Biography:

Pedro Nahoum has 46 years old and grew up on a farm, growing native plants since his early age. Studied botany at USP and became a Bachelor of Ecology at UFRJ. Is a Biodiversity Management specialist by the National School of Tropical Botany – IBAMA / MMA. Since 1989, when started his own plant germplasm bank, has been working on conservation and genetic improvement of native species, focusing on Neotropical families and CAM metabolism species. Has been working for over 25 years in the segment of conservation, cultivation, propagation and genetic improvement of native plants, mainly in the families’ Bromeliaceae and Cactaceae, especially at the genera Ananas (Pineapples) and Cereus (Mandacarus). Is one of the authors of the `National Strategy for Cactaceae Conservation´, published in 2011 by the Brazilian Ministry of Environment (MMA), and the main author of the chapter `The use of Plant Genetic Resources in Landscaping`, in the book `Plant Genetic Resources - The basis of sustainable agriculture in Brazil` (UFV, 2015). Pedro Nahoum is the founder and the CEO of the Botanica Pop Ltd., a company established in the year 2000 that is specialized in conservation and use through innovative breeding and propagation of CAM metabolism plants. 

Abstract:

Horticulture > Agriculture is a historic direction in plant production by the Homo sapiens. Many terrestrial mammals and bird species are seed and pollen dispersers, and H. sapiens has been doing it too since the first fruit eaten. Organic deposits are found in places where human groups stay for even a short period (1), so there were always seed germination processes next to the human dwellings. Our species probably had a slow and gradual transition between natural seeds dispersed from feeding to the plant germination learning. Plant production is much older than agriculture - on June 8th, 2017 an article was published featuring fossil records of H. sapiens presence with fire around 315,000 years B.P., in Morocco (2) (3), while agriculture, as an incipient monoculture practice, has around 23,000 years B.P. (4). There are over 200,000 years of sustainable plant cultivation of our species before agriculture started. The original plant production system was not the monoculture of wheat and grains in the crescent fertile of Mesopotamia 9,000 years BC, as many think - the original cultivation comes from the forest gardening, much older and more related with permaculture (5), with a horticultural approach and much higher biodiversity indexes (6). Biodiversity and agrobiodiversity losses, the genetic erosion process, impedes adaptive responses to stressful environments (7), like deforested and semi-arid areas, and the whole planet Earth is affected by the climatic changes. Very low biodiversity indexes in monocultures with synthetic inputs use is an important argument against GMOs, genetic engineered cultivars and synthetic growing for extensive areas, as have been occurring in South America and is starting in Africa now. Each area unity converted in monocultures is related to genetic erosion of natural biodiversity, with losses in the intraspecific genetic diversity of well-spread species, the extinction of endemic species and the reduction of humanly created agrobiodiversity (8).

Biography:

Pedro Nahoum has 46 years old and grew up on a farm, growing native plants since his early age. Studied botany at USP and became a Bachelor of Ecology at UFRJ. Is a Biodiversity Management specialist by the National School of Tropical Botany – IBAMA / MMA. Since 1989, when started his own plant germplasm bank, has been working on conservation and genetic improvement of native species, focusing on Neotropical families and CAM metabolism species. Has been working for over 25 years in the segment of conservation, cultivation, propagation and genetic improvement of native plants, mainly in the families’ Bromeliaceae and Cactaceae, especially at the genera Ananas (Pineapples) and Cereus (Mandacarus). Is one of the authors of the `National Strategy for Cactaceae Conservation´, published in 2011 by the Brazilian Ministry of Environment (MMA), and the main author of the chapter `The use of Plant Genetic Resources in Landscaping`, in the book `Plant Genetic Resources - The basis of sustainable agriculture in Brazil` (UFV, 2015). Pedro Nahoum is the founder and the CEO of the Botanica Pop Ltd., a company established in the year 2000 that is specialized in conservation and use through innovative breeding and propagation of CAM metabolism plants. 

