丹江口水库水滨带植物群落空间分布及环境解释

探讨了环境因素对丹江口水库(南水北调中线水源地)水滨带植物群落空间分布的影响。通过对水滨带植物群落和环境因素的实地调查,用双向指示种分析(TWINSPAN)对201个水滨带植物群落进行分类;结合地形、土壤和水文因素用除趋势典范对应分析法(DCCA)分析环境因素对水滨带植物群落的影响;并对环境因素的解释能力进行定量分离。结果表明:(1)水滨带植物群落包括7种类型,分别是萹蓄群落、苘麻群落、细叶水芹+狗牙根群落、狗牙根群落、响叶杨-狗牙根群落、杜梨-白刺花-狗牙根群落和侧柏-牡荆-三穗苔草群落;(2)海拔和水淹影响对水滨带植物群落空间分布具有主导作用。海拔升高,水淹影响减弱,植物群落呈现由草本植物群落向木本植物群落变化的格局;(3)土壤因素的解释能力大于地形因素,水文因素的解释能力最小。各类环境因素之间存在交互作用,地形、水文和土壤因素三者间的交互作用最大,地形和土壤因素之间的交互作用最小。环境因素共解释水滨带植物群落空间分布的21.99%,未解释部分为78.01%。结果证明环境对植被的解释能力是由植被的复杂程度决定的,植被越复杂,环境的解释能力越低。     

An ecological analysis of the riparian vegetation for improving the riverine ecosystem management: the case of Lombardy region (North Italy)

This research aims at finding the potential plant successions in riparian vegetation along gravel-bed streams of Lombardy (Northern Italy), investigating the influence of exotic species and proposing a more sustainable and efficient management planning for habitats conservation. To characterise the riparian vegetation, 65 phytosociological relevés were carried out along four rivers in Lombardy (Pioverna, Staffora, Ogliolo and Grigna). We evaluated a series of ecological indexes to assess the ecology of plant communities. A clustering analysis detected five different plant communities characterised by specific ecological traits. On the basis of such results, we discuss about a model of plant succession describing: (i) the typical native species succession representing the riverine forests of the study areas; (ii) a succession with moderate presence of exotic species; and (iii) a succession dominated by alien species with an unclear development. To preserve the natural heritage and landscape with a small rate of alien species, it is important to plan vegetation management actions, which limit the presence of new empty space. For containing the exotic species, mechanical and chemical measures could lead to good results, but they can be expensive and cause adverse effects. Otherwise, biological control, combined with other actions, has the potential to bring results with low environmental and economic impact. Ecological restoration measures using fast-growing and spreading native species could restrict alien plant colonisation. In this regard, a better comprehension of the invasive alien plants behaviour is necessary, especially in terms of their competition mechanisms. Nevertheless, the application of long-term vegetation management of river ecosystems is crucial for a continuous monitoring and for addressing the goals of the 2030 global agenda concerning biodiversity conservation.

     

Ecosystem engineers maintain a rare species of butterfly and increase plant diversity

We evaluated whether ecosystem engineers can accomplish two conservation goals simultaneously: (1) indirectly maintain populations of an endangered animal through habitat modification and (2) increase riparian plant diversity. We tested for effects of a prominent ecosystem engineer, the beaver Castor canadensis, on populations of St. Francis' satyr butterfly Neonympha mitchellii francisci and plant species richness and composition. We performed our test by surveying riparian vegetation communities in all stages of beaver‐influenced wetland succession. We found that beavers created wetland habitats that supported plant species not found elsewhere in riparian zones and increased plant species diversity across the landscape by creating a novel combination of patch types. Our results confirmed what others have found about engineering effects on plant diversity, but these results further demonstrated a case where ecosystem engineers indirectly maintain populations of rare animals by modifying the composition and diversity of plant communities within wetlands. Our research demonstrates how an ecosystem engineer can influence habitat availability and composition of plant communities important for an endangered insect, and maintain overall plant species diversity by increasing habitat heterogeneity.     

