Socio-Spatial Dynamics of Land in Southwest Niger: The Case of the Commune of Gothèye

In south-west Niger, ecosystems are losing several hectares of their surface area every year due to internally displaced persons and refugees. The commune of Gothèye is not immune to this situation. The aim of this research is to assess the impact of displaced persons and refugees on socio-spatio-temporal dynamics of ecosystems using Landsat images. To achieve this, Landsat TM, Landsat ETM+ and OLI 8 satellite images from September and March were used (2010 to 2024). Operations on Envi 5.3, field validation output and finally mapping on ArcGIS were the steps involved. Discrimination is significant, with kappa coefficients of 0.97, 0.96, 0.86 and 0.85. The results obtained indicate a degradation of natural ecosystems, reflected in a change in landscape structure, with a marked reduction in the quantity and quality of ecosystem goods. Analysis of the evolution of land use showed that 31% of the land remained in its initial state (unchanged), 69% underwent modifications, and 11% was converted to cropland. Over these fourteen years, the study area has undergone changes in land use patterns, which have resulted in a modification of landscape structure, with a marked decline in the quantity and quality of ecosystem services.

The Floristic Diversity of the Tlemcen Southern Slope Scrublands （Western Algeria）

This work was completed on the study of the southern slope scrublands （matorrals） of Tlemcen region in the northwest of Algeria （Western Algeria）. These scrublands are under various states of degradation, made up of Quercus ilex, Juniperus oxycedrus, Thymus ciliatus, Rosmarinus officinalis. The problems sought in this study are to give the actual position of vegetable cover and in particular that of the formations to matorrals currently existing in the southern slope of the area of Tlemcen, while being based on the phytoecological aspect of the vegetable groupings which constitute this inheritance. Sampling is the first phase of work based on the analysis of the spatial variations of the structure and composition floristic and considering the nature of the problem to be treated, the authors considered to be useful to use the method Zuricho Montpeli6raine developed at the point by Braun-Blanquet, the method usually used consists to collect all the plant species and to make the list of the species on a small square of surface 100 m2 （have it minimal）. The floristic readings （150 on the whole） were taken according to the method of Braun-Blanquet. Our results show that there exists a therophytisation marked by a general invasion of annual species as show us as the synergistic action of the aridity and the anthropic action generated important modifications on the level of the vegetation in the dynamic direction. This advanced degradation leads a steppisation which results in a substitution of the elements of the matorrals by species more adapted much the xericity.

Selective logging alters allometric relationships of five tropical tree species in seasonal semi-deciduous forests

In selectively logged forests,trees are more likely to expand their diameters(D)at the expense of height(H)growth,resulting in variations in H:D relationships.This study examines how selective logging affects the H:D allometric relationships of five common tree species and whether the effects vary with functional groups(shade-intolerant or shade tolerant)in seasonal semi-deciduous forests.Individuals of five species in a 3000 m^2(0.3 ha)plot were marked and heights and diameters recorded.Most of the species,with one exception,showed greater investment in diameter per increment of height compared to an unlogged forest,possibly because of the greater light available.This study shows the effects of selective logging on species populations as evidenced by increases in H:D ratios.Comparison of forest fragments with different degrees of human impact is important because it allows us to understand the differences in architectural characteristics caused by selective logging.

A New Version of Unified Field Theory—Stochastic Quantum Space Theory on Particle Physics and Cosmology

Stochastic Quantum Space (SQS) theory is a new version of unified field theory based on three fundamental postulations: Gaussian Probability Postulation, Prime Numbers Postulation, Vacuon Postulation. It build a framework with theoretical results agree with many experimental data well. For more information, please refer to the PDF.