Abstract:

Horticulture > Agriculture is a historic direction in plant production by the Homo sapiens. Many terrestrial mammals and bird species are seed and pollen dispersers, and H. sapiens has been doing it too since the first fruit eaten. Organic deposits are found in places where human groups stay for even a short period (1), so there were always seed germination processes next to the human dwellings. Our species probably had a slow and gradual transition between natural seeds dispersed from feeding to the plant germination learning. Plant production is much older than agriculture - on June 8th, 2017 an article was published featuring fossil records of H. sapiens presence with fire around 315,000 years B.P., in Morocco (2) (3), while agriculture, as an incipient monoculture practice, has around 23,000 years B.P. (4). There are over 200,000 years of sustainable plant cultivation of our species before agriculture started. The original plant production system was not the monoculture of wheat and grains in the crescent fertile of Mesopotamia 9,000 years BC, as many think - the original cultivation comes from the forest gardening, much older and more related with permaculture (5), with a horticultural approach and much higher biodiversity indexes (6). Biodiversity and agrobiodiversity losses, the genetic erosion process, impedes adaptive responses to stressful environments (7), like deforested and semi-arid areas, and the whole planet Earth is affected by the climatic changes. Very low biodiversity indexes in monocultures with synthetic inputs use is an important argument against GMOs, genetic engineered cultivars and synthetic growing for extensive areas, as have been occurring in South America and is starting in Africa now. Each area unity converted in monocultures is related to genetic erosion of natural biodiversity, with losses in the intraspecific genetic diversity of well-spread species, the extinction of endemic species and the reduction of humanly created agrobiodiversity (8).

Biography:

Rafael Moreno-Sanchez has a bachelor degree in forestry from the Chapingo Autonomous University in Mexico. He received his Ph.D. in Natural Resources Management from Colorado State University in the USA.  He has research, teaching and administrative experience including: Researcher for the National Institute for Forest, Livestock, and Agriculture Research (INIFAP) in Mexico; Director of the National Center for Disciplinary Research in Conservation and Improvement of Forest Ecosystems INIFAP (Mexico); Post-Doctoral Fellow with the Organization of American States—SEMARNAP in collaboration with the University of Western Ontario (Canada).  He has been teaching full time since 1996 in the areas of natural resources management, sustainable development, and geographic information science and technology. He is currently Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado Denver.

Abstract:

This study explored the Land Cover (LC) and LC transitions at national level in Mexico using the GlobeLand30 (GL30) land cover 30-meter resolution data sets for the years 2000 and 2010. This information was contrasted against the results of previous national-level Land Cover (LC)/LC Change (LCC) studies and land cover/use digital data sets. According to GL30, Wetlands and Barelands have had the largest decreases in their areas during the 2000-2010 period (-13.33% and -9.26% respectively), while Artificial Surface and Grasslands have had the largest increases (7.38% and 4.00% respectively). Cultivated (1.88%), Forest (-047%), Shrublands (-1.04%), and WaterBodies (-1.21%) show low changes during the 2000-2010 period. From the GL30 estimates of LC extent and percent change, those for the Forest and Cultivated classes were the most similar to those estimates reported in previous studies. The estimates for other LC classes show low agreement with previous studies and with a set of aggregated LC classes created from official digital LC maps. Worth noticing is the small decreased found for the GL30 Forest land cover class during the 2000-2010 period. This suggests a change in processes that in previous decades were reducing the extent of the forest cover in Mexico. The general reduction in LC transitions observed in the 2000-2010 GL30 data supports reports that allocations for some land covers/uses in Mexico have reached maturity and are tending to stabilize. The results of this study points to several needs for further research, such as carrying out assessments of the locational and classification accuracy of the GL30 data sets for Mexico. More specifically, there is a need to closely analyze the extent and changes in the GL30 Artificial Surface and Wetlands LC classes.

Biography:

Dr Xuehua LIU has her expertise in wildlife conservation and habitat assessment. She has been focusing on the giant panda and its habitat research for a long period. During the recent 10 years, she expanded her interests on other biodiversity species by applying the camera trapping techniques. She used the minded information from the animal pictures recorded by the infrared cameras to analyze the wildlife diversity, animal behaviors and patterns, habitat use, and so on.

