Journal of Biodiversity and Ecological Sciences
Volume:4 Issue: 4, 2014

The ten microliters of various concentrations of acetone solution of Retinol and Fernasol Methyl Ether (FME) were used for topical application to individual larval instars of silkworm, Bombyx mori (L) (Race: PM x CSR2) at 48 hours after the fourth moult. The integument chitin of untreated control larvae; acetone treated control; FME treated larvae and Retinol treated larvae was estimated at 120 hours after the fourth moult. Topical application of various concentrations of acetone solutions of FME and Retinol to fifth instar larvae of silkworm, Bombyx mori (L) (Race: PM x CSR2) was found reflected into the reduction in the deposition of chitin in the larval body wall. The reduction in body wall chitin was found ranging from zero to hundred percent. The plot of concentrations of acetone solutions (FME and Retinol) and percent reduction in the body wall chitin was found exhibiting a characteristic Sigmoid form of displacement, which herewith titled as “Punyamayee Baramati Dose Response Curve”. Since the effects of juvenoids involve the inhibition of metamorphosis of insects through reduction in chitin deposition, it is possible to express the concentration (dose) applied in terms of ID50 value. The ID50 value of juvenoid contents of FME and Retinol can be defined as the specific unit (mg/ml), which enable to chitin to deposit fifty percent less in the body wall of larvae (In comparison with untreated control). Accordingly ,the ID50 value calculated from the “Punyamayee Baramati Dose Response Curves” for FME was found measured 0.08 mg/ml. The ID50 value for Retinol was measured 0.095 mg/ml. Acetone soluble juvenoid content of Retinol , the Diterpene compounds may be utilized efficiently for the fortified development of fifth instars of silkworm, Bombyx mori (L) and thereby, the cocoon quality. Sigmoid (S-form) “Baramati Dose Response Curve” may help for quantitative estimation of juvenoid contents of various terpene compounds and terpenoids.

This study has been done based on using of Ellenberg method for ecological evaluation of Lilium ledebourii site in Damash heights. Application of Ellenberg method as one of the ecological evaluation method for determining ecological parameters such as: light, latitude, temperature, soil moisture, soil fertility and soil pH is based on vegetation recognition and Ellenberg table application. Determining of vegetation in natural site is used as a tool for ecological evaluation of herbal sites. In this research a simple method of Ellenberg is applied for ecological evaluating of herbal sites and validity of method in compare with field investigation was studied. Ellenberg method results Comparison with field investigation show that this ecological evaluation method is valid arising from relative agreement between results. By applying of this method and understanding effective ecological factors on Lilium ledebourii, the conservation process of this threatened species should be upgraded.

Species diversity is one of the most important indices was used to evaluate the sustainability of forest communities. This research was investigated in the Seyefe-Bala village district, Marivan region, Kurdistan Province, Northern Zagros Forest west of Iran. 60 circle sample plots (500 m2) were collected in the each site by randomized-systematic method in the 100×200 Net. In every sample plot the kind of species and number of trees were recorded. In the sample plots the micro plots of 5 m by 5 m (i. e. area of 25 m2) were designed, regeneration and shrub information was recorded then. Species diversity indexes including Shannon Wiener (H׳) and Margaleff (R1) were used to evaluate plant diversity in each sample plot. The means of different between diversity indexes in the two sites were estimated by t-test. Data analyzing was done by SPSS16 and Ecological Methodological software’s. The numbers of 10 and 17 woody species in the farm operation and non-farm operation area. Tree, shrub and seed regeneration diversity in the non-farm operation area has higher means diversity index and differences between vegetation layer diversity indexes in the two areas were statistically significant. Results showed that shrub layer had the higher diversity indices (richness, diversity and evenness). In total farm operation in forest has negative effect in the tree, shrub and coppice regeneration diversity. Therefore, prevention of farm operation in forest in the degraded forest stands can be suggested as a suitable approach for natural restoration and increasing plant diversity.

