不同水分下准噶尔无叶豆分株种群特征和生物量分配差异

准噶尔无叶豆是豆科无叶豆属小半灌木,在中国仅片断化分布于新疆古尔班通古特沙漠局部区域.该种自然种群种子萌发率极低(<3%),主要靠克隆繁殖维持种群.为研究克隆生长在异质性生境中的可塑性特征及其生态适应意义,对生境土壤含水量存在差异的两个准噶尔无叶豆自然种群(河边种群,沙漠种群)的分株种群特征、生物量及其分配比重进行了比较,研究发现:①在分株种群特征上,河边种群的分株显著高于沙漠种群,分株间距也显著大于沙漠种群.沙漠种群分株密度和根的密度显著大于河边种群,但每一分株拥有根的概率显著小于河边种群;②在生物量分配方面,河边种群具有比沙漠种群大的根生物量,但根茎生物量则要显著的小于沙漠种群;③在植株各部分生物量比重随植株大小的变化趋势上,河边种群各部分的比重随植株大小变化的趋势平缓,而沙漠种群各部分的比重变化趋势则较为急剧,表明河边准噶尔无叶豆分株种群随着植株的大小变化,资源分配比例并没有发生很明显的变化,而沙漠种群变化较大.结果表明,准噶尔无叶豆种群对所处生境水分条件存在可塑性响应,并通过分株种群特征变化和生物量分配差异应对水分条件的变化,形成自身的适应对策.     

天然和人工固沙灌木林蜘蛛和甲虫分布与环境因子的关系

干旱区人工植被恢复驱动的土地利用变化强烈影响了地表和土栖的节肢动物群落结构及多样性。然而,我们对地表节肢动物群落关键类群-蜘蛛和甲虫对固沙植被恢复的响应及与环境变化关系的认识还很有限。以天然固沙灌木林和2种人工固沙灌木林为研究对象,运用方差分析和多变量分析等方法定量研究了干旱区天然和人工固沙植被区地表蜘蛛和甲虫分布特征及影响要素。结果表明,天然灌木林与人工梭梭、柽柳林地表蜘蛛和甲虫群落组成明显不同,人工梭梭、柽柳林地表蜘蛛活动密度和甲虫多样性均显著高于天然灌木林,而地表甲虫密度和蜘蛛多样性变化与之相反。两种人工固沙灌木林之间蜘蛛和甲虫群落组成也存在一定差异,人工柽柳林地表蜘蛛活动密度、多样性和甲虫物种丰富度均显著高于人工梭梭林。进一步分析发现,蜘蛛群落中狼蛛科、平腹蛛科、皿蛛亚科和球蛛科与甲虫群落中拟步甲科、步甲科和象甲科等一些甲虫种属对3种生境的选择模式不同决定了蜘蛛和甲虫群落聚集结构。植被、土壤环境因子与蜘蛛和甲虫pRDA和pCCA结果表明,草本生物量、凋落物量、土壤含砂量、电导率和灌木盖度是影响蜘蛛分布的主要环境因子,它们解释了82.1%的蜘蛛群落变异;灌木盖度、草本生物量、土壤pH和砂含量是影响甲虫群落分布的主要环境因子,它们解释了60.6%的甲虫群落变异。总之,人工固沙灌木恢复影响了植被和土壤环境,它们相互作用改变了荒漠-绿洲过渡区蜘蛛和甲虫等地表节肢动物的分布格局。     

不同恢复措施对内蒙古乌拉特中旗荒漠草原植物群落的影响

处于干旱地区的内蒙古荒漠草原，在防风固沙、生物多样性保育等方面发挥着重要的生态功能。近年来由于人类活动的干扰及气候变化的影响，内蒙古荒漠草原生态系统发生了严重的退化。如何有效恢复荒漠草原的生态功能是当前亟待解决的问题，科学合理地进行人为定向培育是荒漠草原植物群落恢复与重建的重要措施。本研究以乌拉特中旗荒漠草原为对象，通过控制实验探讨了不同退化程度下植物群落结构及地上生物量对不同恢复措施的响应。结果表明：在重度退化的荒漠草原生态系统，短期封育提高了杂类草的相对盖度，使群落地上生物量增加2.11倍；添加有机肥提高了禾草物种丰富度，使群落地上生物量提高了3.97倍；补播显著提高了植物群落的盖度、密度，使群落地上生物量提高了9.76倍。在重度沙化区，补播显著提高了群落的盖度、密度、地上生物量，但对物种多样性无显著影响。在中度退化区，添加复合肥显著降低了短花针茅群落杂类草物种数，提高了禾草及植物群落的地上生物量；添加复合肥显著提高了柠条锦鸡儿-丛生禾草群落中禾草物种丰富度，但对植物群落盖度、密度及地上生物量无显著影响；喷施叶面肥显著降低了藏锦鸡儿-灌丛化禾草群落杂类草的盖度和密度，提高了禾草的地...     

