Category Archives: Forestry

Studying the Relationship Between the Characteristics of the Plant and the Diversity of Birds in Fronloq Protected Area – Latakia

Basima Alcheikh (¹) and Maher Dayyoub*(²)

(1). Forestry and Ecology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(2). Forestry Department, Directorate of Agriculture and agrarian reform, Fronloq Protected Area, Latakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Maher Dayyoub. Email: maher.lat@gmail.com)

Received: 14/04/2018                                Accepted: 04/08/2018

Abstract

The research was carried out at Fronloq Protected Area in the northwestern part of Syria in Latakia, which has an area of ​​5390 ha, to study the relationship between the characteristics of the plant and the diversity of the birds. The point-counts method was used in the survey of birds. Thirty-two samples were identified covering the whole surface of the protected area as follows: 22 samples in the pine habitats, 4 samples in the oak habitats, 3 samples in mixed habitats, 3 samples in burned habitats. Several indicators were used to measure biodiversity, including qualitative richness, Shannon coefficient. Sixty-seven species of birds were recorded at the Fronloq Protected Area. The raptors accounted for 16.41% of all species. Parus ater and Troglodytes troglodytes were the most widely spread species in the reserve, while Fringilla coelebs were the most abundant. 24 species were reproduced in the reserve, including Parus ater, Pernis apivorus and Acipiter nisus. The results showed that the richness and abundance of birds in the oak habitat were significant more than the pine habitat and the burned habitat, while no significant differences were observed in the mixed forest. The richness of the birds was also positively correlated with the vegetation richness and the total vegetation coverage. The study found a positive effect of the vegetation richness of the shrub layer on the variety of birds in the reserve. The results also showed sensitivity of the birds to the disturbance caused by fire. The study recommended that data on the species living in the reserve should be completed before submitting any proposals.

Keywords: Birds, Biodiversity, Plants characteristics, Fronloq Protected Area.

Full Paper in Arabic: PDF

Estimation of the Trees Height of Cupressus sempervirens L. Using the Mathematical Modelling in Misiaf Region

Ali Thabit*(1)

(1). Natural Renewable Resources and Environment Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ali Thabit. E-Mail: alithabt@yahoo.fr).

Received: 02/08/2018                                Accepted: 24/09/2018

Abstract

The aim of this research was to design and test height-diameter models of Cupressus sempervirens in Misiaf, Syria. Modelling techniques were applied at four sampling plots that were selected throughout the natural distribution area of Cupressus sempervirens in Misiaf region. The tree height (h) and diameter at breast height (dbh) of eighty-four trees (84) were measured. Different forms of mathematical models (Michailoff, Parabel, Prodan, Petterson, Korsun, and Logarithmic) were selected to estimate the trees height of Cupressus sempervirens using diameter at breast height (dbh) as independent variable. Models were examined using different statistical tests i.e. absolute mean of the model error, relative mean of the model error, standard error of the absolute mean of the model error, model accuracy, model accuracy % and coefficient of determination R2, which showed the proportion of the total variance that is explained by model. These statistical tests were done to select the best model to estimate the trees height of Cupressus sempervirens in Misiaf region in Syria. The results of model’s efficiency tests showed that the best function was Parabel equation, this model had a high R-squared value (R2 = 60.8 %), less error value (0.21), and best accuracy value (mx = 19 %). The results of this research could be a good tool in management of Cupressus sempervirens sites and could help forest managers in the future studies in the field.

Keywords: Cupressus sempervirens, Height–Diameter relationships, Mathematical modelling, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic: PDF

Taxonomic Study of Genus Atriplex spp. in Syrian Flora

Taxonomic Study of Genus Atriplex spp. in Syrian Flora

Basem Al Samman*(1) Abdullah Abo-Zakham(2) and Yousef Wejhani(1)

(1). Genetic Resources Department, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.
(2). Renewable Natural Resources and Ecology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Dr. Basem Al Samman. Email: basemhsam1@yahoo.com).

Received: 24/05/2016                           Accepted: 10/08/2016

Abstract

In the course of an ongoing taxonomic study on the genus Atriplex, an extensive field trips has been carried out in Syria during the period 2009-2012. Eleven Atriplex species spread in 10 sites related to the Syrian governorates of Daraa, Hama, Homs, Deir Azzour, Hasaka, Aleppo and Lattakia were used in the study. These are: A.halimus, A.leucoclada, A.canescens, A.lentiformis, A.polycarpa, A.nummularia, A.glauca, A.hortensis, A.lindleyi, A.portulacoides,and A.hastata. As a result, a classification key was deduced according to more than 25 characterization indicators.

Key words: Flora, Atriplex L., Taxonomy, Characterization indicator, Syria.

Full paper in Arabic: Taxonomic Study of Genus Atriplex spp. in Syrian Flora

Quantitative Characteristics of Honey Dew Excreted by Forestry Trees and Their Magnitudes to Honeybee Apiaries in Homs Governorate

Raed Almuhammad(1) Nouraldin Daher-Hjaij*(2) and Feras Al-Ghammaz(1)

 (1). Administration of Natural Resources Research, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.

(2). Administration of Plant Protection Research, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Damascus, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Dr, Nouraldin Daher-Hjaij. E-Mail: noualdin1972@gmail.com).

Received: 09/05/2016                           Accepted: 24/07/2016

Abstract

Honey dew, which is produced by honeybee workers from plant living parts (blooming buds) excretions or the excretions of plant sucker insects is an important source to feed honeybee apiaries and for honey production. A survey for honey dew, which is produced by forest trees was conducted in the natural forestry sites of Homs governorate during 2011-2014 seasons. The relative density, relative covering and the relative frequency were calculated for each species and their importance for honeybee apiaries. Results showed that six species of forestry trees excreted honey dew: Normal oak (Quercus calliprinus W.), Gall oak (Quercus infectoria O.), Semi-platonic oak (Quercus pseudocerris B.), Bruty pine (Pinus brutia T.), Fruitful pine (Pinus pinea L.) and Juniper (Juniperus excelsa B.). The normal oak had the highest density and frequency in Alqusair and Talkalakh regions, with a relative importance ranged between 114.1 and 140 in Alqusair and between 74.7 and 120.5 in Talkalakh. Meanwhile, the Fruitful pine had the highest relative importance in western, southern and northern slopes and it was proximate with other oak species in the eastern slope. The similarity in the plant societies of the three regions was studied by calculating the Sorensen similarity index. The highest values were in Talkhalakh and Homs center with an average of 88.88%. The recorded forest trees in this study are a good honey dew excreted especially Juniper, and can be used in feeding honeybee apiaries.

Key words: Forest trees, Honey dew, Honey bee, Homs.

Full paper in Arabic: Quantitative Characteristics of Honey Dew Excreted by Forestry Trees and Their Magnitudes to Honeybee Apiaries in Homs Governorate