International Journal of Ecology
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Acceptance rate8%
Submission to final decision145 days
Acceptance to publication16 days
CiteScore2.400
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Research Article

A Preliminary Survey of Medium- and Large-Sized Mammals and Their Conservation Status in the Asimba Forest Priority Area, Semiarid Highlands of Northern Ethiopia

Mammal species provide vital environmental and economic functions although they globally face numerous threats. Knowledge of the composition and diversity of mammal species provide information for appropriate management interventions. We conducted this study from July 2019 to February 2020 to assess the species composition, diversity, and conservation of medium- and large-sized mammals in the Asimba Forest Priority Area, northern Ethiopia. Data were collected through direct and indirect evidence from three habitat types, namely, natural forest, bushland, and plantation forest. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics and the Species Diversity Index. We also used χ2 to compare differences in the number of observations and species richness of the mammal species in different habitats between the dry and wet seasons. A total of 263 observations were compiled, and 15 medium- and large-sized mammalian species were recorded in the Asimba Forest Priority Area. The Species Diversity Index and Evenness of the area were H′ = 2.436 and J = 0.899, respectively. Hamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas) was the most commonly observed species, with 20.7 and 19.2 relative frequencies in the dry and wet seasons, respectively, whereas striped polecat (Ictonyx striatus) was the rarest species, with 3.0 and 0.0 relative frequencies during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. The number of observations (χ2 = 2.298, df = 2, and ) and species richness (χ2 = 0.115, df = 2, and ) did not differ significantly in the three habitats. Anthropogenic factors, mainly habitat destruction and overgrazing, were widely observed in the Asimba forest as conservation threats to the mammal species. The current study helps to increase knowledge about the mammal species of the area and is essential for their future conservation strategies.

Research Article

Study of the Soil Seed Bank Composition in Arjo-Diga Humid Afromontane Forest under Different Land Use Types and Its Implications for the Restoration of Degraded Lands in Western Ethiopia

The soil seed bank present in forests serves as a crucial indicator of soil resilience following disturbances. The objective of this study was to investigate the composition, density, and vertical distribution of the soil seed bank in the Diga District of Western Ethiopia across four land use types: forestland, grassland, bare land, and shrubland. Soil samples were collected from plots measuring 225 square centimeters with a depth of 9 cm. A total of 108 soil samples were collected, representing the four land use types. Each plot was sampled at three different soil layers: 0–3 cm, 3–6 cm, and 6–9 cm depths. From the soil seed bank, 51 plant species were identified, with 46 (90.2%) being herbs, 3 (5.88%) trees, and 2 (3.92%) shrubs. The Asteraceae (13.30%), Poaceae (11.53%), and Fabaceae (9.61%) families exhibited the highest species composition, accounting for 38.44% of the total. Species richness varied significantly across all land use types and soil layers (), with shrubland having the highest species richness and bare land having the lowest count. The total seed bank density in the soil across all plots was 92153 seeds/m2, with the highest density observed in the top 3 cm of the soil layer. The first and second soil layers exhibited a high Jaccard similarity coefficient of 0.76. Forestland and shrubland displayed the highest Jaccard coefficient of similarity (0.72), while the lowest was observed between bare land and shrubland (0.43). There was greater species similarity between the first and second soil layers (0.76) and lower similarity between the middle and bottom layers (0.32). The study found limited similarity between aboveground vegetation and the soil seed bank due to the low regeneration of woody species. Forestland and shrubland exhibited a high Jaccard similarity coefficient to aboveground vegetation, while grassland had the lowest similarity coefficient. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the shrubland land use types had high soil seed bank composition and density. Therefore, the conservation of shrubs in the Arjo-Diga Forest should be considered for the restoration of degraded areas, taking into account the soil seed bank in the shrubland ecosystem.

Review Article

Microplastics in the Ecosystem: A Systematic Review of the Methods for Their Detection and Removal

Currently, research on microplastics (MPs) has increased due to their rapid distribution throughout the world and their harmful effects on the ecosystem. However, a detailed description of their dispersion and the methods for both detection and removal has not been given. The objective of this research is to carry out a bibliographic review that allows for a multidisciplinary analysis of microplastic contamination and current detection and removal methods. The method used is PRISMA in which articles from reliable databases such as Scopus, Web of science, and Google Scholar were collected and analyzed to finally provide details on the physical and chemical methods for detecting MPs, in addition to presenting the technologies for their removal. As a result of the analysis, critical information was obtained from the different studies on the impact of MPs on the ecosystem and the variation in detection and removal efficiency according to the type of pretreatment and methods applied to the sample. It is concluded that this research is essential to understand the consequences that MPs have on the ecosystem and provide tools to evaluate and improve current technologies, mainly detection and removal.