Abstract:

Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) is a protected wildlife species with conservation rank of Grade II. Due to its dangerous characteristics, black bear has been hardly researched for its detailed activity pattern. Currently, the quick development of camera tracking technique has made this research gap possible to be filled. In addition, the gradually serious conflicts between human and black bear call for more information on this animal. The hibernation behavior of black bear also can be a good indicator of climate change. This study is aiming at using camera trapping technique to catch the photos of black bear, mining the detailed information from infrared camera photos, and analyzing the activity pattern of the animal. The camera trapping has been applied in the southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains for more than 5 years. We obtained total 429 camera photos of black bear from 2013 to 2016 and about 1/3rds of them were used for this study after preprocessing the data set. Our results showed that black bears in the Qinling Mountains (1) greatly occur in the daytime, (2) are active in the daytime , and (3) are definitely absent from the trapping in January and February, and occasionally appear in November, December and March, which means the black bears’ hibernation duration is 5 months from November to March generally. (4) The black bears use the forest habitat in a various way among high and low elevation natural forests, secondary forests and man-made forests. All these results can benefit the conservation of Asiatic black bear.

Biography:

Abstract:

The natural resources for medicinal plants have unscientifically been exploited forcing rapid depletion in their genetic diversity and biodiversity. Moreover, renewed global interest in herbal medicines may further deplete medicinal plant wealth, as about 95 % collection of medicinal plants for pharmaceutical preparation is being carried out from natural forests. Asparagus racemosus Willd., a member of family Liliaceae, is one of thirty two plant species that have been priorities for cultivation and conservation by the National Medicinal Plant Board of Government of India. Extremely limited research has been carried out on genetic improvement and selection of desired types with higher root production and saponin content, a basic ingredient of medicinal value. The saponin not only improves defense mechanisms and controls diabetes but the roots of this species promote secretion of breast milk, improve lost body weight and considered as an aphrodisiac. It was emphasized to select desired genotypes with sufficient genetic diversity for important economic traits. The evaluation of twenty seed sources of Asparagus racemosus assembled different geographical locations of India reveled high degree of variability for traits of economic importance. The maximum genotypic and phenotypic variance was observed for shoot height among shoot related traits and root length among root related traits. The shoot height, genotypic variance, phenotypic variance, genotypic coefficient of variance, phenotypic coefficient of variance were recorded to be 231.80, 3924.80, 61.26 and 1037.32, respectively, where those for root length were 9.55, 16.80, 23.46 and 41.27, respectively. Maximum genetic advance and genetic gain were obtained for shoot height among shoot-related traits and root length among root-related traits. Index values were developed for all seed sources based on four most important traits, and  Panthnagar (Uttarakhand), Jodhpur (Rajasthan), Dehradun (Uttarakhand), Chandigarh (Punjab), Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir) and Solan (Himachal Pradesh) were found to be promising seed sources.

Biography:

Abstract:

The system of Protected Areas/ PA in the northeastern Yakutia began its formation from the end of 60-70-s of the XX century. Resource reserves Ygynnya in Upper Yana River basin, Chaigurgino in Lower Kolyma River area and Jirkogo in the Middle Kolyma area. The Stolb Island in the Lena River Delta and the Sites Pokhodskaya Edoma and Rogovatka in Lower Kolyma area as well as Berelekh Mammoth Cemetery in Lower Indigirka basin were confirmed as Nature Memories. The greatest at that times Reserve of Russia, Ust-Lensky State Nature Reserve, 12, 133 ha, was established in 1985. The PA different types intensification occurred in the middle 90-s of the XX century in northeastern Yakutia. During the order by Yakutia President Michail E. Nikolaev realization, more than 20 PАs including Nature Parks, Resource Reserves and Nature Memorials were established and function from 2014 in Yakutia. In 1990-2000-s, the largest Resource Reserves: Lena Delta, Terpei Tumus, Kytalyk, Kolyma Koren and Bear’s Islands were arranged to protect endangered animal species. The analytical review of literature, found and own data let to evaluate PA role in the northeastern region in Yakutia in biodiversity of vertebrate fauna conservation. Own to protection regime of Ust-Lensky Reserve, the stabilization if marketable fish, birds and mammals population numbers are appeared in the last 35 years. The special importance of PAs had for the conservation, number restoration and range expansions of endangered bird and mammal species along the all near-Arctic Yakutia territory (Siberian crane Grus leucogeranus, Brent goose Branta bernicla, Ross’s gull Rhodostethia rosea, Spectacled Somateria fischeri and Steller’s Polysticta stelleri eiders, Peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus, Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus, Black-capped marmot Marmota camtschatica, Polar bear Ursus maritimus).       