Stream characteristics and their implications for the protection of riparian fens and meadows

1. Running waters, including associated riparian areas, are embraced by international legal frameworks outlining targets for the preservation, protection and improvement of the quality of the environment. Interactions between stream and river processes and riparian habitats have not received much attention in the management of stream ecosystems, and integrated measures that consider both the ecological status of streams and rivers (sensu EU Water Framework Directive, WFD) and the conservation status of riparian habitats and species (sensu EU Habitats Directive, HD) are rare. 2. Here, we analysed the influence of stream size, morphology and chemical water characteristics for the distribution of water‐dependent terrestrial habitat types, i.e. alkaline fens, periodically inundated meadows and meadows in riparian areas in Denmark using an extensive data set covering a total of 254 stream reaches. A species‐based classification model was used to translate species lists into a standardised interpretation of habitat types protected by the HD in Denmark. 3. No size dependency was found regarding the distribution of fen and meadow vegetation. Instead, the distribution of fen and meadow vegetation was strongly affected by the morphology of the streams. Alkaline fens, periodically inundated meadows and meadows occurred six, five and four times, respectively, less frequently along channelised compared with natural stream reaches. Our results indicate that stream channelisation strongly interfered with the natural hydrology of riparian areas, affecting conditions needed to sustain protected fen and meadow communities. 4. We also found that water chemistry strongly influenced the occurrence of fen and meadow vegetation in riparian areas. The probability of finding fen and meadow vegetation was reduced when total phosphorus (TP) concentration exceeded 40–50 μg P L^?1, whereas meadow vegetation responded less strongly to TP. 5. Our findings highlight the importance of restoring hydrology of riparian areas to improve conditions for fen and meadow vegetation, but also that the water chemistry should be considered when measures that increase hydrological connectivity result in an increase in the probability of flooding.     

先锋种丰富度对边坡植被群落特征及其护坡效益的影响

乡土植物灌木化建植是高速公路边坡防护的重要途径。以成渝高速(G85)永川段为例,以西南地区两种典型的边坡绿化初始配置"慈竹(Neosino calamus affinis)+野牛草(Buchloe dactyloides)"、"棉槐(Amorpha fruticosa)+紫羊茅(Festuca rubra)"为基础,分别与马棘(Indigofera pseudotinctoria Mats.)、黄荆(Vitex negundo)、狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon)、芒(Miscanthus sinensis)等路域优势种以不同方式组合,研究一定立地条件下初始绿化植物(先驱植物)的丰富度对边坡植被群落生长发育、早期演替行为及护坡性能的影响。结果表明:1)先驱植物丰富度可直接影响边坡植被的成坪时间、生物量积累:相同建植条件(边坡条件、播种密度等)下,先锋种种类越多,成坪时间就越短,被积累的生物量也越多;2)先锋种数量与群落的生物多样性水平有关(R20.954):相同演替阶段内,先锋种越多,群落的多样性水平(如物种丰富度、Shannon-Wiener指数、Pielou指数)则越高;3)群落中物种多样性水平与植被的护坡性能密切相关(R20.998):多样性水平越高,植被的蓄水、保土能力越强,边坡内径流系数、土壤侵蚀模数越小。可见,在边坡条件、播种密度等建植条件与建植措施一致的情形下,提高初始绿化植物的物种数可有效改善边坡植被的护坡性能。     

Do riparian plant community characteristics differ between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tamarix</Emphasis> (L.) invaded and non-invaded sites on the upper Verde River,Arizona?

Invasion by Tamarix (L.) can severely alter riparian areas of the western U.S., which are globally rare ecosystems. The upper Verde River, Arizona, is a relatively free-flowing river and has abundant native riparian vegetation. Tamarix is present on the upper Verde but is a minor component of the vegetation (8% of stems). This study sought to determine whether riparian vegetation characteristics differed between sites where Tamarix was present and sites where Tamarix was absent during the invasion of the upper Verde. We hypothesized that herbaceous understory and woody plant communities would differ between Tamarix present and absent sites. Our hypothesis was generally confirmed, the two types of sites were different. Tamarix present sites had greater abundance of all vegetation, native understory species, graminoids, and native trees, and a positive association with perennial native wetland plant species. Tamarix absent sites had greater abundance of exotic plants and upland adapted plants and an association with greater abiotic cover and litter. These results are contrary to other reports of Tamarix association with depauperate riparian plant communities, and suggest that Tamarix invasion of a watershed with a relatively natural flow regime and a robust native plant community follows similar establishment patterns as the native riparian plant community.     