荒漠绿洲边缘区泡泡刺种群对风沙干扰的响应

研究了位于黑河中游荒漠绿洲外缘 (荒漠与绿洲过渡带 )戈壁与沙漠两种生境下泡泡刺种群对风沙干扰的响应。结果表明 ,因风沙干扰的响应 ,泡泡刺种群以斑块状格局形式存在 ;独立灌丛沙堆的形成途径主要有 4种 :种子发育、根蘖繁殖、较大的沙堆退化 (生境破碎化 )和邻近沙堆的兼并。水分条件是泡泡刺种群生长的重要制约因素 ,长期对有限的水分资源竞争 ,使其大小和空间分布都形成了明显的特征。绿洲与戈壁交错带 (类似戈壁生境 )样地的泡泡刺种群的沙埋深度、种群高度、种群盖度、种群大小、生物量都小于绿洲与沙漠交错带 (类似沙漠生境 )样地的泡泡刺种群的相应的种群特征变量 ,而绿洲与戈壁交错带样地的泡泡刺种群密度却大于绿洲与沙漠交错带样地的相应的种群特征变量。绿洲与戈壁交错带样地的泡泡刺种群密度为33.3株 / m2 ,而绿洲与沙漠交错带样地的泡泡刺种群密度为 2 5 .4株 / m2 。两样地泡泡刺种群的沙埋深度、种群高度、盖度、密度及大小存在着显著差异 ,只有生物量无显著差异。两样地中泡泡刺的沙埋深度对泡泡刺种群特征的影响明显 ,无论戈壁还是沙漠生境 ,沙埋深度与种群高度、种群大小、种群生物量明显正相关。适度沙埋可以促进泡泡刺种群的生长 ,但当沙埋深度超过10 0 cm时 ,又会对泡泡刺种群     

阿尔泰山两河源牧区草地群落生物量及物种多样性

群落生物量和物种多样性是表征草地生态系统数量特征的重要指标。该研究以新疆阿尔泰山南麓两河源放牧区草地为研究对象,利用样方法对两河源不同放牧区的草地植被进行调查,分析研究区生物量和物种多样性变化,探讨二者与环境因子之间的关联性,为草地群落物种保护以及草地可持续利用提供理论依据。结果表明：(1) 两河源不同牧区间群落盖度、高度、植株密度、地上生物量和单位盖度生物量存在差异。(2) 两河源牧区草地群落地上生物量与群落盖度、植株密度呈显著正相关关系(P<0.05),且地上生物量主要受草地群落盖度的影响;不同牧区的物种多样性指数有一定差异,但物种分布相对均匀。(3)两河源牧区草地群落生物量及物种多样性主要受气温和降水的影响。     

马鞍列岛岩礁生境鱼类群落结构时空格局

基于2009年马鞍列岛潮下带岩礁生境的多网目三层组合刺网逐月调查数据,对鱼类群落月相和季度间的变化、区域尺度上的空间差异和群落的稳态进行了探讨,应用优势种相对丰度和生物量、定居性鱼类和洄游种的季节动态、非度量多维标度(nMDS)和生物量丰度曲线(ABC)分析方法对群落时空格局进行了分析。结果显示:季节性洄游种集中出现在夏秋季,但对岩礁生境的利用表现出不同区域的强度差异;小黄鱼Larimichthys polyactis和黄姑鱼Nibea albiflora周年利用岩礁生境,但强度有别,尤其在冬季;定居性鱼类褐菖鲉Sebastiscus marmoratus、斑头鱼Agrammus agrammus和大泷六线鱼Hexagrammos otakii在春末夏初的种群密度最高,同样表现出某些或大部分月份的区域差异;而河口种中国花鲈Lateolabrax maculatus则更多地选择秋冬季出现在岩礁生境。多元分析结果揭示了当地岩礁生境鱼类群落格局上显著的季节和区域差异,这是定居性鱼类对岩礁生境利用的阶段性变化和区域差异、结合洄游种季节迁移和选择性分布等因素作用下共同形成的格局。ABC分析进一步发现,丰富的鱼类生态类型形成了夏季岩礁生境更为稳定的群落状态,而冬季相反;同时各季度A区的群落干扰明显强过B区。研究表明,产卵季节海域西北部的岩礁生境很可能起着主要的产卵场功能,而东南部区域各季度皆侧重于幼鱼育肥场的功能表达。丰富的种类区系加之优势种的季节性交替出现,共同塑造了岩礁生境极具动态的鱼类群落格局,对维持岛礁海域鱼类多样性以及局部区域生态系统的稳定性起着非常重要的作用。     

