Flora, Structure and Carbon Sequestration of Vegetation in the Southeast of the Mono Biosphere Reserve in Togo Amidst Environmental Challenges

In most Sub-Saharan African countries such as Togo, people’s heavy dependence on ecosystem services is a major factor in accelerating the degradation of natural resources, which are already suffering as a result of climatic factors. This study was initiated to contribute to the sustainable and rational management of forest resources in the south-east of the Mono Biosphere Reserve in Togo. It specifically aims to identify and characterize the flora of the residual forest ecosystems within the reserve through their specific diversity, demographic structure, and carbon sequestration potential. The study was carried out in the forest ecosystems of Avévé. The methodology used was based on the analysis of phytosociological, forestry, ecological, and regeneration inventory data. Overall, the study revealed that the RBMT still has floristically viable habitats, despite the anthropogenic pressures it is subject to revealed a floristic diversity of 160 plant species divided into 52 families and 135 genera. The most represented families are Rubiaceae (29.09%), followed by Fabaceae (27.94%). The most represented species are Mitragyna inermis (Willd.) Kuntze (24.38%), Lecaniodiscus cupanioides Planch. Ex Benth (X) and Lonchocarpus sericeus (Poir.) Kunth (10.93%). The high presence of Mitragyna inermis observed in all the ecological groups identified makes it the characteristic species of the flooded marshy areas of southeast Togo and contributes to the resilience of the ecosystems and populations in the study area. The Shannon index for the formation groups varies between (3.03 and 5.16) bits. Pielou’s equitability varies between (0.43 and 0.63) bits. The overall average density is estimated at 210 stems/ha, with an average diameter of 25.57 ± 21.77 m and an average height of 7.93 ± 3.83 m. The adjustment of the diameter classes of the plant groups to the Weibull distribution gave an “inverted J” shape with coefficient values of less than 1 overall, reflecting the existence of multispecific or uneven-aged stands. Assessment of the horizontal and vertical structure shows a predominance of the shrub layer in all the groups identified. The carbon sequestration potential is 41.89 T/Ha. Despite ongoing anthropogenic pressures, the Mono Biosphere Reserve abounds in a relatively rich diversity of flora, the preservation of which is essential for the survival of biodiversity and even for the riparian population. The data provided by this study would form the basis for sustainable management planning of the forest islands in the biosphere reserve.

Effects of land-use types and the exotic species,Hypochaeris radicata,on plant diversity in human-transformed landscapes of the biosphere reserve,Jeju Island,Korea

Land-use and plant invasion influence biodiversity.Understanding the effects of land-use types and invasive plants on the ecosystem is crucial for better management and the development of strategic plans for increasing biodiversity in Jeju Island,Korea,a designated Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations Education,Scientific,and Cultural Organization.The effect of the most dominant invasive exotic species,Hypochaeris radicata,on the four land-use types of Jeju Island was investigated.Plant composition,soil characteristics,and plant diversity among four land-use types(cropland,green space,neglected land,and residential)were compared.Among the land-use types,croplands had the most diverse plant composition and the highest richness in exotic and native plant species.Croplands,such as tangerine orchards,which are widely distributed throughout Jeju Island,showed the highest plant diversity because of medium intensity disturbance caused by weed removal.The relative cover of H.radicata did not differ between land-use types.However,H.radicata invasion was negatively related with plant species richness,making this invasive species a threat to the biodiversity of native herbs present in land-use areas.H.radicata adapts to areas with a broad range of soil properties and a variety of land-use types.Therefore,it is crucial to monitor land-use types and patterns of plant invasion to guide the implementation of consistent management and conservation strategies for maintaining ecosystem integrity of the transformed habitat in Jeju Island.

Medical Ethics in the Context of the Teachings of V.I.Vernadsky About the Earth’s Biosphere and Living Matter

The subject of medical ethics is usually considered within the binary doctor-patient relationship.In the context of V.I.Vernadsky’s teaching about the Earth’s biosphere and living matter,this relationship turns into a tripartite relationship.The third party is the natural environment around us,primarily the Earth’s biosphere.Thus,the problem of developing and improving medical ethics is connected with entropy-ecological issues.Against the background of this issue,the article draws attention to three issues:the issue of maintaining the chiral purity of living matter,the issue of coexistence and the fight against the world of viruses,and the issue of the danger of degradation of human intelligence under the influence of digitalization and robotization.All three questions relate to the physical and mental health of a person and correspond to what is included in the content of the concept of medical ethics.

The strategy for conservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity in Changbaishan Biosphere Reserve

This paper is focused on ecological assessment of the status of bio-diversity, and a strategic plan for biodiversity conservation on a sustainable basis. It described the present situation, the causes of bio-diversity degradation, and the approaches for conserving, utilizing and developing bio-diversity in Changbaishan Biosphere Reserve.

