The use of uncrewed aerial vehicle to map the environment increased significantly in the last decade enabling a finer assessment of the land cover. However, creating accurate maps of the environment is still a complex and costly task. Deep learning (DL) is a new generation of artificial neural network research that, combined with remote sensing techniques, allows a refined understanding of our environment and can help to solve challenging land cover mapping issues. This research focuses on the vegetation segmentation of kettle holes. Kettle holes are small, pond-like, depressional wetlands. Quantifying the vegetation present in this environment is essential to assess the biodiversity and the health of the ecosystem. A machine learning workflow has been developed, integrating a superpixel segmentation algorithm to build a robust dataset, which is followed by a set of DL architectures to classify 10 plant classes present in kettle holes. The best architecture for this task was Xception, which achieved an average F1-score of 85% in the segmentation of the species. The application of solely 318 samples per class enabled a successful mapping in the complex wetland environment, indicating an important direction for future health assessments in such landscapes.

Les systèmes de biorétention sont de plus en plus utilisés pour gérer le ruissellement des eaux pluviales urbaines. Bien que les plantes soient une composante essentielle des biorétentions, il existe à ce jour peu de preuves de la contribution des espèces choisies, en particulier dans les climats tempérés à grande variation saisonnière. Aussi, les bactéries et les champignons peuvent jouer un rôle majeur dans la performance des biorétentions en améliorant la qualité de l'eau ou en soutenant l'efficacité des plantes. Mais à ce jour, on sait peu de choses sur les microorganismes peuplant les biorétentions et encore moins sur l'influence des choix de conception de ce système et ses conséquences sur la contribution de ces organismes. D’autre part, en climat froid, l'utilisation de sels de déglaçage génère des ruissellements salins qui pourraient affecter les performances des biorétentions, notamment en impactant les processus biologiques en cours dans le système. Le but de mon étude était de comparer la contribution de la végétation à la performance des biorétentions en fonction de l'espèce plantée, de tester l'impact du ruissellement salin sur l'hydrologie et la filtration des contaminants par le système en fonction des espèces végétales utilisées, et de caractériser l'influence de ces 2 facteurs sur la diversité, la composition et l'abondance relative des bactéries et champignons au sein des biorétentions. J’ai réalisé une expérience en mésocosmes avec 4 espèces végétales couramment utilisées en biorétention et couvrant un large éventail de types biologiques (Cornus sericea, Juncus effusus, Iris versicolor, Sesleria autumnalis). Pour simuler un ruissellement printanier chargé en sel de déglaçage, l'eau de ruissellement semi-synthétique utilisée pour l'irrigation à était complétée au printemps avec quatre concentrations de NaCl (0, 250, 1000 ou 4000 mg Cl/L). Le séquençage des gènes 16S et ITS ont été utilisé comme indicateur de diversité, de composition et d'abondance relative bactérienne et fongique. En général, tous les mésocosmes de biorétention ont significativement réduit les volumes d'eau, les débits de pointe et les charges de contaminants. Certaines plantes améliorent significativement les performances en augmentant la perte d'eau par évapotranspiration pendant la période de croissance (jusqu'à 2,5 fois) et en réduisant le débit d'eau (jusqu'à 2,7 fois). Les plantes ont amélioré l’enlèvement des macronutriments, avec un enlèvement massique moyen de 55 % pour l’Azote total, 81 % pour le Phosphore total et 61 % pour le K, contre -6 % (relargage), 61 % et 22 % respectivement pour les non plantés. À l'exception des Sesleria, l’enlèvement des éléments traces par les mésocosmes plantés était généralement plus élevée que chez les non plantés (jusqu'à 8,7 %). Leur niveau de contribution suivait le même ordre que leur taux d'évapotranspiration et leur taille globale (Cornus > Juncus > Iris > Sesleria). Même à la concentration la plus élevée de NaCl testée, aucun effet sur la réduction du volume d'eau et les débits n'a été détecté. En revanche, le ruissellement chargé en sel a temporairement augmenté l’enlèvement de certains métaux tels que Cr, Ni, Pb et Zn. Dans l’ensemble, les plantes ont très bien toléré le passage du ruissellement chargé de sel au printemps. Tous les mésocosmes ont naturellement été colonisés par des bactéries et des champignons adaptés à un