Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gift Simon Demaya, Shazali Abdallah Gordon, Thomas Francis Lado, Luca Luiselli, Corrado Battisti
Summary: This study conducted a field sampling design in Nibule National Park in South Sudan and its surrounding buffer zone, and found that the bird communities in the national park were richer and more diverse compared to the buffer zone. The study also showed that protected area management positively influenced the bird community structure.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eniyou C. Oriero, Martha A. Demba, Mouhamadou F. Diop, Deus S. Ishengoma, Lucas N. Amenga-Etego, Anita Ghansah, Tobias Apinjoh, Soulama Issiaka, Abdoulaye Djimde, Umberto D'Alessandro, Martin Meremikwu, Alfred Amambua-Ngwa
Summary: Plasmodium malariae, a neglected human malaria parasite, contributes up to 10% of malaria infections in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA). Genetic analysis revealed high diversity and evidence of antimalarial drug selection in P. malariae infections, calling for its inclusion in malaria genomic surveillance for improved malaria elimination strategies.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wenquan Zhen, Kit Yue Kwan, Chun-Chieh Wang, Xuwen Wu, Guo Guo, Qiuxiang Deng, Xing Huang, Xueping Wang, Junhua Zhu, Peng Xu
Summary: Introduced mangroves are widely used for mangrove ecosystem restoration in South China, but their potential impacts on benthic macroinvertebrates are still uncertain. This study explored the community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates in the mangrove ecosystem of northern Beibu Gulf, China and found that introduced Laguncularia racemosa mangrove had higher diversity and evenness but lower species richness and similarity compared to native Avicennia marina and mixed mangroves. These findings suggest that native mangroves should be prioritized in ecosystem restoration due to the lack of consensus on potential impacts of introduced mangroves on benthic macroinvertebrates.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Amairany Y. Angeles-Garcia, Joanna J. Suarez-Torres, Pablo Carrillo-Reyes, Karen E. Pena-Joya, Sandra Quijas
Summary: This study investigated the woody plant species diversity of the deciduous and sub-deciduous tropical forest in Sierra de Vallejo. The results showed low species richness, high variation in individual numbers, and low true diversity in this area.
BOTANICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Marie Claire Veranso-Libalah, Hannah Mertes, Robert Douglas Stone, Luo Chen, Tariq Stevart, Frank Almeda, Xander M. van der Burgt, Gudrun Kadereit
Summary: This study presents the first in-depth phylogenetic analysis of the Sonerileae tribe in tropical Africa and Madagascar. The results suggest that the currently recognized genera of Sonerileae are not monophyletic. The study also provides evidence for the placement of African and Malagasy species among Southeast Asian genera.
JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Oceanography
T. W. G. F. Mafaziya Nijamdeen, Jean Huge, Hajaniaina A. Ratsimbazafy, Kodikara Arachchilage Sunanda Kodikara, Farid Dahdouh-Guebas
Summary: This study utilizes social network analysis (SNA) to examine the stakeholders involved in mangrove management in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka and their collaborative relationships. The findings highlight the important role of government departments in mangrove conservation. However, barriers to communication, lack of awareness, and resource shortages currently hinder effective mangrove management. The study suggests the inclusion of bridging organizations and other stakeholders to improve information diffusion in the social network.
OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Samuel A. Ofori, Sunanda K. A. Kodikara, Loku P. Jayatissa, Sanduni K. Madarasinghe, T. W. G. F. Mafaziya Nijamdeen, Farid Dahdouh-Guebas
Summary: Shrimp farming poses a significant threat to the conservation of mangrove ecosystems in South Asian countries. The introduction of shrimp farming in Sri Lanka has resulted in the continuous clearing of mangroves, leading to a decline in the social-ecological services provided by these ecosystems. The study reveals that shrimp farming has a high ecological footprint and is unsustainable.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
T. W. G. F. Mafaziya Nijamdeen, Ngendahimana Ephrem, Jean Huge, Kodikara Arachchilage Sunanda Kodikara, Farid Dahdouh-Guebas
Summary: This paper assesses the ethnobiological importance of mangroves to coastal communities in Southern and North-western Sri Lanka. The study found that mangroves are used for various purposes including food, fuel, construction, chemicals, and medicine. The extent of usage was significantly higher in the Southern province compared to the North-western province. It is suggested that community participation, ethnobiological importance, and community perspectives should be taken into account for sustainable mangrove management.
Article
Ecology
Lea Mouton, Jairo Patino, Mark Carine, Fred Rumsey, Miguel Menezes de Sequeira, Juana Maria Gonzalez-Mancebo, Rosalina Maria de Almeida Gabriel, Olivier J. Hardy, Manuela Sim-Sim, J. Alfredo Reyes-Betancort, Flavien Collart, Alain Vanderpoorten
Summary: This study examined the influence of spatial, historical, and ecological processes on diversity patterns in island biogeography. The analysis revealed that species turnover increased with geographic scale, while nestedness remained relatively constant. Additionally, it was found that bryophytes and pteridophytes exhibited lower species turnover and higher nestedness compared to spermatophytes, suggesting differences in dispersal capacities and distribution ranges among land plants.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Thanne Walawwe Gedera Fathima Mafaziya Nijamdeen, Hajaniaina A. Ratsimbazafy, Kodikara Arachchilage Sunanda Kodikara, Thenne Walawe Gedhara Fathima Ashara Nijamdeen, Thajudeen Thahira, Sofia Peruzzo, Farid Dahdouh-Guebas, Jean Huge
Summary: Understanding the collaboration among stakeholders is important for supporting mangrove management in Sri Lanka. Our study used social network analysis and content analysis to identify the collaboration between stakeholders and their perceptions regarding mangrove co-management. Results showed differences between coastal provinces in mangrove management networks. Inefficient communication, policy inconsistencies, and insufficient funding were identified as challenges to effective mangrove management.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jean-Yves Dubuisson, Adele Nivart, Ehoarn Bidault, Vincent Deblauwe, Vincent Droissart, Narcisse G. Kamdem, Germinal Rouhan, Atsushi Ebihara, Timothee le Pechon
Summary: The diversity of the fern genus Didymoglossum in Africa is not high, with at most seven species. However, there is still a strong debate about its local taxonomy, particularly regarding the Didymoglossum erosum complex. Our study uses anatomical, morphological, and molecular analyses to support the recognition of all seven species and propose new characters and a key to distinguish them. We also discuss the biogeographic history of the genus in Africa based on divergence time estimation and ancestral geographic area reconstruction.
JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maurizio Mascarello, Olivier Lachenaud, Mario Amalfi, Erik Smets, Olivier J. Hardy, Hans Beeckman, Steven B. Janssens
Summary: Illegal logging poses a serious threat to forest ecosystems and biodiversity conservation in tropical Africa. Despite efforts to reduce illegal logging, a significant amount of timber is still harvested and traded illegally. To enforce international regulations, it is crucial to develop analytical tools for traceability and identification of wood and related products. This study focused on using DNA barcoding to identify plant species, specifically 17 valuable African timber species. The researchers characterized the genetic diversity of these species and developed novel species-specific genetic barcodes for identification.
Article
Plant Sciences
Joao Farminhao, Jean Philippe Biteau, Diallo Yakhouba, Marie Savignac, Murielle Simo-Droissart, Vincent Droissart, Bonaventure Sonke, Tariq Stevart
Summary: This paper examines the leafless category of orchids in the Afrotropical region, discovering a new leafless species and revealing its relationship with other known leafless species through phylogenetic analysis. It suggests that leaflessness evolved only once in this group. The study also proposes a new classification method, redefining the leafless category.
Article
Forestry
Samuel Vanden Abeele, Katarina Matvijev, Olivier J. Hardy, Dieu-Merci Assumani, Bhely Angoboy Ilondea, Hans Beeckman, Gael U. D. Bouka, Clay Archange Boupoya, Victor Deklerck, Jean-Francois Flot, Jean-Francois Gillet, Narcisse Guy Kamdem, Janvier Lisingo, Franck Monthe, Bonaventure Sonke, Steven B. Janssens
Summary: As destruction and degradation of natural ecosystems continue to cause global biodiversity loss, it becomes increasingly important to document species and population diversity. However, many species remain poorly understood, particularly in tropical African plants. This study aims to identify hidden species and differentiated populations in the widespread tropical African tree Staudtia kamerunensis, which exhibits high morphological diversity and a complex taxonomical history.
TREE GENETICS & GENOMES
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tom Bernard, K. A. S. Kodikara, Jani Sleutel, G. G. N. K. Wijeratne, Jean Huge, M. P. Kumara, M. A. Y. N. Weerasinghe, D. P. D. Ranakawa, W. A. K. G. Thakshila, Farid Dahdouh-Guebas
Summary: Kalametiya Lagoon in Sri Lanka has undergone significant hydrological changes due to an upstream irrigation project, resulting in the invasion of mangrove stands and reedbeds. This study aimed to determine the current bird diversity and distribution in relation to habitat types and environmental variables. The research found 79 bird species, including endemic and nationally threatened species, with invertebrate feeders and polyphages being the richest and most diverse guilds. The study also highlighted the potential of bird guilds as bioindicators for the ecosystem, with feeding guild composition being influenced by environmental variables.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Claire Baudoux, Achille Biwole, Olivier J. Hardy, Bruce L. Webber, Patrick Heuret
Summary: Measuring the impacts of non-native species is challenging, but using multiple morphological markers can help recreate historical invasion dynamics and quantify the effects of invasion on native ecosystems. A study on the invasion of Cecropia peltata in Cameroon found that the non-native species exhibited sustained growth and early sexual maturity compared to its native counterpart, resulting in a lower density of the native tree species in the co-occurrence region.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Donatien Zebaze, Anais Gorel, Jean-Francois Gillet, Fructueux Houngbegnon, Nicolas Barbier, Gauthier Ligot, Simon Lhoest, Gyslene Kamdem, Moses Libalah, Vincent Droissart, Bonaventure Sonke, Jean-Louis Doucet
Summary: The dynamics of tropical forests are highly dependent on the forest understorey. This study analyzed the density, diversity, and composition of the forest understorey in different land use types in Cameroon, revealing significant differences in abundance, species richness, and diversity between land use types and strata.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Vincent Droissart, Simon Verlynde, Brigitte Ramandimbisoa, Lalao Andriamahefarivo, Tariq Stevart
Summary: Madagascar has become a significant hotspot for plant biodiversity, with new species being discovered each year. Orchidaceae, in particular, is a diverse and conservationally important family in Madagascar. Based on a comprehensive herbarium dataset, a checklist of all orchid species in Madagascar is compiled, along with information on sampling effort, species diversity distribution, and ecological and conservation status. The dataset reveals the rich orchid diversity in Madagascar, with the majority of species being endemic. The findings highlight priority areas for future surveys and emphasize the need for conservation efforts.
BIODIVERSITY DATA JOURNAL
(2023)