5^thInternational Conference on Biodiversity March 10-12, 2016 Madrid, Spain

Biography:

Pranab Pal obtained his PhD from Central University H N B Garhwal, Srinagar, India. He contributed significantly to the ‘‘in situ’’ conservation of various flagship species, namely rhino, wild buffalo, swamp deer, tiger, etc., and helped in strengthening biodiversity conservation in Assam Forest Department India. He visited almost 80 National Parks, Tiger Reserves and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India. He attended and participated in several seminars, conferences, and workshops. He has published more than 30 scientific papers and popular articles. He has been awarded 1st position for “Global Position System” and 2nd position for “Vegetation Analysis” by the Smithsonian Institute USA during the year 1996 for “Conservation of Biodiversity and Wildlife Management”. During April 2015 to September 2015, he received 1st prize on “Environmental Awareness E-waste Management” and “Effect on Forest Fire” in National Seminar organized by UPSE India and U-Cost India.

Abstract:

Biodiversity makes our lives both pleasurable and probable. No one knows precisely how many species arise in our world. According to specialist, the total number of species on earth is in between 10 million to 80 million. We have been capable to procure only 1.4 million species so far. India has a flora of its own and 15000 species are widespread in this region. However biodiversity loss is continuing as a serious worry in many countries including India. Human population increase, indefensible consumerism, augmenting liberate of waste and pollutants, urbanization, international conflicts and unfairness in distributing wealth and resources are presently being viewed as reasons to ameliorate environmental problems as well as to make sure the potential of life on earth. Biodiversity is an umbrella expression of acceptance numbers, assortment and variability of living organisms, the sum total of genetic materials within the organisms and the ecosystems in which they exist. Asia was most horribly affected in terms of casualties owing to natural disasters. 65% of those killed in 2012 were Asians. Study conducted by specialists showed that 70% of worldwide genetic diversity of crop plants has already been extinct during the last century owing to preface of elevated yielding and hybrid varieties of crops. Pollution has risen in numerous developing countries including India with elevated economic growth, as superiority of environment is ignored in favor of economic achievement. According to Global Ecology and Biogeography, global warming will make quite a lot of species of lizard extinct within the next 50 years. In India, biodiversity is critical not only because it provides benefits as well as services indispensable for human endurance, but also for the reason that it is unswervingly associated with the livelihoods by improving socio-economic conditions of millions of population, consequently contributing to sustainable development in addition to scarcity alleviation.

Biography:

Anshumali has completed his PhD in Environmental Sciences from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi in the year 2006 and joined Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian School of Mines as an Assistant Professor in the year 2007. He is graduated in Botany from Banaras Hindu University in the year 1996 and also completed Post graduation in Botany from same University in the year 1998. He has published more than 50 papers in reputed international journals and guiding 14 PhD scholars in different areas of terrestrial and aquatic biogeochemistry. In this academic journey, he has visited SARRC Countries, European Countries and USA to attend international conference, seminar, symposia and training workshop. In India, he is Non-Official Member of the Ministry of Environment Forests & Climate Change (MOEF&CC). He is supervising various R&D and consultancy projects related to Coal Mining, Iron ore Mining, Hydropower and Thermal Power projects.

Abstract:

Loss of plant diversity and poor regeneration potential are important ecological problems in the tropical deciduous forests (TDFs) across the globe. Many researchers have studied the structural complexities, regeneration pattern of native plant species, changes in diversity indices, fragmentation, patch formation etc., to understand the ecological consequences of forest degradation. In Southeast Asia, many researchers have studied the loss of mixed nature of plant communities in Sal forests due to the alterations in the nutrient dynamics, litter decomposition, loss of moistures, changes in phenology of native plant species, changes in microbial activities etc. The importance of macronutrients and micronutrients in plant growth and soil fertility are well known, however, these are poorly described soil components of TDFs in the world. In present study, the spatial and seasonal variations in biogeochemical parameters were studied in twenty forest soils collected from four Sal forest sites of Chhotanagpur Plateau in India. The pH of soil samples varied from 5.8 to 6.4 in winter, 4.3 to 5.4 in summer and 6.5 to 6.8 in the monsoon. Seasonal variations in C:N ratio showed lowering of C:N ratios in the monsoon. The elemental concentrations were found below the average earth crust values indicating shallow nature of forest soils. The species poor sites were deficient in Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn and P. These elements showed greater concentrations and less degree of spatial and temporal variations at species rich sites. In the Chhotanagpur TDF soils, least abundant element was phosphorus indicating the predominance of strongly weathered soils and contain low concentrations of extractable P.

Biography:

Khushali M Pandya has recently completed her PhD from The Maharaja Sayajirao Univeristy of Baroda and she is a Teaching Assistant at Department of Zoology, Facutly of Science at the same university. She has 09 research papers in national and international peer reveiwed journals and has been awarded Best Oral Presenter Award twice during her PhD and Best Poster Presentation Award during her Post Graduate Studies, International Travel Grant by DST (Department of Science and Technology, Government of India) and Research Fellowship in Science for Meritorious Students (RFSMS) by University Grants Commission (New Delhi).

Abstract:

Morphologically Zoanthid taxonomy is typically based on polyp structure and coenenchyme characteristics. Their morphological identification is still understudied. Zoanthids were seen to increase in the past decade and covered almost entire intertidal zone, however their diversity was unknown and extensive work was then carried out. The coastal area of entire Gujarat state was studied. Rocky intertidal zone was surveyed monthly and Zoanthids were recorded. Morphological diversity was studied for the colour of oral disc and the polyp structure and colony morphology. Colour card technique was utilized for Zoanthids, which proves to be an effective tool for the assessment of zoanthid and their colour morphs. 25 colour morphs of Zoanthus sansibaricus, 5 of Z. aff. sociatus, 5 of Z. vietnamensis, 2 of Z. kuroshio, 4 of Palythoa mutuki, 2 of P. heliodidscus, 3 of P. tuberculosa. Site wise distribution showed that Zoanthids from Marine National Park exhibited more of Fluorescent colour morphs and rest showed more of different colour patterns. Rocky intertidal zone of Sutrapada showed maximum diversity and Okha showed least diversity. Colony patterns taken as attributes for the study of diversity resulted in understanding the utilization of the substratum. Flat and bulbous colonies of Palythoa tuberculosa and stoloniferous colonies of Zoanthus spp. and Palythoa mutuki and P. heliodiscus were recorded. It was concluded that substratum played a major role in understanding the colony pattern and showed that there was species wise change in colony pattern. The paper will describe about the morphology of both the polyp and colony.

Biography:

Julia Panthera Bindas hailed as the Guardian of the wilds; she has dedicated her life to animals. Visionary explorations and research have taken her to exotic rainforest, jungles, mountains and the ocean worlds

Abstract:

For the preservation and diversity of each species a collection of stem cells is a key. This stem cell bank will prove immeasurable to the future of a new world technology. Advances in bio science, technology will be here but where will be any viable cells for DNA? At present time the improper cell collection of species in our zoo's does not meet protocol for optimum pure cells. Most zoo animals have compromised gene pools from interbreeding and captive life. This is why it is crucial to collect from the wilds and preserve a true genetic code. To date, zoos are collecting IPS cells which are terrible. They cause tumors and are unnatural. The value of a bank collection of CD34s, Bone and Adipose cells of the world's animals will indeed be one of the most valuable, rarest collections in the world and will hold the future of us all. For each day scientist find that the animals we share this world with have incredible powers which are found only in their DNA cellular matrix, bringing to mankind healing, medicine, regeneration and more we have yet to learn. Time is running out on endangered species, Over 360 animal species are at numbers below 100 in the world today. Collaboration with wildlife parks/centers, reserves, along with zoo's and the wilds would be the most effective means of collection diversity of each individual species. This would provide a world market for scientist, doctors, biologist, zoologist, students, wildlife preserve/hospitals, veterinarians to have the ability to acquire cells for the restoration of animals in every country ensuring the survival of the species. This project will involve a team of the best diverse professionals in stem cell and wildlife preservation.

Biography:

Nallamuthu Godhantaraman is a Deputy Director, UGC-Human Resources Development Centre and Faculty, Centre for Ocean and Coastal Studies, University of Madras, Chennai, India. He was a Visiting Fellow at the Department of Marine Science, University of Calcutta, India. He was a JSPS Post-doctoral Research Fellow at Hiroshima University, Japan and STA Post-doctoral Researcher at National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Japan during 1998-2002. He is a Senate Member at Middle East University, United Arab Emirates. He has published more than 25 research papers, participated and presented research papers at more than 40 national and more than 15 international conferences held in India and abroad. He has visited Japan, USA, UK, Germany, France, Portugal, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Thailand and South Korea. He has successfully completed a number of major research projects and also serving as a member in professional bodies/committees. He is an Expert-cum-Reviewer for more than 10 scientific journals published by Elsevier, Springer publishers, Indian Publishers, UK Publishers and in Indonesian Journals.

Abstract:

Being a tropical biodiversity hotspot country, India possesses 15% of world biodiversity and has enormous potentials for a sustainable future world. As per its marine natural and living resources are concerned, India has a vast coastline of 7368 km2 and 2.02 million km2 of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This includes, 12 coastal states, 3651 fishing villages, continental shelf of 217,080 km2, world’s largest mangrove ecosystem (the Sundarban), coral reef ecosystems, two most productive seas (Arabian sea and Bay of Bengal) and a vast network of estuaries. Surprisingly, compared to other part of the worlds, India’s marine natural wealth has been relatively unexplored. Marine organisms can be used to produce several novel products that have applications in new medical technologies, in food and feed ingredients and as biofuels. Marine Biotechnology aims to develop methods for producing novel products originating from marine organisms; these are product that could contribute to human health care, to food and feed industries and to the energy industry with applications as new biofuels. The potential of the oceans for these types of products is tremendous but to date applications have fallen short of expectations. In my talk, I will present the status of marine biodiversity with particular reference to Indian coastal marine ecosystems based on the current research, past literature and other known sources of information. Further, my talk will set the stage for discussing the possible linking of marine biology and biotechnology for the sustainable utilization and management of marine bio-resources.

Biography:

C R Babu is presently a Professor Emeritus at the Centre of Environmental Management of Degraded Ecosystems (CEMDE), University of Delhi. He has served as Teacher and Researcher for three decades at the Department of Botany, University of Delhi. He has also been the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Delhi for 5 years. He has been doing research in the area of systematics, biodiversity, environment and ecology for more than four decades. He along with his students published more than 200 original research papers

Abstract:

Urbanization led to the elimination of natural heritage in the matrix of urban development. One way to conserve the natural heritage including native flora and fauna is the establishment of Biodiversity Parks as a part of urban infrastructure in the city matrix. Biodiversity Park is an innovative concept and represents a unique landscape where plant species native to the area are assembled into diverse plant communities which in turn promote the ecological succession of animal communities leading to development of ecosystems characteristic to the area. The Biodiversity Parks have conservational, educational and cultural values and generate a wide range of ecological services ranging from recharging ground water to climate change to providing recreation to the urban community. The Biodiversity Park concept was first developed and implemented in Delhi by Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in collaboration with CEMDE. Six Biodiversity Parks covering an area of about 25,000 acres are being developed. Two functional Biodiversity Parks; the Yamuna Biodiversity Park (YBP) and the Aravalli Biodiversity Park (ABP) have already been established and become Nature Reserves of Delhi. The YBP spreads over an area of 457 acres and preserve the natural heritage of Yamuna River basin. It has mosaic of wetlands and terrestrial communities representing some 1500 species of plants and animals (excluding soil and benthic invertebrates). The Aravalli Biodiversity Park spreads over an area of 692 acres and preserves the natural heritage of the oldest Aravalli mountain ranges. It has some 1700 species of plants and animals (vertebrates and butterflies) living in some 35 communities

Biography:

Satpal Singh Bisht has completed his Ph D from Kumaun University Nainital, Uttarakhand, India at an age of 24 years, an internationally acclaimed Professor and Scientist; Dr. Bisht has published more than 100 research papers in various National and International journals of repute, Editor and Reviewer to more than 25 journals. Satpal Singh Bisht the former Head Dept of Biotechnology Central University Mizoram is an academic administrator and well cited professor presently working at Department of Zoology Kumaun University Nainital, India

Abstract:

Bacterial and archaeal diversity of two less known Indian hot springs - Jakrem (Meghalaya) and Yumthang (Sikkim) were studied. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the bacterial diversity is more than the archaea. Only four Euryarchaeota taxa have been noticed viz. Methanoculleus, Methanosaeta, Methanosarcina and Methanocorpusculum. 13 major bacterial groups were identified from Jakrem hot spring dominated by Firmicutes, Chloroflexi, Thermi whereas Proteobacteria found dominant in Yumthang hot water spring. The dominant taxa recorded are Clostridium, Chloroflexus and Meiothermus at Jakrem hot spring (water temperature 46⁰C, pH 9) and Thiobacillus, Sulfuritalea at Yumthang hot spring (water temperature 39⁰C, pH 8). These phylogenetic groups were correlated with temperature, total sulfide, sodium, calcium and silicon concentrations of the hot spring water. The presence of sequence reads from bacterial taxa Tepidibacter sp., Ignavibacterium sp., Teribacillus sp., Dechloromonas sp., was a unique and interesting observation as it may represent novel species within these genera. Elstera litoralis, Thiovirga sp., Turneriella sp., were observed for the first time in association with hot springs. The presence of many taxonomically unsolved sequence reads from the metagenome of these hot springs could be a sign of novel microbial diversity of these less known hot water bodies of India.

Biography:

Sudhanshu Gupta is an Indian Forest Service officer from Tamil Nadu Cadre whose credentials include: Post-doctoral Fellowship of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), former Secretary, Indian Council of Forest Research and Education (ICFRE). He has authorship of two internationally acclaimed books viz., ‘Intellectual Property Rights and Conservation of Forest Resources’, 2004 and ‘Climate Change and Vulnerability of Ecosystem Services’, 2010, further an approved International Auditor of Forest Certification, duly approved by Forest Stewardship Council, with key competence in Climate Change, Forest Certification, Intellectual Property.

Abstract:

The measurement of integrity of forest biodiversity requires calculation of indices for determination of ecosystem health with respect to forest biodiversity sovereign to a country. In this paper, after a brief analysis of integrity of forest biodiversity sovereign to a geographical region, and threat of climate change looming large, different methodological and conceptual approaches regarding assessment of forest biodiversity are reviewed in continuation of Nagoya Protocol for access and benefit sharing of forest biodiversity. The ecological assessment takes into account the notion of integrity of forest biodiversity and associated measurement of different indices which cannot be expressed through a single indicator, but rather requires a set of indicators at different spatial, temporal, and hierarchical levels with reference to availability of forest biodiversity. The developed indices can take into climate change associated vulnerability of forest biodiversity irrespective of geographical boundaries for developing international protocol for access and benefit sharing between two or many countries to benefit the associated communities and achieve conservation of forest biodiversity.

Biography:

Norradihah Ismail received her degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology/Biotechnology from Michigan State University, USA in 2012. Although her background is basically Biochemistry, she has fallen in love with the butterfly as she started to work as Research Assistant in Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia more than a year. Currently, she made her choice and commitment to work on ecology and diversity of butterfly as part her Master of Science research project.

Abstract:

Studies on diversity of butterflies (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) of Endau Rompin Johor National Park had been reported since 1987 with the latest report being published in 2013. The most recent study conducted in the eastern part of the park from February 2014 to July 2015. The sampling was conducted along 2 line transects applying two methods: Manual collection using aerial net and baited trap using rotten fruits. A total of 131 species comprising 491 individuals from five families recorded and 27 new records for Endau Rompin Johor National Park were recorded. The value of species diversity index of Shannon-Weiner (H’) is 4.123 and Shannon-Weiner species evenness index (E’) is 0.4713. Thus, the result indicates the diversity of butterfly in the park is high. This paper provides a first comprehensive checklist of all butterfly species present in Endau Rompin Johor National Park through previous reports and the current study conducted from 1985 to 2015. It could be concluded that Endau Rompin Johor National Park is a rich diversity spot for butterfly fauna. Therefore, conservation effort and further research are highly recommended.

Biography:

Guruprasad B R has completed his PhD in 2009 from University of Mysore and Post-doctoral studies from Central Food Technology and Research Institute, Mysore. He had been awarded Young Scientist Fellowship during 2012-2015 by Department of Science Technology, Government of India. He has published more than 25 papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

A study has been undertaken to understand the distribution of Drosophila species in relation to altitudinal and seasonal variation in Srirangapatna hill, Karnataka State, India. A total of 10,571 Drosophila flies collected from 600m, 750m, 900m and 1050m altitudes were found belong to 22 species of 4 subgenera. It is noticed that the subgenus Sophophora was predominant with 14 species and subgenus Drosilopha was least represented with only single species. Cluster analysis and constancy method was applied to analyze the species occurrence qualitatively. Further altitudinal increase in the population density, relative abundance of the different species at different seasons was studied. Simpson and Berger-Parker indices were used study the biodiversity of Drosophila fauna. Simpson index showed low value 0.121 and Berger-Parker indices represent high values (1.027) at 600 m. Furthermore the density of Drosophila changes significantly in different seasons (F=14.20, df 2, 9; P<0.004). The study shows that the distributional pattern of a species or related group of species is uneven in space and time. D. nasuta could be considered as champion species, as they are found in all altitudes.

Biography:

Kunduru Surender Reddy has completed his PhD from Kakatiya University and presently working as a Professor in Biology, Department of Biology, Eritrea Institute of Technology, Eritrea, a premier organization of the country. He has published more than 16 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of repute.

