nutraceutical, food additive and agro materials.

Elsholtzia:review of traditional uses,chemistry and pharmacology

The chemical constituents, pharmacological activity and traditional uses of 20 species attributed to the genus Elsholtzia （Labiatae） used in China are reviewed and compared. A survey of the literature available shows that these species are used mostly for the treatment of respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, some of these Elsholtzia species show antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, relieving fever, analgesic activities and myocardial ischemia protection. Generally, the essential oils or flavonoids from these plant extracts are assumed to be the active principles.

Vertical variation and storage of nitrogen in an aquic brown soil under different land uses

The vertical variation and storage of nitrogen in the depth of 0-150 cm of an aquic brown soil were studied under 14 years of four land use patterns, i.e., paddy field, maize field, fallow field and woodland in Shenyang Experimental Station of Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in November of 2003. The results showed that different land uses had different profile distributions of soil total nitrogen (STN), alkali N, ammonium (NH4+-N) and nitrate (NO3--N). The sequence of STN storage was woodland >maize field > fallow field > paddy field, while that of NO3--N content was maize field > paddy field > woodland > fallow field, suggesting the different root biomass and biological N cycling under various land uses. The STN storage in the depth of 0-100 cm of woodland averaged to 11.41 thm-1, being 1.65 and 1.25 times as much as that in paddy and maize fields, respec-tively, while there was no significant difference between maize and fallow fields. The comparatively higher amount of NO3--N in maize and paddy fields may be due to nitrogen fertilization and anthropogenic disturbance. Soil alkali N was significantly related with STN, and the correlation could be expressed by a linear regression model under each land use (R20.929, p<0.001). Such a correlation was slightly closer in nature (woodland and fallow field) than in agro ecosystems (paddy and maize fields). Heavy N fertilization induced an excess of crop need, and led to a comparatively higher amount of soil NO3--N in cultivated fields than in fallow field and woodland. It is suggested that agroforestry practices have the potential to make a significant contribution to both crop production and environment protection.

Clinacanthus nutans:a review of the medicinal uses,pharmacology and phytochemistry

Clinacanthus nutans Lindau is known as snake grass belonging to the Acanlhaceae family.This plant has diverse and potential medicinal uses in traditional herbal medicine for treating skin rashes,insects and snake bites,lesions caused by herpes simplex virus,diabetes,and gout in Malaysia.Indonesia.Thailand and China.Phylochemieal investigations documented the varied contents of bioaclive compounds from litis plant namely flavonoids,glycosides,glycoglyeerolipids.cerebrosides and monoacylmonogalatosylglycerol.The pharmacological experiment proved that various types of extracts and pure compounds from this species exhibited a broad range of biological properties such as anti-inflammatory,antiviral,antioxidant,and anti-diabetic activities.The lindings of toxicity study showed that extracts from this plant did not show any toxicity thus it can be used as strong therapeutic agents for specific diseased conditions.However,further experiments on chemical components and their mode of action showing biological activities are required to elucidate the complete phytochemical profile and assess to confirm their suitability tor future drugs.This review summarizes the medicinal uses,phytochemistry and pharmacology of this plant in order to explore its therapeutic potential and gaps necessitating for prospected research work.

Syzygium cumini(L.)Skeels:A review of its phytochemical constituents and traditional uses

Syzygium cumini(S.cumini)(L.) Skeels(jambolan) is one of the widely used medicinal plants in the treatment of various diseases in particular diabetes.The present review has been primed to describe the existing data on the information on botany,phytochemical constituents,traditional uses and pharmacological actions of 5.cumini(L.) Skeels(jambolan).Electronic database search was conducted with the search terms of Eugenia jambolana,S.cumini,jambolan,common plum and java plum.The plant has been viewed as an antidiabetic plant since it became commercially available several decades ago.During last four decades,numerous folk medicine and scientific reports on the antidiabetic effects of this plant have been cited in the literature.The plant is rich in compounds containing anthocyanins,glucoside,ellagic acid,isoquercetin,kaemferol and myrecetin.The seeds are claimed to contain alkaloid,jambosine,and glycoside jambolin or antimellin,which halts the diastalic conversion of starch into sugar.The vast number of literatures found in the database revealed that the extracts of different parts of jambolan showed significant pharmacological actions.We suggest that there is a need for further investigation to isolate active principles which confer the pharmacological action.Hence identification of such active compounds is useful for producing safer drugs in the treatment of various ailments including diabetes.

