Divided and undivided compound eyes in Ascalaphidae (Insecta, Neuroptera) and their functional and phylogenetic significance

The external morphology of the compound eyes of 13 species of the Ascalaphidae family (Insecta, Neuroptera) from Africa, Asia and Europe was studied in relation to the habitat, phylogeny and time of activity during the day. The six species with undivided eyes (Haplogleniinae) are nocturnal; four inhabit more or less open terrain, while two inhabit more or less dense vegetation. Of the seven species with divided eyes (Ascalaphinae), three are diurnal, one is crepuscular and nocturnal, and three are nocturnal. It was found that two of the diurnal species inhabit open terrain and open forest, and one inhabits dense vegetation; the crepuscular and nocturnal species inhabits open terrain; and two of the nocturnal species inhabit open terrain, while one inhabits dense vegetation. The results are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that divided eyes evolved from undivided eyes, originally serving as an adaptation to daytime vision in open terrain.     

Palynology of peat sections from Spitsbergen covering the last few centuries

Peat sections, measuring up to 40 cm, from four areas of Spitsbergen were studied for pollen and spores; the results are presented as pollen concentration diagrams. Dated parts of the sections cover approximately the last three to thirteen centuries. In one section, an increasing rate of peat accumulation is suggested by a decreasing trend in concentrations of long-distance transported pollen and spores and by radiocarbon dates; in the other three sections there are no indications of the existence of phases differing in peat-accumulation rates. In two sections a local development is recorded from dry peat-forming vegetation relatively rich in vascular-plant species into wet peat-forming vegetation poor in vascular-plant species. The two other sections represent wet peat-forming vegetation relatively poor in vascular-plant species throughout the recorded period.     

Using ants to manage sustainable grazing: Dynamics of ant faunas along sheep grazing gradients conform to four global patterns

Ants are considered an important faunal group for the functioning of arid rangelands, they have a long history of use for environmental monitoring, and exhibit four global patterns in grazing lands: (i) soil and vegetation type are primary determinants of ant community composition, and have a far greater effect on ant community composition than grazing; (ii) grazing induces species compositional change, but does not necessarily affect species richness or abundance; (iii) a species response to grazing is not necessarily consistent across habitats; and (iv) approximately one‐quarter to one‐half of species that are common enough for statistical analysis have significant responses to grazing. Here we report the patterns of arid zone ant faunas as they exist after several decades of sheep grazing in southern Australia, and examine the extent to which they conform to the four global patterns. We measured ant faunas along grazing gradients (varying distance to water) in seven paddocks containing two soil and two vegetation types on five pastoral properties. Total site abundance and richness of ants did not differ significantly with distance from water, but the abundance of 10 (34%) of the 29 most common species did differ; three were increasers, three were decreasers, and four had mixed responses dependent on soil/vegetation type. Rare species showed no trend with grazing intensity. The ant fauna of the more structurally complex vegetation types appeared to be the most vulnerable to grazing effects. Multivariate analysis showed soil type was the primary factor influencing ant faunal composition, followed by vegetation structure; however, grazing treatment effects were present. This study fully supports the recently identified global patterns of ant responses to grazing. It also shows that sampling regional ant faunas using widely dispersed traps can detect ant faunal patterns comparable to studies that use smaller‐scale grids of traps.     

