Mass Loss and Nutrient Release through Leaching in Tectona grandis and Theobroma cacao leaf litter in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Tectona grandis and Theobroma cacao are common plantation tree crops planted to replace natural forest in Nigeria because of their faster growth rate and economic values. The changes in land use have marked effects on the soil nutrients and organic matter stock, thereby affecting physical, chemical properties and soil microbial activity. This study looked at the mass loss and rate of leaching of nutrients in the two tree species. Bulk of fallen senescent leaf litters were collected from the plantations, air-dried and thoroughly mixed. Two grammes of each species was weighed into a 500 ml beaker and 250 ml of distilled water added and were retrieved at interval of 0, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 and 144 hrs, this was replicated six times. The pH, mass loss (%), rate of mass loss (% hr–¹), conductivity (μs), total dissolve solid (mg l–¹), nutrients in leached water were measured. Results showed higher mass loss rate of 0.37 % hr-1 in Tectona grandis compared to 0.29 % hr-1 in Theobroma cacao after 24 hrs. At the end of the study, 1.20%, 5.23%, 6.64% and 8.25% of the initial amount of Ca, Mg, K, and Na in the Theobroma cacao leaf litter; and 2.23%, 1.38%, 7.99%, and 13.077% in Tectona grandis leaf litter were retained. It was observed that 9.27% and 3.71% of the initial amount of N and P were lost from Theobroma cacao leaf litter while, 9.23%, and 8.10% were released in Tectona grandis at the end of the study. The release of P, Ca, K and Na with respect to leaching at the end of the study was better in Tectona grandis and the information of nutrients release will be helpful in selecting the best tree species for plantation establishment in terms of nutrients return for improved productivity

Biomass and carbon stock estimation of five selected tree species in a secondary forest at Obafemi Awolowo University Campus, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Biomass and carbon stock of five treespecies were investigated in a secondaryforest in Ile-Ife, Nigeria in order to assessthe contribution of individual tree speciesto above and below ground biomass, andcarbon stock in the forest. Fifty individualtrees each of Celtis zenkeri, Funtumiaelastica, Holarrhena floribunda, Sterculiatragacantha and Newbouldia laevis weresampled. The diameter at the base (at theground level), middle (approximately halfof the tree height), top (diameter of the tipof the tree) of the trees as well as at breastheight; height of individuals of eachspecies ≥ 10 cm DBH were measured.Above ground biomass was calculated as aproduct of stem volume and wood basicdensity while carbon stock was determinedas the product of dry weight and anassumed carbon content of 50% of the treebiomass while below ground biomass wasestimated using root:shoot ratiorelationship. Results showed significant (p< 0.05) differences in biomass and carbonstock between the tree species. The orderof biomass accumulation and carbon stockwas Celtis zenkeri > Holarrhenafloribunda > Funtumia elastica >Newbouldia laevis > Sterculiatragacantha. The lower DBH size class(21-30 cm) had the highest biomasscontribution in the species. The studyshowed that the forest was generallycharacterized by small individuals and alsoprovided information that will enhanceprediction of biomass and carbon stockdetermination in tree species

Volume measurements for quicker determination of forest litter standing crop

Litter standing crop (LSC) is the quantity of plant detritus on the floor in forested environments. Knowledge of LSC is important in understanding many ecological phenomena. These include studies of litterfall, decomposition/litter turnover rates and nutrient cycling (Anderson et al. 1983, Dent et al. 2006), general plant performance (Benítez-Malvido & Kossmann-Ferraz 1999), other ecosystem processes such as the effects of fire (Odiwe & Muoghalu 2003) and fauna (Frith & Frith 1990, Giaretta et al. 1999, Levings & Windsor 1985). The determination of accurate annual average LSC data, may require monitoring over long periods due to seasonality and sometimes sporadic nature of litterfall and decomposition rates (Clark et al. 2001). Furthermore, the effects of topography and water movement create the need for both representative site selection and sufficient spatial coverage

Airborne trace elements near a petrochemical industrial complex in Thailand assessed by the lichen Parmotrema tinctorum (Despr. ex Nyl.) Hale

