Biological diversity and cultural heritage

In this paper some examples of the development of communities of microorganisms and plants on historic buildings and montiments are shown. When the building stones differ from the surrounding natural substrata, an increase in the biological diversity of the area is produced. In some cases, monuments can come to constitute a true refuge for a few species when the natural habitat is threatened. It is suggested that biological diversity, when it does not represent a threat for the cultural heritage, should be considered worthy of preservation.     

Application of molecular nucleic acid-based techniques for the study of microbial communities in monuments and artworks.

Microorganisms play critical roles in every kind of habitat on Earth, including those constructed by humans. Thus, our cultural heritage is affected by microbial colonization. While classical microbiological methods based on culturing procedures have provided important, but limited information on the microbial diversity of natural samples, novel molecular techniques have been extremely valuable in unraveling the diversity of microbiota involved in the biodeterioration of our monuments and artworks. The knowledge gained from these approaches has allowed the design of strategies for conserving and protecting monuments for the benefit of future generations. This review describes the state-of-the-art of the application of molecular methods to the analysis of cultural assets, and provides near-future perspectives on the subject.     

北京的珍贵自然遗产——植物多样性

植物多样性是一个地区最重要的自然遗产之一,是人类生存和发展不可缺少的依靠,认识并理解这一自然遗产,并在经济发展中特别加以保护,是不可推卸的责任.北京是举世公认的文化名都,它的众多的文化古迹有大量文献加以记述和评论,但其独特的自然遗产,一直未受到应有的注意.从物种和群落两个层次论述了北京地区植物多样性的组成和特点,并指出过渡性的气候及复杂的地质地貌条件,也就是它的地多样性（geodiversity）是形成其复杂的植物多样性的基础,最后对北京地区植物多样性当前面临的威胁及其缓解办法,提出建议.     

Ecological approach to the genesis of calcium oxalate patinas on stone monuments

Summary The genesis of calcium oxalate patinas on stone monuments gives rise to controversial opinions. One of the proposed hypotheses links this phenomenon to the past presence of lichens on the exposed surfaces of monuments. However, the growth of a biological species cannot occur if environmental conditions are not compatible with its autoecology. Analysis of variations of the environmental factors that can act as «limiting factors» shows that in most monuments, the various exposures are not always compatible with biological growth. The environmental factor that seems to be the most limiting is the amount of surface water that is frequently below the range of tolerance of even the most xerophylous species. In the case of Trajan's column in Rome, the distribution of oxalate layers shows an opposite trend with respect to what we would expect for lichen colonization. Presently other kinds of biological colonization cannot be excluded.     

The potential role of large herbivores in nature conservation and extensive land use in Europe

The concept of ecosystem restoration is gaining momentum in western Europe. This is necessary because in most managed nature reserves one or more of the following processes, which are analogous to those that have led to the dramatic loss of biological diversity in Europe, are still operating: continuing nutrient output, continuing high level of disturbance and fixing the system in some successional stage. This is partly because most management activities have been derived from, or copy, former agricultural practices. The study of natural ecosystems has revealed the key role large herbivores have in maintaining structural diversity in the vegetation and so biological diversity. Because of this they have been used as tools in achieving a variety of conservation goals. Here, various effects large herbivores can have on plant species composition, structural diversity of the vegetation and fauna are briefly reviewed. Attention is given to pasture-woodlands in southern Europe, which often have a relatively high biological diversity and share some key features with natural ecosystems: very low nutrient input, extensive grazing with large herbivores and the presence of natural tree cover. In a number of European countries attempts are being made to restore normal functioning multi-(herbivore) species ecosystems.     

Intercropping hampers the nocturnal biological control of aphids

Increasing plant diversity in agroecosystems (i.e. intercropping) has been widely accepted as a means of promoting conservation biological control of mites and insect pests. Nevertheless, the contribution from underlying mechanisms such as the provision of non‐prey alternative food (i.e. pollen and nectar) and shelter have not been properly disentangled; and additionally, it remains unexplored whether the performance of nocturnal and diurnal natural enemies is improved when provided with diverse plant communities. Using open field experiments and a greenhouse microcosm, we investigated whether intercropping collards with parsley could create shelter for natural enemies in the lower stratum (parsley), and whether or not nocturnal and diurnal natural enemies would carry out aphid biological control equally well in this increased plant diversity scenario (intercropping). The results showed that the shelter alone provided by the lower stratum/companion plants (parsley) mediated an increase in the abundance of natural enemies without involving the provision of non‐prey alternative food. However, the biological control of aphids exerted by nocturnal predators was negatively affected by intercropping. The lower stratum (parsley) appeared to hamper the ability of nocturnal predators to reach aphids more quickly on the collard host plants (higher stratum). In total, our findings indicate that intercropping non‐flowering companion plants is likely enough to mediate an increase of natural enemies via shelter provision. In addition, the results suggest that nocturnal predators, or non‐flying predators for that matter, are hampered by complex lower stratum vegetation. Thus, considering natural enemy behaviour and plant characteristics when designing polyculture systems are vital for attaining conservation biological control success.     