Ecological zoogeography of the bats of Paraguay

Aim To relate the composition of bat assemblages in Paraguay to environmental factors (vegetation) and to test the hypothesis that the observed patterns of distribution of Paraguayan mammals is ultimately due to soils and geological features. Location Paraguay. Methods Museum specimens were used to create a data base of 3762 individuals of forty-eight species collected in twenty-six 50 × 50 km sites distributed throughout the country. Proportion of each of sixteen vegetation types per site was estimated from vegetation maps. Vegetation and bat data were related using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and Mantel tests. The same analyses were performed with the bat data grouped in terms of trophic strategies. Results A significant relationship was found between composition of vegetation and composition of bat assemblages. CCA ordination arranged plant associations and bat assemblages into three distinct groups: Dry Chaco, Floodable Lands and Eastern Paraguay, which correspond to the major characteristics of the Paraguayan vegetation, geology and soils. Frugivorous bats were restricted to Eastern Paraguay and Floodable Lands, whereas most insectivore and omnivore species occur across the entire country. However, the maximum abundance of insectivorous and omnivorous species within each genus indicates that there is at least a partial segregation of species to one of the three regions, and in those cases where the maximum abundance of congeneric species coincide, those species differ considerably in size. Main conclusions The Paraguayan bat fauna is a composite of species from various South American biomes, with no endemic species. However, species are not randomly distributed across the country despite the lack of geographical barriers and the high dispersal capabilities of bats. Instead, species presence at any given site is strongly associated with vegetation patterns that are ultimately the result of the geological history of the area. This correlation can be explained partially in terms of habitat suitability and resource availability. Additionally, results suggest that interspecific interactions are also an important component in determining the composition of a given bat assemblage.     

Patterns of plant species distribution in the Trans‐Himalayan region of Ladakh,India

Abstract. We studied the vegetation distribution in eight landscape types distinguished along an altitudinal gradient in the Trans‐Himalayan region of Ladakh, India. The point‐intercept method was used for vegetation sampling. Six plant communities were distinguished by cluster analysis. Of these 6 communities, three communities were dominated by shrub species. Table lands are the landscape type with the highest species diversity followed by undulating areas and river beds. Most plant species were restricted to one landscape type.     

Birds of a habitat spectrum in the Itirapina Savanna, S?o Paulo, Brazil (1982-2003).

Some 231 birds were recorded on a sandy plateau in central Sao Paulo, in an area forming a natural "habitat spectrum", from dry or wet grasslands to bushy ones (campo-cerrado) plus gallery scrub, marshes, and low woods. Subtracting 12 species that mostly flew over, and 56 species that seemed to be vagrants or accidental visitors, 163 species were regular (including 14 that center in nearby anthropogenically-modified zones). The 69 in gallery areas are mostly regionally common woodland species, but one southeastern species has disappeared over the years and three northwestern dry-forest species have entered. The 81 grassland species include several rare birds, and hence are important despite exhibiting lower biodiversity than in regional forest areas. Seven rare species disappeared over the years, some due to lack of fires, others because of either recent "greenhouse" dry years or protected vegetation growing to taller campo-cerrado. Several other species are becoming rare. Low vegetation forms a spectrum of temporally unstable habitats that change rapidly; one needs actively managed large areas and corridors even though many open-area birds can fly long distances to varying habitat patches.     

Vegetation of Pande and Kiono Coastal forests,Tanzania

East African coastal forests possess considerable botanical importance as an area of high plant endemicity, but are little known ecologically. Quantitative botanical sampling techniques have been used to determine vegetation communities in Pande and Kiono coastal forests, Tanzania. Data from 76 quadrats established in six transects (three in each forest) and containing a total of 146 plant species have been classified using TWINSPAN. Seven species-associations and four sample-associations are recognised. Undisturbed forest supports six species-associations which are rich in plant species of restricted distribution, and these differ between the sites studied. Forest heavily disturbed by man supports one species-association composed of more generalist forest species and this association is similar between sites. Variation in vegetation types of undisturbed forests appears to be caused by edaphic conditions, rainfall and degree of exposure. Variation in the vegetation of disturbed forests appears to be controlled by the intensity of forest disturbance. Heavy human disturbance of coastal forests reduces their biodiversity values as plant-diversity and the habitats of rare plant species are lost.     

Recolonization of experimentally bared soil in a grazed common in Denmark

In an old grazed and very diverse common in Central Zealand, Denmark, the recolonization of vegetation on experimentally bared mineral soil was studied over a six years period (198691). In six experimental squares (1×1 m) in pairs placed in three different areas the plant cover and 10 cm of top soil was removed in 1986 after an analysis (Hult-Sernander-Du Rietz method) of the vegetation in a central, fixed plot (50 × 50 cm) and an examination of the flora in the nearest surroundings (<10 m).
In each of the following years (1987–91) the recolonizating vegetation of the bared plots was analysed again. After one year an almost closed vegetation was already established in most of the plots. The new vegetation consists mostly of immigrating previously found species but often with another cover value. A small number of the original species are still absent after five years. A smaller number of the species in the new vegetation are intrusive, and most of these species are coming from the nearest surroundings. In the first five years all recolonization is by means of diaspores, and the diversity increases in the last years. The paper discusses returning, disappearing and new intrusive species with background in their way of dispersal of diaspores. The conclusion is that in 1991 a succession is still - but slowly - going on and that a totally stable vegetation possibly never will be established.     

