秦岭南坡森林有蹄类群落组成与垂直分布特征

野生动植物种群和生物多样性的垂直分布模式是生态学研究中的重要问题,而目前对于大型兽类的垂直分布模式却了解较少。本研究以秦岭南坡森林生态系统中的有蹄类动物为对象,使用相机陷阱调查技术（camera-trapping）,系统的调查了研究区域内大中型兽类的分布情况。我们将研究区域按300 m垂直间隔划分为5个海拔段,分别计算各海拔段内目标物种的相对多度指数（Relative Abundance Index, RAI）和物种丰富度（species richness）,研究有蹄类动物群落的组成和垂直分布特征。2008年3~12月,共调查123个有效位点,在4 307个有效相机工作日中共记录到7种森林有蹄类动物。其中,羚牛（Budorcas taxicolor）为秦岭南坡有蹄类动物群落中的优势物种（平均RAI = 110.66）,种群数量最多;其次是野猪（RAI = 28.25）和斑羚（RAI = 25.10）;林麝（Moschus berezovskii）则是群落中种群数量最少的物种（RAI = 1.33）。在本研究所涉及的海拔梯度内,各物种种群数量的垂直分布模式为：羚牛和林麝为单峰型,种群数量在中间海拔段存在一个峰值,两侧递减;斑羚（Naemorhedus goral）为单调递增型（R2 = 0.84）,种群数量大体随着海拔梯度的升高而增加;小麂（Muntiacus reevesi）（R2 = 0.94）和鬣羚（Capricornis sumatraensis）（R2 = 0.79）为单调递减型,种群数量随着海拔梯度的升高而减少;野猪（Sus scrofa）和毛冠鹿（Elaphodus cephalophus）为复合型,分布模式较为复杂。整个有蹄类群落的物种丰富度的垂直分布表现为中峰模式,在1 700~2 300 m的中等海拔段最高,符合中域效应假说的预测。     

利用红外相机技术对四川王朗国家级自然保护区野生动物物种多样性的初步调查

本研究以四川王朗国家级自然保护区为研究区域, 利用红外相机对保护区内的主要野生动物进行了初步调查, 分析了该区域的物种多样性现状、相机数量和相机工作日与物种数量间的关系以及物种的相对丰富度。结果表明: 42台红外相机共拍摄到物种独立照片1,793张, 鉴定出野生动物25种, 包括大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)、四川羚牛(Budorcas tibetanus)和黄喉雉鹑(Tetraophasis szechenyii) 3种国家一级重点保护野生动物, 黑熊(Ursus thibetanus)、黄喉貂(Martes flavigula)、中华鬣羚(Capricornis milneedwardsii)、中华斑羚(Naemorhedus griseus)等8种国家二级重点保护野生动物。在相机数量增加到23台的时候拍摄到了本次记录的全部25种野生动物, 并且在单台相机工作日达到180天时, 物种数达到饱和。保护区内物种相对丰富度最高的是血雉(Ithaginis cruentus)(29.28)和毛冠鹿(Elaphodus cephalophus)(15.78); 大熊猫的相对丰富度为8.09; 红腹角雉(Tragopan temminckii)、中华鬣羚和黄喉雉鹑的相对丰富度在2-5之间; 中华斑羚、勺鸡(Pucrasia macrolopha)、黑熊、四川羚牛和蓝马鸡(Crossoptilon auritum)的相对丰富度最低, 不到1。综上所述, 红外相机能够有效地对野生动物资源进行监测调查, 对于相对丰富度较低的物种需要投入更多的精力, 这些物种的栖息地保护对于自然保护区的发展至关重要。     

