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The Farming Models Adapting to Climate Change in the Eastern Coastal Area of the Mekong River Delta, Vietnam
Nguyen Van Lap,
Lieu Kim Phuong,
Ta Thi Kim Oanh,
Ta Duy Thong,
Nguyen Thi Mong Lan,
Vo Thi Hong Quyen,
La Tan Tai
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 1, March 2021
Pages:
1-7
Received:
28 November 2020
Accepted:
10 December 2020
Published:
4 January 2021
Abstract: The Eastern coastal area of the Mekong River Delta has distinctly ecological zones and a potentiality for development of agriculture, forestry and fishery according to their ecological characteristics. The farmer life is mainly depending on exploiting agriculture, aquaculture and there are many supporting the development of social-economics in delta. However, the recent years, farming rice, vegetables, crops, fruit trees and raising shrimp, hard clam as well have heavily affected by drought and salt intrusion due to climate change. This has leaded to decrease the agricultural, fishery yield and the farmer’s income, therefore, the farmer’s life in the Eastern coastal area faces to the difficulties. The previous farming models are necessary to alter and this is a significant solution to minimize the risk and to cope the climate change such as farming system changes, to sustain agricultural production or transformation to alternative systems and combination between the rotational rice-shrimp-crops farming models following the season. Thus, the study proposes the farming models that can be suitable for the Eastern coastal locals of Mekong river delta. On the basis of document synthesis of natural characteristics, morpho-sedimentology, soil, vegatation cover, innundation, salinity, tidal water level indicating ecology and traditional farming, the study has given a general ecological model for the Eastern coastal area (Mekong Delta) to adapt to the climate change context. The general farming model including five models are clam farming, mangrove forest- shrimp farming, vegetables and fruit trees farming, rotational farming of rice, and rice- vegetables, and Rotation farming rice- shrimp, fruit- shrimp and fishes.
Abstract: The Eastern coastal area of the Mekong River Delta has distinctly ecological zones and a potentiality for development of agriculture, forestry and fishery according to their ecological characteristics. The farmer life is mainly depending on exploiting agriculture, aquaculture and there are many supporting the development of social-economics in delt...
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Distribution and Impact of Invasive Parthenium hysterophorus on Soil Around Arusha National Park, Tanzania
Fredrick Ojija,
Ndaki Marco Manyanza
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 1, March 2021
Pages:
8-14
Received:
22 December 2020
Accepted:
6 January 2021
Published:
26 February 2021
Abstract: An increase of biological invasion in developing countries is threatening smallholder’s livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, agroecosystems and rangeland productivity. In Tanzania, the exotic invasive plant Parthenium hysterophorus, which is rapidly spreading in Arusha region, threatens wildlife conservation, human well–being and food security in the country. This study was conducted to assess the current distribution of P. hysterophorus and its associated soil properties within the Arusha National Park (ANP) and in adjacent villages at the park’s border zones using road surveys. Parthenium hysterophorus density was visually estimated as high, medium, and low when the invasive individuals were > 4, 3–4, and 1–2 in 1 m2 quadrats, respectively. The results showed that albeit some adjacent villages are invaded, ANP is yet not affected. Parthenium hysterophorus was observed growing in grazing areas, maize and banana fields in villages, and along road verges, with particularly high densities in maize fields, along roadsides, and at lower altitudes. Moreover, analysis of soil chemical properties showed that P. hysterophorus was associated with soils of higher Manganese and cation exchange capacity. We recommend that P. hysterophorus surveys within the ANP and other protected areas in Arusha region should be carried out regularly as the rapid expansion of P. hysterophorus threatens ANP’s ecology and biodiversity.
Abstract: An increase of biological invasion in developing countries is threatening smallholder’s livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, agroecosystems and rangeland productivity. In Tanzania, the exotic invasive plant Parthenium hysterophorus, which is rapidly spreading in Arusha region, threatens wildlife conservation, human well–being and food security i...
