Journal of Global Ecology and Environment
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Isolation, Purification and Characterization of Amylase from Malted Millet Using Bacillus Species
No full textThis research is aimed at isolation, purification and characterization of white variety of Penisetum meiwa using Bacillus spp, the white millet was malted and germinated for 6 days. The resultant malt was mashed at a temperature of 60-70℃ to produce the millet wort that serves as substrate. Although microbes have been extensively studied by many researchers, amylase producing Bacillus spp was used. Shaken flask fermentation was done using the mashed millet and the organism. After fermentation, centrifugation followed and the supernatant was obtained. Enzyme assay was carried out as described by Miller (1959) using the Dinitro salicylic acid method. The effect of temperature and pH of the stability and activity of the enzyme was determined. From the result of the research, the optimum pH for the activity and stability of amylase enzyme is 7.0 while the temperature optima for amylase activity and stability of amylase enzyme is 70℃
Effects of Wetland Degradation on Community Livelihoods: A Case of Mabengere Wetland in Kisiita Sub County, Kakumiro District, Uganda
No full textWetlands in Uganda play vital ecological, economic, socio-cultural, scientific and recreational purposes and yet they are currently threatened by anthropogenic and bio geophysical factors. The current study was initiated to determine the drivers of wetland degradation; and to assess the benefits and costs as a result of wetland degradation, to members of the local community in Kakumiro district, Uganda. A cross sectional research design that involved the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data from three hundred and eighty-seven respondents was used. Data were collected using a questionnaire, Key informant interview guide from the key informants and observation check list. Key findings revealed that sand and clay mining, agricultural activities, gathering building materials were the key activities carried out, which significantly affected the wetlands at P<0.05. In addition, the activities carried out in the wetlands significantly improved the livelihoods of the people living around them at P<0.05. The water levels in the wetlands were reduced that led to shortage of portable water and the water for watering animals, and also led to outbreak of fires which contributed to a reduction in the wetland’s biodiversity. This was confirmed by the Chi-square test which revealed that degradation of wetlands contributed to the costs incurred by members of the local community at P<0.05. It was therefore recommended that alternative sources of energy and building materials be availed like planting of upland trees. Also, there should be awareness intensification to members of the local community about the values and uses of wetlands aimed at scaling down their degradation
Registration of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Variety Kulumsa for the Midlands of Ethiopia
No full textBread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a crucial crop in Ethiopia, and breeders test newly developed elite lines for superiority to existing cultivars to boost national productivity. Recently, commercial wheat varieties with higher genetic gain for economic traits have been released, which outperform older varieties. One such variety is Kulumsa, which has the pedigree “PFAU/MILAN/5/CHEN/ AEGILOPSSQUARROSA(TAUS)/BCN/3/VEE#7/BOW/4/PASTOR/6/2*BAVIS#1/7/BORL14” and selection history “CMSS13B00513S-099M-099NJ-099NJ-15Y-0WGY”. It was developed and released by Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center for mid to high altitudes of wheat-growing agroecology of Ethiopia. Kulumsa has higher grain yield performance than the check and has good agronomic characteristics and medium maturing type compared to the current varieties. It consistently out-yielded other tested bread wheat genotypes over two years. Compared to Wane, Danda\u27a, and Lemu checks, Kulumsa demonstrated significant improvement in agronomic characteristics and enhanced yield by 60%, 62%, and 68%, respectively. Wane (30.2g), Lemu (29.6g), and Danda\u27a (32.7g) have lower thousand kernel weights than Kulumsa (39.6g). Kulumsa had a 31%, 21%, and 34% thousand kernel weight advantage over Wane, Danda\u27a, and Lemu, respectively. The new variety has a better hectoliter weight than Wane, Lemu, and Danda\u27a by 18%, 13%, and 11%, respectively. The newly released bread wheat varieties are moderately resistant to stem rust, and yellow rust, and comparable for leaf rust disease and Septoria with the checks Wane, Danda\u27a, and Lemu. Kulumsa proved to be more resistant to stem yellow and leaf rust than all currently produced varieties in the mid to high-land part of wheat-growing agroecology. It offers new hope for farmers of Ethiopia and has a white grain color with good general acceptance for bread with high quality
Economic Implications of Credit Assessment on Arable Crops and Non-Forest Timber Products Utilization in South-South, Nigeria
No full textThe study examined the effect of credit on arable crop production and non – forest timber products utilization. Data from 315 respondents were acquired through structured questionnaires and summarized using descriptive statistics while regression model was employed in evaluating the effect of credit on arable crop production. Results obtained proved that the age range of the respondents was 39-45 years, with a mean age of 40 years. Primary school educational level were in majority which were dominated by males that were mostly married, having a mean household size of 8 persons. The mean farm size was 0.6ha with a mean farming experience of 10 years. Farmers relied more on informal credit sources for crop production and non – forest timber product utilization. The result of the regression analysis proved a positive significant relationship between the amount of credit received and output. The study recommends that Governmental and non-governmental credit issuing stakeholders should make credit readily available to farming households and farmers at the rural level should be sensitized and informed about credit facilities at their disposal