拟建川藏铁路(康定至巴塘段)沿线野生鸟兽的红外相机调查

野生动物调查是开展生物多样性研究和保护的基础。本研究以国家重大工程建设为契机, 于2019年3月至2020年3月, 利用红外相机技术对拟建川藏铁路(康定至巴塘段)沿线的兽类和鸟类进行了初步调查。共布设相机85台, 获得56台相机数据,累计获得20,440个相机工作日, 共获得独立有效照片3,656张, 其中野生兽类2,571张, 野生鸟类565张。记录到野生兽类与鸟类共57种, 其中兽类26种, 隶属5目12科, 鸟类31种, 隶属4目14科。国家I级重点保护野生动物有5种, 即金钱豹(Panthera pardus)、马麝(Moschus chrysogaster)、荒漠猫(Felis bieti)、黑颈鹤(Grus nigricollis)和黄喉雉鹑(Tetraophasis szechenyii), 国家II级重点保护野生动物有棕熊(Ursus arctos)、猕猴(Macaca mulatta)等18种。被IUCN评估为濒危(EN)的物种2种, 即马麝和矮岩羊(Pseudois schaeferi); 易危(VU)和近危(NT)的物种分别为7种和5种。被CITES纳入附录I、附录II和附录III的物种分别为7种、8种和4种。兽类中相对多度指数(relative abundance index, RAI)最高的为毛冠鹿(Elaphodus cephalophus, RAI = 8.366), 鸟类中相对多度指数最高的为血雉(Ithaginis cruentus, RAI = 0.861)。本研究利用红外相机对拟建川藏铁路沿线(康定至巴塘段)非保护区区域进行兽类和鸟类的调查研究, 确定了物种丰富度较高的4处区域, 为后续铁路建设中的保护措施提供了科学依据。     

澜沧江流域水生昆虫群落分类多样性和功能多样性海拔格局的空间尺度依赖性

群落分类多样性和功能多样性的海拔格局研究, 是了解生物多样性空间分布现状、揭示多样性维持和变化机制的重要途径。当前对水生昆虫分类多样性和功能多样性沿海拔梯度分布格局, 及其尺度依赖性依旧缺乏深入研究。本文基于2013-2018年在云南澜沧江流域500-3,900 m海拔梯度共149个溪流点位的水生昆虫群落调查数据, 利用线性或二次回归模型探索并比较了局部尺度(点位尺度)和不同区域尺度(100 m、150 m、200 m、250 m海拔段)的分类多样性指数(物种丰富度指数、Simpson多样性指数和物种均匀度指数)和功能多样性指数(树状图功能多样性指数(dbFD)、Rao二次熵指数(RaoQ)和功能均匀度指数(FEve))的海拔格局。结果表明, 在局部尺度, 物种丰富度指数和dbFD指数沿海拔梯度均无显著分布特征, Simpson多样性指数、RaoQ指数、物种均匀度指数和FEve指数沿海拔梯度呈现U型或者单调递减趋势。在区域尺度, 随着区域海拔带宽度的增加, 物种丰富度指数沿海拔呈不显著的单调递减格局, 但dbFD指数沿海拔分布由U型转变为单调递减趋势; Simpson多样性指数和RaoQ指数沿海拔梯度由显著U型趋势转变为无显著分布特征; 物种均匀度指数沿海拔梯度无显著分布特征, 但FEve指数呈显著增加的海拔格局。综上, 群落分类多样性指数和功能多样性指数沿海拔梯度分布存在局部和区域尺度的空间差异, 但区域尺度下二者海拔格局随海拔带宽度的增加存在一定程度的一致性。     

