沙湖自然保护区鹞属鸟类多样性及其影响因子

在湖北沙湖湿地自然保护区4a的调查中,发现鹞属Circus鸟类有白头鹞C.a.aeruginosus、白尾鹞C.c.cyaneus、白腹鹞C.s.spilonotus 3种,186条样线的调查中共记录到363只.方差分析表明,4a的鹞属鸟类年度间平均数差异不显著.比较鹞属鸟类秋、冬季节平均丰度表明,秋季显著高于冬季.对鹞属鸟类分别进行秋、冬季节同期平均数比较,均无显著性差异.不同生境间鹞属鸟类多样性平均数差异极显著,草甸＞芦苇＞水域＞农田.3种鹞属鸟类的种间相遇概率及频率指数都是白尾鹞＞白头鹞＞白腹鹞.回归模型显示鹞属鸟类数量与环颈雉Phasianus colchicus的数量呈极显著正相关(r2 = 0.98,P ＜0.001).草甸面积变化对栖息于草甸的鹞属鸟类数量有极显著的影响.围网对鹞属鸟类在水域生境出现频次无显著影响.     

若尔盖高寒草甸退化对表栖节肢动物群落的影响

为了查明高寒草甸退化对表栖节肢动物的群落结构及多样性的影响,于2014年5月、7月和9月利用陷阱法对若尔盖县境内的沼泽草甸、草原草甸、中度退化草甸和重度退化草甸4种生境的表栖节肢动物群落进行了调查,共获得表栖节肢动物8364只,隶属于4纲17目123类(科或属)。优势类群为长跳属(Entomobrya)和球圆跳属(Sphaeridia),其中长跳属仅出现在草原草甸。重度退化草甸表栖节肢动物各多样性指数均显著低于其他生境,表明高寒草甸退化对表栖节肢动物群落组成有明显影响。此外,沼泽草甸表栖节肢动物9月的个体数量和丰富度指数高于5月和7月,其他生境均以7月较高,5月和9月较低;中度退化草甸和重度退化草甸的Shannon指数在不同月份间差异显著,Simpson指数仅在重度退化草甸有显著月份差异。不同生境间的月份差异表明,高寒草甸退化还可以影响表栖节肢动物的季节动态。回归分析表明,植物及土壤环境因子对表栖节肢动物群落的个体数量和多样性有显著影响。研究结果表明,高寒草甸退化可以通过改变植物群落及土壤环境等因子影响表栖节肢动物群落组成和多样性。     

扎龙湿地不同生境土壤微生物生物量碳氮的季节变化

为从土壤微生物生物量角度分析扎龙湿地不同生境的土壤肥力状况,对扎龙芦苇生境和草甸生境不同土层(0—10 cm、10—20 cm、20—30 cm)微生物生物量碳(MBC)、氮(MBN)季节变化进行监测,并分析了土壤微生物生物量碳氮与土壤环境因子的关系。结果表明:两种生境土壤MBC、MBN含量均表现出明显的垂直分布特征,即0—10 cm10—20 cm20—30 cm,且草甸生境显著大于芦苇生境。在整个生长季节内,两种生境土壤微生物量碳、氮均大致呈现出"W"型变化格局,其变化幅度均随着土层的加深而减小,且草甸生境的变化幅度显著大于芦苇生境。相关分析表明:芦苇生境土壤MBC与土壤含水率呈极显著正相关(P0.01),与土壤pH呈极显著负相关(P0.01),MBN与土壤含水率、有机碳、水解性氮呈极显著正相关(P0.01),与土壤pH呈极显著负相关(P0.01);草甸生境土壤MBC则均与土壤含水率、有机碳、有效磷、水解性氮呈极显著正相关(P0.01),与土壤pH值呈显著正相关(P0.05),MBN则均与土壤含水率、有效磷呈极显著正相关(P0.01),与有机碳呈显著正相关(P0.05)。     

崇明东滩越冬鸟类在养殖塘的空间分布

鸟类对空间的利用直接反映对栖息地的选择。通过对崇明东滩养殖塘越冬鸟类群落调查,运用空间自相关检验、空间插值分析和景观格局分析,研究越冬鸟类在养殖塘人工湿地的空间分布格局。结果显示:雁鸭类和鸻鹬类在养殖塘分布特征显著不同。雁鸭类呈现显著的空间自相关,为聚集分布,且丰富度和多度分布较为一致;而鸻鹬类在养殖塘以随机分布为主,丰富度显示一定的聚集分布。养殖塘已经成为崇明东滩越冬鸟类重要的栖息地,不同生态类群栖息地选择存在差异:芦苇植被发育好,水域面积较小且水深较深,不同斑块以聚集为特征的养殖塘是雁鸭类的适宜生境;鸻鹬类则偏好一定芦苇植被、水域面积大且水深较浅的养殖塘。因此在保护区土地利用和管理时应考虑不同生态类群对栖息地选择的差异。     

洞庭湖东方田鼠肥满度时空特征及与降水、温度、归一化植被指数的关系研究

为明确洞庭湖区东方田鼠Microtus fortis肥满度的时空特征及其与东方田鼠常用预警生态因子的关系,采用夹日法对洞庭湖7个调查区域不同生境的东方田鼠进行调查分析;收集洞庭湖区降水、温度、归一化植被指数(NDVI)等环境因子数据,分析不同性别东方田鼠肥满度与降水、温度、NDVI的关系。结果表明:1)不同性别东方田鼠肥满度时空特征较一致,春季和冬季不同生境雌雄东方田鼠的差异有高度统计学意义;在洲滩芦苇生境,雄雌东方田鼠在各季节间的差异有高度统计学意义;在洲滩苔草+芦苇+杨树生境,雄性肥满度各季节间的差异有统计学意义。2)雌性肥满度与季平均降水量呈显著正相关,雄性肥满度与季平均降水量无显著的相关关系。3)雌性和雄性的肥满度与季平均温度均无显著的相关关系。4)雌性肥满度与农田生境的NDVI呈显著正相关,雄性肥满度与农田生境的NDVI无显著的相关关系;雌性和雄性的肥满度与洲滩生境的NDVI均无显著的相关关系。研究认为,洞庭湖东方田鼠肥满度可以在一定程度上反映其对环境压力的反应,雌性对不利环境较雄性更加敏感,但在特定情况下,栖息地、食物可获得性等通过影响雌性东方田鼠肥满度,进一步影响东方田鼠种群增长。     

湖北沙湖冬季鸟类群落特征

2006年12月—2007年1月采用样线法对湖北沙湖自然保护区鸟类进行了调查,按照生境特征分为芦苇、草甸、农田、水域4个鸟类群落。共记录到鸟类76种,隶属12目28科,占湖北省鸟类种数456种的16.67%。其中,国家Ⅰ、Ⅱ级保护鸟类各1种和10种;濒危物种1种,易危物种2种,稀有物种1种。鸟类群落总体α多样性指数(H′)为2.37,均匀性指数(J)为0.55,优势度(C)为0.17,4个鸟类群落的H′、J和C值分别为：1.67～2.44、0.50～0.86、0.11～0.26。β多样性指数分析表明：农田-草甸的鸟类群落相似性指数(S_i)最高,为0.74,农田-水域的相似性指数最低,为0.40;Bray-Curtis指数(C_N)最高值是芦苇-草甸的鸟类群落,为0.00640,最低值是水域-农田,为0.00022。生境间异质性和人为活动是影响沙湖冬季鸟类群落特征的主要因素。     

ADAPTIVE PHYSIOLOGY OF DIFFERENT ECOTYPES OF Phragmites Communis TO SALINITY IN THE YELLOW RIVER DELTA

山东省黄河三角洲分布4种不同生态型芦苇——淡水沼泽芦苇、咸水沼泽芦苇、低盐草甸芦苇和高盐草甸芦苇。1994年与1995年的8～9月份对不同生境生态型芦苇的生长情况、群落组成及优势度进行观测,并测定4种不同生态型芦苇的有机和无机渗透剂以及渗透势和渗透调节能力。结果表明不同生态型芦苇的多度、盖度、植株高度、叶片含水量和渗透势均随生境盐度的增大而降低;低盐度下的芦苇其渗透剂以K     

鄱阳湖越冬白鹤觅食地特征分析

2008年11月至2009年3月,采用样线法、样方法和因子分析法对鄱阳湖国家级自然保护区越冬白鹤(Grus leucogranus)觅食地特征进行了研究。结果表明,白鹤在保护区的分布具有时空动态性,主要受水位和食物的控制;白鹤对不同类型觅食地具有选择性(P0.05),对沉水植物型觅食地,即以苦草(Vallisneria natans)、黑藻(Hydrilla verticillata)、马来眼子菜(Potamogeton malaianus)为主的沉水植物型生境利用度最大;白鹤各型觅食地各因子的方差分析表明,植被因子具有极显著差异(P0.001),基底因子和掘食因子具有显著差异(P0.05);因子分析表明,觅食地选择以取食效率因子为主,其次是基底因子和食物丰富度因子。     

