Invasive predators and the conservation of island birds: the case of American Mink Mustela vison and terns Sterna spp. in the Western Isles,Scotland

Capsule Colonies were larger and breeding success lower in mink-inhabited areas.

Aims To examine the impact of mink on dense aggregations of ground-breeding seabirds on islands previously isolated from mammalian predators.

Methods We compare 1990–93 tern breeding data with records before and after mink arrival.

Results In the early 1990s, terns showed no preference for mink-free islands. The breeding behaviour and success of tern colonies in mink-inhabited areas did not significantly differ from that in mink-free areas. However, colonies were larger and breeding success lower in mink-inhabited areas compared to mink-free areas, trends which might reflect longer term mink impact.

Conclusions As mink spread south there seems to be a gradual increase in tern colony size affecting Lewis, then Harris and, recently, the Sound of Harris.     

The spread of the Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto in Europe: colonization patterns in the west of the Iberian Peninsula

Capsule The pattern and timing of spread are examined, particularly in Extremadura, and theories on speed and extent of spread and possible competition with related species are discussed.

Aims To describe the present pattern of the spread of the Collared Dove in one of the few areas in Europe where the process is still active, in the light of the hypothesis of general expansion in Europe.

Methods Information was obtained from field data collected in 1996–97 and from responses by local observers to a questionnaire. We recorded data on the presence in localities, numbers of birds, extent of colonization, date the first birds were sighted, and confirmed nesting.

Results The first settlements in Extremadura were observed less than ten years ago. The timing indicates that the process of expansion in Extremadura is now at a stage of full development, enabling us to study the mechanism involved. The colonization shows a clear northwest–southeast direction to the interior from coastal areas of Iberia. The species first established itself in urban-areas, from which it slowly but steadily expanded towards rural areas.

Conclusions The expansion of the species has been very rapid, and is still active in Extremadura. The colonization pattern shows a clear directionality (northwest–southeast), beginning with urban nuclei, followed by expansion into rural areas.     

Declines of ground-nesting birds in two areas of upland farmland in the south Pennines of England

CapsuleWe present evidence of large declines in numbers of breeding waders and passerines in some upland areas since the 1970s.

Aims Changes in numbers of ground-nesting birds are documented for two areas of the Pennines and are qualitatively related to recent land-use history.

Methods Territory mapping was used to estimate bird numbers on two areas (76 and 99 ha) in the Pennines for which more than 10 consecutive years of data were available from the BTO's Common Birds Census archives.

Results At both sites there were large declines in Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Snipe Gallinago gallinago, Skylark Alauda arvensis, Twite Carduelis flavirostris and Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus. The two sites differed in the timing of the declines but for Twite the trends were almost identical. By the late 1990s, numbers of most ground-nesting birds were far lower than in the 1970s. There was relatively little change in numbers of species breeding at either site.

Conclusions Progressive changes in land-use, involving loss of rough grassland and a switch from dairy to sheep farming, may have contributed to the declines at one of the sites. However, there was no obvious change in land-use or habitat loss at the other site where population declines began 5 to 10 years earlier. Such declines have probably occurred widely in moorland-edge areas during the last 30 years and multiple factors may be responsible.     

Recurrent landslides affect the functional beta diversity of a megadiverse tropical forest

Background: Natural disturbance is an important factor that contributes to structuring plant communities. In tropical mountain areas, landslides are frequent and could enhance the diversity in mountain forests. However, the spatial scale in which landslide affect diversity is not known.

Aims: To investigate whether landslides affect taxonomic and functional diversity at different spatial scales. We tested if: (1) taxonomic and functional α-diversity were lower in areas with landslide history; (2) the taxonomic β-diversity was high while the functional β-diversity was low in landslide-affected areas; and (3) plants in areas with landslide history would have, on average, smaller and thicker leaves, with greater pubescence, lower specific leaf area and higher dry matter content.

Methods: At five sites in the Atlantic Forest, we sampled five 5 m × 5 m plots in areas with recent landslide history (from 2 to 39 years) and in adjacent control areas. We identified all juvenile trees (30–100 cm in height) and measured their leaf traits.

Results: Taxonomic α-diversity and functional β-diversity and the occurrence of leaves with trichomes were greater in areas affected by landslide.