Forest structure and anthropogenic pressures in the Pachmarhi biosphere reserve of India

A critical first step in establishing biosphere reserves--under the Man and Biosphere Programme of UNESCO--is to generate baseline information for future courses of action. The present study aims to assess the structure and composition of forests--along with anthro- pogenic pressures mounting on these forests in the buffer zone of one such biosphere reserves--the Pachmarhi bio- sphere reserve of India. The quadrat method was employed for sampling vegetation, and information on anthropogenic pressures was collected by conducting interviews with local people and forest officials and collecting it from secondary sources. A total of 39 tree species were sampled in 82 quadrats; of these 26 tree species were in standing stage, 25 in sapling, and 35 in seedling. Chloroxylon swi- etenia emerged as the most dominant tree species having highest importance value index, followed by Tectona grandis, Terminalia tomentosa, and Hardwickia binata. Nine tree species and their saplings, including Sterculia urens and Terminalia arjuna, were exploited so badly that they were only found in the seedlings stage. The unavail- ability of standing trees of 12 important tree species including Aegle marmelos and Phyllanthus emblicaindicates the intensity and gravity of anthropogenic pres- sures on these important tree species. If the present anthropogenic pressure continues, which has inhibited the regeneration of several tree species, then substantial neg- ative ecological and societal consequences can be expected.

Segmentation by domestic visitor motivation: Changbai Mountain Biosphere Reserve, China

Protected areas have become important tourism products that promoted as attractions by the tourism industry. Taking the Changbai Mountain Biosphere Reserve in Northeast China as a case, this study addresses visitor needs as a basis for developing a tourism strategy aimed at enhancing tourist opportunities at this reserve. A factor-cluster approach was employed to identify visitor segment profiles based on their visit motivations. Through random sampling, a pencil-and-paper questionnaire in Chinese language was collected from 637 domestic tourists in the study area. A principal components analysis of motivations revealed eight motivational factors, and four distinct groups of tourists – Nature travelers, Cultural landscape tourists, Food & shopping enthusiasts, and Eclectic adventurers – were identified. Understanding the differences in these visitor segments will help the management authority effectively analyze nature reserve attributes and provide alternative activities and services to tourists. Finally, within the dual framework of market segmentation and destination management some management recommendations and marketing implications are suggested.

Simulation of the neck growth of non-isometric biosphere during initial sintering

Because powders are mostly non-isometric during the sintering process, copper powders were chosen to study the effects of four material transport mechanisms, including surface diffusion, grain-boundary diffusion, volume diffusion, and multi-couplings. These material transport mechanisms were studied with respect to sintering neck growth of a non-isometric biosphere during initial sintering. The evolution of the neck growth in the four transport mechanisms was simulated by Visual C＋＋ as well based on the model of different particles. The results show that the increase of the sintering temperature, both the grain-boundary diffusion and volume diffusion play primary roles in neck growth, while surface diffusion gradually becomes the secondary mechanism. Both the sintered neck and the shrinkage of the two centers increase with increasing temperature by means of the coupling diffusion mechanism. The radius of the sintering neck decreased, and the shrinkage rate of the two centers increased with an increase of the diameter ratio of the two spheres.

Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Sacred Groves and Conservation of Biodiversity in the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve of India

The sacred groves in the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve (PBR) of India were studied to understand the concept of traditional ecological and biodiversity conservation systems. A questionnaire survey was conducted in the selected villages of the PBR along with the survey of sacred groves. In 10 selected villages of the PBR 7 sacred groves were managed by Mawasi and 16 sacred groves by Gond tribal communities. Different deities were worshipped in the sacred groves and each grove was named after the deity dwelling in the respective sacred grove. A total of 19 such deities were recorded during the survey worshipped by the local people. In study area, various traditional customs associated with sacred groves were in practice. The sacred groves were rich in plant genetic diversity and were composed of many ethnobotanically useful species, including wild edible fruits, medicinal plants, fodder, fuelwood and timber yielding species. Given the importance of conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem attempts should be made to maintain the sanctity of sacred groves.

Dynamics of Land Use and the Evolution of Agroforestry Practices in the Dja Biosphere Reserve (DBR) Southeast Cameroon

The study had as objective to investigate the land use/land cover change from 1980 to 2019 in the Dja Biosphere Reserve using GIS and remote sensing techniques and the evolution of agroforestry practices. Semi structured questionnaires were administered to 320 farmers who were randomly selected from 35 villages of the Dja Biosphere Reserve characterized by the presence of agroforestry systems. The land use map revealed six classes which were dense humid forest, perennial crop-based agroforestry practices, river, wetland, built up and bare areas. Between 1980 and 2008, dense humid forest lost -4.9% of its area to the benefits of perennial crop-based agroforestry practices, built up and bare land. Between 2008 and 2019, dense humid forest gain 1.77% of its area due to increase in perennial crop-based agroforestry practices and a subsequent increase in vegetation cover. Perennial crop-based agroforestry practices and built up increase progressively from 1980 to 2019. Farmers perceived hunting (36.3%), slash and burn agriculture (43.3%) and harvesting of tree-based products (20.3%) as the anthropogenic activities impacting the reserve negatively. The evolution of agroforestry practices were observed on the field, but the precise area under agroforestry practices in the study area need to be estimated. As a mitigation strategy to livelihood needs as well as the rehabilitation of degraded land, the conversion of pure cultivated agricultural land into agroforestry is a major opportunity.

Data on the Changes Occurring in the Biosphere Since 1778

In our previous publications, we dealt with some general questions connected with biological life and its conditions, the Biosphere as a “closed system” and in our latest paper with the different periods of the Earth’s existence (Ralovich Béla), [1]-[6]. In the present article, we show one part of the processes and changes that occurred in our environment during the last 165 years. Performing of our work was difficult because some of the data required are missing and those which were published in single papers frequently differed from each other. It is also a problem that we are neither mathematicians nor physicists. Despite these difficulties, we hope that our efforts will not be fruitless.

Invasion of the biosphere by synthetic polymers:What our current knowledge may mean for our future

In 1974,a member of the Council of the British Plastics Federation and a fellow of the Plastics Institute,stated that“Plastics litter is a very small proportion of all litter and causes no harm to the environment except as an eyesore”(Derraik,2002).It has taken less than fifty years for that opinion to be completely discredited,indeed,that opinion was already in doubt the moment it was stated.Nevertheless,it was the strong denial by the plastic industry that plastics could cause harm that delayed the study of plastic’s environmental effects for decades.Not until Moore et al.(2001)found six times as much plastic as zooplankton by weight in the surface waters of the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre(NPSG).

Disturbance and forest recovery in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve,Mexico

Analysis of the change in forest cover is important to determine stand dynamics and the processes involved in disturbance and recovery.Forests of the core zone of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve were studied using photo interpretation techniques,considering biennial changes between 1999 and 2013 and changes over the whole period of study 1999–2013.Error matrices were elaborated to determine the processes of change involved in both recovery and disturbance.The biennial changes for the whole period amounted to 2274 ha;343 ha accounted as degraded in more than one biennial period.The total changes in forest cover between 1999 and 2013 involved 4902 ha,out of which,2912 ha were affected by disturbance,and 1990 ha were recovered.For density and 2013 vegetation cover maps,the overall accuracy was 95.6%and 90.2%,respectively.By combining both maps,gradual processes were revealed that were not evident in separate analyses.This methodology is useful for the management and conservation of natural protected areas.

Impacts of tourism and developmental potential of ecotourism in and around the Changbaishan Biosphere Reserve

Ecotourism has been suggested as the altemative for the conflicts between tourism development and nature conservation especially for the protected area, such as biosphere reserve. Based on investigation of tourism resources of The Changbaishan Biosphere Reserve (CBR) and tourism impacts on environment, economy and society, the potential of ecotourism development is analyzed in and around CBR. The results showed that the conditions in the study area are suitable for development of ecotourism, which is an effective approach for sustainable development of CBR.

Observing the Middle Elbe Biosphere in Germany by Means of TerraSAR-X Images

The Lower Saxonian Elbe Valley Biosphere Reserve is part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve “Elbe River Landscape”, and used mainly for agriculture. One of tasks of the Biosphere Reserve Administration is to develop sustainable forms of land use which requires comprehensive updated land cover maps. Land use maps are hard to produce because of surveying costs and time. Nevertheless, these large areas need to be monitored. TerraSAR-X images are used to establish agricultural land use maps. In this study, two areas are selected within the Elbe Biosphere Reserve situated around the oxbows Wehninger Werder and Walmsburger Werder. Multi temporal classification methods were used to identify the different crops using maximum likelihood classifier for the years 2010 and 2011. The crop classifications were used to evaluate the effect of the number of images, the necessity of polarizations, and the consequences of some missing images within the crop calendar. These classifications were analyzed to estimate producer accuracy and Kappa index for each crop besides the overall accuracy for each agricultural land use map. The study shows that using dual polarization imagery enhances producer accuracies for many crops over the single polarization imagery, and demonstrates the importance of using frequent images during the cultivation period.

