Vegetation gradient on the shores of Lake Nasser in Egypt

The paper, a synthesis based on data generated by our own investigation on Stipa baicalensis steppe for the period 1986–1988, deals with the relationships among biotic and abiotic factors at community ecology level. Analysis is placed on aboveground net primary production (ANPP), the energy source for livestock production process, and on accumulated temperature (5°C) (X₁), rainfall during the growing season of the steppe plants (X₂), and content of organic matter of surface soil (X₃), the abiotic variables most often used to explain variation in ANPP.The models predicting ANPP in Stipa baicalensis steppe were structured in terms of X₁, X₂, and X₃. The predictive power of the models was found to be very high, and the models were successfully validated in three cases with an independent data set.The prediction model that gave the best fitting in Stipa baicalensis steppe was% MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbqfgBHr% xAU9gimLMBVrxEWvgarmWu51MyVXgaruWqVvNCPvMCG4uz3bqefqvA% Tv2CG4uz3bIuV1wyUbqee0evGueE0jxyaibaieYlf9irVeeu0dXdh9% vqqj-hEeeu0xXdbba9frFf0-OqFfea0dXdd9vqaq-JfrVkFHe9pgea% 0dXdar-Jb9hs0dXdbPYxe9vr0-vr0-vqpWqaaeaabiGaciaacaqabe% aadaabauaaaOabaeqabaGaaeywaiaabIcacaWG4bGaaiykaiabg2da% 9iaaiwdacaaIYaGaaGioaiaac6cacaaIXaGaaG4maiaaikdacaaI4a% Gaey4kaSIaaGymaiaaikdacaGGUaGaaGymaiaaiMdacaaI0aGaaGio% aiaadIhadaWgaaWcbaGaaGymaaqabaGccqGHRaWkcaaI4aGaaGOmai% aac6cacaaI1aGaaG4naiaaicdacaaIXaGaaGimaiaaicdacaaIXaGa% amiEamaaBaaaleaacaaIYaaabeaakiabgUcaRiaaiwdacaaI3aGaai% OlaiaaigdacaaI5aGaaGioaiaaiEdacaWG4bWaaSbaaSqaaiaaioda% aeqaaOGaey4kaSIaaGymaiaaikdacaGGUaGaaGOnaiaaiodacaaI3a% GaaGynaiaadIhadaWgaaWcbaGaaGymaaqabaGccaWG4bWaaSbaaSqa% aiaaikdaaeqaaOGaeyOeI0IaaGOnaiaac6cacaaIXaGaaGOmaiaaiA% dacaaI1aGaamiEamaaBaaaleaacaaIXaaabeaakiaadIhadaWgaaWc% baGaaG4maaqabaaakeaacaqGGaGaaeiiaiaabccacaqGGaGaaeiiai% aabccacaqGGaGaaeiiaiaabccacaqGGaGaaeiiaiaabccacaqGRaGa% aeOmaiaabIdacaqGUaGaaeimaiaabIdacaqG3aGaaeynaiaadIhada% WgaaWcbaGaaGOmaaqabaGccaWG4bWaaSbaaSqaaiaaiodaaeqaaOGa% aeylaiaabodacaqG2aGaaeOlaiaabgdacaqG3aGaae4naiaabsdaca% WG4bWaa0baaSqaaiaaigdaaeaacaaIYaaaaOGaaeylaiaabccacaqG% ZaGaaeymaiaab6cacaqG0aGaaeinaiaabkdacaqG5aGaamiEamaaDa% aaleaacaaIYaaabaGaaGOmaaaakiaab2cacaqGYaGaaeOnaiaab6ca% caqGYaGaaeOnaiaabodacaqGZaGaamiEamaaDaaaleaacaaIZaaaba% GaaGOmaaaaaaaa!9ED0!\[\begin{gathered} {\text{Y(}}x) = 528.1328 + 12.1948x_1 + 82.5701001x_2 + 57.1987x_3 + 12.6375x_1 x_2 - 6.1265x_1 x_3 \hfill \\ {\text{ + 28}}{\text{.0875}}x_2 x_3 {\text{ - 36}}{\text{.1774}}x_1^2 {\text{ - 31}}{\text{.4429}}x_2^2 {\text{ - 26}}{\text{.2633}}x_3^2 \hfill \\ \end{gathered} \]We have also made, in detail, the analysis of the relationships among ANPP and 3 ecological factors above variables. ANPP was responsive to all of 3 ecological factors discussed in the paper. Action intensity, which has an effect upon ANPP, can be indicated by a contribution rate. The contribution rates of X₁, X₂, and X₃ were 1.069, 2.0513 and 1.8889, respectively.This paper not only discussed profoundly the relationships among ANPP and X₁, X₂, and X₃, but also studied exhaustively effects of the interactions X₁, X₂, and X₃, on ANPP.     

