Reproductive allocation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carex flava</Emphasis> reacts differently to competition and resources in a designed plant mixture of five species

In natural plant communities, reproductive allocation can be affected by complex interactions among abiotic resources, species competition and plant size. This topic was addressed using a variety of designed mixed stands of five species (Carex elata, Carex flava, Lycopus europaeus, Lysimachia vulgaris and Mentha aquatica) under four abiotic conditions to investigate how competition and abiotic resources influence the reproductive allocation of one of the five species, C. flava. The plant mixtures varied systematically in both the relative abundance of the five species and the absolute density, and were each established with two levels of water and nutrients. In total, 176 mixtures were maintained for two growing seasons in large pots in an experimental garden. Reproductive allocation of C. flava increased from 6.8% to 9.7% under high nutrient application; however, for both nutrient levels, reproductive allocation was independent of shoot mass (size-independent allocation). Under low competition, reproductive allocation of C. flava decreased as its shoot mass increased, indicating a relatively high investment in vegetative structures under higher light availability. However, under strong competition, the allocation pattern changed and a constant reproductive allocation for different plant sizes was observed. Different water levels did not influence the shoot mass, seed mass or reproductive allocation of C. flava, indicating that the species was not stressed under dryer conditions. When under competitive pressure, however, the species responded with reduced shoot and seed production under more favourable water conditions. This behaviour indicates a trade-off between the ability to tolerate stress and the competitive and reproductive response of C. flava. In conclusion, C. flava was adversely affected by competition with some of the species, and competition, mediated by plant size, indirectly affected reproductive allocation. C. flava was able to modify its allocation pattern depending on the available resources and retained its reproductive allocation even under unfavourable conditions for varying plant sizes, which is interpreted as an advantageous reaction to greater competition pressure. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Response of plant species and life form diversity to variable fire histories and biomass in the jarrah forest of south‐west Australia

Frequent fires reduce the abundance of woody plant species and favour herbaceous species. Plant species richness also tends to increase with decreasing vegetation biomass and cover due to reduced competition for light. We assessed the influence of variable fire histories and site biomass on the following diversity measures: woody and herbaceous species richness, overall species richness and evenness, and life form evenness (i.e. the relative abundance or dominance among six herbaceous and six woody plant life forms), across 16 mixed jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and marri (Corymbia calophylla) forest stands in south‐west Australia. Fire frequency was defined as the total number of fires over a 30‐year period. Overall species richness and species evenness did not vary with fire frequency or biomass. However, there were more herbaceous species (particularly rushes, geophytes and herbs) where there were fewer shrubs and low biomass, suggesting that more herbaceous species coexist where dominance by shrubs is low. Frequently burnt plots also had lower number and abundance of shrub species. Life form evenness was also higher at both high fire frequency and low biomass sites. These results suggest that the impact of fire frequency and biomass on vegetation composition is mediated by local interactions among different life forms rather than among individual species. Our results demonstrate that measuring the variation in the relative diversity of different woody and herbaceous life forms is crucial to understanding the compositional response of forests and other structurally complex vegetation communities to changes in disturbance regime such as increased fire frequency.     

Changing leaf litter feedbacks on plant production across contrasting sub-arctic peatland species and growth forms

Plant species and growth forms differ widely in litter chemistry, which affects decay and may have important consequences for plant growth via e.g. the release of nutrients and growth-inhibitory compounds. We investigated the overall short-term (9.5 months) and medium-term (21.5 months) feedback effects of leaf litter quality and quantity on plant production, and tested whether growth forms can be used to generalise differences among litter species. Leaf litter effects of 21 sub-arctic vascular peatland species on Poa alpina test plants changed clearly with time. Across all growth forms, litter initially reduced plant biomass compared with untreated plants, particularly litters with a high decomposition rate or low initial lignin/P ratio. In the second year, however, litter effects were neutral or positive, and related to initial litter N concentration (positive), C/N, polyphenol/N and polyphenol/P ratios (all negative), but not to decomposability. Differences in effect size among several litter species were large, while differences in response to increasing litter quantities were not significant or of similar magnitude to differences in response to three contrasting litter species. Growth forms did not differ in initial litter effects, but second-year plant production showed a trend (P < 0.10) for differences in response to litters of different growth forms: evergreen shrubs < graminoids or deciduous shrubs < forbs. While long-persisting negative litter effects were predominant across all growth forms, our data indicate that even within nutrient-constrained ecosystems such as northern peatlands, vascular plant species, and possibly growth forms, differ in litter feedbacks to plant growth. Differences in the composition of undisturbed plant communities or species shifts induced by external disturbance, such as climate change, may therefore feedback strongly to plant biomass production and probably nutrient cycling rates in northern peatlands. Electronic supplementary material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