Structure and genetic diversity of natural populations of Guadua weberbaueri in the southwestern Amazon,Brazil

The Brazilian state of Acre has an extensive natural reserve of bamboo,making it one of the largest in loco gene banks.The aim of this study was to characterize the structure and genetic diversity of Guadua weberbaueri Pilg.in two populations,one native(FAPB)and the other anthropized(FAPBA),using ISSR markers.The results show that the FAPB population exhibited higher values for all estimates of population diversity.However,the FAPBA population also showed high heterozygosity,corroborated by estimated gene flow(Nm=3.9)between the populations.The study of the association between Nei’s genetic distances and the geographic distances between the populations were significantly correlated(r=0.45,p=0.01),corroborated by the dendrogram revealing two distinct groups corresponding to the collection sites,without mixing classes between populations in the same group.As for the coancestry coefficient,pairs of individuals in the first distance class were positive and significant,indicating that plants that are geographically closer share common alleles with a frequency greater than by chance,which means that there is a tendency that geographically closer individuals are related.Individuals presented similar genetic structure when the geographical distance between them was up to 56 m for FAPB and up to 156 m for FAPBA.It was concluded that anthropized environments exhibit less genetic diversity than native environments,inferring risks for species conservation if appropriate and planned management techniques are not adopted.

Physico-Chemical Complex of Matorral Soils of the North Western Region of Algeria

The objective of this study is to determine the influence of soil physico-chemical factors on the spatial distribution of matorrals in the plain from Remchi to Béni-Saf located in the western region of Algeria. This study informs us of the relationships that soil can have on the diversity of matorrals. On the bioclimatic level, the region is characterized by semi-aridity accentuating the phenomena of thérophysation. Soil analyzes carried out using known methods (Stokes Particle Size Method, Electrometric Method for pH, 1/5 Extract Method for Electrical Conductivity, Bernard Calcium Method for CaCO3, Anne Method for Organic Carbon). The results show a textural diversity;sandy-muddy “Remchi”, sandy “Rachgoun 1 and Rechgoun 2”, not far from Béni-Saf. The low clay content (Remchi: Profile 1: Horizon 1: Clays 10%, Profile 2: Horizon 1: Clays 16%, Profile 3: Horizon 1: Clays 5%, Rechgoun: Profile 1: Horizon 1: Clays 3%, Profile 3: Horizon 1: 2% Clays and Horizon 2: 3% Clays) leads to poor structural stability leading to degradation of the soil surface through erosion. The latter is revealed by the presence of small erosion claws visible on these rough slopes or almost.

Spatio-Temporal Dynamics and Evolution of Land Use Land Cover Using Remote Sensing and GIS in Sebou Estuary, Morocco

Land use and land cover (LULC) represent the ongoing challenge of environmental variation. The understanding of the level and process of its change is the basis for any environmental planning and management. In Morocco, as everywhere in the world, human population densities are constantly increasing on the coastal zones. This results in a continuous and rapid acceleration of the use of coastal space and an increase in pressures on ecosystems and the different species they contain. The purpose of this study is the analysis of the changes in LULC from 1985 to 2017 in the coastal area of Sebou estuary, situated in the Northwest of the Moroccan Atlantic coast. The changes were identified and assessed after classifying a series of Landsat images taken during 1985, 2002 and 2017. The algorithm used for the classification is the Support Vector Machine (SVM), which yielded results with accuracy higher than 85%. The results of the land use land cover change describe phenomenal urbanization and deforestation, as well as an evolution of the agricultural sector, indicating the impact of anthropization in this vulnerable environment.

Wild potato species (<i>Solanum</i>section Petota <i>Solanaceae</i>) in the Tunari National Park, Andean Region of Cochabamba, Bolivia

The Tunari National Park is located in the Tunari Mountain Range, part of the Cochabamba Range in the Bolivian Andes. The Park is home to species of wild potato (Solanum section Petota Solanaceae), but these are now threatened by human activity. The aims of the present study were: 1) to determine the distribution of wild potato species in the Park, and, 2) to determine the size of their populations. Collection routes were established within the Park, and the species present along them recorded in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Their population sizes were determined in 2008. Four wild potato species were identified: S. capsicibaccatum, S. berthaultii, S. brevicaule and S. toralapanum. S. capsicibaccatum was the most abundant and had the most extensive distribution, followed by S. berthaultii;these last two species are likely endemic. The other species, although probably also endemic, were much less widely distributed;some limiting factor(s) would therefore appear to be acting upon them. S. berthaultii showed variations in corolla shape (rotate, pentagonal and semi-stellate) and flower colour (whitish-lilac to blue-lilac). The remaining species showed no apparent intraspecific variation in their morphological characteristics.