贵州梵净山国家级自然保护区鸟兽红外相机监测

红外相机监测是了解野生动物多样性现状、动态变化和面临威胁的重要手段。本研究采用网格抽样调查法, 在贵州梵净山国家级自然保护区内选取2个监测样区共40个监测位点布设红外相机, 对区内兽类和鸟类物种进行监测调查。2017年4月至2018年12月间, 红外相机累积监测14,808个相机工作日, 共收集有效照片14,119张, 独立有效物种照片3,199张。共鉴定野生动物9目22科61种, 其中兽类26种, 隶属于4目12科; 鸟类35种, 隶属于5目10科。记录到国家I级重点保护野生动物2种: 黔金丝猴(Rhinopithecus brelichi)和白颈长尾雉(Syrmaticus ellioti), 国家II级重点保护野生动物9种; 被IUCN红色名录评估为濒危(EN)的1种、易危(VU)的5种、近危(NT)的8种。物种的相对多度指数(relative abundance index, RAI)分析结果显示, 藏酋猴(Macaca thibetana, RAI = 28.23)、毛冠鹿(Elaphodus cephalophus, RAI = 15.46)、野猪(Sus scrofa, RAI = 11.82)、小麂(Muntiacus reevesi, RAI = 9.05)、黔金丝猴(RAI = 7.70)为相对多度最高的5种兽类; 紫啸鸫(Myophonus insularis, RAI = 10.33)、红腹角雉(Tragopan temminckii, RAI = 9.59)、红腹锦鸡(Chrysolophus pictus, RAI = 6.96)、白颈长尾雉(RAI = 3.71)、勺鸡(Pucrasia macrolopha, RAI = 1.55)为相对多度最高的5种鸟类。另外, 红外相机还监测到较多的家畜活动(RAI = 11.14)和人为活动(RAI = 12.90), 保护区管理部门仍需采取相应管理措施, 进一步提高周边居民的保护意识, 促进保护区与社区的协调发展。     

贡嘎山东坡非飞行小型兽类物种多样性的垂直分布格局

为了解贡嘎山地区物种多样性的垂直分布格局,2010年4—9月利用夹日法对贡嘎山东坡非飞行小型兽类的物种多样性进行了详细调查。调查在海拔1200—4000m之间按400m间隔设置了8个采集样地,累计布夹28800夹次,捕获非飞行小型兽类个体701个,观察记录到松鼠个体25个,共调查记录小兽个体726个,分属于3目6科16属25种。非参数估计的物种丰富度Chao2和Jackknife2指数以及物种累积曲线评估表明本次调查取样充分,能很好地反映该地区非飞行小型兽类物种多样性的垂直分布格局。结果表明:非飞行小型兽类物种多样性的垂直分布格局为单峰模型;物种丰富度和物种多度在中海拔地区最高,在低海拔和高海拔地区较低;相反,物种均匀度在中海拔地区较低,在低海拔和高海拔地区较高;而物种优势度则随着海拔的升高而逐渐增加;Shannon-Wiener、Fisher-α、Margalef三个综合性物种多样性指数均显示物种多样性在中海拔地区最高;与其它多样性指数相比,Simpson指数未能很好地反映出不同海拔段群落物种多样性的垂直分布差异;而与Shannon-Wiener和Simpson指数相比,Fisher-α和Margalef指数对不同物种组成的群落多样性区分较好。同时,基于不同海拔段物种组成的聚类分析结果也表明物种多样性在中海拔地区最高。物种多样性在中海拔地区最高的垂直分布模式提示我们在贡嘎山地区的生物多样性保护和生态管理中应特别重视中海拔地段,因为该地段中居于生态食物链中间位置的小兽物种最丰富,是山地生物多样性保护的关键。此外,规范统一的调查方法将有利于研究数据的整合和减少人为因素带来的误差。     