Vers un modèle d’évolution architecturale des dolmens caussenards en Quercy : l’apport des fouilles du dolmen I du Pech Laglaire à Gréalou (Lot)

The Causses of Quercy belong to one of the most important megalithic concentrations in Europe, where the “simple” or “caussenard” dolmens are dominant. The architectural variability, the diversity of territorial settlements and the chronology of the phenomenon remain surprisingly unknown in view of the density of listed monuments. The excavation and architectural study of dolmen I at Pech Laglaire in Gréalou (Lot), in 2021 and 2022, revealed several successive phases of construction, partial destruction and then condemnation of this monument with two megalithic chambers. In the light of these latest discoveries, a re-examination of the available documentation reveals a pattern of architectural evolution, where the primary trapezoidal cairns are truncated and then encompassed in circular cairns, and allows some previous observations to be reinterpreted. The covering of the monuments in their final phase by a circular enclosing cairn seems to be almost systematic and questions the reasons for the condemnation of the sepulchral spaces.     

Glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of biologically active natural products that contain oligosaccharides

A unique characteristic of carbohydrates is their structural diversity which is greater than that of many other classes of biological compounds. Carbohydrate-containing natural products show many different biological activities and some of them have been developed as drugs for medical use. The biosynthesis of carbohydrate-containing natural products is catalysed by glycosyltransferases. In this review we will present information on the function of glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of oligosaccharide antibiotics focusing especially on urdamycins and landomycins, two angucycline antibiotics with interesting antitumor activities. We will also discuss the use of glycosyltransferases in combinatorial biosynthesis to generate new "hybrid" antibiotics.     

CONVERGENT EVOLUTION AS A GENERATOR OF PHENOTYPIC DIVERSITY IN THREESPINE STICKLEBACK

Convergent evolution, in which populations produce similar phenotypes in response to similar selection pressure, is strong evidence for the role of natural selection in shaping biological diversity. In some cases, closely related populations can produce functionally similar but phenotypically divergence forms in response to selection. Functional convergence with morphological divergence has been observed in laboratory selection experiments and computer simulations, but while potentially common, is rarely recognized in nature. Here, we present data from the North Pacific threespine stickleback radiation showing that ecologically and functionally similar, but morphologically divergent phenotypes rapidly evolved when an ancestral population colonized freshwater benthic habitats in parallel. In addition, we show that in this system, functional convergence substantially increases morphospace occupation relative to ancestral phenotypes, which suggests that convergent evolution may, paradoxically, be an important and previously underappreciated source of morphological diversity.     

Landscape heterogeneity in relation to variations in epigaeic beetle diversity of a Mediterranean ecosystem. Implications for conservation

Habitat heterogeneity is a determinant cause of biological diversity in natural ecosystems, and therefore its preservation should be a priority when planning conservation strategies. Sierra de Baza, in southern Spain, is a protected natural area in which biotopes of particular interest still remain, but extensive afforestation with pine species has been widespread in recent decades and, in some cases, continues. The aim of this paper is to test the role of habitat heterogeneity at the landscape scale in generating epigaeic beetle diversity in Sierra de Baza. After two-year-long cycles of sampling epigaeic beetles, differences in local diversity at nine sites, and differences in the pattern of species turnover between sites, have been measured. Local communities differed among sites, 74% of the species being scarce (less than 0.41% of total beetle abundance), and thus species replacement differed markedly between sites. Comparisons between habitat types showed that the planted pine forests support less diverse fauna. Our results identify habitat heterogeneity at the landscape scale as the main source of epigaeic beetle diversity at the landscape scale, practices such as extensive afforestation diminishing landscape heterogeneity and consequently local beetle diversity. Preservation of landscape heterogeneity should be encouraged for an adequate beetle biodiversity conservation.     

