Density and productivity of breeding Skylarks Alauda arvensis in relation to crop type on agricultural lands in western France

Capsule Small field size and the maintenance of set-aside and lucerne are important to ensure high breeding pair densities and productivity.

Aims To investigate the effects of crop types and their attributes on density and productivity of breeding Skylark.

Methods At each of four selected study sites in western France, territory density, vegetation height, vegetation cover and field size was estimated by field and attempts were made to find nests. Crop types included winter and spring cereals, oilseed rape, sunflower, maize, grass, lucerne, set-aside, and bare ground.

Results About 80% of Skylark territories included more than one crop type. Birds preferred small fields and territory density decreased with increasing field size. Density was highest in crops with low vegetation height and cover. Set-aside, lucerne and grass supported highest territory density. Fledging productivity was highest in set-aside and lucerne, and was zero on bare ground. Skylark density decreased throughout the breeding season (-26% in 1999 and -29% in 2000), suggesting an instability in territory distribution or activity in intensive farmland.

Conclusions Farming systems that decrease field size and increase set-aside and lucerne instead of oilseed rape, maize and sunflower will benefit Skylark and other declining farmland species.     

Report of the Alpine Section

Background: Under climate-change scenarios, rock outcrops, by providing microclimatically diverse habitats, different from those of surrounding zonal vegetation matrix, may serve as climatic refugia and thereby facilitate the persistence of specialist species.

Aim: We tested whether rock outcrops of southern temperate latitudes could act as local refugia for a cold-adapted flora in the face of global warming.

Methods: We related species composition of 50 outcrops and that of their surrounding vegetation to climatic data at local and regional scales to establish whether species distributions reflected differences that could indicate the existence of climatic refugia.

Results: While at a regional scale, species composition of the outcrops across the study area was related to mean annual precipitation and mean annual maximum temperature, locally, southern faces of outcrops had different species and lower maximum temperatures than insolated north faces and surrounding vegetation plots.

Conclusions: South faces of outcrops by providing cool microhabitats, and currently harbouring species not found in the surrounding zonal vegetation matrix, could serve as local refugia for heat-intolerant plants and other microthermic organism. The degree of ‘stability’ of these refugia will depend on the degree of future change in climate. Therefore, it is important to plan protected area networks that maximise local environmental heterogeneity, including the protection of rock outcrops both as refugia for cold-adapted species and as potential stepping stones that would allow dispersal of these species between supportive environments through unfavourable ones.     

Long-term vegetation stability in northern Europe as assessed by changes in species co-occurrences

Background: The effect of the anticipated climate change on the stability of vegetation and the factors underlying this stability are not well understood.

Aims: Our objective was to quantify long-term vegetation changes in a range of habitats in northern Europe by exploring species co-occurrences and their links to diversity and productivity gradients.

Methods: We re-sampled vegetation in 16 arctic, mountain and mire sites 20 to 90 years after the original inventories. A site-specific change in species assemblages (stability) was quantified using species co-occurrences. Using a randomisation test we tested whether the changes observed were significantly greater than those expected by chance. Relationships between patterns in vegetation stability and time between surveys, numbers of plots, or species diversity and proxies for productivity, were tested using regression analysis.

Results: At most sites the changes in species co-occurrences of vascular plants and bryophytes were greater than those expected by chance. The changes observed were found to be unrelated to gradients in productivity or diversity.

Conclusions: Changes in species co-occurrences are not strongly linked to diversity or productivity gradients in vegetation, suggesting that other gradients or site-specific factors (e.g. land use or species interactions) may be more important in controlling recent compositional shifts in vegetation in northern Europe.     