河西走廊天然固沙植被区地表甲虫多样性及其对沙漠化的指示作用

干旱、半干旱区沙漠化强烈影响动植物分布及多样性,地表甲虫是荒漠中主要的动物类群,它们对沙漠化引起的植被和土壤环境变化响应十分敏感。鉴于此,以河西走廊中部张掖绿洲外围的天然固沙植被区作为研究区,依据沙漠化发育程度选择流动沙丘（ASD）、丘间低地（IL）、半固定（SFSD）和固定沙丘（FSD）4种生境,调查了地表甲虫群落组成及影响甲虫分布的植被和土壤环境。研究发现,4种生境地表甲虫群落组成明显不同并存在季节变异,5月ASD与IL、SFSD和FSD生境地表甲虫群落的相异性大于8月。5月和8月SFSD生境地表甲虫活动密度均显著高于其他生境,8月FSD生境地表甲虫多样性指数显著高于其他生境。不同大小甲虫对沙漠化的响应模式不同,大中型甲虫对沙漠化的响应较小型甲虫敏感,这在5月表现尤为明显。地表甲虫与环境因子的RDA分析结果表明,12个植被和土壤环境因子解释了49.8%的地表甲虫群落变异,其中植被环境解释了甲虫群落变异的16.3%,土壤环境解释了甲虫群落变异的4.2%,植被和土壤环境相互作用解释了甲虫群落变异的29.3%。pRDA分析结果表明,草本物种丰富度、灌木盖度、土壤有机碳含量和粗砂含量是影响地表甲虫分布的主要环境因子,它们解释了43.7%的地表甲虫群落变异。Pearson相关分析表明,草本物种丰富度与地表甲虫活动密度呈显著正相关,而与地表甲虫均匀度呈显著负相关;灌木盖度与地表甲虫多样性呈显著正相关;地表甲虫物种丰富度与灌木盖度和草本物种丰富度均呈显著正相关。此外,研究还发现戈壁琵甲、克氏扁漠甲、中华砚甲和甘肃齿足象可以用于指示FSD生境,东鳖甲属昆虫可以用于指数SFSD生境,谢氏宽漠王可以用于指示IL及ASD生境。     

荒漠绿洲区芦苇种群构件生物量与地下水埋深关系

在野外调查的基础上 ,利用 Pearson关联分析法研究了河西荒漠绿洲区不同生境中芦苇种群构件生物量与地下水埋深的关系 ,结果表明 :地下水埋深对芦苇种群的影响明显 ,主要体现在 :在湿地和地下水埋深小于 0 .5 m的生境中 ,芦苇种群表现为高的种群密度、低的种群高度、低的地上生物量和高的地下生物量 ;在地下水埋深为 1 .5 m左右的生境中 ,芦苇种群地上生物量最高 ,生长最旺盛。随着地下水埋深的增加 ,垂直根茎生物量对芦苇种群地上生物量的影响加强 ,而水平根茎生物量对芦苇种群生物量的影响呈随机型 ,这可能是造成芦苇种群呈不连续、斑块状分布的主要原因。在地下水埋深 1 .5 m左右的生境中 ,芦苇的垂直根茎对种群生物量影响十分显著 ( P<0 .0 1 ) ;在地下水埋深 1 .5～ 4.0 m的生境中 ,影响显著 ( P<0 .0 5 ) ,但在地下水埋深 4m以上的生境中影响不显著 ,这表明在河西荒漠绿洲区 ,芦苇垂直根茎的最大水力提升高度 4m左右     