Abstract:

Massawa and its surrounding beaches can support a diversity of marine birds along with the Red sea, for weather seasonal, annual, and spatial factors that affect bird richness and abundance on public beaches. To do so, we conducted two years of bird surveys on the beaches. These beaches are permanent natural water bodies, and are important for bird wildlife because they are stable resources for food, water and also good ground for mating purpose. The permanent water bodies are constant and limited for its geographical areas under natural conditions. We studied the marine water birds which are both migrant and resident; its species richness and diversity were studied in Massawa and its surrounding beaches in the Red sea region. It is good for marine food source and also near by areas for marine birds there was natural vegetation in the seasons and are less important for agricultural resources. These areas were supposed to be earlier in rich resource for different marine bird species and may be sometimes disturbed by the seasonal sea tides and also by tourists. The study reveals that there are different species of birds as discussed below. We conclude our study that reductions in the rate of population decline the observed species of marine bird biodiversity. To protect such species, great care must be exercised either by governmental or by non-governmental agencies. Across all species, we found that there are 10 marine bird species of this region and calculated values and abundance of the bird species and obtained low values indicating low bird richness and abundance. It may be strongly affected by seasons, natural habitat and the availability of food and are the basis for conducive environment for breeding to maintain next generation.

Biography:

Joseph Tuyishimire is an Assistant Researcher in the Center for Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing-University of Rwanda (CGIS-UR). He is a holder of a Master of Science degree in Geo-information and Earth Observation/Natural Resources Management obtained from the International Training Center-University of Twente (ITC-UT). His research interests include biodiversity conservation, forestry, environment and natural resources management. His current research project explores integrated management of protected areas in Rwanda with an emphasis on the advantages and consequences of stopping poaching activities in Nyungwe Forest National Park on biodiversity and neighbouring people.

Abstract:

Even if integrated conservation activities are claimed to be the goals achieved by NNP managers, illegal activities such as animal poaching are still going on inside the park. Through interviews with ex-poachers and intensive field work inside the park to identify poaching signs, this study assessed the effectiveness of conservation measures to the reduction of animal poaching activities and the improvement of the livelihood of neighbouring communities. Ex-poachers were characterized by a high rate of illiteracy and large families. The main causes of poaching consisted of poverty and ignorance about the importance of the park. Other causes consisted of bad habits, resistance to change, and search for meat. Methods of poaching consisted of snares and traditional weapons. The most targeted animals were large mammals consisting mainly of duiker (Cephalophus sylvicultor) and wild boar which were poached for both sale and subsistence purposes and small mammals (mainly Porcupine and giant rat) which were poached for subsistence purpose. After poaching was prohibited, none of the respondents is still relying on poaching as a source of income, but agriculture became the major activity. Most of income generating activities are carried out in cooperatives and the fact that a large proportion of people did not join them yet is at the same time the result of ignorance and the cause of poverty. The current study encourages awareness raising and the increased support cooperatives; while education of children at school age will help to block the transmission of poaching techniques from parents to children.

Biography:

Romaric Kiswendsida Nanema completed his PhD at the University of Ouagadougou. He mainly works on Plant Genetic Diversity. He is one of the international specialists of country potato. He is the Head of the Department of Plant Biology and Physiology of the University of Ouagadougou since 2015. He has published more than 10 papers in reputed journals

Abstract:

Solenostemon rotundifolius or country potato is a tropical multipurpose tuber crop species. It has been one of the staple crops in West Africa but currently, its genetic resources are in a process of disappearing. Characterization of S. rotundifolius genetic variability is recognized as a prior intervention to support a sustainable conservation and use of its genetic resources. For identifying suitable descriptors for S. rotundifolius, a morphoagronomical characterization was carried out on 155 cultivars from Burkina Faso. A total of 50 morphological traits (16 qualitative and 34 quantitative) related to the foliage, the cycle and the tubers were scored. The results showed variability within cultivars for the foliage, the cycle and the potential yield (number and weight of tubers). However, no significant variability was found for tubers size. Cultivars from different geographical origin discriminated for the cycle and the potential yield. Significant correlations were found between the cycle, the foliage and the potential yield. Most of the qualitative morphological traits were shown to be varietal criteria. The studied morphological traits could be used as descriptors for S. rotundifolius germplasm characterization and for breeding purpose

Biography:

HemsinghGehlotis an Assistant Professor in Department of Zoology at J. N. Vyas University, Jodhpur.He worked as a Project Investigator of Rufford Small Grants Foundation, UK funded project on Indian antelope in Rajasthan state ofIndia. He alsoworkedas wildlife biologist at Wildlife Institute of India, WWF-India and Wildlife Trust of India.DrGehlot’s research interests lie in wild thar ungulates and catsurvey. He has to his credit 12 research papers and 01 book chapter published from leading Indian and foreign publishing house, He has contributed at international and national level conferences and symposiums in India; beside, he has authored many popular articles in different newspapers.

Abstract:

The Indian blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), is one of the four species of wild ungulate inhabits the arid areas of western Rajasthan; other 3 species are: Nilgai or Bluebull, Chinkara or Indian gazelle and Chausingha or four horned antelope. All these four species are even-towed (Artiodactyla), Bovids. There is a fast decline in the population of blackbuck throughout the country mainly due to habitat loss and poaching. Similar threats have been noticed to the blackbuck population of arid districts of Rajasthan. Just three decades ago, the blackbuck population was very high in these areas in comparison to present population. It is very interesting to note that in the arid areas, the blackbuck population in permanent protected areas (sanctuaries and closed areas) is very low in comparison to its density in and around Bishnoi dominated villages. The present study has been carried out on its distribution and status of the blackbuck in their habitats to find out the major causes of dwindling of blackbuck population in hot arid areas of western Rajasthan, during August-2003 to July-2006 and subsequently from February-2013 to March-2015. During present study, the highest population density of 3.07 heads km-1 has been recorded in Jodhpur district followed by Nagaur district i.e., 2.33 heads km-1. It is predominantly due preservation of their habitat and protection of the blackbuck population by the local people. Alarming increase in feral dog population in the wild ungulate habitats caused heavy death tolls of blackbucks, especially during fawning period. The highest mortality (45%) has been caused by the predation of blackbucks by feral dogs followed by the road accident (15%). Another cause of the decrease in wild fauna population is due to habitat destruction, mining and human interaction associated with increase in human and livestock population in their inhabited areas. It is in the record that the blackbucks were plentiful and their sighting was very common throughout plains around water holes in whole arid tracts of Rajasthan. Subsequently, within a short span of time, its population has been suffered drastically and resulted into drastic reduction in its number. The blackbuck thus has been rightly included in the Schedule-I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Biography:

Abstract:

High temperature stress hampers the growth and yield performance of rice. A two-year experiment was conducted to ascertain the effects of exogenously applied plant growth regulators (PGR) on rice growth and yield attributes under high day (HDT) and high night temperature (HNT) stress. Two rice cultivars (IR-64 and Huanghuazhan) were subjected to temperature treatments in controlled growth chambers and four different combinations of ascorbic acid (Vc), alpha-tocopherol (Ve), brassinosteroids (Br), methyl jasmonates (MeJA) and triazoles (Tr) were applied. An applied control was kept for comparison. High-temperature stress severely affected rice morphology, and also reduced leaf area, above and below ground biomass, photosynthesis, and water use efficiency, while increased leaf water potential of both rice cultivars. Grain yield and its related attributes except number of panicles, were reduced under high temperature. The HDT posed more negative effects on rice physiological attributes, while HNT was more destructive for grain formation and yield. The Huanghuazhan performed better than IR-64 under high-temperature stress with better growth and higher grain yield. Exogenous application of PGRs was helpful in alleviating the adverse effects of high temperature. Among PGR combinations, the Vc+Ve+MejA+Br was the most effective treatment for both cultivars under high temperature stress. The highest grain production by Vc+Ve+MejA+Br treated plants was due to enhanced photosynthesis, spikelet fertility and grain filling, which compensated the adversities of high temperature stress.

Biography:

Maulin P Shah is currently the Chief Scientist & Senior Manager of Industrial Waste Water Research Lab, Division of Applied & Environmental Microbiology Lab at Enviro Technology Limited, India. His laboratory is trying to assess the impact of industrial pollution on microbial diversity of waste water following cultivation dependant and cultivation independent analysis. He has more than 130 research publication in highly reputed national & international journals. He was the Founder Editor-in-Chief (2012-2014) of two journals viz., International Journal of Environmental Bioremediation & Biodegradation as well as Journal of Applied & Environmental Microbiology (Science & Education Publishing., USA). He is serving in 20 international repute journals as an Editorial Board Member and also as a Reviewer in twenty journals of national & international repute.

Abstract:

An industrial wastewater treatment plant receives wastewater with high concentrations of ammonia was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. For fine-scale molecular analysis of ammonia-oxidizing population, one partial stretch of the gene encoding the active site of the polypeptide of ammonia mono oxygenase (amoA) was amplified from total DNA extracted from the ammonia oxidizer isolates and from activated sludge. But comparative sequence analysis of 13 sequences from the clones’ amoA activated sludge shown that these sequences were very similar to the corresponding amoA fragments of Nitrosomonas europaea Nm50 and N. mobilis isolate. The unexpected high sequence similarity between amoA gene fragments mobilis isolate of Nitrobacter and N. europaea indicates a possible lateral gene transfer event. Although a Nitrobacter strain was isolated, members of nitrite-oxidizing genus Nitrobacter was not detectable in the activated slurry by in situ hybridization. Therefore, we used rRNA approach to study the abundance of other well known nitrite-oxidizing bacterial genera. Three different methods were used for DNA extraction from activated sludge. For each DNA preparation, almost full length genes encoding small subunit rRNA was separately amplified and used to generate three libraries 16S rDNA. Comparative sequence analysis 2 of 60 randomly selected clones could be attributed to the nitrite-oxidizing bacteria of the genus Nitrospira. Based on These clones were sequences specific 16S rRNA-targeted probe is developed. FISH of the activated sludge with this probe showed that the Nitrospira-like bacteria were present in large numbers (9% of total bacterial counter) and often took place in co-aggregated micro colonies with N. mobilis.

Biography:

Ali Kodi Tirba is an Assistant Professor for Environmental Planning and Management specialized in Environmental Impact Assessment and he is currently the Dean for the Faculty of Environmental Studies and Disaster Management at the National Ribat University, Sudan and teaching in various universities. He was a senior official at the Wildlife Conservation Administration headquarters. He has represented Sudan in various national, regional and international conferences, seminars and workshops. He was also the Head for Environmental Impact Assessment teams for the impacts of the Merowe dam on the Wildlife and aquatic resources. He is a Member of the higher technical committee for revising the EIA for new dams along the river Nile at Sudan state presidency

Abstract:

Sudan is characterized by various types of natural habitats. Among those the most important habitats are the wetlands, represented mainly by the Nile, its tributaries, inland lakes, seasonal rivers, red sea waters and the network of the irrigation canals in agricultural schemes. Wetland in the Sudan contributes profoundly to the national economy and support life for the local inhabitants. The main objectives of this study are to monitor wetland biodiversity in central Sudan with emphasis on the Black Crowned Crane using remote sensing and GIS. The two techniques are used because of their effectiveness in the coverage of large inaccessible areas easily, beside the possibility for detecting changes by comparing images at different times. Classification of wetlands, detection of ecological changes and economic and social valuation were obtained by the analysis of satellite images coupled by ground surveys. The study revealed remarkable changes in some ecological parameters, mainly, the rainfall, woody and herbaceous plant cover, cultivation and bare areas and the rangelands, beside steady decline in crane population. It concluded that, those ecological changes contributed to the deterioration of the wetlands and shrinkage of the crane geographic range in the Sudan. The study recommended that wetlands in central Sudan need to be rehabilitated and sustainably utilized for the welfare of the local inhabitants and conservation of the wetland and the crane.

Biography:

Rajendran Narayanasamy has completed his PhD from Annamalai University, India and Postdoctoral studies from same university, Faculty of Marine Science. He is an Assistant Professor of Department of Zoology, Government of Arts College, India. He has published more than 50 papers in reputed journals, authored 17 books and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of repute.

Abstract:

Mangrove forest ecosystems are spectacular marine ecosystem, distributed in 124 countries and territories in the world with coverage of 15.2 million hectares. Of the total coverage, 39% exists in Southeast Asia. Approximately 48% mangroves are found in the Indonesia, Australia, Brazil, Nigeria and Mexico. The Sundarbans of India and Bangladesh put together is the largest single block of mangroves in the world, gifted with richer biodiversity of about 4000 species than any other mangrove forest ecosystems in the world. There are 73 plant species, found in the world mangrove forests, of which 39 plant species (65% of world mangrove species) are found, recorded in India. Mangroves are remarkable ecosystems providing essential goods and ecological services for the livelihood of coastal people. A growing threat to the mangrove biodiversity is climate change which deserves top priority for proactive management. Being most adaptable system, the mangroves do have genetically superior individual organisms which can overcome any climatic change especially sea level rise. The mangroves are much more vulnerable to sea level rise due to their location between land and sea. It is therefore, necessary to identify the mangrove genotypes and fauna which are tolerate to global warming and sea level rise, to propagate those genotypes and to create new hybrid species from those genotypes for coastal protection against the climate changes for the future.

Biography:

Rashmi Sharma has completed her PhD from Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University and currently pursuing her Postdoctoral degree from Rajasthan University. She has more than 17 years of teaching experience. She has published papers in reputed journals. She has attended more than 50 conferences both national and international.

Abstract:

Ajmer is located centrally in Rajasthan (India) hemmed in all sides by Aravalli hills. About 7 miles from the city is Pushkar Lake created by the touch of Lord Brahma. The Dargah of Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti is holiest shrine next to Mecca in the world. Ajmer has hot dry summer and cold bracing winter. The winter extends from November to February and summer extends from March to June followed by rainy season till mid September. The temperature varies from 2-45o C. The total population of the district is 2180526 persons. Around 5.56% of total area available for land utilization is covered under forest. Ajmer is abode of certain flora and fauna that are particularly endemic to semiarid and are specially adapted to survive in the dry waterless region of the state. 10 species of fishes, 9 species of frogs, 24 species of reptiles, 100 species of birds and 15 species of mammals are reported from Ajmer.

Biography:

Choungo Nguekeng Patrick Bustrel has completed his Bachelor’s degree (Bsc) from Higher Institute of Environmental Sciences In Yaounde-Cameroon. He is also a Member of a non-profit association as Student Researcher.

Abstract:

Irvingia wombolu Vermoesen is a local fruit tree with a wide distribution across west and central Africa. It is also a multipurpose tree that provides non timber forest products. In particular fruits, kernels can be transformed into powder and for cooking, pharmaceutical and cosmetic and its wood is also used in house construction. Fruits of this tree are gathered for kernels extraction. The kernels have both culinary and economic value locally, regional and internationally. Unfortunately, poverty and malnutrition are increasingly in Cameroon in rural area. The objective of the study was to assess the growth and the development of almost 10 years old Irvingia wombolu trees of seed set as progeny trial. To better understand its development on farm cultivation in Cameroon, 550 trees of I wombolu were assess. The result of the study indicates that I. wombolu parameters varied in the same ways but not at the same rate and it is exploited mainly from local communities. Height and crown diameter are growing simultaneously as collar diameter and DBH. The most important factor is the percentage of growing since at least 10 years old of implementation so that we would be able to make some prevision in fruits production and tree management to handle some constraints when cultivating the specie in any land use system. Large fruits size, easy kernel extraction and weight from fruits during fruiting season are found to be main selection characteristics of farmers cultivating. Observations showed that, the specie is more useful and need more strategies to develop another types of propagules and preserve it. From these results and field observations, it is important to develop suitable and sustainable methods to intensify the cultivation of the NTFP’s in agro-forestry systems.

Biography:

Abstract:

Bird trade at local and commercial level has been witnessed profitable in commerce because of widespread and large population sizes, diversity and trade worth of many species. It is presumed that bird trade at local level in addition to commercial scale business is affecting the population dynamics of many species. Present study was designed to investigate the number and proportion of different birds species used for trading at local level. The data was collected from the local hunters, traders and birds markets through surveys and interviews. During the one year survey a total of 50 different species were enlisted which were used for local business. Out of 50, only 13 species were identified with greater proportional representation in local trade. These species include Bank myna (Acridotheres ginginianus) 15%, Red Munia (Amandava amandava) 11.89%, House sparrow (Passer domesticus) 9.17%, Common myna (Acridotheres tristis) 9%, Spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata) 7.86%, Common starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 5.2%, Baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus) 5%, Rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri) 4.87%, Rock pigeon (Columba livia) 4.8%, Streaked weaver (Ploceus manyar) 3.3%, Collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto) 2.81%, Citrine wagtail (Motacilla citreola) 2.54% and Pied myna (Gracupica contra) 2.24%. These birds has greater market value because of their usage as a cage bird mostly however they were also used in diet for their exceptional medicinal and energy values. It is concluded that the current trade ratio of different bird’s species in local markets is one of the most overlooked prospect which may seriously affect the wild population of different species.