Biography:

Abstract:

4 amphibian and 3 reptile species inhabit Yakutia. Amphibians. Salamandrella keyserlingii. Northern border of the species range runs along river valleys to Tit-Ary Island (River Lena), in Lower Yana and Indigirka Rivers - to 71° N. In 1970-s, number of Siberian salamanders in summer period was 7-10 individuals for 1 m² in Lena Valley. At the last, the species number decreased and 1-3 individuals for 100 m of coastline were registered at the same region. Rana arvalis inhabits Lena valley and her tributaries. Northern border of the species range runs to 60° N, 124° E. The number is 1—15 individuals for 1/hа. Rana chensinensis is distributed in southern Yakutia by Aldan River and its tributaries valleys. The species goes to 60° N. The number is 15-20 individuals for 1 hа. All these three species are included to Yakutia Red Data Book. Rana amurensis is distributed on all Yakutia from West to East. It was discovered in north from 68° in valleys of rivers Lena, Yana, Indigirka аnd in the most northern point in Upper Yana region(71°N). Reptiles. Lacerta vivipara is widely distributed in taiga zone of Yakutia. The northern border of the species range is 145°E in Indigirka basin. The number in Central Yakutia is low (single individuals were registered). Vipera berus By Lena valley, the species goes to 60° N. The number is 0.4 ind. /hа. All mentioned reptiles included to Red Book of Yakutia. At the last years, Gloydius halys was registered regularly in mouth of Tokko River. Coming to Yakutia of this species is an important evidence of climate warming. Although the reptile and amphibian populations were stable in early 80-s, up to date they are low and reducing, even in such mass to lately as Rana amurensis. Rana arvalis, Rana chensinensis, Gloydius halys go northward.

Biography:

Dr. HOU has his expertise in remote sensing of coastal changes (mainly focus on land use and land cover change, shoreline change), spatial analysis and spatial modeling, ecosystem assessment and vulnerability assessment in coastal zone. His research group has developed multiple temporal shoreline data of mainland China (1940s, 1960s, 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2014) and revealed the dynamic characters of mainland shoreline since the early 1940s in China. Time series land use and land cover data in coastal China (2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015) have been developed by his research group also. And, taking the coastal China as an example, the spatialization approach of GDP and population put forward by his research group exhibits advantages of significantly improving modeling accuracies especially in areas with extremely high (or low) values.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Both the climate change and human activities have driven macro changes of land use in coastal zone in China during the past decades. Therefore, more and more attentions have been paid to the spatial-temporal characters of land use change in China’s coastal zone. However, most of these researches concerned with local or regional scales, and therefore, were lack of comparable land use hierarchies and mapping standards, which restricted the sharability of land use data and the comparability of case studies. The purpose of this study is to reveal the spatial-temporal characteristics of coastal land use in China in the early 21^st century, and to put forward proposals for coastal zone management. Methodology: Landsat images captured in 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015 respectively have been collected and visual interpretation method had been adopted for land use mapping in China’s coastal zone. In addition, a land use hierarchy contains 8 first-class and 24 sub-class has been put forward. Findings: Farmland, forest and coastal wetland have been the most widely distributed land use type, whose area ratio came to 31.25%, 28.61% and 22.93% respectively in 2015. From 2000 to 2015, built-up and manmade wetland have increased greatly, whose growth rate came to 41.73% and 39.04% respectively, while farmland, forest, grassland, inland freshwaters, coastal saltwater and unused have been witnessed significant decrease, whose growth rate came to -5.15%, -0.54%, -3.77%, -3.00%, -2.72% and -14.55% respectively. Also, significant spatial-temporal differences of coastal land use change have been observed. Conclusion & Significance: Urbanization and industrialization have been the fundamental driving forces of coastal land use change, as the result, lots of farmland have been occupied by urban growth, and massive coastal saltwater have been reclaimed. Recommendations are made for the coastal zone management to protect the farmland, forest and coastal saltwater. 