人工固沙植被恢复对地表节肢动物群落组成及多样性的影响

人工绿洲是干旱区主要的自然景观之一,为了维护绿洲稳定而营建的防护林强烈改变地表生态水文过程,进而影响着地上和地下生物多样性。然而,以往的研究对地上植被关注较多,而对土壤动物研究较少。以张掖绿洲外围人工固沙植被群落和天然固沙植被群落为研究对象,探讨人工固沙植被恢复对荒漠地表节肢动物群落组成及多样性的影响及不同动物类群对植被变化的响应模式。研究表明,天然固沙植被群落转变为人工固沙植被群落显著降低了地表节肢动物数量,但提高了地表节肢动物类群丰富度和多样性,这在5月份表现尤为明显。植被类型对地表节肢动物群落的影响不同,8月人工柽柳林群落地表节肢动物活动密度、类群丰富度和多样性均显著高于人工梭梭林群落。人工固沙植被恢复显著降低了适应荒漠环境的拟步甲科甲虫,而蚁科和部分蜘蛛的数量显著增加,它们对人工固沙植被恢复的响应模式不同决定了群落结构及多样性的变化规律。此外,研究还发现一些地表节肢动物类群对不同生境具有强烈的指示作用,如拟步甲科等可指示荒漠生境,潮虫科等可指示梭梭林生境,而蠼螋科和狼蛛科等可指示柽柳林生境。综上所述,人工栽植固沙灌木形成的固沙植被群落导致了一些适应荒漠环境的地表节肢动物类群的数量降低,但也为更多的地表节肢动物类群提供了适应栖居环境和充足的食物资源等,从而提高了地表节肢动物的多样性。     

塔里木荒漠河岸林异质生境物种多样性比较与其测度指标筛选及评价

选择合适的物种多样性测度指标与多样性指数是进行群落多样性研究的基础工作。依据塔里木河上游荒漠河岸林样地调查资料,分别采用重要值、盖度和多度为测度指标比较了反映群落物种丰富度、多样性、均匀度和优势度12种多样性指数与异质生境群落多样性特征,并对多样性指数进行了相关分析与评价。结果表明,荒漠河岸林异质生境群落物种组成种类差异明显,轮南镇胡杨群落物种丰富度与多样性指数最高,水工三连灰胡杨群落多样性最低,土壤水盐的空间异质性是引起荒漠植被空间分布与群落多样性差异的主导因子。表征荒漠群落多样性以重要值和盖度为测度指标优于多度指标,其中以重要值为测度指标来反映群落多样性更为合理。相关与主成分分析表明,均匀度与多样性指数间的相关性高于丰富度与多样性指数,且多样性指数受均匀度、优势度指数受丰富度影响较大,反映出荒漠河岸林群落多样性主要决定于物种分布的均匀程度。12种多样性指数中Margalef丰富度指数（Ma）、Shannon-Weiner多样性指数（H）与Simpson多样性指数（D）能客观真实地反映异质生境荒漠植物群落多样性。同时,针对高度生境异质性的荒漠植物群落,还应综合考虑群落物种组成与生境特征,选择合适的多样性指数组合可更客观地反映荒漠河岸林群落多样性变化。     

Seed development in the rare cold desert sand dune shrub Eremosparton songoricum and a comparison with other papilionoid legumes

No study has yet been carried out on seed development in a cold desert sand dune papilionoid legume. Thus, our primary aims were to (i) monitor seed development in the cold desert sand dune species Eremosparton songoricum from the time of pollination to seed maturity, and (ii) compare seed development in this species with that in other species of papilionoid legumes. Fruit and seed size, mass and seed moisture content, and seed imbibition, germination, desiccation tolerance and water retention during development (pollination to seed maturity) were monitored in the papilionaceous shrub E. songoricum in the Gurbantunggut Desert of northwest China. The duration of seed development was 40 days. Seeds reached physiological maturity 28 days after pollination (DAP), at which time 58% of them germinated and they had developed desiccation tolerance. Seeds became impermeable 36–40 DAP, when their moisture content was about 10%. The final stage of maturation drying occurred via loss of water through the hilum. The developmental stages and their timing (DAP) in seeds of E. songoricum are generally similar to those reported for other papilionaceous legumes with a water‐impermeable seed coat (physical dormancy). In general, the developmental features of seeds with water‐impermeable coats at maturity do not appear to be specific to habitat or phylogeny.     