西双版纳地区不同植被亚型蚁科昆虫群落研究

研究了西双版纳地区１６各被亚型蚂蚁的特有种、优势种、物种多样性指数、均匀度指数、优势度指数和相似性系数。所采蚂蚁分隶于８亚科６６属２２０种。雨季的季节性十麻蚂蚁物种多样性指数最大,为２．９０８;旱季的茶园中多样性指数最小,为０．１１４。以山地雨林和季风常绿阔叶林蚂蚁物各组成相似性系数最大,为０．３５６;以温暖性叶阔叶林和茶园相似性系数最小,为０．０１７。１６种植被亚型均有特有种,其中半常绿季雨林特     

江西遂川五斗江国家湿地公园植物区系与植被分析

据调查,江西遂川五斗江国家湿地公园共有野生维管束植物108科286属450种,以禾本科Gramineae、菊科Compositae等为优势科,悬钩子属Rubus为优势属。共有13个植物区系类型,以泛热带分布、世界广布和温带分布的比例最大,属的热温比(R/T值)为1.10,区系性质表现为隐域性和地带性共存的特点。有珍稀濒危植物21种,尤其是樟树Cinnamomum camphora和闽楠Phoebe bournei分布广泛,并有大量古树。植被类型可分为5个植被型组12个植被型58个群系,为典型的河岸带湿地植被。     

The influence of landscape structure on ants and dung beetles diversity in a Mediterranean savanna—Forest ecosystem

Ants and dung beetles are focal indicators of change in several ecological processes and successional vegetation stages in Mediterranean landscapes. Despite relatively good knowledge of local species distributions, there are few data on their distributions at different scales. In the present study, the influence of multiscale landscape structure was examined using both ants and dung beetles to identify species that can serve as indicators and detectors of changes in vegetation structure. Multiscale analysis is necessary to explore the different roles of indicator and detector species for use as tools in studies focused on monitoring ecological changes. The study area was the Cabañeros National Park, in the center of the Iberian Peninsula. This site was selected because it is a good setting to evaluate the effects of typical vegetation mosaics on Mediterranean species at different scales. In this study, dung beetles and ants were trapped for one year. A multiscale analysis was designed using three different vegetation habitats (forest, scrubland and grassland) and landscape matrices (woodland, scrubland and grassland). Among dung beetles, 23 indicator species (IndVal values higher than 70%) were found at different scales of analysis. In addition, 20 dung beetle species were characterized as detector species (IndVal values between 45 and 70%) for the three different levels analyzed. Similar to the dung beetles, the ants had different species assemblages at various habitats and landscape levels; however, no indicator ant species were found in this study. All species with significant IndVal values (n = 8) were identified as detector species. Thus, ant and dung beetle assemblages were influenced in different ways by vegetation structure. Both groups showed strong individual species responses to different Mediterranean landscape conditions and vegetation types. Further, both insect groups showed a great number of detector species, which can be useful in ecosystem management because they have varying degrees of preference and sensitivity for different ecological states (such as successional vegetation stages). The diverse indicator and detector species identified in this work could be useful tools for the detection of landscape structure changes at both levels habitat patches and landscape matrix. However, a generalisation of the results at landscape scale should be taken with precaution, but they encourage to study more regions and similar landscapes. The use of more than one indicator group in the analysis confirms the importance of selecting groups with different sensitivities at varying spatial scales as well as different ecosystem functions. This strategy allows the establishment of a clear baseline with which to analyze future direct and indirect impacts of management in Mediterranean protected areas.     