梵净山国家级自然保护区叶蝉群落结构特征

为了解梵净山国家级自然保护区内叶蝉群落结构组成及其变化特征,丰富保护区昆虫物种分布数据,对该保护区不同生境和不同垂直林带的叶蝉进行初步调查.运用统计分析、聚类分析、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Pieluo均匀性指数、Simpson优势度指数,研究了不同生境和林带中叶蝉类群的物种组成、相似性、多样性和均匀度.结果表明,随着植被组成变化和海拔升高,叶蝉类群在5种生境和4种林带间的分布存在较大差异,植被组成丰富和光照条件充足的环境中,叶蝉类群多样性增加,植被类型单一且密度大的环境下,叶蝉类群趋于减少.在不同生境中,类群属级阶元数量顺序为:灌丛(85属)＞林缘(61属)＞田地(49属)＞森林(44属)＞草坡(33属);在不同海拔林带中顺序为:亚高山灌丛草甸带(88属)＞常绿阔叶林带(68属)＞亚高山针阔混交林带(66属)＞常绿落叶阔叶混交林带(39属).自然环境的相似性是叶蝉群落相似性的基础,区间相似性越高,叶蝉群落越相似,不同生境和不同林带中自然环境存在的差异,导致了叶蝉类群相似性的不同.在不同生境下,灌丛和林缘的叶蝉类群组成相似性最高,生境之间关联性最强,而在不同林带下,常绿阔叶林带和亚高山灌丛草甸带相似性最高.随着生境条件和林带环境的不同,叶蝉类群的分布呈现一定的特征,类群均匀度指数和多样性指数呈正相关,优势度指数则相反.从田地到灌丛以及从常绿阔叶林带到亚高山灌丛草甸带,多样性指数逐渐增大,叶蝉类群组成在灌丛和亚高山灌丛草甸带最为丰富,各类群的数量也相对均匀,而田地和常绿阔叶林带的优势度指数最高,说明其群落内物种分布较不均匀,个体数虽最多,但优势类群突出,多样性指数相对较低.     

广西猫儿山沿海拔梯度的叶蜂多样性

在猫儿山自然保护区沿海拔梯度设置7个样地进行叶蜂调查.共采获叶蜂803头,隶属3科58属121种.统计分析表明,异鳞纹眶叶蜂(Claremontia sinobirmana Malaise)和南华平缝叶蜂(Nesoselandria southaWei)为优势种和广布种.不同海拔叶蜂群落的物种丰富度指数、Simpson多样性指数和Shannon-Wiener多样性指数均以中间海拔(1000~1500m)最高,分别为12.293、0.971和3.830;优势度指数则以高海拔最高.聚类分析显示,7个样地的叶蜂物种可以分为高海拔组(>2000m)和其它海拔组(<2000m).相关分析表明,降水量和植被种类是影响叶蜂多样性的主要因素.     

太白红杉群落物种多样性与环境因子的关系

定量研究了太白红杉群落物种多样性与环境因子的关系,结果表明:(1)海拔与物种丰富度和种间相遇机率呈极显著的负相关;与Shannon指数、Simpson指数和Pielou指数表现为"中间高度膨胀"的规律,即中等海拔高度上多样性高而低海拔和高海拔多样性较低。(2)岩石裸露度与物种丰富度呈显著的负相关。(3)土壤含水量与物种丰富度呈极显著的正相关;与种间相遇机率呈先降后升的趋势。(4)环境因子与物种多样性逐步回归结果是:海拔和岩石裸露度与物种丰富度关系密切,其回归方程为:S=90.62-0.02E-14.14B(r=0.769,P<0.05)。     

利用红外相机技术分析秦岭有蹄类动物活动节律的季节性差异

2009年8月至2013年4月期间,在陕西观音山自然保护区,利用18台红外相机收集到羚牛(Budorcas taxicolor)、川西斑羚(Naemorhedus griseus)、中华鬣羚(Capricornis milneedwardsii)、毛冠鹿(Elaphodus cephalophus)、小麂(Muntiacus reevesi)、林麝(Moschus berezovskii)6种有蹄类动物的照片数据,通过相对丰富度指数分析了它们的活动规律及季节性差异。结果表明:(1)6种有蹄类动物在研究区域总丰富度达到了58.71%,其中羚牛的相对丰富度是28.02%,川西斑羚13.24%,毛冠鹿10.08%,中华鬣羚4.21%,小麂2.26%,林麝0.90%。(2)6种有蹄类动物的月相对丰富度反映了其年活动格局,其中羚牛、川西斑羚、毛冠鹿、中华鬣羚、小麂表现出一致性,即夏季活动最为频繁,秋季减弱,冬季达到活动低谷,春季逐渐回升;而林麝则在冬季活动最为频繁,夏季最弱。(3)日时间段相对丰富度反映了动物全年的日活动规律,其中川西斑羚和羚牛相似,主要以白天活动为主;毛冠鹿、小麂、林麝具有明显的晨昏活动习性;中华鬣羚活动高峰出现在02:00–06:00和20:00–22:00,以夜间活动为主。(4)分析不同季节6种有蹄类动物日活动规律,羚牛在春季出现一定的差异,活动高峰出现在16:00–20:00;川西斑羚、毛冠鹿、中华鬣羚在冬季表现出一定的差异,活动高峰相对延迟或者提前;小麂春季表现出差异,活动主要集中在00:00–10:00和18:00–20:00;林麝由于数据相对较少,在4个季节表现出不同的活动规律。(5)夜行性分析得到中华鬣羚具有较强的夜间活动能力,夜间相对丰富度达到了65.81%。这些研究结果有助于监测有蹄类动物种群的变化,为保护区有效保护管理提供了数据支持。     