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Aspects of the Biology of Periophthalmus barbarus (Mudskipper), from Jaja Creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria
Nsikak Okon Abiaobo,
IdopiseAbasi Ekpe Asuquo,
Ifeanyi Ntasiobi Ejiogu,
Etimfon Joseph James
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 1, March 2021
Pages:
15-22
Received:
28 December 2020
Accepted:
9 January 2021
Published:
10 March 2021
Abstract: The mudskipper, Periophthalmus barbarus is reported to be a good delicacy for human consumption as well as for use in traditional medicinal preparations where aphrodisiac properties are attributed to its flesh. They are investigated for their biological and eco-toxicological studies, to determine its potential use as a bio-indicator in environmental assessments of coastal waters, tropical or subtropical soft bottom intertidal systems, and despite this; there is lacuna of scientific report on its biology and ecology. This research was undertaken to provide information on the aspects of the biology of the species, with reference to sexual dimorphism, sex ratio, size composition, gonad morphology and morphogenesis, length weight relationship and condition index. Monthly samples were collected at Jaja creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria and preserved in 10% formalin for further analysis. Length and weight of each specimen were measured and weighed to the nearest 0.1 cm and 0.001 g respectively; the specimens were later dissected to examine the gonads. Ovaries and testes from each specimen were measured and weighed to the nearest 0.001 g and 0.1 cm respectively. Paired comparison by the observation of the genital papilla on the postero-ventral surface of the abdominal region was used to determine sexual dimorphism in weight in similarly-sized females and males. The proportion of the two sexes relative to one another was used to calculate the sex ratio. Each specimen was measured using a fish measuring board to the nearest centimeter and weighed using a meter balance to nearest gram and recorded to obtain size composition. The length-weight (L-W) relationship was computed using empirical allometric equation. Findings reveal that the presence of spermatocytes and oocytes at different stages of development was an indication that this species belongs to the fish with prolonged and fractional spawning season and therefore, may spawn more than once during the spawning season. The mean condition index of 1.06 proved that the fish fed well and was in a good condition. The pattern of length-weight relationship revealed positive allometric growth.
Abstract: The mudskipper, Periophthalmus barbarus is reported to be a good delicacy for human consumption as well as for use in traditional medicinal preparations where aphrodisiac properties are attributed to its flesh. They are investigated for their biological and eco-toxicological studies, to determine its potential use as a bio-indicator in environmenta...
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Epidemic Malaria Dynamics in Eastern Africa Highlands: The Role of Climate Change and Human Population Growth
Felipe Augusto Maurin Krsulovic,
Timothy Peter Moulton,
Mauricio Lima,
Fabian Jaksic
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 1, March 2021
Pages:
23-30
Received:
22 February 2021
Accepted:
4 March 2021
Published:
26 March 2021
Abstract: During the last two decades, researchers have suggested that the increase of the malaria incidence rate in tea plantations in the Kericho district in Kenya was driven by climate change. Critics suggested that others variables could be involved in the increase of the malaria burden, such as HIV and human population size. Population ecologists have developed a simple framework which helps to explore the contributions of endogenous (density-dependency) and exogenous processes on population dynamics. Both processes may operate to determine the dynamic behavior of a particular population through time. Briefly, density-dependency (endogenous process) occurs when the per capita population growth rate (R) is determined by its previous population sizes. An exogenous process occurs when some variable affects another but is not affected by the changes it causes. In this study we re-explore the dynamics of the malaria incidence rate in Kericho tea plantations taking into account the HIV incidence rate, rural population size, temperature and rainfall. We found that malaria dynamics showed signs of a negative endogenous process between R and malaria infectious class. We found that there was weak evidence to support the climate change hypothesis and that rural population size and the HIV incidence could interact to positively force malaria models parameters explaining the positive malaria trend observed at Kericho tea plantations in Kenya from 1979 to 2002.
Abstract: During the last two decades, researchers have suggested that the increase of the malaria incidence rate in tea plantations in the Kericho district in Kenya was driven by climate change. Critics suggested that others variables could be involved in the increase of the malaria burden, such as HIV and human population size. Population ecologists have d...
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