Natural Resources Conservation and Research

ISSN:

2578-1936 (Online)

Natural Resources Conservation and Research (NRCR, eISSN: 2578-1936), is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal that delivers high-quality original articles significant in all disciplines of conservation of resources and sustainable management. Contributions may have relevance at regional, national or international scales and may focus at any level of research from individual resources or technologies to whole sectors or systems of interest. Contributors may emphasize any of the aforementioned aspects as well as scientific and methodological issues. NRCR aims to provide a communication and information exchange platform for a broad audience of conservationist, environmentalist, ecologist, researchers and professionals. Articles from related fields that are interesting to a broad readership are particularly welcome.

Journal Abbreviation:

Nat. Resour. Conserv. Res.

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The submission has not been previously published, nor is it under the consideration of another journal (or an explanation has been provided in Comments to the Editor).
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Article Processing Charges (APCs)

Natural Resources Conservation and Research is an Open Access journal under EnPress Publisher. All articles published in Natural Resources Conservation and Research are accessible electronically from the journal website without commencing any kind of payment. In order to ensure contents are freely available and maintain publishing quality, Article Process Charges (APCs) are applicable to all authors who wish to submit their articles to the journal to cover the cost incurred in processing the manuscripts. Such cost will cover the peer-review, copyediting, typesetting, publishing, content depositing and archiving processes. Those charges are applicable only to authors who have their manuscript successfully accepted after peer-review.

Journal Title	APCs
Natural Resources Conservation and Research	$500

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EnPress Publisher is committed to promoting academic development in the world without any financial barrier to knowledge sharing and learning. A waiver policy has been developed especially for authors from low-income countries. Authors who are interested in applying for a waiver or discount may contact the editorial office of the journal. EnPress Publisher reserves the right to approve or reject any waiver application. APC waivers do not influence editorial decisions.

Vol 7, No 2 (2024)

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 5582

Abstract

PDF

Biodiversity and conservation of conservation priority fish species in the Nicaraguan volcanic crater lakes

by Jeffrey K. McCrary

Nat. Resour. Conserv. Res. 2024 , 7(2); 213 Views

doi: 10.24294/nrcr.v7i2.5582

Abstract The theory of island biogeography was tested in Nicaraguan volcanic crater lakes, colonized by fish from the older and larger source Nicaraguan Great Lakes. Spearman correlations of ranked molecular phylogenetic diversity in the Midas cichlid species complex ( Amphilophus cf. citrinellus ) were significant ( p ≤ 0.05) or marginally significant (0.05 < p ≤ 0.10) with diversity with crater lake age in three of four data sets tested. Correlations were noted with deepwater area, the product of littoral area and age, and with the product of horizontal and vertical barriers between the crater lakes and the nearest source lakes divided by the product of littoral area and age. By treating the Midas cichlid species complex as a single taxon, ranked fish taxon richness in each lake correlated significantly with lake age, littoral area, and with the product of age and littoral area. These results support the concept that littoral area and lake age may be factors in the colonization of volcanic crater lakes from the source lakes, and the amount of deep water in a lake as well as lake age may be important factors in speciation in the Midas cichlid species complex. Seven species from the crater lakes have been classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 6593

Abstract

PDF

Cost-effective strategy of treating chromite ore processing residue (COPR); production of chromate, subsequent detoxification and in-situ stabilization

by Hui-Won Kim, Yong-Nam Kim, Myong-Chol Ryu, Yong-Gun Han

Nat. Resour. Conserv. Res. 2024 , 7(2); 898 Views

doi: 10.24294/nrcr.v7i2.6593

Abstract It is a great importance of finding the cost-effective strategy of treating chromite ore processing residue (COPR). Cr(Ⅵ), presented in aqueous media, could easily be reduced, adsorption and removed from water body through a proper treatment, but Cr(Ⅵ), incorporated in COPR, could not, due to its characteristic inherent to COPR. In general, the reduction and adsorption of Cr(Ⅵ) could take place at a low pH, the COPR, however, has a high acid neutralizing capacity, so that a great deal of the inorganic acid would be required to maintain its pH at low value. In this work, a series of treatment trials, comprised of the production of chromate from COPR by leaching process, the subsequent detoxification and in-situ stabilisation of post-leached COPR (plCOPR) were conducted. After column extracting process using the seawater, Cr(Ⅵ)-containing leachate of 600~800 mg/L is led to the ion exchange columns, charged with the anion exchange resin, to adsorb the Cr(Ⅵ) until the effluent contains Cr(Ⅵ) of 5 mg/L. The Cr(Ⅵ) loaded ion exchange column was eluted by NaOH solution and the maximum concentration of Cr(Ⅵ) in the elution was 43.1 g/L. Afterward, plCOPR was mixed with sodium sulfide and iron sulfide+lime as a reductant and a stabiliser, respectively, and the mixture was discharged directly from the mixer and piled on a certain area. After 360 d of curing, Cr(VI) concentration in the leachate from the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) was arrived at 1.2 mg/L, below the regulatory limit disposal standard (HJ/T 301-2007, 3 mg/L).