environnement humide et contaminé. Parmi les taxons dominants, plusieurs ont des fonctions en lien avec la performance des biorétentions, telles que l'implication dans le cycle de l'azote, la dégradation des hydrocarbures, la tolérance et la remédiation de métaux, ou des symbiotes végétaux. Ma thèse souligne l'importance du choix des espèces végétales sur la performance des biorétentions. D’une part en raison de leur contribution différentielle à la réduction du volume d'eau, des débits de pointe et l'enlèvement des contaminants, en particulier des macronutriments, et d’autre part à cause de leur influence sur la composition et l’abondance des microorganismes. Même si plusieurs des bactéries et champignons dominants ce système auraient la capacité de contribuer à la performance des biorétentions, d’autres études devront être menées pour vérifier leur activité. Finalement, ma thèse a démontré que la présence de sel de déverglaçage dans le ruissellement ne devrait pas être un frein à la mise en place de cellules de biorétention, puisque qu'aux concentrations habituellement observées à la suite d’épandages, aucun effet négatif sur la performance, la végétation ou les communautés bactérienne et fongique n’a été observé dans la présente thèse. Cependant, la libération des cations structurants du sol et l’exfiltration du sels devrait être faire l’objet d’un suivi à plus long terme. Bien que ces expériences aient permis d'analyser l'effet des espèces végétales et des sels de déverglaçage sur la réduction du volume d'eau, des débits de pointe, l’enlèvement des contaminants, et les micro-organismes, l'extrapolation de ces résultats à grande échelle doit être effectuée avec prudence. En effet, les mésocosmes sont des systèmes artificiels qui ne reproduisent pas entièrement les conditions réelles des biorétentions à grande échelle, notamment en ce qui concerne les températures hivernales inférieures à zéro, et ne sont étudiés qu’un lapse de temps. Aussi, les biorétentions réelles sont rarement plantées en monoculture, de sorte que les interactions entre les espèces végétales et les microorganismes pourraient influencer la performance du système. Pour une application réussie des conclusions de cette étude à l'échelle pratique, il serait essentiel que des projets pilotes valident ces résultats. / Bioretention systems are increasingly used to manage urban stormwater runoff. Plants are an essential component of bioretention, improving water quality and reducing runoff volume and peak flows. Although plants are an essential component of bioretentions, there is little evidence on how their contribution changes according to the species chosen, especially in temperate climates with large seasonal variations. In addition, bacteria and fungi could play a major role in bioretention performance by improving water quality or supporting plant efficiency. But to date, little is known about the microorganisms living in bioretentions and even less about the influence of the design choices of this system and therefore its consequences on the contribution of these organisms. In cold climates, the use of de-icing salts generates saline runoff which could affect the bioretentions performance, especially by reducing biological processes. The aim of my study was to compare the contribution of vegetation to the performance of bioretentions according to the species planted, to test the impact of saline runoff on the hydrology and the filtration of contaminants by the system according to the plant species used, and to characterize the influence of these 2 factors on the diversity, composition and relative abundance of bacteria and fungi within bioretentions. I performed a mesocosm experiment with 4 plant species commonly used in bioretention and covering a wide range of biological types (Cornus sericea, Juncus effusus, Iris versicolor, Sesleria autumnalis). To simulate spring salt-laden runoffs, the semi-synthetic runoff water used for irrigation was supplemented in spring with four concentrations of NaCl (0, 250, 1000 or 4000 mg Cl/L). Sequencing of 16S and ITS genes was used as bacterial and fungal diversity, composition and relative abondance indicator. In general, all bioretention mesocosms significantly reduced water volumes, peak flows, and contaminant loads. Some plants significantly increased the performances, by increasing water loss through evapotranspiration during the growing period (up to 2.5 times) and reducing water flow (up to 2.7 times). Plants improved macronutrients removal, with an average mass removal of 55% for total nitrogen, 81% for total phosphorus and 61% for K compared to –6% (release), 61% and 22% respectively for the unplanted. Except