The importance of an indigenous tree to southern African communities with specific relevance to its domestication and commercialization: a case of the marula tree

Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst. subsp.     

Comparing genetic diversity in agroforestry systems with natural forest: a case study of the important timber tree Vitex fischeri in central Kenya

It is possible that current tree domestication practices undertaken by farmers reduce the genetic base of tree resources on farms, raising concerns regarding the productivity, sustainability and conservation value of agroforestry ecosystems. Here, we assessed possible changes in genetic variation during domestication in the important and heavily utilised timber species, Vitex fischeri Gürke (syn. Vitex keniensis), by comparing geographically proximate forest and farm material in central Kenya. Employing RAPD analysis, a total of 104 polymorphic markers revealed by five arbitrary primers were scored in a total of 65 individuals, 32 from forest and 33 from farmland. Despite concerns of possible genetic erosion, forest and farm stands did not differ significantly in levels of genetic variation, with H values of 0.278 and 0.269, respectively. However, Mantel tests did reveal greater geographically related associative genetic structure among individuals in farm rather than forest material, with r _M values of 0.217 and 0.114, respectively. A more detailed analysis of structure suggested this could be due to local variation in origin of some on-farm trees. Implications of data for the genetic management of V. fischeri stands during farmer-led tree domestication activities are discussed. At present, there appears little reason to reject on-farm V. fischeri as a source of germplasm for future on-farm planting or for conservation purposes, although this situation may change and will require monitoring.     

Application of the Faustmann principle to a short-rotation tree species: an analytical tool for economists,with reference to Kenya and leucaena

Attention has increasingly focussed on fast-growing trees as a potential means of slowing high rates of deforestation and as a source of renewable energy. Unfortunately, the analytical tools for determining economic tractability of tree-growing projects lags behind the popular support to implement them. This paper brings the methodology of the Faustmann Principle, which was established for use with longer growing species, to bear on leucaena, a short-rotation, leguminous tree crop. The principle incorporates biological and economic parameters to derive a function relating the present value of net revenue to rotation length. Additionally, a method of incorporating secondary benefits, such as nitrogen fixation, is demonstrated. Results from the model are applied to Kenya. Research on agro-climatic zones in Kenya is used to indicate the potential volume of leucaena production.     

地表蚂蚁群落对不同类型柠檬园的物种响应及生物指示——以云南省主要柠檬产区为例

通过陷阱法调查云南省主要柠檬产区9种类型柠檬园地表蚂蚁群落。采集地表蚂蚁52种2 641头,地表蚂蚁群落结构划分为5组。不同类型柠檬园地表蚂蚁特有种不同,柠檬园BC、BB及LE无特有种,柠檬园BA有1种,其余柠檬园有2~10种。6种以上柠檬园中均出现的物种在不同类型柠檬园中的多度变化明显。对群落结构相似性贡献率≥5%的特征物种分析显示,9种类型柠檬园间地表蚂蚁特征物种明显不同;柠檬园LE、BB及RI的指示物种各有1种,分别为宽结大头蚁Pheidole noda、黑头酸臭蚁Tapinoma melanocephalum及印度大头蚁P.indica。蚂蚁的生物学特性与样地特征相关联,地表蚂蚁通过物种组成及多度变化对不同类型柠檬园做出了响应。9种类型柠檬生产方式不利于地表蚂蚁群落的保护,建议柠檬生产中减少化学农药的使用,一定程度提高植被复杂程度,降低人为干扰,增加柠檬绿色生产技术的投入。     

Maximally selected two-sample statistics as a new tool for the identification and assessment of habitat factors with an application to breeding-bird communities in oak forests

Near-natural forest management is one of the major principles of modern forestry in central Europe. A measure commonly used for the assessment of logging is the occurrence and density of character species typical for the local biotope. Near-natural forest structures can be designed only when sufficient knowledge about the relationship between species and habitat factors is available. We suggest the use of simple cutpoint regression models for the derivation of statistically valid rules of thumb. The methodology is applied to bird and structure data of ancient and present oak coppices with standards to demonstrate its practical application. The cutpoints are derived from estimates of break points by means of maximally selected two-sample statistics, and their validity is judged by multiple test procedures. Detailed results are presented for character species and their relationships to the environment. We show that, for example, the tree pipit (Anthus trivialis) is missing in stands with more than 40% canopy overstorey, whereas this species can be regularly observed in more open stands. For the tree pipit, the analysis is illustrated by means of a free software package.     

植物生物技术:苏云金杆菌抗虫基因的研究和它对未来树木遗传工程的影响

许多不同的技术可以促进农业生产力的持续增长，生物技术是其中最重要和最有前途的方法。因为生物技术不仅可以增加生产力。而且在环境和自然资源的保护中起重要作用，应用生物技术可以生产高产、优质、高抗性和无病植物，同时也可以提高育种效率和促进食品的工业化生产。苏云金杆菌抗虫基因是目前生物技术领域中应用最广泛的例子之一。由此而产生的抗虫植物正在广泛应用于世界各地的商业化生产。本文综述了苏云金杆菌抗虫基因的研究进展和它在未来林木遗传工程中的应用。表4参68。