Species and sex identification of the Korean goral (Nemorhaedus caudatus) by molecular analysis of non-invasive samples

Korean long-tailed goral (Nemorhaedus caudatus) is one of the most endangered species in South Korea. However, detailed species distribution and sex ratio data on the elusive goral are still lacking due to difficulty of identification of the species and sex in the field. The primary aim of this study was to develop an economical PCR-RFLP method to identify species using invasive or non-invasive samples from five Korean ungulates: goral (N. caudatus), roe deer (Capreolus pygargus), feral goat (Capra hircus), water deer (Hydropotes inermis) and musk deer (Moschus moschiferus). The secondary aim was to find more efficient molecular sexing techniques that may be applied to invasive or non-invasive samples of ungulate species. We successfully utilized PCR-RFLP of partial mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (376 bp) for species identification, and sex-specific amplification of ZFX/Y and AMELX/Y genes for sexing. Three species (goral, goat and water deer) showed distinctive band patterns by using three restriction enzymes (XbaI, StuI or SspI). Three different sexing primer sets (LGL331/335 for ZFX/Y gene; SE47/48 or SE47/53 for AMELX/Y gene) produced sex-specific band patterns in goral, goat and roe deer. Our results suggest that the molecular analyses of non-invasive samples might provide us with potential tools for the further genetic and ecological study of Korean goral and related species.     

Ungulates increase forest plant species richness to the benefit of non‐forest specialists

Large wild ungulates are a major biotic factor shaping plant communities. They influence species abundance and occurrence directly by herbivory and plant dispersal, or indirectly by modifying plant‐plant interactions and through soil disturbance. In forest ecosystems, researchers’ attention has been mainly focused on deer overabundance. Far less is known about the effects on understory plant dynamics and diversity of wild ungulates where their abundance is maintained at lower levels to mitigate impacts on tree regeneration. We used vegetation data collected over 10 years on 82 pairs of exclosure (excluding ungulates) and control plots located in a nation‐wide forest monitoring network (Renecofor). We report the effects of ungulate exclusion on (i) plant species richness and ecological characteristics, (ii) and cover percentage of herbaceous and shrub layers. We also analyzed the response of these variables along gradients of ungulate abundance, based on hunting statistics, for wild boar (Sus scrofa), red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Outside the exclosures, forest ungulates maintained higher species richness in the herbaceous layer (+15%), while the shrub layer was 17% less rich, and the plant communities became more light‐demanding. Inside the exclosures, shrub cover increased, often to the benefit of bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.). Ungulates tend to favour ruderal, hemerobic, epizoochorous and non‐forest species. Among plots, the magnitude of vegetation changes was proportional to deer abundance. We conclude that ungulates, through the control of the shrub layer, indirectly increase herbaceous plant species richness by increasing light reaching the ground. However, this increase is detrimental to the peculiarity of forest plant communities and contributes to a landscape‐level biotic homogenization. Even at population density levels considered to be harmless for overall plant species richness, ungulates remain a conservation issue for plant community composition.     