Hydrologic effects on riparian vegetation in a boreal river: an experiment testing climate change predictions

Climate change is expected to alter the magnitude and variation of flow in streams and rivers, hence providing new conditions for riverine communities. We evaluated plant ecological responses to climate change by transplanting turfs of riparian vegetation to new elevations in the riparian zone, thus simulating expected changes in water‐level variation, and monitored the results over 6 years. Turfs moved to higher elevations decreased in biomass and increased in species richness, whereas turfs transplanted to lower elevations gained biomass but lost species. Transplanted plant communities responded slowly to the new hydrologic conditions. After 6 years, biomass of transplanted turfs was statistically indistinguishable from target level controls, but species richness and species composition of transplants were intermediate between original and target levels. By using projections of future stream flow according to IPCC climate change scenarios, we predict likely changes to riparian vegetation in boreal rivers. Climate‐driven hydrologic changes are predicted to result in narrower riparian zones along the studied Vindel River in northern Sweden towards the end of the 21st century. Present riparian plant communities are projected to be replaced by terrestrial communities at high elevations as a result of lower‐magnitude spring floods, and by amphibious or aquatic communities at low elevations as a result of higher autumn and winter flows. Changes to riparian vegetation may be larger in other boreal climate regions: snow melt fed spring floods are predicted to disappear in southern parts of the boreal zone, which would result in considerable loss of riparian habitat. Our study emphasizes the importance of long‐term ecological field experiments given that plant communities often respond slowly and in a nonlinear fashion to external pressures.     

水淹干扰对水库水滨带植物群落稳定性与种间关系的影响

受城市化与人类活动等因素影响而退化的水滨带植被的恢复与重建是近年来生态环境的热点问题。植物群落的种间关系直接影响植被的演替与恢复。以南水北调中线一期工程通水前的丹江口水库原有水滨带植被为研究对象，对年均多于9个月（海拔142 m以下）、6-9个月（海拔142-147 m）、3-6个月（海拔147-151 m）和少于3个月（海拔151-157 m）的4种不同强度水淹干扰的水滨带植物群落的稳定性和种间关系进行分析，探讨不同水淹干扰强度对水库水滨带植物群落稳定性及种间关系的影响。采用M.Godron稳定性测定法对植物群落稳定性进行分析，通过方差比率（VR）、χ²检验、联结系数（AC）以及Spearman秩相关检验对不同水淹干扰强度下的植物群落优势种进行种间关联分析。结果表明：（1）水库水滨带植物群落稳定性从高到低依次为水淹时长3-6个月、水淹时长6-9个月、水淹时长少于3个月和水淹时长多于9个月。中度水淹干扰下的植物群落稳定性要好于重度和轻度水淹干扰的植物群落；（2）不同水淹干扰强度下水滨带植物群落总体性关联表现为显著正相关。随着水淹时间增加，群落中正联结种对占总对数的比例呈下降趋势，负联结种对比例呈增加趋势，正负联结比值降低，群落内种间联结强度逐渐降低，说明水淹干扰强度增加会导致水滨带植物群落种群间相互依存关系减弱或竞争关系加剧。在此基础上，探讨不同水淹干扰强度下物种的空间分布和生态习性，并提出针对不同水淹干扰强度的水滨带植被恢复的物种选择建议。     

Tracing Si–N–P ecosystem-pathways: is relative uptake in riparian vegetation influenced by soil waterlogging,mowing management and species diversity?