Biography:

Author is an Associate Professor from The Department of Botany, Carmel College, Goa (India). Has a Doctorate Degree in Plant Anatomy & a Post Graduate Diploma in Ecology and Environment. Passionate about Biodiversity concerns. Presently documenting Plant diversity in cultural practices of a specific indigenous community of Indian Peninsula.

Abstract:

Indigenous communities are resourceful in relation to ‘Eco- centric’ knowledge base which is acquired through life experiences in their struggle for survival. Oral transmission of such treasured lessons will be lost forever if not documented & preserved for the posterity. The science behind ancient cultures are now being studied with more urgency as the modern world is getting to understand the need to codify the same. Ethnobotany in part deals with the knowledge about local plants, their uses& their cultural values and one such study is done in this paper, documenting ten species of leafy vegetables which grow in and around homesteads and backyards during the monsoon season in Kerala (South India). The book written in Malayalam language by Late Smt. Parvathy Antherjanam- ‘Antherjanangalude aacharanushtanangal’  (‘Customary rituals & religious rites observed by women of Brahmin community’, 2002) has helped the author to know the local names of the sps. so that the scientific documentation could be done of the same.

‘Pathila’ (‘Pathu’ means ‘Ten’ and ‘Ila’ means ‘Leaf’) is a group of ten wild plants which come up in abundance effortlessly in accordance with the torrential South- west monsoons, which are cooked together as a side dish. In this paper, all ten sps. are documented,  nutritional & medicinal values reviewed. All of them have great nutritious value and some among them can even reduce hyperglycemia. Sauropus androgynus is an example in this regard. In this era of modern food preferences involving expensive exotic ingredients, awareness regarding indigenous edible sps. and their valuable properties which come to the doorsteps of humanity at ‘no cost’, can boost conservation, sustainable utilization and a sustainable economy.

Biography:

Rishi Baral has his expertise on research in tree cavity, birds and wildlife. His research on characteristics of cavities in sal  Shorea rubusta forest describe the role of cavity and the uses of  cavity by primary and secondary cavity nesting organism in south Asia.  The research of altitudinal diversity of birds from Panchase protected forest show that the richness of birds from that area.  Rishi Baral currently working in National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) - Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), Hariyo Kharka, Pokhara as "Conservation Officer". He has completed his Masters Degree from Tribhuvan University, Central Department of Zoology in speciation with Ecology and Environment.

Abstract:

Though Panchase Protected Forest is proposed as protected area (PPFCA), its biodiversity is less explored. This study focused on species richness and composition of birds in different land use types, elevation gradients and aspects in different seasons. Point count method within 8 land use plots starting from 1200m to 2517m at the interval of 200m was used. Sorenson similarity index was used for species and habitat used and Microsoft Excel was used to perform all the statistical analysis. Altogether, 152 species of birds belonging to ten order and 26 families with the total number 2722 were recorded.