7siSeveral trace elements discharged by the petrochemical industry are toxic to humans and the ecosystem. In this study, we assessed airborne trace elements in the vicinity of the Map Ta Phut petrochemical industrial complex in Thailand by transplanting the lichen Parmotrema tinctorum to eight industrial, two rural, and one clean air sites between October 2013 and June 2014. After 242 days, the concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Ti, V, and Zn in lichens at most industrial sites were higher than those at the rural and the control sites; in particular, As, Cu, Mo, Sb, V, and Zn were significantly higher than at the control site (p < 0.05). Contamination factors (CFs) indicated that Cd, Cu, Mo, and Sb, which have severe health impacts, heavily contaminated at most industrial sites. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that most elements were associated with industry, with lesser contributions from traffic and agriculture. Based on the pollution load indexes (PLIs), two industrial sites were highly polluted, five were moderately polluted, and one had a low pollution level, whereas the pollution load at the rural sites was comparable to background levels. This study reinforces the utility of lichens as cost-effective biomonitors of airborne elements, suitable for use in developing countries, where adequate numbers of air monitoring instruments are unavailable due to financial, technical, and policy constraints.partially_openopenBoonpeng, Chaiwat; Polyiam, Wetchasart; Sriviboon, Chutima; Sangiamdee, Duangkamon; Watthana, Santi; Nimis, Pier Luigi; Boonpragob, KansriBoonpeng, Chaiwat; Polyiam, Wetchasart; Sriviboon, Chutima; Sangiamdee, Duangkamon; Watthana, Santi; Nimis, Pierluigi; Boonpragob, Kansr

Study Of Harmony In The Indoor/Outdoor Context Of Architecture Of The 21st Century Catholic Church In Latvia

<p class="04SantraukaPradzia"><span lang="LT">Wide-ranging use of glass systems in modern sacral architecture extends the traditional dialogue between indoor and outdoor space and makes architects look for new forms or harmony between the two, at the same time keeping focus on the most important thing – sense of God’s presence and idea of spiritual transcendence. Compositional application of coloristics, light and shadow under the impact of insolation and visual accents created by the play of light and shadow should underline altarpiece in church space creating the necessary balance and arranging priorities in the right order. Aesthetic harmony has a subordinated significance. A picturesque landscape seen through a glass system has only a subordinate importance. Harmony of indoor/outdoor space in sacral architecture is achieved only in those cases when expressing a hierarchy or priority values such as an altarpiece accentuated with the help of light, interior design opening to the sky, picturesque view of nature. In order to reach the maximum result a synthesis of mentioned methods is recommended.</span></p

Short-term carbon and nitrogen dynamics in soil, litterfall and canopy of a suburban native forest subjected to prescribed burning in subtropical Australia

Hosseini Bai, S ORCiD: 0000-0001-8646-6423Purpose: This study aimed to understand the mechanisms of the variations in carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools and examine the possibility of differentiating the burning effects from seasonal and pre-existed N limitations in a native suburban forest ecosystem influenced by prescribed burning in subtropical Australia. Materials and methods: Soil and litterfall samples were collected from two study sites from 1 to 23 months since last burnt. Soil labile C and N pools, soil C and N isotopic compositions (δ13C and δ15N), litterfall mass production (LM), and litterfall total C, total N, δ13C and δ15N were analysed. In-situ gas exchange measurements were also conducted during dry and wet seasons for Eucalyptus baileyana and E. planchoniana. Results and discussion: The results indicated that labile C and N pools increased within the first few months after burning, with no correlations with climatic factors. Therefore, it was possible that the increase was due to the burning-induced factors such as the incorporation of ashes into the soil. The highest values of soil and litterfall δ15N, observed when the study was commenced at the experimental sites, and their high correlations with climatic factors were indicative of long-term N and water limitation. The 13C signals showed that soil N concentrations and climatic factors were also two of the main factors controlling litterfall and foliage properties mainly through the changes in photosynthetic capacity and stomatal conductance. Conclusions: Long-term soil N availabilities and climatic factors were the two of the main driving factors of C and N cycling in the studied forest sites. Further studies are needed to compare soil and litterfall properties before and after burning to profoundly understand the effects of prescribed burning on soil labile C and N variations. © 2019, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature