ETNOCONHECIMENTO DOS CONSUMIDORES DE PESCADO DA REGIÃO METROPOLITANA DE BELÉM, ESTADO DO PARÁ

The aim of this work is to discuss and analyzing which criteria adopted for fish consumption in the Belém, Pará State, Metropolitan Region through the analysis of the consumer socioeconomic profile, the origin of his knowledge about the theme and his preferences about their fish buying and consumption habits, based on the answers obtained through a questionnaire. The methodology was the application of a questionnaire through the Google Forms platform,composed of 16 questions related to the themes addressed in this work directed to fish consumers in the municipalities of Ananindeua, Belém, Benevides, Castanhal, Marituba, Santa Bárbara do Pará and Santa Isabel do Pará. The questionnaire reached a total of 239 people. When asked about the preference in the choice of fish the dourada appears with about 68% as the preferred species for consumption in the BMR. The survey shows that most purchase places for consumption are the neighborhood fairs with 59% of the answers. Most respondents (about 60%) prefer fresh fish as the most sought-after form of conservation. As to the reason for the choice, the main answer obtained was the taste present in 89% of the interviews. Many respondents claimed that they would consume all types of fish, on the other hand, Tamuatá was chosen as the fish that respondents would not eat because it was seen in poor hygiene environments and had a strong flavor and odor. When asked how they learned to identify the fish freshness, 67% of respondents answered that this knowledge came through family teaching, showing that preference is a personal question and is related to the consumer cultural tradition.

Assessment of the Extent and Causes of Fuelwood Collection in the Surrounding Communities of Kasewe Reserved Forest, Sierra Leone

Seven (7) communities living in and around the Kasewe forest reserved were sampled to assess the extent and causes of fuelwood collection from the reserved forest involving 50 individuals in stratified random technique with a view to evaluate the degree and reasons for fuelwood collection from the Kasewe reserved forest. Data obtained indicate a high frequency of fuelwood harvest in the forest throughout the year. The significant factors affecting such decisions were availability and accessibility, ensure fast cooking process, and cost-effective. In addition, fuelwood activities were intensive throughout the year but peaks late dry season. Hence 48 (96%) of respondents stated forest degradation as one of the significant threats posed by fuelwood collectors to the forest. The study indicates that 100% of the collector are unemployed this was mainly the reason why residents of those communities collect fuelwood from the reserved forest. However, this study concluded that fuelwood collectors were selective over the kind of species they harvest, but the preferred species were not replanted. Fuelwood in the study area is not restricted to domestic use as it is also sold to augment local income. The sale of fuelwood is probably the biggest threat to sustainable utilization of fuelwood and the forest. Therefore, this study recommends that alternatives sources of livelihood and energy be created, among other recommendations for resident communities that will reduce the frequency of harvest from the forest.

South African Consumer Adoption of Plant-Based and Cultivated Meat: A Segmentation Study

The purpose of this study was to assess the likelihood of consumer adoption of plant-based and cultivated meat in South Africa as a pathway to a healthy, sustainable, and equitable food supply. We recruited a large sample of South Africans representative across age (18–61), gender, race, and income to participate in an online survey. Participants responded to a range of measures including adoption indicators, estimated yearly intake, motivators for purchasing, desired product characteristics, preferred species, and sociodemographics. We found a high degree of openness to both products. For plant-based meat, 67% were highly likely to try and 59% were highly likely to purchase. For cultivated meat, 60% were highly likely to try and 53% were highly likely to purchase. The highest acceptance was amongst the younger generations: 60% of born-frees, 62% of millennials, and 53% of Gen X were highly likely to purchase plant-based meat and 55% of born-frees, 55% of millennials, and 46% of Gen X were highly likely to purchase cultivated meat. For the general population, we observed that future meat intake was estimated to be split equally among the three meat categories (conventional, cultivated, and plant-based). We found early adopters (those highly likely to purchase) to be quite similar in attitudinal and sociodemographic characteristics in comparison to the general population. The study findings suggest that both plant-based and cultivated meat could be viable market-based options for improving the food system in South Africa, as consumers across all segments of society, and especially amongst the younger population, indicated broad acceptance.

Relationship between Wood Traits and Sound Frequency at Different Pitch Levels of Talking Drums (Gangan) Manufactured from Aningeria robusta Wood

Wood is a unique material for making musical instruments and is used to make West African talking drums, whose pitch can be regulated depending upon how the player strikes the head of drum and changes its tension. Additionally, talking drum manufacturers have certain wood preferences, and in the absence of preferred species, they use supposedly unsuitable woods. Therefore, there is a need to examine wood traits in relation to the pitch of a talking drum. This study was designed to determine the existing relationship between selected wood traits and the frequency of talking drums made from A. robusta wood. Three A. robusta trees were obtained from Onigambari Forest Reserve. From each tree, three bolts of 50 cm in length were obtained from the base, middle, and top of the tree to determine selected properties (moisture content (MC), wood basic density (WBD), modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), and manufacturing of talking drums). A spectrum analyzer was used to analyze the sound frequency of the talking drums at three pitch levels (high, medium, low). A completely randomized block design was used and the data obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and correlation analyses at α 0.05. Sound frequency was not significant along sampling height, but was significant at pitch levels. Additionally, the correlation analysis between wood traits and sound frequency was not significant. Thus, wood cannot be recommended for talking drums’ optimal acoustic performance based on wood traits alone.