Evaluating the Distributions and Impacts of Macroplastic Pollutants in Agansa Coastal Community, South Eastern Nigeria
No full textThe distributions and impacts of macroplastic pollutants in Agansa coastal Community, Southeastern Nigeria was studied. Samplings of floating marine debris or macroplastics in the water column were collected using nets towing, while hand-picking method was adopted at the shore by marking a 5 by 5 meter gridded section for samples counting and collection. The collected plastic debris was transferred to the laboratory for sorting and weighing. The results showed a mean abundance of plastic debris in the study areas in respect to the month. The composition of plastic debris ranged in size mainly from 1 to 20 cm. In terms of composition, plastic bottles was the most common and abundant (12.7%), followed by packaging plastics (11.2%), sachets (9.8%), nylon (6.2%), fishing equipments (5.8%), and many others. The weight of plastic debris in the study areas ranged from 5.3 to 17.5grams. Moreover, the plastic debris significantly correlated both positively and negatively at (p < 0.01) and (p < 0.05) level. Some physicochemical parameters of surface water in the study area were high in the upstream than downstream. From the mean evaluation, total dissolved solids (TDS) >Temperature >Salinity>total suspended solids (TSS) > pH >dissolved oxygen (DO) >Turbidity in the months of January and March. The result of the statistical analysis shows both significant and no significant difference (p<0.05) between the parameters and months. This study provided a method to quantify the inventory of plastic debris on a beach. The tidal variation and human activities were responsible for the plastic debris accumulation. Hence, this study could be helpful to consider regional tidal variations and critical source areas for effective plastic debris clean-up
Perceptions on Community Forest Management Practices and Protection of Kwonga Clan Forest, Kabwoya, Kikuube District, Uganda
No full textThe study investigated how community forest management practices enhanced the protection of the Bakwonga Clan Forest in Kabwoya Sub-County, Kikuube District Western Uganda. The Bakwonga clan is an indigenous tribe in Uganda who live by the Kwonga clan forest. The study adopted a descriptive research design to collect data through self-administered questionnaires from 181 respondents. Interviews and reviews of documentary sources complemented data collection. Using descriptive statistics, the study reveals practicing sustainable livelihood projects by Bakwonga clan protects the forest by 41.4% (M=3.71, SD=1.43), participation in conservation awareness meetings improved knowledge of forest protection by 44.8% (M=2.1; SD=1.01), and promoting sustainable forest resource use protects the clan forest by 42.6% (M=3.81, SD=1.2). Community participation in forest management moderately contributed to the protection of the Bakwonga Clan Forest in Kabwoya Sub-County, Kikuube District. Bakwonga clan members in collaboration with the Kikuube District Forest department should develop and implement a robust conservation education strategy to build capacity for Bakwonga and Non-Bakwonga to protect the clan forest
Role of Rhizosphere on the Soil Fertility and Availability Nutrient
No full textThe review summarizes the literatures which focus on the role of rhizosphere at soil fertility and availability nutrient. Most researchers agreed that the rhizosphere could important in mediating the interactions between plant roots, soil, and microorganisms. Soil fertility and efficient nutrient acquisition are vital factors governing plant growth and productivity. The review begins by examining the physical and chemical attributes of the rhizosphere that influence nutrient availability and uptake. It delves into the intricate mechanisms of nutrient release, mobilization, and uptake, elucidating the impact of root exudates, symbiotic associations, and mycorrhizal networks on nutrient cycling. Therefore, the majority of researchers established that the rhizosphere has an equalizing influence on annual/seasonal changes regarding soil heat, air, and water balance, the availability of plant nutrients, and consequently, crop yields. Additionally, increasing soil microbial diversity through the rhizosphere and activity is explored, shedding light on the crucial symbiotic relationships that develop between plants and microorganisms to support nutrient acquisition and soil health. Furthermore, the review assesses the responses of the rhizosphere to various environmental factors such as soil types, moisture levels, and temperature fluctuations, and how these factors influence nutrient dynamics and availability
Contribution of the Majang Forest Ecosystem to Local Communities\u27 Livelihoods: The Case of Majang Forest Biosphere Reserve in Southwest Ethiopia