黄河中下游农业景观中景观简化对传粉昆虫多样性的影响——以巩义市为例

在农业景观中,传粉昆虫的生存繁衍与半自然生境的面积大小有关。集约化生产方式使半自然生境比例逐渐减少,农田比例不断增加,随着景观简化梯度的变化(农田比例逐渐增大),传粉昆虫群落多样性将会发生怎样的变化?选择黄河中下游典型农区巩义市为研究区域,采用诱捕盘法(Pan traps)进行农田、林地的传粉昆虫取样,以21个样点作为景观简化梯度(农田比例范围5%—86%)的呈现,基于每个样点的传粉昆虫多度和丰富度变化来探究景观简化对传粉昆虫多样性的影响。结果显示:区内累计捕获传粉昆虫39660头,优势类群包括双翅目(Diptera)、膜翅目(Hymenoptera)、鞘翅目(Coleoptera)等。采用逐步回归分析及线性拟合后发现景观简化程度与传粉昆虫多度和丰富度呈显著负相关(P0.05);景观简化对传粉昆虫类群间的影响也是有差异的,其中对鞘翅目多度的影响最为密切(R~2=0.27),同时对膜翅目和双翅目也有较大影响(R~2=0.14、R~2=0.11),景观简化与鳞翅目多度呈正相关;随景观简化的程度加深,农田生境中膜翅目多度呈显著下降趋势(P0.05),而林地中膜翅目多度变化不明显。在未来的景观规划中,应着重考虑传粉昆虫中鞘翅目类群的栖息地变化及食物资源状况。依据研究结果建议林地生境中应注重保护现有的自然植被群落,在人工林中可以种植一定面积的蜜粉源植物;农田生境内对杂草群落、半自然生境斑块进行合理规划的基础上,还可以种植线性景观植物作为传粉昆虫的食物源。     

放牧干扰下若尔盖高原沼泽湿地植被种类组成及演替模式

以若尔盖高原退化沼泽植被为研究对象,应用多重比较、双因素方差分析、物种累积曲线、PCA排序、方差分解等方法分析了不同放牧压力、放牧季节下物种丰富度、多度、生活型组成、群落演替的变化。结果表明:不同放牧季节物种丰富度格局不尽相同,其中6、9、10月在各牧压梯度间无显著差异,7、8月均以极重度和极度阶段(中生草甸)的最高,原生沼泽的最低。在物种累积速率上,沿牧压梯度以极重度和极度阶段的最高,沿放牧季节以7、8月最高;双因素方差分析结果进一步表明物种丰富度与放牧季节无显著关系,但与放牧压力关系显著。放牧压力和放牧季节共解释了物种多度总方差的47.6%,其中放牧压力解释了50.1%,放牧季节以及二者方差交集均为负值;沿牧压梯度,沼泽植被逆向演替模式倾向于沼泽→草甸,沼泽化草甸阶段不明显,但是演替方向未发生变化,建群种替代规律为:乌拉草→木里苔草→栗褐苔草,生活型组成中直立型植物比例较少,莲座型和匍匐型植物增加。总之,放牧季节对物种丰富度无显著影响,但在一定程度上改变了其牧压梯度格局,降低了物种累积速率。放牧压力改变了群落物种丰富度、生活型组成和演替模式,但放牧可能仅为沼泽植物群落物种多样性格局和演替的驱动力之一。     

Pasture area and landscape heterogeneity are key determinants of bird diversity in intensively managed farmland

