Biology and Impacts of Pacific Island Invasive Species. 5. Eleutherodactylus coqui, the Coqui Frog (Anura: Leptodactylidae)

The nocturnal, terrestrial frog Eleutherodactylus coqui, known as the Coqui, is endemic to Puerto Rico and was accidentally introduced to Hawai‘i via nursery plants in the late 1980s. Over the past two decades E. coqui has spread to the four main Hawaiian Islands, and a major campaign was launched to eliminate and control it. One of the primary reasons this frog has received attention is its loud mating call (85–90 dB at 0.5 m). Many homeowners do not want the frogs on their property, and their presence has influenced housing prices. In addition, E. coqui has indirectly impacted the floriculture industry because customers are reticent to purchase products potentially infested with frogs. Eleutherodactylus coqui attains extremely high densities in Hawai‘i, up to 91,000 frogs ha-1, and can reproduce year-round, once every 1–2 months, and become reproductive around 8–9 months. Although the Coqui has been hypothesized to potentially compete with native insectivores, the most obvious potential ecological impact of the invasion is predation on invertebrate populations and disruption of associated ecosystem processes. Multiple forms of control have been attempted in Hawai‘i with varying success. The most successful control available at this time is citric acid. Currently, the frog is established throughout the island of Hawai‘i but may soon be eliminated on the other Hawaiian Islands via control efforts. Eradication is deemed no longer possible on the island of Hawai‘i.

Sustainable development in Darjeeling Hills, India : ecological and socio-economic aspects for small-scale farmers with supportive observations from Kanagawa, Japan

Organic farming means a holistic application of agricultural land-use, hence, this study aimed to assess ecological and socio-economic aspects that show benefits of the strategy and achievements of organic farming in comparison to conventional farming in Darjeeling District, State of West Bengal, India and Kanagawa Prefecture/Kanto in Central Japan. The objective of this study has been empirically analysed on aspects of crop diversity, yield, income and sales prices in the two study regions, where 50 households each, i.e. in total 100 households were interviewed at farm-level. Therefore, the small sample size does not necessarily reflect the broad-scale of the use and benefit of organic farming in both regions. The problems faced in mountainous regions in terms of agriculture and livelihoods for small-scale farmers, which are most affected and dependant on their immediate environment, such as low yields, income and illegal felling leading to soil erosion and landslides, are analyzed. Furthermore, factors such as climate, soils, vegetation and relief equally play an important role for these farmers, in terms of land-use. To supplement and improve the income of farmers, local NGOs have introduced organic farming and high value organic cash crops such as ginger, tea, orange and cardamom and small income generating means (floriculture, apiary etc.). For non-certified and certified organic products the volume is given for India, while for Japan only certified organic production figures are given, as there are several definitions for organic in Japan. Hence, prior to the implementation of organic laws and standards, even reduced chemical input was sold as non-certified organic. Furthermore, the distribution and certification system of both countries are explained in detail, including interviews with distribution companies and cooperatives. Supportive observations from Kanagawa Prefecture and the Kanto region are helpful and practical suggestions for organic farmers in Darjeeling District. Most of these are simple and applicable soil management measures, natural insect repelling applications and describe the direct marketing system practiced in Japan. The former two include compost, intercropping, Effective Microorganisms (EM), clover, rice husk charcoal and wood vinegar. More supportive observations have been made at organic and biodynamic tea estates in Darjeeling District, which use citronella, neem, marigold, leguminous and soil binding plants for soil management and natural insect control. Due to the close ties between farmers and consumers in Japan, certification is often neither necessary nor wanted by the producers. They have built a confidence relationship with their customers; thus, such measures are simply not required. Another option is group certification, instead of the expensive individual certification. The former aims at lower costs for farmers who have formed a cooperative or a farmers' group. Consumer awareness for organic goods is another crucial aspect to help improve the situation of organic farmers. Awareness is slightly more advanced in Kanto than in Darjeeling District, as it is improved due to the close (sales) ties between farmers and consumers in Kanto. Interviews conducted with several such cooperatives and companies underline the positive system of TEIKEI. The introduction of organic farming in the study regions has shown positive effects for those involved, even though it still in its beginning stages in Darjeeling District. This study was only partly able to assess the benefits of organic agriculture at its present level for Darjeeling District, while more positively for the organic farmers of Kanto. The organic farming practice needs further improvement, encouragement and monitoring for the Darjeeling District farmers by locals, consumers, NGOs and politicians. The supportive observations from Kanagawa Prefecture and the Kanto region are a small step in this direction, showing how, simple soil improvements and thus, yield and income increases, as well as direct sales options can enhance the livelihood of organic farmers without destroying their environment and natural resources.

Colección ex situ de plantas vivas de especies nativas del orden Zingiberales del Sur del Lago de Maracaibo, Venezuela

The loss of biological diversity in the Southern Part of the Lago de Maracaibo, Venezuela, due to cattle rising, has caused the extinction of 97 % of the original the Zingiberales order for purpose of study and conservation, because of the importance of this subject in the tropical floriculture (cut flowers, foliage and landscaping). The use of the biological diversity and the new native species flora could promote the efficient and sustainable use of the natural resources of the Southern Part of the Lago de Maracaibo. For that reason, it was collected 18 samples among varieties and species which passed the nursery stage, and then they were transplanted in the field after three months, besides, it was accounted the humidity and light conditions they had in their natural ecosystem; as a result plants showed favorable adaptability indicators.

Flora historica : or, The three seasons of the British parterre historically and botanically treated : with observations on planting, to secure a regular succession of flowers from the commencement of spring to the end of autumn /

1

Blumen-Zeitung, hrsg. von Friedrich Hässler.

v. 10

Blumen-Zeitung, hrsg. von Friedrich Hässler.

v. 15

Blumen-Zeitung, hrsg. von Friedrich Hässler.

v. 20-21

Blumen-Zeitung, hrsg. von Friedrich Hässler.

v. 9

Blumen-Zeitung, hrsg. von Friedrich Hässler.

v. 11

Blumen-Zeitung, hrsg. von Friedrich Hässler.

v. 14

American flower-garden directory : containing practical directions for the culture of plants in the flower-garden, hot-house, green-house, rooms, or parlour windows, for every month of the year .../

Includes index.

American flower-garden directory : containing practical directions for the culture of plants in the flower-garden, hot-house, green-house, rooms, or parlour windows, for every month of the year .../

Includes index.

The gardeners' magazine.

Vol. 1-7, title reads : The gardeners' weekly magazine and horticultural cabinet.

Paxton's flower garden,

Issued by 54 pts., each containing 2 col. plates with descriptions, plus a section Gleanings and original memoranda. Vol. 1 includes pts. 1-18; v. 2, pts. 19-36 and v. 3, pts. 37-54.

Vilmorin's atlas of flowers. English edition of Atlas des fleurs de pleine terre, containing 1128 illus. of flowers and foliage-plants suitable for English gardens. The index gives the botanical and the popular English and French names.

Explanation of each plate is printed on the back of the preceding plate.