—Pocket gophers have the potential to alter the dynamics of grasslands by creating mounds that bury existing vegetation and locally reset succession. Gopher mounds may provide safe sites for less competitive species, potentially increasing both species diversity and vegetation heterogeneity (spatial variation in species composition). We compared species composition, diversity and heterogeneity ...

This study examined the impact of logs and stumps on the understory composition of 28-yearold aspen-dominated boreal forests. Suitable logs covered more than five times the area of stumps in both harvest and wildfire stands. Logs and stumps were colonized by a significantly different assemblage of vascular plants than the forest floor. Initial colonization patterns on dead wood in both wildfire...

Snowmelt in alpine ecosystems brings ample water, and together with above-freezing temperatures, initiates plant growth. In this scenario, rapid activation of photosynthesis is essential for a successful life-history strategy. But, strong solar radiation late spring enhances the risk photodamage, particularly before fully functional. We compared photoprotective strategy five forbs: one geophyte...

Sudan is a large country with an area of 1.88 million Km2, and has the second largest animal population in Africa consisting of 52.08 million sheep, 43.44 million goats, 41.76 million cattle and 4.62 million camels (MARF, 2013). The majority of animal wealth is concentrated in western Sudan (40%), followed by central Sudan (23%) (MARF, 2011). Minerals are divided into two groups, macro-minerals...