Agriculture intensification has drastically altered farmland mosaics, while semi-natural grasslands have been considerably reduced and fragmented. Bird declines in northern temperate latitudes are attributed to habitat loss and degradation in farmed landscapes. Conversely, landscape-modification effects on grassland/farmland bird communities are less studied in the South American temperate grasslands. We investigated how bird communities were influenced by landscape characteristics in the Rolling Pampa (Argentina). We sampled bird communities in 356 landscapes of 1-km radius that varied in cover and configuration of pastureland, flooding grassland and cropland. Using generalized linear models, we explored the relationship between both bird species richness and abundance, and landscape structure. Analyses were carried out for all species, and open-habitat, grassland and aquatic species. Pasture area was far the most important factor, followed by landscape composition, in predicting species richness and abundance, irrespective of specific habitat preferences, followed by partially-flooded grassland cover and its mean shape index. Grassland fragmentation did not affect species richness or abundance. When comparing the effects of landscape variables on bird richness and abundance (using mean model coefficients), pasture and grassland area effects were on average more than four times greater than those of compositional heterogeneity, and about ten times greater than shape effects. To conserve species-rich bird communities persisting in Rolling Pampa farmland, we recommend the preservation of pasture and grassland habitats, irrespective of their fragmentation level, in intensively managed farmland mosaics.     

Effect of abiotic factors on reproduction in the centre and periphery of breeding ranges: a comparative analysis in sympatric harriers

Variables such as weather or other abiotic factors should have a higher influence on demographic rates in border areas than in central areas, given that climatic adaptation might be important in determining range borders. Similarly, for a given area, the relationship between weather and reproduction should be dissimilar for species which are in the centre of their breeding range and those that are near the edge. We tested this hypothesis on two sympatric ground‐nesting raptors, the hen harrier Circus cyaneus and the Montagu's harrier Circus pygargus in Madrid, central Spain, where the hen harrier is at the southern edge of its breeding range in the western Palearctic and the Montagu's harrier is central in its distribution. We examined the reproductive success of both species during an 8‐yr period, and looked at the influence of the most stressful abiotic factors in the study area (between‐year variation in rainfall and within‐year variation in temperature) on reproductive parameters. In the hen harrier, low levels of rainfall during the breeding season had a negative influence on annual fledging success and thus on population fledgling production. The relationship between rainfall and reproduction was probably mediated through food abundance, which in Mediterranean habitat depends directly on rainfall levels. In the Montagu's harrier, no negative effect of dry seasons on productivity was found. Additionally, in the hen harrier, the proportion of eggs that did not hatch in each clutch increased with higher temperatures during the incubation period. No such relationship was found in the Montagu's harrier. We interpret these between‐species differences in terms of differences of breeding range and adaptations to the average conditions existing there. Hen harriers, commonest at northern latitudes, are probably best adapted to the most typical conditions at those latitudes, and have probably not developed thermoregulatory or behavioural mechanisms to cope with drought and high temperatures in Mediterranean habitats, in contrast to Montagu's harrier. Thus hen harrier distribution might be constrained by these variables, due to lower reproductive success or higher reproductive costs. Accordingly, a logistic regression analysis of the presence or absence of both species in 289 random points throughout the western Palearctic showed that the distribution of both species was related to temperature, but the relationship was in opposite directions for the two species: hen harriers had lower probability of breeding in areas with higher temperature (as expected in a species with a more northerly distribution).     

Reedbed structure and habitat preference of reed passerines during the post-breeding period

Post-breeding habitats of nine passerine species were studied in the permanently flooded reed beds of ponds near the village Pusté úlany (SW Slovakia) in 2002. Structural features of reed beds and the abundance of all birds studied were sampled at two sites and eight study plots. The reed bed structure and abundance of four passerines differed considerably between the individual study plots. The variations in vegetation structure were also caused by winter reed burning in the SE part of study area. Stems in burnt reed beds were smaller and thinner than unburnt. Abundance of the reed warbler and to a lesser extent sedge warbler was higher in tall reed beds, while the bearded tit preferred thick reed stems. Position of reed beds along the shore — open water gradient was an important factor in terms of abundance at the study plots in the case of the reed bunting. This species showed a strong preference for the reed bed edge with open water. Horizontal distribution of other species seems to be random, however, the birds with the exception of Savi’s warbler preferred the upper stratum of reed bed in vertical distribution. Our field data corroborate with those found in experimental studies concerning with ecomorphological characteristics of birds. Some inconsistencies, however, could also be caused by other factors (e.g. foraging preferences). Comparison of breeding and post-breeding habitat requirements of the studied bird species confirmed a more or less random distribution of the majority of species in the post-breeding period. Some variation was found in the cases of only the reed warbler and bearded tit.     

Management of reedbeds: mosaic reed cutting does not affect prey abundance and nest predation rate of reed passerine birds

Reed passerine birds are strict habitat specialists inhabiting reedbed habitats. In Europe, many of these species are threatened due to loss and degradation of natural reedbeds. Another important factor that can negatively affect the abundance of reed passerines is commercial reed harvesting. Previous studies have shown negative impacts of large-scale winter reed cutting on passerine breeding assemblages and arthropod communities. The effect of reed cutting on a small scale, however, has not been studied experimentally to date. The aim of this study was to investigate whether and how small-scale, mosaic reed cutting influences prey abundance and nest predation rate of reed passerines. In June, after the reed had reached maturity, we conducted nest predation experiments with artificial nests and arthropod sampling using pan traps in cut reed patches, adjacent uncut reed patches and unmanaged reedbed. We found no differences in the risk of egg predation between three types of reedbeds. In contrast, the abundance of arthropods in cut and adjacent uncut reed patches was significantly higher than that in unmanaged reedbed. We assume this was caused by habitat heterogeneity, small size of cut patches and their rapid recolonization by arthropods from adjacent uncut patches. Our results suggest that in contrast to large-scale reed cutting, small-scale, mosaic reed cutting has no negative effect on nest survival and food abundance of reed passerine birds. However, given that we performed all experiments in June, i.e., when the reed was mature, our findings cannot be generalized to whole breeding period of all reed passerine birds. Therefore, temporal variation in nest predation rate and arthropod abundance in managed and unmanaged reedbeds during the entire breeding season should be examined in future studies.     

Dolichopodid Biodiversity and Site Quality Assessment of Reed Marshes And Grasslands in Belgium (Diptera: Dolichopodidae)

The conservation value of grassland and reed marsh habitats in Belgium was determined on the basis of dolichopodid communities (Diptera: Dolichopodidae). Four grassland and one reed marsh sites within the 'Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen' Nature Reserve (B.O.) (Ghent) were sampled with white water traps from March 1993 until March 1994. Subsequently, these soil faunas were compared with those of reed marsh habitats in 'Het Meetjeslandse Krekengebied' (M.K.) sampled in 1990. Comparisons of species communities were carried out by means of multivariate analysis techniques. The DCA and CCA on the B.O. sites produced a clear separation between the grassland and the reed marsh communities. Light intensity and soil humidity were among the most important factors determining species distributions. The comparison between the B.O. and M.K. communities revealed that sampling sites were clustered according to their geographical location rather than to habitat type. Overall species richness and diversity was not significantly different between grasslands and reed marshes. However, conservation quality estimates of the sites using the Site Conservation Quality Index (SCQI) indicated that reed marshes comprise a considerably larger number of rare and Red Data Book species. Moreover, besides typical reed marsh-inhabiting species, reed marshes also house species with other ecological affinities sometimes in rather high abundance. As a result, reed marshes are considered highly valuable for the survival of several wetland dolichopodid species.     

陕西省黄河中游湿地冬季鸭科鸟类群落结构

2002～2007年冬季,对黄河中游湿地4种典型生境包括滩涂、人工渔塘、芦苇沼泽和莲池中的鸭科鸟类群落进行了调查.共记录到鸭科鸟类7属20种,采用频率指数法确定的优势种为斑嘴鸭、绿翅鸭、赤膀鸭、绿头鸭、普通秋沙鸭,其数量之和占总数量的65.6%.对4种不同生境的物种多样性、丰富度、均匀度、优势度进行分析,结果表明芦苇沼泽的多样性和丰富度指数最高,莲池的多样性和丰富度指数最低.人类活动引起的隐蔽场所和食物资源的变化是造成分布差异的主要原因.     

陕西延安北洛河流域蝗虫群落多样性研究

为了寻求有害蝗虫的防治对策,深入研究蝗虫生物多样性,用多样性指数、相似性分析等方法比较分析了延安北洛河流域不同生境中蝗虫群落组成。结果表明:草地中占有的属种数量均最高,灌草丛和农田中蝗虫的科属种都相对较低。不同生境蝗虫多样性指数的排列顺序为草地>河滩>灌草丛>农田,草地的多样性指数最高,农田的多样性指数最低。丰富度指数的变化趋势与多样性指数一致,而优势度指数却恰好与二者的顺序相反。在相似性分析中,草地和河滩相似性系数最大,说明草地和河滩这两种生境蝗虫种类组成的相似性较大,具有更多的共同种,从而可以推知草地和河滩的生境条件有一定的相似性,而农田和草地是两种完全不同的生境。     