Sorenson (1948) similarity index shows that the species diversity were found more in exploited forest and cultivated land (1.25) followed by cultivated land and natural forest (0.5), natural forest and meadow (0.85) , cultivated forest and meadow (0.85), exploited forest and meadow (0.29). Natural forest and exploited forest was found nill. Higher species richness of birds were recorded natural forest, followed by exploited forest, cultivated land and least in meadow, which accepted the intermediate disturbance hypothesis.  The species richness was higher in Pre-monsoon and lowest in Monsoon season. Overall result showed that natural forest and cultivated land were consists more species of birds which was considered as important environmental variables to structure the composition of birds.

Lack of awareness, deforestation, and hunting were main threats to the avian community. Further research should be conducted to find out more interesting relation between birds and its habitat throughout the gradients of PPFCA.

Biography:

Amrit Melissa Dencer is a Commonwealth Scholar from the UK in the final year of her PhD. Her work focusses on social-ecological trade-offs in mangrove conservation in New Zealand. She has previously worked in tropical mangroves for her Masters research and has co-authored a book chapter on tropical mangrove ecosystem services and an article on blue carbon between salt marshes, mangroves and seagrasses. She won an Emerging Scholar Award in Jan 2018 for the On Sustainability Conference in Cairns. Her review paper on mangrove ecosystem service studies is currently in review for publication.

Abstract:

Indian Himalayas with their diverse climatic conditions are home to rare and endangered medicinal flora. One such species is Polygonatum verticillatum Linn., popularly known as Solomon’s Seal. Its mention as an incredible medicinal herb comes from 5000 years ago in Indian Materia Medica as a component of Ashtavarga, a poly-herbal formulation comprising of eight herbs illustrated as world’s first ever rejuvenating nutraceutical food, which is now commercialised in the name ‘Chaywanprash’. It is an erect tall (60 to 120 cm) perennial herb with sessile linear leaves and white pendulous flowers. The species grows well in altitudes ranging from 1600 to 3600 m amsl, and propagates mostly through rhizomes. The rhizomes are potential source for significant phytochemicals like flavonoids, phenolics, lectins, terpenoids, allantoin, diosgenin, β-Sitosterol and quinine. Having profound concentrations of macro and micro nutrients, species has fine prospects of being used as a diet supplement. However due to unscientific and gregarious uprooting, it has been assigned status of ‘Vulnerable’ and ‘Endangered’ according to IUCN Red-List Criteria. Further, destructive harvesting, land use disturbances, heavy livestock grazing, climatic changes and habitat fragmentation have substantially contributed towards anomaly of species. It therefore became imperative to conserve diversity of the species and make judicious use in future research. A Gene Bank was therefore established at High Altitude Herbal Garden of Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, India situated at Chakarata (30⁰42’52.99’’N, 77⁰51’36.77’’E, 2205 m amsl) consisting 149 accessions collected from thirty one geographical locations spread over three Himalayan States of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The present investigations purport towards sampling and collection of divergent germplasm followed by planting and cultivation techniques. The ultimate aim is thereby focussed on analysing genetic diversity of the species, and capturing promising genotypes for carrying out further genetic improvement programme so to contribute towards sustainable development.

Biography:

Abstract:

Indian Himalayas with their diverse climatic conditions are home to rare and endangered medicinal flora. One such species is Polygonatum verticillatum Linn., popularly known as Solomon’s Seal. Its mention as an incredible medicinal herb comes from 5000 years ago in Indian Materia Medica as a component of Ashtavarga, a poly-herbal formulation comprising of eight herbs illustrated as world’s first ever rejuvenating nutraceutical food, which is now commercialised in the name ‘Chaywanprash’. It is an erect tall (60 to 120 cm) perennial herb with sessile linear leaves and white pendulous flowers. The species grows well in altitudes ranging from 1600 to 3600 m amsl, and propagates mostly through rhizomes. The rhizomes are potential source for significant phytochemicals like flavonoids, phenolics, lectins, terpenoids, allantoin, diosgenin, β-Sitosterol and quinine. Having profound concentrations of macro and micro nutrients, species has fine prospects of being used as a diet supplement. However due to unscientific and gregarious uprooting, it has been assigned status of ‘Vulnerable’ and ‘Endangered’ according to IUCN Red-List Criteria. Further, destructive harvesting, land use disturbances, heavy livestock grazing, climatic changes and habitat fragmentation have substantially contributed towards anomaly of species. It therefore became imperative to conserve diversity of the species and make judicious use in future research. A Gene Bank was therefore established at High Altitude Herbal Garden of Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, India situated at Chakarata (30⁰42’52.99’’N, 77⁰51’36.77’’E, 2205 m amsl) consisting 149 accessions collected from thirty one geographical locations spread over three Himalayan States of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The present investigations purport towards sampling and collection of divergent germplasm followed by planting and cultivation techniques. The ultimate aim is thereby focussed on analysing genetic diversity of the species, and capturing promising genotypes for carrying out further genetic improvement programme so to contribute towards sustainable development.