Despite the growing concern about the importance of silicon (Si) in controlling ecological processes in aquatic ecosystems, little is known about its processing in riparian vegetation, especially compared to nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). We present experimental evidence that relative plant uptake of N and P compared to Si in riparian vegetation is dependent on mowing practices, water-logging and species composition. Results are obtained from a controlled and replicated mesocosm experiment, with a full-factorial design of soil water logging and mowing management. In our experiments, the Si excluding species Plantago lanceolata was dominant in the mown and non-waterlogged treatments, while Si accumulating meadow grasses and Phalaris arundinacea dominated the waterlogged treatments. Although species composition, management and soil moisture interacted strongly in their effect on relative Si:N and Si:P uptake ratios, the uptake of N to P remained virtually unchanged over the different treatments. Our study sheds new light on the impact of riparian wetland ecosystems on nutrient transport to rivers. It indicates that it is essential to include Si in future studies of the impact of riparian vegetation on nutrient transport, as these are often implemented as a measure to moderate excessive N and P inputs.     

Plant community ecology of Pinus sylvestris, an extirpated species reintroduced to Ireland

Plantation forests can make a significant contribution to the conservation of native biodiversity, especially where native forest cover is low. Ireland is used as a case study to explore the contribution to biodiversity made by stands of Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine), a reintroduced species. Despite its disputed native status, P. sylvestris is being widely planted in semi-natural habitats in Ireland. The associated vegetation communities have not previously been described and their conservation value is unknown. Baseline information is needed to inform conservation and forest management strategies. Botanical surveys were carried out at 20 plots of P. sylvestris-dominated woodland and scrub throughout the Republic of Ireland. Vegetation, structural and environmental data were recorded. Data were analysed using non-parametric and multivariate statistical techniques and a synoptic table was prepared. P. sylvestris was found to be a non-specialist in terms of its environmental tolerances. β diversity among plots was high while α diversity within plots was low to moderate. The plots surveyed contained 14.2% of the Irish native flora. There was a low level of constancy of species. Four reasonably well defined vegetation communities were identified. Soil pH, altitude and slope had important roles in partitioning these vegetation types and soil pH was positively correlated with species richness. P. sylvestris is well established, well integrated and naturalising in Irish semi-natural habitats. Some of the associated vegetation communities corresponded to habitats of international conservation importance. This research demonstrates that stands of P. sylvestris represent an important resource for Ireland’s native botanical and habitat diversity.     

Understory vegetation as an indicator of soil characteristics in the Hyrcanian area,N. Iran

The mesic Caspian (Hyrcanian) forest and ecotone communities provide a marked contrast to the arid and semiarid landscapes associated with most of the territory of Iran. To date, the ecological characteristics of these habitats, threatened and of conservation importance, have been little studied. Accordingly, ecological profiles of some important plant species of these communities have been assessed along two altitudinal gradients (300–2300 m a.s.l.). Vegetation and soils were sampled every 100 m in elevation, with the data subsequently analyzed using TWINSPAN and corrected frequency (CF) analyses. Relationships between soil variables (subdivided into three classes, the lowest, the middle and the upper third of all values) and herbaceous and shrub species (presence/absence data) were analyzed by the polythetic divisive classification method. 379 plant species and eleven soil variables – N, P, K, CaCO₃, EC, pH, organic matter, C/N ratio and percentage of sand, clay and silt – were considered. The ecological profile method was used to evaluate the affinity and significance of associations between the probability of species’ occurrence and topsoil characteristics found by the polythetic method. Five vegetation groups were identified: two groups, with Acer campestre and Quercus macranthera in the tree layer and Veronica mazanderanae and Phuopsis stylosa as herbs, were restricted to forest-steppe ecotones and the upper mountain areas. Three groups, with Acer velutinum, Ruscus hyrcanus, Carpinus betulus, Danae racemosa, Fagus orientalis and Aruncus vulgaris as indicator species, occurred in the forest itself. Of the 42 plant species assessed as being of particular importance, 13 had significant relationships with eight soil factors. Thus, certain species, including endemic plant species of restricted distribution and conservation importance, can be used as indicators of particular soil conditions in the Hyrcanian forest area.     