沙丘稀有种准噶尔无叶豆花部综合特征与传粉适应性

植物花部特征进化与传粉适应性一直是进化生态学领域关注的核心问题之一。以古尔班通古特沙漠自然生长的准噶尔无叶豆为对象,对其花部特征和传粉特性进行了野外观察和室内的分析研究。结果表明:种群花期历时21 d,花序花期历时7-12 d,单花花期一般3 d,若遇阴雨天气,花期可延长1-2 d,整个花期龙骨瓣一直保持闭合状态。单花10枚花药在旗瓣微张时已全部完成散粉。准噶尔无叶豆主要靠分泌花蜜、鲜艳的花色以及旗瓣基部的黄色辐射状纹理结构吸引传粉者。准噶尔无叶豆花期的有效传粉者为4种蜂类昆虫,它们的平均访花频率为(7.75±0.57)次·花^-1·d^-1,访花高峰期表现为三峰型: 13:00-14:00,16:00-17:00和19:00-20:00。准噶尔无叶豆人工套袋实验表明该种为自交亲和型,主动自交少见,生殖成功依赖传粉者。胚珠成功受精至果实完全成熟阶段存在自交衰退,柱头角质层结构和花粉刷结构是准噶尔无叶豆在进化过程中形成的减少自交,倾向异交的机制。     

Habitat selection of two gobies (Microgobius gulosus, Gobiosoma robustum): influence of structural complexity, competitive interactions, and presence of a predator

Herein I compare the relative importance of preference for structurally complex habitat against avoidance of competitors and predators in two benthic fishes common in the Gulf of Mexico. The code goby Gobiosoma robustum Ginsburg and clown goby Microgobius gulosus (Girard) are common, ecologically similar fishes found throughout the Gulf of Mexico and in the southeastern Atlantic Ocean. In Florida Bay, these fishes exhibit habitat partitioning: G. robustum is most abundant in seagrass-dominated areas while M. gulosus is most abundant in sparsely vegetated habitats. In a small-scale field survey, I documented the microhabitat use of these species where their distributions overlap. In a series of laboratory experiments, I presented each species with structured (artificial seagrass) versus nonstructured (bare sand) habitats and measured their frequency of choosing either habitat type. I then examined the use of structured versus nonstructured habitats when the two species were placed together in a mixed group. Finally, I placed a predator (Opsanus beta) in the experimental aquaria to determine how its presence influenced habitat selection. In the field, G. robustum was more abundant in seagrass and M. gulosus was more abundant in bare mud. In the laboratory, both species selected grass over sand in allopatry. However, in sympatry, M. gulosus occupied sand more often when paired with G. robustum than when alone. G. robustum appears to directly influence the habitat choice of M. gulosus: It seems that M. gulosus is pushed out of the structured habitat that is the preferred habitat of G. robustum. Thus, competition appears to modify the habitat selection of these species when they occur in sympatry. Additionally, the presence of the toadfish was a sufficient stimulus to provoke both M. gulosus and G. robustum to increase their selection for sand (compared to single-species treatments). Distribution patterns of M. gulosus and G. robustum likely result from a synthesis of various biotic and abiotic filters, including physiological tolerances to environmental factors, dispersal ability of larvae, and availability of food. Selection for structural complexity, competition, and presence of predators may further define the resulting pattern of distribution observed in the field.     

不同生境对金马河温江段河岸带草本群落物种多样性和构件生物量的影响

采用典型样地法,以金马河流域温江段河岸带草本植物为研究对象,经实地踏查,根据采沙运沙干扰程度及样地具体使用情况,将样地划分为河滩地（未受采沙行为干扰,但后期受人类其他活动影响较大）、砾石地（采沙后经河水水位变化形成）、芦苇地［经运沙的车辆碾压形成,后长满芦苇(Phragmites australis)］、斑茅地［采沙后不再受水位影响的高地部分,后长满斑茅(Saccharum arundinaceum)］、沙坑（采沙后直接形成）5个生境类型,以探究不同生境对河岸带草本植物物种多样性和构件生物量的影响。结果表明：（1）在5个生境类型样地中共记录草本植物113种,隶属32科80属,其中沙坑生境草本植物物种数最多,共计59种,隶属21科46属,物种丰富度高,菊科(Compositae)、禾本科(Gramineae)植物在各样地中均较多。（2）斑茅地、芦苇地物种多样性指数较小,优势度指数较大,均匀度指数较小,群落物种分布极不均匀,集中度与均匀度较差,群落存在极大的不稳定性。（3）河滩地植物构件生物总量最少,斑茅地最多且根、茎干重与其他生境存在显著差异。（4）与其它生境类型相比,沙坑物种多样性丰富,分布均匀,构件生物量较多,其环境有利于河岸带植物生长。     