Habitat associations of four ungulates in mountain forests of southwest China, based on camera trapping and dung counts data

The present study aimed to assess abundance indices and habitat associations of four sympatric ungulate species (alpine musk deer Moschus chrysogaster, tufted deer Elaphodus cephalophus, Chinese serow Capricornis milneedwardsii, and Chinese goral Naemorhedus griseus) in Baima Xueshan Nature Reserve of southwest China, using camera trapping and dung counts data. Camera traps were set along six dung transects in different habitats and explored habitat use of the sympatric ungulates using trapping rates. The results obtained revealed that Chinese serow showed a negative association with open canopy cover and low canopy cover. Alpine musk deer were associated with oak shrubs, oak forests and open canopy cover, while tufted deer avoided oak shrubs. Goral showed no significant associations with habitat variables. Alpine musk deer and tufted deer had considerable habitat overlap with Chinese serow. By finding a high correlation between indices, the study indicates that camera trapping may represent a valid index of relative abundance, matching results from other studies.     

Ungulate browsers promote herbaceous layer diversity in logged temperate forests

Ungulates are leading drivers of plant communities worldwide, with impacts linked to animal density, disturbance and vegetation structure, and site productivity. Many ecosystems have more than one ungulate species; however, few studies have specifically examined the combined effects of two or more species on plant communities. We examined the extent to which two ungulate browsers (moose [Alces americanus]) and white‐tailed deer [Odocoileus virginianus]) have additive (compounding) or compensatory (opposing) effects on herbaceous layer composition and diversity, 5–6 years after timber harvest in Massachusetts, USA. We established three combinations of ungulates using two types of fenced exclosures – none (full exclosure), deer (partial exclosure), and deer + moose (control) in six replicated blocks. Species composition diverged among browser treatments, and changes were generally additive. Plant assemblages characteristic of closed canopy forests were less abundant and assemblages characteristic of open/disturbed habitats were more abundant in deer + moose plots compared with ungulate excluded areas. Browsing by deer + moose resulted in greater herbaceous species richness at the plot scale (169 m²) and greater woody species richness at the subplot scale (1 m²) than ungulate exclusion and deer alone. Browsing by deer + moose resulted in strong changes to the composition, structure, and diversity of forest herbaceous layers, relative to areas free of ungulates and areas browed by white‐tailed deer alone. Our results provide evidence that moderate browsing in forest openings can promote both herbaceous and woody plant diversity. These results are consistent with the classic grazing‐species richness curve, but have rarely been documented in forests.     

四川盆地西北缘林麝种群密度及保护与利用

1986年10月-1987年5月在四川盆地西北缘,利用粪堆计数法,对保护区和非保护区的4种不同生境及不同海拔区间林麝种群密度进行了调查研究。得到保护地区原生林、次生乔木林、次生灌木林、人工林4种生境中林麝种群密度(M±SE)分别为3.94±1.57、1.55±0.23、0.61±0.22、0.00头/平方公里,其中最佳生境林麝密度为9.88头/平方公里;非保护地区次生乔木林中林麝种群密度(M±SE)为0.15±0.09头/平方公里,非常显著地低于保护地区次生乔木林(P<0.005),此区已丧失了利用价值。按年平均增长率49.80%计算,在无任何人为猎取的情况下,要恢复到1.5-2.5头/平方公里(正常栖息密度),约需6-7年。而后,可按每年自然繁殖总量的60%或总数量的20%猎取。同时得到决定林麝水平分布的关键因子是植被类型、乔灌木密度及基底硬度;决定林麝垂直分布的主要因子是植被垂直分布和人为干扰程度。     

Monitoring wildlife abundance and diversity with infra-red camera traps in Guanyinshan Nature Reserve of Shaanxi Province,China