Conclusion: The habitat heterogeneity in areas subject to recurrent landslides influenced the functional dispersion and the structuring of plant communities.     

A survey and GIS-based estimate of the breeding population of Great Snipe Gallinago media in Central Norway

Capsule By using a GIS-model to identify suitable breeding habitats for Great Snipe in Central Norway, we estimated a total of 276 leks holding approximately 2700 males.

Aim To estimate the size of the Great Snipe population in central parts of the species remaining breeding areas in Western Europe.

Methods GIS-analysis identified an area of 528?km² as suitable habitat for Great Snipe in the total study area (22?000?km²). Complete surveys were made in 8% of these habitats by using a subset of 53 sampling areas.

Results A total of 28 Great Snipe leks were found within the sampling areas. Ten of these were found in previously known lek areas, while 18 leks were found in areas with no previous knowledge of leks. Extrapolating the lek density and the lek size found in the surveyed areas, resulted in a total estimate of 276 Great Snipe leks holding approximately 2700 lekking males. The leks were found on open fens along the forest edge and were mainly situated on base-rich bedrocks. Mean altitude of the leks was 570?m.

Conclusion The total population of Great Snipe in Norway was previously assumed to comprise 5000–15?000 lekking males or ‘pairs'. By extrapolating the densities of leks found in Central Norway to a national scale, we expect the true breeding population of Great Snipe to be approximately 13?500 males. Changes in the elevation of the tree limit and increased overgrowth, as a result of reduced grazing pressure and/or global warming, are possible threats that may reduce the availability of preferred Great Snipe habitats and increase population fragmentation.     

Status and population trends of Starling Sturnus vulgaris in Great Britain

Capsule Starling populations have declined markedly since 1964, with the greatest declines in pastoral areas in the south and west of Britain.

Aims To establish the size of the Starling population and its recent decline in different habitats and regions.

Methods We use distance-based transect sampling to establish, for the first time, robust estimates of population size in different habitats and regions. We then analyse long-term trend data from two extensive monitoring schemes using generalized additive models to find correlates of the population decline.

Results The mean national breeding population of Starling over the period 1994–2000 was estimated at about 8.5 million birds, with a 95% confidence interval of 8.1–10.8 million. Most Starlings (36%) occur in southern Britain and densities are greatest in suburban habitats. Populations in both suburban areas and the wider countryside declined by over 50% between 1964 and 2000, being greatest in the south and west of Britain and in areas of livestock farming.

Conclusions Changes in pastoral farming practices are likely to account for at least some of the decline in the wider countryside, probably related to changes in food resources, though these are largely unquantified.     

我国民营医院发展现状集聚度评价

目的 对我国各地区民营医院的发展现状进行评价，为推动民营医院发展、民营医疗产业集聚的形成提供参考依据。方法 基于卫生资源集聚度的评价方法，分析我国各地区民营医院集聚度，以及与人口、经济和公立医院集聚度的相关性。结果 （1）经济集聚度较人口集聚度与民营医院集聚度的相关性更大。（2）我国少数地区民营医院集聚度与公立医院集聚度接近，绝大部分地区民营医院集聚度较低、规模偏小。（3）我国民营医院市场中综合医院比重较大，专科医院在经济发达地区集聚度较高。结论 民营医疗产业集聚速度缓慢、规模偏小，亟需政府积极引导，加快民营医疗产业集聚，发挥市场有效配置卫生资源的作用。     

综合性三级医院公益性评价的灰关联聚类分析

摘要 目的 对不同地区的7家综合性三级医院进行公益性水平的初步评价与分析。方法 运用灰关联聚类分析。 结果 7家三级医院的公益性水平总体偏低,仅各有一家医院经灰关联聚类分析归类为好与中,其余5家医院均归类为欠佳,不同地区三级医院公益性水平有一定差别。结论 灰关联聚类分析证明公立三级综合性医院公益性水平亟待加强,应从公益性的影响因素入手提高与改善公立三级医院的公益性水平。     

Strength of patient cohorts and biobanks for cardiomyopathy research

In 2011 the Netherlands Heart Foundation allocated funding (CVON, Cardiovasculair Onderzoek Nederland) to stimulate collaboration between clinical and preclinical researchers on specific areas of research. One of those areas involves genetic heart diseases, which are frequently caused by pathogenic variants in genes that encode sarcomere proteins. In 2014, the DOSIS (Determinants of susceptibility in inherited cardiomyopathy: towards novel therapeutic approaches) consortium was initiated, focusing their research on secondary disease hits involved in the onset and progression of cardiomyopathies. Here we highlight several recent observations from our consortium and collaborators which may ultimately be relevant for clinical practice.