The management of long term set-aside for nature conservation

Summary

Long term set-aside offers an opportunity to create new grasslands which may be visually appealing and valuable for wildlife. These grasslands, whilst not equalling the nature conservation value of old semi-natural grasslands, may have higher value for wildlife than the arable crops and grass leys which they replace. In this paper we compare the nature conservation value of vegetation established by either natural regeneration or by sowing a seed-mixture based on MG5 Cynosurus cristatus — Centaurea nigra grassland on set-aside at two sites in Scotland. The initial results suggest that sown vegetation is generally more botanically diverse than natural regeneration. Sheep grazing resulted in reduced botanical diversity in the sown plots and early cutting, with cuttings removed and aftermath grazing by cattle, resulted in the highest diversity estimates. However, some effects of management treatment were site specific.     

Effects of small-scale animal disturbances on plant assemblages of set-aside land in Central Germany

Abstract. The distribution, density and cover of small-scale natural disturbances was surveyed in semi-natural and set-aside vegetation in a hilly landscape in Central Germany in the spring of 1995. More of the landscape was disturbed on set-aside agricultural land in valley s (1.02 %) and on warm south-facing slopes(1.33 %) than on rocky hilltops (0.3 %) and cool north-facing slopes (0.56 %). The major agents of disturbance on set-aside fields were moles, rodents (and their predators) and wild boars. In surrounding semi-natural grasslands, rabbit warrens were common on south-facing slopes and mound-building ants on north-facing slopes. Disturbances were significantly clustered and frequently superimposed. In order to investigate the effects of disturbance quality on plant assemblages in set-aside fields, two common types of disturbances were compared. These were grazing lawns (0.4–1.0 m²) maintained throughout the summer by common voles (Microtus arvalis), and excavations, 0.7–1.6 m² in area, where wild boars (Sus scrofd) grubbing for food had removed vegetation and top soil in early spring. Both types of disturbances increased plant species richness on the local scale. Wind-dispersed annual and pauciennial forbs of ruderal habitats (e.g. Carduus acanthoides, Cirsium vulgare, Matricaria maritima, Senecio vernalis) were most abundant on the superficial disturbances made by voles, whereas small, ephemeral field weeds (e.g. Polygonum aviculare, Anagallis arvensis, Chenopodium album, Fallopia convolvulus) predominated on patches grubbed by boars. This study confirms that small-scale disturbances by animals provide a variety of regeneration niches for field weeds and ruderals. The rate of decline in plant species richness on set-aside land is likely to be reduced where land is utilized by a variety of herbivorous and soil-moving mammals.     

Fifteenth annual research symposium University of Glasgow, 1975

Background: All human land use (LU) affects the distribution of plant species; however, the impacts vary with the type/intensity of LU. For managing ecosystems, it is therefore essential to understand the effects of LU types on the distribution of plant species on a macroscale.

Aims: The objectives of our study were to quantify the effects of various LU types on the distribution of vascular plant species in Japan and to determine in particular the extent to which LU was an important factor for the distribution of common species.

Methods: Based on a logistic regression model and variation partitioning being applied to each plant species, we evaluated the partial deviance by six LU types, four climatic types and three topographic and geological factors for 647 plant species at 14,412 sites in Japan.

Results: The effect of LU was significant for species present at multiple sites. Of the six LU types, secondary vegetation and plantation were the most important factors determining species distribution for many species.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that distribution of the common species is largely affected by LU on macroscale. The design of LU relating to secondary vegetation and plantations will thus be important in determining changes in the vegetation composition within Japan.     

Limited effect of hare grazing and short-term climatic variations on the most common alpine vegetation community in the Snowy Mountains,Australia

Background: In the alpine zone of the Snowy Mountains, grazing by mammals is limited. However, introduced European hare numbers have increased since the 1970s.

Aims: To estimate the density of hares and hence grazing pressure among years. To assess the response of biomass, vegetation height and composition to a cessation of hare grazing.

Methods: We used indices of hare abundance based on spotlighting and counts of hare pellets on a transect. The effect of hare grazing on tall alpine herbfield was assessed by using 15 paired exclosure and control quadrats for six years.

