Bio Diversity

Landfilling affects soil macro-fauna, which are important in soil fertility. The effects of landfilling practices on macro-faunal abundance and diversity at Aba-Eku landfill, Ibadan, Nigeria were investigated. Dumpsite and control soils were sampled bimonthly from April-August, 2010. Macro-fauna were extracted via Tullgren funnel and classified accordingly. Shannon-Weiner and Simpson’s dominance were used for analysis. 928 macro-fauna; (605: dumpsite; 323: control) in three phyla: mollusca, arthropoda and annelida were observed. On the dumpsite, this comprised ten orders; with molluscan order Stylommatophora (51.7%) dominating vegetated portions of the dumpsite. The remainder were arthropod orders; including isoptera (14.7%), isopoda (8.1%) and coleoptera (7.9%). Thirteen families including Porcellionidae (8.1%) were also observed. Some organisms observed on the dump site included Porcellio scaber (8.1%) and Aspavia armigera (2%). Arthropods (77.1%) dominated the control. Ten orders including coleoptera (21.98%) and isoptera (19.2%) were observed. This comprised ten families including the Iulidae (15.2%). The dumpsite (2.174) showed a higher diversity than control (1.645); while the control had higher dominance (0.84) than the dumpsite (0.593). Molluscsan dominance suggests tolerance to heavy metal contamination from metal wastes disposed. Coleopteran dominance on the control may be associated with the presence of the grasses - Tridax procumbens and Panicum maximum.

The research was conducted to identify types of aquatic macrophytes that grow in and around reservoirs, their uses, and the impacts of the macrophytes on fishing communities at Bontanga, Golinga, and Libga reservoirs, the Buipela dam, and the Black Volta at Buipe in the Northern Region of Ghana. The principal methods were ocular observation, photography and semi-structured interviews using questionnaires. The predominant macrophytes identified and their uses were: Vossia cuspidata, Elodea canadensis, and Echinochloa stagnina used as fodder for livestock; shoots of Ipomea aquatica, Panicum hemitomon, and Phragmites karka were used as roofing material, and for making hats, mats and necklaces; Nymphoid indica, Nympheae lotus, Elodea canadensis, Alternanthera sessilis, Pistia stratiotes and Hydrocharitaceae spp were being used to treat stomach ulcer, rheumatism, malaria, flu and boils; Ludwgia stolonifera and Ludwigia peploids were used as feed and as food for human consumption. Eichhornia natan and Triglochin dubia were identified without any known uses. It was also observed that the macrophytes impeded fishing operation at the study areas by entangling the fishing net of the fishermen. Exploding masses of macrophytes such as Ludwgia stolonifera were observed to redirect paddling, making fishing operation tedious. Nevertheless, some of the macrophytes were being used as bait to catch fish and as soap (Ludwigia peploid) to wash fishing gears. Sustainable use of the reservoirs require active mechanical, chemical, biological, or integrated control methods and the commercial exploitation of the macrophytes for production of useful products in local industries.

Moringa oleifera is a highly valued plant, distributed in many countries of the tropics and subtropics. It has an impressive range of medicinal uses with high nutritional value. Different parts of this plant contain a profile of important minerals. Results of the study revealed the presence of elements such as sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). Hazard quotients (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) were calculated for samples from Otiakrom and Techiman. The HI values for both study areas were less than unity (HI<1) meaning no chronic risks are likely to occur when three tablespoonfuls of dried Moringa powder is consumed daily. It is recommended that intake of the powder should be based on advice from a nutritionist to avoid the risk of toxicity increasing in vulnerable groups including, children, pregnant women and the aged.

Most of the world’s population spend about one-third of their adult life at work, and with work-place injuries and fatalities remaining at unacceptably high levels. This study was carry out to determining occupational hazard awareness and safety practices among cement factory workers in community in Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out and data were collected using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires. Using multi-stage sampling technique, 283 questionnaires were administered to workers who consented to the study. Two hundred and seventy-one questionnaires were fully completed and used for analysis. Most of the respondents were males, 265(97.8%), between 31-35 years in age, 88(32.5%) and had tertiary education, 181(66.8%). Majority of the respondents, 266(98.2%) were aware of hazards associated with their jobs. Two hundred and sixty two (96.7%) of the respondents accepted that their occupation was hazardous. The most commonly known hazard by the respondents was dust, 206(77.4%), followed by noise 83(31.2%). Most of the respondents, 263(97.0%) had pre-employment medical examination done before starting work while only 106(39.1%) had ever done periodic medical examination. Most of the respondents, 265(97.8%) used protective equipments and nearly all the respondents 268(98.9%) were interested in updating their knowledge about hazards prevention. In the last 1 year preceding the study, 53(19.6%) of the respondents had suffered injuries while at work and forty six (17%) had been absent from work due to work related injuries. In conclusion, the level of awareness about occupational hazards and compliance with safety measures was very high, but the rate of periodic medical examination was low among respondents. It is recommended that periodic medical examination policy be adopted by management.

