Syamsuddin Millang (1)*, Budi Arty (1), Eny Yuniati (2), Ahmad R. Makkasau (1),
Dicky (1), and Devi Asriani (1)

1. Faculty of Forestry, University of Hasanuddin, Makassar, Indonesia.
*E-mail: smillang60@yahoo.com
2. Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Tadulako,
Palu, Indonesia

Each tribe has unique experiences and knowledge regarding plant utilization and cultivation. This knowledge and experience are passed down from generation to generation until they become a habit. The habit of selecting and cultivating plants is reflected in the agroforestry system that is developed. Differences in the composition of plant species within the agroforestry system affect farmers’ income of local tribe and transmigrant. This study aims to determine the considerations for selecting plant species, analysing the composition of plant species, farmers’ income,and the contribution of agroforestry systems to farmer household income. A vegetation survey and structured interviews using questionnaires were conducted. Respondents were determined using the purposive sampling method with the criteria of farmers who implement an agroforestry system and a minimum managed land area of 0.5 ha. Data were analysed descriptively and quantitatively. The results showed that the composition of plant species differed between local and transmigrant farmers. Transmigrant farmers tend to cultivate vegetable crops, such as tomatoes and chilies, while local tribes tend to develop high-value commodity crops, such as pepper and cocoa. Both tribes tend to consider economic rather than socio-cultural factors when selecting plant species. The average agroforestry income of local tribe is greater than that of transmigrant, but the contribution of the agroforestry system to the household income of local tribe is smaller than that of transmigrant, as a consequence of local tribes having other sources of income besides the agroforestry system. It is recommended to maintain the composition of plant species in the local tribe’s agroforestry system by optimizing the arrangement of plant growth spaces.

Received: 02 November 2024 / Accepted: 31 January 2025 / Available online: 11 February 2025

Open Access: This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Svetoslav Anev (1)*, Zornitsa Karcheva (1,2), Miroslava Zhiponova (2),
and Ganka Chaneva (2)

1. Department of Dendrology, Faculty of Forestry, University of Forestry, 10 Kliment Ohridski Blvd.,
1797 Sofia, Bulgaria. *E-mail: svetoslav.anev@ltu.bg
2. Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University, 8 Dragan Tsankov Blvd.,
1164 Sofia, Bulgaria.

The biochemical acclimation of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) saplings to canopy openings caused by various forest cuttings or natural disturbances was assessed in the ‘Petrohan’ training and experimental forest range in the Western Stara Planina Mountains. We examined changes in the activity of key enzymatic antioxidants, the accumulation of reducing sugars, the synthesis of phenols and flavonoids, and the content of photosynthetic pigments. Our findings indicated that among the antioxidant enzymes studied, catalase showed the most significant increase in activity in response to the canopy openings. The increase in superoxide dismutase activity was less pronounced, while guaiacol peroxidase was only activated when the saplings were fully exposed to sunlight after the removal of shade from older trees. More pronounced defensive response was observed in the accumulation of reducing sugars and synthesis of phenolics, particularly at higher altitudes and in areas with larger canopy openings. Illumination emerged as primary factor influencing flavonoid accumulation. Following canopy openings, European beech leaves often exhibited reduced chlorophyll content, particularly chlorophyll b, in favour of synthesizing more carotenoids. Cutting all mature trees during the group selection harvest practice induced stress on saplings similar to that observed after a large disturbance. Further studies on the influence of orography on patch location could enhance understanding of the mechanistic control of illumination and the stress experienced by saplings of shade-tolerant species like European beech.

Received: 18 December 2024 / Accepted: 05 February 2025 / Available online: 11 February 2025

Open Access: This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Todor Petrov and Hristo Lukanov

Faculty of Agriculture, Trakia University, Student campus, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.
*E-mail: hristo.lukanov@trakia-uni.bg

This study aimed to evaluate the growth characteristics and rearing effectiveness of cageraised common quails for game restocking. Based on the origin of the quails, three groups of one-day-old birds were formed. Up to the age of 21 days, the quails were reared together, and subsequently, they were separated by sex. The test period lasted 56 days. The rearing conditions and feeding of the quails were analogous to those of domesticated quails. The following traits were monitored: mortality (%), live body weight (g), weight gain (g), feed intake (g), and feed conversion ratio. At 56-day-old, the average male live body weight was 110.68 g, while for the females, it was 127.24 g (P<0.001). The cumulative feed intake was 826.9 g for males and 970.4 g for females. Quails raised until 35-day-old consumed half the amount of feed compared to those raised until 56-day-old, with feed conversion ratios of 4.39 for males and 4.58 for females, respectively. By 35-day-old, the males had reached approximately 87 % and the females about 80 % of the live weight of mature individuals. The results of the study provide grounds to recommend common quails raising intended for game restocking up to a maximum age of 35 days. This would increase the efficiency of their production, enable more production cycles, and optimise the utilisation of available facilities and equipment.

Received: 29 January 2025 / Accepted: 22 February 2025 / Available online: 06 March 2025

Open Access: This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Rym Barhoumi (1), Leila Kadik (1), Ettayib Bensaci (2)*, and Rabah Bounar (2,3)

1. Department of Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Vegetal Ecology and Environment, Houari Boumediene University of Sciences and Technology (USTHB), El Alia, BP 32, Bab Ezzouar, 16111 Algiers, Algeria. E-mails: rbarhoumi@usthb.dz (R.B.), lkadik@usthb.dz (L.K.)
2. Department of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Mohamed Boudiaf, M’sila, 28000, Algeria. *E-mail: tayeb.bensaci@univ-msila.dz (E.B.)
3. Laboratory of Biodiversity and Biotechnological Techniques for the Valorisation of Plant Resources, Department of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Mohamed Boudiaf, M’sila, 28000, Algeria. E-mail: rabah.bounar@univ-msila.dz (R.B.)

The floristic composition and diversity analysis of forests is considered an essential aspect of cork oak ecosystem. Both can contribute to our knowledge of their functioning, and assist in our conservation efforts. Chrea woodland is located in the central part of the Tellian Atlas region of the Atlas Mountains in northern Africa. Quercus suber L. (cork oak) is a dominant tree in this woodland. A number of non-native species have established themselves in this woodland, including black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). Urbanization, uncontrolled cutting, and wildfires are the main processes that affect at present the species composition and ecological dynamics of these woodlands. To investigate the floristic richness and diversity patterns of Chrea woodland, and the possible effects of invasive spreading of R. pseudoacadia, we sampled stands dominated by black locust and dominated by cork oak, during April, May, and June 2019–2021, collected species abundance for each plot. Overall, we identified 171 species representing 136 genera, belonging to 49 botanical families, with significant differences in species richness and species heterogeneity on the stands dominated by cork oak and stands co-dominated with black locust. The analysis of this flora also enabled us to identify medicinal plants, aromatic plants, and plants of economic interest in this region. Our data showed that the flora of Chrea woodland is dominated by Mediterranean vegetation, with life forms represented by Therophytes, Hemicryptophytes, Cryptophytes, Chamephytes and Phanerophytes. The dominance of therophytes and hemicryptophytes in both stand types illustrates how the woodland may be affected by processes, such as urbanization, uncontrolled cutting, wildfires, and the introduction of non-native species. The conservation of these peculiar woodlands with high values of plants diversity must be part of a sustainable development programme that will make it possible to protect existing heritage and improve the socio-economic conditions of local populations.

Received: 31 December 2024 / Accepted: 01 March 2025 / Available online: 12 March 2025

Open Access: This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.