The structure and diversity of tree species in a temperate forest in northwestern Mexico was characterized. Nine sampling sites of 50 × 50 m (2,500 m²) were established, and a census of all tree species was carried out. Each individual was measured for total height and diameter at breast height. The importance value index (IVI) was obtained, calculated from the variable abundance, dominance and frequency. The diversity and richness indices were also calculated. A total of 12 species, four genera and four families were recorded. The forest has a density of 575.11 individuals and a basal area of 23.54/m². The species of Pinus cooperi had the highest IVI (79.05%), and the Shannon index of 1.74.

The semi-arid is a climate characterized by precipitation that is. insufficient to maintain crops and where evaporation often exceeds rainfall. Vegetation is one of the most sensitive indicators of environmental changes understanding the patterns of biodiversity distribution and what influences them is a fundamental pre-requisite for effective conservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity. In this study. our focus was on examining the vegetation diversity in the semi-arid region of Tebessa. which falls within the Eastern Saharan Atlas domain in North Africa’s semi-arid zone. Plants were sampled at 15 sites distributed across the study area. The quadrat method was used to conduct floral surveys. The sampling area of each sample was 100 square meters 10 m × 10 m (quadrat). Each quadrat was measured for species richness (number of species). abundance (number of individuals). and Richness generic (plant cover). Based on the floristic research. 48 species were found. classified into 21 families. with Asteraceae accounting for 34.69% of the species and Poaceae accounting for 14.28%.

A total of 25 SSR primers were screened on 37 putative F₁s derived from the five different crosses. Identified cross specific highly informative SSRs primers, i.e., 14 for the first cross, 10 for the second, 12 for the third and 6 each for fourth and fifth crosses. For the first cross Bhagwa × Daru 17, four primers (HvSSRT_375, NRCP_SSR9, NRCP_SSR12 and NRCP_SSR92) were found to be highly informative with higher 100% hybrid purity index (HPI), PIC (~0.52), and observed heterozygosity (Ho, range 0.87–0.93) values, and two F₁s namely H₁ and H₂ were found to be highly heterotic with a heterozygosity index (HI) of 92.85%. Similarly, for Bhagwa × Nana, three primers (HvSSRT_375, HvSSRT_605 and NRCP_SSR19) had higher HPI (70%–100%), PIC (0.52–0.69), and Ho (0.75–0.33) values, and three F₁s H₁, H₂, and H₄ had 70% (HI). For Bhagwa × IC318712, four SSRs (HvSSRT_254, HvSSRT_348, HvSSRT_826 and NRCP_SSR95) had higher Ho (~0.83), HPI (100%) and PIC (~0.52) values, and four F₁s H₂, H₇, H₉, and H₁₀ showed 91.66% (HI). For Bhagwa × Nayana, HvSSRT_605, HvSSRT_826, and HvSSRT_432, and for Ganesh × Nayana, HVSSRT_375, HVSSRT_605, and HvSSRT_826 were found informative. These markers will be highly useful in developing maps of populations.

The characteristics of agricultural products are influenced by the ecosystem, from the perspective of biotic and abiotic factors, which produce in the plant physiological responses and in turn in the fruit unique physicochemical properties, which are the basis for designations of origin and strategies to add value to the product in the current market. In the present work, ten cocoa materials (Theobroma cacao L.) were selected for their outstanding productivity (FSV41, FLE3, FEAR5, FSA12, FEC2, SCC23, SCC80, SCC55, ICS95 and CCN51), which were established in the departments of Santander (931 m a.s.l.), Huila (931 m a.s.l.), Huila (931 m a.s.l.), Huila (931 m a.s.l.), Huila (931 m a.s.l.), Huila (931 m a.s.l.) and Huila (931 m a.s.l.). These were established in the departments of Santander (931 m a.s.l.), Huila (885 m a.s.l.) and Arauca (204 m a.s.l.), the main cocoa-producing areas in Colombia. For the evaluation of the physical characteristics of the collected materials, 21 quantitative descriptors were used to determine the physical variability of the fruit according to clone and place of collection. The data collected were analyzed by means of Pearson’s correlation matrix and principal component analysis, it was possible to identify those descriptors that contribute most to the variability among materials (ear index, diameter length ratio, seed weight and diameter, and fruit weight and length). In addition, it was possible to verify the effect of the place of harvest on the physical characteristics of the materials, high-lighting the importance of the adaptation study prior to the planting of the cocoa material, with the objective of guaranteeing a premium, productive and quality cocoa crop for the industry, which is competitive in the market.

The study investigates the impact of corporate gender diversity on dividend payouts in Asia-Pacific countries. The study used the data of 610 listed firms in the Asian Pacific region over eleven years, from 2006 to 2016, with 6710 observations. The regression results revealed that the representation of women on board and at least 30% on board positively relates to dividend payout. Board size and board independence have a significant negative relationship with dividend payouts. Overall, results suggest that gender diversity on corporate boards has a greater propensity to pay dividends in the mix of ownership structure, strong and weak corporate governance compliance, and horizontal agency conflict.

Knowledge of the state of fragmentation and transformation of a forested landscape is crucial for proper planning and biodiversity conservation. Chile is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots; within it is the Nahuelbuta mountain range, which is considered an area of high biodiversity value and intense anthropic pressure. Despite this, there is no precise information on the degree of transformation of its landscape and its conservation status. The objective of this work was to evaluate the state of the landscape and the spatio-temporal changes of the native forests in this mountain range. Using Landsat images from 1986 and 2011, thematic maps of land use were generated. A 33% loss of native forest in 25 years was observed, mainly associated to the substitution by forest plantations. Changes in the spatial patterns of land cover and land use reveal a profound transformation of the landscape and advanced fragmentation of forests. We discuss how these patterns of change threaten the persistence of several endemic species at high risk of extinction. If these anthropogenic processes continue, these species could face an increased risk of extinction.