for Sesleria, mass removal of trace elements in planted mesocosms was generally higher than in unplanted ones (up to 8.7%). Their contribution level followed the same order as their evapotranspiration rate and overall size (Cornus > Juncus > Iris > Sesleria). Even at the highest concentration of NaCl tested, no impact on water volume reduction and flow rates were detected. In contrast, salt-laden runoffs temporarily increased removal of some metals such as Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Overall, the plants tolerated the passage of salt runoff in spring. All bioretention mesocosms were naturally colonized by bacteria and fungi adapted to a humid and contaminated environment. Among the dominant taxa, several described functions related to the bioretention performances, such as involvement in the nitrogen cycle, the degradation of hydrocarbons, the tolerance and remediation of metals, or plant symbionts. My thesis emphasizes the importance of the plant species choice on the bioretentions performance. firstly because of their differential contribution to the water volume reduction, peak flows, and the contaminants removal, in particular macronutrients, secondly through their influence on the composition and abundance of microorganisms. Even though several of the dominant bacteria and fungi found would have the ability to contribute to the performance of bioretentions, further studies will be needed to verify their activity. Finally, my thesis demonstrated that the presence of de-icing salt in the runoff should not be a hindrance to the bioretention cells implementation, since at concentrations usually observed following salt spreading, no negative effect on the bioretentions performance, on the vegetation or the bacterial and fungal communities were observed in this thesis. However, the release of soil-structuring cations as well as salts exfiltration should be monitored in the longer term. Although these experiments allowed for the analysis of the effect of plant species and de-icing salts on the reduction of water volume, peak flow rates, contaminant removal, and microorganisms, the extrapolation of these results to a larger scale must be done with caution. Despite the advantage of characterizing the performance of bioretention in mesocosms in terms of replication and factor control, it is important to recognize that this approach also has its limitations. Mesocosms are artificial systems that do not fully replicate the real-world conditions of large-scale bioretention, especially concerning sub-zero winter temperatures and the limited time frame of study. The size of the mesocosms could lead to edge effects, such as preferential flows, while real-world scenarios involve slopes that create heterogeneous conditions within these basins, influencing factors like frequency and quantity of water received. Additionally, real bioretention systems are seldom planted as monocultures, thus interactions between plant species and microorganisms may impact system performance. For successful implementation of the findings of this study on a practical scale, validation through pilot projects would be essential.

No description available.

Cette thèse a été codirigée par le Dr. Florent Chazarenc / Les marais filtrants artificiels sont communément utilisés pour le traitement des eaux usées municipales, mais ils peuvent aussi traiter une large gamme d’effluents à l’aide de différents types de marais filtrant et ce sous une variété de climats. Les plantes jouent un rôle central dans l’épuration des eaux, mais on peut se demander si ce rôle est le même sous toutes les conditions et ce pour les différentes espèces de plantes. Dans le cadre de cette étude, j’ai évalué l’influence de la présence ainsi que de l’espèce de plantes selon des conditions extrêmement différentes : 1) traitement de rejet de serre hydroponique par un marais filtrant à flux horizontal en conditions hivernales, 2) traitement des boues par un marais à flux vertical en conditions estivales. / Constructed wetlands (CWs) are commonly used to treat municipal wastewater, but they can also handle a wide range of effluents by using different types of CWs and under a variety of climatic conditions. Plants play a central role in CWs, but it is still unknown if the presence of plants or the choice of the species have the same influence under different conditions. In this study, I evaluated the influence of the presence and the species of plants under two very different conditions: 1) treatment of hydroponic wastewater by a horizontal flow CW in winter conditions, 2) sludge treatment by a vertical flow CW in summer conditions.

No description available.