MtDNA polymorphisms: evolutionary significance in adaptation and speciation of subterranean mole rats

Patterns of mtDNA diversity in subterranean mole rats of the Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies (2n = 52, 54, 58 and 60) were previously studied in the main ranges of the four chromosomal species, and specifically in the 2n = 60 species and its peripheral steppe semi-isolates and desert isolates. In the present study we correlated mtDNA diversity indices, nucleon diversity, h , and nucleotide divergence, π, with physical (climatic), biotic (parasites) and biological (genetical, morphological, physiological and behavioural) factors, showing that mtDNA diversity is structured ecogeographically and biologically. The following significant correlations of mtDNA diversity were indicated with: (i) climatic heterogeneity and unpredictability; (ii) levels of ecto- and endoparasites; and (iii) biological diversities, primarily with physiological diversity associated with the energy budget. Small steppe semi-isolates and desert isolates harbour high levels of mtDNA haplotype diversity, some novel, which may be a prerequisite for future speciation events. We conclude that the ecogeographical and biological correlates, as well as the maintenance of mtDNA polymorphisms in small isolated populations, strongly suggest that mtDNA diversity is not neutral. Diversifying natural selection appears to be an important differentiating factor of mtDNA diversity in the twin evolutionary processes of adaptive radiation and active speciation. We suggest critical experiments to substantiate our conclusions and highlight the contribution of mtDNA diversity to fitness, i.e. to the biological function of mtDNA diversity in the evolutionary process.     

Contributions of in situ microscopy to the current understanding of stone biodeterioration.

In situ microscopy consists of simultaneously applying several microscopy techniques without separating the biological component from its habitat. Over the past few years, this strategy has allowed characterization of the biofilms involved in biodeterioration processes affecting stone monuments and has revealed the biogeophysical and biogeochemical impact of the microbiota present. In addition, through in situ microscopy diagnosis, appropriate treatments can be designed to resolve the problems related to microbial colonization of stone monuments.     

西南地区生物文化多样性空间格局定量研究

自然条件的丰富性与独特性以及多民族聚居的特征使得西南地区成为我国生物多样性和文化多样性的热点地区,但当前仍然缺乏对区域生物文化多样性格局的定量研究。以西南地区603个县级行政区为基本单元,探讨了西南地区的文化多样性与生物多样性的分布格局,在此基础上定量计算了生物文化多样性,从而识别西南地区生物文化多样性空间格局,并分析不同因素对多样性空间分布的影响。文化多样性与生物多样性存在一定的空间分布差异,同时也存在高低值聚类的重叠区域。高生物文化多样性的区域与高生物多样性的区域分布较为相似,而低生物文化多样性的区域与低文化多样性的区域分布较为接近;生物文化多样性的高低值聚类区呈现明显的片状格局。由于生境条件与人为干扰等原因,西南地区文化多样性、生物多样性与生物文化多样性沿河流流向大多呈现"低-高"或"低-高-低"的变化状态。影响因素分析表明,文化多样性与生物多样性产生相互促进的作用;三种多样性的空间分布都受到平均坡度的重要影响;多样性高的单元聚集在地形坡度大、海拔与坡度的差异程度较大而水体覆盖率较低的区域。文化多样性与生物多样性的密切联系表现在地理空间上的交叉重合,因此,对文化多样性与生物多样性的保护应统筹兼顾,并更多从生物文化多样性的视角或者途径来开展相关研究与保护实践。     

Conservation biological control and enemy diversity on a landscape scale

Conservation biological control in agroecosystems requires a landscape management perspective, because most arthropod species experience their habitat at spatial scales beyond the plot level, and there is spillover of natural enemies across the crop–noncrop interface. The species pool in the surrounding landscape and the distance of crop from natural habitat are important for the conservation of enemy diversity and, in particular, the conservation of poorly-dispersing and specialized enemies. Hence, structurally complex landscapes with high habitat connectivity may enhance the probability of pest regulation. In contrast, generalist and highly vagile enemies may even profit from the high primary productivity of crops at a landscape scale and their abundance may partly compensate for losses in enemy diversity. Conservation biological control also needs a multitrophic perspective. For example, entomopathogenic fungi, plant pathogens and endophytes as well as below- and above-ground microorganisms are known to influence pest-enemy interactions in ways that vary across spatiotemporal scales. Enemy distribution in agricultural landscapes is determined by beta diversity among patches. The diversity needed for conservation biological control may occur where patch heterogeneity at larger spatial scales is high. However, enemy communities in managed systems are more similar across space and time than those in natural systems, emphasizing the importance of natural habitat for a spillover of diverse enemies. According to the insurance hypothesis, species richness can buffer against spatiotemporal disturbances, thereby insuring functioning in changing environments. Seemingly redundant enemy species may become important under global change. Complex landscapes characterized by highly connected crop–noncrop mosaics may be best for long-term conservation biological control and sustainable crop production, but experimental evidence for detailed recommendations to design the composition and configuration of agricultural landscapes that maintain a diversity of generalist and specialist natural enemies is still needed.     