The consequence of species loss on ecosystem nitrogen cycling depends on community compensation

Repercussions of species loss on ecosystem processes depend on the effects of the lost species as well as the compensatory responses of the remaining species in the community. We experimentally removed two co-dominant plant species and added a ¹⁵N tracer in alpine tundra to compare how species’ functional differences influence community structure and N cycling. For both of the species, production compensated for the biomass removed by the second year. However, the responses of the remaining species depended on which species was removed. These differences in compensation influenced how species loss impacted ecosystem processes. After the removal of one of the co-dominant species, Acomastylis rossii, there were few changes in the relative abundance of the remaining species, and differences in functioning could be predicted based on effects associated with the removed species. In contrast, the removal of the other co-dominant, Deschampsia caespitosa, was associated with subsequent changes in community structure (species relative abundances and diversity) and impacts on ecosystem properties (microbial biomass N, dissolved organic N, and N uptake of subordinate species). Variation in compensation may contribute to the resulting effects on ecosystem functioning, with the potential to buffer or accelerate the effects of species loss.     

The effect of spring burning on competitive ranking of prairie species

Abstract. A common explanation for the changes in species abundance following a fire is a shift in competitive ranking. However, experimental tests have been inconsistent and generally do not support this explanation. I examined the competitive ability of an abundant C₄ grass, Andropogon gerardii, and a C₃ forb, Ratibida pinnata, in a prairie remnant in northern Ohio, USA, for each of three years following a spring burn in 1996. While the abiotic environment directly influenced both species similarly, relative competitive abilities in terms of growth changed markedly: in 1996 Andropogon was less inhibited by neighbors; in 1997 both Andropogon and Ratibida had similar competitive abilities; and in 1998 Ratibida was less inhibited by neighbors. This shift in competitive response ranking paralleled the changes in relative abundance for the two species. In contrast, the effect of neighbors on survival changed markedly over time but did not differ among the two species. Thus, fire may influence species abundance through changing species competitive response ranking, at least in terms of growth.     

四种草本植物混播处理在西藏措那湖沙害区植被恢复中的表现

在西藏措那湖沙害区采用不同物种搭配方式和混播比例对红豆草、紫花苜蓿(三得利)、披碱草、高羊茅进行播种,并在播种当年和第二年生长期结束后对生物量等特性进行分析,旨在找到适合在措那湖沙区植被恢复中可应用的适宜草种及最佳的种植方式。结果表明:1)播种当年混播方式对两种禾本科植物披碱草和高羊茅的株高、根长影响不显著,但会使两种豆科植物红豆草和紫花苜蓿的株高增加;2)混播方式对草地单位面积的生物量有明显的影响,豆禾草种混播处理中生物量会随着豆科植物比例的减小而增加,播种当年披碱草单播及披碱草+高羊茅(5∶5)的混播处理有较高的生物量,分别为(756.33±96.29) g/m²、(720.25±35.63) g/m²,次年披碱草单播及披碱草+高羊茅(7∶3)的处理总生物量最高分别为(832.13±124.71) g/m²、(723.83±57.14) g/m²;3)披碱草+高羊茅3个混播比例的处理两年中均表现出较高的盖度,其中播种当年披碱草+高羊茅(5∶5)的处理盖度最大为87%,次年盖度均达到60%以上;4...     