马鞍列岛多种生境中鱼类群聚的昼夜变化

为了解岛礁水域鱼类群聚的昼夜变化特征,以便更全面地设计采样方法和掌握采样的时间尺度,于2009年9月对马鞍列岛7种生境进行了共计24网次的刺网昼夜采样,结合排序和聚类方法,从种类组成、相对生物量和丰度、种类丰富度、多样性和相似性等方面对研究海域鱼类群聚特征的昼夜变化作了探讨.在采获的55种鱼类中,昼夜出现的分别为41和46种,数量差别不大,但其昼夜组成却随栖息水层的变化而不同,底层鱼类更趋向于夜间在硬相生境集群活动;近底层鱼类的昼夜集群随生境变化而变化,在同一生境中既有偏向白天也有趋向夜间的;中上层鱼类更多地出现在白天的人工生境(AH).AH白天的丰度渔获率显著大于晚上,而天然生境(NH)昼夜差别不大;生物量渔获率无论NH还是AH皆无显著昼夜差异.具体到种类,仅有小黄鱼Larimichthys polyactis和赤鼻棱鳗Thryssa kammalensis等少数种类的数量在AH有显著的昼夜差别,其他多数种类虽然昼夜的出现率大多有别,但渔获率昼夜差异皆不明显.多样性差异更多的表现在不同生境之间,而同一生境的昼夜差异往往不甚显著.各个生境中鱼类的昼夜种类交替现象非常明显,形成了以褐菖(鲐)Sebastiscus marmoratus和鳗鲇Plotosus anguillaris为代表的夜间优势类群为主的硬相生境群聚格局、以丝背细鳞鲀Stephanolepis cirrhifer和细刺鱼Microcanthus strigatus为代表的白天优势类群为主的硬相生境群聚格局以及缺乏底层优势类群、以石首鱼科鱼类为代表的近底层鱼类为绝对优势类群的软相生境群聚格局.因此,采用被动性渔具在近岸典型生境进行鱼类等相关生物调查时,应使采样时间覆盖昼夜两个时段,且至少保证24h.     

Habitat suitability models for the sand lizard Liolaemus wiegmannii based on landscape characteristics in temperate coastal dunes in Argentina

The knowledge of environmental variables associated with the species occurrence allows the recognition of sites which fulfil ecological requirements eventually used for conservation of species. The coastal dunes of Argentina are inhabited by sand lizards. Anthropic activities have severely degraded this ecosystem, affecting the habitat structure at a large scale. In this context, the effects of landscape characteristics on the sand lizard's (Liolaemus wiegmannii, Liolaemidae) presence were analysed to build habitat suitability maps along the coastal dunes of Argentina. A thematic map of study area was obtained from supervised classification of satellite images to identify landscape characteristics. Surveys were conducted during the lizard activity season, and landscape variables were measured in two spatial units. All information collected was compiled into a Geographic Information System. The relationship between the presence of lizards and landscape variables was evaluated by Generalized Linear Models. The predictions of these models were transferred by using Geographic Information System to habitat suitability maps. Almost all individuals (80%) were observed in semi‐fixed dunes. The analysis of landscape metrics in the two spatial extents showed complementary results. The habitat suitability models suggest that: (i) heterogeneous landscapes composed by disaggregated patches of semi‐fixed dunes and low or null percentages of active dunes distant from the coastline are the preferred environments, and (ii) human modifications such as urbanizations and forestation of dunes, have a negative impact on species occurrence. Suitable habitats were almost absent in those sectors of coastal dunes with highest level of urbanization, whereas they were distributed almost continuously in those areas without human disturbances.     