A Fractal Space-Time Structure of Nonequilibrium Living Systems Is Essential Property and Fractal Property of Dynamics Systems on Cosmic Scales Is Foundation for the Origin of the Living Systems

The experimental data represented in the bibliography are theoretically analyzed to construct an adequate model for dynamics of an open nonequilibrium living system. It is shown that the viable microorganisms are capable of forming the fractal structure, whose dimensionality is certainly non-integral. In addition, we have attempted to provide a generalized description of the properties of living and nonliving matter (in the addition to that described in work [1]). Relevant published data were used to demonstrate a fractal structure of the space in the vicinity of centrally gravitating bodies with satellites revolving around them along closed trajectories and serving as a kind of testers of the neighboring space. A local violation of its discontinuity is likely to be a necessary (yet not sufficient!) dynamic characteristic of the spatiotemporal continuum for self-organization of molecules into a living, i.e., self-replicating, system.

Introduction, Establishment, and Invasion of Digitonthophagus gazella (Fabricius, 1787) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) in the Savannas of Venezuela and Colombia

The invasion process involves overcoming certain barriers with negative effects on the biodiversity and ecosystem function. This is the case of the African dung beetle Digitonthophagus gazella, which was introduced in the United States and other countries in Central and South America to help in dung removal activity. The distribution of D. gazella has been documented in the Americas, but in Venezuela there is little information. Trying to understand the process of invasion of the Colombian-Venezuelan savannas and measure their potential impact, the information stored in collections and literature was collected. Five new state records were reported for Venezuela, as well as four scenarios of the process of introduction and establishment of this species in the region. Although the amount of records has increased, the number of individuals sampled is still incipient. The possible areas of invasion and the potential negative effects that the presence of this species exerts in these regions are also discussed. In addition, potential areas of invasion and negative effects of this species are discussed. Results emphasize the importance of generating models of the invasive process in order to design programs that monitor the effects incurred by the presence of D. gazella on native species and propose control and mitigation mechanisms.

Secret Codes of Scale Distribution of Different Matter Stratums from Planck Scale to the Sun-Scale, Proof of Anthropic Principle and Different Stratum Sciences

This paper discovers the secret codes of the scale distribution from Planck scale to the Sun-scale by using Planck length derived from three fundamental physics constants, i.e., gravitation constant G, light speed c and Plank constant, and starting from the global consideration of treating the whole universe as a well unified entity in all scales. According to this symmetric scale distribution law of different scale regions: (a) we naturally give a possibility overcoming the difficulty of the desert effect between the grand unification scale and electroweak unification scale relevant to quarks and leptons, and it is really surprising to discover that the scales of quarks & electrons, protons & neutrons and atoms again all sequentially locate at the predicted points of the scale space;(b) we closely uncover the scale of the cells, which is the basic unit constructing the human bodies;(c) even the average height of human being is naturally deduced;(d) further, it is very surprising that the scales of the celestial bodies tightly related to us human beings, including the earth and the sun, also exactly fall at the predicted points in scale space in order. Therefore, all these scales with 105n cm order (n = 0, 1, 2, …, 9) above just give a proof of very key anthropic principle for whole mankind (which just makes the anthropic principle be reduced as anthropic theorem), i.e., matter stratums (a) and (b) are inorganic and organic bases of constructing human being respectively;matter stratum (c) is just human being;matter stratums (d) are the living environments of human being. Namely, everything is for or relevant to the existence of human being. Consequently, the experimentally checked scale ladder of well-known matter levels just coincides with the scale ladder predicted by the deduced distribution law. From Planck scale to the Sun scale, people may systematically build up the exact scientific theories corresponding ten matter stratums, may set up the different sciences among the different cross stratums, further, can systematically understand all the different sciences and their relations in the deepest way up to now.

Phytodiversity and Vulnerability of Protected Areas in Burkina Faso: Case of Péni Classified Forest

Protected areas contain most of Burkina Faso’s plant biodiversity which confer different benefits for the communities. However, the composition of some of them remains unknown. In a context of overexploitation and climate change, it is important to have a detailed knowledge of the vegetation of forests that have not been studied, such as Péni Classified Forest (PCF) to develop better preservation protocols. The aim of this study is to contribute to the knowledge of the flora of Burkina Faso. Phytosociological surveys were carried out in 213 plots, have identified 475 species distributed in 321 genera and 87 families. We identified during this study 201 woody species representing 38% of the woody flora of Burkina Faso. 64% of this flora is confined to shrub savannahs and 61% to tree savannahs. Among the vegetation units, shrub savannahs and tree savannahs have respectively 56.21% and 44.67% of very rare species. Poaceae (11.90%), Fabaceae-Faboideae (11.27%) and Rubiaceae (6.26%) are the most dominant families. The dominant biological types of the flora are phanerophytes (42.32%) and therophytes (30.32%), and Sudanian species (20.63%) are the best represented. Logging is the most frequent disturbance factor (100%) in the PCF. The PCF is a particular ecosystem with a great diversity but subject to many disturbances. Actions to strengthen its protection are necessary.