Les marais filtrants artificiels sont communément utilisés pour le traitement des eaux usées municipales, mais ils peuvent aussi traiter une large gamme d’effluents à l’aide de différents types de marais filtrant et ce sous une variété de climats. Les plantes jouent un rôle central dans l’épuration des eaux, mais on peut se demander si ce rôle est le même sous toutes les conditions et ce pour les différentes espèces de plantes. Dans le cadre de cette étude, j’ai évalué l’influence de la présence ainsi que de l’espèce de plantes selon des conditions extrêmement différentes : 1) traitement de rejet de serre hydroponique par un marais filtrant à flux horizontal en conditions hivernales, 2) traitement des boues par un marais à flux vertical en conditions estivales. / Constructed wetlands (CWs) are commonly used to treat municipal wastewater, but they can also handle a wide range of effluents by using different types of CWs and under a variety of climatic conditions. Plants play a central role in CWs, but it is still unknown if the presence of plants or the choice of the species have the same influence under different conditions. In this study, I evaluated the influence of the presence and the species of plants under two very different conditions: 1) treatment of hydroponic wastewater by a horizontal flow CW in winter conditions, 2) sludge treatment by a vertical flow CW in summer conditions. / Cette thèse a été codirigée par le Dr. Florent Chazarenc

Les travaux de recherche ont été menés dans la réserve de biosphère de la boucle du Baoulé (RBBB) au Mali. Cette réserve est constituée de 3 aires, Badinko, Kongosambougou et Fina. Cette étude a été faite dans l’aire de Fina, la plus importante pour sa richesse en faune. La péjoration des conditions climatiques et les impacts des pressions anthropiques croissantes ont entraîné une dégradation des écosystèmes en particulier la biodiversité végétale. L’objectif de notre recherche est d’étudier l’influence des gradients anthropique et géomorphologique sur la variation de la biodiversité végétale dans la RBBB. Elle contribuera à la caractérisation et à l’évaluation de l’état actuel de la végétation dans une perspective de conservation durable des ressources végétales en particulier la biodiversité. Nous sommes partis de l’idée que les aires protégées constituent des espaces témoins de conservation des milieux naturels qui, comparés aux milieux perturbés permettraient de caractériser l’état d’évolution de la biodiversité végétale. Deux approches ont été utilisées pour aborder cette étude :l’approche synchronique et l’approche diachronique. Un recensement et une classification des espèces ont été effectués en s’appuyant sur le dispositif de zonage d’une réserve de biosphère basée sur les degrés de pression (régimes de protection) et la situation géomorphologique. Puis une quantification des variations de pressions liées aux activités anthropiques a été faite. <p>Nos résultats ont montré que les facteurs structurants de la végétation varient suivant la géomorphologie et surtout le dispositif de zonage (gradient anthropique). C’est dans les milieux perturbés que la diversité est élevée, mais avec un niveau d’organisation peu homogène comparativement aux milieux non perturbés. L’intensification actuelle des pressions dans les milieux perturbés et la dégradation des formations végétales qui en résulte n’entraînent pas actuellement dans la réserve une baisse de diversité. Aussi, dans les conditions écologiques locales pratiquement semblables dans la réserve, le zonage caractérisant les niveaux d’anthropisation est autant important que les facteurs texture du sol qui sont liés aux conditions géomorphologiques dans la structuration floristique. Les résultats phytosociologiques ont montré l’individualisation de 10 groupements végétaux dont 6 en milieux perturbés avec une tendance à la dégradation de la végétation et sa transformation en savane arbustive et 4 en milieux non perturbés marqués par la disparition des formes de végétation originelles. La plus forte densité en espèces est observée dans les groupements végétaux des unités de plaine et de vallée pour l’ensemble des 3 zones. C’est dans ces unités également que la surface terrière pour les arbres de plus de 8 m et la valeur pastorale sont importantes. La diminution du recouvrement des espèces herbacées de bonne valeur fourragère en particulier les pérennes est corrélée aux perturbations liées aux intenses activités anthropiques (agricole et pastorale par exemple). Ces activités engendrent la dégradation du milieu, une baisse de la valeur pastorale qui est indépendante de la biodiversité. Les dynamiques temporelles de la composition du paysage forestier de la réserve ont montré une ouverture du paysage caractérisée par une extension des superficies cultivables de la zone de transition vers la zone protégée ainsi que la réduction de la superficie des savanes arborées et la transformation progressive du paysage en savane arbustive. L’étude a permis de comprendre que le dispositif législatif classique de protection ne correspond pas à la réalité de terrain. De façon générale, l’influence des gradients géomorphologique et surtout anthropique est perceptible sur la structure de la flore et de sa diversité. <p>Une extension de notre approche d’étude dans les réserves de Badinko et de Kongosambougou permettra d’asseoir un dispositif de suivi de l’évolution spatio-temporelle de la végétation et de poser les bases d’une politique rationnelle de conservation de la réserve de biosphère de la boucle du Baoulé.