Effect of snow cover on seasonal changes in diet, habitat, and regional distribution of raptors that prey on small mammals in boreal zones of Fennoscandia

Seasonal changes in spatial distribution of search effort of birds that prey on small mammals were studied in two structurally different coniferous forest habitats in the northern boreal zone in SE Norway. During the season with snow cover both the proportion of Microtus relative to that of Clethrionomys in the predators' diet, and their use of a clear-cut relative to that of older forest were lower than during the snow-free season. This was related to a lower relative availability of prey ( Microtus agrestis and M. oeconomus ) in the clear-cut when the ground was snow-covered than when it was snow-free. Based on this local pattern I suggest the following explanation for differences in migratory strategy between raptors that prey on small mammals in Fennoscandian boreal zones: species that migrate to snow-free areas in winter are either adapted to hunt by the energetically expensive method of quartering in open grassland habitats, where prey ( Microtus ) availability is relatively low during periods with snow cover (hen harrier Circus cyaneus , short-eared owl Asio flammeus , and longeared owl A. otus ), or by sit-and-wait in open grassland and forest habitats, the latter with relatively high prey availability during periods with snow cover, but unable to locate concealed prey (kestrel Falco tinnuculus , common buzzard Buteo huteo , and roughlegged buzzard B. lagopus ). In contrast, species that remain in areas with permanent snow cover during winter use the energetically cheap sit-and-wait tactic, and are able to hunt in closed forest habitat and localize concealed prey (the remaining owl species). Interspecific differences in prey availability as determined by hunting habitat and hunting mode is probably more important in shaping the migration patterns of Fennoscandian owls than is nest site availability.     

Contrasting patterns of change in the distribution and abundance of farmland birds in relation to farming system in lowland Britain

Patterns of change in distribution (presence/absence) and abundance since the late 1960s were examined in 20 species of farmland bird in southern Britain in predominantly arable (eastern), predominantly mixed (central) and predominantly grassland (western) regions. Comparisons were made between changes in distribution and in abundance to determine whether these measures show similar relationships to environmental change. Local extinctions of selected species and reductions in species richness were significantly greater in the predominantly grassland region. Decreases in abundance were greatest in seven species in the predominantly arable region, two in the mixed region and nine in the grassland region. Changes in distribution and abundance showed consistent patterns in three species, turtle dove Streptopelia turtur L., yellow wagtail Motacilla flava L. and reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus L. In another four species, grey partridge Perdix perdix L., lapwing Vanellus vanellus L., tree sparrow Passer montanus L. and corn bunting Miliaria calandra L., decreases in abundance were greatest in the arable region, yet declines in distribution were lowest. For other individual species, changes in distribution were too small to draw any conclusions in relation to farm type. We suggest that modern grassland systems are suboptimal habitats compared to arable or mixed agricultural land for many farmland species that occur at relatively low density in the more western, grass‐dominated region. Declines in abundance are therefore more likely to lead to local extinction in these areas than in eastern areas where abundance is higher. However, the role of changes in grassland management on bird populations requires further research. It is suggested that conclusions drawn from changes in distribution alone, in the absence of supporting data on changes in abundance, may be misleading where the aim is to assess how large‐scale spatial dynamics of populations relate to environmental change.     

Factors influencing the appearance of spider (Araneae) and beetle (Coleoptera) assemblages in nests of great reed warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus

The appearance of spider (Araneae) and beetle (Coleoptera) assemblages found in nests of great reed warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus was studied, firstly to investigate breeding success and the amount of precipitation as potential factors which might affect the abundance and species richness of both groups. In addition, we compared the diversity of spider and beetle assemblages between nests found in different reed habitats, and considered the position of nests (above water or dry ground). In this study we selected five different randomly chosen reed habitats: two mining ponds, two small canals and one large canal. Great Reed Warbler nests were collected either shortly after fledging, or after the clutch had failed. Altogether, 12 species of spider and 19 species of beetle were collected. In both groups there was no significant difference in abundance between successful, lost and cuckoo-parasitized nests; however, there was a significant difference in species richness between the three nest categories in spider assemblages, which was not the case in beetle assemblages. The amount of precipitation did not affect beetle or spider abundance; only the species richness of spiders showed significant growth. Furthermore, we found no significant relationship between vegetation cover and the species richness and abundance of spiders and beetles. The diversity of both groups differed significantly according to reed habitat: beetle assemblages were most diverse by the large canal and spiders at the mining ponds.