Reserve scenarios for the Cape Peninsula: high-, middle- and low-road options for conserving the remaining biodiversity

The Cape Peninsula, a landscape of profound scenic beauty, is also botanically exceptionally species-rich and has high concentrations of both endemic and threatened plant species. Alien invasive trees, urban expansion and growing tourism are impacting increasingly on the landscape and biota. Three reserve scenarios were modelled, the primary objective being to maximize the conservation of biodiversity in a manner which takes both cost and efficiency into account. A comprehensive plant species database, an endemic animali species database, a vegetation type database, land-tenure and land-use data were used in this process. The resolution of all databases was by 1 km cells. The first scenario investigated the effectiveness of the existing reserve system in conserving the Peninsula's biodiversity. The second assessed the benefit of adding all publicly owned and to the existing reserves. In scenario three, a reserve-selection algorithm was applied to conserve those plant species outside existing reserves at least once. Where endemic animal species, and areas with high concentrations of threatened and endemic plant species were not adequately conserved, extra cells were added for their inclusion. Finally, one cell was added to cater for one inadequately conserved vegetation type. Fifty-one cells were needed to satisfy the requirements stipulated for scenario three. Analyses showed that 22% of plant species have all their records within existing reserves. Adding all public land improves the status to 43% with 97% having >50% of their records included in reserves. In scenario three, these figures are 32 and 87% respectively. In terms of animal species, four species are unconserved in scenario one, two in scenario two, and all species are conserved in scenario three. We conclude that scenarios two (including all public areas) and three (iterative selection to conserve each species once) provide practicable options for conserving the Peninsula's remaining biodiversity.     

Classification and ordination of cryptogamic communities in Wilkes Land,Continental Antarctica

The entirely cryptogamic vegetation of Bailey and Clark Peninsulas, Windmill Islands, Budd Coast, Wilkes Land, Antarctica, is described for the first time. The vegetation of this area is exceptionally well developed and diverse and represents one of the most important botanical sites on the continent. The macroflora comprises three species of moss, one liverwort, three fruticose lichens, four foliose and over 20 crustose lichens; several macroalgae also occur. Seventy stands of relatively homogeneous vegetation were analysed and the percentage cover afforded by every species within 20 quadrats per site was recorded. A subjective classification was developed by visual ordering of the data sets and a hierarchical system erected which incorporates one moss- and one lichen-dominated sub-formation; the former includes two associations and seven sociations, while the latter comprises one association which includes four sociations. The data were then arranged by centroid linkage analysis to produce and objective classification, and subsequently ordinated by principal components analysis to generate groups of stands, the inter-relations of which were interpreted in ecological and environmental terms. The objective classification and ordination strongly support the subjectively derived groupings or sociations. Examples of plant interactions are qualitatively described.     

Characteristics of desert flora and vegetation in lower reach of Shiyang River论Basin

石羊河下游位于干草原向荒漠过渡区域,有天然种子植物23个科,73个属,123个种,不仅有典型的戈壁荒漠成分,也渗入一些草原化荒漠植物种类.其荒漠植被特征更明显,群落层片结构简单,群丛建群种的74.4%是灌木和半灌木,构成了灌木、半灌木旱生群落;1年生草本植物随季节性降雨可形成＂灌草丛＂,成为荒漠植被的重要组成部分.在植物地理区系成分上,温带成分属占优势,其中地中海至中亚分布型及其变型最多,其次为北温带分布及其变型.整个区域内植物的分布集中在生境较适宜的区域,空间结构的成群性高,但在小区域内植物种的分布则较单一.植被可划分为4个植被型,5个植被亚型,13个群系组,23个群系,38个群丛.地域性植被以绿洲为中心,成环状分布,可分为3个带.     

Bird species richness in vegetation fences and in strips of residual rain forest vegetation at Los Tuxtlas, Mexico

