Leponce, M., Corbara, B., Delabie, J. H. C., Orivel, J., Aberlenc, H. - P., Bail, J., et al. (2021). Spatial and functional structure of an entire ant assemblage in a lowland Panamanian rainforest. Basic and Applied, 56, 32–44.
Abstract: Ants are a major ecological group in tropical rainforests. Few studies in the Neotropics have documented the distribution of ants from the ground to the canopy, and none have included the understorey. A previous analysis of an intensive arthropod study in Panama, involving 11 sampling methods, showed that the factors influencing ant β diversity (i.e., changes in assemblage composition) were, in decreasing order of importance, the vertical (height), temporal (season), and horizontal (geographic distance) dimensions. In the present study, we went one step further and aimed (1) to identify the best sampling methods to study the entire ant assemblage across the three strata, (2) to test if all strata show a similar horizontal β diversity and (3) to analyze the functional structure of the entire ant assemblage. We identified 405 ant species from 11 subfamilies and 68 genera. Slightly more species were sampled in the canopy than on the ground; they belonged to distinct sub-assemblages. The understorey fauna was mainly a mixture of species found in the other two strata. The horizontal β diversity between sites was similar for the three strata. About half of the ant species foraged in two (29%) or three (25%) strata. A single method, aerial flight interception traps placed alongside tree trunks, acting as arboreal pitfall traps, collected half of the species and reflected the vertical stratification. Using the functional traits approach, we observed that generalist species with mid-sized colonies were by far the most numerous (31%), followed by ground- or litter-dwelling species, either specialists (20%), or generalists (16%), and arboreal species, either generalists (19%) or territorially dominant (8%), and finally army ants (5%). Our results reinforce the idea that a proper understanding of the functioning of ant assemblages requires the inclusion of arboreal ants in survey programs.
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de Thoisy, B., Duron, O., Epelboin, L., Musset, L., Quénel, P., Roche, B., et al. (2021). Ecology, evolution, and epidemiology of zoonotic and vector-borne infectious diseases in French Guiana: Transdisciplinarity does matter to tackle new emerging threats. Infection, Génétics and Evolution, 93, 104916.
Abstract: French Guiana is a European ultraperipheric region located on the northern Atlantic coast of South America. It constitutes an important forested region for biological conservation in the Neotropics. Although very sparsely populated, with its inhabitants mainly concentrated on the Atlantic coastal strip and along the two main rivers, it is marked by the presence and development of old and new epidemic disease outbreaks, both research and health priorities. In this review paper, we synthetize 15 years of multidisciplinary and integrative research at the interface between wildlife, ecosystem modification, human activities and sociodemographic development, and human health. This study reveals a complex epidemiological landscape marked by important transitional changes, facilitated by increased interconnections between wildlife, land-use change and human occupation and activity, human and trade transportation, demography with substantial immigration, and identified vector and parasite pharmacological resistance. Among other French Guianese characteristics, we demonstrate herein the existence of more complex multi-host disease life cycles than previously described for several disease systems in Central and South America, which clearly indicates that today the greater promiscuity between wildlife and humans due to demographic and economic pressures may offer novel settings for microbes and their hosts to circulate and spread. French Guiana is a microcosm that crystallizes all the current global environmental, demographic and socioeconomic change conditions, which may favor the development of ancient and future infectious diseases.
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Piponiot, C., Sist, P., Mazzei, L., Peña-Claros, M., Putz, F. E., Rutishauser, E., et al. (2016). Carbon recovery dynamics following disturbance by selective logging in Amazonian forests. eLife, 5, e21394.
Abstract: When 2 Mha of Amazonian forests are disturbed by selective logging each year, more than 90 Tg of carbon (C) is emitted to the atmosphere. Emissions are then counterbalanced by forest regrowth. With an original modelling approach, calibrated on a network of 133 permanent forest plots (175 ha total) across Amazonia, we link regional differences in climate, soil and initial biomass with survivors' and recruits' C fluxes to provide Amazon-wide predictions of post-logging C recovery. We show that net aboveground C recovery over 10 years is higher in the Guiana Shield and in the west (21{plus minus}3 MgC ha-1) than in the south (12{plus minus}3 MgC ha-1) where environmental stress is high (low rainfall, high seasonality). We highlight the key role of survivors in the forest regrowth and elaborate a comprehensive map of post-disturbance C recovery potential in Amazonia.