Nutrient composition of Macrotermes species consumed in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

The edible Macrotermes termite species play an important role in food security and livelihoods of many rural families in communities in the Vhembe District of the Limpopo Province, South Africa. This study was undertaken to determine the nutritional composition of soldier castes of the two most commonly consumed Macrotermes species in the district; Macrotermes falciger and Macrotermes natalensis. Proximate composition showed that crude protein content of M. falciger was higher (19.3%) than those of M. natalensis (14.4%). For M. natalensis, the highest mineral element was potassium (1,102 mg/100 g) followed by iron (992 mg/100 g), while for both species, the least common mineral was nickel (1.02 mg/100 g). The termites were high in dry matter and the energy content was significantly higher (P<0.001) in M. falciger than M. natalensis. This study revealed that M. falciger and M. natalensis have high nutritional qualities that could contribute to improvements in human health. However, M. falciger is the preferred species possibly due to the larger size of the soldier caste and higher nutritional value.

Effects of Diet Selection by Goats Grazing on the Vegetation of a Protected Pine Forest in Doñana Natural Park (SW Spain)

We investigated the relationship between feeding selection by goats and changes in plant species abundance in the shrubland of a pine forest in Doñana Natural Park along three years. The abundance of the shrub species was measured using the point-intercept method. Goat preferences for shrub species were determined through direct observation. Goats showed selective feeding, since their browsing behavior was not related to species abundance. Myrtus communis was the overall preferred species (almost half of the bites belonged to this species, despite its low abundance) throughout the monitored years and seasons. Half of the species were selected some years while discarded others; two species were never grazed (Daphne gnidium and Thymus mastichina) and nine others were always ingested below their abundance. Within a year, species were consumed in certain seasons but not in others. The detected changes in species abundance were not related to the feeding preferences of the goats. The influence that grazing selectivity exerts on vegetation composition and abundance has long been recognized, but our study suggests that the mechanical effect of grazing herbivores on vegetation (pawing, scratching, and lying) may portrait a more important role than attributed to date.

Analysis of Tree Species Preference and Reasons among Commercial Charcoal Producers in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Commercial charcoal production has over time become an indispensable means of livelihood among rural settlers in Nasarawa State. However, charcoal production involves woodland exploitation which contributes to deforestation. Considering the growing significance of charcoal in rural and urban livelihoods in Nasarawa State, this paper analysed the preference of tree species and reasons among commercial charcoal producers in Nasarawa State in view of identifying endangered species and suggesting measures to ensure sustainability of the business. The study employed descriptive survey using both qualitative and quantitative data drawn from primary and secondary sources. Questionnaire was administered to 450 respondents randomly sampled from commercial charcoal producers drawn from 6 communities and 3 LGAs of Nasarawa State. Interviews and Focus Group Discussions were also conducted and the data obtained were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics in Microsoft Excel and SPSS (version 23). A total of 22 tree species were identified as usable for charcoal production in the study area. Investigation into the producers’ preference of tree species showed that eight (8) were mostly preferred out of which Anogeissus leiocarpus (Marke) (57.3%), Erythrina senegalensis (Madri) (52.2%) and Prosopis Africana (Kirya) (49.1%) were among the top three. Marke, Kirya and Madri were the most preferred species in Akwanga, Doma and Karu production areas respectively. High charcoal yield, good combustion quality, high heat content of resulting charcoal, less ash production were the main reasons for their preferences. Most of the preferred tree species have been depleted to the point that they are no longer commonly found for use among commercial charcoal producers in the state. The most endangered species due to commercial charcoal production were Anogeissus leiocarpus (Marke), Erythrina senegalensis (Madri) and Prosopis Africana (Kirya). However, pressure is currently on Teminalia glocosece (Baushe/Uko), Andira inermis (Gwaska), Ficus Spp (Baure), Vitellaria paradoxa (Kede) and Gardinia aqualla (Gaude) due to the difficulties in finding the endangered ones which constituted the most preferred species among producers in Nasarawa State. It was recommended that state energy policies should incorporate a law recognizing charcoal as a key source of energy in the State, thereby encouraging investments in the activity of commercial charcoal producers. Furthermore, conservation plans and practical measures of replacing the extracted trees from woodlands/forests for commercial charcoal production should form the basis for license issuance for charcoal production.