     

Predicting the potential global distribution of Ageratina adenophora under current and future climate change scenarios

AimInvasive alien species (IAS) threaten ecosystems and humans worldwide, and future climate change may accelerate the expansion of IAS. Predicting the suitable areas of IAS can prevent their further expansion. Ageratina adenophora is an invasive weed over 30 countries in tropical and subtropical regions. However, the potential suitable areas of A. adenophora remain unclear along with its response to climate change. This study explored and mapped the current and future potential suitable areas of Ageratina adenophora.LocationGlobal.TaxaAsteraceae A. adenophora (Spreng.) R.M.King & H.Rob. Commonly known as Crofton weed.MethodsBased on A. adenophora occurrence data and climate data, we predicted its suitable areas of this weed under current and future (four RCPs in 2050 and 2070) by MaxEnt model. We used ArcGIS 10.4 to explore the potential suitable area distribution characteristics of this weed and the “ecospat” package in R to analyze its altitudinal distribution changes.ResultsThe area under the curve (AUC) value (>0.9) and true skill statistics (TSS) value (>0.8) indicated excelled model performance. Among environment factors, mean temperature of coldest quarter contributed most to the model. Globally, the suitable areas for A. adenophora invasion decreased under climate change scenarios, although regional increases were observed, including in six biodiversity hotspot regions. The potential suitable areas of A. adenophora under climate change would expand in regions with higher elevation (3,000–3,500 m).Main conclusionsMean temperature of coldest quarter was the most important variable influencing the potential suitable area of A. Adenophora. Under the background of a warming climate, the potential suitable area of A. adenophora will shrink globally but increase in six biodiversity hotspot regions. The potential suitable area of A. adenophora would expand at higher elevation (3,000–3,500 m) under climate change. Mountain ecosystems are of special concern as they are rich in biodiversity and sensitive to climate change, and increasing human activities provide more opportunities for IAS invasion.     

Botanical Soceity of Edinburgh

Background: Economic activities are substantial factors in alien plant establishment and invasions. Climate also plays an important role in the distribution of alien species.

Aims: We evaluate the relationship between alien species density and both climatic and socio-economic factors at the scale of provinces located in a latitudinal-bioclimatic gradient in Chile.

Methods: We used generalised linear models with backward selection to evaluate the relative importance of each parameter (human population, gross domestic product, length of traffic routes, crop cover, abandoned crop cover, artificial plantations, protected areas, annual rainfall and temperature) on species density. We compared the average species density among climate types.

Results: Alien density was higher for provinces located in the most populated areas with Mediterranean and temperate oceanic climates (south-central Chile) and decreased for less populated provinces in the north and the southernmost parts (desert and sub-Antarctic wetlands). Human population, length of traffic routes and annual rainfall significantly explained the variation in alien species density in Chile.

Conclusions: Although human population still increases, the results can be used especially in high priority conservation areas where traffic routes and human settlements can be objectively reduced or managed, to reduce the potential increase in the number of alien species.     

Patterns and origin of intraspecific functional variability in a tropical alpine species along an altitudinal gradient

Background : Intraspecific functional variability (IFV) along altitudinal gradients is a powerful proxy to infer the responses of plants to abrupt environmental changes. We envisage that IFV shows distinctive patterns in tropical and extratropical alpine regions.

Aims : To characterise the patterns and explore the origin of IFV in a tropical alpine species in a context of upward range extension.

Methods : We examined variations in a series of plant functional traits in Lasiocephalus ovatus, inside and outside a nurse plant along a 600 m altitudinal gradient in the Ecuadorian Andes, and we studied its genetic variability.

Results : More conservative traits were developed at higher elevation, in contrast to extratropical alpine plants, which commonly develop opportunistic traits in response to late snowmelt close to their upper altitudinal limit. The presence of nurse cushions did not alter this trend. Increasing genetic distance along the gradient suggested that IFV might be partly genetically induced.