Biography:

Kai Yuan Lin has his expertise in industrial design as well as system design and passion in improving the Food Safety and Agricultural education. He had education experience in Imperial College, London and Pratt Institute, NewYork which made him able to integrate the advantage of Europe and US in agriculture field. He is a engineer and designer which focus on complex system toward the important social issue. He collaborates with Masatoshi Funabashi in SonyCSL on the Synecoculture project in Taiwan. The biodiversity education is the first step to introduce Synecoculture to Taiwan.

Abstract:

As food safety incidents happen continually, people put more concern on food, therefore “Food and agricultural education” become a trend. Food and agricultural education are divided into two parts, one is food education that combines nutrition, safety and culture, the other is agriculture education that focuses on food source, farming and environment. Currently, teachers teach the nutrition, biology which are written on the textbook, but without the practical and in-field experience, the agriculture education is insufficient in Taiwan. Our project combines agriculture education and Synecoculture, in collaboration with Sony CSL in Japan. Synecoculture is an open-field crop cultivation method, which eliminates the use of tillage, fertilizer, pesticide, herbicide and totally relies on the productivity based on biodiversity. There are three reasons to introduce Synecoculture to the elementary school:

1.Less field labor which makes easier access for elementary school students to experience and understand.

2.It includes both knowledge and practice: Learning on biodiversity and the training of farming skills.

3.Elementary school is the primary education that makes an important influence in one’s life.

Our primary object of introducing this system into elementary school is to raise future educators and students’ confidence and familiarity to farming. Inspire their concern about biodiversity, and rethinking the origin of food. The first step is to build teachers’ know-how and skill of Synecoculture. After teachers would become more familiar with field working and acquire farming skill, the next step is to realize and fuse the agriculture education into the courses and work with students. This research proposes method and design of biodiversity knowledge building in agricultural education, step by step overcoming the difficulty, and design a series of courses for students in a practical way. In addition, within the agriculture education, the data on plant growth will be collected and analyzed with statistical tools.

Biography:

I have been conducting researches for over a decade. I did a lot of education campaign and biodiversity conservation in several public schools and universities in Bohol. I joined several wildlife conservation trainings and workshops since I am one of the leading research biologist in Bohol Island State University (BISU). Attending training sessions has further improved my skills, allowing myself to further upgrade the capabilities of the university where I am employed (BISU) and, improving the overall research capabilities of the institutions on the island. My research outputs made me known in the province as a bat expert biologist. I was recognized as an assessor of bats and reptiles in the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN). My expertise attracted collaborations in doing wildlife research in the island. I have the passion to make contribution to the optimum conservation of natural resources in general for the sustenance of human civilization.

Abstract:

This study was conducted to determine diversity and distribution of true flies in Bohol and Mindanao, Philippines. Malaise traps were used to collect samples in different habitats. A total of 104 presumptive species of dipterans were identified based on the number of Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) clustering at 3% threshold. The results showed that diversity of presumptive species of dipteral is higher in Bohol compared to Mindanao with species diversity indices, H’=3.70 and H’=3.26, respectively. The observed difference may be influenced by the heterogenous habitat between sampling sites and the longer periods of sampling. Further, DNA barcodes were then mapped using QGIS. The result showed that 87.5% of the presumptive species belonging to eight families of Diptera were found only in Magsaysay Park, Bohol. These include: Culicidae, Dolichopodidae, Empididae, Mycetophilidae, Sepsidae, Stratiomyidae, Tabanidae, and Tephritidae. This is possibly due to the unique characteristic of habitat in Magsaysay Park, Bohol, hence, a key site for conservation.