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Diatta, B. D., Niass, O., Diouf, M., Guéye, M., Houel, E., & Boetsch, G. (2021). Diversité et composition phytochimique des bâtonnets frotte-dents (cure-dents) proposés chez les Peul de la commune de Tessékéré (Ferlo Nord, Sénégal). Journal of Applied Biosciences, 158, 16267–16281.
Abstract: Objectifs : Le but de cette étude était de déterminer la composition phytochimique et la teneur en grandes classes chimiques des tiges les plus utilisées comme bâtonnets frotte-dents chez les peul de Widou Thiengoli au Nord Ferlo (Sénégal). Méthodes et résultats : Des entretiens ouverts semi structurés ont permis de recueillir les plantes les plus utilisées. L’indice de fidélité renseigne sur la convergence des usages quant à l’emploi des plantes comme bâtonnets frotte-dent comparé aux autres pratiques cosmétiques. L’étude de la composition phytochimique des tiges a ciblé 8 classes chimiques. Les tanins et les saponines sont très fréquents ; les terpénoïdes et les leuco-anthocyanines presque inexistants. Un dosage des flavonoïdes, alcaloïdes et polyphénols, réalisé chez des extraits aqueux, a porté sur 12 plantes. Les meilleures teneurs en polyphénols et alcaloïdes sont recueillies chez Anogeissus leiocarpa, et la meilleure en flavonoïdes chez Commiphora africana. Conclusion et applicabilité des résultats : Ces résultats permettent de sélectionner à travers la composition phytochimique des plantes, les espèces présentant de potentielles activités antimicrobiennes, car renfermant des composés phytochimique doués de fonctions germicides, au- delà de la fonction mécanique connue des bâtonnets dans l’élimination de la plaque dentaire.
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Lebrini, M., Robert, F., & Roos, C. (2010). Inhibition Effect of Alkaloids Extract from Annona Squamosa Plant on the Corrosion of C38 Steel in Normal Hydrochloric Acid Medium. Int. J. Electrochem. Sci., 5(11), 1698–1712.
Abstract: In this work, an alkaloids extract from Annona squamosa plant have been studied as possible corrosion inhibitor for C38 steel in molar hydrochloric acid (1 M HCl). Potentiodynamic polarization and AC impedance methods have been used. The corrosion inhibition efficiency increases on increasing plant extract concentration. Polarisation studies showed that Annona squamosa extract was mixed-type inhibitor in 1 M HCl. The inhibition efficiency of Annona squamosa extract was temperature-dependent and its addition led to an increase of the activation corrosion energy revealing a physical adsorption between the extract and the metal surface. The adsorption of the Annona squamosa extract followed Langmuir's adsorption isotherm. The inhibitive effect of Annona squamosa is ascribed to the presence of organic compounds in the extract. The examined extract is considered as non-cytotoxic substance.
Keywords: Plant extract; corrosion inhibitors; C38 steel; acidic media; adsorption
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Lebrini, M., Robert, F., & Roos, C. (2011). Alkaloids Extract from Palicourea guianensis Plant as Corrosion Inhibitor for C38 Steel in 1 M Hydrochloric Acid Medium. Int. J. Electrochem. Sci., 6(3), 847–859.
Abstract: Corrosion inhibition effect of alkaloids extract from Palicourea guianensis plant (AEPG) on C38 tell in 1 M HCl medium has been investigated by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The polarization studies that AEPG acts as mixed-type inhibitor. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed that the charge transfer resistance increases and the double layer capacitance decreases on increasing plant extract concentration. The inhibition efficiency of the extract obtained from impedance and polarization measurements was in a good agreement and was found to increase with increasing concentration of the extract. Inhibition efficiency of 89% was achieved with 100 mg L-1 of AEPG at 25 degrees C. The obtained results showed that, the Palicourea guianensis extract could serve as an effective inhibitor for the corrosion of steel in acid media. The adsorption of AEPG obeys the Langmuir adsorption isotherm.
