Climate shocks and women’s livelihood in Zimbabwe: A case study | JBES 2022

Author

Douglas Marowa and Angeline Musiya

Journal

Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES

Abstract

Climate shocks in Zimbabwe have been of worry to the sustenance of women livelihoods. The study sought to assess climate shocks and women’s livelihood in Chimanimani. To recommend for future gender sensitive adaptation and mitigation measure. Positivist and interpretivist paradigm, mixed research design were used. Used sample of 1,464 women, questionnaires, interviews, direct observation and focus groups for data collection. Findings, women were actively engaged in agricultural and heavily affected by the cyclone. No special considerations for women livelihoods. Adaptation strategies were early recovery, conservation agriculture, water harvesting, climatic resilience crops and environmental education. The provision of food aid as emergency phase, cash for work, and food for work or assets. Noted mitigation were use of organic fertilisers to reduce greenhouse gases, improved cropping, grazing and agro-forestry practices. To increase biomass productivity and carbon sequestration, it was also noted that there is now more reinforcement on forestry legislation to reduced deforestation and promotion of afforestation/reforestation. Noted was policy gaps in a gender based approach to climate shocks resilience and preparedness, as there was a clear exhibition of ignorance on the fundamentals of gender based approaches to climate chock resilience, mitigation and preparedness in District. Recommend need to consolidate and mainstream policies in harmonizing the sustainability of women livelihoods in climate shock resilience undertakings and preparedness. Establishment of climate smart technology and investing in breeding drought resilient crop varieties. Gender mainstream of women livelihoods in climate shock resilience. Increased developmental initiatives on capacity building and to strengthen environmental education programmes.

Ethnobotany of Oyster nut (Telfairia pedata) in Northern Tanzania | Research Paper By JBES

Author

Philipina F. Shayo, Anna C. Treydte, Ernest R. Mbega

Journal Name

Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES

Publisher Name

International Network For Natural Sciences | INNSpub

Abstract

Telfairia pedata (Sims) Hook is an important native climber plant commonly grown in East Africa. It bears nuts which are eaten either raw or cooked and is consumed mostly by expectant mothers, and as cooking oil. The survey was conducted between September 2019 to February 2020 in Sambaa, Meru, and Pare communities of Lushoto, Bumbuli, Arumeru and Same Districts, Northern Tanzania to assess the ethnobotany of T. pedata from a sample of 346 respondents using semi-structured questionnaires. Results indicate that, 21% of respondents used T. pedata for cooking with other staple foods while 18% claimed that the nuts are used by pregnant and lactating mothers for medicinal and breast milk stimulation and nine (9) percent indicated that the nuts are used for cultural and ritual purposes. Despite its importance, the cultivation of T. pedata in the study area is declining and the gap why such decline is experienced needs to be answered in further studies. Secondly, respondents within the 36-50 age groups reported the greatest diversity of uses of T. pedata 51% compared with those aged below 36 years old 21% signifying that the traditional knowledge known by younger aged groups may be declining. Thus, this gap of traditional knowledge between the groups should be addressed in order to improve utilization and conservation of this seriously declining yet important nut in the study area and other places of Tanzania.

A glimpse of the unseen: An assessment of the core shelters in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, Philippines | JBES 2022

Authors

Julius T. Capili, Jinky Marie T. Chua*, Jack M. Regala, and Lily Ann C. Mallabo

Journal Name

Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES

Publisher Name

International Network For Natural Sciences | INNSpub

Abstract

Tuguegarao City, a lone city in Cagayan province, is situated in a low-lying area and is frequently flooded during rainy seasons and typhoons. The three core shelters erected in the city are home to 250 indigent families who were beneficiaries of the housing program through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). This research delved into profiling the core shelters in the barangays of Cataggaman Pardo, Annafunan East, and Namabbalan as to their general characteristics and environmental conditions. The findings reveal that while the core shelters are generally livable, there are areas of concern that need to be immediately addressed to improve the living experiences of its residents and can be a basis in planning for the possible construction of core shelters in the near future. The areas of concern are poor drainage system, inaccessibility to the main roads, transportation and health establishments, unpaved roads, overcrowding, and poor structural conditions of the housing units. It is recommended that a rapid assessment of the houses in the core shelters be conducted by the local government units spearheaded by the core shelter officials. An evaluation of the health and wellness condition of its dwellers must likewise commence.

Source: J. Bio. Env. Sci.21(2), 11-18, August 2022

An introductory study on composition and abundance of corals using an imaging survey technology in the South China Sea.

Author

Xiaojuan Xu, Bo Yuan, Yuemin Liu, Weidong Li, Zhihao Wang, Lian Ming Wang, Pei-Zheng Wang, and Farnaz Mahmoudi Shikhsarmast

Abstract

Coral reefs are one of the important marine ecosystems in the oceans. This study evidenced the composition and abundance of coral communities in protected and non-protected areas in Sanya (Hainan, China). Our results showed that different localities have different communities of soft and/or stony corals. Regarding our findings, Yalong Bay that which is under a protection program represented high coverage of corals, especially soft corals. It is documented that a protection program can be introduced as one of the major methods to preserve coral reefs.

JBES CFP2022

Total phenolics and total flavonoids of extracts from freshwater Clam (Corbicula fluminea) using different solvents | JBES 2021

Mr. Simonette C Villabeto, Romeo M Del Rosario, and Oliva P Canencia from the institute of the Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology, College of Arts and Sciences, Doroluman, Arakan, Cotabato, Philippines, and University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, College of Science and Technology Education, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines wrote a research paper entitled “Total phenolics and total flavonoids of extracts from freshwater Clam (Corbicula fluminea) using different solvents” Let’s get some knowledge about it.

Abstract

The ethanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane extracts of the freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea) were studied for the total phenolics and total flavonoids. Total phenolics and total flavonoids of the extracts were evaluated using Folin-Ciocalteau and Aluminum chloride colorimetric methods respectively. The findings showed that the total phenolics of the ethanol extract (1.67±0.28mg GAE/g of dried sample) were substantially higher than the total phenolics obtained from the ethyl acetate (0.70±0.00mg GAE/g) and hexane extracts (0.56±0.23mg GAE/g). While the total flavonoids in the ethyl acetate extract displayed a slightly higher total flavonoid (43.84±0.92mg QE/g of dried sample) relative to ethanol (30.41±1.34mg QE/g of dried sample) and hexane extracts (20.28±0.00mg QE/g of dried sample). Using ethanol, the highest yield for extraction was obtained. Ethanol is the best solvent among the three – ethanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane in terms of extraction yield and total phenolics. In addition, it can be inferred that the presence of significant amounts of phenolics and flavonoids suggests that freshwater clam is a promising source of antioxidants that provides nourishing proteins and oxidative stress remedies