<p><p>Mots clés :Anthropisation, diversité floristique, dynamique spatiale, géomorphologie, réserve de Fina, Mali.<p><p>ABSTRACT<p>The research was conducted in the Fina, part of biosphere reserve of « boucle du Baoulé » (RBBB) in Mali. This reserve consists of 3 areas, Badinko, Kongosambougou and Fina. Fina area is the most important for its rich fauna, this study was done. The climatic conditions pejoration and the impacts of increasing human pressures have led to ecosystem degradation, particularly plant biodiversity of the Fina reserve. In this study we have updated data on plant diversity and its variation based on the device of biosphere reserve zoning based on the pressure degree (protects systems). The objective of this thesis was to test the main hypothesis that protected areas are witness spaces of natural settings conservation that, compared to the disturbed areas, would characterize plant biodiversity evolution. Two approaches were used to address this study: synchronic and diachronic approach. Our results showed that the vegetation structural factors vary with the environment (zones) and geomorphology. The correlations between vegetation and ecological factors showed that the disturbance gradient is a major factor in the floristic variability. Human pressure intensification in disturbed habitats and resulting vegetation degradation do not currently induce any decrease of diversity in the reserve. In local similar environmental conditions as is the Fina reserve case, zoning characterizing the human impact levels is as important as the soil texture factors that are related to geomorphological conditions in the floristic structure. The phytosociological results showed the individualization of 10 plant groups in disturbed habitats, including 6 with a tendency to shrubby savanna and 4 in undisturbed environments marked by the disappearance of the vegetation original forms. The highest density of species is observed in plant communities of the plain and valley units in all the three zones. It is also in these units that basal area for trees over 8 m and pastoral value are important. The herbaceous species of good fodder value recovery reduction in particular the perennial causes the environmental degradation, and the pastoral value reduction that is independent of biodiversity. Temporal dynamics of the forest landscape composition of the reserve showed an opening of the landscape characterized by an expansion of arable land in the transition zone to the protected area of the reserve, the decrease in savanna area and gradual transformation landscape in shrubby savanna.<p>An extension of our study approach in the Badinko and Kongosambougou reserves could help establishing a monitoring of the spatial and temporal vegetation evolution and putting the rational politics bases of Baoulé biosphere reserve conservation.<p><p>Key words: Anthropisation, geomorphology, floristic diversity, Fina reserve, spatial dynamics, Mali.<p><p> / Doctorat en Sciences agronomiques et ingénierie biologique / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Vegetation changes in Czech lowland forests over the past decades Martin Kopecký ABSTRACT To explore decadal changes in plant species diversity and composition of typical lowland forests in the Czech Republic, I compared vegetation on plots sampled decades ago with vegetation on the same plots sampled recently. First I evaluated the robustness of the approach used in my thesis. In Chapter 1, we provided the first direct test of the effect of uncertainty in original plot location on results from vegetation resurvey. We found that temporal trends in vegetation diversity and composition were comparable between exactly relocated permanent and only approximately relocated semi-permanent plots. Therefore, we conclude that the resurvey of semi-permanent plots is robust to the uncertainty in original plot location. Then, we showed that vegetation in lowland oak forest shifted from species-rich communities of thermophilous forest toward species poorer communities of mesic forest (Chapter 2). The species typical for thermophilous oak forests and nationally endangered species suffered the most significant decline. We identified as the main driver behind these changes shift from traditional coppicing toward high forest management after WWII. Further, we explored the processes behind temporal shifts in species diversity...