Biography:

Kiran M Basnet has completed his Master’s degree in Plant Breeding and Genetics in 2009 from the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), Rampur, Chitwan. He has related experience working in different national Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) for more than 4 years. Notable ones are Centre for Environmental and Agricultural Policy, Research, Extension and Development (CEAPRED) and Local Initiatives for Biodiversity Research and Development (LI-BIRD) where he has gained experience of different agricultural interventions and initiatives at the local level. Later he has worked at CIMMYT-Nepal being involved in Hill Maize Research Project (HMRP) as 'Cluster Agronomist'. He is currently working in Caritas Nepal as ‘Research Officer’ in Agriculture and Climate Change Project. He has presented his research findings at different national and international levels having published them in reputed journals.

Abstract:

The crop diversity which constitutes the food sustaining life on Earth should be considered as an important component of sustainable agro-ecosystem. But at present times, the existent crop diversity or Agro-biodiversity (ABD) is declining at a rapid state as a result of massive encroachment of agriculture lands to adjust need for urbanization and major research and development aspect centered on just a few crops and their varieties. The most sidelined are local crop genotypes and minor crops which are rightly called as ‘Neglected and Under-utilized Species (NUS)’ consisting of different crops ranging from cereals, vegetables, legumes, fruits, roots and tubers. While the major crops and their improved varieties have gained much importance in the research and development prospect such initiatives are weak and poor concerning the local crops and their varieties alongside NUS. As a result, these crops remain at the verge of extinction which once used be principal crops feeding the local communities. There is a real need for a complementary approach amongst the scientists (researchers) and farmers to share their idea, skills and knowledge develop core projects and implement them to meet the common goal of ABD conservation and utilization at the local level. At such level, ABD conservation and utilization such as diversity fairs, home gardens, Participatory Seed Exchange (PSE), Community Seed Bank (CSB) and Participatory Crop Improvement (PCI) can play a vital role for establishing sustainable agriculture and thus securing food needs of the people in the short and long term.

Biography:

Md Firoze Quamar has received his PhD (Botany) in 2011 from the University of Lucknow, India. He has worked as a BSRS and a BSRA at the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany (BSIP) before joining the Institute as a Scientist “B”. His research interests mainly include the reconstruction of palaeovegetation and palaeoclimate in the tropical areas during the Late Quaternary using pollen as a proxy. He also runs a DST Fast Track Young Scientist Project in Western Himalaya (Jammu and Kashmir), India. He has published 26 papers in peer-reviewed journals.

Abstract:

Pollen analyses of spider web samples, collected from the recently planted Tectona granids (teak)-dominated tropical deciduous forest at Bhulsidih village of Korba district (Chhattisgarh, central India), shed light on the relationship between the extant vegetation and pollen rain. The study revealed the dominance of pollen of herbs and trees, whereas shrubs, fern spores and algal remains are meagre. Amongst the tree taxa, Sapotaceae, Syzygium, Holoptelea, Lannea coromandelica, Shorea robusta and Grewia are dominating with moderate to low values and intermittent presence of Madhuca indica, Terminalia, Mitragyna, Schleichera, Anacardiaceae, Diospyros, Emblica officinalis and Flacourtia. However, rest of the forest constituents are either not represented at all despite their presence in the floristic, which could be attributed to their low pollen productivity owing to entomophilies as well as their poor pollen preservation pattern. On the other hand, the ground vegetation is represented by very high frequency of grasses (Poaceae) along with Tubuliflorae, Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae and Cerealia, nonetheless, Artemisia, Xanthium, Malvaceae, Caryophyllaceae and Justicia in moderate to lower values. Ferns which occur abundantly along the adjoining stream banks are marked by the sporadic retrieval of trilete spores that could be ascribed to the prevailing damp condition around the sampling provenance. The study, in addition to understanding the pollen-vegetation relationship could also be helpful in aerobiological study, especially in assessing the allergenicity of various pollen grains/spores in the area of investigation, causing bronchial asthma, hay fever (allergic rhinitis/pollinosis), naso-bronchial allergy and other respiratory disorders along with conjunctivitis, contact dermatitis, eczema, food allergies and other health disorders.

Biography:

Abstract:

Asian Pied Myna (Sturnus contra) was first reported in Pakistan at Changa Managa forest plantation in Kasur District in April 1982. Recently, a shift in the populations of pied myna (S. Contra) from rural to sub-urban and urban habitat has been noticed. Present study was designed to investigate the extent of expansion of population of pied myna in urban areas of Rawalpindi. For this purpose we conducted rekey surveys to find the potential habitat of pied myna (S. contra) and identify its seasonal population trends in the city. A total of five different sampling sites were identified for survey and periodic monitoring. Total these sites mainly consists of human settlement areas where marshes formed by the sanitation water. Point count method was used to estimate the population at selected site and observation was made through binocular (250x) for a period of a whole year. A high concentration of S. Contra was observed during the month of November (12.08±1.01), December (12.08±1.01), January (12.08±1.01) and February (12.4±1.16) suggesting some migratory influx during winter months. The average observed population of pied myna was (9.46±0.86) throughout the city. During the whole study period, a stable population of 3-4 pairs at each study site was observed at sites which prefer to developed nest on electric and telephonic poles, feed upon dumped house garbage and animal dungs. Average morphomertics of ten captured individual was as: Total length (23.83±0.23 cm), tail length (7.13±0.13 cm), beak length (2.63±0.04 cm) and average weight (82±1.73 g). It is predicted that along with feeding and nesting opportunities, marshy vegetation in urban open spaces and hiding places developed in urban construction which provide cover attracts S. Contra to adopt in urban environment and it may extends with urban expansion in the coming years.

Biography:

Sher Shah is currently MPhil Scholar at University of Haripur. He has graduated in Forestry from Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University in 2012. After a one year experience with WWF Pakistan, he has got admission in Forestry and Wildlife Management Department at University of Haripur, Pakistan.

Abstract:

An ecological survey of algal species from freshwater of Kalar Kahar lake, Salt Range; Punjab was carried during 9th August 2014. A total of 30 algal/phytoplankton samples were collected during this period out of them 121 algal species belonging to 47 genera of 8 phyla (Cyanophyta, Volvocophyta, Bacillariophyta, Xanthophyta, Dinophyta, Euglenophyta, Chlorophyta and Charophyta. Water is rich in primary productivity of algal/phytoplankton species. The abundance of algal species as a result the ratio of gasses was high during field period, which is beneficial for aquatic organisms, fish, fauna etc. Temporarily algal species/phytoplankton, aquatic life disturb due tides, turbid water with suspended salt, material, silt, sand particles etc. While difference species have various value from point of importance like some species are useful for medicine, nitrogen fixing, vitamins, toxic, for oil, pollution, water quality, hard, salinity, alkaline as well as food produced species were recorded.

Biography:

Kiran M Basnet has completed his Master’s degree in Plant Breeding and Genetics in 2009 from the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), Rampur, Chitwan. He has related experience working in different national Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) for more than 4 years. Notable ones are Centre for Environmental and Agricultural Policy, Research, Extension and Development (CEAPRED) and Local Initiatives for Biodiversity Research and Development (LI-BIRD) where he has gained experience of different agricultural interventions and initiatives at the local level. Later he has worked at CIMMYT-Nepal being involved in Hill Maize Research Project (HMRP) as 'Cluster Agronomist'. He is currently working in Caritas Nepal as ‘Research Officer’ in Agriculture and Climate Change Project. He has presented his research findings at different national and international levels having published them in reputed journals.

Abstract:

The idea of Participatory Crop Improvement (PCI) springs up from conservation and utilization motive of Agro-biodiversity (ABD) which forms the overall source of food for the world at the present and future. The Traditional Knowledge (TK) laid with the farmers forms a strong base for analyzing the crop traits and the climate change patterns of certain geographical domain over the years. Genetic variation in traits among the lines can occur in the natural population or such can be generated introducing recombination measures. The approach which simply involves in the selection of crop lines taking farmers’ preference indices from among the local and improved genotypes is referred to as Participatory Varietal Selection (PVS). On the other hand, the PCI approach that considers crossing between parents to create variation for selection of preferred types is called as Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB). It allocates ways for the crop line to improve for the lagging traits while keeping with the farmer preferred ones. Along with the yield parameter, other traits that have special characteristic features and preferred by the farmers remain as the purpose of crop improvement. PCI in one way approves the involvement of farmers in the crop improvement and development initiative and in other way, it focuses in research and development initiatives involving local crops and Neglected and Under-utilized Species (NUS) grown in the high production areas to marginal lands to address the climate change patterns and scenario. PCI has a conservation goal in retaining the crop traits that are preferred by the farmers and in the same way meets utilization goal by making use of the conserved crops and traits. The aim is to identify the climate resilient crop varieties while retaining and conserving the special traits prominent in the landraces.

Biography:

Md Muzammel Hossain has completed his BS and MS from Jagannath University, Dhaka and he is currently working on faunal Biodiversity in Bangladesh and also looking for a PhD Fellowship Program to continue his research. His research interest includes Biodiversity, Aquaculture, Fish, Shellfish and Ecology. He has published 6 scientific papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of repute. He is a Member of IUCN-SSC/WI Freshwater Fish.

Abstract:

Lepidoptera species are important bio indicators for environment technology, climate change which should be protected to conserve the biodiversity and environment so little research study was carried out from September 2013 to March 2014 on the butterfly fauna at different areas in Bangladesh. Zigzag and walking with individual counting method survey was followed at different location in Bangladesh. A total of 83 Lepidoptera species were recorded belonging to seven families, 35 were Nymphalidae, 8 Papilionidae, 14 Pieridae, 17 Lycaenidae, 7 Hesperiidae, 1 species Riodinidae family and 1 species Zygaenidae family. The family Nymphalidae was represented maximum numbers of area in Bangladesh. Maximum number of species were observed in Nymphalidae family 42% and minimum number of species were observed in Riodinidae family and Zygaenidae family with only 1%. Migratory species Danaus genutia was found in maximum number of area in Bangladesh. So if we make very small chief device technology which we can setup on migratory species to collect information from different sites. Quantification of Lepidoptera species diversity and species richness is of prime importance for evaluating the status of healthy environment. Butterfly gardening is thought to increase the populations of butterflies and control healthy environment.

Biography:

Asar Khan has completed his Master’s degree in Zoology from Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan KPK and currently he is pursuing MPhil in Zoology at AWKUM-University College of Science Shankar Campus Mardan KPK Pakistan. He has published 3 research papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

The survey was conducted from May to October, 2013 to determine species composition, relative abundance and habitat preference of Dragonfly in Dagger and Chamla subdivision of Buner district. Dragonflies were collected from different sites such as streams, rivers, springs, ponds and crops fields in two selected tehsil. The analysis was carried out on adult dragonflies. Eleven species belonging to seven genera; Trithemis, Orthetrum, Symptom, Onychogomphus, Palpopleura, Pantala and Anax were identified. The species were Trithemis festiva (20%), Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum (16.66%), Trithemis aurora (15%), Orthetrum anceps (9.33%), Symptom Commixta (8.33%), Orthetrum triangulare triangulare (9.33%), Onychogomphus bistrigatus (7%), Palpopleura sexmaculata (4.66%), Pantala flavescens (4%), Anax immaculifrons (3.33%) and Orthetrum Sabin (2.33%). Three species, Trithemis festiva, Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum, Trithemis aurora were constant, three moderate, two infrequent and the latter two sporadic. Rivers were the richest habitats inhabited by 4 species followed by streams (3 species) and springs (2 species) of dragonfly. The lowest species diversity (1 species) was recorded from crop fields and ponds. The highest (n=119) dragonfly density was observed in July and lowest (n=7) in October. The aquatic and air pollution of huge number (600) of marble factories (Daggar) and more use of pesticides (Chamla) were observed to have drastic effects on the biodiversity of dragonfly in the region. The current study thirsts for the conservation of fauna (Odonates) in the form of a separate treatment of the marble factories wastes.

Biography:

Population trends learning is an important tool for conservation programs in rare as well as in common species of birds. A study was conducted to assess annual decline in species of birds and to identify the causes of this decline at Taunsa Barrage wildlife Sanctuary, Punjab, Pakistan. Data were collected by direct census method during wintering and breeding periods (2001 to 2002 and 2008 to 2011). The results indicated an increasing trend in 157, whereas a decreasing trend in 14 species of birds. Among the species with declining trend, there was a 92% decrease in White-backed Vulture (Gyps bengalensis), 60% in Greater Painted Snipe (Rostratula benghalensis), 57% in Garganey (Anas querquedula), Pallas’s Fish Eagle and Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus) 50% each, 41% in Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), 39% in Little Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger), 37% in Gadwall (Anas strepera), 33% in Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus), 30% in Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus) and 26% in Red-crested Pochard (Netta rufina) population. Habitat exploitation, hunting and grazing were found the main causes of this decline. In conclusion, conservation and management of the study area is foremost to interests of declining bird population. It is suggested, therefore, to take immediate steps for the protection of the sanctuary to conserve the declining population of birds for a sustainable management of their population.

Abstract:

Fehmeada Bibi has completed her PhD from University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore. She is currently working as an Assistant Professor of Wildlife and Fisheries at Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Pakistan. She has published more than 09 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of Pakistan Journal of Life and Social Sciences.

Biography:

Pablo Refoyo Roman is an Associated Professor of the Zoology and Physical Anthropology Department of the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM). He received his Master’s (2010) and PhD (2012) degrees in Biology from UCM. In his 25 years of professional life, he has experiences working with different Spanish administration in more than 55 projects about Iberian endangered species or cinegetic species. He has 45 published articles and 10 books and book chapters. His current research areas are focused on the relationship between parasitism and Iberian mammals, especially ungulates and carnivores; and species distribution models of the Iberian Peninsula’s fauna.

Abstract:

The discrepancies on the phylogeography of Iberian ibex are notable, including the validity of subspecies established by Cabrera (1914). The high degree of handling of the species, its versatility and numerous population bottlenecks have greatly contributed to maintaining these divergences. In order to provide additional information, in this work we propose the use of niche modelling to analyze the biogeographical similarities and differences between Iberian ibex by ENMTools using the index of similarity and equivalence. From available presence data in Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) 10 x 10 km of the different subspecies of Capra pyrenaica and through predictive variables, the phylogenetic niche conservatism was calculated by ENMTools and principal component analysis was performed on the different subspecies to determine the ecological similarity between them. The similarities in the ecological niche between subspecies matched the phylogenetic distances established for the group. C. pyrenaica hispanica and C. p. victoriae are ecologically similar subspecies. C. p. hispanica is the subspecies with more likely niche occupation while C. p. victoriae has a more restricted distribution. The use of the ecological niches and species distributions is essential to analyze several possible interactions occurring within the studied subspecies and allow us to better understand the uniqueness and variability of Iberian ibex subspecies and the possibility of establishing programs for the integrated management of populations.

Biography:

Khalil ALMAARRI has completed his PhD at the age of 30 years from Paris University, France in Plant Physiology and Biotechnology. He returned home at 1986 and he worked as an assistant professor and make research and teaching until 1992. He traveled to Saudi Arabia at King Faisal University where he was the Director of Plant tissue culture laboratory for 5 years I returned home at 1997 and obtained post professor in 2000 and he participated in the establishment of National Biotechnology Center in Damascus. During his work he published more than 50 Papers in national and international Journals and he was in a responsible in conducting 5 research Projects in cooperation with France, Belgium, USA and India. He has a very big experience in Plant Biotechnology and different aspect of Plant tissue culture. At the end I participate in writing 4 books in my domain.

Abstract:

Syria has a great diversity of wild and cultivated plants due to the varied geography and climate. It has been estimated that more than 3500 species of vascular plants grow in Syria. Iris plants in Syria are becoming increasingly rare due to both ongoing destruction of their natural habit, as well as over harvesting of wild species and the influencing factors of modernization; i.e., urbanization, migrations, detrimental climatic and environmental changes, adding the huge destruction of plant biodiversity by the hard war since 5 years. In this research, 22 wild iris species were identified and classified in different area of Syria. Morphological, geographical, ecological, chemical composition and genetic characterizations of this iris were studied. In this investigation, a vegetative micropropagation of Iris aurantica and Iris nigricans plants technique has been established, for the first time in Syria. Some growth hormones and media were experienced to determine the best conditions in multiplication and rooting stages. Research was conducted, to develop an in vitro technique for short-term conservation. Tissue of iris was conserved in the laboratory since 4 years. Cryoconservation by capsulation of iris was investigated and promise results were obtained for Iris aurantica and Iris nigricans.

Biography:

Durairaj Jothi , M. Tech (Textile), PhD (Currently doing), working as a professor in the Department of Textile Chemistry, SSM College of Engineering, Anna University, Tamil Nadu, India. Earlier, he taught at the Bahirdar University, Ethiopia for several years before joining SSM college of Eng in 2012. He has more than 34 years of experience in teaching and conducting various researches in the organic product development for textile, leather and paper manufacturing. He has published more than 24 papers in National and International Journals, and authored two well established books

Abstract:

This paper is aimed to apply enzyme extracted from Aloe vera plant in leather degreasing process. During a decade enormous progresses has been taken place in degreasing process. Shift from chemical-driven processes to enzyme assisted processes by the industries is an attempt to reduce or eliminate pollution loads in effluents. Enzymes are of immense use in the leather industry, the enzymes mainly used in soaking, dehairing, bating and degreasing stages of leather processing were described. Enzymes derived from plant seem to be a good alternative in today’s leather industries more specifically in degreasing. This is due to the facts that plant extract enzyme easy to extract and very effective in different process conditions. The present investigation aims at make use of two enzyme lipase and protease for the removal of fat present in the leather. Moreover, enzymatic process to reduce the consumption of chemicals and reduce the pollution loads. An extensive trial works have been conducted to assess the effectiveness of the enzymes application in degreasing process by employing standard test methods. During the process of liming, enzymes such as alkali protease and alkali lipase were used alone and in combinations in changing amounts, then optimum degreasing was conducted. Each experiment was processed till the end of tanning and to what extend the used enzymes were effective for degreasing was investigated. Results have strongly revealed that the best degreasing can be achieved with the use of 0.3% lipase enzyme. The alkali lipase and combination of alkali protease and lipase were found good in degreasing

Biography:

Ali El-Keblawy has awarded his PhD degree in Plant Ecology from Tanat University, Egypt and Windsor (Ontario, Canada) in a joint program. He is the Director of Sharjah Seed Bank and Herbarium and Associate Professor at the University of Sharjah, UAE. His research interests include, plant ecology, biodiversity and conservation of desert plants, invasion biology, rangeland management, propagation of native plants of the Arab Gulf deserts and domestication of desert native plants for urban landscaping.

