Article
Plant Sciences
H. J. Niemann, B. S. Bezeng, R. D. Orton, R. M. Kabongo, M. Pilusa, M. van der Bank
Summary: This study found that water bodies in South Africa have been invaded by alien macrophytes, with the aquarium and ornamental pond plant industry being a primary pathway. While regulations and national programs are in place to ensure compliance, challenges in species identification hinder enforcement. The use of DNA barcoding was effective in identifying plant species collected in the study, and the results have important implications for invasive macrophyte management and updates to alien and invasive species lists.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
L. J. McGaw, A. G. Omokhua-Uyi, J. F. Finnie, J. Van Staden
Summary: The review investigated the traditional use and biological activity of invasive alien plants and weeds in South Africa, identifying 89 plant species used in traditional medicine, with 61% being invasive alien species. This information provides a basis for further research and development of these plants as medicinal resources.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Xuan Wei, Hayk Khachatryan, Alan Hodges, Charlie Hall, Marco Palma, Ariana Torres, Robin Brumfield
Summary: In 2019, the US ornamental horticulture industry had a farm gate crop value of $17 billion and contributed $348 billion to the nation's economy. As the industry matures, there is increased competition among grower firms for marketing channels. However, the marketing practices of this industry have not received enough attention from researchers. This study analyzes the factors influencing firms' market participation and market channel choices using data from the National Green Industry Survey.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Louisa E. Wood, Mialy Z. Andriamahefazafy, James Guilder, Christian A. Kull, Ross T. Shackleton
Summary: A study in Lake Leman (Lake Geneva), Switzerland, found that the abundance of aquatic plants has increased over the last decade, largely due to climate change. These plants were perceived to benefit water quality, provide important habitat and food for fauna, but also brought some cultural or economic disadvantages. User perceptions of the associated ecosystem services and disservices affected support for management decisions.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Carla Muller, Deborah Hofstra, Paul Champion
Summary: This paper uses New Zealand case studies to test general economic principles related to intervention in invasive freshwater plants, finding that early eradication and smaller incursion size result in lower costs, eradication is more expensive in the short term but cheaper than no intervention in the long term, and preventing new incursions is more cost-effective than eradication in the long run. These principles can support intervention decision-making and provide more holistic outcomes for society.
MANAGEMENT OF BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
James Guilder, Gordon H. Copp, Mark A. Thrush, Nicholas Stinton, Debbie Murphy, Joanna Murray, Hannah J. Tidbury
Summary: The study focused on investigating the potential impact of commonly-traded non-native ornamental aquatic species and their pathogens in UK waters under future climate conditions. Results showed a majority of parasites and pathogens identified were platyhelminths, viruses, and bacteria, with the presence of some species with zoonotic potential.
Article
Forestry
Natalia I. Kirichenko, Stanislav Gomboc, Barbara Piskur, Maarten de Groot
Summary: In this study, an arboretum in Slovenia was used to survey woody plants and identify both alien and native leaf miners. A total of 62 leaf-mining species were identified, including 8 alien species. This study highlights the importance of arboreta and botanical gardens for the interception of invasive alien insects and the early detection of trophic shifts of native insects to alien plants.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Maricela Martinez Jimenez, Maria Antonieta Gomez Balandra
Summary: This study investigates the geographic distribution of aquatic plants in 11 hydrological regions and basins of Mexico. It reports the presence of 11 non-native invasive species and 31 native species. The survey shows that the water coverage by different plant species ranged from 5% to 100%.
BIOINVASIONS RECORDS
(2022)
Review
Agronomy
Buddhi Marambe, Siril Wijesundara
Summary: Climate change has exacerbated issues caused by weeds and invasive alien plants in agro-ecosystems globally, including in Sri Lanka. In response, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture have implemented policies, strategies, and risk assessments to address the impacts of climate change on agriculturally important weeds and IAPs in the country.