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 9477

Abstract

PDF

Macrophyte species composition and abundance of hydrogeologically connected wetlands in upper Abbay river basin, Ethiopia

by Getachew Fentaw, Getachew Beneberu, Ayalew Wondie, Belachew Getnet

Nat. Resour. Conserv. Res. 2024 , 7(2); 210 Views

doi: 10.24294/nrcr9477

Abstract Macrophytes are key components of aquatic ecosystems including wetlands that have considerable ecological importance. The role of macrophytes is closely linked to their structural attributes like species composition and abundance. Therefore, this study aimed to assess macrophyte species composition, abundance and diversity of six hydrogeologically connected wetlands in the upper Abbay River basin, Ethiopia. The studied wetlands (Gudera, Geray, Zindib, Kurt Bahir, Infranz and Wonjeta) are found in west Gojjam administrative zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia. Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted at the end of September 2021 and February 2022. Quadrat sampling technique was employed to collect macrophyte samples following protocols for sampling aquatic macrophytes in freshwater wetlands. A total of 41 species of macrophytes belonging to 16 families were identified across the wetlands. The wetlands were dominated by emergent macrophytes, with the Poaceae and Cyperaceae families being particularly abundant. The physicochemical water quality status, water level fluctuations and level of human interventions might be the reason for the variation in the macrophytes composition, abundance and diversity across the wetlands. The low macrophyte diversity index value and the presence of pollution-tolerant taxa such as Pistia stratiotes and Azolla africana indicate an overall ecological degradation of the wetlands. Therefore, this study highlights the potential role of macrophyte monitoring to identify anthropogenic pollution. Application of appropriate land use planning and the development of macrophyte based multimetric indices are recommended for their sustainable management.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 9962

Abstract

PDF

The multifaceted importance of mediterranean pine-tree forests to social cohesion. Energy, resin, grazing, and wildfire management in North Euboea, Greece

by G.-Fivos Sargentis, Nikos Mamassis, Demetris Koutsoyiannis

Nat. Resour. Conserv. Res. 2024 , 7(2); 813 Views

doi: 10.24294/nrcr9962

Abstract Forests are essential not only for their ecological roles but also as invaluable natural resources supporting biodiversity, climate regulation, and human livelihoods. In Mediterranean regions, pine-tree forests are particularly susceptible to intense wildfires, which pose significant challenges to containment and long-term forest health. This study focuses on the pine-tree forests of North Euboea, examining their embedded energy, natural regenerative capacity, and sustainable management approaches. Key aspects investigated include the forest’s contributions to biomass and resin productivity, the social and economic impacts of wildfire events, and the role of managed grazing as a proactive tool in fire prevention and forest stewardship. Our analysis highlights the potential benefits of grazing as a strategic measure to manage forest biomass levels, thereby reducing the fuel load and lowering the intensity of possible future fires. Grazing is also shown to support broader access across the forest landscape, allowing firefighting forces to respond more effectively in case of a fire outbreak. By utilizing grazing to maintain forest ecosystems beyond just the periphery, this approach can enhance both ecological resilience and community cohesion in regions vulnerable to forest fires. The study underscores the need for integrated management practices that balance forest use with conservation, leveraging grazing as a means to sustain the health and accessibility of Mediterranean pine-tree forests.

Announcements


Announcing the Release of Volume 7, Issue 1, 2024 Online!
We are thrilled to announce that the latest edition of our publication, Volume 7, Issue 1, for the year 2024, is now available online! This issue is packed with insightful articles that we believe will be of great interest to our readers. To access this exciting content, simply visit our website and navigate to Vol 7, No 1 (2024). We encourage you to explore the diverse range of topics covered in this issue and share your thoughts with us. Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to your feedback and engagement with this new issue.
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