Traditional Uses and Pharmacologically Active Constituents of Dendrobium Plants for Dermatological Disorders:A Review

than 80 Dendrobium species have been reported in China.However,there are only six Dendrobium species,namely,D.bigibbum var.superbum(syn.D.phalaenopsis),D.chrysanthum,D.fimbriatum,D.loddigesii,D.nobile,and D.officinale(syn.D.candidum),listed in the New Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients in China Launched.Artificial planting of Dendrobium species has been a great success in China.To better utilize Dendrobium resources for medicinal and cosmetic purposes,we summarize their traditional uses and pharmacologically active compounds for treating dermatological disorders in this review.“Orchidaceae”,“Dendrobium”,“traditional use”,“ethnobotany”,“dermatological disorder”,and“skin disease”were used as search terms to screen the literature.Cited references were collected between 1970 and 2020 from the Web of Science,China National Knowledge Internet(CNKI),SciFinder,Google Scholar,and Chinese books.From the search,it was found that there are 22 Dendrobium species with traditional uses in dermatological disorders,and 131 compounds from Dendrobium plants have been reported to possess anti-inflammatory,antimicrobial,antioxidant,antiaging,anti-psoriasis,and tyrosinase-inhibitory activities,implying that Dendrobium plants are important resources for the discovery of active compounds and the development of new drugs and cosmetics.D.crepidatum,D.denneanum,D.loddigesii,D.nobile,and D.officinale have been extensively studied.More research on other Dendrobium species is needed.The major active compounds found in Dendrobium species are phenanthrenes,alkaloids,flavonoids,phenylpropanoids,and lignans.Several compounds,such as loddigesiinol A,(S)-5-methoxy-2,4,7,9-tetrahydroxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene,(S)-4-methoxy-2,5,7,9-tetrahydroxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene,2,5-dihydroxy-4-methoxy-phenanthrene 2-O-β-d-glucopyranoside,(9R)-1,2,5,9-tetrahydroxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene 5-O-β-d-glucopyranoside,(+)-homocrepidine A,and vicenin 2,have significant anti-inflammatory activities and inhibit nitric oxide(NO)production with IC_(50) values less than 5μM,and these compounds are worthy of further study.

Effects of Nitrogen on Grain Yield,Nutritional and Processing Quality of Wheat for Different End Uses

The effects of nitrogen on grain yield, nutritional quality and processing quality of wheat for different end uses were studied in Yangzhou from 2000 to 2002. Increasing N application amount and/or the ratio of topdressing N after elongation stage could raise grain yield, protein content, wet gluten content, sedimentation, falling number, development time and stability time. To produce strong-gluten and medium-gluten wheat, the suitable ratio of basis : tillering : elongation : booting N fertilizer was 3:1:3:3or5:1:2:2 with 180 - 240 kg N ha-1. To produce weak-gluten wheat, the ratio of basis : tillering : elongation N fertilizer should be 7 : 1 : 2 with 180 kg N ha-1 and 240×104 ha-1 seedlings.

Euphorbia neriifolia L.:Review on botany,ethnomedicinal uses,phytochemistry and biological activities

The present review is intended to provide information on botany,ethnomedicinal uses,phytochemistry and biological activities of various parts of Euphorbia neriifolia(E. neriifolia). E. neriifolia has several ethnomedicinal uses. The latex of E. neriifolia is used as laxative,purgative,rubefacient,carminative and expectorant as well as in treatment of whooping cough,gonorrhea,leprosy,asthma,dyspepsia,jaundice,enlargement of the spleen,tumors,stone in the bladder,abdominal troubles and leucoderma. Leaves are brittle,heating,carminative,and good for improving the appetite and treatment of tumors,pains,inflammations,abdominal swellings and bronchial infections. Roots are used as symptomatic treatment of snake bite,scorpion sting and antispasmodic. Various plant parts or whole E. neriifolia extract and its isolates have been reported scientifically using various in-vivo and in-vitro experimental methods for anaesthetic,analgesic,anti-anxiety,anti-convulsant,anti-psychotic,anti-arthritis,anti-carcinogenic,antidiabetic,anti-diarrhoeal,anti-inflammatory,anti-thrombotic,antimicrobial,antioxidant,antiulcer,cytotoxic,death-receptor expression enhancing,dermal irritation,diuretic,hemolytic,immunomodulatory,radioprotective,scorpion venom and wound healing properties. It is reported to have chemical constituents like,neriifolin-S,neriifolin,neriifoliene,euphol,neriifolione,cycloartenol,nerifoliol,lectin,euphonerins A–G,3-O-acetyl-8-O-tigloylingol,taraxerol,antiquorin,etc. Identified chemical constituents are still required to be explored for their advanced isolation techniques and biological activities.

Ethnobotanical inventory and medicinal uses of some important woody plant species of Kotli,Azad Kashmir,Pakistan

Objective:To document ethnobotanical informations of useful woody plant species in the region of Kotli,Azad Kashmir.Methods:An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in Kotli.Data were collected by interview and semi structured questionnaire from selected local informants and traditional practitioners as well as by field assessment.Results:The present study documented the etnobotanical uses of 33 woody plant species.Most of the species have been used for dual purpose.Only 5 species are used for one purpose.Study revealed all species have medicinal value,among which 21 were used as fuel wood species,16 as fodder species,4 as timber wood species,12 as edible fruit species,6 as fence or hedge plant,7 as ornamental species and 12 species had other uses.Conclusions:Medicinal plants are still widely used for health care by locals of Kotli.Some species of woodlands seem to be vulnerable to overcollection and deforestation.As the young generation is diverted toward allelopathic medicines,ethnobotanical knowledges of important medicinal plants are restricted to the old people only.It is suggested to close the forest of district Kotli for next two to three decades for the conservation of plant biodiversity.