Bacterial Deterioration of Marble Monuments: A Case Study of the Conservation Project of Acropolis Monuments

The deterioration of the Acropolis monuments’ surface can be attributed to a combination of mechanical, physical, chemical and biological factors. The aim of this work was to investigate the potential use of biocides suitable for marble surface in order to confront the biodeterioration phenomenon due to heterotrophic bacteria. Surface bacterial populations were studied in respect to the application of three biocide agents. A significant decrease of the bacterial counts was occurred after the biocides’ application and remained less compared with the counts occurred on the untreated surfaces for more than 14 months. A gradual diminution of bacterial diversity was also observed leading to the survival of specific Gram positive strains.     

Les monuments funéraires de la zone d’Ihaouhi,Téfedest,Ahaggar : présentation et fouilles

The funerary monuments of the Téfedest region are numerous and varied. They are partially described and rarely excavated. In the project entitled “Funerary monuments of the Ahaggar in their chrono-cultural framework”, we have listed and inventoried these monuments. This survey is done not by type of monument but by zone of implantation. This operation, which still ongoing, has been enabled us to refine the geographic distribution of such monuments architecture but also to begin the excavation of some of them. The results presented here concern the monuments excavated in the Ihaouhi area in order to illuminate their mode of construction, the funerary rites and customs of their builders and to situate them in their chronological framework.     

Deterioration of limestone walls in Jerusalem and marble monuments in Rome caused by cyanobacteria and cyanophilous lichens

Hard limestone walls in Jerusalem and marble monuments in Rome were studied. An attempt was made to classify the principal biodeterioration processes in walls facing the prevailing wind and those which were protected from it. In Jerusalem, those that face the prevailing rain-bearing wind become populated by cyanobacteria and cyanophilous lichens. Within c. 100 years white walls are turned to grey or black colour by these organisms. Rain detaches rock particles from the vicinity of the microorganisms at a rate of 1 mm in 200 years. Dark patches on marble monuments in Rome indicate the presence of cyanobacteria. Such biological activity promotes detachment of particles by rain and accelerates weathering leading to pit formation. The estimated rate of pitting is 1 mm per 40 years in the Forum Traianum. To prevent the biodeterioration of limestone and marble monuments the habitats and ecological demands of the various microorganisms must be considered.     

Saccharopolyspora: an underexplored source for bioactive natural products

Actinomycetes are a rich source for secondary metabolites with a diverse array of biological activities. Among the various genera of actinomycetes, the genus Saccharopolyspora has long been recognized as a potential source for antibiotics and other therapeutic leads that belong to diverse classes of natural products. Members of the genus Saccharopolyspora have been widely reported from several natural sources including both terrestrial and marine environments. A plethora of this genus has been chemically investigated for the production of novel natural products with interesting pharmacological effects. Therefore, Saccharopolyspora is considered one of the pharmaceutical important genera that could provide further chemical diversity with potential lead compounds. In this review, the literature from 1976 until December 2018 was covered, providing a comprehensive survey of all natural products derived from this genus and their semi-synthetic derivatives along with their biological activities, whenever applicable. Moreover, the biological diversity of Saccharopolyspora species and their habitats were also discussed.     

Functional benefits of predator species diversity depend on prey identity

Abstract.  1. Determining the functional significance of species diversity in natural enemy assemblages is a key step towards prediction of the likely impact of biodiversity loss on natural pest control processes. While the biological control literature contains examples in which increased natural enemy diversity hinders pest control, other studies have highlighted mechanisms where pest suppression is promoted by increased enemy diversity.
2. This study aimed to test whether increased predator species diversity results in higher rates of predation on two key, but contrasting, insect pest species commonly found in the rice ecosystems of south-east Asia.
3. Glasshouse experiments were undertaken in which four life stages of a planthopper ( Nilaparvata lugens ) and a moth ( Marasmia patnalis ) were caged with single or three-species combinations of generalist predators.
4. Generally, predation rates of the three-species assemblages exceeded expectation when attacking M. patnalis , but not when attacking N. lugens. In addition, a positive effect of increased predator species richness on overall predation rate was found with M. patnalis but not with N. lugens .
5. The results are consistent with theoretical predictions that morphological and behavioural differentiation among prey life stages promotes functional complementarity among predator species. This indicates that emergent species diversity effects in natural enemy assemblages are context dependent; they depend not only on the characteristics of the predators species, but on the identity of the species on which they prey.     

γ-Pyrone natural products—A privileged compound class provided by nature

In “Biology Oriented Synthesis” (BIOS), the inherent biological relevance of natural products is employed for the design and synthesis of compound libraries. Towards this end, library generation in BIOS is focused on compound classes from biologically relevant space such as the natural product space or also the drug space and only scaffolds of these areas of proven relevance are employed for synthesis of small focused libraries with limited diversity. We here present a short overview of γ-pyrone natural products, highlighting their biological properties and their potential applicability in a BIOS of a compound library.