Journal de la biodiversité, de la bioprospection et du développement

Research work on reefs of open South-China Sea and clause bay (South Vietnam), and the Gulf of Thailand investigated in the beginning of the 80s of the previous century were conducted in 2005-2007. A distinct dependence of the level of coral communities’ degradation on their closeness to settlements and aquaculture areas were established. Appreciable changes due to anthropogenic impact have occurred on the reefs that are the nearest to the city. There was a reduction in substrate cover by reef-building corals, a substitution of dominant scleractinian species, and a decrease in the numbers and diversity of common species of corallobionts. The index of species diversity for scleractinian also decreased. The seaweeds Chnoospora and Halimeda spread into all zones of the reefs. Changes in coral communities on more distant and protected reefs were not so marked

Glucose, yeast, urea, and poplar sawdust extract were tested for their phagostimulant properties on the subterranean termite, Microtermes obesi Holmgren (Blattodea: Termitidae). Termites were attracted to all of the compounds tested and they survived for a long period of time. The maximum percent survival was 4% for glucose, 1% for yeast, and 4% for urea. The highest consumption was for a bait having 4% glucose, followed by 3% yeast, 3% urea, and distilled water, respectively. Maximum termite survival was for filter papers soaked in an extract of poplar sawdust that had been boiled for 25 min, followed by filter paper soaked in sawdust extract boiled for 20, 15, and 10 min respectively. Lower survival of termites was recorded on filter paper that was soaked in sawdust extract that had not been boiled. Maximum bait consumption also was found for filter paper soaked in poplar sawdust extract that had been boiled for 25 min; whereas lower consumption was found for sawdust extract that had not been boiled.

In the classical understanding of environmental policy, environmental communication is commonly considered a persuasive (or informational or appellative) instrument. As a result, its importance is often underestimated and it is classified as a ‘soft’ instrument, although it has a central function in terms of implementation and acceptance of other instruments. This contribution aims to highlight different levels and elements of communication that are particularly relevant in the context of sports and nature conservation. In this article the potential for optimization in this area will be described succinctly in the form of ten theses, supported by both positive and negative examples from a collection of material on this topic. An analytical framework relates the ten theses to different observation levels and phases of the communicative context. Furthermore, potential spaces for developing strategic options for communication in the field of sports and nature conservation that have been neglected until now.

Background: Due to its unique geography, and diverse climate zones, Palestine has a large variety of native plants. However, local species have not been systematically screened for their biological activities.

Methods: Plant samples were collected from 76 natural sites distributed in different geographical and climate zones. Samples were assessed for thirteen types of anti-disease/health protection activity using field-deployable bioassays based on the Screen to Nature (STN) technique developed by the Global Institute of Bio-Exploration (GIBEX). Plant extracts were assessed for medicinal activity on a scale of 0 (no activity) to 3 (most potent). Results: More than 1470 plant samples derived from 588 plant species belonging to 100 families were screened. Approximately 329 species (56%) belonged to 12 families, notably the Papilionaseae, Asteraceae, Liliaceae, Lamiaceae, Brassicaceae, and Apiaceae families. About 93% (1369/1471) of the extracts showed at least one high-potency bioactivity (3/3); 16.4% (241/1471) extracts exhibited 4-5 antiinfectious activities. Plants growing in areas with more extreme conditions (Irano-Turanian and Sudanian Penetration Territories) showed more bioactivity compared to those in less harsh climates (Mediterranean Territory) Antiradical activity, glucosidase inhibition, amylase inhibition, planaria lethality, and glucosidase activity were most common; antibacterial, antifungal, protozoa lethality, protease inhibition, planaria regeneration, anthocyanin, round worm lethality, and protease activity were also seen.

Conclusions: The Screen to Nature (STN) technique enables rapid, accurate field-deployable screening of diverse plant species for multiple anti-infectious/health protection activities. By using this technique several plant samples were identified as plants with potential to serve as a source of biological material for medicinal purposes.