Research Article

Population Density of Wild Animals and Their Conflict in Konasa_Pulasa Community Conserved Forest, Omo Valley, Southern Ethiopia

Human-wildlife conflict presents an increasing challenge to conservation, particularly in densely populated parts of low-income countries. An investigation on wild animal population density and its conflict was carried out from December 2019 to May 2020 in the Konasa_Pulasa Community Conserved Forest, Omo Valley, Southern Ethiopia: implications for wildlife conservation. The distance sampling method was used to estimate the population status of wild animals in an area of 187.57 km2. Human-wild animal conflict was quantified using a questionnaire survey with 290 randomly selected household heads from five villages. In addition, focus group discussions were conducted to obtain additional information. The mean density of the Anubis baboons was 4.51 ± 0.76, that of the grivet monkeys was 3.24 ± 0.51, that of the porcupines was 0.89 ± 0.17, that of the spotted hyenas was 0.58 ± 0.15, and that of the black-backed jackals was 0.65 ± 0.12 individuals/km2. The result shows that crop damage and livestock predation were common problems in the study area. The most damaged cereal crops were maize (26.5%). The Anubis baboon was the most common crop raiding species (34.9%). An estimated average loss of different crop types was US$15.01 per year per household. Regarding livestock, sheep (36.2%) and poultry (44.3%) were the animals most attacked. The predator responsible for livestock depredation reported most frequently was the spotted hyena (35%), followed by the black-backed jackal (24%) and the leopard (16%), and it was responsible for the loss of 271 domestic animals with an estimated economic loss of US $24,395.92 in five villages. Guarding (47.4%) was the main means of mitigation methods. Most farmers’ (47.4%) attitude towards wild animal conservation was positive. The extent of the damage varied between villages and with the distance from the forest boundary. Local people close to the forest boundaries were highly vulnerable to wild animal conflict. Our results show that livestock predation and crop damage were common problems caused by Anubis baboon, verves monkeys, porcupines, spotted hyenas, and black-backed jackals. The increase in the population of wild animals and the proximity to the forest are the causes of HWC. Guarding is the dominant traditional method used to reduce HWC in the study area. Using effective methods to reduce livestock damage and loss to crops, including improved livestock husbandry, cultivating unpalatable crops near the forest and raising local community awareness could make local residents aware of conservation.

Review Article

Problem of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.)) in Lake Tana (Ethiopia): Ecological, Economic, and Social Implications and Management Options

Lake Tana is Ethiopia’s largest body of fresh water, covering approximately 3,200 km2. Despite its multidisciplinary applications in Ethiopia and neighboring countries, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) is a significant problem in this large lake. This invasive weed first appeared in Lake Tana in 2011 and quickly spread to the water’s surface over the next two to three years. In this background, this article aims at reviewing the existing knowledge on the occurrence, impact, and management options for water hyacinths in Lake Tana. Water hyacinth is one of the most dangerous water weeds, causing a wide range of problems in bodies of water and water resources, including ecological, environmental, economic, and social consequences. Due to the weed species’ rapid spread via sexual and asexual reproduction, it covers a wide range of water bodies, and appropriate management options must be implemented before seriously affecting the water body and spreading to the Nile Basin.

Research Article

Spatial Variations in Aquatic Insect Community Structure in the Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria, Kenya

Background. Aquatic insect community structure is dynamic due to threats by anthropogenic activities coupled with changing climatic conditions. The insect’s survival is dependent on the substrate, water quality, and environmental effects. The changes in water quality influence their distribution and abundance and are reflected in spatial and temporal trends. This study sought to document the effects of spatial variation on aquatic insects in Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria, Kenya. Materials and Methods. Systematic random design was used in sampling, and water quality parameters were assessed. Insects were sampled by profundal lake procedure, pooled, sorted, and identified based on the morphological approach and diversity indices analyzed. The relationship between insects and water quality was established. Results. Statistical homogeneity in water quality parameters was documented with the exception of nitrates, nitrites, soluble reactive phosphorus, ammonium, and silicates, which displayed significant variation at . A total of 383 individual insects representing 19 species, 19 genera, 16 families, and six orders were obtained from Winam Gulf. Hemiptera, Ephemeroptera, and Diptera were the most predominant orders, respectively. Chironomus spp. and Ablebesmyia spp. were representatives of the Chironomidae family. Species distribution and water quality were determined using cluster analysis (CA) and conical correspondence analysis (CCA). Conclusion. The findings of this study demonstrated that spatial variations were associated with change in water quality and had a corresponding influence on insect community structure.

International Journal of Ecology
 Journal metrics
See full report
Acceptance rate8%
Submission to final decision145 days
Acceptance to publication16 days
CiteScore2.400
Journal Citation Indicator-
Impact Factor-
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