Ecological indicators or indices have been widely used to simplify and measure complex ecosystems. It is critical to identify suitable indicators or indices to improve monitoring and understanding of complex natural systems. Camera trapping is an objective technique that can provide a large amount of information on wildlife. The purpose of our study is to explore the effective ecological indices for wildlife diversity analysis and monitoring in Guanyinshan Nature Reserve of Shaanxi Province, China. Since July 2009, a total of 18 cameras were installed in the reserve from August 2009 to July 2011, collecting 2115 photo captures during these 24 months. We developed five abundance indices, including relative abundance index (RAI), monthly relative abundance index (MRAI), time-period relative abundance index (TRAI), night-time relative abundance index (NRAI) and species abundance index (N) to integrate the information derived from captures. Results are: (1) 27 species were detected and 6 species had high RAI values of over 79.3%, including takin (Budorcas taxicolor), common goral (Naemorhedus goral), tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus), golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), and mainland serow (Capricornis sumatraensis). (2) MRAI shows a consistent monthly activity pattern of all animals being active in June and July and inactive in February. (3) TRAIs of the most abundant six species show that takin, tufted deer and common goral have the similar daily activity pattern with one peak at dawn and one peak at dusk. The daily activity patterns of golden pheasant and wild boar show that they are most active during the day time, with wild boar being particularly active at noon. NRAIs of mainland serow show the highest nocturnality and of golden pheasant the lowest nocturnality. (4) We estimated abundance of takin, tufted deer and wild boar by using our developed index. The abundance for the three species shows an increasing trend during the 2-year study period, particularly for wild boar. Our results provided an interesting comparison of species diversity and their activity patterns. As trapping continues we will have a consistent source of monitoring data to evaluate changes in species abundance and activities. Therefore, the conclusion is that the methods we used and the indices we developed are capable to estimate species activity patterns and abundance dynamics which are useful for future wildlife management in Guanyinshan Nature Reserve and elsewhere.     

Deer herbivory affects the functional diversity of forest floor plants via changes in competition-mediated assembly rules

Distorted plant diversity patterns due to ungulate herbivory could be explained by changes in community assembly processes, but the effects of ungulate herbivory on plant community assembly remain unclear. Here, we examined the role of deer herbivory in the regulation of the assembly processes of a forest floor plant community by assessing species and functional diversity in over- and no-grazing plots (control and exclosure plots, respectively) in Shiretoko National Park in Japan. Compared with the exclosure plot, vegetation coverage was considerably lower, and species richness and diversity were higher in the control plot. Functional traits associated with competitive ability (leaf area and chlorophyll content) were significantly higher in the exclosure plot. The pattern of functional diversity changed from overdispersion to clustering with an increase in local crowdedness. This trait clustering indicates that the local communities that were free from ungulate disturbance gradually became dominated by some competitively superior plant species, which led to low species diversity and biotic homogenization. In contrast, the reduction in vegetation due to overgrazing by deer resulted in an increase in the relative importance of stochastic assembly processes, which enabled the coexistence of various species, including less competitive ones. Our results emphasize that although deer overabundance is of concern, their complete exclusion has a negative consequence from an ecological perspective. Because deer herbivory is an inherent process that affects the biodiversity of plants on the forest floor, the establishment of fences requires careful consideration to ensure the conservation of ecological processes and their associated biodiversity.     

林麝及其近缘物种编码区微卫星分布规律及功能分析

麝科和鹿科动物均属于偶蹄反刍类动物,具有重要的经济价值。通过系统的微卫星序列 (Simple sequences repeats, SSRs) 从基因组水平揭示物种间的系统进化关系,探索微卫星序列的基因功能及其富集的信号通路,目前仍缺乏相关研究。随着林麝 (Moschus berezovskii)、原麝 (Moschus moschiferus)、小麂 (Muntiacus reevesi)、赤麂 (Muntiacus vaginalis) 和马鹿 (Cervus elaphus) 基因组测序的完成,本文利用生物信息学方法提取了这些动物蛋白质编码区 (coding sequences, CDS) 序列,统计和分析了其CDS区微卫星序列分布规律及其生物学功能,探索了含SSR 基因富集的信号通路及其与疾病的关联性。结果表明,林麝、原麝、小麂、赤麂和马鹿蛋白质编码区含SSR序列的基因所占比例分别为6.96% (1 696个)、7.18% (2 359个)、7.29% (3 005个)、7.36% (1 916个) 和7.48% (1 924个),并且这5种动物CDS区SSRs分布模式具有相似性,均是三倍体核苷酸 (即三核苷酸和六核苷酸) SSRs最多,分别为96.85%、94.87%、65.44%、64.23%和88.04%。GO功能富集表明,林麝与其他4种动物蛋白质编码区SSR序列在分子功能、细胞组成和生物学过程3个方面具有较多共同显著富集的功能,包括DNA结合、染色质和生长发育等。KEGG 通路分析表明,林麝及其他4种动物蛋白质编码区SSR序列具有7个共同显著富集的KEGG通路,包括遗传信息调控蛋白家族、转录因子、染色体及相关蛋白、剪接体、转录机制和Notch信号通路和成体糖尿病。通过对林麝编码区含SSR关键免疫基因及其相关联的KEGG通路进行分析,发现10个含SSR的关键免疫基因对应的KEGG通路与疾病密切相关。     