Field and Laboratory Studies on Nile Phytoplankton in Egypt IV. Phytoplankton of Aswan High Dam Lake (Lake Nasser)

Seasonal, local and monthly vertical variations in chlorophyll a concentration and in qualitative and quantitative counts in Aswan High Dam Lake (AHDL) phytoplankton were followed from March 1982 to February 1984. The chlorophyll a values correlated more or less with the total phytoplankton counts. Total algal counts exhibited considerable local variations in the different seasons and tended to decrease in the most southern part of AHDL, especially during the flood period. The temporal course of algal development showed an almost inverse trend to that of dissolved nitrate-nitrogen. The possibility of nitrogen limitation of algal growth was verified. Diatoms and blue-green algae alternated in the dominance of the phytoplankton community. The genera Cyclotella and Anabaenopsis respectively were the most predominant genera among the diatoms and blue-greens and consequently in the phytoplankton community.     

Monitoring forest plant biodiversity changes and developing conservation strategies: a study from Camili Biosphere Reserve Area in NE Turkey

This study was carried out in forestland of Camili Biosphere Reserve (CBR) area in NE Turkey. It was designed to evaluate the consequences of disturbances on changes in secondary forest succession from 1985 to 2005 for monitoring forest plant biodiversity changes and developing conservation strategies. The successional stages were mapped using Geographic Information System (GIS), Global Positioning System (GPS), aerial photos and high resolution satellite images (IKONOS). The results showed that stable stage decreased about 77.96% over the last 20-year time period. Although 701.6 ha conifer forests existed in competition and reaction stages in 1985, none existed in 2005. In overall, about 33.23% of the area decreased, 42.36% did not change and 24.41% increased in different seral stages. Consequently, 8.83% of the area decreased as a whole to indicate that the forest has been developing from stable to nudation stage, that is to say, retrogressive succession is going on in the area. Forest structure and its relationship with plant biodiversity along with its changes over time were determined using FRAGSTATS. We also investigated spatio-temporal configuration of six secondary forest successional stages and generated structural diversity measures. These measures revealed that the landscape has been fragmented, posing a danger to lose the important components of plant biodiversity. Sustainable management of such degraded forests is of crucial importance for plant biodiversity conservation. In conclusion, the study contributes to the development of a framework for effective conservation of plant biodiversity through plant biodiversity integrated Multiple Use Forest Management (MUFM) plans by using the successional stages and plant biodiversity changes.     

Spatial and seasonal variation of the zooplankton in the coastal zone and main khors of Lake Nasser (Egypt)

A prominent feature of Lake Nasser is the presence of khors (dendritic side extensions). We studied the zooplankton of the larger khors and coastal zone of the main lake in 1996 and 1997, and found an assemblage of rotifers, cladocerans and copepods that was partly tropical, partly temperate, at relatively high biomasses. Spatial differences were weak, but the upstream khors (Toushka and Korosko) were consistently richer than the downstream khors (El-Ramla and Kalabsha), with a rather sudden transition around km 150 at El Madiq. Summer standing crops were higher than those in winter by a factor 2–3. The zooplankton of the littoral of the main channel showed the same spatial pattern as that in the khors, being more abundant in spring (average 82300 ind m^–3) than in autumn (average 72700 ind m^–3). Zooplankton dry weight increased from 4 g m^–2 at khor El-Ramla to 7 g m^–2 at khor Toushka. These rather high values had low variation. The number of species, diversity and evenness all showed a high degree of similarity among the khors and in the littoral of the main lake. The lake fish fauna is poor, lacking a pelagic planktivore. The predominance of medium-sized Copepoda (one calanoid, two cyclopoids) in the zooplankton suggests that fish predation is moderate. This is confirmed by the persistence of two Daphnia species at low abundance, although rather strong variations in time suggest that Cladocera suffer from summer predation by invertebrates (copepods) as well as vertebrates (mostly larval fish). Because the zooplankton is underutilised by higher trophic levels, we suggest to assess the benefits of introducing a pelagic zooplanktivorous fish.     

Field and Laboratory Studies on Nile Phytoplankton in Egypt III. Some Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Aswan High Dam Lake (Lake Nasser)

Seasonal, local and monthly vertical variations in physical and chemical characteristics of Aswan High Dam Lake (AHDL) were followed during the period from March 1982 to February 1984. The results show that there were distinct seasonal thermal variations. Similarly, thermal stratification was evident from late spring through early autumn. Oxygen content appeared to vary with the changes in pH value. Water transparency in the southern part was greatly reduced by the incoming silt laden flood especially in summer months. Consequently, nitrate-nitrogen and total residue increased considerably in this part during summer. The recorded minimum N-concentration (2.35μg l⁻¹) was certainly limiting the growth of phytoplankton. Suspended and organic matter exhibited somewhat irregular variations at least during the period of this study.     

