Seasonality of Leaf and Fig Production in Ficus squamosa, a Fig Tree with Seeds Dispersed by Water

The phenology of plants reflects selection generated by seasonal climatic factors and interactions with other plants and animals, within constraints imposed by their phylogenetic history. Fig trees (Ficus) need to produce figs year-round to support their short-lived fig wasp pollinators, but this requirement is partially de-coupled in dioecious species, where female trees only develop seeds, not pollinator offspring. This allows female trees to concentrate seed production at more favorable times of the year. Ficus squamosa is a riparian species whose dispersal is mainly by water, rather than animals. Seeds can float and travel in long distances. We recorded the leaf and reproductive phenology of 174 individuals for three years in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. New leaves were produced throughout the year. Fig production occurred year-round, but with large seasonal variations that correlated with temperature and rainfall. Female and male trees initiated maximal fig crops at different times, with production in female trees confined mainly to the rainy season and male figs concentrating fig production in the preceding months, but also often bearing figs continually. Ficus squamosa concentrates seed production by female plants at times when water levels are high, favouring dispersal by water, and asynchronous flowering within male trees allow fig wasps to cycle there, providing them with potential benefits by maintaining pollinators for times when female figs become available to pollinate

Projecting Land-Use Change and Its Consequences for Biodiversity in Northern Thailand

Rapid deforestation has occurred in northern Thailand over the last few decades and it is expected to continue. The government has implemented conservation policies aimed at maintaining forest cover of 50% or more and promoting agribusiness, forestry, and tourism development in the region. The goal of this paper was to analyze the likely effects of various directions of development on the region. Specific objectives were (1) to forecast land-use change and land-use patterns across the region based on three scenarios, (2) to analyze the consequences for biodiversity, and (3) to identify areas most susceptible to future deforestation and high biodiversity loss. The study combined a dynamic land-use change model (Dyna-CLUE) with a model for biodiversity assessment (GLOBIO3). The Dyna-CLUE model was used to determine the spatial patterns of land-use change for the three scenarios. The methodology developed for the Global Biodiversity Assessment Model framework (GLOBIO 3) was used to estimate biodiversity intactness expressed as the remaining relative mean species abundance (MSA) of the original species relative to their abundance in the primary vegetation. The results revealed that forest cover in 2050 would mainly persist in the west and upper north of the region, which is rugged and not easily accessible. In contrast, the highest deforestation was expected to occur in the lower north. MSA values decreased from 0.52 in 2002 to 0.45, 0.46, and 0.48, respectively, for the three scenarios in 2050. In addition, the estimated area with a high threat to biodiversity (an MSA decrease >0.5) derived from the simulated land-use maps in 2050 was approximately 2.8% of the region for the trend scenario. In contrast, the high-threat areas covered 1.6 and 0.3% of the region for the integrated-management and conservation-oriented scenarios, respectively. Based on the model outcomes, conservation measures were recommended to minimize the impacts of deforestation on biodiversity. The model results indicated that only establishing a fixed percentage of forest was not efficient in conserving biodiversity. Measures aimed at the conservation of locations with high biodiversity values, limited fragmentation, and careful consideration of road expansion in pristine forest areas may be more efficient to achieve biodiversity conservation. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

A new species of Dolichandrone (Bignoniaceae) from S.E. Asia

Volume: 7Start Page: 97End Page: 10

An economic analysis of the country specific impacts of freer international trade in sugar

The world sugar market does not perform in a perfect competitive setting. This research has applied a new framework to analyze the impacts of liberalization in international trade in sugar. The current round of GATT negotiation has placed agricultural trade reform on top of the list. Trade in sugar will undoubtedly be affected by the outcome of the negotiation due to the substantial protection practiced by several governments. International trade in sugar is characterized by two separate types of market: special arrangement market and free market. The law of one price does not hold in world trade in sugar. A spatial equilibrium model cannot explain the rigidity in trade flows. Thus this research proposes to use the Export Side International Trade (ESIT) model to determine equilibrium prices and trade flows. The ESIT model maintains the rigidity of trade flows consistent with an Armington type model but does not require importing country prices data. The equilibrium in this model is determined by solving the excess supply and export demand functions in each exporting country. The protection or trade distortion policies in this research are captured by the concept of producer subsidy equivalent (PSE) and consumer subsidy equivalent (CSE). Applying the ESIT model to data on prices, trade flows, and removals of PSE and CSE at 1986 levels reveals that developing countries, not including Cuba, would expand their sugar economies by half a million metric tons a year. The gain in foreign exchange earnings for these countries would be in the magnitude of $170 million annually. The developed countries' sugar economies would contract by three million metric tons a year. The study identifies two developing countries from ASEAN, the Philippines and Thailand, as the major gainers both in terms of increases in export volume and exchange earnings. In conclusion, the study provides timely and valuable insights for formulating more informed planning in trade negotiations. The findings concerning contraction in the sugar sectors of the developed countries suggest reallocating of their resources to other areas to achieve economic efficiency. The liberalization in sugar trade could help the developing countries meet their foreign debt obligations. Expansion in employment and income redistribution to rural areas would result in these countries as well