Characteristics and the Issue of Eco-safety for the Plant Biodiversity in Longtan Nature Reserve

The characteristic and status quo of plant biodiversity in Longtan Nature Reserve was evaluated from the three aspects of species diversity, genetic diversity and ecosystem dioversity. And the primary eco-safety influencing factors for plant biodiversity in Longtan nature reserve were put forward. The results show that the plant species in Longtan Nature Reserve was abundant, including 2 821 species of vascular bundle plants belonging to 1029 genera, 205 families. The main problems influencing eco-safety included the destruction of endangered wild plants and exotic species invasion.

Study of Biodiversity Indices in Forest Formations of the Province of Saida （Algeria）

Biodiversity is a multidimensional concept involving several scientific disciplines. The study of biodiversity allows to initiate a multidisciplinary analysis and ecological reading of an environmental problem. The objective of this study is the knowledge of plant biodiversity and risk factors affecting the plant diversity in forest formations of Saida province （Algeria）. Plant biodiversity is estimated at 77 species with 37 best represented families （Asteraceae, Lamiaceae and Fabaceae）. The geophytes dominate with a rate of 44.15%. Among the degradation factors that threaten the biodiversity in the study area, the forest fires, overgrazing and trampling by domestic animals was mentioned.

Biodiversity-based Plant Cultivation Design in Sightseeing Farm: A Case Study of Cultivation Design in Luzihe Village

Taking plant cultivation in sightseeing farm for example, this paper proposed design strategies on the basis of biodiversity, i.e. improving food chain circulation using cultivation, creating diversifi ed habitats using species connection, enhancing the benign interaction between human activities and planting environment,and integrating the diversity of biological corridor. This paper took cultivation design in Luzihe Village for example, put forward specifi c design schemes based on diversity design, i.e. creating biological corridor in edge effect, establishing the benign circulation between food chain and man, creating diverse habitats under three-dimensional planting. These schemes gave instructions to ecological planting, and also contributed to the realization of ecological effect, economic effect, educational function and landscape beauty.

Protection and Utilization of Special Biological Resources and Biodiversity in Pu＇er City

In the paper, the animal and plant diversity and its main characteristics in Pu'er City were summarized, and reviewedthe development and utilization of main special biological industry. The policies and research institutions on protection and utilization of biodiversity in Pu'er City were introduced. At the last, we analyzed the deficiencies in the conservation and utilization of biodiversity in Pu'er City and proposed the relevant measures to strengthen protection and utilization of biological diversity in the future.

Soil and Vegetation Seasonal Changes in the Grazing Andean Mountain Grasslands

Andean grasslands ecosystems are fragile environments with rigorous climatologic conditions and low and variable food for the grazing. The Apolobamba area is located in the Bolivian Andean Mountains. Its high grasslands provide a natural habitat for wild and domestic camelids such as vicuna(Vicugna vicugna) and alpaca(Lama pacos). The botanical diversity plays an essential role in maintaining vital ecosystem functions. The objectives of this research were to determine the seasonal changes in soil properties, to study the vegetation changes during the wet and dry seasons and the influence of soil properties and camelid densities on the vegetation in the Apolobamba grasslands. Four zones with different vicuna populations were selected to be studied. The following soil parameters were determined: total organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorous, cation exchange capacity, exchangeable cations, pH and texture. The vegetation season changes were studied through botanical identification, above-ground biomass, plant cover and species richness. Results showed that some soil properties such as C/N ratio, CEC, silt and clay percentages kept stable against the seasonal changes. Generally, soil nutrients were relatively higher during the dry season in the surface and subsurface. The results did not point out the predominant vegetation growth during the wet season. The seasonal vegetation growth depended on each species. Thegood soil fertility corresponded to the highest plant cover. Soil fertility presented no influence on the above-ground biomass of the collected species. The negative influence of camelid grazing on soil properties could not be assessed. However, overgrazing could affect some plant species. Therefore, protection is needed in order to preserve the biodiversity in the Andean mountain grasslands.

Floristic Inventory and Evaluation of Carbon Sequestration Potential of the Misomuni Forest Massif,Kikwit City (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

The aim of this study was to inventory plant biodiversity and to evaluate the carbon sequestration potential of the Misomuni forest massif.An inventory of all trees with diameter at breast height(dbh)≥10 cm measured at 1.30 m height was performed.The aerial biomass(AGB)was used for estimating the stored CO2 and its carbon equivalent.88 plant species belonging to 71 genera and 32 families were inventoried.Fabaceae family displayed the highest number of species and genera.The highest basal area values were displayed by Scorodophloeus zenkeri(7.34±2.45 m2/ha),Brachystegia laurentii(5.82±1.94 m2/ha),Entandrophragma utile(5.28±1.94 m2/ha),Pentadesma butyracea(4.53±1.51 m2/ha).The highest values of stored carbon and their carbon equivalent were observed in Pentadesma butyracea(15.13±5.00 and 50.55±16.85 t/ha),Picralima nitida(7.02±2.34 and 23.66±7.88 t/ha),Strombosia tetandra(6.56±2.18 and 22.10±7.36 t/ha).The Misomuni forest massif is thus much floristically diversified and plays a significant role in the sequestration of CO2.The total AGB of the inventoried trees is 183.78±61.26 t/ha corresponding to stored carbon and carbon equivalent of 96.63±32.21 t/ha and 289.92±96.64 t/ha respectively.The protection of this ecosystem is highly needed for combatting climatic changes at local,national and regional scales and for the conservation biodiversity habitat.

The plateau pika has multiple benefits for alpine grassland ecosystem in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

The plateau pika(Ochotona curzoniae)has been engaged in pest control for many years based on the logic that the plateau pika is responsible for alpine grassland degradation and competes with livestock for forage resources.However,the plateau pika is an important species which has multiple benefits in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau,as it(i)makes burrows that are the primary homes for lizards and a variety of small birds;(ii)creates microhabitat disturbance that promotes the increase of plant species richness;(iii)serves as the principal prey for almost all of the plateau predator species;and(iv)contributes positively to the dynamic equilibriumof alpine ecosystems.