IOSR-JESTFT   Volume-5 ~ Issue-6 ~ Sep–Oct 2013

Abstract: In the present study attempt was made to biodegrade coir pith using suitable microbes and their consortium, isolated from the naturally decayed coir pith, From the total colony forming units isolated from old coir pith, seven bacterial and five fungal strains which showed predominant growth were selected and independently screened for predecomposition of water washed coir pith for a period of 30 days. Pleurotus sajor caju was also tested for predecomposition of coir pith. Based on the predigestion characteristics, two microbes i-e Isolate-6 (bacteria, Pseudomonas spp) and Isolate-8 (fungi, Aspergilus niger) were selected. The two selected isolates and Pleurotus sajor caju were mixed with each other into four types of microbial consortia and were used for predecomposition (30 days).

Keywords: Aspergilus niger, Coir pith, Pleurotus sajor caju, Pseudomonas spp and predecomposition.

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Abstract: Climatological changes in the coming decades most likely will alter compositions and abundances of zooplankton. What we need to rapidly and comprehensively assess polar, boreal, subtropical and tropical regions and communities is automated instrumentation with which longer time-series and frequent coverage are possible. Such long-time series could be obtained from an Ocean Observatory (Wiebe et.al. 1987). These field studies need to cover processes over scales from seconds to decades, especially to distinguish between natural variance and that created by climatological changes.

Key words: Zooplankton,Coringa,Mangroves,Biomass,Numerical abundance

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Abstract: Forest resource use and traditional conservation practices were studied in nine forest neighbouring communities to Kpashimi Forest Reserve, Niger state. The aim of the study was to examine the importance of indigenous knowledge in biodiversity conservation among the communities surrounding Kpashimi Forest Reserve. Ecological survey and Rapid Rural Appraisal methods were adopted for the study. Matrix ranking and scoring was employed to analyse data on communities' utilization of vegetation species. The average rank score for each perceived important value was calculated. Medicinal value was ranked first with average rank score of 1.21, followed by fuel wood (2.33), food (2.62), cultural value (3.72), timber (3.86), building materials (3.92), grazing (5.24), aesthetic (7.10), fibre (7.34), and employment (8.22). Analysis of respondents' perceived relevance of indigenous knowledge on biodiversity conservation indicated weighted mean score statistics and standard deviation ranging between 3.33- 4.16 and 0.078 - 0.596, respectively. This implies that their mean values were all above the cut-off point of 2.50 and therefore recognised the importance of indigenous knowledge in biodiversity conservation. The study revealed that existing traditional conservation methods among the natives include preservation of sacred landscapes for threatened species, myths and taboos restricting use through dos and don'ts, harvesting methods, spiritual values associated with forests and individual species. Appreciating these immense values and threats from changing environment, the natives indicated approval for the integration of indigenous knowledge with modern forest management practices. The study therefore contends that for continued sustainability of forest biodiversity, conservation strategies need to recognise local knowledge in both content and practice.

Key words: biodiversity, conservation, indigenous knowledge, plant species, traditional.

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Abstract: Multivariate statistical analysis, such as principal component analysis (PCA), factor analysis (FA) and cluster analysis (CA), were applied for evaluate the water quality of Erbil wastewater channel. Seventeen variables have been monitored in three selected sites on monthly basis for one year (May 2010- April 2011). Results revealed that the most important variables are those related to salinity factors, temporal hardness and mineral salts according to PCA/FA techniques. In addition to, CA results showed that dissimilarity of site 3 from other two sites, and most similarity between ions related to processes of hydrogeochemical and mineralization. Generally, water quality for irrigation purposes comes under good water type (86% of total samples) to moderate type (16%) depending on EC- SAR values guidelines. Increases in ions concentrations for EC, TDS and hardness were observed from upstream toward downstream of Erbil wastewater channel.

Keywords: Water quality, factor analysis, principal component analysis, cluster analysis, irrigation, wastewater.

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