Plant conservation ecology for management and restoration of riparian habitats of lowland Japan

Conservation ecology is a new paradigm of ecology that aims at scientific contributions to maintaining earth's biodiversity and is committed to ecosystem management indispensable to intergenerational long-term sustainability. Population ecology plays a central role in conservation ecology. Persistence of the metapopulation rather than that of each local population should be pursued in species conservation management. Biological interactions essential to reproduction and soil seed bank components of the population should be investigated and applied to planning for the conservation of a plant population. Gravelly floodplains and moist tall grasslands are among typical riparian habitats containing many threatened plants in Japan. These riparian habitats are now subjected not only to heavy fragmentation but also to intensive invasion of highly competitive alien (nonnative) plants. Extreme habitat isolation may result in reproductive failure or fertility selection in a plant population without pollinators, as exemplified by a nature reserve population of Primula sieboldii. Biological invasions, which are facilitated by extensive changes in the river environment including decreased seasonal flooding, abandonment of traditional vegetation management, eutrophication, and extensive clearing of the land for recreational use, threaten endemic riparian species. To preserve safe sites and growing conditions for threatened plants such as Aster kantoensis, active management to suppress the dominance of alien invader plants is necessary. Population management and habitat restoration should be based on sound information on the population ecology of both threatened and alien invader plants, designed as an ecological experiment to clarify effective ways for management. Received: September 18, 1998 / Revised: October 22, 2001 / Accepted: October 23, 2001     

黑河河岸植被与环境因子间的相互作用

2009-2010年,对黑河流域河岸植被分季节进行了详细调查,并实地测定各样点环境因子数据,采用PC-ORD和Canoco软件对数据进行分类排序与环境因子的指示种分析:(1)黑河河岸带植被分为4个植被型和6个群系,位于黑河上游的高山苔草+矮嵩草群系植被种类和数量最为丰富,草本层盖度最大,也是唯一没有乔木分布的群系;金露梅+沙棘+膜荚黄芪+针茅群系是灌木层密度和盖度最大的群系,草本植物种类相对较丰富;位于湿地的沙枣+水柏枝+芦苇+香蒲群系,土壤养分含量最高;(2)影响黑河河岸带植被分布的主要环境因子是海拔、降水、温度、土壤有机质、含水率以及全氮含量,其中,海拔、降水和温度为最重要的影响因子,土壤影响因子中土壤含水率>有机质>全氮,而全磷和速效氮没有显著影响;(3)在黑河河岸带共有20种植物是环境因子指示种,柽柳和苦豆子是温度、降水指示种,胡杨对海拔和降水有很强的指示作用,草本植物中没有土壤含水率和海拔指示种,而在乔灌木中没有土壤有机质指示种,这为气候、土壤条件的变化提供了很好的参考价值。     

近10年青海湖东沙地人工植被群落特征

植物治沙是高寒沙地植被重建与生态恢复的重要措施,人工植被群落特征的研究揭示了植被对高寒沙地生态环境的适应性与改良性,有益于筛选高寒沙地治沙物种。2008—2017年,通过对青海湖湖东沙地人工治理沙丘上的11种人工植被(沙棘(Hippophae rhamnoides)、乌柳(Salix cheilophila)、樟子松(Pinus sylvestris)、小叶杨(Populus simonii)、柠条(Caragana korshinskii)、沙蒿(Artemisia desertorum)、花棒(Hedysarum scoparium)、沙地柏(Sabina vulgaris)、柽柳(Tamarix chinensis)、青海云杉(Picea crassifolia)和金露梅(Potentilla fruticosa))进行植被调查和群落特征分析,结果显示:(1)除柽柳、金露梅之外,各人工物种均能保持80%以上的当年成活率和50%以上的保存率,总盖度以每年6.4%—8.8%的速度增加,乌柳、小叶杨、柠条和花棒林地群落的丰富度指数、多样性指数和均匀度指数相对较高,而沙棘和樟子松的群落优势度较高;(2)前3—5年通常为各物种成活与生长的关键期,也是群落形成与多样性增加的快速期;(3)沙棘、乌柳、樟子松、花棒和小叶杨的群落防风固沙效益和土壤水分与养分的改良效益显著,为高寒沙地典型优良的固沙物种。     