Conclusions : Our data combined with existing literature in tropical alpine environments lead the way to a stimulating scientific challenge: determining if patterns of plant altitudinal distribution in tropical alpine areas in response to climate change are predictable from patterns described in extratropical alpine areas.     

Identifying and assessing the efficiency of different networks of a fine-scale hierarchy of biodiversity hotspots

Background: For prioritising practical conservation measures in areas of high endemic plant diversity, a fine-scale hierarchy of sites needs to be established. In this context, conservation sites designed at local and regional levels are considered a network of interconnected areas.

Aims: The main aim was to identify two hierarchical levels of a network of conservation sites, called ‘micro hotspots’ and ‘nano hotspots’, and test their efficiency for achieving conservation objectives across the island of Sardinia, Mediterranean Basin.

Methods: We analysed the spatial distribution of endemic vascular plant species (EVPS) richness. Additionally, the area, perimeter, connectivity and surplus costs for the protection of all endemic plant populations were used as ranking criteria for a hierarchical classification.

Results: We identified eight micro hotspots and 82 nano hotspots. Amongst the three possible solutions compared, the integrated network of micro and nano hotspots resulted in more effective conservation than any of the single-level network solutions with only micro or nano hotspots, and it included 89% of all EVPS in a relatively small areal extent.

Conclusions: The identification of hotspot networks at the regional level allowed determining priority areas to implement conservation efforts for EVPS. The integration of micro hotspots with nano hotspots resulted in the most effective network from both conservation and economic perspectives. We suggest that our model may provide an effective tool for integrated and effective conservation actions in the Mediterranean Basin.     

运城盐湖细菌群落结构及生态多样性分析

运城盐湖作为一个人类活动深入参与的高盐环境,其中的细菌群落结构及生态多样性既有盐湖环境的共性,又有自身的特殊性。【目的】运城盐湖湖水颜色丰富,蕴含着大量嗜盐及耐盐微生物资源。为了深入探究运城盐湖细菌资源分布规律,对不同水域中细菌多样性和群落结构进行研究,探讨运城盐湖不同水域中细菌群落结构的变化规律。【方法】基于16S rRNA基因的扩增子高通量测序,对运城盐湖不同水域的细菌群落结构进行分析,同时对微生物的潜在代谢功能进行预测。【结果】运城盐湖不同水域中的优势细菌类群有所差异,在盐湖中部,假单胞菌门(Pseudomonadota)、放线菌门(Actinobacteriota)和拟杆菌门(Bacteroidota)是优势类群;而在运城盐湖东部,芽孢杆菌门(Bacillota)则是主要类群;在运城盐湖西部,髌骨菌门(Patescibacteria)类群较为丰富。对运城盐湖不同区域的细菌多样性进行分析,数据显示盐湖中部浅黄色湖水中微生物多样性显著高于盐湖东部和西部区域,但盐湖中部红色湖水区域的微生物多样性较低。另外,在盐湖中部,湖水颜色不同的区域细菌物种分布也具有较大的差异。对运城盐湖细菌代谢功能进行预测分析发现,在盐湖不同区域的微生物参与的代谢通路活性各不相同,表现出较强的区域分布性,盐湖东部和西部的微生物代谢比盐湖中部更具有活性。【结论】运城盐湖微生物多样性丰富,不同水域的细菌多样性具有显著差异,盐湖不同水域的环境对细菌群落结构具有一定影响。本研究为运城盐湖细菌资源多样性的保育及开发利用提供了重要的理论基础。     

Decline of Corn Buntings Emberiza calandra on east Scottish study areas in 1989–2007

Capsule Adult numbers on many study areas fluctuated from year to year, but overall showed a large decline, down to extinction on most areas.

Aims To measure changes in summer numbers of adult Corn Buntings in a large sample of study areas holding discrete localized populations.

Methods Singing cocks and hens paired with them were counted in early summer at 30 study areas on farmland from south Angus to central Aberdeenshire. Sixteen populations occurring throughout 1989–95 were called ‘groups’. Counts also included 16 cases where a new ‘offshoot’ appeared in late May or the start of June, not having been seen earlier in that spring or in the previous winter or summer.