Fragmentation of the lowland tropical rain forest has resulted in loss of animal and plant species and isolation of remaining populations that puts them at risk. At Los Tuxtlas, Mexico, lowland rain forests are particularly diverse in the avian fauna they contain and while most of the forests have been fragmented by human activity, many of the fragments still harbor diverse assemblages of bird species. In these landscapes, linear strips of residual rain forest vegetation along streams as well as linear strips of vegetation fences (live fences) crossing the pastures might provide some connectivity to bird populations existed in forest fragments. We investigated bird species richness and relative abundance in one 6-km long section of live fences (LF) bordering a dirt road and in two 6-km long sections of residual forest vegetation along a river (MR) and one permanent stream (BS). We used point count procedures which resulted in the count of 2984 birds representing 133 species. At the LF site we detected 74% of the species, 72% at the BS site and 57% at the MR site. Only 38% of the species were common among sites. Neotropical migratory birds accounted for 34–41% of the species counted at all sites. While edge and open habitat birds accounted for 6–10% of the species and for 50% of the records at the three vegetation strips, about 90% of the species were forest birds. Distance to forest fragments and degree of disturbance of the vegetation seemed to negatively influence bird species presence at the BS and MR strips. Rarefaction analysis indicated that the LF strip was richer in species than the other two sites, but the occurrence of the three vegetation strips in the landscape seem to favor the presence of many more species. We discuss the value of these vegetation strips to birds as stepping stones in the fragmented landscape.     

Life form spectra in the Hantam-Tanqua-Roggeveld, South Africa

The Hantam-Tanqua-Roggeveld subregion is situated in an area where the Fynbos, Succulent Karoo and Nama Karoo biomes meet. Life form spectra were compiled at a species richness and vegetation cover level in order to determine the affinities of the vegetation of the subregion with respect to its Succulent Karoo, Fynbos and Nama Karoo Biome status. A percentage succulence was also calculated for both species richness and cover. Comparisons of life form spectra and succulence were made across the eight vegetation associations found in the area and across three broad vegetation groups, i.e., Mountain Renosterveld, Winter Rainfall Karoo and Tanqua Karoo. Mountain Renosterveld vegetation was characterised by high chamaephyte, cryptophyte and therophyte species contributions. Compared to the other broad vegetation groups, the Mountain Renosterveld group showed phanerophyte contributions at the vegetation cover level to be highest, but the degree of succulence was low. Winter Rainfall Karoo vegetation was co-dominated by high levels of chamaephyte, cryptophyte and therophyte species with chamaephytes dominating the vegetation cover. Succulent contributions to species richness and cover values were higher than for Mountain Renosterveld vegetation. Tanqua Karoo vegetation was dominated by chamaephyte species or co-dominated by chamaephyte and cryptophyte species with therophyte species contributions lowest of all vegetation groups. Contributions by succulent species to richness and vegetation cover were high in the Tanqua Karoo. Life form spectra of the Mountain Renosterveld associations compared poorly to other sites in the Fynbos Biome. However, the low level of succulence in the Mountain Renosterveld associations also precludes its inclusion into the Succulent Karoo Biome. The large contribution of succulent species at a species and vegetation cover level in Winter Rainfall Karoo and Tanqua Karoo associations confirms that these two groups belong to the Succulent Karoo Biome. Affinities to the Nama Karoo Biome were indicated by the low level of succulence at a vegetation cover level in one of the Winter Rainfall Karoo associations (Roggeveld Karoo).     

Fire-type and forestry management effects on the early postfire vegetation dynamics of a Pinus pinaster woodland

The objective of this research was to study the effects of type of fire, prefire-, and postfire-management on the postfire vegetation dynamics of a Pinus pinaster woodland in Central Spain, burned at 15 yr of age. The effects of type of fire (crown-, or surface-fire), prefire-management (thinning out of trees and clearing of brush or no such actions) and postfire-management (removal of burned trees one year after the fire or no such action) on the postfire vegetation were studied during the first three years after the fire. Herbaceous plant abundance, species richness, and diversity, as well as abundance, growth and density of the dominant shrub species (Cistus ladanifer) were measured during the first three years after the fire. Our results show that the effects of the type of fire on the vegetation were minimal. Prefire-management effects were significant on the abundance of herbaceous species, mainly during the second and third year after fire, in particular for the Leguminosae species. Prefire managed areas were more diverse in species, and produced higher plant biomass than unmanaged areas. Postfire-management effects on the shrubs and herbs were minimal, except for the Leguminosae, which increased their cover where the trees had been removed. Plant dynamics were marked by the interaction between prefire-management and fire-type through the dynamics of the shrub cover. On most occasions, plots that resulted in lower cover of C. ladanifer had greater abundance of herbaceous plants and, in particular, of the Leguminosae. In general, our results show that irrespective of fire-type, prefire-, or postfire-management all areas tended to be very similar in their vegetation three years after the fire.     