FRONTIERS IN AGRONOMY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Maria Mojena Gonzales-Plasus, Leo N. Plasus, NiNo Jess Mar F. Mecha
Summary: The status and challenges of the freshwater ornamental fish industry in the Palawan region of the Philippines were assessed in this study. The results showed that there are freshwater ornamental fish hobbyists distributed in 11 localities of Palawan, involving 12 fish species and 83 strains/varieties. Key players in the market chain were categorized as producers, traders, and sellers, and the main challenges they faced were economic and research-related.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Buntu Fanteso, Kowiyou Yessoufou
Summary: This study aims to document and identify the determinants of people's knowledge of traditional water conservation in South Africa's Eastern Cape province. The research findings indicate that traditional knowledge is not influenced by age or gender, but positively correlates with geographic location. Challenges such as rainfall variation, water quality issues, and increased water demand were identified in relation to traditional water conservation technologies.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Lindelwa Nonjabulo Dlamini, Kowiyou Yessoufou
Summary: This study evaluates the implementation of sustainable construction measures in the Belhar Gardens Rental Estate (BGRE) in South Africa and provides insights into the awareness and barriers of sustainable construction in the country. Professionals have a good understanding of sustainable construction concepts, but face challenges such as high costs and limited knowledge on the benefits of sustainability in the construction industry. Ecological design and procurement are proposed as solutions to promote sustainable construction in South Africa.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kowiyou Yessoufou, Annie Estelle Ambani, Hosam O. Elansary, Ahmed M. El-Sabrout, Shadi Shokralla
Summary: Ethnobotanists are calling for a paradigm shift in ethnobotany towards the formulation of unifying theories. One such theory proposed is the time-since-introduction theory, which explains the integration of alien plants into local pharmacopoeias. The study validates this theory through a structural equation model and proposes a framework to understand the relationships between hypotheses.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mothusi Boihang, Kowiyou Yessoufou
Summary: Local communities' perspectives on mining businesses are crucial for socio-economic development, but often misunderstood. This study conducted in South Africa reveals that only a small percentage of communities' expectations are met by local mine businesses. Satisfaction levels tend to increase as distance from the mine increases. Additionally, employed individuals and large households are more likely to be satisfied with the services provided by the mine.
Article
Water Resources
M. S. Morole, K. Y. Yessoufou, S. A. Bufo, I. T. Rampedi, L. S. Modley
Summary: This study conducted a physico-chemical assessment of the water quality of the Kaalspruit River in Gauteng province, South Africa. The results showed that the water quality was poor, with pollution and health risks due to anthropogenic activities in the surrounding areas.
URBAN WATER JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Benele K. Magagula, Isaac T. Rampedi, Kowiyou Yessoufou
Summary: This study investigated the handling and disposal practices of household pharmaceutical wastes in the Johannesburg area. The findings showed that most respondents had some knowledge about HPWs and disagreed with environmentally unfriendly and health-threatening disposal practices. The study also found that education level significantly influenced the willingness of respondents to return pharmaceutical wastes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Muhammad Ishtiaq, Muhammad Waqas Mazhar, Mehwish Maqbool, Abed Alataway, Ahmed Z. Dewidar, Hosam O. Elansary, Kowiyou Yessoufou
Summary: The study shows that employing smart agricultural practices like subsoiling can increase the yield of wheat crops and reduce NOx emissions from soil, benefiting the maintenance of soil nitrogen content.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sinethemba Peter, Njabulo Kambule, Stephen Tangwe, Kowiyou Yessoufou
Summary: The income level of residents affects their access to adequate electricity. In South Africa, coal thermal power plants provide the majority of electricity, but the environmental impact is concerning. This study examines the common mode of sanitary hot-water heating in Dimbaza and explores the economic and environmental benefits of replacing electric water heaters with solar water heaters (SWH). The results show that implementing SWH in households is feasible, as it can save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Musheerul Hassan, Shiekh Marifatul Haq, Riyaz Ahmad, Muhammad Majeed, Hakim Ali Sahito, Madeeha Shirani, Iqra Mubeen, Muhammad Abdul Aziz, Andrea Pieroni, Rainer W. Bussmann, Abed Alataway, Ahmed Z. Dewidar, Mohamed Al-Yafrsi, Hosam O. Elansary, Kowiyou Yessoufou