Results: The indices of hare abundance suggested densities similar to those in upland areas of Britain. Grazing did not affect the composition, cover of herbs or graminoids or, for 2010, vegetation height or biomass. Variation in vegetation and hare numbers among years was not correlated with climatic variables. Observations of selective grazing suggested that impacts on vegetation may be localised and restricted to certain species. Prior analyses of hare pellets indicated that hares might spread seed of native and exotic species.

Conclusions: Hares are having no general effect on tall alpine herbfield but may affect certain plant species via selective grazing or by spread of viable seed.     

The population dynamics of small mammals living in set-aside and surrounding semi-natural and crop land

Small mammals were found on set-aside and surrounding farmland. Wood mice showed a different pattern of demography at two sites, with higher densities, greater survival, heavier weights and longer breeding seasons at Aldroughty than at Newburgh. These differences were thought to be due to a difference in habitat productivity at the two sites. Field voles showed less of a difference in population dynamics between the two sites, and both species of vole maintained populations at low densities.     

Litter and its interaction with standing vegetation affect seedling recruitment in Tibetan alpine grasslands

Background: Seedling recruitment is widely recognised to be important in the maintenance of diversity and coexistence of species. It is not clear how local abiotic factors mediated by litter and biotic interactions influence plant species recruitment in alpine grasslands.

Aims: To determine how litter and standing vegetation affected seedling recruitment in plant communities in Tibetan alpine grasslands.

Methods: Seedling recruitment was quantified in response to experimental treatments: (1) removal of standing vegetation and litter; (2) removal of standing vegetation with litter intact; (3) intact standing vegetation and removal of litter and (4) control: intact standing vegetation and litter.

Results: Litter removal increased seedling numbers, while standing vegetation removal had no effect. An interaction between litter and standing vegetation removal marginally increased seedling number. Species richness of seedlings was not related to either litter removal or standing vegetation removal. Species composition of seedling differed significantly between removal of both litter and standing vegetation and control.

Conclusions: Litter and its interaction with standing vegetation has an important role in affecting plant species recruitment in this alpine plant community. In contrast, biotic interactions, such as competition or facilitation from standing vegetation, appear to have only minor effects on recruitment.     

Plant community patterns in Moroccan temporary ponds along latitudinal and anthropogenic disturbance gradients

Background: Temporary ponds, an abundant habitat in the Maghreb region and notably in Morocco, have a high conservation value. However, they are mainly known from the north of the country.

Aims: The aim of this work was to characterise the vegetation of Moroccan temporary ponds along a combined gradient of latitude and anthropogenic pressure.

Methods: Eighty-five ponds distributed along a north–south gradient of 750 km were sampled. For each pond, all vegetation was surveyed (flooded and dry parts) and the local abiotic characteristics were measured during two successive hydrological cycles. The prevailing anthropogenic pressures were also identified and were attributed an impact score.

Results: Eighty-one characteristic pond species (including 17 rare species) were recorded, with several new distribution data in the southern part of the latitudinal gradient. Plant communities were related to climatic and anthropogenic factors, but mostly to local factors, such as maximum water depth and soil pH. The northern ponds (wettest macroclimate) were rich in characteristic species and rare species, while the southern (driest macroclimate) ponds were more species poor.

Conclusions: In addition to the direct impact of increasing human activity, a further reduction of the floristic richness of temporary ponds is expected due to climatic changes. This is particularly the case for characteristic species which have a high conservation value.     

Giant stem rosettes have strong facilitation effects on alpine plant communities in the tropical Andes

ABSTRACT

Background: Giant rosettes constitute one of the most distinctive growth-forms in tropical alpine ecosystems. However, their interactions with other plant species remain unexplored in high Andean páramos.

Aims: Quantify the effect of a dominant rosette (Coespeletia timotensis) on soil and microclimatic conditions and relate the impacts to plant community structure.

Methods: We analysed topsoil temperatures, soil organic matter (SOM) and plant species cover in areas adjacent to C. timotensis and paired areas outside, at three sites (4250–4360 m a.s.l.) in La Culata National Park, Venezuela. Species richness, total vegetation cover and percent cover of each species near and away from the rosettes were compared.