Abstract:

Plant communities of the arid deserts are facing several stresses, such as high temperatures, repeated draught and overgrazing. The impacts of protection from grazing for two years on plant diversity, richness, abundance and community structure were assessed in sand dunes and gravel plains of Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. During the two years, the study area received significantly less rainfall than the average and consequently was a good chance to assess the impact of draught and protection from grazing on community attributes of the two substrate types. Protection for two years significantly increased plant diversity, abundance and sizes in sand dunes. In gravel plains, however, protection resulted in the reduction of most of the community attributes. The reduction was significant in the grazed, but not in the protected sites, indicating that grazing exaggerated the negative effects of draught in gravel plains. The positive effect of protection from grazing in sand dunes indicates that many of sand dune plants are less affect by draught; many of them were grown nicely after very little showers. Water irrigation was provided for both protected and grazed sites on sand dunes. Species richness and abundance in the irrigated exclosures were twice that in the irrigated open grazed sites. In addition, species richness, plant abundance and average plant sizes attained significantly greater values in the irrigated than in non irrigated plots. The results conclude that both rainfall and grazing are limiting factors in shaping plant community and their impact is dependent on the soil type.

Biography:

Amaia A has recently finished her MSc in Zoology at Complutense University of Madrid. She is giving the first step toward research by trying to publish a work about extra-pair paternity in blue tits (directed by Santiago Merino and Elisa Perez of MNCN-CSIC) and by the work presented here about the inter-specific differences between two species of clams

Abstract:

Clams (genus Ruditapes) constitute one important component of infaunal macrobenthic communities in coastal areas. Coexistence of two species–the native clam (R. decussatus) and the Manila clam (R. philippinarum) introduced some decades ago for commercial purposes in the intertidal zone along the Atlantic coast, poses the question of resource partitioning among populations of both species since these clams share a common filter – feeding mechanism. In this study, two main physiological components of the individual energy balance–filtration and metabolic rates were determined in these clams in order to ascertain whether differences in physiological behavior accounted for higher rates of growth reported in the introduced species (FAO reports). To cover growth trajectories, measurements were performed for a wide size-range of clams and physiological rate determinations formalized through allometric size-scaling relationships. Comparisons of allometric equations using ANCOVA showed lack of significant inter-specific differences in size exponents for either filtration or metabolic rates. Concerning the intercepts, differences were found no-significant for metabolic rates while intercept for filtration rates was significantly higher in R. decussatus. Thus, results do not support the expectation of higher filtration in the introduced species as inferred from their higher rates of growth reported. However, present filtration rates were based on active filtering individuals and complementary information concerning cycles of activity in both species is needed in order to achieve environmentally realistic assessments of energy acquisition.

Biography:

Carlos de la Cruz is a student of the 4th year of Biology Degree at the Complutense University in Madrid. The research on phylogeography of plant colonisation processes is the subject of his TFM (Graduation Thesis).

Abstract:

Hypochaeris glabra (Asteraceae) is a plant species originary from Eurasia and North Africa, adapted to the Mediterranean climate. The American colonization by Europeans in the 15th century occasioned the introduction of several herbaceous wild species. Some of these species naturalized in certain areas of Mediterranean climate, establishing mixed pasturelands together with native species – the Chilean “Espinal”. This work is a phylogeographic analysis of several populations from Spain and central Chile using two types of molecular DNA markers: ITS rDNA spacer sequences, and ISSR markers – genomic sequences flanked by tandem repeats. Only one SNP variation was found in the ITS sequences and the polymorphism was present in both continents. Both, the ITS sequences and the ISSR markers reflect a reduction in variability after colonization. Three main groups were defined according to geographical origin: Populations from northern Spain, populations from southern Spain, and Chilean populations (Chile). AMOVA analyses using different partitions indicate a certain degree of genetic differentiation between continents, and between groups, although most variation lies within populations and between populations within groups. Structure analysis of the ISSR markers indicated also a differentiation between continents, although certain Spanish populations show a close relationship with Chilean ones. No significant correlation between geographical and genetic distances was found when Mantel tests were applied, however, significant positive correlations were found between genetic distances and distances calculated from different ecological parameters. This supports a pattern of differentiation by environment rather than by distance.

Biography:

Cristina Olmedo Salinas is a PhD student in the Zoology and Physical Anthropology Department of the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM). She received her Master’s in Conservation Biology (2012) from UCM and degree in Biology from the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM) in 2002. She has 5 published articles and 14 international conferences’ communications in Biodiversity and Species Distribution. Her current research areas are focused on the diversity of parasites in wildlife ungulates and its influence on the populations

Abstract:

This study was to determine if MaxEnt is useful for establishing the most suitable areas for the reintroduction of a wildlife species, the Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica). This method uses partial data (presence-only); thus, its reliability can be doubtful compared to models that use presence-absence data (general linearized model). This paper seeks to compare these models from their graphical representations (spatial correlation) instead of using the traditional comparisons of the statistics that they generate. We determined the potentiality of the territory via binomial logistic regression (GLM) and the graphical representation of the territory suitability with presence data only (MaxEnt). To compare both results, correlation analyses were performed. The most suitable areas for the species are similar although they were extended in GLM Model. In both cases, the variables of altitude, anthropogenic influence, and vegetation/stoniness are relevant for the presence of the species. The correlation analyses performed showed a strong relationship between both models. These results suggest that the use of the species’ presence-only distribution modelling employing MaxEnt is useful for defining the preferred locations of the species and can replace the absence-presence methods when information on the absence of the species is lacking

Biography:

Ebrahim Al-Ansari is one of Qatar’s most renowned Oceanographers. He has worked on the marine benthic biodiversity interface and the oceanographic influence on species diversity of the region for over 20 years and has several high impact publications as a result.
Ibrahim Al-Maslamani is one of Qatar’s most renowned marine biologists. He has worked on the marine benthic biodiversity of the region for over 15 years and has several high impact publications as a result.

Abstract:

Recent research by marine scientists has indicated that marine ecosystems are in a state of change with ever increasing numbers of species invading marine regions. The spread of these aliens appears to be mainly through the expulsion of ballast water or through direct bio-introduction. Simultaneously, many marine areas are in a process of defaunation particularly in regions influenced by anthropogenic factors. This is resulting in irreversible changes to biodiversity, with the disappearance of endemic species and increased numbers of invading species. Marine habitats are currently losing species before they have been identified. Qatar University is addressing this problem with a comprehensive biodiversity-monitoring program. Preliminary surveys for the region have resulted in first descriptions for nine species; 1 benthic Ctenophora, 2 Nudibranchia, 1 Pontoniinae, 1 hermit crab, 2 brachyuran crab and 2 Holothuria. The majority of these species have been identified as bio-invaders from other marine eco-regions with 1 species new to science and 1 possible meta-population.

Biography:

Esther Murciano completed an MSc in the year 2006 in Natural Protected Areas at Fernando González Bernáldez Interuniversity Foundation (Complutense University of Madrid, Autonomous University of Madrid, and University of Alcala) with a Master’s thesis on the influence of logging on forest raptors, in an area maintaining one of the largest black vulture colonies in Spain. In 2012, she completed an MSc in Conservation, Management and Restoration of Biodiversity at the University of Granada. Her Master’s thesis studying the effects of changes in land uses on dung beetles in an arid area of Southern Spain was very positively rated, and obtaining financial support from National Museum of Natural History in order to continue with her research. She has been collaborating with the Doñana Biological Station and Carlos III Institute studying bats, and with the National Museum of Natural History in a research about red-billed chough. She is very interested in research on the benefits and impacts of different human uses on biodiversity conservation, especially on wildlife. During the last four years, she has spent most of the time in Africa working on conservation and ecotourism projects. Currently, she aimed to continue her scientific career with a PhD on beetle populations associated with livestock systems in arid environments in Africa.

Abstract:

One of the major threats to biodiversity is habitat loss and degradation. Increasing industrialization and abandonment of traditional land uses are resulting in the loss of some anthropogenic habitats with high rates of species diversity. Variation in the community composition of dung Scarabaeid species was studied in an arid system in SE Iberian Peninsula, in which traditional livestock management has suffered profound changes due to the decline of grazing animals and the extensive use of antiparasitary pharmaceutical products over the past 15 years. The aims of this study were, a) to compare differences in dung availability between the springs of 1997-98 and 2012-13, and b) to assess differences in community structure by analysing variation in abundance (total, subfamily and species) and diversity (differences in the number of species by rarefaction). Standardized sampling protocols were used in order to allow temporal comparison of the data. Dung availability was assessed by census of fresh dung along a fixed transect of approx. 1 km in length and 2 meters wide, while sheep dung baited traps were used to assess the structure of the dung beetle community. The results show that the availability of excrements in 2012-13 decreased by approximately 80% as compared to 1997-98. Dung beetles abundance decreased significantly, especially species associated with arid environments (Onthophagus merdarius, Mecynodes leucopterus, Bodilus longispina); in contrast, some generalist detritivorous species (such as Calamosternus granarius) increased. There were also changes in diversity, with a reduction in species richness by 30% in 2012, although no significant variations in species richness was obtained in 2013, probably due to the much lower dung beetle abundances obtained last year. In conclusion, the reduced availability of excrements, probably acting synergistically with the ample use of antiparasitary pharmaceutical products, appears to be responsible for the profound changes in the structure of dung beetle communities observed in these areas.

Biography:

Hatem E M Abdelwahab has completed his PhD from Arizona State University and Postdoctoral studies from School of Life Sciences and the Biodesgin Institute at Arizona State University, Departement of Biological and Ecological Engineering at Oregon State University. He served in Seuz Canal Univerisity, King Abdulaziz University and Jeddah University as an Assistant Professor. He has published more than 7 papers in reputed journals and 25 abstract and posters in international conferences and meetings

Abstract:

Seasonal biodiversity investigation of four different hot springs named Ardah, Kobah, Qowah and Bin-Malik in Jazan, Saudia Arabia were studied during 2015. Jazan springs are ecologically diverse that vary from fully protected to brutally flooded springs. Ardah hot spring (17º02′06″N, 42º59′22″E) has 5-sources that are 15-meters apart but ecologically diverse. Seasonal analysis of temperature, pH and TDS values show similar distinctions pattern in all 5-sources. Kobah hot spring (16º45′51″N, 43º07′46″E) is found in wadi bed that was greatly flooded during this study, species repossession and settlement after flood were feeble. Qowah hot spring (16º47′46″N, 43º12′01″E) is located in wadi Damad east of Kobah spring. This spring was eroded by massive flood that left no algae. Surprisingly, Qowah was rapidly occupied by 78 taxa (38 cyanobacteria species, 23 Bacillariophytaea species, and 17 Chlorophytaea species) after 4-weeks. The substantial recovery and establishment of heavy cyanobacteria mats in short period is different from Kobah. Indeed, physical, chemical and climatic factors analyses help explain this differences between these two thermal springs. The presence of green algal species in Qowah are fascinating, temperature gradient may help them colonize in Qowah. Bin-Malik spring located in mountain region (17º16′11″N, 43º13′09″E) that is fully fenced by the government. Surprisingly, limited biodiversity was recorded Bin-Malik spring compared to flooded sites. Indeed, detailed comparison of the physical, chemical, and biodiversity of the four springs help extract unique ecological data that might generate rational decisions for sustainable development of these valuable resources

Biography:

Helena Godoy Bergallo has completed her PhD in Ecology in 1995 from State University of Campinas. She is Associate Professor of Rio de Janeiro State University where she teaches the undergraduate and graduate programs in Ecology and Evolution, and Environment. She has published more than 100 papers with emphasis in Mammal Ecology. Currently, she coordinates the Biodiversity Research Network of the Atlantic Forest (PPBioMA).

Abstract:

Helena Godoy Bergallo has completed her PhD in Ecology in 1995 from State University of Campinas. She is Associate Professor of Rio de Janeiro State University where she teaches the undergraduate and graduate programs in Ecology and Evolution, and Environment. She has published more than 100 papers with emphasis in Mammal Ecology. Currently, she coordinates the Biodiversity Research Network of the Atlantic Forest (PPBioMA).

Biography:

Jose A Sanabria is Marine Biologist (University of La Laguna) and now is a PhD student of BITES Lab at Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes, Spain (CEAB-CSIC). He has a short career in the marine research, and contributed in national and international conferences in the field of Biodiversity and Marine Biology

Abstract:

The Alboran Sea is an exceptional ecoregion in between the South European Atlantic Shelf and the Western Mediterranean ecoregions. Oceanographic conditions in the Alboran Sea are strongly influenced by Atlantic and Mediterranean currents, which suggest that this particular ecoregion could function as a transition zone from Atlantic to Mediterranean biodiversity. The Alboran Sea is a major contributor to species richness of temperate seas and it is considered as a biodiversity hotspot. Yet, there is little data on patterns of distribution of biological diversity across the Alboran Sea. Here, we investigated the biodiversity of this transition zone to better understand how the unique ecological traits of this area are determined by surrounding ecoregions, and the degree of influence that ecoregions confer to the Alboran Sea. We used underwater visual census to quantify marine fish and invertebrates across the whole region. Our results showed a general decrease in marine biodiversity as we move away from the Gibraltar Strait towards Western Mediterranean waters. This general trend is in fact two contrasting patterns between Western and Eastern Alboran Sea. In the Western side of the Alboran Sea, there is a decline in species richness while in the Eastern side of the Alboran Sea species richness increases. These contrasting trends in biodiversity between the Western and Eastern sides of the Alboran Sea seems to be explained by environmental variables or oceanographic currents that affect the distribution of marine life, and support for two functionally distinct Alboran Seas within this singular ecoregion

Biography:

Lidia Ochoa Peñas has completed a Master’s Program in Ecological Restoration, specialized in Marine Ecosystems from Alcalá de Henares University, Complutense University, Politécnica de Madrid University and Rey Juan Carlos University. Her most recent studies, in collaboration with different organizations, consist of the invasion process of macro-algae along the Atlantic and Cantabrian coasts and its effects in the intertidal communities, and about the state of a seagrass in the Canary Islands

Abstract:

Restoration ecology is the part of biology which studies how to change the state of a degraded ecosystem into a non-degraded one. It is also used regarding damaged or destroyed ecosystems, specially used in ecosystems altered or degraded by human in order to revitalize ecosystems integrity and functionality. There are a lot of different theories about the importance of restoring ecosystems or species and their value, for example the value of them itself, but one of the most persuasive arguments is the importance of the ecosystem services. Marine ecosystems are a great source of ecosystem services, for instance provisioning services (food, energy) or recreation. They also supply other ecosystem services such as regulation of global climate, sink of nutrients or acting as a reservoir for CO2, which are less known or considered. Ecological restoration can help these ecosystems, providing an important source of ecosystem services and ensuring their continuity in time

Biography:

María del Pilar de Arana completed her PhD with extraordinary Honor at the Complutense University and was Postdoctoral fellow at Duke University (NC, USA). She is Full Professor at the Genetics Department UCM since 2009. She is the Director of a research line on Animal Genetic Diversity. She has published more than 40 papers in reputed journals

Abstract:

Domestic animals are nowadays accepted as important contributors to biodiversity. Within this context, DNA markers have proved to be useful tools. Molecular diversity studies are strongly biased towards mitochondrial sequences, however, these do not represent the whole evolutionary and genealogical history of a species. Among nuclear sequences, those located on the differential segment of sex chromosomes overcome the technical disadvantages of diploid sequences, since certain regions are present in a single dose in XY males. Sex chromosomes sequences supply valuable data on the evolution of the taxonomic groups, on the impact of domestication, and on the effect of reproductive strategies. Orthologous sequences of the X and Y chromosomes of the horse, the domestic donkey and the Somali wild ass were analysed by chromosome specific amplification of fragments of the amelogenin and zinc finger protein genes. In general, these sequences showed low variability levels. The Y chromosomes showed no intraspecific variability. Two SNPs were found in the AmelX gene of horses, defining three haplotypes, none of them breed exclusive; no variation was found in the corresponding sequence of donkeys. Mitochondrial donkey sequences were analyzed to check for an overall decrease in variability, though no significant reduction was found. Equus caballus Y and X chromosomes show the highest similarity with E. przewalskii. E. asinus Y and X amelogenin sequences show one difference each with respect to those of E. africanus somalicus; donkey ZfY sequence coincides with those of Somali and Asiatic wild asses, E. a. somalicus and E. hemionus

Biography:

Mona Ayesh Al-Salameen, graduated from Kuwait University with a bachelor degree in zoology; later completed her masters degree in zoology, (Temperature reaction of diurnal and nocturnal Tenebrionid beetles from Kuwait Desert). She finished her Phd in year 2000, in Micropaleontology, (Benthic foraminifera as indicators of pollution by heavy metal in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea). She worked as a assistant professor at science department and selected as the head of the science department; for four years. Now she is the vice dean of academic affairs. She’s researches are about foraminifera as environmental changes indicators and classification, which were for the Regional Organization of Protection Marine Environment

Abstract:

Global change and climate variability rely on proxy data from recent faunal content to monitor environmental change. Species diversity calculated from two regions at Kuwaiti Coast (Miskan Island and Al-Khiran area) allow estimation of the relative bleaching increase within-habitat of coral species associated with different types of faunal degradation. Beaches and Reefs at Kuwait and Gulf area subject to land-based pollution (sewage, sedimentation, and/or industrial pollution) show 40–50% reduced diversity at 7 m, and 30–60% reduced diversity at 10 m depth relative to unpolluted comparison reefs in each region. The decreased diversity on reefs subject to land-based pollution implies a dramatic, rapid decrease in Kuwait reef-based fisheries resources. Ostracoda (microscopic, aquatic Crustacea) and benthic foraminifera at the Kuwaiti islands have a great potential for ecological monitoring and environmental analyses in highly variable environments. The analysis of faunal assemblage (benthonic and ostracoda) composition, morphological features, diversity, and species distributions provide valuable information on present and past water salinity, temperature, substrate characteristics, climate, sea level variations, oxygen and nutrient availability. In this respect, this work will provide an overview on the application of benthic foraminifera and ostracods for environmental reconstruction.