Effects of season and food on the scatter-hoarding behavior of rodents in temperate forests of Northeast China

To explore the differences in hoarding strategies of rodents for different seeds in various seasons, we labeled and released the seeds of Pinus koraiensis, Corylus mandshurica, Quercus mongolica and Prunus sibirica in temperate forests of Northeast China and investigated the fate of the seeds in spring and autumn. The analysis showed that the hoarding strategies of the rodents varied substantially between seasons. The seeds were consumed faster in the spring than in the autumn. More than 50% of the seeds in the two seasons were consumed by the 16th day. It took 36 days to consume 75% of the seeds in the spring and 44 days in the autumn. The rate of consumption of the seeds in the spring was greater than in the autumn, and the rate of spread of the seeds was greater in the autumn. The distances of removal for the consumption and dispersal of seeds in the spring (3.26 ± 3.21 m and 4.15 ± 3.52 m, respectively) were both shorter than those in the autumn (3.74 ± 3.41 m and 4.87 ± 3.94 m, respectively). In addition, the fate of different seeds varied significantly owing to differences in hoarding strategies. The seeds of the three preferred species, P. koraiensis, C. mandshurica, and Q. mongolica, were quickly consumed. More than 90% of the seeds of these species were consumed. Only 21% of Pr. sibirica seeds were slowly consumed, and the two seasons had the same seed consumption rate patterns: the consumption rate of P. koraiensis seeds was the highest, followed by C. mandshurica, then Q. mongolica, and finally Pr. sibirica. The median removal times of the two seasons were different, but the rules were the same: P. koraiensis was the shortest, followed by C. mandshurica, and the third was Q. mongolica. In both seasons, the most predated in situ seeds were those of P. koraiensis; the most hoarded seeds were those of C. mandshurica, and the most unconsumed seeds were those of Pr. sibirica.

Relative Susceptibility, Preference, and Suitability ofCarpinusTaxa for the Japanese Beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) 1

Nineteen Carpinus taxa were evaluated in no-choice and multiple-choice laboratory feeding bioassays for susceptibility, preference, and suitability for the adult Japanese beetle (Popillae japonica Newman). No-choice laboratory feeding bioassays revealed that only three Carpinus taxa, Carpinus caucasica Grossh., Carpinus tschonoskii Maxim., and the hybrid Carpinus caroliniana x C. coreana, were significantly less susceptible and less suitable to feeding and for reproduction by Japanese beetles. Leaf tissue removed was related to the amount of frass produced, but was not related to leaf thickness, inner or outer leaf toughness, or fecundity. Frass production did not reflect fecundity. Hybridization may have either a positive or negative effect on host susceptibility, preference, and suitability. When a moderately preferred species such as C. caroliniana Walter or C. betulus L. is crossed with a species of equal or higher susceptibility, (i.e. C. coreana Nakai, Blume, or C. laxiflora (Sieb. and Zucc.) Blume) feeding preference increases. A “C. tschonskii factor” (Maxim.) appears to affect susceptibility and preference. There does not appear to be a large pool of Carpinus taxa suitable for future tree breeding programs in areas where Japanese beetle outbreaks are common. Potential use of Carpinus taxa in urban landscapes and forests is discussed.Index words: Susceptibility, preference, suitability, Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, Carpinus.Species used in this study: Carpinus betulus L., C. caroliniana Walter, C. caucasica Grossh, C. cordata Blume, C. coreana Nakai, C. fargesii Franch, C. japonica Blume, C. laxiflora, (Sieb. and Zucc.) Blume, C. orientalis Mill, C. tschonoskii Maxim, C. turczaninowii Hance, C. betulus x tschonoskii, C. caroliniana x betulus, C. caroliniana x (C. betulus x tschonoskii), C. caroliniana x cordata, C. caroliniana x coreana, C. caroliniana x orientalis, C. caroliniana x tschonoskii, C. caroliniana x coreana, C. cordata x C. japonica, and, Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees.

Forest Resource Use Pattern in Fringe Villages of Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary and Singalila National Park of Khangchendzonga Landscape, India

Forests in the Barsey-Singalila transboundary area under Khangchendzonga landscape (KL) are facing pressures of resource uses. Despite continuous utilizations, complete data are lacking from the ground level. Socioeconomic, demographic, and forest use data were obtained by interviewing 233 households across two study locations. Forest product market survey was undertaken to determine prices of forest products. Resource dependence index was (0.60) high for both the locations. Alnus nepalensis is highly preferred fuel species with probability of use (0.791), and Rhododendron arboreum with probability of use (0.09) is considered as least preferred species. Relatively bigger village with more population is aggravating utilization pressures. Resource use at Gorkhey-Samanden is low (20% in case of fuelwood) as compared to the use at Ribdi-Bhareng (80% for fuelwood). Only preferred medicinal plants or wild edibles, namely, Yushania maling are collected regardless of their availability for fuelwood and other uses, which is causing more pressure on a small group of plants. A huge shortfall between resource demand and production indicates the possible extraction of resources from surrounding reserve forests. The results provide significant information on peoples dependency on forest resources and may be utilized for developing forest conservation policies for enhanced ecosystem services and livelihoods in the region.