Results: Topsoil temperature amplitudes were lower and SOM greater near C. timotensis stems, compared to areas away from them. C. timotensis had a consistent positive effect on species richness, vegetation cover and the cover of many abundant species (including cushions and herbs).

Conclusions: The facilitation effects of C. timotensis on abiotic conditions and community structure indicate they play a key role as nurse plants, pointing to giant rosettes as foundation species for the maintenance of plant diversity in the alpine tropics.     

Species-rich Nardus stricta grasslands host a higher vascular plant diversity on calcareous than on siliceous bedrock

Background: Species-rich Nardus stricta grasslands are a priority habitat for conservation in Europe. They typically occur on siliceous substrates and less frequently are found on calcareous bedrock.

Aims: The present paper aimed to identify the environmental factors (i.e. bedrock type, topographic, and climatic factors) that are related with community diversity and to assess if differences in plant diversity between N. stricta communities on calcareous and siliceous bedrock occur. We hypothesised that Nardus grasslands on calcareous bedrock hosted a higher vascular plant diversity than those on siliceous bedrock.

Methods: Based on 579 vegetation surveys carried out in the south-western Alps, we assessed vascular plant diversity (species richness, Shannon diversity, and Pielou’s equitability index) of species-rich Nardus grasslands and compared it between N. stricta communities on calcareous and siliceous bedrock.

Results: Elevation was identified as the main factor related to species composition, while species diversity was mostly related to mean annual precipitation and bedrock type. Species richness, Shannon diversity, and Pielou’s equitability index were higher within the communities on calcareous rather than on siliceous bedrock and a total of 89 and 34 indicator species were detected, respectively.

Conclusions: Based on our results, we suggest to protect primarily, as a habitat of priority interest, N. stricta grasslands on calcareous substrates for the higher vascular plant diversity hosted.     

Influence of patch size and connectivity on beach and dune species in land-uplift coasts

Background: Land-uplift beaches and adjacent dunes contribute considerably to natural diversity. In such fragmented habitat types, the size and connectivity of a habitat patch are hypothesised to strongly influence the distribution of species, particularly the most habitat-specific ones.

Aims: To test this hypothesis, our study compared the effects of habitat pattern (patch size and connectivity) and local environmental factors on the distribution and richness of beach species.

Methods: We collected extensive observational data on vegetation and environment from beach systems along a 600-km land-uplift gradient on the Baltic Sea coast. The analyses were repeated with three modelling methods to ensure that the results were independent of the selected method.

Results and conclusions: Our results indicate that patch size and connectivity influence the occurrence and richness of habitat specialists, while total beach species richness is less dependent on the habitat pattern. Patch size and connectivity are as influential on beach vegetation as local environmental drivers. Unexpectedly, largest patch size or highest connectivity does not appear to maximise species richness or the probability of species occurrence. Instead, the study highlights species-specific responses and the value of also relatively small and isolated habitat patches. Both the diverse network of habitat patches and local environmental variability should be accounted for to efficiently preserve beach species.     

Warming effects on shoot developmental growth and biomass production in sympatric evergreen alpine dwarf shrubs Empetrum nigrum and Loiseleuria procumbens

Effects of experimental warming on shoot developmental growth and biomass production were preliminarily investigated in two evergreen dwarf shrubs Empetrum nigrum and Loiseleuria procumbens, using the International Tundra Experiments open-top chamber (OTC) method, in the Tateyama Range, central Japan. An OTC was installed over shrub (E. nigrum and L. procumbens) -dominated vegetation and over shrub-forb (such as Anemone narcissiflora var. nipponica and Solidago virga-aurea ssp. leiocarpa) mixed vegetation, and stem samples of the evergreen shrubs were obtained at 26 months after installing the OTC. The OTC increased the daily mean temperature by 0.1°C to 1.8°C, on average, during the growing season. Shoot developmental growth and biomass production were considerably different between species of different vegetation types. The boreal species E. nigrum generally showed better growth inside the OTC than the arctic and subarctic species L. procumbens. Both species showed significantly larger shoot elongation and biomass production inside the OTC over shrub-dominated vegetation, whereas smaller or reduced growth was detected inside the OTC over shrub-forb mixed vegetation. The variations of growth responses to warming between species of different vegetation types are discussed, especially in relation to interspecific competition under a simulated environmental change.     