Biography:

Natalí Lazzari finished her Master’s degree in Marine Biology at the University of La Laguna, Spain and now she is coursing her PhD in Biodiversity from Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and the University of Barcelona. In her short career, she has participied in few national and international congresses and has collaborated in the marine department of the University of La Laguna.

Abstract:

Marine biodiversity along the Iberian Peninsula coast is a unique crossroad, as it is surrounded by three ecoregions of the world: The South European Atlantic Shelf, the Alboran Sea, and the Western Mediterranean. Ecoregions are characterized by distinct environmental traits and associated biodiversity. The Mediterranean Sea is a highly diverse ecoregion whose waters are known to influence nearby regions outside the Mediterranean basin. Here, we looked at the marine biodiversity along the Iberian coast to quantify how benthic communities in the Atlantic coast deviated from the Mediterranean communities. We used underwater visual census to quantify fish and invertebrates and used multivariate techniques to quantify how communities in the Atlantic deviated from the Mediterranean type community. Our data showed how Mediterranean influence weakened as we move away from the Gibraltar straight up to the entrance of the Bay of Biscay. However, benthic communities in the Bay of Biscay become increasingly more Mediterranean-like communities as we get closer to France, reversing the trend found in Portugal and western Galicia coasts. Similarity with the Mediterranean type community decreased from over 50% in sites near the Gibraltar Strait to less than 15%, at the entrance of the Bay of Biscay. Then, despite the larger geographic distance, communities within the Bay of Biscay steadily recovered resemblance with the Mediterranean type community as we approached France. This pattern seemed to be caused by changes in environmental variables such as sea surface temperature and confirms the Mediterranean influence on Atlantic biodiversity well beyond Mediterranean boundaries.

Biography:

Medjekal Samir has completed his PhD from Constantine University. He has published more than 10 papers in reputed journals

Abstract:

Ruminants are major contributors to biogenic methane formation, and it has been estimated that preventing methane formation from domesticated ruminants could contribute to stabilizing atmospheric methane concentrations. Moreover, several thousand plant secondary metabolites have been reported, for example, phenolic compounds, essential oils and sarsaponins have antimicrobial activity. The objectives of this in vitro study were to compare fermentation patterns of three selected traditional medicinal plants and to evaluate their potential as antimethanogenic additives in ruminant feeds. Effects of Nigella sativa, Rosmarinus Officinalis and Zingiber Officinale, which were incorporated to the fermentation substrate as a dry powder, on ruminal fermentation, fibre digestion and methane production, were studied in vitro in batch cultures of mixed rumen microorganisms. After incubation, gas and methane production, pH and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration in the incubation medium and dry matter and neutral detergent fibre disappearance were recorded. In general, a high methane reduction was noted with Monensin (control) and Nigella sativa and no effect was observed with the other treatments. The amounts of methane produced after 24 hours of fermentation varies between 0.28 and 1.12 mmol/g DM. Monensin drives the highest percentage reduction, with a value of 75% and Nigella sativa recorded a 20% reduction in value. This study should be complemented by other in vitro investigations to determine the dose effect of Nigella sativa and also studies by the Rusitec to ensure stability in time of the observed effects.

Biography:

Mohammedi Ferhat is currently Full Professor in the Department of Sciences Matter and Sciences Earth at The Institute of Physics at University of Biskra. He received his BS degree in Mathematics from the University of Strasbourg, Master’s degree in Mathematical Engineering in 1988 and Diploma degree (DEA) of Photonics Systems’ in 1990 from the University of Louis Pasteur Strasbourg. In 1993, he received his PhD from the Advance School of Physics Telecoms (TPS-UDS) at the University of Strasbourg in Physics Mathematical. He is author of more than 30 scientific publications dealing mainly with comparative metrology optics and pollution, and Laser Material Processing. His current research interests: Environmental modeling using Matlab to simulate physical and chemical phenomena in the environment (e.g., Environmental Pollution).

Abstract:

Introduction & Aim: The "drones" are unmanned mobile vehicles on board, remotely operated or programmed. They were originally developed for military applications reconnaissance (UAV mainly). This work is based in particular on aerospace remote sensing images. For data with very high spatial resolution methods to use visible low cost imaging sensors, near infrared and thermal infrared. These sensors, loaded onto drones used to finely study the soil and vegetation and to assist in research on various issues such as: The reduction in irrigation water consumption, and reduction of pesticides in the environment. The study of natural habitats, risks, etc. Consequences: Besides climatic problems, most air pollutants classic (SO2, NOx, CO, O3, lead, heavy metals and particles) have effects on human health, ecosystems and monuments. These acquisition systems are used in various geographical contexts, sometimes difficult to access (mountain, tropics). The drones used are multirotor type. The shots are programmed into the onboard navigation system. Examples: Environmental Metrology: 1) Measuring water stress of the plant, 2) Detection of adventitious, 3) Altitude measurement which is the calculation of digital terrain models by stereoscopy. Multiview allows fine estimate of the relief seen for the drone and to follow its evolution. Applications range from the evaluation of the erosion of bare soil monitoring of forest growth (example: relief of a forest canopy). Appearance embedded intelligence and autonomy: 3D Scan Software is built on a micro-UAV, the software uses information acquired by an on-board stereo bench to locate and reconstruct a 3D model of the environment, even in cluttered areas and without GPS location. It is therefore important to find the wind velocity and the diffusivity of pollutant which can be substituted in the model equations to get the exact concentration distribution.

Biography:

Wahab Munir Karounwi Adegoke, was born in Iwo, Osun state, Nigeria. He had a B.Sc. (Hons) in Zoological Science, University of Jos, Nigeria. In pursuit of additional qualification, he had M.Sc. and Ph.D in Wildlife and Ecotourism Management, in the University of Ibadan. Working as a Lecturer in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Management in Osun State University, College of Agriculture, Ejigbo Campus, Osun State, Nigeria. His area of Specialization is Ecology of Range Management, and Biodiversity of Habitat Manipulation / Ecotourism Management. His Major work is Teaching and Supervision of Undergraduate students on Wildlife ecology and ecotourism management.

Abstract:

This paper draws the attention to the major threats to nature conservation in Nigeria (Oba Hill Forest reserve) and reviews critically the measures needs to be adopted for the protection of wildlife resources in Oba hill forest reserve, Osun State, Nigeria. The major problems include habitat degradation (through uncontrolled logging, agricultural projects, highway and urban development, exploitation for fuelwood, over hunting and poaching. Relevant data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire administered in seven (7) sampled communities’ areas within the study site. The villages were purposely chosen due to their proximity to the forest reserve. Random sampling technique methods were used to analyze one hundred and five (105) respondents randomly selected and interviewed. The necessary steps need to take so far to protect wildlife in this reserve include making it to be a national park, enactment of wildlife laws, signing it of international treaties and manpower empowerment development. These measures have however failed to produce the desired effect owning largely to public apathy, low level of funding, inadequate game laws and weak enforcement of existing legal provisions. Summarily, it is suggested that the federal Government should intervene more positively in favour of creating not eating more national parks and assuming joint responsibility with the state Government for formulating wildlife laws. In addition, the role of non- governmental agencies/organization in influencing conservation policies and mobilizing public opinion will be crucial in the difficult years ahead.

Biography:

Chikaire J U, PhD works as a Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Extension, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo state, Nigeria.

Abstract:

Biodiversity conservation is a key to poverty and hunger reduction among rural dwellers whose major occupation is farming. This study seeks to establish the veritable role agro-biodiversity plays in food provisioning, thereby reducing hunger and poverty. A total of 250 respondents were randomly selected from 3 South-east states (Abia, Imo and Ebonyi) of Nigeria. Data were collected with questionnaire complimented by oral interview and analyzed using percentages and mean presented in tabular forms. The results revealed that majority (55.6%) were males, and 45.7% were females, with a mean age of 50.2 years. On marital status, 50 percent were married, while 35.2% were widows. Again, 52% had primary education, while 33.6% had secondary education, with a mean farm size of 1.90 hectares, and mean household size of 8.2 persons. The respondents had a mean farming experience of 25.6 years. The prevalent agro-ecosystems included cropping systems, aquaculture systems, lakes, wetlands, forests, rice paddies, among others. The traditional agro-biodiversity practices included crop rotation/diversification with mean response of 2.50, agro-forestry (M=2.41), reduced tillage (M=2.52), contour planting (M=2.36), drainage control (M=2.53), terracing (M=2.48) among others practices. Agro-biodiversity conservation plays the following roles in reducing hunger and poverty: improve crop yield, improve income of farmers, guarantee access to markets, reduces vulnerability of crops to death and pressures, improves soil texture and fertility, reduces economic loss, provision of medicines and many more. It was recommended that to encourage and sustain conservation of biodiversity, conservation education and training be given to farmers regularly by agricultural extension personnel. The prevailing tenure systems should be reformed to make access to land easy and secure to enterprising farmers.

Biography:

Sayan Bhattacharya is currently working as an Assistant Professor in School of Ecology and Environment Studies, Nalanda University, Rajgir, India. He has completed his MSc and PhD in Environmental Science from University of Calcutta. He has completed two years Post Doctoral Research in Department of Chemistry, Presidency University, India. He has published 25 international journal papers, 10 book chapters, 40 international conference proceedings and many national conference proceedings. He has received Young Researcher Award from Government of India international conference. He is in the Reviewers’ Committee of many international journals and in the Editorial Boards of international journals with high impact factors. He has over 9 years of teaching experience in 6 colleges and universities of West Bengal.

Abstract:

Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR) is located in Alipurduar sub division of West Bengal, India. It comprises of the entire forest area of the erstwhile Buxa Forest Division (Created in 1877-78) and some territory of the erstwhile neighboring Cooch Behar Forest Division (Latitudes 23o30′ N to 23o50′ N, Longitudes 89o25′ E to 89o55′ E). The total area of the reserve is 760.87 km2 of which 385.02 km2 has been constituted as the Buxa Sanctuary and National Park (Core zone of the BTR) and the balance 375.85 km2 areas is treated as a buffer zone. It has 37 forest villages and 4 fixed demand holdings, 46 revenue villages and 34 tea gardens in and around it. The survey work was done in May, 2015 by visiting a forest edge village in Buxa Tiger Reserve. Surveys on the demography, agriculture, livestock management, water management, education, culture, health, waste management, disaster management, transport, biodiversity, joint forest management activities, non-timber forest product usage and human-animal conflict were done in this area. Topographic map of the area was prepared by using the database of National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organization (NATMO), Kolkata office. Demographic information was collected from the village area and the Panchayat. Census report was collected from the local Panchayat office. Religious and social festival information was collected from the local people. Human animal conflicts were studied in the village area, as the area is periodically disturbed by the encroachment of elephant, rhinoceros and leopard. Biodiversity of the region was documented by visiting the adjacent forest areas, accessing the database of West Bengal Forest department office and visiting the nature interpretation centre situated at Buxa Fort. In every phase of the survey work, pictorial documentation was done. In spite of being positioned in a diverse and sensitive ecological zone, the village is not adequately managed. There is an urgent need for implementing sustainable management systems in the areas for the betterment of the socio-environmental structures. Some of the possible management strategies have been suggested for maintaining the social, environmental, economic and ecological balance of the region. This survey work and sustainable proposals can be followed in other ecologically sensitive forest edge hamlets of North Bengal for biodiversity and traditional ecological knowledge conservation.

Biography:

Abstract:

Biography:

Sylvia Jagerroos is a Senior Consultant with ERM and she has over fifteen years’ experience assessing a wide range of marine environment and has in depth knowledge of sensitive tropical habitat assessments. She is specialized in Climate Change and Resilience Adaptation and she has collaborated with the World Bank to establish Coastal Management plans on islands in the Maldives and she has assessed other projects in a wide range of countries like Kenya, Sri Lanka, Australia, Philippines, Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia. She is currently working in the oil and gas sector in South East Asia where she is developing several environmental studies to aid in the decommissioning process

Abstract:

Decommissioning of offshore oil and gas platforms raises many complex issues to consider before accomplishing a successful strategy to undertake these activities in an environmentally effective, efficient and equitably safe manner not only for the operators and the regulatory authorities but for the physical and biological surroundings. There are many factors to evaluate and issues like liability, reputational risk, cost, cumulative impact, technical development, regulatory framework and Climate Change would all have to be considered on a case to case scenario as opposed to adopting a regular strategy for all facilities. The debate is focused about whether the structure or facilities left in place like an artifical reef habitat constitute valuable habitat and deliver ecosystem services or in contrast impact the biological environment and should be removed. Many offshore facilities, although deployed as artifical reef for a very long time have not developed the diversity of benthic or fish assemblages comparable to that found on the natural reef. South East Asia hosts many aging offshore facilities and the shortage of decomissioning yards and a lack of policy framework and financial support play a big role in order to conduct these activities in a way that safeguard the environment and the biodiversity of the marine environment.

Biography:

Chang-Hung Chou obtained his PhD at University of California, Santa Barbara in 1971. He is Chair Prof. and Dir. of the Research Center for Biodiversity, China Medical University. He was Vice-President and National Chair Professor at National Sun Yat-Sen University, 1999-2002, President of National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, 2002-2006 and vice President, PSA, 2011-2015. His honors are: Highest Award of International Academic Cooperation, Russian Academy of Science, 1999 and Life Time Achievements Award 2009 awarded by International Allelopathy Foundation, Life Time Contribution to Biological Science Award, and Life Time Achievement Award of Botanical Society of Taiwan. He is academician at The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), 1993 and Academia Sinica, Taiwan, 1994.

Abstract:

Rhododendron formosanum, an endemic plant in subtropical region of Taiwan, possesses diversity of natural products such as phenolic acids, flavonoids and terpenoids in leaves and other plant parts. Underneath the vegetation, there is almost lacking understory species which turns out to be an allelopathic phenomenon. We have already demonstrated the unique pattern of allelopathy which was due to the allelopathic substances released from the plant leaves. The responsible allelopathic substances are water soluble phenolic acids, namely, p-hydroxybenzoic, methyl-ferulate, syringic acid, vanillic acid, coumarin, and protocatechuic acid. On the other hand, cinnamtannin D1, a trimer of catechin, from the plant induces autophagy via the inhibition of Akt/mTOR activation of ERK1/2 non-small cell lung carcinoma cells. Additionally, ursolic acid, a triterpenoid isolated from the plant, also exhibits the apoptosis of the aforementioned cancer cell. Two related triterpenoids such as oleanolic acid and betulinic acid isolated also performed anti-pathogenic bacteria activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis and Listeria monocytogenes. In overall, the diversified natural products of phenolics, flavonoids and terpenoids, in deed, profound multifunctions of both allelochemical and pharmaceutical activities. These diverse functions of natural products produced from the R. formosana play an important role in sustainable agriculture and pharmaceutical application that certainly are beneficial to human-being.