Effects of riparian vegetation width and substrate type on riffle beetle community structure

Riffle beetle community structure is influenced by the preservation condition of stream riparian vegetation. Though, the width of riparian vegetation required to ensure conservation of stream insect communities is still controversial. Effects of alterations in riparian vegetation widths on stream insect community structure can be overcame by other environmental variables, like substrate type, hindering accurate assessments. We tested the effects of different riparian vegetation widths (>40, 30–15, 15–5 and <5 m) along with different substrate types (inorganic and organic) on riffle beetle community structure in southern Brazilian 4th‐ to 5th‐order streams. Riparian buffer widths and substrate types influenced riffle beetle community structure, but no interaction between them was observed. Reduced riparian vegetation widths downstream were associated with changes in riffle beetle dominant genera (Macrelmis predominated only in streams with narrowest riparian widths). Additionally, communities in organic substrates had lower equitability and different dominant genera (Hexacylloepus and Heterelmis) than inorganic ones. Our results showed that reductions in riparian vegetation were associated with water pollution and changes in riffle beetle community structure, suggesting that buffer strips narrower than 5 m are not adequate to maintain environmental integrity of southern Brazilian streams. These results have special importance for the conservation of stream insects in Brazil, as reductions up to less than 5 m in stream banks of small properties are allowed by the new Brazilian Forest Code, independently of stream order.     

北京山区河岸带植物群落种-面积关系

种-面积关系是群落生态学的基本问题之一,是了解植物群落结构的重要途径。为摸清北京山区河流河岸带植物群落调查最小样方面积,在北京市怀柔区怀九河河岸带沿线,采用基于河岸带立地条件逐步扩大样地面积的方法布设50个80m长样地,调查计算并拟合不同类型河岸带所需的最小样地面积。研究结果表明:北京市怀柔区怀九河河岸带植物种数255种,隶属于70科185属。通过聚类分析将怀九河河岸带分为自然河岸带、近自然河岸带、人工岸坡乔灌草河岸带、人工岸坡观赏性乔灌草河岸带、人工岸坡疏乔灌草干砌石河岸带和人工岸坡浆砌石河岸带6种类型。根据赤池信息量准则AIC可知自然河岸带、近自然河岸带、人工岸坡乔灌草河岸带和人工岸坡疏乔灌草干砌石河岸带优先选取S=c-ae~(-bA),人工岸坡观赏性乔灌草河岸带优先选取S=aA/(1+bA),人工岸坡浆砌石河岸带优先选取S=c/(1+ae~(-bA))。满足相同比例植物种调查,不同类型河岸带所需最小样地面积存在明显差异,当满足河岸带植物调查80%植物种时,人工岸坡浆砌石河岸带(84m~2)和自然河岸带(217m~2)所需样地面积较小,其次是人工岸坡疏乔灌草干砌石河岸带(362m~2),近自然河岸带(450m~2)和人工岸坡乔灌草河岸带(460m~2)所需样地面积相似,而人工岸坡观赏性乔灌草河岸带所需样地面积最大为571m~2。所得出的河岸带植物调查最小样地面积对于河岸带生物多样性保护和指导河岸带生态修复具有重要意义。     

The halophile vegetation of the sedimentary coast of Lazio (central Tyrrhenian district,Italy)

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the results of a phytosociological survey carried out in the Lazio region (central Italy) to investigate the vegetation and conservation status of brackish habitats. Eighteen vegetation types are described, belonging to 8 alliances, 5 orders and 5 classes of vegetation. A new association and an association previously unrecorded in Italy, both assigned to the Frankenietalia pulverulentae, have been recognized. The occurrence of important floristic and vegetational features, and the potential for the development and restoration of typical ecological sequences suggest the implementation or the enhancement of conservation activities in all of the brackish sites surveyed.     