Summary: This study documented ethnozoological knowledge among eight ethnic groups in the Jammu and Kashmir Himalayas. Comparative analysis showed the close relationship between the Balti and Brokapa groups, while the Kashmiri group recorded the most idiosyncratic species. The study also found that animals were primarily used for medicinal and food purposes, with chest infections being the most frequently treated disease.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kowiyou Yessoufou, Isidore Muleba, Isaac T. Rampedi
Summary: In ethnobotany, the availability hypothesis predicts that plants that are abundant and easily accessible to people are more likely to be medicinal than not. Protected areas may act as a limiting factor to the development of traditional medicinal knowledge, and ex-situ conservation becomes important for species that are restricted to protected areas. The study found that total plant abundance and abundance outside protected areas are positive predictors of medicinal status, while abundance inside protected areas is not, suggesting that protected areas hinder the development of medicinal knowledge.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mashudu Patience Mamathaba, Kowiyou Yessoufou, Annah Moteetee
Summary: In the face of biodiversity crisis, it is crucial to accelerate the discovery and description of unknown species. This study predicts the number of missing plant species in South Africa and estimates the time, personnel, and funding required to identify and describe these species. The findings provide valuable information for comprehensive assessment of South Africa's unique biodiversity.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Sinethemba Peter, Njabulo Kambule, Stephen Tangwe, Kowiyou Yessoufou
Summary: The study showed that by replacing electric water heaters with solar water heaters with an auxiliary electric heater, annual electricity savings for hot water heating reached 4408.99 kWh and the net present value payback period was 4.32 years. The desire of household representatives to replace their existing electric water heaters with solar water heaters due to the campaign strategies increased from 75 to 126.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Muhammad Waheed, Shiekh Marifatul Haq, Kaniz Fatima, Fahim Arshad, Rainer W. W. Bussmann, Farhat Rass Masood, Abed Alataway, Ahmed Z. Dewidar, Khalid F. Almutairi, Hosam O. O. Elansary, Hazem S. S. Kassem, Mohamed Al-Yafrasi, Kowiyou Yessoufou
Summary: This study investigated the ecology of climbers and the influence of soil characteristics on diversity, richness, and indicator species distribution in the Changa Manga Forest Plantation, Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 29 climber species were identified, with herbaceous climbers being the dominant life form, showing peak flowering in August and September. Soil factors significantly influenced the diversity and distribution pattern of climbers. The research provides insights into climbing plant ecology in response to soil variables, impacting policy and practice in the Himalayan region and beyond.
Article
Plant Sciences
Kowiyou Yessoufou
Summary: This study investigated the selection criteria for introducing non-native plants into urban greenspaces. The results showed no differences in functional traits and nectar production between native and non-native plants. However, there were specific selection criteria, such as intraspecific variation in nectar sugar quality, for non-native plants in urban greenspaces.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Syeda Saba Tassadduq, Shamim Akhtar, Muhammad Waheed, Nazneen Bangash, Durr-e-Nayab, Muhammad Majeed, Sanaullah Abbasi, Murad Muhammad, Abed Alataway, Ahmed Z. Dewidar, Hosam O. Elansary, Kowiyou Yessoufou
Summary: This study aimed to explore the distribution patterns and diversity of wild grasses in the Gujrat district of Punjab, Pakistan, with respect to climatic dynamics. A total of 57 wild grass species from 37 genera were documented, with the leading genera being Brachiaria, Cenchrus, and Setaria. Most of the species were native and had a short lifespan, and the dominant leaf size was small. The flowering phenology showed that the main flowering phase occurred from June to August and from July to September.
Article
Plant Sciences
Anaswara Rani, Sneha Asha, Minsa Mini, Pooja P. Rajan, Merin Tomy, Ashita Jose, Xavier Ts, Praveen Kumar
Summary: This study focuses on the eco-friendly synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using Centra-therum punctatum leaf extract. The synthesized nanoparticles showed potent antimicrobial activity and effectively inhibited biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These findings demonstrate the potential of copper oxide nanoparticles for environmentally friendly synthesis and applications.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2024)
Article
Plant Sciences
Bruno Fagundes dos Santos, Talita Oliveira de Arauja, Camilla Oliveira Rios, Advanio Inacio Siqueira-Silva, Eduardo Gusmao Pereira
Summary: This study investigated the interaction between iron excess and phosphorus deficiency in Paspalum densum. The results showed that iron excess decreased phosphorus concentration in roots, while phosphorus deficiency increased iron concentration in leaves. Stomatal limitation was the main cause of decreased photosynthesis due to iron excess. Phosphorus deficiency contributed to higher phosphorus use efficiency and biomass.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2024)