Seasonal Contrast of Some Anthropic Pollution Parameters in Water Retention in Mountainous Area under Sahelian Climate: Elementary Dynamics and Space Distribution (Territory of the Mounts Mandara, Cameroon)

In order to understand the origin, the extent and the space distribution of the seasonal anthropic pollution parameters in the water retention located in mountainous area thickly populated and which water resources is intended for the production of drinking water for serving a population of approximately 800,000 inhabitants, two sampling campaigns were carried out for the two seasons of the year known as the dry and rainy season. The samples were then conveyed and analyzed in laboratory. The parameters retained for this study were primarily the physicochemical parameters (pH, conductivity and temperature), measured in situ and second the major anthropic origins anions of (, , and ). The results of the study show that overall the anthropic pollution parameters undergo an important seasonal variation of their concentration between the dry and rainy periods although they remain high in any season compared to the quality standards of natural water of the European Union. Their space distribution within retention remains overall random and is not function of the seasons. However, surrounding areas of the retention and the discharge system of the seasonal rivers (Mayos) which feed it present in rainy season space distributions of concentrations in anions of anthropic origin enumerated above highest.

Natural and Anthropic Sources of Arsenic in the Groundwater and Soils of the Mekong Delta

Human exposure to arsenic (As) is primarily through drinking water and food ingestion. Arsenic is naturally present in the environment and has been known as “the king of poisons” since the Middle Ages. It is mutagenic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic and approximately 70% comes from ingested food and 29% from water. Once ingested, arsenic can bio-accumulate in the human body or be excreted. Arsenic in groundwater is a main source of As in humans and the two arsenicals most abundant in water are arsenite (+3 oxidation state) and arsenate (+5 oxidation state). In order of toxicity from the most toxic to least toxic are arsines, arsenites, arsenoxides, arsenates, pentavalent arsenicals, Arsenic compounds, and metallic arsenic. Arsenic accumulates in the body when ingested in small doses. It often takes decades before physical symptoms of As poisoning show. While As is element normally found in the human body, it is highly toxic in excess amounts. The lethal dose for rates is 48 μg/L which translates to 125 mg for a middle-aged male. The maximum safe limit for As ingestion for an average Vietnamese middle-aged male is 220 μg per day. This lethal dosage puts As in a highly toxic category in food and toxicology. Most of the As in the Mekong Delta groundwater is from natural alluvial sediment sources. Other anthropic sources include the burial of millions of Vietnamese with elevated As levels since 1962, industrial sources, smelting by-products, water treatment plants, sewage and wastewater treatment discharges into waterways have added to the Mekong Delta As levels in the soil and groundwater. However, Agent Blue, the As-based herbicide, used during the Vietnam War, did contribute a significant amount (over 1,132,400 kg of manufactured (anthropic) As) to Southern Vietnam landscape. The As spikes and levels in the Mekong Delta soils and groundwater need restoration. The uptake of trace amounts of As in rice is indeed a critical food security and human health issue and requires mitigation.

Application of the Distance to Natural (D2N) Index and Statistical Analysis of Different Anthropic Uses of the Río Grande De Comitán Watershed, Chiapas, México

The intensification of anthropic uses (i.e., increase of the hemerobic condition) threatens the remnants of native vegetation due to the reduction of its self-regulation capacity. In this research, the Distance to Nature (D2N) index for land use and land cover was applied in the Río Grande de Comitán watershed (Southern Mexico) to answer the following questions: 1) What were the land use dynamics observed in the Rio Grande de Comitán watershed in the trajectory through 1999, 2009 and 2019? 2) Does the subcategorization of the D2N allow one to identify which anthropic uses influence more the territorial expression of the watershed? To answer these questions, we performed a supervised classification of land use and land cover was performed in this watershed, and for the D2N index, the classification was simplified to three-category scale for the subcategorization of the anthropic component. Through Principal Component Analysis (PCA), we identified that agricultural anthropogenic use had the greatest influence on territorial expression. The reported scenario indicates a trend of gradual and continuous reduction of naturalness over the last 20 years. Additionally, the D2N index proved to be a useful tool to demonstrate both the anthropic impact, with the simplified scale, and the component that most influences the territory, by subcategorizing the anthropic scale.