Biography:

Wilbert A. Aureo is a faculty of Forestry and Environmental Science Department, Bohol Island State University, Philippines. He received his first degree from Visayas State University, Philippines in 2013 and awarded with Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management. He obtained his degree in Master of Science in Tropical Ecology from Visayas State University, Philippines in 2016 with major in terrestrial ecosystems management and conservation. His previous works were on soil erosion of a watershed and anurans species as bio-indicator. Currently his research focuses on natural resource management in a karst landscape.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: The combinations of natural and anthropogenic factors such as climate, geographic ranges and vegetation types (Cueto and Casenave, 1999) are considered to have a significant influence on species distributions and diversity (Mallari, 2009). The pattern of increase in habitat heterogeneity on the structure and composition of vegetation becomes complex if the niche diversity and species diversity increases (Cramer and Willig, 2002; Tews et al., 2004; Gingold et al., 2010; MacClain and Barry, 2010). Moreover, several species of forest anurans are correlated with the quantity and quality of woody debris, litter depth, and over-storey canopy closure (deMaynadier and Hunter, 1995). The Philippines is one of the few countries in the world that is covered by rain forest (Schulte, 2002). It is also considered as one of the world’s mega diverse countries that hosts a large share of endemic flora and fauna (Myer et al., 2000). However, due to the conversion of forests to marginal agriculture, commercial agriculture, and timber plantations, these forest resources are disappearing at an alarming rate (Margraf and Milan, 2004.). Filipino farmers who are poor and lack employment opportunities in the lowland migrate to the upland areas where they cut down secondary forest and practice slash and burn farming (Kummer, 1992). Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Establishment of plots followed the method of Williams (2004). Anurans collection was done at early morning 6:00 – 9:00 am and               evening at 7:00–10:00 pm (Warguez et al, 2013; Mallari et al, 2014). Herbaceous layer, understory, canopy vegetation were identified   (genus level) and counted. Follow the methods of (Woodwall and Willams, 2005). Each CWD was rated on its degree of decomposition ranging from 1 (sound, intact, no rot) to 5 (no structural integrity, soft, powdery). Temperature, rainfall and relative humidity were measured               using thermometer, improvised rain gauge and psychro-dyne respectively. PROC Univariate Test for data normality and heterogeneity was done using Statistical Analysis System version 9.1 (SAS, 2003). PROC GLM was also used to check effect for the anthropogenic             disturbance with habitat condition parameters and species richness and diversity. Finally, Duncan multiple range test (DMRT) was employed to test the factors. Findings: Both the species richness and diversity in the primary forest is significantly (p≤0.05) different from slash-and-burn cultivation (Fig. 2). Frog population increases steadily during natural succession, attaining similar characteristics to those from mature forest after regeneration following slash-and-burn cultivation (Pawar et al., 2004). Meanwhile, when the habitat starts to stabilize its condition (that is conducive to anurans), the frog species starts to increase dramatically. The study also showed that microclimatic parameters, microhabitat, and vegetation structures appear to be the factors influencing habitat condition of anurans which significantly (p≤0.05) affect anurans species richness and diversity. Conclusion & Significance: The results of the study affirm that anthropogenic disturbance alters anurans habitat condition, thereby, affecting its species richness and diversity. It is worth mentioning that there was a considerable reduction (p≤0.05) of anurans species richness and diversity in the primary forest, secondary forest, and slash-and-burn cultivation. Moreover, the study suggests that microclimatic parameters, microhabitat, and vegetation structures appear to be the factors influencing habitat condition of anurans which significantly (p≤0.05) affect anurans species richness and diversity.