Changes in Different Trophic Levels of Litter-dwelling Macrofauna Associated with Giant Knotweed Invasion

Abstract The highly invasive giant knotweed (Reynoutria spp.) often displaces nettle (Urtica dioica) dominated stands in European floodplains. Urtica-dominated stands differ from the monospecific Reynoutria stands in plant species richness and stand structure. We thus hypothesize that Reynoutria invasion profoundly alters ecosystem structure and function, with negative effects cascading up through the food chain. We performed a paired sampling design in six sites belonging to two different locations and studied effects on the soil and the litter-dwelling fauna. Reynoutria stands differed in habitat structure and were characterized by decreased soil pH and potassium depletion. The faunal analysis is based on model groups of herbivore generalists (Gastropoda), detritivores (Isopoda and Diplopoda), and predators (Opiliones). The gastropod assemblages from Reynoutria stands were severely impoverished subsets of those from Urtica stands with reduced densities, species richness and diversity. In general, snails were more sensitive to Reynoutria invasion than slugs such as the invasive Arion 'lusitanicus’. Among detritivores, the abundance of the Isopoda decreased, whereas Diplopoda were not affected by Reynoutria invasion. Yet, the relative abundance of detritivores was significantly higher within the Reynoutria stands. Abundance, species richness and diversity of the predatory Opiliones were higher in the relatively sparse Reynoutria stands. We conclude that ecosystem changes associated with Reynoutria invasion are characterized by shifts from a plant-based to a detritus-based food chain and that Reynoutria invasion primarily enhances predators that profit from the simplified vegetation structure. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Erratum to: How do UV radiation, temperature, and zooplankton influence the dynamics of alpine phytoplankton communities?

Plankton in mountain lakes are confronted with generally higher levels of incident ultraviolet radiation (UVR), lower temperatures, and shorter growing seasons than their lower elevation counterparts. The direct inhibitory effects of high UVR and low temperatures on montane phytoplankton are widely recognized. Yet little is known about the indirect effects of these two abiotic factors on phytoplankton, and more specifically whether they alter zooplankton grazing rates which may in turn influence phytoplankton. Here, we report the results of field microcosm experiments that examine the impact of temperature and UVR on phytoplankton growth rates and zooplankton grazing rates (by adult female calanoid copepods). We also examine consequent changes in the absolute and relative abundance of the four dominant phytoplankton species present in the source lake (Asterionella formosa, Dinobryon sp., Discostella stelligera, and Fragilaria crotonensis). All four species exhibited higher growth rates at higher temperatures and three of the four species (all except Dinobryon) exhibited lower growth rates in the presence of UVR versus when shielded from UVR. The in situ grazing rates of zooplankton had significant effects on all species except Asterionella. Lower temperatures significantly reduced grazing rates on Fragilaria and Discostella, but not Dinobryon. While UVR had no effect on zooplankton grazing on any of the four species, there was a significant interaction effect of temperature and UVR on zooplankton grazing on Dinobryon. Discostella and Dinobryon increased in abundance relative to the other species in the presence of UVR. Colder temperatures, the presence of zooplankton, and UVR all had consistently negative effects on rates of increase in overall phytoplankton biomass. These results demonstrate the importance of indirect as well as direct effects of climate forcing by UVR and temperature on phytoplankton community composition in mountain lakes, and suggest that warmer climates and higher UVR levels may favor certain species over others.     

Species richness and seasonal abundance of ectomycorrhizal fungi in plantations of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Eucalyptus dunnii</Emphasis> and<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Pinus taeda</Emphasis> in southern Brazil

The abundance and diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) was assessed based on the collection of basidiocarps during 12 months comprising the spring of 1995, and the summer, autumn, and winter of 1996, in three stands of young, middle-aged, and rotation age plantations of Pinus taeda and Eucalyptus dunnii, in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. A total of 3,085 collections yielded 34 presumed EMF taxa in ten genera, including mushroom-like and sequestrate species. Fruiting patterns of EMF differed with host and season, and host specificity was apparent in some. The overall relative importance (RI) and the Shannon diversity index (H) suggested that stands of E. dunnii had a more diverse aboveground EMF community than those of P. taeda. Overall, species of Scleroderma and Laccaria were not only the most abundant but also had the highest biomass values. The results show that a small number of species of abundant biomass and a larger number of species of less-abundant biomass characterize each forest class.     