The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize antifungal compounds from the most active medicinal plant species that could be used to address secondary infection problems in immunocompromised patients. An ethnobotanical study was conducted and 45 medicinal plant species used traditionally to treat candidiasis and related infections in HIV/AIDS patients were identified and documented. The most popular plant species used included Acacia caffra, Clerodendrum glabrum, Croton gratissimus, Elaeodendron transvaalense, Faurea saligna, Hippocratea longipetiolata, Osyris lanceolata, Richardia brasiliensis, Schkuhria pinnata, Schotia brachypetala, Spilanthes acmella, Strychnos potatorum, Vangueria infausta subsp. infausta and Withania somnifera. The plant parts used in the therapeutic preparations were roots (26.7%), bark (22.2%), and a combination of roots and bark (17.7%). Decoctions (44.4%), infusions (20%) and macerations (17.7%) were used. Most of the herbal remedies were administered orally. Chemical profiles of the plant species were established by using thin layer chromatography. Leaf extracts of these plant species were tested for antimicrobial activity against two common pathogenic fungal species in humans (Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans) and four nosocomial bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) using a two-fold serial microdilution method and bioautography. All plant species investigated had some degree of antimicrobial activity against the test microorganisms. The hexane and the acetone extracts of Clerodendrum glabrum, Hippocratea longipetiolata, Schkuhria pinnata and Withania somnifera were the most active with MIC values ranging from 0.06 to 0.08 mg/ml. The most susceptible pathogen to the test samples was C. neoformans while C. albicans was resistant to most of the plant extracts. The water extracts of Withania somnifera and Hippocratea longipetiolata (14%) had MIC < 1 mg/ml against C. albicans. C. neoformans was susceptible to nine water plant extracts (64%) with MIC < 1 mg/ml and the promising activity was observed in Hippocratea longipetiolata and Faurea saligna extracts with MIC values of 0.16 and 0.31 mg/ml respectively. The hexane extract of C. glabrum was the most active against C. albicans with an MIC value of 0.06 mg/ml and total activity of 550 ml/g. In the bioautography, most plant extracts tested had few active compounds, others had no active components at all and this may be attributed to the disruption of synergism by the thin layer chromatography. C. glabrum had eight active antifungal compounds on bioautograms and most of these components were observed in the EMW solvent system. Based on this and its wide distribution in rural areas, C. glabrum was chosen for further study. The antioxidant activity and possible immune boosting potential of the species were determined using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), 2, 2’ azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. In the DPPH qualitative assay, the aqueous plant extracts had several prominent antioxidant components than the organic plant extracts. The aqueous plant extracts which had the most prominent antioxidant activity were F. saligna with 8 compounds, followed by E. transvaalense, H. longipetiolata O. lanceolata, R. brasiliensis and S.brachypetala, with five compounds each and their Rf values ranged from 0;06 to 0.94. This appears to validate the ethnomedicinal use of the plant species to some extent because decoction is the most common method used in the preparation of the remedy by the traditional healers. With regard to the organic plant extracts, only one plant extract, F. saligna had two prominent antioxidant components at Rf values 0.81 and 0.88. A third of the plant species had a high level of free radical scavenging activities in the DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays. However, all plant extracts had lower antioxidant activity than the positive control (Trolox) used. The selected plant species were also evaluated for their in vitro toxicity against the Vero monkey kidney cell line using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The acetone plant extracts of O. lanceolata, S. acmella, S. pinnata and S. brachypetala had high cytotoxic activity against Vero cells with IC50 values of 13.7±0, 19.9±0.001, 21.6±0.001 and 28.34±0.001 μg/ml respectively. However, their IC50 values were higher than that of the positive control, doxorubicin (IC50 = 9.9±0 μg/ml). The rest of the acetone plant extracts (64%) had moderate cytotoxic activity (30 < IC50<100 μg/ml). The aqueous plant extracts were relatively non-toxic to the Vero cells with IC50 values ranging