Biography:

Ali El-Keblawy has awarded his PhD degree in Plant Ecology from Tanat University, Egypt and Windsor (Ontario, Canada) in a joint program. He is the Director of Sharjah Seed Bank and Herbarium and Associate Professor at the University of Sharjah, UAE. His research interests include, plant ecology, biodiversity and conservation of desert plants, invasion biology, rangeland management, propagation of native plants of the Arab Gulf deserts and domestication of desert native plants for urban landscaping

Abstract:

Plant communities of the arid deserts are facing several stresses, such as high temperatures, repeated draught and overgrazing. The impacts of protection from grazing for two years on plant diversity, richness, abundance and community structure were assessed in sand dunes and gravel plains of Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. During the two years, the study area received significantly less rainfall than the average and consequently was a good chance to assess the impact of draught and protection from grazing on community attributes of the two substrate types. Protection for two years significantly increased plant diversity, abundance and sizes in sand dunes. In gravel plains, however, protection resulted in the reduction of most of the community attributes. The reduction was significant in the grazed, but not in the protected sites, indicating that grazing exaggerated the negative effects of drought in gravel plains. The positive effect of protection from grazing in sand dunes indicates that many of sand dune plants are less affect by draught; many of them were grown nicely after very little showers. Water irrigation was provided for both protected and grazed sites on sand dunes. Species richness and abundance in the irrigated exclosures were twice that in the irrigated open grazed sites. In addition, species richness, plant abundance and average plant sizes attained significantly greater values in the irrigated than in non irrigated plots. The results conclude that both rainfall and grazing are limiting factors in shaping plant community and their impact is dependent on the soil type

Biography:

M Jusuf Yakub has completed his PhD at the age of 37 years from Mississippi State University, USA. Now, he is the Researcher at Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development especially working on sweet potato breeding at Indonesian Legume and Tuber Crops Research Institute based in Malang, East Java, Indonesia. He has published more than 15 papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is one of the major food sources in Indonesia. Based on the phenotypic diversity in local cultivars, Indonesia is considered to be a secondary center of genetic diversity of sweet potato. Local cultivars and landraces serve as source of genetic variability, they could be used as gene donors in variety improvement program. Therefore, the collection and germplasm conservation of sweet potato are very important in order to maintain the full range of genetics variability within the species. Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) through its research institutions have been exploring, collecting, conserving, evaluating sweet potato germplasm and developing improved varieties. To date, 1321 accessions have been introduced to gene bank at IAARD and these materials represent native cultivars from several provinces in Indonesia. Morphological characterization has been done on all accessions while DNA analysis has been carried out on 600 accessions under the collaboration with Kyushu and Okinawa National Research Center of Japan. All of the collected accessions are being conserved in the field and concrete pavement. Until now, twenty six varieties of sweet potato have been released in Indonesia for differents purposes such as for table uses, processing (industrial) types and pig feeds. Among these 26 varieties, fourteen varieties are for table uses, three varieties for processing purposes, two varieties with high beta carotene content, three varieties with high anthocyanin content and four varieties adapted to high altitudes.

Biography:

Dwi Astuti is a researcher at the Division of Zoolology, Reserach Centre for Biology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Indonesia. She has completed her PhD from Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan. Her focus research is in the field of Bioscience, especieally in DNA analyses for studying genetic diversity, molecular phylogeny, and molecular ecology and genetic of animals. She has published some papers in national and international scientific journals and has been serving as a reviewer of some scientific journals

Abstract:

Enggano Island has Psittacula parakeet bird; Psittacula longicauda modesta. Phylogenetically, the position of the bird has not been studied yet. The recent study used DNA sequences of mitochondrial ND2 gene to analyze phylogenetic relationships within Psittacula parakeet birds. Blood samples were collected from two Psittacula species; Psittacula alexandri from Jawa Island, and Psittacula longicauda from Enggano Island and Natuna Island. Blood samples were taken from each bird and DNA was extracted from each blood sample. PCR was performed to amplify single DNA fragment of ND2, cytochromeb (Cyt B) and COI genes, separately using a pair of nucleotide primer. The DNA targets were then sequenced. Totally, 1020-bp of Cyt B gene was used to calculate genetic divergence within and between Psittacula parakeet, and to construct phylogenetic trees. DNA sequence data of Psittacula longicauda and others Psittacula species were taken from GenBank. Columba livia, Accipiter, and Cacatua were used as out group species. The genetic divergences within Psittacula longicauda were 3.70 % for (P.l. modesta vs. P.l. defontainei), 2.50 % for (P.l. defontainei vs. P.l. longicauda), and 1.60 % for (P.l. modesta vs. P.l. longicauda). Phylogenetic trees (NJ and ML trees) showed that based Psittacula longicauda was monophyletic species. Psittacula parakeet from Enggano Island (P.l. modesta) was separated from P.l. longicauda (from Sumatra/Borneo Island) and P.l. defontainei (from Natuna Island).

Biography:

Vasco Manudel Nobre de Carvalho da Silva Vieira has obtained his PhD in University of Algarve in 2011 with specialization in Population Dynamics and Ecology. He has also worked at the ALGAE-Marine Plant Ecology Research Group of University of Algarve and then in Maretec-Marine Technology Group of Instituto Superior Técnico. He has 17 published articles on the subject of marine ecology, environment and technology to his credit

Abstract:

Competing species cannot overlap their resource exploitation beyond a limit where one is inevitably eliminated. Their coexistence requires the partition of ecological niches attained by conditional differentiation. Since the overall fitness results from the holistic integration of the fitness specific to each of the life-cycle components, evolutionists are interested in determining which aspects drive species A to outcompete species B under a set of conditions. This requires a Taylor expansion of the life cycle model, known in demography as Life Table Response Experiment (LTRE). Kelp species have been observed differentiating their adaptation to water temperature, leading to geographical zonation. We tested whether two cryptic Lessonia sp. partitioned their niche occupation along the Chilean shores by differentiating their haploid micro stages adaptations to water temperature. In a preliminary analysis we tested the sensitivity of fitness to the vital rates, the sensitivity of the vital rates to temperature and whether the vital rates did significantly change between species. This approach looses the holistic details of the life-cycle as well as not translating effective differences between vital rates into effective differences in fitness. The result was a deterring amount of graphics and tables erroneously suggesting everything significantly differed and with an impact on fitness. A posterior LTRE demonstrated this not to be true and that only the fertility of the haploid females are different in their temperature regimes among species with a significant impact on fitness and niche occupation. LTRE enables a focused analysis providing truthful and synthetic results and conclusions

Biography:

Sayan Bhattacharya is currently working as an Assistant Professor in School of Ecology and Environment Studies, Nalanda University, Rajgir, India. He has completed his MSc and PhD in Environmental Science from University of Calcutta. He has completed two years Postdoctoral Research in Department of Chemistry, Presidency University, India. He has published 28 international journal papers, 10 book chapters, 40 international conference proceedings and many national conference proceedings. He has received Young Researcher Award from Government of India international conference. He is in the Reviewers’ Committee of many international journals and in the Editorial Boards of international journals with high impact factors. He has over 9 years of teaching experience in University of Calcutta, Rabindra Bharati University, Viswa Bharati University and Vidyasagar University, India.

Abstract:

The relationship between culture and ecology was the integral part of ancient Indian societies. Interactions with diverse biological entities and concern for their conservation remained important components in the structure of ancient civilizations of India. In the present study, some ancient Indian texts are highlighted which can eminently reflect the concepts of environmental conservation and sustainable development. The Arthasastra written by Kautilya (the minister of Chandragupta Maurya, 321-297 BC) divided the country into different ecological zones between the Himalayas and the oceans. Arthasastra demonstrated Kautilya’s perception and concern about the living creatures: Domestic and wild animals, plants and vegetations. List of protected animals, fish, birds were found which executes the scientific knowledge of biodiversity. In 1972, the conference on human environment in Stockholm mentioned about some principles which were very much similar to the edicts of Arthasastra. Some of the modern Indian environmental laws show amazing similarity with forms and contents of Arthasastra. In Manusmrti written by Maharshi Manu, the concept of biodiversity referred to all living forms broadly mentioned as Chara (movable living world) and Achara (immovable plant kingdom). The book described the importance of conservation. Caraka and Susrata classified lands according to the nature of the soil, climate and vegetation. Susrata classified animals on the basis of their food habits and habitats. In Ishopanishad, the concepts of sustainable development and conservation were established: “All in this manifested world consisting of moving and non-moving are covered by the Lord. Use its resources with restraint. Do not grab the property of others distant and yet to come.” The Vedic hymns, particularly those in Rig Veda, contained many notes on irrigated agriculture, river courses, dykes, water reservoirs, wells and water lifting structures. The later Vedas, especially the Ayurveda section, demonstrated profound knowledge of biodiversity. The sacred groves (Tapovana) of India were rich in biodiversity, which were mentioned in many ancient Indian documents like Abhigyan Shakuntalam written by Kalidasa. They are small packets of forests dedicated to local deities. In Bhagavad Gita, Krishna compared the world to a single banyan tree with unlimited branches in which all the species of animals, humans and demigods wander, which can reflect the concept of community ecology. The trees like Banyan and Peepal were often referred in historical background as keystone resources. Detailed studies are needed to extract and analyse the ecological and environmental perspectives of ancient Indian culture.

Biography:

Rado H Andriamasimanana has completed his PhD from University of Antananarivo, Madagascar. He is the GIS expert of Asity Madagascar, an association working on biodiversity conservation in Madagascar. He has published more than 5 potential papers in reputed journals

Abstract:

Biodiversity in Madagascar is under immense human pressure. In response, there is a government initiated program to increase the protected area coverage by three-fold within 5 years. As part of this process, one potential new protected area is the Mahavavy-Kinkony wetland complex, which contains many habitats for several globally threatened and congregational species. Prioritising potential areas important for threatened species habitat is necessary in order to design the management plan of this protected area. As part of the development of the management planning process, we developed a decision support system using GIS and Marxan. We identified several species of conservation concern including five taxa; birds, primates, fishes, bats and reptiles. We modelled the distribution of these species using predictive models based on expert knowledge and classified land cover in the region. We set targets for the coverage of species inside the conservation zones and explored a range of scenarios. We presented the results of this prioritisation to a range of stakeholders, which included local traditional and administrative authorities, associations and non-governmental organizations, representatives of the local communities, government officials and private sectors representatives. Through a workshop, the conservation zones were agreed with some adjustments. This is the first time in Madagascar a decision support tool such as Marxan has been applied for planning management zones within a protected area along with participation from local communities.

Biography:

A. J. Solomon Raju is working in Environmental Sciences, Andhra University, India. He was the Visiting Professor of University of Colima, Mexico, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow of University of Akron, USA. He received Distinguished Achievement Award of University of Akron, USA, Best Research Award and Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Best Academician Award of Andhra University, Loyola Environmental and AP Scientist Awards APCOST. He published 300 papers and attended 75 national and 50 International conferences held in India, USA, Canada, UK, Brazil, Italy, Mexico, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Ethiopia and Tanzania. He is the reviewer for Elsevier, Springer, Indian, US and African publishers

Abstract:

Mangrove forests are special ecosystems, common in tropical and subtropical coastal environments. They are one of the most productive and bio-diverse wetlands. Mangrove forests are important in protecting coasts from erosion by fierce tides, in promoting the diversity of marine organisms and fisheries by contributing a quantity of food and providing favorable habitats for animals. They yield timber, fuel wood, poles, thatching material, grass, honey, wax and industrial raw material. These various uses of mangrove forests suggest that they play an important role in the lives and economies of the coastal regions of the world. The sustainability of the mangrove flora is intimately linked to the success of their reproductive biology which in turn is associated with local insects. Further, the survival and population build up of flower-visiting insects in this ecosystem is essentially dependent on the mangrove flora which vary with each salinity zone within the mangrove forest. It is in this context, the interactions between mangrove plants and insects leading to the benefit of both partners, the former for reproductive success and the latter for food and breeding, will be explained. The interactions of insects with the following mangrove plants will be explained. True viviparous plant species include Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, B. cylindrica, Ceriops decandra, C. tagal, Rhizophora apiculata and R. mucronata, all belong to a single family Rhizophoraceae. Crypto-viviparous plant species include Avicennia alba, A. officinalis, A. marina, Aegialitis rotundifolia and Aegiceras corniculatum. Non-viviparous plant species include Sonneratia alba, S. apetala, Lumnitzera racemosa, Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea and Excoecaria agallocha. Mangrove associate plants are Acanthus ilicifolius, Caesalpinia crista, Clerodendrum inerme, Derris trifoliata, Ipomoea pes-caprae, I. tuba, Malachra capitata, Suaeda maritima, S. monoica and S. nudiflora. All these plants except Rhizophora are nectariferous and offer both nectar and pollen as floral rewards to the visiting insects. Rhizophora species do not produce nectar and offer only pollen as floral reward to the foraging insects; small bees utilize their pollen as chief pollen source. Acanthus, Aegialitis, Aegiceras, Avicennia, Bruguiera, Ceriops, Derris, Excoecaria, Lumnitzera, Caesalpinia, Ipomoea pes-caprae, Malachra, Scyphiphora and Suaeda are associated with bees, wasps, thrips, flies and butterflies. All these plant species utilize these insects for sexual reproduction while the insects utilize them as pollen and/or nectar during daytime. Bees and thrips use both pollen and nectar while wasps, flies and butterflies use only nectar from these plant species. In case of Ipomoea pes-caprae, its pollen is the chief source of protein for the snail, Euplecta decussata which collects the pollen voraciously and in the process contributes to the promotion of out-crossing. Ipomoea tuba is an important source of nectar for the hawkmoths which visit the flowers during dawn and dusk hours. The bees, Xylocopa and Anthophora rob nectar from Clerodendrum flowers. They bite holes on the corolla tube to collect nectar without any benefit to the plant by it. However, their nectar robbing behavior compels the actual pollinating butterflies to make as many foraging visits as possible to the flowers to collect nectar and such repeated visits promote out-crossing rate. The leaves of Suaeda species are sources of alkaloids, triterpenoids, sterols and various other chemicals. Nymphalid, lycaenid and hesperiid butterflies such sap from the leaves of these plants consistently prior to flowering; they also collect the sap from the dry branches after fruiting. These chemicals are required for them for protection against their predators. In case of the true viviparous plant species, their propagules (hypocotyls) are essential food sources for edible crab species. The output of hypocotyls is exclusively dependent on the extent of insect interactions with the flowers of these plants. Therefore, plant-insect interactions in mangrove forests are important for the structural and functional integrity of mangrove forests. Further, this knowledge enables to take effective measures for the conservation and management of the mangroves.

Biography:

A K Sreekala obtained PhD from Kerala University in 1998 with specialization in Plant Reproductive Biology. She has published more than 75 papers in reputed journals, chapters in books and presented her research in national and international meetings. She has successfully obtained research grants from funding agencies such as DBT, DST and KSCSTE. She currently supervises six doctorate candidates and produced two PhDs.

Abstract:

The family Balsaminaceae comprises annual as well as perennial herbs that show conspicuous and striking floral morphology. Impatiens with more than 1000 species is distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of the whole World as well as in the northern temperate regions. The genus is represented by c. 215 species in India with two centers of diversity: The Eastern Himalaya and the Western Ghats. Both the regions show a high degree of endemism and hence recognized as two amongst the 34 biodiversity hotspot regions in the World. The survival of the selected candidate species in the Western Ghats is questionable due to various factors including its reproductive constrains. The Balsams are highly evolved members among the order Geraniales as evident from the marked zygomorphic flowers and nectiferous spur. The arrangement of the stamens and its protandry nature, pistil and spur are markedly adopted for cross pollination and hence most of the species of Impatiens reproduce by means of cross pollination. So the survivability mainly depends on pollination by the visitors and the high altitude Impatiens species are pollinated mostly by honey bees, Trigona, butterflies, etc. The colour of the flowers attract more than the fragrance. The lateral and wing petals act as a platform for landing of honey bees and butterflies while forage. Position of anthers also prevent self-pollination and promote cross pollination. Large numbers of butterflies and honey bees visited the flowers and transferred the pollen grains to stigma. The successful pollination by the agents only determines the survival of the species in wild condition. With this background, a study has been framed to analyze the relationship between floral structure in relation to the pollination of Impatiens in the Western Ghats.

Biography:

Orus Ilyas has completed her PhD in 2001 from Dept of Wildlife Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. Presently she is working as Assistant professor of Dept of Wildlife Sciences, AMU, Aligarh, and also serving the third term of Asian coordinator of Deer Specialist group of Species Survival Commission of IUCN. She is actively engage in Post graduate teaching and research. For her research work she has worked in different project funded by nationally and International. She has worked on ungulates of Himalayas for her PhD and for post doc she worked on Alpine Musk deer. She has published more than 30 papers in reputed national and International Journal. She is also reviewer of various international Journals

Abstract:

Understanding activity pattern of wild animal is a very important aspect of behavior as it affects conservation planning. Considering this, present study was conducted on chital (Axis axis) in Pench Tiger Reserve to record abundance, group composition and day time activity pattern during 2015. Pench Tiger Reserve is 19th Tiger reserve of India, situated in Seoni and Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh, India (21°41′35″N 79°14′54″E). For the purpose, distance sampling and scan sampling methods were applied. The results revealed that density of chital was 79.1± 9.6 ind/km2 that projected a total biomass of 3714 kg/km2. The study also suggested that chital groups were composed of 43% of adult females followed by adult male (22%), sub-adult female (8%), sub-adult male (6%) and yearling (21%). Sex ratio revealed that one male was available for two females depicting sex ratio of 1:2. Activity pattern were recorded at two hours’ time slot from morning 6 AM till evening 16 hrs. During this period, the data were recorded on different activities such as resting, standing, feeding, drinking, etc. The results shows the proportion of activities of whole day, that the animals spend more time on feeding, about 40-50%, for foraging they move about 10-15% in whole day, about 20-25% of time spent for resting. Resting activity is mainly performed for the purpose ruminating. They spend about 10% time for standing which includes vigilance or scanning for anything suspicious. Feeding data were also recorded and chital was seen utilizing 11 species of tree, 2 species of shrub, 5 species of herb and 9 species of grasses. Efforts were made to construct the life table on the data collected on the population structure of chital to predict the life expectancy for chital and to investigate mortality rate at a particular age interval, though the data was not enough to predict the population trend, but still efforts were made. The results show that the maximum life expectancy was recorded at the age of sub adult, while maximum mortality rate was recorded at the adult stage followed by yearling.