Some Ideas about the Thermal Equilibrium in the Biosphere and the Entropy Variation Ascribed to Changes in the Radiations Wavelengths

An explanation is given for the thermal equilibrium in the biosphere, which is based in the equality between the thermal energy received from the sun and the thermal energy reemitted from the atmosphere to the space. In order to understand the origin of the energy that gives rise to the processes and phenomena taking place in the biosphere, it is necessary to take into account the free energy represented by the product of temperature times the change in entropy, T△S, whose magnitude can be attributed to the variation experimented by the wavelengths (or, consequently, the frequencies) of the radiations composing the radiation spectrum received from the sun compared with the radiation spectrum reemitted from the biosphere into the space. A simple discussion allows to predict that the entropy increase driving the processes is connected with a spontaneous conversion of high frequency radiations (with lower “content” of entropy) in radiations of lower frequencies (with higher “content” of entropy). A consequence of this is that high frequency radiations would correspond to more ordered states and, therefore, to less probable states than those corresponding to radiations of lower frequencies.

Biosphere Reserve as a Learning Tourism Destination: Approaches from Tasik Chini

Biosphere Reserves (BR) are special areas or regions highly recognized for their conservation, logistic functions and sustainable development initiatives. However, not much work has explored into the BRs’ roles or functions as tourism learning destination, especially during the early years of their recognition as BR. This article aims to identify the mechanism utilised in the learning tourism function at Tasik Chini Biosphere Reserve since its inception in 2009 to the present year of 2013. The results reveal that learning of science and culture of the locals are the two-tier perspectives utlised in conceptualizing a tourism learning destination. Activities introduced in the specific themes of The Sustainability of Tropical Heritage fulfils the fundamental need of deep learning of scientific research and learning of the BR’s ecosystem, while the Ecosystem Health fulfils both deep and surface learning of the young visitors. The cultural knowledge of the community, on the other hand, offers a unique and authentic experience to the learners or visitors. As a learning tourism destination, the learning community, nevertheless, expects that the standard of tourism services should not be marginalised and must meet the high standard of tourism services. It is imperative that the science of Biosphere Reserve and the local culture are linked to set a holistic foundation in the creation of the learning programmes at the Tasik Chini Biosphere Reserve.

An Evolutionary Model for the Neoproterozoic (Ediacaran)-Phanerozoic Biosphere. Part One: Concepts and Exploitation of Aquatic Environments

The evolutionary history of the biosphere is characterized by aromorphosis: biological evolution by a general increase in the degree of organization without developing high degrees of specialization [1]. Four major stages of the evolutionary transformation of life (mega-aromorphoses) can be established in the recorded succession of the Neoproterozoic (Ediacaran)-Phanerozoic aromorphoses reflecting changes of the dominant groups. They are defined by the appearance of archetypes ensuring the possibilities of a prolonged and diverse rise of the level of their organization leading to significant increase in the activity of living organisms and their emerging independence from the environment. A successive series of developmental stages exploiting of the aquatic environment of the Neoproterozoic (Ediacaran)-Phanerozoic biosphere can be established based on their dominant groups: the biospheres of protozoans, proto-metazoans, protobilaterals, fishes and amphibians.

Living Matter and the Laws of Thermodynamics for the Biosphere

The laws of thermodynamics have been developed for inert matter,and living matter has not been considered as a variable in these laws.Living matter possesses properties that have had major effects on biosphere evolution with time.The zeroth property is“Living matter is produced from living matter only.”The first property may be summarized as“Living matter occupies the available spaces to the maximum extent when environmental conditions are favorable and no obstacles are present.”And the second property is“Living matter mutates,changes,and adapts to maintain the continuity of life and size as large as possible when environmental conditions are unfavorable.”While the zeroth property is objective in nature,the first and second properties are subjective,in that they are driven by internal stimuli characterizing living matter.Their interaction with the laws of thermodynamics may be thought of as“philosophy intertwining with science.”Accordingly,the laws of thermodynamics are revised to factor in life as a variable.Mathematical expressions of the first and second laws are derived and some of their applicability to the biosphere and climate is explained and discussed.The main conclusion is that life changes climates and the fabric of the biosphere.

Shennongjia Added to UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 1990

The Shennongjia Biosphere Reserve belongs to the east branch of the Dabashan Mountains which connect the Tibetan Plateau in w est China with the Yangze plain in east China.The area covers high elevation differences from 420 meters to 3,106 meters above sea level and therefore offers a wide spectrum of vegetation zones.

UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves

CHINA Gaoligong Mountain Added to UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2000 Gaoligong Mountain is located in Baoshan City, Yunnan Province,southwest China. Its highest elevation reaches over 4,000 meters and this upper part of the mountain is designated as the core area. Evergreen broadleaved forests, deciduous forests and bamboo woodlands are characteristic of the region.