Sphagnum subfulvum Sjörs in Ireland compared with the occurrences in Norway

Abstract

The discovery of Sphagnum subfulvum in Western Ireland is reported and the Irish specimens are described. The habitat of the species at Errisbeg, Co. Galway, is described and compared with the occurrences in Norway. It is concluded that the ecology of S. subfulvum at Errisbeg closely resembles its ecology in Norway where it is an intermediate/rich fen species, and in the ‘mud-bottomto hummock’ vegetational gradient it belongs to lawn and low hummock vegetation. The occurrence of Sphagnum subfulvum on flushed mountain slopesin West Mayo is apparently related to localised basic conditions as indicated by its association with Schoenus nigricans, Anagallis tenella, Selaginella selaginoides and Breutelia chrysocoma. Sphagnum subfulvum is reported from raised bog in Co. Roscommon. Its occurrence in ombrotrophic vegetation is somewhat unexpected but the ombrotrophic vegetation in Western Ireland includes some species which are restricted to minerotrophic vegetation elsewhere.     

Clutch size and egg size in the breeding strategy of Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus in a Mediterranean area

First-summer set-aside fields held more breeding species and higher wader densities than in the previous summer. They held more breeding species and higher densities of waders, Partridges (Perdix perdix) and Skylarks (Alauda arvensis) than fields in crop. Mowing nullified many breeding attempts. Corn Buntings bred in some first-summer set-aside fields but numbers were lower in other cases. Later years of set-aside held lower densities and fewer species. Densities of waders and Partridges in first-summer set-aside exceeded those in the first year of resumed cropping.     

Uncoupled changes in tree cover and field layer vegetation at two Pyrenean treeline ecotones over 11 years

Background: The alpine treeline ecotone is regarded as a sensor of the effects of global change on alpine plant communities. However, little is known about how treeline dynamics influence the diversity and composition of alpine plant communities. Such information is necessary to forecast how ascending montane forests may affect the composition of alpine flora.

Aims: We analysed the temporal variations in tree cover, plant diversity and composition, and the effect of tree cover dynamics on field layer vegetation over a period of 11 years, at two alpine treeline ecotones in the central Pyrenees, Spain.

Methods: Tree and field layer vegetation was sampled in permanent transects in 1998 and 2009, using the point-intercept method. Temporal changes in tree cover, plant species richness and abundance were characterised along the ecotone by using a randomisation approach, rarefaction curves, and a non-parametric multivariate test, respectively.

Results: Tree cover increased significantly at one of the sites, whereas plant species richness only increased at the other site where tree cover had not changed. Vegetation composition changed significantly at both sites, but it was not spatially coupled with changes in tree cover along the ecotone.

Conclusions: A change of tree cover does not necessarily trigger changes in the ground flora at the treeline over relatively short periods (decade scale). The results challenge our ability to infer short-term biodiversity impacts from upslope advance of forests. Integrated tree and field layer monitoring approaches are necessary to produce a better understanding of the impact of ongoing global change on treeline ecotones.     

