Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 2756-3251, Vol. 17 (4), pp. 001-009, April, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Spatial Ecology of Hippopotamus amphibius: The Role of Riverine Grass Biomass in Zambia

Wilbroad Chansa¹*, Ramadhan Senzota², Harry Chabwela³ and Vincent Nyirenda⁴

¹Zambia Wildlife Authority, Directorate of Research, Planning, Information and Veterinary Services, P/B 1 Chilanga, Zambia.
²Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation, University of Dar es Salaam, P. O. Box 35065, Dar es Salaam Tanzania.
³Department of Biological Sciences, University of Zambia P. O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia.
⁴Directorate of Research, Planning, Information and Veterinary Services, P/B 1 Chilanga, Zambia.

Accepted 21 January, 2026

Hippopotamus is a selective nocturnal grazer consuming 50 kg of grass. Due to its large body size, it requires large areas of grass often exceeding 5 hectares within 2 to 5 km of the water body to maintain good body condition. In this study, hippo population size and density, grass biomass and grazing capacity were assessed in March 2008 along a 165 km stretch of the Luangwa River. The study area was subdivided into study blocks, A, B, C, D, E and F. Methods used were: river bank total counts, quadrat sampling and identification of all grass species, clipping of grass in a quadrat, drying of clipped grass at constant temperature of 70°C and weighing to obtain dry weight. Grazing capacity of the hippo was estimated based on grass biomass values obtained during the study. Hippo population density was then matched with grass biomass distribution along the study blocks A-H. Total primary production was 62, 800 kg with mean biomass per study block of 7, 850 kg /ha-1 (in 2008). Grazing capacity was 1 hippo/6 ha-1. Grass biomass varied significantly between river segments being higher in study blocks A, B and E and lower in study blocks C, D, F and G. Mean hippo density was 33 individuals/km stretch of the river. Hippo density was found to be above 33/km in study blocks A, B and E which had higher biomass and lower than 33/km in study blocks C, D, F and G. Hippo population density distribution was found to be influenced by grass species diversity and amount of biomass produced which also determined grazing capacity. In light of global climate change and changing rainfall patterns, more studies are required to determine the influence of rainfall on primary production and how this would affect the increase or decrease in hippo density and grazing capacity in the long-term.

Key words: Hippo, density, grazing capacity, grass biomass.
 

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 2756-3251, Vol. 17 (4), pp. 001-005, April, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Ecological estimation of forest soils in Azerbaijan

Ulviyya Mammadova

Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Azerbaijan.

E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 14 January, 2026

While afforestation is relevant in the study of the ecological state of forest soil, analyses of the soil samples and valuation of the soil types to obtain final yield class is important. Within the National State Afforestation Program, as the research object, the south-east slope of the big Caucasus has been chosen for checking up soils under woodland and woodless areas. After having taken soil samples in this zone, these samples were analyzed and the amount of humus, nitrogen, phosphorus and absorbed matters sum (AMS) have been determined for a hectare (t/ha). Formula (1) was applied to determine the soil fertility factor and mechanical composition quantity (t/ha). By the traditional soil valuation method, proposed by an academician, G. Sh. Mammadov, in comparison with the selected etalon soil type, other soil valuations were given by points. Formula (2) was used to obtain the final points of the soil type and subtypes: 1) The total amounts (t/ha) of the soil types and subtypes which were determined based on formula (1). As summary of the ecological estimation, the final main yield class points of soils was established due to calculation by formula (2) for all soil type and subtypes under woodland and woodless areas in Shamakhi region, situated in the very natural zone. The results obtained from the experiments and calculations, showed the present ecological state of the woodland and woodless soils, their fertility factor and mechanical composition.

Key words: Ecological estimation, main yield class, soil ecology, valuation of soil, valuation point, ecological safety, forest protection.
 

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 2756-3251, Vol. 17 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Microbial Safety and Spoilage Profile of the Edible Emperor Moth Larva, Bunaea alcinoe

W. Braide1*, S. Oranusi1, L. I. Udegbunam1, O. Oguoma1, C. Akobondu1 and R. N. Nwaoguikpe2

1Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, P. M. B. 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
2Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, P. M. B. 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

Accepted 5 October, 2025

An investigation into the microbiological status of processed caterpillar of a lepidopteran, Bunaea alcinoe revealed the presence of six genera of bacteria and three genera of moulds including one species of yeast. The microbial population of 4.49 × 107 (bacteria) and 9.5 × 106 (fungi) indicates contamination of the product. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis are food contaminants with high protein contents. P. aeruginosa produce protease and lipase that catalysis reaction causing degradation of proteins and lipids respectively, resulting in an undesirable flavours in food products. P. mirabilis rarely give rise to food borne infections, but lowers the nutritional quality of contaminated foods. Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli produce various toxins associated with food infection and intoxication. Streptococcus mitis is involved in dental caries and periodontal disease when ingested in food. Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium species elaborate lethal mycotoxins associated with carcinogenicity and nephrotoxicity in humans and animals. Majority of the isolates are soil borne and may have contaminated the product during harvest. Recontamination of the product could arise from poor handling, inadequate temperature of processing and exposure during sun drying. The use of modified atmospheric packaging system is strongly recommended to reduce moisture, microbial contamination and enhanced the shelf life of the nutritious product.

Key words: Edible, caterpillar, microbiological quality.

Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN 2756-3251, Vol. 17 (2), pp. 001-005, February, 2026. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Phenotypic and Chemical Diversity of Seed Oils Across Jatropha curcas L. Germplasm Collections 

K. T. Parthiban*, P. Selvan, M. Paramathma, S. Umesh Kanna, P. Kumar, V. Subbulakshmi and S. Vennila

Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Mettupalayam – 641 301, Tamil Nadu, India.

Accepted 16 September, 2025

Studies were carried out to assess seed physico-chemical properties of Jatropha curcas genetic resources. Twenty-five seed sources of J. curcas investigated in the current study exhibited wide variation for seed physio-chemical properties. The chemical properties of seed sources indicated superiority of more number of seed sources for iodine value, cetane number and saponification value. Hence the J. curcas genetic resources tested in this current study could be the potential sources of raw material for biodiesel production.

Keywords: Jatropha curcas, iodine number, saponification value.