from 137 to > 500 µg/ml. This supports the use of aqueous extracts in the traditional medicine. However, their low selectivity index values ranging from 0.26 to 1.68 suggest that the plant extracts are probably suitable for external use only. Fractionation of the hexane extract of the leaves of C. glabrum by chromatographic techniques yielded six fractions of which fractions C and D had significant antifungal activity (average MIC value = 0.1 mg/ml) against C. albicans and C. neoformans. From these fractions, one new triterpenoid, 3-(1-oxobutyl)-11α-hydroxytaraxast-20(30)-ene-24,28-dioic acid (clerodendrumic acid) (1) was isolated along with known heptadecanoic acid (2). C. albicans was relatively insensitive to clerodendrumic acid (1) (MIC value = 125 µg/mL) and was resistant to heptadecanoic acid (2) (MIC value = 188 µg/ml). Compounds 1 and 2 were non-toxic against monkey kidney Vero cells in vitro with IC50 values of 202.6 and 108.4 µg/ml respectively. Due to its low antifungal activity, the novel compound clerodendrumic acid (1) is not a viable candidate for drug development which could be used to combat candidiasis and related fungal infections. However, due to its relative safety, it may possibly be used as a lead compound to produce new chemically modified active derivatives or could be used together with known antibiotics to mitigate their undesirable side effects. To the best of our knowledge, the isolation of a novel, clerodendrumic acid (1) and a known heptadecanoic acid (2) compounds from leaf extracts of C. glabrum is reported herein for the first time. The results obtained from this study generally substantiate the rationale behind the use of the selected plant species in the traditional medicine to treat candidiasis and related infections to some extent. This study showed the potential of studying traditional medicine in the search for effective plant extracts or new lead compounds that could be developed into drugs for combating microbial infections among the rural poor people. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2013 / Paraclinical Sciences / Unrestricted

MSc (Botanty) / Department of Botany / Background: Problem plants and alien invasive weed species are part of today‟s ecological transformation. Ethnobotanical literature on ecological prominence and ethical values of problem alien weeds is scant and should be documented to avoid loss of valuable species. Aim: The study was aimed at documenting problem weeds and alien invasive plant species considered to be beneficial in deep rural communities. Materials and method: Purposeful triangulation research methods were used to ensure the proper gathering of both qualitative and quantitative data sets. Results and conclusion: Some problem weeds and alien invasive plant species are being utilized by local people to maintain their livelihood. A total of 78 plant species from 33 families were recorded. These plant species belonged to diverse growth habits, namely: climbers, herbaceous, succulents, shrubs, trees as well as creepers. Recorded problem weeds and alien invasive plant species were contributing towards ecological, medicinal and social values. These included being utilized as a source of food (14), fruits (4), medicinal (31), ornamentals (7), firewood (3), social (2) and multiple purposes (17). The main utilized families were Asteraceae (14.1%) and Solanaceae (14.1%). These families were mostly utilized for the purpose of medicinal and food. Plant species that were widely used are as follows: Achyrathes aspera L., Agave sisalana L., Amaranthus spinosus L., Anredera cordifolia L., Canna indica L., Centella asiatica L., Chenopodium album L., Chenopodium ambrosioides L. and Chromolaena odorata (L.) R. M. King and H. Rob. The dominant category for problem weeds and alien invasive plant species was 1b (44%) followed by weeds (35%), category 2 (9%), invaders (5%), category 3 (4%) and 1% for both category 1, 1a as well as X3. The results revealed that the legislative listing of plant species as problem weeds and alien invasive species was based on single knowledge basis system, rather than on multi-dimensional knowledge systems. Therefore, this study recommended that for judgment to be considered in decision-making, it should be based on species-specificity as well as multi-dimensional-knowledge basis. The reconciliation of inherent grapples among scientific and indigenous knowledge systems could possibly be underpinned by equal legislative consideration for the aforementioned knowledge systems especially in the establishment and implementation of environmental regulations. This could also aid with the provision to support transformation in South Africa and worldwide.