Habitat filtering drives the local distribution of congeneric species in a Brazilian white‐sand flooded tropical forest

The investigation of ecological processes that maintain species coexistence is revealing in naturally disturbed environments such as the white‐sand tropical forest, which is subject to periodic flooding that might pose strong habitat filtering to tree species. Congeneric species are a good model to investigate the relative importance of ecological processes that maintain high species diversity because they tend to exploit the same limiting resources and/or have similar tolerance limits to the same environmental conditions due to their close phylogenetic relationship. We aim to find evidence for the action and relative importance of different processes hypothesized to maintain species coexistence in a white‐sand flooded forest in Brazil, taking advantage of data on the detailed spatial structure of populations of congeneric species. Individuals of three Myrcia species were tagged, mapped, and measured for diameter at soil height in a 1‐ha plot. We also sampled seven environmental variables in the plot. We employed several spatial point process models to investigate the possible action of habitat filtering, interspecific competition, and dispersal limitation. Habitat filtering was the most important process driving the local distribution of the three Myrcia species, as they showed associations, albeit of different strength, to environmental variables related to flooding. We did not detect spatial patterns, such as spatial segregation and smaller size of nearby neighbors, that would be consistent with interspecific competition among the three congeneric species and other co‐occurring species. Even though congeners were spatially independent, they responded to differences in the environment. Last, dispersal limitation only led to spatial associations of different size classes for one of the species. Given that white‐sand flooded forests are highly threatened in Brazil, the preservation of their different habitats is of utmost importance to the maintenance of high species richness, as flooding drives the distribution of species in the community.     

Mussels matter: postlarval dispersal dynamics altered by a spatially complex ecosystem engineer

This study investigated postlarval dispersal of soft-bottom macrofauna at a spatially complex intertidal mudflat comprising patches of bare sediment and an ecosystem engineer, the mussel Mytilus edulis. At each of four sites in Guard Point Cove, Maine, USA, we took core samples and deployed bedload traps in bare sediment and mussel bed habitats to estimate ambient densities, rates of sediment flux, and several measures of postlarval dispersal. Univariate and multivariate nonmetric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) results showed few significant site effects and no habitat×site interactions. In contrast, there were numerous significant habitat effects. Compared to the bare sediment, the mussel bed habitat had: fewer species; higher ambient density and proportional abundance of the oligochaete Tubificoides benedeni (the dominant species in both habitats); lower ambient densities and proportional abundances of major taxa and the nonoligochaetes as a group; and higher sediment flux and relative (i.e., per capita) dispersal of nonoligochaetes. Macrofauna species dispersed in relative proportions that were different from those in the ambient assemblage. Per capita T. benedeni transport rates were low in mussel beds compared to those for nonoligochaetes, consistent with the view that beds represent favorable habitat for oligochaetes. The number of total macrofauna individuals trap⁻¹ day⁻¹ was negatively correlated with ambient density and positively correlated with sediment flux in both habitats, but these relationships were significant only in the mussel bed. The results indicate that altered transport rates of sediment and postlarvae are important mechanisms by which mussels act as ecosystem engineers to modify soft-bottom habitats. Differential transport rates caused by aggregations of mussels and other foundation species must be considered in explanations of spatial pattern in soft-bottom communities.     

Non‐reef habitats in a tropical seascape affect density and biomass of fishes on coral reefs

Nonreef habitats such as mangroves, seagrass, and macroalgal beds are important for foraging, spawning, and as nursery habitat for some coral reef fishes. The spatial configuration of nonreef habitats adjacent to coral reefs can therefore have a substantial influence on the distribution and composition of reef fish. We investigate how different habitats in a tropical seascape in the Philippines influence the presence, density, and biomass of coral reef fishes to understand the relative importance of different habitats across various spatial scales. A detailed seascape map generated from satellite imagery was combined with field surveys of fish and benthic habitat on coral reefs. We then compared the relative importance of local reef (within coral reef) and adjacent habitat (habitats in the surrounding seascape) variables for coral reef fishes. Overall, adjacent habitat variables were as important as local reef variables in explaining reef fish density and biomass, despite being fewer in number in final models. For adult and juvenile wrasses (Labridae), and juveniles of some parrotfish taxa (Chlorurus), adjacent habitat was more important in explaining fish density and biomass. Notably, wrasses were positively influenced by the amount of sand and macroalgae in the adjacent seascape. Adjacent habitat metrics with the highest relative importance were sand (positive), macroalgae (positive), and mangrove habitats (negative), and fish responses to these metrics were consistent across fish groups evaluated. The 500‐m spatial scale was selected most often in models for seascape variables. Local coral reef variables with the greatest importance were percent cover of live coral (positive), sand (negative), and macroalgae (mixed). Incorporating spatial metrics that describe the surrounding seascape will capture more holistic patterns of fish–habitat relationships on reefs. This is important in regions where protection of reef fish habitat is an integral part of fisheries management but where protection of nonreef habitats is often overlooked.