Direct evidence that density-dependent regulation underpins the temporal stability of abundant species in a diverse animal community

To understand how ecosystems are structured and stabilized, and to identify when communities are at risk of damage or collapse, we need to know how the abundances of the taxa in the entire assemblage vary over ecologically meaningful timescales. Here, we present an analysis of species temporal variability within a single large vertebrate community. Using an exceptionally complete 33-year monthly time series following the dynamics of 81 species of fishes, we show that the most abundant species are least variable in terms of temporal biomass, because they are under density-dependent (negative feedback) regulation. At the other extreme, a relatively large number of low abundance transient species exhibit the greatest population variability. The high stability of the consistently common high abundance species—a result of density-dependence—is reflected in the observation that they consistently represent over 98% of total fish biomass. This leads to steady ecosystem nutrient and energy flux irrespective of the changes in species number and abundance among the large number of low abundance transient species. While the density-dependence of the core species ensures stability under the existing environmental regime, the pool of transient species may support long-term stability by replacing core species should environmental conditions change.     

东北地区两个主要树种地上生物量通用方程构建

目前,东北落叶松地上生物量方程主要采用分树种或把不同树种归为一体的方法,但是,既能反映落叶松生物量与自变量的平均关系,又能反映不同树种间生物量差异程度的通用性落叶松生物量方程迄今尚未构建。因此,以东北地区兴安落叶松和长白落叶松地上生物量数据为研究对象,构建一元(自变量为胸径)、二元(自变量为胸径和树高)和三元(自变量为胸径、树高和冠幅)的不同树种生物量通用方程。由于起源和地域的不同,生物量可能会存在一定程度差异,进而,在所构建的不同树种生物量通用方程的基础上,考虑起源和地域的差异,利用哑变量方法构建既能考虑不同树种又能考虑林分起源和不同地域的东北落叶松地上生物量通用方程,并利用加权最小二乘法剔除方程异方差。结果表明:通过哑变量方法构建不同树种生物量模型方法可行;不论是传统的生物量方程,还是只考虑树种或同时考虑树种、起源和地域的通用生物量方程,增加自变量能提高方程预测效果,即,三元生物量方程预测精度最高,二元生物量方程次之,一元生物量方程最低;当同时考虑树种、起源和地域时,方程预测精度最高,只考虑树种的生物量通用方程次之,传统生物量方程最低。因此,如果数据允许,建议构建考虑不同树种、起源和地域的三元生物量方程估计东北地区长白落叶松和兴安落叶松地上生物量。     

Contrasting responses of black fly species (Diptera: Simuliidae) to experimental whole-stream warming

1. As global temperatures continue to rise, assessment of how species within ecological communities respond to shifts in temperature has become increasingly important. However, such assessments require detailed long-term observations or ecosystem-level manipulations that allow for interactions among species and the potential for species dispersal and exchange with the regional species pool.
2. We examined the effects of experimental whole-stream warming on a larval black fly assemblage in southwest Iceland. We used a paired-catchment design, in which we studied the warmed stream and a nearby reference stream for 1 year prior to warming and 2 years during warming and estimated population abundance, biomass, secondary production, and growth rates for larvae of three black fly species.
3. Experimental warming by 3.8°C had contrasting effects on the three black fly species in the assemblage. The abundance, biomass, growth, and production of Prosimulium ursinum decreased in the experimental stream during the warming manipulation. Despite increasing in the reference stream, the abundance, biomass, and production of another species, Simulium vernum, decreased in the experimental stream during warming.
4. In contrast, warming had an overall positive effect on Simulium vittatum. While warming had little effect on the growth of overwintering cohorts of S. vittatum, warming led to an additional cohort during the summer months and increased its abundance, biomass, and production. Overall, family-level production was enhanced by warming, despite variation in species-level responses.
5. Our study illustrates that the effects of climate warming are likely to differ even among closely related species. Moreover, our study highlights the need for further investigation into the uneven effects of warming on individual species and how those variable effects influence food web dynamics and ecosystem function.