Selection of optimal land uses for the reclamation of surface mines by using evolutionary algorithms

A methodology for the selection of the optimal land uses of the reclamation of mined areas is proposed. It takes into consideration several multi-nature criteria and constraints, including spatial constrains related to the permissible land uses in certain parts of the mined area. The methodology combines desirability functions and evolution searching algorithms for selection of the optimal reclamation scheme. Its application for the reclamation planning of the Amynteon lignite surface mine in Greece indicated that it handles effectively spatial and non-spatial constraints and incorporates easily the decision-makers preferences regarding the reclamation strategy in the optimization procedure.

Therapeutic and Medicinal Uses of <i>Aloe vera</i>: A Review

The plant Aloe vera is used in Ayurvedic, Homoeopathic and Allopathic streams of medicine, and not only tribal community but also most of the people for food and medicine. The plant leaves contains numerous vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, natural sugars and other bioactive compounds with emollient, purgative, anti-microbial, anti inflammatory, antioxidant, aphrodisiac, anti-helmenthic, antifungal, antiseptic and cosmetic values for health care. This plant has potential to cure sunburns, burns and minor cuts, and even skin cancer. The external use in cosmetic primarily acts as skin healer and prevents injury of epithelial tissues, cures acne and gives a youthful glow to skin, also acts as extremely powerful laxative.

Carbon stocks of different land uses in the Kumrat valley, Hindu Kush Region of Pakistan

Changes in land use cover, particularly from forest to agriculture, is a major contributing factor in increasing carbon dioxide（CO2） level in the atmosphere.Using satellite images of 1999 and 2011, land use and land use changes in the Kumrat valley KPK, Pakistan, were determined： a net decrease of 11.56 and 7.46 % occurred in forest and rangeland, while 100 % increase occurred in agriculture land（AL）. Biomass in different land uses,forest land（FL）, AL, and range land（RL） was determined by field inventory. From the biomass data, the amount of carbon was calculated, considering 50 % of the biomass as carbon. Soil carbon was also determined to a depth of 0–15and 16–30 cm. The average carbon stocks（C stocks） in all land uses ranged from 28.62 ± 13.8 t ha-1in AL to486.6 ± 32.4 t ha-1in pure Cedrus deodara forest. The results of the study confirmed that forest soil and vegetation stored the maximum amount of carbon followed by RL. Conversion of FL and RL to AL not only leads to total loss of about 56 %（from FL conversion） and 37 %（RL conversion） of soil carbon in the last decades but also the loss of a valuable carbon sink. In order to meet the emissions reduction obligations of the Kyoto Protocol, Conservation of forest and RL in the mountainous regions of the Hindu Kush will help Pakistan to meet its emissions reduction goals under the Kyoto Protocol.

Effect of livestock grazing and human uses on herbaceous species diversity in oriental beech(Fagus orientalis Lipsky) forests, Guilan, Masal, northern Iran

Plant diversity plays key ecological roles in forest ecosystems, including influencing succession, resilience and nutrient cycling. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of livestock grazing and human uses on herbaceous species diversity. We surveyed 50 ha of protected area and 50 ha of unprotected area to evaluate herbaceous species diversity in oriental beech （Fagus orientalis Lipsky） forests in northern Iran. We calculated and compared three indices each of diversity and evenness, and species richness between the two areas. Herbaceous cover was higher in the unprotected area while leaf litter depth and tree canopy cover were higher in the protected area. The diversity indices, H （Shan- non-Wiener index ）, N~ （McArthur index）, N2 （Hill＇s index）, EQ （Modified Nee index）, E,ar （Smith-Wilson index）, E5 （modified index of Hill） and R=S （species richness） and species richness R=S were greater in the protected area than in the unprotected area, suggesting that protection from grazing results in increased numbers of plants and species. The effect of land protection on plant diversity was more pronounced for evenness than for species richness and the positive correlation between diversity and evenness indices was higher than that between diversity and richness.

Forests of Greece, Their Multiple Functions and Uses, Sustainable Management and Biodiversity Conservation in the Face of Climate Change

This is a review paper based on national and international literature, national inventories and empirical approach. A general overview of the forests, forest management and forest biodiversity of Greece are briefly summarized. The distribution of the main forest species and their ecosystems in the Geographic regions of Greece is presented in a tabular form. Their multiple functions and uses, their management type/regime, their risks and threats, protection and conservation measures are also synoptically described. Furthermore, adaptive forest management and silviculture as well as management of genetic diversity in order to face climate change are also analysed. Research priority areas on biodiversity and challenges for biodiversity research and related policy in Greece have been summarized. The new Rural Development Program (2014-2020), which is currently in the final phase of implementation, will take into consideration the forest itself and forest-related European and National legal obligations. Finally, major conclusions and research priority areas on future management and conservation of forests are highlighted.