#community structure

The study has been carried out to provide basic data for analyzing the ecology and distribution of carabid beetles in six forests of Eastern Visayas namely: Lake Danao, Mt. Nacolod, Kuapnit Balinsasayao, Asug Forest, City Forest, and Closed Canopy on January to June of 2019. Collected carabid beetles was comprised of 7844 individuals belonging to 41 species under 25 genera, 13 tribes, and two (2) subfamilies. Carabid species diversity, as estimated by diversity indices, was significantly different among the six forests. Of the six forests, Mt. Nacolod had comparatively high diversity (4.00). equitability (0.78), dominance (2.709), and species richness (32). In terms of habitat types, there were 41 species belonging to 25 genera identified among 3,771 carabids collected from natural forests of Eastern Visayas. In agricultural habitat type, 28 species were identified from 4, 073 carabid beetles. Natural forest had comparatively high diversity (5.95), high equitability (0.80), dominance (3.1), and species richness (41) over agricultural land. Along with other factors, these habitat parameters are influenced by the nature of the vegetation. Conservation should be conducted to the carabid beetles especially the rare and endemic ones in some forests. Strengthened implementation of protection in both protected landscapes against mining, illegal logging, slash and burn farming and human settlements should also be done.

The structural composition of zooplankton of two lakes (Ossa and Mwembe) of the Ossa complex, a UNESCO’ protected site located in Dizangue, Cameroon, was studied. Monthly sampling was conducted from September 2009 to February 2010. The physicochemical characteristics of the water lakes, the characteristics of the area around the lakes were documented and their influence on zooplankton communities assessed. The two lakes were closes in accord to their physicochemical characteristics: temperature (27.70±0.87°C and 28.85±0.66°C), pH (6.57±0.06 and 6.52±0.07), Suspended Solids (7.00±2.39mg.L-1 and 10.66±3.12mg.L-1), electric conductivity (28.91±5.25µS.cm-1 and 28.18±7.33µS.cm-1). In fact, no significant difference was found, compare to each other. Thirty seven and 41 species of zooplankton were recorded in the Ossa and Mwembe lakes respectively. The seasonal variation appeared to be the fundamental factor that regulates the presence and abundance of these species in the lakes. Lecane sp., Polyarthra vulgaris, Epiphanes clavulata, Lepadella sp., Brachionus dimidiatus and Plationus patulus were mostly abundant during the dry season whereas Bosminopsis macaguensis, Bosminopsis deitersi, Keratella tecta, Hexarthra mira and Lecane bulla were abundant during the rainy season. When taking into consideration the contents of phosphorus and Secchi disc disappearance, these lakes were found to be eutrophic. In addition, the Sanaga River brings sporadic zooplankton species such as Scaphaloberis kingi and Streblocerus sp., contributing to the accumulation of crustacean eggs on the river banks during floods, and therefore to increase the density of organisms. In conclusion, the effluents from SAFACAM Company increase some physicochemical parameters values such as, electric conductivity, dissolved carbon dioxide and pH.

Community structure and diversity assessment of mangrove forests play a critical role in biodiversity conservation and protection of this valuable resource. The study was conducted primarily to assess the plant community structure and species diversity of the three selected mangrove forests along Hinatuan passage, Surigao del Norte, Philippines. Line-quadrat method was used with three established transect lines per sampling station. Each transect line was composed of five-100m2 quadrats with one 1m2 sub-plot for regeneration capacity. Plant species were carefully identified using taxonomic knowledge and Field identification manuals for mangroves. Height, diameter at breast height (dbh) and frequencies of plant occurrences were recorded and analyzed. Findings showed that the 4,880 sampled mangrove plants, 22 species of true mangroves and associates were identified, grouped into 11 families and 14 genera. All species are classified by IUCN as Least Concern. Biggest dbh was obtained by Sonneratia alba with 32cm and Rhizophora apiculata was the tallest at 14m. Bakauan-lalaki is the most frequent, densest, most dominant, and highest species relative important value at 56.98%. The overall Diversity Index is Very Low at 1.45, with regeneration capacity of 0.56, classified as Fair Condition. Mangrove forest in Opong sampling site is the most disturbed among the three sites due to unabated anthropogenic activities. Mangrove forests in Hinatuan passage are economically and ecologically functional but needing stakeholders’ holistic management conservation efforts to improve and sustain the ecosystem’s biodiversity, goods and services offered.

Cover crop management plays a significant role in regulating soil faunal composition. The structure of the soil nematode community, including abundance, diversity, and ecological indices, was compared across different plots of perennial plants, Arachis pintoi, and Sphagneticola trilobata, in a field experiment in Naawan, Misamis Oriental, Philippines. The soil was sampled 90 days after planting to assess nematode populations. Nematodes were then counted and identified up to the genus level. Additionally, nematode-based indices were used to evaluate the condition of the soil food web. The findings reveal that cover crops increased the nematode abundance from 1427 to 1451 individuals per 100 g, and diversity increased from 59 to 68 genera. Trophic groups, fungivores, and herbivores groups significantly changed. The A. pintoi plot also caused a 35% decrease in the overall herbivore group after 90 days of planting, whereas S. trilobata showed the lowest decrease. Sensitive genera belonging to cp 3 and 4 have increased only in A. pintoi, indicating a favorable soil food web condition among all cover crop treatments. Among the indices utilized, the structural index showed an immediate response to short-term investigation of the cultivation of cover crops. These findings provide valuable information for the limited cover crop studies in the Philippines. This study was conducted briefly; hence, other indices used may provide substantial evidence if the experiment is prolonged.