     

Long‐term successional forest dynamics: species and community responses to climatic variability

Question: Are trees sensitive to climatic variability, and do tree species differ in their responses to climatic variability? Does sensitivity of forest communities to climatic variability depend on stand composition? Location: Mixed young forest at Walker Branch Watershed near Oak Ridge, East Tennessee, USA. Methods: Using a long‐term dataset (1967–2006), we analyzed temporal forest dynamics at the tree and species level, and community dynamics for forest stands that differed in initial species composition (i.e., chestnut oak, oak–hickory, pine, and yellow poplar stands). Using summer drought and growing season temperature as defined climate drivers, we evaluated relationships between forest dynamics and climate across levels of organization. Results: Over the four‐decade study period, forest communities underwent successional change and substantially increased in biomass. Variation in summer drought and growing season temperature contributed to temporal biomass dynamics for some tree species, but not for others. Stand‐level responses to climatic variability were related to the responses of component species, except in pine stands. Pinus echinata, the dominant species in pine stands, decreased over time due to periodic outbreaks of pine bark beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis). These outbreaks at Walker Branch could not be directly related to climatic conditions. Conclusions: The results indicate that sensitivity of developing forests to climatic variability is stand type‐dependent, and hence is a function of species composition. However, in the long term, direct effects of climatic variability on forest dynamics may be small relative to autogenic successional processes or climate‐related insect outbreaks. Empirical studies testing for interactions between forest succession and climatic variability are needed.     

Fire,grazing history,lichen abundance,and winter distribution of caribou in Alaska's taiga

In the early 1990s the Nelchina Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) Herd (NCH) began a dramatic shift to its current winter range, migrating at least an additional 100 km beyond its historic range. We evaluated the impacts of fire and grazing history on lichen abundance and subsequent use and distribution by the NCH. Historic (prior to 1990) and current (2002) winter ranges of the NCH had similar vascular vegetation, lichen cover (P = 0.491), and fire histories (P = 0.535), but the former range had significantly less forage lichen biomass as a result of grazing by caribou. Biomass of forage lichens was twice as great overall (P = 0.031) and 4 times greater in caribou selected sites on the current range than in the historic range, greatly increasing availability to caribou. Caribou on the current range selected for stands with >20% lichen cover (P < 0.001), greater than 1,250 kg/ha (P < 0.001) forage lichen biomass and stands older than 80 yr postfire (P < 0.001). After fires, forage lichen cover and biomass seldom recovered sufficiently to attract caribou grazing until after ≥60 yr, and, as a group, primary forage lichen species did not reach maximum abundance until 180 yr postfire. Recovery following overgrazing can occur much more quickly because lichen cover, albeit mostly fragments, and organic substrates remain present. Our results provide benchmarks for wildlife managers assessing condition of caribou winter range and predicting effects of fires on lichen abundance and caribou distribution. Of our measurements of cover and biomass by species, densities and heights of trees, elevation, slope and aspect, only percentage cover by Cladonia amaurocraea, Cladina rangiferina, Flavocetraria cuculata, and lowbush cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) were necessary for predicting caribou use of winter range. © 2011 The Wildlife Society     