The Art of nature worship is an ancient Indian tradition. The Sacred Groves are example of this worship, here the batches of plant diversity protected by ethnic peoples under believes that to keep them in secrecy of relationship with the nature. It provides the information about the ancient life form and the myth about the nature. In the present study, the floristic composition and conservation status of selected sacred groves were analyzed, totally 150 species belonging to 65 families were recorded from the five selected sacred groves. The family Euphorbiaceae (14 species) was represented with maximum number of species followed by Caesalpiniaceae (9 species) and Fabaceae (8 species). Overall, the herbaceous species (53) were more dominant than trees (42), shrubs (36) and climber (19). Among the different families of flowering plants recorded, Polypetalae (23) were found to be more in number than Gamopetalae (19), Monocots (16) and Apetalae (7). The species composition of each grove was unique and 68 plant species were found in only one grove due to habitat variation. Two rare plants such as insectivorous plant Drosera indica L. and the partial plant parasite Dendrophthoe falcata (L.f.) Ettingsh. were recorded from grove one and four respectively. The selected groves were well conserved by local residences of those areas through myths, beliefs and folklores.

Biodiversity and its natural process in different ecosystems contribute to the correct understanding of the interrelationships between the land, climate, plants and other living things. Through biodiversity, it is possible to plan the utility patterns of natural resources by referring to its component parts. The forests of North of Iran (with an area of 1.8 square kilometers) belong to the Hycranian or deciduous broad-leaf forests and possesses a temperate and humid climate. They are of great importance in Iran because of their uniqueness in plant community, ecological, genetic and species diversity. As only a small percent of the plants in Iran is located in Europe, Siberia, Caspian sea coasts and the forests of north of Iran, the number of tree species and shrubs reaches to more than 80 and 50 respectively. Besides, since the majority of the forests of north of Iran are mountainous and have a high diversity of woody species a study of the trees species of the Hycranian forests can prove to be very useful and of highest importance. For this purpose, 40 sample plots 0.5 hectare have been randomly chosen and surveyed in different altitudes between 100-3520 m of Tonekabon forests. The results obtained from the analysis of this survey, indicates that with increase in altitude from sea level, species richness decrease while species diversity and evenness continue to rise so that the maximum species diversity is observed at the altitude range of 350-750 m above sea level and the least diversity of species is observed at the range of 1550-1750 m altitude.

The accumulation of nitrate in the agriculture products, especially vegetables, water and foods is one of those factors that exposes the people health and hygiene in particular the neonates to the risk. The purpose of present study is to examine the nitrate amount in the highly use plants, i.e. parsley at the vegetable farms of Dezful city. The sampling of the farms at third zone of Dezful was conducted randomly through three consecutive pickings from first, middle and last rows during morning. The samples was dried in an oven at 70°C and powdered by a mill. Next, a spectrophotometer device read their nitrates. In order to compare the mean and standard deviation, the nitrate concentration in the tested samples in the three zones was studied by employing Duncan test at 5% level using SPSS 18 package. The results showed that the highest nitrate amounts in the tested samples of the three farms were 10295 mg/kg of fresh weight in the parsley. Thus, there was no significant difference. All the parsley samples were beyond standard limit (500 mg/kg of fresh weight).

The study was carried out to assess the influence of logging on microbial population and soil properties in Akure forest reserve. The microbes were isolated and counted in agar plated composite soil samples collected from unlogged forest and two differently logged habitats in Akure forest reserve. The soil pH and soil structure of each selected habitat were also examined. The results show that the soil samples contain 18 species of bacteria and 13 species of fungi. However, 11 species of bacteria were found in the unlogged forest, 14 for lightly logged and 8 for heavily logged. Likewise 8, 9, 6 species of fungi were observed from unlogged, lightly logged and heavily logged forests respectively. Bacteria count was significantly higher (p≤0.05) in unlogged than other studied habitat. Unlogged forest had pH value of 5.85±0.17, lightly logged had 6.56±0.19 and heavily logged habitat had 6.40±0.15. The results of percentage sand composition shows that unlogged, lightly logged and heavily logged habitats had the value of 78.24±1.00, 76.99±1.79 and 77.24±1.00 respectively. The results further shows that the pH in unlogged is moderately acidic (5.850.17), while lightly logged forest and heavily logged forests were slightly acidic (6.560.19 and 6.400.15). The regression equation shows that a relationship exists between percentage sand content and bacteria, soil pH and fungi. But there is no relationship between the soil pH and bacteria and percentage sand content and fungi since their R2 is very low. The implication of their relationship is discussed.