Patterns of Rodent Species Diversity and Abundance in a Kenyan Relict Tropical Rainforest

Patterns of rodent species abundance and diversity were examined over a 5 months period in two areas of a Kenyan relict tropical rainforest. The two areas are subjected to different administrations which lead to various levels of anthropogenic disturbance: one can be considered relatively disturbed and one relatively undisturbed. Anthropogenic disturbance causes a reduction in woody stem density between 0 and 1.5 m and reduced understory tree canopy cover. Rodent abundance was estimated using the program CAPTURE and compared with the number of individuals actually captured. Density was estimated with three different methods, two of these utilised a boundary strip to estimate effective size of the area trapped. Density resulted in being relatively high in both areas, so population might have been at a peak. Species richness was higher in the disturbed forest, while species diversity and evenness was higher in the undisturbed forest. We suggest that in the disturbed forest the increase in number of species might be due to sporadical entrance in the forest by non-forest species, while the decrease in diversity might be due to the decrease of lower strata vegetation that occurs in the disturbed forest, hence this factor might affect species equitability. Bibliographic data supports this hypothesis as rodent species diversity and ground vegetation cover have been found to be correlated.     

A Comparison of Remote Sensing and Ground-Based Methods for Monitoring Wetland Restoration Success

Abstract Efficient and accurate vegetation sampling techniques are essential for the assessment of wetland restoration success. Remotely acquired data, used extensively in many locations, have not been widely used to monitor restored wetlands. We compared three different vegetation sampling techniques to determine the accuracy associated with each method when used to determine species composition and cover in restored Pacific coast wetlands dominated by Salicornia virginica (perennial pickleweed). Two ground‐based techniques, using quadrat and line intercept sampling, and a remote sensing technique, using low altitude, high resolution, color and color infrared photographs, were applied to estimate cover in three small restoration sites. The remote technique provided an accurate and efficient means of sampling vegetation cover, but individual species could not be identified, precluding estimates of species density and distribution. Aerial photography was determined to be an effective tool for vegetation monitoring of simple (i.e., single‐species) habitat types or when species identities are not important (e.g., when vegetation is developing on a new restoration site). The efficiency associated with these vegetation sampling techniques was dependent on the scale of the assessment, with aerial photography more efficient than ground‐based sampling methods for assessing large areas. However, the inability of aerial photography to identify individual species, especially mixed‐species stands common in southern California salt marshes, limits its usefulness for monitoring restoration success. A combination of aerial photography and ground‐based methods may be the most effective means of monitoring the success of large wetland restoration projects.     

红皮云杉林的植被分类及其环境解释

红皮云杉林(Picea koraiensis Forest Alliance)是以红皮云杉为群落共优势种的森林植被类型,具有结构复杂及物种多样性高等特点。在遵从《中国植被志》研编规范的基础上,提出了红皮云杉林新的分类系统,包括5个群丛组8个群丛,分别归属于常绿针叶林、落叶与常绿针叶混交林和针叶与阔叶混交林3个植被型。群丛组分类主要基于群落层片分化,以及乔木层的共优势种和特征种的差异,并以常绿针叶树层片重要值的66%为阈值划分常绿针叶林和针叶与阔叶混交林。在群丛分类中,通过双向指示种分析筛选特征种,综合考虑群落生境和群落演替阶段等因素确定分类方案。该分类方案是《中国植被志》研编规范的一个应用示例,对植被分类工作的借鉴意义表现在4个方面。(1)作为植被分类的重要凭证,样方数据质量控制是植被分类工作的重要环节;其中,物种的准确鉴定对确保植被分类方案的合理性至关重要。(2)对于乔木层物种组成丰富、优势种不明显的群落,群落层片分化和特征种是植被类型划分的重要依据。(3)以特定物种组合为共建种所组成的多个植被类型可归属为不同的植被型。(4)森林采伐等人类活动可能对植被与环境的关系形成干扰。因此,在...