Results Following relative stability in 1989–95, large declines occurred in 1995–96, 1998–99 and 2003–04, and decreases far outweighed occasional increases between consecutive summers. The numbers of established groups, new offshoots, and older offshoots all declined with the year. Although containing one to nine founding pairs, new offshoots became extinct later, in six cases after one summer. No new offshoot was seen after 1995.

Conclusions Although 22 study areas held birds in 1989 and 25 in 1990, this fell to 10 in 1999, seven in 2005, and four in 2007 (the only areas that held birds in all years). On all areas combined, cock numbers fell by 83% between 1989 and 2007. Targeted implementation of appropriate agri‐environment measures is urgently needed to halt and reverse such declines, a challenge made all the greater within the last year by rising grain prices, delays to the introduction of new measures, and abolition of EU ‘set‐aside’ as a means for providing food and nesting habitat.     

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus movements in eastern England

Capsule Woodpigeons range over greater areas during winter than summer with winter dispersion greatest in the first two winters following fledging.

Aims To radiotrack Woodpigeons, to analyse the BTO ringing recoveries and to examine ranging behaviour.

Methods Movements of 19 adult and nine newly fledged Woodpigeons around a 1070-ha study site in eastern England were monitored by radiotracking. The BTO recovery data were analysed for birds ringed in arable areas of Britain during the period 1950 to 1999.

Results The mean 95% minimum convex polygons during the summer were 254 ha for adults and 294 ha for juveniles. These ranges increased to 628 ha for adults and 1283 ha for juveniles during winter. Although they left the study area over the winter, some radiotagged juveniles returned to their natal areas the following summer. Winter dispersion followed by a return to the natal area the following summer only occurred for the first two years of life.

Conclusion Although Woodpigeons are largely sedentary, the winter dispersion of juvenile birds will weaken any effect of localized winter shooting on the numbers of breeding birds in that area the following spring.     

Association of iron levels in hair with brain structures and functions in young adults

BackgroundIron plays a critical role in normal brain functions and development, but it has also been known to have adverse neurological effects.MethodsHere, we investigated the associations of iron levels in hair with regional gray matter volume (rGMV), regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), and cognitive differences in a study cohort of 590 healthy young adults.ResultsOur findings showed that high iron levels were associated with lower rGMV in areas including the hippocampus, lower rCBF in the anterior and posterior parts of the brain, greater FA in areas including the part of the splenium of the corpus callosum, lower MD in the overlapping area including the splenium of the corpus callosum, as well as greater MD in the left hippocampus and areas including the frontal lobe.ConclusionThese results are compatible with the notion that iron plays diverse roles in neural mechanisms in healthy young adults.     

我国护理人力资源配置现状分析

?????? 目的 分析目前我国护理人力资源总体配置的现状,探讨在护理人力资源配置中目前存在的主要问题。方法 采用文献技术性分析方法。结果 我国护理人力资源配置量有所改善,但仍存在城乡差异大,队伍年轻化,结构欠合理;与国外主要国家比较医护比倒置,每千人口护士密度低。结论 应建立健全科学的护理人力资源配置标准,弹性排班,动态调整,合理使用护理人力资源。     

Thermal physiology explains the elevational range for a lizard,Eutropis longicaudata,in Taiwan

1The decrease of temperatures along an elevation gradient imposes physiological constraints on reptiles that ultimately determine their distribution ranges. Forest patterns are likely to interact with this process, but very few studies have examined their contribution in determining distribution limits.2We examined the role played by thermal physiology and forest cover in determining the elevational ranges of a lizard, Eutropis longicaudata. We integrated this species’ thermal traits in simulating its maximum activity time under different conditions of forest cover and elevation using a NicheMapR model. In addition, we evaluated the influence of winter temperatures on the range limit by examining the simulated soil temperatures at the occurrence sites.3Laboratory experiments showed that E. longicaudata has a high preferred body temperature and low cold tolerance. The model predicts that maximum activity time decreases with elevation and forest cover. Although unforested areas may provide longer active time in all simulated elevations, mountain areas in Taiwan are heavily forested and are predicted to allow only a very short period of activity above 1000 m elevation.4All sightings were indeed located in areas below 1000 m elevation, in which the predicted average soil temperature is above 10 °C in January in cold years.5Our results show that reptile physiological response does respond strongly to the change of microclimate induced by forest cover and elevation. Overall, this suggests that forest cover is a major determinant of some reptiles’ elevational range.