Biography:

S Rangaiah has completed his PhD from University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru. He is the Professor and Head in the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, GKVK, Bengaluru, a premier university in Karnataka as well in India. He has published more than 40 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an External Member for conducting qualifying examiner for PhD students, member of interview in selection of scientists, peer reviewer in referred journals, and as a member of Board of Studies for PG Diploma course in Mysore University, India

Abstract:

Black gram is one of the important sources of easily digestible good quality protein and micronutrients. It fits well in diversity of cropping pattern, used as green manure. Diversity occur in both qualitative and quantitative traits, high genetic diversity builds a sound gene pool gene for future use and serves as breeding material for crop improvement. The present study aims at analyzing the genetic divergence of 120 genotypes along with 3 checks (Rashmi, DU 1 & T9) were evaluated in augmented design at University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru. K mean analysis shows that high genetic diversity for yield and its attributes. After eliminating the unknown sources of variation, the accessions are grouped into 5 clusters and the range of inter-cluster distance is between 8.128 and 28.432. Cluster 1 accounts for maximum number of accessions (27) followed by cluster 2, which include 26. The clusters which accounts for least number of accessions are 5th cluster i.e., 19. The maximum inter-cluster distance is 28.432, which is observed between cluster 2 & cluster 3 and minimum inter-cluster distance is seen between cluster 4 & cluster 5 which is 8.124. Therefore, any selection made between cluster 2, cluster 3 and cluster 4, cluster 5 rewards maximum benefits for yield improvements

Biography:

Diego Gallego García has completed his MSc in Zoology at Complutense University of Madrid. He has presented a paper at the XII Congress of SECEM (Spanish Mammal Conservation Society) related to the feeding ecology of otters, and is now heading to publish his current research on mice foraging behaviour with Mario Díaz at the Spanish National Research Council (MNCN-CSIC). He is strongly interested in doing research, and he is looking for a PhD related to wildlife ecology, animal behaviour or mammal conservation.

Abstract:

Acorn dispersal by Algerian mice (Mus spretus) is decisive for seedling recruitment in savanna-like holm oak woodlands (dehesas), but its foraging behaviour is affected by some variables related to perceived predation risk and competition for acorns. In this study, both factors were manipulated by means of predator scents (Genetta genetta) and ungulate exclosures, respectively. Foraging behaviour and acorn dispersal were analysed with automatic video cameras set for continuous recording on three consecutive full moon nights. Unexpected results arised according to the interactive effects of both factors: outside ungulate exclosures, scent treatment did not cause significant effects on foraging behaviour; inside exclosures, rodents showed a less distressed behaviour in response to the addition of predator scent (longer events, more time devoted to acorn handling, less time spent vigilant and a lower acorn dispersal rate). These patterns of foraging behaviour did not change when the effects of vegetation structure and presence of other mice were controlled for. However, conspecific activity explained the effects of experimental treatments on acorn dispersal rate, whereas indirect effects of exclosures on vegetation were just additive over exclosure effects. The results obtained suggest that these three types of animals (predator, prey and competitor) are inmersed in a complex interaction that also relies on the effects of conspecifics, as well as on other indirect factors such as moonlight or acorn availability. Ultimately, all these factors could help understand better the ecology of seed dispersal by mice in open woodlands

Biography:

Manasee Choudhury is currently pursuing her PhD under the guidance of Dr. Dipali Devi at Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Assam, India. She has three published papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

Cocoons laid by the wild sericogenous insect Antheraea assamensis Helfer (Muga) are found to hold heavy deposition of minerals (calcium oxalate) on its surface. This mineral deposition grounds for the difficulty in reeling of Muga fiber in comparison to the cocoons of mulberry silkworm. In this study, the mineral layer is attempted to wash out using some chemical and natural agents like ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), potassium carbonate, citric acid, extract of Musa balbisiana (kolakhar) and Citrus limon (lemon). It is observed that both the natural and chemical agents carefully removes the mineral deposition, leaving the gummy sericin substantially intact, preventing entanglement of fibroin brins and permitting wet reeling. Demineralization helps to extract continuous free flowing silk from the cocoon with very minimum number of fiber breaks compared to conventional degumming. The scanning electron micrographs and FTIR of demineralized cocoon fiber showed removal of granular minerals from the silk. The tensile strength of demineralized fiber showed superiority in contrast to sodium carbonate degummed fiber. Under the implemented experimental conditions ‘kolakhar’ and potassium carbonate functioned as the most efficient demineralizing agent amongst all. Therefore, the present study may be an improved method for softening wild silk cocoons in contrast to harsh degumming for obtaining long continuous reeled fiber threads with very less number of fiber breaks and enhanced mechanical strength along with reduced toxicity and allergenicity.

Biography:

Kerryn Higgs’ first degree was BA (Hons) at Melbourne University, where she won the prize for History and English. She later studied Ecology and Environmental Philosophy at the University of Tasmania (UTAS), Hobart, and completed her cross-disciplinary PhD there in 2011. Her PhD thesis was adapted into a book published in 2014 by MIT Press, Collision Course: Endless growth on a finite planet. She is an Associate with UTAS, a Fellow of the Club of Rome and a freelance writer.

Abstract:

During the twentieth century, physical production increased twenty-fold and human population quadrupled. The results of these developments continue to cascade through the natural and human world, with grave consequences for ecologies and species. Under so-called free trade arrangements, rich countries outsource environmental damage to “less developed” nations, which are forced to degrade their land in order to attract export earnings. Thirty percent of species loss results from the international trade in goods and services. Populations of vertebrate animals shrank by 50 percent in the 40 years after 1970. Species decline is also tangible. The Rockström/Steffen team at the Stockholm Resilience Institute has argued that humans are exceeding the planet’s physical capacities in two areas. Number one: Biodiversity decline and species extinction. This problem is compounded by the team’s other designated danger zones: nitrogen and phosphorous disruption; land-use changes, especially forest destruction; global warming; and ocean acidification. This deterioration gathered pace through the twentieth century. Around 1900, modern corporations emerged in the US and soon banded together into industry groups & business councils. They exploited the newly emerging PR industries with a barrage of propaganda designed to sell their products and naturalize a system of endless accumulation, culminating in the 1970s project to “litter the world with free market think tanks”. By now, economic priorities have superseded all other values and corporate interest has increasingly freed itself from democratic constraint. The trade rules created since the 1970s enforce a universal pursuit of “progress”, a progress that is corroding its own basis in Nature.

Biography:

Qianlai Zhuang has completed his PhD from the University of Alaska at Fairbanks and Postdoctoral studies at the Ecosystems Center of the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole MA. He has published more than 120 peer-reviewed papers. His research focuses on advancing C and N biogeochemistry modeling. To date, he has modeled the impacts of permafrost dynamics, fire disturbances, aerosol and ozone and hydrological dynamics on C and N dynamics of both land and aquatic ecosystems. He has extensively used these models to study the climate change effects on C and N dynamics and their feedbacks to the climate system

Abstract:

This presentation will discuss how we have explicitly incorporated the effects of microbial activities on soil organic matter decomposition into a biogeochemistry model, the Terrestrial Ecosystem Model. Specifically, we will discuss how we have revised an existing Q10-based heterotrophic respiration algorithm, by incorporating the algorithms of Dual Arrhenius and Michaelis-Menten kinetics and microbial-enzyme interactions. The microbial physiology enabled model was then applied to quantify historical and future carbon dynamics of forest ecosystems in the conterminous United States and the Arctic. Our model simulations for the forest ecosystems in the United States demonstrate that the revised model better simulate historical ecosystem carbon dynamics. Another research effort has been made to incorporate a microbial dormancy into an explicit microbial-enzyme decomposition algorithm. The model was then used to examine soil carbon dynamics with and without representation of microbial dormancy. The model was finally extrapolated to global temperate forest ecosystems. Our study shows that the dormancy model consistently produced a better match with field-observed heterotrophic soil carbon effluxes than the no dormancy model. Currently, we are developing more detailed microbial physiologically based soil C and N models that shall improve the quantification of the land ecosystem C and N dynamics and their feedbacks to the global climate system

Biography:

Daan Vreugdenhil is currently the Director of the World Institute for Conservation and Environment, WICE. He has worked for the Dutch Government, the United Nations, the World Bank and the Interamerican Development Bank in the fields of biodiversity conservation, water management, environmental impact assessment, national parks planning, biodiversity monitoring and GIS-ecosystems mapping. His career of 4 decades took him to 80+ countries on 5 continents. He has developed a methodology through which ecosystems can be concisely defined and mapped. He is also a Member of the IUCN World Protected Areas Commission.

Abstract:

The terms biodiversity and ecosystems have been used in many different ways while for a long time, concise reproducible definitions have remained elusive. As both terms are used in a variety of political objectives, clarity, field identification and mapping are paramount. For a long time, vegetation mapping has been possible from aerial photographs but interpretation was slow while photographs were expensive and national sets were often incomplete. In the 1990s satellite images had become available to scientists and the first detailed vegetation map base on satellite images was produced by Iremonger in 1993. This article demonstrated that identifiable vegetation types can serve as proxies for terrestrial ecosystems while aquatic ecosystems can be distinguished on the bases of a limited number of physical characteristics thus opening the way for full ecosystem mapping and identification. While biodiversity in its purest sense refers to the number of species per area unit, hence a numeric equation, it has more commonly been used as sets of species belonging to an area. However, the identification of all species in any given area is usually impossible. The author argues why ecosystems represent partially distinct sets of species, thus allowing for proxy identification and mapping of species or “biodiversity” in the field. The current article reviews commonly used methods to geographically distinguish biodiversity such as biomes, ecoregions and hotspots, demonstrating that those methods either lack a useful scale, a scientifically definable set of parameters, a practically identifiable set of paramaters or all of the above.

Biography:

Mikel A Becerro completed his PhD in 1992 at the University of Barcelona. He has ample postdoctoral experience in the University of Guam Marine Laboratory, the University of Hawaii, and the Smithsonian Institution. He is the Director of the BITES lab, a researcher group based at the Spanish Research Council. He has published over 50 papers in top journals and edited a number of books

Abstract:

Reefs over the world are under strong degradation threat as human population is steadily increasing on coastal areas. Biodiversity conservation relies on multifaceted human interventions, which ultimately depend on ecosystem resistance and resilience to succeed. Empirical data on ecosystem resistance and resilience is mostly lacking and their quantification remains a challenge. Here, we took a multivariate approach to develop a method based on species composition and biodiversity that provides resistance and resilience metrics. We used underwater visual census of fish, invertebrates, and algae to calculate species composition and biodiversity in three marine areas of Cabo de Gata (Mediterranean Sea) differing in management pressures, i.e. total, partial, and no protection. We aimed to identify resistance and sensibility of managed areas (partial and no-protection) to become reserves if management pressures were eliminated. The species abundance compositional data showed that the intermediate area resistance was lower (32%) than no-protected area (42%), whereas the sensibility to change was around 70% and 55% for partial and no-protected area, respectively. Both managed areas showed lower resistance to change considering species turnover than species composition (30%). Our results suggest that, after management cessation, bringing back species abundances is more complex than restoring species presence. Our results shed light on the evaluation of resilience frameworks on marine ecosystems, with strong implications in conservation. Marine ecosystem management and policy actuations based on the resilience properties of the systems may increase the efficiency of our intervations and make a significant step forward to understanding and preserving marine biodiversity

Biography:

Feibo Wu has completed her PhD in 2003 from Zhejiang University (ZJU). She is the Deputy Director of Crop Science Institute of ZJU. Her main research interest is evaluation and identification of plant germplasm, mainly in barley, resistant/tolerant to abiotic stresses and its molecular physiology and phytoremediation of metal-contaminated environments and safe crop production. She has published 97 papers in reputed SCI-Journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of Plant Growth Regulation.

Abstract:

Cadmium (Cd) is potentially toxic to both plants and animals. Recently Cd accumulation in biotic systems as a consequence of human activities is becoming a major environmental issue worldwide; particularly in agricultural ecosystems, where it might endanger crop productivity and quality. Meanwhile, Cd contamination is a non-reversible accumulation process and high plant-soil mobility to be easily accumulated in plant tissues. Furthermore, Cd is believed to cause damage even at very low concentrations and healthy plants may contain levels of Cd that are toxic to mammals. Considering the huge scale of contaminated farmlands in China, breeding of crop cultivars tolerant to Cd toxicity and with low Cd accumulation in edible parts would be a cost-effective and practical substitute mode to fully utilize natural resource and guarantee safe food production. Accordingly, it is imperative to elucidate the mechanism of Cd accumulation/tolerance for developing low Cd accumulation cultivars to minimize soil-to-plant transfer of Cd and increase food production for a rapidly increasing world population. Genotypes with low grain Cd accumulation and Cd tolerant were successfully screened from 600 barley genotypes. Physiological mechanism for genotypic differences in Cd accumulation and tolerance in barley was elucidate via characterizing physiochemical characters, including Cd uptake and subcellular distribution, photosynthesis, free amino acid, phytochelatin, an atomic structure, ATPase, reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism and other physiochemical responses. The long-distance transport of Cd into the developing grains was studied using the markers for phloem (rubidium) and xylem (strontium) transport. Furthermore, stress-specific proteins and relevant genes associated with Cd tolerance were identified. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were detected for root Cd concentration and Cd tolerance index (CTI) of shoot dry weight, root glutathione peroxidase and dehydroascorbate reductase. Meanwhile, ZIP genes (ZIP3, ZIP8) were isolated from low and high grain Cd accumulation barley genotypes, respectively and incorporated into barley plants (Golden Promise) using Agrobacterium transformation. In addition, we investigated the effects of Zn, GSH, NO and ASA on alleviating Cd stress, indicating that rational Zn, GSH, NO, or/and Se application could alleviate Cd toxicity to plants and reduce Cd uptake and accumulation. Our results have provided a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms of Cd- tolerance in crop plants and built a solid foundation for the identification of candidate genes conferring Cd-tolerant and low Cd barley varieties

Biography:

Giselle Camargo Mendes has completed her PhD in Plant Physiology from Federal University of Viçosa, Brazil and Post-doctoral studies from Texas A&M University, USA. She is a Professor of Federal Institute Goiano. She is member of Polo of Innovation Research. She has published more than 9 papers in reputed journals like Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), Plant Physiology, BMC Genomics and Plos One.

Abstract:

Abiotic stress is majorly responsible for reduced yield in several crops. The plants have different mechanism to response of abiotic stress like alter metabolism, productivity and sustainability. The abiotic stress-induced morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and molecular changes and affect growth and productivity of the plants. The plants have strategies and approaches to increase tolerance. Understanding the mechanisms of tolerance and how this knowledge can be utilized is one the most challenging tasks. In the last decades there has been progress to understand the molecular, biochemical, physiologic mechanism of stress tolerance in plants. The biodiversity of these crops are important for understanding the mechanism of tolerance to stress on the genetic variability. Stresses also affect the primary and secondary metabolism. The functional genomics is an important field of molecular biology which focuses on determination of the function of genes and proteins. This research seeks to understand the dynamism of gene transcription processes, translation, interaction between proteins and metabolic alterations in abiotic stress. These approaches are used to facilitate plant breeding, aiming to understand the physiology of the phenotype that is associated with genetic and epigenetic mechanisms during abiotic stress. Advances in genetics have been of great importance for understanding and establishing tools molecular which assist in the evolution of science in solution practical problems and recurrent society.

Biography:

Helena Godoy Bergallo has completed her PhD in Ecology in 1995 from State University of Campinas. She is Associate Professor of Rio de Janeiro State University where she teaches the undergraduate and graduate programs in Ecology and Evolution, and Environment. She has published more than 100 papers with emphasis in Mammal Ecology. Currently, she coordinates the Biodiversity Research Network of the Atlantic Forest (PPBioMA).

Abstract:

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) of Brazil created in 2005 the Biodiversity Research Program (PPBio) in order to expand and disseminate knowledge on Brazilian biodiversity, being formerly implemented in the Amazon and Semi-Arid biomes. In 2012, the program became national, covering actions to create networks of researchers in each biome adopting standardized protocols of inventories and monitoring of biota (known as RAPELD); to support the modernization of biological collections; to conduct research in thematic areas; to develop a portal to access data and metadata; and to synthesize the knowledge gained by the research. In this context created was Biodiversity Research Network of the Atlantic Forest (PPBioMA) relying on 100 researchers from 23 institutions. The PPBioMA network is divided into four sections, the executive and one in each Atlantic Forest region (Northeast, Southeast and South), coordinated by one or two researchers. Each section has its own projects. Executor core aims to provide training courses in different subjects and for different stakeholders (researchers, students, technicians, managers), manage data and metadata, to know the collections associated with the network, and to ensure data integration and knowledge synthesis. Sixteen sites in the Atlantic Forest are being simultaneously studied using standardized protocols, and 81 researches are being developed. Two meetings were conducted to allow the exchange of information among the participants. Project data will be made available according to the data policy, in the Information System for the Brazilian Biodiversity (SiBBr).

Biography:

Yuan Zeng is an Associate Professor in RADI. She completed her PhD in 2008 from Wageningen University in the Netherlands with the thesis of “Quantitative remote sensing for monitoring forest canopy structural variables in the Three Gorges region of China”. Her research interests include hyperspectral remote sensing, forest canopy variable retrieval and modeling, remote sensing applications in forests and ecology. Currently, her research is related to the forest above ground biomass mapping and biodiversity estimation using LiDAR and hyperspectral data.