No full textEcosystems contribute to sustainable development by integrating economic and social development through sustainable natural resource conservation. This paper examines the contribution of the Majang forest ecosystem to livelihoods, the main products derived from the Majang forest ecosystem, and the factors affecting the dependence on ecosystem goods and services. Our present paper\u27s main objective was to investigate how local livelihoods are impacted by Majang forest ecosystems and how those ecosystems contribute to local livelihoods. Before the main survey, we carried out reconnaissance and a pretest survey. The research was conducted using a mixed-method approach that combined quantitative and qualitative methods. Semi-structured survey questionnaires were used to gather the data. Our research showed that the products of the forest ecosystem are very important for the subsistence of the local populations and how dependent they are on them. Our research showed that the essential components of the Majang forest ecosystem products are beekeeping, fish, bushmeat, mushrooms, firewood, and building materials. According to our research, beekeeping accounts for 42.7% of household income, followed by firewood at 26.5 percent. Our findings indicate that income from the Majang forest ecosystems contributes 64.53% of total household income, compared to 35.47% from other alternative income sources. Additionally, the findings demonstrate that household characteristics had a significant impact on the reliance level of the forest ecosystem. Our research has shown how heavily local communities rely on the goods of Majang forest ecosystems. Our findings show the enormous socioeconomic importance of Majang forest ecosystem services to local communities. Our research\u27s conclusions have significant implications for managers and decision-makers. Our results suggest that the conservation and sustainable use of forest ecosystems requires the intervention of decision-makers
Characterization and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Sacred Forests in the Western Highlands Cameroon
No full textCameroon has a diversity of forest ecosystems, including sacred forests that have been preserved until now by traditional laws. The aim of this study was to characterize the vegetation of two sacred forests in the Western Highlands and to estimate the quantities of carbon stored by these forests. The inventories were carried out in 24 quadrats measuring 30 m x 30 m installed in the Bansoa and Baloum forests according to their surface area. Individuals with a diameter of 10 cm or more at breast height (1.30 m from the ground) were measured. Phytodiversity was assessed using the Shannon and Simpson indixes. The quantities of carbon stored by the sacred forests were obtained using allometric equations developed by other researchers and appropriate to the tropical zone. Overall, 50 species in 31 genera and 25 families were recorded. The diversity index values are low. They range from 1.47 to 2.52 bits per plot for the Shannon index, and from 0.70 to 0.91 for the Simpson index. Markhamia lutea and Cola acuminata are the most frequent and abundant species in the study area. The densities of individuals per hectare are 368 individuals/ha at Bansoa and 416 individuals/ha at Baloum and the basal area varies from 32.37 m2/ha to 38.44 m2/ha. The shrub layer dominates in both forests. Of the species recorded, 03 are Vulnerable and 02 are Endangered. Carbon sequestration was 286.84 t C/ha at Baloum and 232.44 t C/ha at Bansoa, with CO2 uptake of 1052.12 t CO2/ha and 853.55 t CO2 /ha respectively. The results of this study show that despite their small size, sacred forests play a significant role in the conservation of plant diversity and also help to reduce greenhouse gases in nature
Assessment of Afforestation Projects and Trees Volumes in Some of the Four Local Government Areas of Northern Part of Yobe State, Nigeria
No full textThe study assessed the afforestation projects at the four different local government areas in the northern part of Yobe state, Nigeria. Information about the locations and sites of the plantation was obtained from the department of forestry, ministry of environment, Damaturu and zonal offices in the local government areas of the study (Bade, Karasuwa, Yusufari and Yunusari). Meanwhile, a structured questionnaire was designed in such a way that the respondent will provide formidable information about the afforestation projects in their respective areas. Afterward, four different plantation sites were identified using simple random sampling techniques and diameter at breast height and total height for five tree stands from each plantation site were measured and recorded. Afterward, the volume of the tree stands was estimated by using Huber’s equation. The results of the study reveals that there was a 95% level of awareness of the afforestation programmes and a total of nineteen (19) woodlots and twenty - one (21) shelterbelts respectively were assessed (Table 1 and 2). Meanwhile, the highest average tree volume in this study was found to be 8.07 m3, followed by 4.68 m3 obtained from Karasuwa and Yusufari local government areas, while the lowest trees volume was found to be 1.92 m3 at Yunusari local government area respectively (Table 4). It can be concluded that in all the local government areas requires serious attention and urgent need for reforestation and afforestation projects because, the majority of the peoples in the study area depend solely on firewood as their source of energy for cooking, heating and lightening and as such many afforestation projects have turned to a firewood fetching ground and there is a menace of desertification in the area and climate change as well. However, if care is not taken in the next few years to come, the majority of the established afforestation projects will become totally eradicated. So therefore, government, GGW, NGOs and individuals should intensify efforts towards revitalization and establishment of reforestation and afforestation projects in the regions.