The trends and effects of gears on catches of tuna landed in Ghana by the artisanal, semi-industrial and industrial sectors were analysed over a ten-year period (2001 to 2010). Greater catches were made by the industrial sectors of about 698,754 metric tons out of 846,223 metric tons and skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis dominated the catches of tuna over the study period. Of all the gears used in exploiting tuna in the Ghanaian coastal waters, the purse seine gear used in the industrial sector made the highest catches of tuna of about 374,218 metric tons over the ten year period. Analysis of variance was used to ascertain whether there was significant difference in the quantity of tuna caught using the different gears; for Thunnus albacares P-value (3.25E-13) < significant level (0.05), for Thunnus obesus P-value (0.001437) < significant level (0.05), for Katsuwonus pelamis P-value (1.04E-15) < significant level (0.05) for Auxis thazard P-value (2.41E-06) < significant level (0.05) and for Euthynnus alleteratus P-value (8.14E-07) < significant level (0.05). It was observed that fishing in the Ghanaian waters is having a large impact on the biomass level; and the current level of exploitation of about 80,000 metric tons of tuna averagely per annum appears not to be sustainable in the long term, unless the high recent reports of recruitment is maintained. The purse seine gear employed in the industrial sector was the only gear that showed relative increase in the percentage growth rate in output of all the tuna species in the ten-year period. These were 18%, 17%, 16%, 11% and 6% for Thunnus obesus, Euthynnus alleteratus, Auxis thazard, and Katsuwonus pelamis respectively. This could be attributed among others to the fact that the purse seiner fish around fish aggregating devices (FADs) and also use relatively more sophisticated equipment. It is recommended that detailed tuna species stock assessment should be undertaken to enable adoption of improved and adaptive management approaches.

In the present study, the mosquito density of three selected sites of Madurai district viz., Elumalai, Kottaipatti and Usilampatti was surveyed. The results of the study indicate the presence of 10 species of mosquitoes which are grouped under four genera namely Aedes, Anopheles, Armigeres and Culex. The numbers of mosquitoes collected belonging to various species were low with an exception of Culex quinquefasciatus. The diversity measures (Shannon’s and Simpson’s) shows slight variation among the three selected sites studied. The Shannon’s index for Kottaipatti is slightly higher (1.883) when compared to Elumalai and Usilampatti (1.804 and 1.804). The Simpson’s index for Kottaipatti is slightly higher (0.7994) when compared to Elumalai and Usilampatti (0.7677 and 0.7579). In the study period, the maximum density of the mosquito population noted in the month of July and October.The minimum density of mosquito population obtained in the month of September.

Fourteen accessions of Moringa oleifera Lam. made up of thirteen accessions collected from four geographical regions of Ghana and one from India were propagated and characterised using descriptors of International Plant Germplasm Resource Institute, IPGRI, with slight modifications. Analysis of variance showed significant differences in eighteen agro-morphological traits while similarity was observed in three qualitative morphological traits. General linear modelling analysis grouped the accessions into two distinct clusters based on phenology, vegetative, and pod morphological characteristics. Phenological and pod yield data were found to be reliable markers in distinguishing among the moringa accessions. The results of the characterisation showed the existence of an intra-specific diversity of the fourteen accessions of moringa studied. Cluster analysis based on morphological data revealed one major and one minor cluster with a genetic diversity (dissimilarity) range of 0.483 to 0.997. From principal component (PC) analysis, PC1 and PC2 contributed 55.50% and 23.27% respectively, with total variation of 79.27. However, each accession showed specificity to its regions of collection, and therefore implies these moringa accessions are not mixed up but could be considered as pure breeds.

The littoral region is an important interface between land and pelagic zone of water body. Bilavali lake, Indore is a shallow topical lake whose shoreline has dense population of Benthic invertebrate communities. The invertebrates are represented by Oligocheates- Dero dorsalis, Stylaria fossularis, Branchilodrillus semperi, Molluscs- Lymnea acuminata, Bellamya bengalenses, Digoniostoma pulchella, Melanoids tuberculatus, Thira scabra, Gyrallus sp. Pisssidium clakeanum and arthropods – Chironomus sp. Chaoboros sp. Etc. It is suggested that rich diversity of Benthic fauna of this lake is due to availability of food material and favorable environmental conditions and shoreline vegetation. Seasonal fluctuation in animal biomass is related to the physico-chemical factors and organic pollution.

This paper examines the availability and variations of timber species within Ibadan Metropolis and Oyo Town Oyo State, Nigeria. Sixty copies of structured questionnaire were randomly administered on timber sellers from randomly selected timber markets in Ibadan and Oyo town. The selected markets in Ibadan were Bodija Timber Market (18), Sango Timber Market (12), Oke-Ado Timber Market (7) and Apata Timber Market (7). Those visited in Oyo were Sabo Timber Market (5), Owode Timber Market (6) and Oroki Timber Market (5). Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage distributions were used to analyze the collected data. Study revealed that 70% of the timber dealers were between 30 and 70 years of age, with 60% of them having been in business for more than 40 years. Various reasons were given by the traders on why they engaged in the timber business and these include availability, durability and demand, with majority (38.3%) of them citing the demand for the timber species as the reason why they traded the species. It was discovered from the study that certain timber species have become endangered species due to over- exploitation and these include Nauclea dideriichii, Tectona grandis, Terminalia spp., Khaya senegalensis Milicia excelsa, among others. The scarcity of these fine quality species has then brought into the market species in a few years ago were considered only suitable for low-end uses. These include Daniella oliveirii Pycnanathus angolensis(Akomu), Albizia zygia(Ayunre) and others. Therefore, there a is need for the planting of fast growing plantation species by State forestry departments in six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, as a replacement for commercially popular species; and as alternatives to decreasing availability of popular timber species so as to avoid running out of valuable and good quality timber species in the nearest future.

Anredera cordifolia (Tenore) Steenis is reported for the first time from India. It is presented here with updated nomenclature, brief description, notes on distribution for better understanding.