Abstract:

Monitoring forest biodiversity is essential to the conservation and management of forest resource. A new method called “spectranomics” that map forest species richness based on leaf biochemical and spectroscopic traits using imaging spectroscopy has been developed. In this study, we use this method combined with the airborne imaging spectroscopy (PHI-3 with 1m spatial resolution) data to detect the relationship among the spectral, biochemical and taxonomic diversity of tree species based on 20 dominant canopy species collected in the Longmenhe Forest Nature Reserve of China. Seven optimal biochemical components (chlorophyll, carotenoid, water, specific leaf area, nitrogen, cellulose, and lignin) are selected (R2>0.58, P<0.01) to indicate the forest biodiversity, and the max species number detected by the 7 biochemical combination is 14. Then, 7 vegetation indices are derived to represent the corresponding biochemical components, and scaled from the canopy to leaf scale by divided leaf area index. In addition, we use the morphological crown control method based on watershed algorithm to isolate individual tree crown by LiDAR (>4 points/m2). Finally, a self-adaptive Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) clustering algorithm is applied to determine the optimal clustering numbers (i.e. species richness) and Shannon-Wiener for each 30x30 m window based on the isolated individual tree height and 7 biochemical indices. According to total 22 sample plots, the mapping results show that the predicted species richness is close to the field measurements (R2 =0.6482, P<0.01) and the predicted Shannon–Wiener index provide higher estimated accuracy (R2=0.8252, P<0.01) than the species richness.

Biography:

A A Ivlev has completed his PhD from Chemical Technology University of D.I. Mendeleev. He has finished his Postdoctoral studies in Russian Oil Research Institute in 1986 and got Degree of Doctor of Science in Institute of Chemical Physics of Russian Academy of Sciences. In 2005 he has discovered a link between carbon isotope distribution and temporal organization of cell processes and was awarded with medal “To Author of Scientific Discovery” by Russian Academy of Natural Sciences. Since 1995, he is a Professor of Russian State Agrarian University of K.A. Timiryazev. He is an author of 159 papers in reputed journals and of 4 monographs. The field of his scientific interests includes isotope fractionation in metabolic processes, photosynthesis, plant physiology, cell mechanisms, evolution, geochemistry and climatology.

Abstract:

The principle of actualism and recent findings on carbon isotope fractionation in photosynthesis, combining with data on isotopic ratio of carbon in sedimentary rocks in form of carbonates and coeval organic matter allowed developing a new model of the redox carbon cycle. The model claims: Carbon transfer between biosphere and geospheres is a conversion of the element from the oxidized state to the reduced one and back. The transfer proceeds under the control of photosynthesis which is an essential element of the carbon cycle. The lithospheric plates’ movement exerts impact on photosynthesis development via periodic injections of CO2 into “atmosphere–hydrosphere” system during plates’ collisions. Due to irregular lithospheric plates’ movement the orogenic cycle consists of a short-term orogenic period of active volcanism, magmatism and mountain building and a long-term geosynclynal period of low volcanic activity and quiet development of Earth crust processes. In short-term orogenic periods, when plates move fast and collide frequently, a great amount of CO2 evolves from the subduction zones of the Earth’s crust (where plates collide) and fills the “atmosphere–hydrosphere” system. It causes expansion of photosynthesis. On contrary, oxygen concentration drops due to oxidation of reducing magmatic rocks. In long-term geosynclynal period, due to photosynthesis, the CO2 concentration gradually drops whereas O2 concentration increases and achieves the maximum by the end of the cycle. In the following relatively extended geosynclynal periods, the collisions of plates are seldom and the rate of CO2 emission from subduction zones becomes weaker than the rate of CO2 assimilation. Thus the pulsating movement of plates exerts an impact on dynamics and development of photosynthesis. It, in turn, determines periodicity of numerous processes including climatic cycles, changes in the rate of biodiversity, irregular accumulation of organic matter in sediments, uneven stratigraphic oil distribution, sea level changes, etc. The redox carbon cycle is a self-organizing system due to negative feedback between CO2 assimilation and photorespiration in response to oxygen growth. It made carbon cycle to shift to ecological compensation point. In this point the system become sensitive to separate plates’ collisions what results in short-term climatic oscillations.

Biography:

Jimmy Loro is the Senior Adviser of the GIZ Regulatory Framework Promotion of Pro-Poor Insurance Markets in Asia (GIZ RFPI Asia) and works with insurance regulators and the private sector in the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand. He has more than a decade of success managing versatile programs of GIZ, EU, AusAID, UN, and the Philippine government on developing public-private partnerships, food security, increasing access to elementary education, reduction of maternal mortality ratio and child mortality, advocacies for HIV/AIDS prevention, rural development and poverty reduction. He has a Master’s Degree in Environment and Natural Resource Management from the University of the Philippines Open University.

Abstract:

This study aims to design an environmental index-based insurance for the restoration of environmental services following the occurrence of 13.5 mm mean monthly rainfall. Periodic rainfall results in the development and maturity of Aedes aegypti, the carrier of dengue haemorrhagic fever, and water contamination from the excretion of rats that lead to leptospirosis. Pearson’s correlation established a high positive association indicated by a sig. 2-tailed value of .002 between mean monthly rainfall and dengue cases in 2009. On one hand, monthly mean rainfall and leptospirosis established a weak positive correlation of 279. High positive correlation of dengue and rainfall enables the development of an Environmental Index-based Insurance Product designed to use pay-outs to de-clog canals and waterways, and ensure that adjacent landscapes, and their species of flora and fauna, including mosquito-predatory fishes, and endemic insects, are restored and protected.

Biography:

Nurmala Pangaribuan, completed her PhD from the University of Padjadjaran Bandung (UNPAD), now in charge at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Department of Biology, Open University, Indonesia. In 2005, she became interested in conducting research on peatlands. Peatland is quite extensive but has many obstacles to be used as farmland. Ecology approach is expected to maintain continuity (sustainable) of peats in the future.

Abstract:

Peats ecosystem has different species and densities of Arbuscular Mycoriza Fungi (AMF). Plant Rhizosphere at peatland has various kinds of microorganisms, including AMF. For further use, study of the potency of indigenous AMF is necessary. This research was conducted to study the potency of indigenous AMF, from the physic corn and nuts, which grow on peatland of Rasau dan Jawai, Pontianak West Kalimantan. Soils samples were collected and then observed under microscope. The steps to study the potency of AMF were (1) trapping the spora, (2) identifying the types of spore, and (3) counting of spora with Seive and Wet Techniques by Pacioni and Brunndret. The result showed that the number of spores AMF of Glomus sp., from cultivated Rasau was 227 spores 50 g-1 soil and from of Jawai was 1819 spores 50 g-1 soil. Indigenous AMF from the soil where physic corn and nut grown at Rasau and Jawai were dominated by Glomus sp.

Biography:

Cristina Olmedo is a PhD student in the Zoology and Physical Anthropology Department of the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM). She received her Master’s in Conservation Biology (2012) from UCM and degree in Biology from the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM) in 2002. She has 5 published articles and 14 international conferences’ communications in Biodiversity and Species Distribution. Her current research areas are focused on the diversity of parasites in wildlife ungulates and its influence on the populations

Abstract:

This study was to determine if MaxEnt is useful for establishing the most suitable areas for the reintroduction of a wildlife species, the Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica). This method uses partial data (presence-only); thus, its reliability can be doubtful compared to models that use presence-absence data (general linearized model). This paper seeks to compare these models from their graphical representations (spatial correlation) instead of using the traditional comparisons of the statistics that they generate. We determined the potentiality of the territory via binomial logistic regression (GLM) and the graphical representation of the territory suitability with presence data only (MaxEnt). To compare both results, correlation analyses were performed. The most suitable areas for the species are similar although they were extended in GLM Model. In both cases, the variables of altitude, anthropogenic influence, and vegetation/stoniness are relevant for the presence of the species. The correlation analyses performed showed a strong relationship between both models. These results suggest that the use of the species’ presence-only distribution modelling employing MaxEnt is useful for defining the preferred locations of the species and can replace the absence-presence methods when information on the absence of the species is lacking

Biography:

Gufrin Amlin has completed his Bachelor’s degree in the field of Plant Taxonomy from Halu Oleo University, Indonesia and MSc in the field of Forest Ecology and Management from MARA University of Technology, Malaysia. He is currently preparing his PhD in the field of Forest Economics and Application of LIDAR for Forest Plantation. He was the Alumni of Advanced Field course on Ecology and Conservation-XTBG, China 2012, managed by XTBG and Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). He was the Member of Forest Ecology and Management Program in the Faculty of Applied Sciences at MARA University of Technology. He has published about 8 papers in reputed journals and conference index and also one chapter in book.

Abstract:

Gufrin Amlin has completed his Bachelor’s degree in the field of Plant Taxonomy from Halu Oleo University, Indonesia and MSc in the field of Forest Ecology and Management from MARA University of Technology, Malaysia. He is currently preparing his PhD in the field of Forest Economics and Application of LIDAR for Forest Plantation. He was the Alumni of Advanced Field course on Ecology and Conservation-XTBG, China 2012, managed by XTBG and Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). He was the Member of Forest Ecology and Management Program in the Faculty of Applied Sciences at MARA University of Technology. He has published about 8 papers in reputed journals and conference index and also one chapter in book.

Biography:

Abstract:

Climate change has emerged as one of the hottest topics in global change ecology and rightfully so, contended to being the greatest challenge to biodiversity conservation targets in the 21st century. In retrospect, this appraisal is typically acted upon from a monotypic (and or causality) context. Here we present a first of its kind, global-level approximation of pressures faced by species from a multi-threat perspective. Our results indicate a strikingly clear pattern that climate vulnerable species are threatened by more non-climatic threats than non-vulnerable species. Further, this pattern displays a distinct trend that is highly relevant with a species IUCN Red List conservation status. In this study, we do not imply that climate change is directly responsible for a greater likelihood of a species being threatened by other stressors. While this may be true for some species, several studies indicate that vulnerability is the sum of cumulative effects from multiple threats and others contend that vulnerability is controlled by the species life-history traits (exposure, sensitivity and adaptability). What we are suggesting is that researchers need to better understand if and why the combined effects of stressors are greater than the sum of individual effects in a multi-threat context. This should serves as a reminder of likely complexities of species under projected climate impact and potential interactions with other rapidly evolving non-climatic threats that are equally confounding.

Biography:

Intan Safinar Ismail has completed her PhD and Post-doctoral studies at Okayama University and Hoshi Medical University, Japan. She joined Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2005 and became the Head of Laboratory of Natural Products at the Institute of Bioscience in 2011 until the present. She has published more than 67 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of three scientific journals. She is pursuing chemistry related researches utilizing metabolomics.

Abstract:

The strategies for the identification of bioactive constituents from a plant crude extract have been changing from time to time. Despite the fact that the reductionist - bioassay guided approaches are the most popular techniques currently in practice, at times these methods fail to deliver a holistic information about the therapeutic potential of various chemical constituents of a crude extract, specifically because of their inability to identify the effect of synergism or antagonism, which is considered as the most important attribute of a herbal preparation. Metabolomics being a global and comprehensive tool could overcome this disadvantage. Orthosiphon stamineus (OS) is widely used in traditional system medicine in Malaysia, Indonesia and other SEA countries as a diuretic, nephroprotective and in the cure of diabetes. Different solvent extracts of OS were studied to assess their protective efficacy in streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus and cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity using appropriate rat models. Aqueous extract of OS has caused significant reduction of blood glucose level and other marker metabolites of diabetes by 14 days treatment with OS. The 50% aqueous ethanolic extract demonstrated optimum protection against cisplatin nephrotoxicity by ameliorating metabolites such as leucine, acetate, acetoacetate and 2-oxoglutarate, as identified by the multivariate analysis of 1H NMR spectra of rat urine samples. Several primary and secondary metabolites such as betulinic acid, rosmarinic acid, epicatechin, quercetin, indole 3 acetate, tryptophan and biotin were identified from the 1H NMR of OS crude extract. Metabolomic correlation between the bioactivity and 1H NMR of OS crude extract was carried out using a PLS regression model, whereby methoxy flavonoids were identified as the contributors of bioactivity. This research demonstrated the potential of metabolomics in natural product research by identifying the contribution of all possible phytoconstituents of a crude extract in exerting the bioactivity.

Biography:

Seyedmahmoud Monemian is currently pursuing his Masters in Tropical and International Forestry at the University of Goettingen in Germany

Abstract:

Regeneration of tree species plays a crucial role to ensure the sustainability of forest and this is more significant when it comes to the multiple functions of forest and their conflicts such as animal browsing, timber harvest, sustainable use of indigenous people from non-timber forest products etc. The study was conducted in Cuc Phuong National Park (CPNP) in Vietnam to analyze the regeneration status in the primary forest. The concentric sample plots were established in the primary forest and whole study took around three weeks and the information was provided by the inventory of the core zone in CPNP. The data was collected from inventory forms and were transferred later on to Microsoft Excel for further analysis. In this study, Importance Value Index (IVI) of the species found in the inventory was analyzed which represents the abundance and frequency of the plant species. Furthermore, population structure of the primary forest was evaluated based on the inventory data. The results demonstrated that Streblus macrophyllus is the most abundant regeneration in the studied area where as many species other species are low in number in the studied plots in the primary forest of CPNP. Moreover, there is no regeneration for 23 tree species out of 75 species found in the sample plots. Additionally, some information about the nursery and plantation of tree species was provided through interview with Vietnamese forest experts.

Biography:

Hazilawati H (DVM, MVSc & PhD) is a Veterinary Clinical Pathologist. She works as a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UPM. Her current research interests include ethnopharmacology, leukaemia-lymphoma and blood biomarkers of endovascular dysfunction. She supervised 14 final year project students and 6 Master’s students, and is currently supervising 2 PhD, 4 Master’s and 2 final year project students. She published more than 30 journal articles and 100 abstracts in proceeding books.

Abstract:

Morinda citrifolia or known as mengkudu or noni is a widely known herb that exhibits anti-oxidant, anti-viral, and anti-cancer activity. The aim of this study is to evaluate subchronic oral toxicity of ethanolic extract of M. citrifolia fruits in male Sprague Dawley rats. A total of 40 6-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats were equally divided into 5 groups namely control, 10% DMSO (vehicle), low dose (75 mg/kg body weight), medium dose (125 mg/kg body weight) and high dose (250 mg/kg body weight). The extract was given once daily for 90 days via oral gavage. Standard toxicological parameters include mortality rate, gross pathology, haematology, serum biochemistry and histopathological examination of liver and kidneys were performed. Mortality was not observed throughout the study. There were no significant changes in the body weight, relative organ weight and haematology parameters in all groups. Slight decrease in the levels of aspartate alanine transferase (AST), creatinine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were observed in medium and high dose groups (p<0.05), which were related to the decrease in muscle activity. Mild degree of inflammation and cytoplasmic vacuolation were observed in liver of medium dose group, and mild degree of inflammation, cytoplasmic vacuolation and sinusoidal dilatation were observed in liver of high dose group (p<0.05). Kidneys of the medium and high dose groups showed mild degree of granular and cellular casts (p<0.05). Based on the findings, it is concluded that daily administration of Morinda citrifolia fruit ethanolic extract at 125 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg of body weight causes mild hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rats.

Biography:

Abstract:

Tropical forests in Malaysia safeguard enormous biological diversity while providing crucial benefits and services for the sustainable development of human communities. They are highly significant globally, both for their diverse and threatened species and as representative unique ecosystems. In order to promote the conservation and sustainable management of forest in this country, the Forestry Department (FD) is using ITTO guidelines on managing the forest under the Sustainable Forest Management practices (SFM). The fundamental principles of SFM are the sustained provision of products, goods and services; economic viability, social acceptability and the minimization of environmental/ecological impacts. With increased awareness and recognition of the importance of tropical forests and biodiversity in the global environment, efforts have been made to classify forests and natural areas with unique values or properties in a universally accepted scale. In line with that the concept of High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF) first used by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) in 1999, has been adopted and included as Principle ‘9’ in the Malaysia Criteria and indicators for Forest Management Certification (MC&I 2002). The MC&I 2002 is a standard used for assessing forest management practices of the Forest Management Unit (FMU) level for purpose of certification. The key to the concept of HCVF is identification of HCVs of the forest. This paper highlighted initiative taken by the Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia in establishing and managing HCVF areas within the Permanent Forest Reserves (PFE). To date almost all states forestry department in Peninsular Malaysia have established HCVFs in their respective states under different categories. Among others, the establishments of HCVF in this country are related to the importance of conserving biological diversity of the flora in the natural forest in particular endemic and threatened species such as Shorea bentongensis. As such it is anticipated that by taking this important initiatives, it will promote the conservation of biological diversity in the PFE of Peninsular Malaysia in line with the Sustainable Forest Management practice.

Biography:

Lidia Ochoa Peñas has completed a Master Program in Ecological Restoration, specialized in Marine Ecosystems from Alcalá de Henares University, Complutense University, Politécnica de Madrid University and Rey Juan Carlos University. Her most recent studies, in collaboration with different organizations, consist of the invasion process of macro-algae along the Atlantic and Cantabrian coasts and its effects in the intertidal communities, and about the state of a seagrass in the Canary Islands.

Abstract:

Restoration ecology is the part of biology which studies how to change the state of a degraded ecosystem into a non-degraded one. It is also used regarding damaged or destroyed ecosystems, specially used in ecosystems altered or degraded by human in order to revitalize ecosystems integrity and functionality. There are a lot of different theories about the importance of restoring ecosystems or species and their value, for example the value of them itself, but one of the most persuasive arguments is the importance of the ecosystem services. Marine ecosystems are a great source of ecosystem services, for instance provisioning services (food, energy) or recreation. They also supply other ecosystem services such as regulation of global climate, sink of nutrients or acting as a reservoir for COâ‚‚, which are less known or considered. Ecological restoration can help these ecosystems, providing an important source of ecosystem services and ensuring their continuity in time.