Elevational changes in vascular plants richness,diversity, and distribution pattern in Abune Yosef mountain range,Northern Ethiopia

The aim of this research is to investigate the patterns of vascular plant species richness,diversity,and distribution along an elevation gradient in the Abune Yosef mountain range,Ethiopia.Preferential systematic sampling was employed to collect vegetation and environmental data along the elevation gradient.We found that plant species richness declines monotonically from low to high elevations.Specifically,vascular plant species richness and diversity were lower in the Afroalpine grassland(high elevation)than in the Dry evergreen Afromontane forest and Ericaceous forest(low elevations).In contrast,endemic vascular plant richness was significantly higher in the Afroalpine grassland than in the Dry evergreen Afromontane forest and Ericaceous forest.Elevation showed a significant impact on the richness,diversity,and endemism of vascular plants.According to Sorensen's coefficient,the similarity between Dry evergreen Afromontane forest and Ericaceous forest vegetation types is higher(32%)than the similarity between Ericaceous forest and Afroalpine grassland(18%).Only 5%similarity was recorded between the Dry evergreen Afromontane forest and Afroalpine grassland.Growth forms showed different elevationai richness patterns.Trees and liana increased monotonically up to 3300 m.Shrub and herb richness patterns followed a hump-shaped and inverted hump-shaped pattern along the elevation gradient.The elevation patterns of vascular plant species richness,diversity,and growth form in the present study may be attributed to differences in management intensity,spatial heterogeneity,microclimatic variations,and anthropogenic disturbances.     

Unveiling a wildlife haven: occupancy and activity patterns of mammals at a Tibetan sacred mountain

Here, we present a camera trap survey at a Tibetan sacred mountain to ascertain the status and activity patterns of medium- to large-sized ground-dwelling mammalian fauna. We recorded 15 medium- to large-sized mammal species including 9 carnivores, 4 ungulates, 1 primate, and 1 rodent. Six of the species were categorized by IUCN as globally threatened. The results suggested that the sacred mountain was particularly important for alpine ungulates. The mean occupancy probabilities of blue sheep Pseudois nayaur, Chinese goral Naemorhedus griseus, Chinese serow Capricornis milneedwardsii, and alpine musk deer Moschus chrysogaster were 0.93, 0.91, 0.87, and 0.44 respectively. Domestic dog Canis familiaris also occurs widely across the mountain, with a mean occupancy of 0.60. Temporal activity patterns showed that alpine musk deer were mostly nocturnal, with most captures occurring at night. Chinese serow were active at all periods, with an activity peak at dawn. Blue sheep were strictly diurnal, without any captures at night. Although Chinese goral were predominantly diurnal, captures also frequently occurred at night. Our study not only unveiled a wildlife haven benefiting from religious beliefs about sacred mountains but also pointed to the critical situation of the fauna in the sacred site. The fauna in such sacred sites are diverse but poorly studied, and are subject to threats from domestic dogs, garbage pollution, and population isolation. Future conservation and management efforts in such areas should evaluate the population genetic diversity and assess the impact of non-lethal human disturbance on the wildlife communities.