Determination of diagnostic species with statistical fidelity measures

Abstract. Statistical measures of fidelity, i.e. the concentration of species occurrences in vegetation units, are reviewed and compared. The focus is on measures suitable for categorical data which are based on observed species frequencies within a vegetation unit compared with the frequencies expected under random distribution. Particular attention is paid to Bruelheide's u value. It is shown that its original form, based on binomial distribution, is an asymmetric measure of fidelity of a species to a vegetation unit which tends to assign comparatively high fidelity values to rare species. Here, a hypergeometric form of u is introduced which is a symmetric measure of the joint fidelity of species to a vegetation unit and vice versa. It is also shown that another form of the binomial u value may be defined which measures the asymmetric fidelity of a vegetation unit to a species. These u values are compared with phi coefficient, chi‐square, G statistic and Fisher's exact test. Contrary to the other measures, phi coefficient is independent of the number of relevés in the data set, and like the hypergeometric form of u and the chi‐square it is little affected by the relative size of the vegetation unit. It is therefore particularly useful when comparing species fidelity values among differently sized data sets and vegetation units. However, unlike the other measures it does not measure any statistical significance and may produce unreliable results for small vegetation units and small data sets. The above measures, all based on the comparison of observed/expected frequencies, are compared with the categorical form of the Dufrêne‐Legendre Indicator Value Index, an index strongly underweighting the fidelity of rare species. These fidelity measures are applied to a data set of 15 989 relevés of Czech herbaceous vegetation. In a small subset of this data set which simulates a phytosociological table, we demonstrate that traditional table analysis fails to determine diagnostic species of general validity in different habitats and large areas. On the other hand, we show that fidelity calculations used in conjunction with large data sets can replace expert knowledge in the determination of generally valid diagnostic species. Averaging positive fidelity values for all species within a vegetation unit is a useful approach to measure quality of delimination of the vegetation unit. We propose a new way of ordering species in synoptic species‐by‐relevé tables, using fidelity calculations.     

Vegetation pattern of mountains in West Greenland – a baseline for long-term surveillance of global warming impacts

Background: Steep environmental gradients, coupled with predicted high temperature rises in the Arctic make arctic mountain vegetation highly suitable for surveillance of changes related to global warming. However, guidelines and baselines for such a purpose are widely lacking since arctic mountain vegetation has been little explored.

Aims: We explore options for long-term surveillance on the basis of a detailed analysis of extant plant community patterns and their underlying environmental conditions in the mountainous inland of West Greenland.

Methods: Distribution, abundance and site conditions of vegetation types were analysed, using 664 vegetation samples and detailed vegetation maps in four altitudinal belts.

Results: Most plant communities had a restricted elevation distribution and were confined to special habitats predominantly defined by mesotopography and soil moisture.

Conclusions: Based on the strong linkage to habitat conditions, horizontal and vertical changes of species distribution and vegetation pattern are excellent indicators for inferring underlying environmental changes on three different scales. The recommendations given concerning climate sensitive species and plant communities, ecotones for setting up observation sites as well as stratification of analysis by habitats can be the basis for establishing long-term surveillance programmes on arctic mountain vegetation.     

Species Diversity of Japanese Clusiidae (Diptera: Acalyptrata) with description of 12 new species

The Japanese Clusiidae are revised and 23 species, including 12 species new to science, are recognized and keyed. Clusiodes angulosus n. sp., Clusiodes discostylus n. sp., Clusiodes tobi n. sp., Clusiodes usikumuri n. sp., Craspedochaeta varicolor n. sp., Heteromeringia crenulata n. sp., Heteromeringia quadrispinosa n. sp., Heteromeringia sexramifera n. sp., Heteromeringia yamata n. sp., Phylloclusia quadrivittata n. sp., Sobarocephala uncinata n. sp., and Tetrameringia borealis n. sp. were described as new. Distribution records were compiled and mapped. Transitional climatic zone between the warm and cool temperate zones is possibly suggested as one of the most richest temperate area in terms of Japanese clusiid species richness. Hendelia beckeri Czerny 1903, Paraclusia japonica Sasakawa 1957, and Clusiodes plumosus Sasakawa 1964 are broadly distributed over all the Japanese temperate forests, but these are not always most abundant species. The clusiid assemblage was heterogeneous in the species composition among various forest types. The femalebiased sample caught by Malaise traps and distinction of clusiid species composition between temperate and subtropical zones are also pointed out.