Dynamics of Thuja occidentalis in an agricultural landscape of southern Quebec

Abstract. Human impact influences patterns of plant distribution and dominates disturbance dynamics in the agricultural landscape of Haut-Saint-Laurent, Québec. We investigated the influence of such impact on the dynamics of Thuja occidentalis in the hardwood forest of southern Québec. A bimodal species of either dry or wet habitats, T. occidentalis has successfully invaded mesic sites of the study area where, although generally considered a poor competitor, it persists as dense populations that seem to resist invasion by more tolerant species. As Acer saccharum is expected to be a dominant latesuccessional species under mesic conditions, we first evaluated the relative importance of abiotic and historical factors in the distribution of 34 T. occidentalis stands and 21 A. saccharum stands. We then classified 55 stands that include T. occidentalis and investigated the dynamic relationships between the species and its associates in 13 mixed mesic sites. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) of T. occidentalis and A. saccharum stands suggested that land use and drainage are the most important variables correlated with plant community composition. A partial CCA with drainage as the constraining variable showed that T. occidentalis stands were significantly associated to present or past use as pasture. Correspondence analysis of 55 stands where T. occidentalis is present produced a clear segregation between nearly monospecific stands and mixed communities, but the chosen environmental variables were not significant in explaining the vegetation gradient at this scale. In all mixed stands, Thuja occidentalis was most often associated with Ulmus americana, Acer rubrum, Betula populifolia, Fraxinus americana, A. saccharum, and Tsuga canadensis. Finally, size-class ordination of 13 mixed mesic stands did not show convergence toward A. saccharum. Our results suggest that grazing has played a significant part in the appearance of T. occidentalis stands on mesic sites, whereas competition processes and landscape patterns possibly contribute to the maintenance of relatively persistent T. occidentalis stands in the landscape.     

Associations between macrobenthos and invasive cordgrass, Spartina anglica, in the Danish Wadden Sea

We conducted a survey to provide knowledge on mechanisms controlling spatial and temporal variability of macrobenthos in an intertidal Wadden Sea area partly covered by invasive Spartina anglica. Benthic macrofauna was collected seasonally at seven stations along a transect covering non-vegetated mudflat and vegetated marsh areas. Shannon diversity index was consistently higher for macrobenthos in the open mudflat compared to the marsh area. Infaunal species, like Arenicola marina, Tubificoides benedeni and Macoma balthica, were more abundant in the mudflat than the marsh, while the opposite was evident for epifaunal species, like Hydrobia ulvae and Littorina littorea. The infaunal crustacean, Corophium volutator, on the other hand, appeared particularly attracted to the mudflat–marsh boundary. The biomass of below-ground plant materials and macrodetritus was positively correlated with the total macrofaunal abundance, while the biomass of dead below-ground plant materials alone showed a significant negative correlation with infaunal abundance. Total macrofaunal abundance was highest during summer in the mudflat, while no seasonal pattern was evident in the marsh. The negative influence of S. anglica invasions on infaunal abundance may have serious implications for higher trophic levels, such as waterbirds, that forage in Wadden Sea areas and thus for the overall biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.     

Effects of abiotic and anthropogenic factors on the spatial distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus faginea</Emphasis> in the Spanish Central Pyrenees

Abiotic factors often are the most important factors influencing a species’ distribution. Nevertheless, when investigating the underlying causes of a species’ distribution, it is important to assess both the abiotic and the anthropogenic factors (land-use variables) that might have influenced the species’ distribution. That is especially true in the Mediterranean Basin, where natural ecosystems have undergone significant changes in response to anthropogenic pressures in the region. In this study, we examined the effects of abiotic and anthropogenic factors on the distribution of Quercus faginea in the Spanish Central Pyrenees. Information on the presence–absence of Q. faginea, and abiotic and anthropogenic variables, were derived using GIS based on digital maps and aerial photographs. To identify and quantify the factors that have affected significantly the spatial distribution of Q. faginea, we used Bayesian Model Averaging and hierarchical partitioning. In the Spanish Central Pyrenees, on a broad scale, abiotic variables; i.e. climate and lithology, were the factors that had the greatest effect on the spatial distribution of Q. faginea; however, recently introduced pine plantations and previous livestock pressure have had a negative effect on the distribution of Q. faginea in the region.     