Warming water and leaf litter quality but not plant origin drive decomposition and fungal diversity in an experiment

The fungi associated with leaf litter play a key role in decomposition and can be affected both by the warming water and the invasion of non-native species in riparian vegetation. Warming water and invasion of non-native riparian species on stream fungal communities have been studied mainly in temperate ecosystems. We tested the effects of warming water and non-native plant Psidium guajava on leaf litter decomposition, conidia density, species richness and beta diversity of tropical stream fungi. Thus, we carried out an experiment using the current mean temperature of streams from northwestern Paraná in South Brazil (22 °C) and two temperatures above the current mean temperature (26 °C and 29 °C). We also used the leaves of a non-native plant (P. guajava), and two native plants (one of similar nutritional quality, and the other of higher nutritional quality than the non-native species) occurring in Neotropical streams riparian vegetation. Warming water accelerated leaf litter decomposition and reduced conidia density and fungal richness in native and non-native plants. However, species composition and beta diversity were not affected by water temperature. Our study showed that warming affects the fungi of streams, the main microorganisms responsible for decomposition and that the nutritional quality of the leaves may be more important than the origin of riparian plant species. Despite this, further investigations should be conducted on the interaction of P. guajava with the flow of nutrients in these environments and how it can affect other ecosystem processes and the food chain. Efforts to study the effects of water warming and biological invasion on the attributes and distribution of fungi in streams are vital, making them a tool for the conservation of riparian ecosystems.     

Influences of Landscape Features on Bat Activity in North Dakota

Land conversion and modification threatens many wildlife and plant species in the northern Great Plains, including bats. Our objective was to assess the association of bat species with landscape features in the northern Great Plains of North Dakota, USA, taking the first step towards understanding the habitat needs of bats in this region. We examined patterns of bat activity across different landscapes, identified those landscape features associated with high levels of bat activity, and determined which specific land features (i.e., vegetation and water types) were most commonly associated with each bat species. We used passive acoustic monitoring to measure bat activity at sites across North Dakota, and assessed detailed land characteristics at each site. We used nonmetric multidimensional scaling and multivariate regression tree analysis to examine relationships between bat activity and landscape variables. Bat foraging activity was influenced by structural landscape characteristics and the availability of specific water resources. High levels of bat activity were associated with riparian forested areas of varying structural complexity, ponds, and, to a lesser extent, open riparian lands. Individual bat species were influenced by land type and water resources differently. We identified big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) and little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) as indicators of open riparian and pond landscapes, respectively. These results highlight the importance of prairie riparian landscapes and maintaining heterogeneity across the landscape for conservation and management of bat communities. Further, we identified ponds as an important landscape feature for little brown bats, a species of conservation concern, indicating that this specific feature should be a focus of conservation efforts on prairie wetlands. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.     

乡土植物生活型构成对川渝地区边坡植被水土保持效益的影响

乡土植物灌木化建植是高速公路边坡防护的重要生态模式。为了探讨生态恢复过程中乡土植物的生活型构成对边坡植被水土保持效益的影响,揭示乡土植物生活型-物种多样性-生态系统功能间的偶合关系,借助3个物种配置试验,于2009年4月构建了以草本、灌木或乔木为主体的草本型、灌木型、乔木型绿化配置及草-灌-乔混合型试验区。自建植次年(2010年)起,对试验区进行持续5a生态监测。结果表明:1)边坡植被的物种丰富度与乡土植物的生活型有关,呈现乔木型灌木型草-灌-乔混合型草本型趋势;2)植被的物种多样性(Shannon-Wiener指数、Pielou指数)与乡土植物生活型构成及建植年限有关:建植后第1、第2年,多样性水平呈草本型草-灌-乔混合型灌木型乔木型变化趋势;自建植后第三起(2012—2014年),呈草-灌-乔混合型草本型灌木型乔木型波动;3)植被的水土保持性能(径流系数、侵蚀模数)与群落的物种多样性密切相关:多样性水平越高,水土保持性能越强。可见,乡土植物的生活型构成对提高边坡植被的物种多样性、改善生态性能至关重要。