Keywords: Palicourea guianensis; corrosion inhibitors; C38 steel; acidic media; adsorption
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Lebrini, M., Robert, F., Blandinieres, P. A., & Roos, C. (2011). Corrosion Inhibition by Isertia coccinea Plant Extract in Hydrochloric Acid Solution. Int. J. Electrochem. Sci., 6(7), 2443–2460.
Abstract: The effect of alkaloids extracted from Isertia coccinea plant (AEIC) on the corrosion of C38 steel in 1 M hydrochloric acid was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization techniques. Potentiodynamic polarization curves indicated that the extract behave as mixed-type inhibitor. The experimental data obtained from EIS method show a frequency distribution and therefore a modelling element with frequency dispersion behaviour, a constant phase element (CPE) has been used. The inhibition efficiencies of the extract calculated by three methods show the same tendency. Inhibition was found to increase with increasing concentration of the plant extract. The results obtained show that the extract solution of the plant could serve as an effective inhibitor for the corrosion of C38 steel in hydrochloric acid solution. The apparent activation energy of the process taking place in inhibitor presence was determined on the ground of four temperature values in the range from 25 degrees C to 55 degrees C using the data obtained by two independent methods. Theoretical fitting of different isotherms, Langmuir, Temkin and Frunkin, were tested to clarify the nature of adsorption.
Keywords: Isertia coccinea; corrosion inhibitors; C38 steel; acidic media; adsorption
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Scotti, I. (2010). Adaptive potential in forest tree populations: what is it, and how can we measure it? Ann. For. Sci., 67(8), 801.
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Bremaud, I., Minato, K., Langbour, P., & Thibaut, B. (2010). Physico-chemical indicators of inter-specific variability in vibration damping of wood. Ann. For. Sci., 67(7), 707.
Abstract: The vibration damping coefficient (tan delta) of wood is an important property for acoustical uses, including musical instruments. Current difficulties in the availability of some of the preferred species call for diversification, but this comes up against the lack of systematic damping coefficient data. Keeping in mind the possible factors affecting tans, could we predict its variations between species, by using indicators that are either easily measured and/or readily available for many species? Vibrational properties, equilibrium moisture content and colorimetric parameters were assessed on 94 wood types belonging to 76 species. Experimental results were then related to data on chemical contents and physical properties from the CIRAD database. The “standard” relationship between tan delta and specific modulus of elasticity (E'/rho) explained only half of the variations. Deviations from this trend were correlated to extractives content, yet effects were not directly quantitative. Damping deviations were also correlated to colour and moisture-related properties, especially so with fibre saturation point. By taking into account a combination of moisture-related properties, colour – or extractives content, and the “standard” relationship between tans and E'/rho, we could propose simple predictive models which explain up to 89% of observed variations in tan delta between 48 species.
Keywords: damping coefficient; diversity of woods; extractives; physical properties; vibrational properties
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Coste, S., Baraloto, C., Leroy, C., Marcon, E., Renaud, A., Richardson, A. D., et al. (2010). Assessing foliar chlorophyll contents with the SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter: a calibration test with thirteen tree species of tropical rainforest in French Guiana. Ann. For. Sci., 67(6), 607.
Abstract: Chlorophyll meters such as the SPAD-502 offer a simple, inexpensive and rapid method to estimate foliar chlorophyll content. However, values provided by SPAD-502 are unitless and require empirical calibrations between SPAD units and extracted chlorophyll values. Leaves of 13 tree species from the tropical rain forest in French Guiana were sampled to select the most appropriate calibration model among the often-used linear, polynomial and exponential models, in addition to a novel homographic model that has a natural asymptote. The homographic model best accurately predicted total chlorophyll content (mu g cm(-2)) from SPAD units (R-2 = 0.89). Interspecific differences in the homographic model parameters explain less than 7% of the variation in chlorophyll content in our data set. The utility of the general homographic model for a variety of research and management applications clearly outweighs the slight loss of model accuracy due to the abandon of the species' effect.
Keywords: chlorophyll estimate; model calibration; homographic functions; neotropical trees
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