A retrospective view on the history of natural sciences in XX-XXI

The presented paper is dedicated to a new ret-rospective view on the history of natural sci-ences in XX-XXI cc, partially including the sci-ence philosophy (mainly, the problems of the scientific realism, i.e. the correspondence of science to reality) and also a novel scheme for different classes of sciences with different ob-jects and paradigms. There are analyzed the chosen “great” and “grand” problems of phys-ics (including the comprehension of quantum mechanics, with a recently elaborated new chapter, connected with time as a quantum obs- ervable and time analysis of quantum processes) and also of natural sciences as a whole. The particular attention is paid to the interpretation questions and slightly to the aspects, inevitably connected with the world- views of the res- earchers (which do often constitute a part of the interpretation questions).

The current state of the plant diversity in the Tlemcen region(Northwest Algeria)

Tlemcen region is characterized by a Mediterranean climate, with a remarkable vegetal cover. The latter is influenced by the anthropozoological action. For that, we realized a phytoecological study based on the minimum area classical method [1] which allows us to have a good overview on plant biodiversity and better analyze and interpret the vegetation at different levels (systematic composition;biological, morphological and biogeographical characterizations;stratification;and plant species inventory which we hope comprehensive). The results show that our ecosystems are disrupted because therophytisation, before last vegetation dynamics element [2], settles giving up a few feet of cork and holm oaks species of ancient forest.

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Urbanization does not affect red foxes’interest in anthropogenic food,but increases their initial cautiousness

Human presence and activities have profoundly altered animals’habitats,exposing them to greater risks but also providing new opportunities and resources.The animals’capacity to effectively navigate and strike a balance between risks and benefts is crucial for their survival in the Anthropocene era.Red foxes(Vulpes vulpes),adept urban dwellers,exhibit behavioral plasticity in human-altered environments.We investigated variations in detection frequency on trail cameras and the behavioral responses(explorative,bold,and fearful)of wild red foxes living along an urbanization gradient when exposed to a metal bin initially presented clean and then flled with anthropogenic food.All fox populations displayed an increased interest and similar explorative behavioral responses toward the anthropogenic food source,irrespective of the urbanization gradient.Despite no impact on explorative behaviors,foxes in more urbanized areas initially showed heightened fear toward the empty bin,indicating increased apprehension toward novel objects.However,this fear diminished over time,and in the presence of food,urban foxes displayed slightly reduced fear compared with their less urban counterparts.Our results highlight foxes’potential for adaptability to human landscapes,additionally underscoring the nuanced interplay of fear and explorative behavioral response of populations living along the urbanization gradient.

Effect of intensity and duration of anthropic noises on European mink locomotor activity and fecal cortisol metabolite levels

Human activities involving noise emission can affect wild animals.European mink was exposed to road noise and human voice playbacks to analyze how sound intensity level and duration of both noises altered the time that individuals were active and if their fecal cortisol metabolite(FCM)levels varied.A Hierarchical Analysis Cluster was performed to establish 2 mink groups with respect to both noise source type:short duration/low intensity(SL)and long duration/high intensity(LH).We performed general linear mixed models to evaluate the variation in locomotor activity duration(s)and FCM(nanogram per gram)levels,respectively.The results showed both road noise and human voices decreased locomotor activity duration in SL more sharply compared with LH,and human voices were the triggers that induced the most pronounced response to both exposure conditions.FCM(ng/g)levels increased in SL compared with LH during road noise while the opposite happened during human voices.Differences based on sex and age of individuals were observed.In conclusion,noise characteristics given by the sound type determined the variations in locomotor activity duration while noise exposure level determined the variations in FCM(ng/g)levels.Attention should be paid to noisy activities(e.g.,recreational activities for visitors in protected natural areas)and loud groups of people to conserve wildlife,especially noise sensitive species.