Community homogenization and the invasiveness of commensal species in Mediterranean afforested landscapes

The ecological consequences of homogenization remain relatively unexplored. One example of landscape-homogenizing is the establishment of plantations. We studied the effect of human-made forests by contrasting plant and small-mammal community composition between planted tree stands and adjacent natural habitat in two different Mediterranean habitats in Israel: (1) inland habitat where we focused on pine (Pinus halepensis) and carob (Ceratonia siliqua) stands, and (2) coastal sand dune habitat where we focused on planted acacia (Acacia saligna) stands. We first wanted to verify whether planted trees modify plant species composition, and second, if and how the small-mammal community is affected by the different habitat conditions created in plantations with different canopy cover. We were especially interested in the abundance of the commensal house mouse (Mus musculus). All tree stands underwent biotic homogenization indicated by abundance of house mice coupled with lower diversity of indigenous vegetation and small-mammal abundances and diversities. Habitat structural diversity was positively related with small-mammals diversity and was lower in artificial tree stands in both habitats. Our results suggest that using the abundance of commensal generalist species such as the house mouse relative to other more specialist small-mammals is a good approach to determine ecosystem integrity. Pre-commercial thinning treatment is a potential management tool to maintain a proportion of native tree species within the canopy of planted tree stands. However, until sufficient data is available for making generalizations, the exact level of thinning necessary to reverse the homogenization processes in man-made plantations and keeping indigenous small-mammal communities diverse and less prone to invasion must be determined empirically.     

Long‐term effects of the abandonment of grazing on steppe‐like grasslands

Question: What are the consequences of grazing abandonment on the Stipa lessingiana dominated steppe‐like grasslands? What is the relative importance of management and environmental factors in causing variation in species composition and abundance in the continuously grazed and abandoned grassland stands? Location: Transylvanian Lowland, Romania. Methods: Repeated vegetation mapping of a grassland stand, where grazing was abandoned 35 years ago; re‐sampling six grassland stands surveyed 29–57 years ago. For revealing long‐term changes in species composition and rank abundance PCoA ordination was applied. The relative importance of management and environmental factors in structuring vegetation were explored by CCA ordination. Diversity, evenness and the relative number and abundance of red‐listed species were compared between managed and abandoned stands. Results: Our results pointed out that grasslands which were formerly grazed and dominated by S. lessingiana, in the long‐term absence of grazing, have been transformed into a S. pulcherrima dominated type. Management, probably by creating bare surfaces and preventing litter accumulation, had the strongest effect on the species composition and abundance in the grasslands. Abandoned grassland stands had lower diversity and evenness compared to continuously grazed stands. While at the same time, the relative number of threatened, rare species did not differ between managed and abandoned sites. Conclusion: Maintaining extensively grazed, as well as un‐managed, Stipa dominated grasslands would be important in order to create various habitat conditions for plant species, especially threatened and rare species, and promote diversity on the landscape scale.     

Influence of N2-fixing Trifolium on plant species composition and biomass production in alpine tundra

Alpine Trifolium species have high rates of symbiotic N₂-fixation which may influence the abundance and growth of plant species growing near them. The potential for facilitative effects on plant abundance and growth in dry meadow alpine tundra of Niwot Ridge, Colo., characterized by low resource availability, was investigated by measuring soil N, aboveground biomass production, and plant species composition in patches of Trifolium dasyphyllum and surrounding tundra. Extractable inorganic N was more than twofold greater and extractable P was 27% lower in Trifolium patches than in surrounding tundra. Aboveground production was twofold greater in Trifolium patches than in surrounding tundra. However, the difference was largely due to the production of T. dasyphyllum relative to the non-Trifolium component of biomass, which was not different between the Trifolium patches and surrounding tundra. In the Trifolium patches, the proportion of graminoid biomass was lower while the proportion of forb biomass was higher relative to surrounding tundra. Although the abundance of some species was positively associated with the presence of Trifolium, other species were less abundant, possibly due to increased competition for P and differential abilities of alpine species to respond to increased N availability. Trifolium may exert both facilitative and inhibitive effects on dry meadow alpine species and, in the process, substantially influence the spatial heterogeneity in community structure and primary production. Received: 14 October 1997 / Accepted: 2 February 1998