鼎湖山马尾松林生态系统碳素分配和贮量的研究

鼎湖山马尾松林中 ,马尾松各器官碳含量平均为 5 4.46%,灌木层植物 48.1 0 %,草本层植物40 .2 1 %,地表现存凋落物层 5 4.40 %,以上各组分总平均为 49.2 9%。土壤碳密度为 7.3 7kg· m- 2 (深 1 0 0cm)。生态系统各组分碳贮量分别为 :乔木层 68.876t·hm- 2 ,林下植物层 6.0 3 0 t· hm- 2 ,凋落物层 5 .892 t·hm- 2 ,土壤层 73 .70 5 t· hm- 2。根据研究结果 ,还对广东省马尾松林的现有碳贮量和碳吸存潜力进行了估算和讨论。     

Expansion of Myriophyllum spicatum (Eurasian water milfoil) into Lake Nasser,Egypt: Invasive capacity and habitat stability

The invasion of Myriophyllum spicatum into Lake Nasser, and its impact on submerged macrophyte communities are quantitatively documented. Samples of macrophytes, water and hydrosoil were collected from 17 sites, in October and November 2002. The average dry weight standing crop of each species per grapnel haul was determined at each depth zone (sampling site). Twenty-one environmental variables were measured (12 water and 9 hydrosoil variables). Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was used to determine species–environment relationships. Comparing these relationships of the present study with those detected in 1988–1990 indicated significant changes in water and hydrosoil characteristics. These changes are also implicated in the submerged macrophyte communities. M. spicatum has replaced the originally dominant submerged macrophyte Najas marina subsp. armata. The study indicated that the invasion of M. spicatum depends not only on its attributes, but also on the physico-chemical characteristics of Lake Nasser.     

Effect of protection and controlled grazing on the vegetation of a Mediterranean desert ecosystem in Northern Egypt

The present study provides preliminary assessments of the effect of protection and controlled grazing on the vegetation composition and phytomass in a Mediterranean desert ecosystem, 80 km W of Alexandria.Plots were fenced in 1974 and 1977, and different degrees of grazing pressure (no grazing, 25 and 50% of the grazing pressure freely practiced by the inhabitants) were applied. Changes in density, cover, frequency, phytomass and the phenological sequence of species were recorded and compared to those of the same species outside the fenced plots.Density and cover of perennials, frequency and presence of annuals, and total phytomass increased as a result of protection and controlled grazing. The arrangement of stands along ordination axes correlated with the degree of grazing pressure, which indicated that the distribution of species in the study area was more related to overgrazing than to the factors of the physical environment.Nomenclature of vascular plants follows Täckholm, V., Student's Flora of Egypt, Cairo University Press, 1974.This study was carried out within the framework of the Project of Regional Environmental Management of Mediterranean Desert Ecosystems of Northern Egypt (REMDENE), sponsored by the Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, and supported by grants from the USA Environmental Protection Agency and the Ford Foundation.     

Terraced landscapes of the Shouf Biosphere Reserve (Lebanon): analysis of geomorphological variables

Biodiversity and Conservation - This work aims to characterize the agricultural heritage system surrounding the Shouf Biosphere Reserve (SBR) in Lebanon, through a landscape analysis based on...     

区域生态系统健康动态评价——以毛集生态实验区为例

区域生态系统健康状况对区域可持续发展具有重要意义。基于"系统和谐"理念,构建区域生态系统健康评价体系,对毛集生态试验区生态系统及其4个子系统健康水平和演进趋势进行量化分析。结果表明:5年尺度上社会系统得分受人口健康水平及民众幸福感知强度制约而增幅不大;经济系统得分提高迅速,增幅达到149.5%,但负外部效应明显;自然系统健康水平先降低再增加,主要受湖泊生物多样性下降影响;风险系统得分先降低再增加,自然-经济-社会耦合系统发展失衡是导致风险水平激增的主要原因。区域生态系统健康各年评价结果均为亚健康隶属,正向隶属先增大后减小,环境负荷增大是造成区域生态系统弹性减弱,敏感性增强,发展活力降低的主要原因。     

Children as ethnobotanists: methods and local impact of a participatory research project with children on wild plant gathering in the Grosses Walsertal Biosphere Reserve,Austria

Background

Ethically sound research in applied ethnobiology should benefit local communities by giving them full access to research processes and results. Participatory research may ensure such access, but there has been little discussion on methodological details of participatory approaches in ethnobiological research. This paper presents and discusses the research processes and methods developed in the course of a three-year research project on wild plant gathering, the involvement of children as co-researchers and the project’s indications for local impact.

Method

Research was conducted in the Grosses Walsertal Biosphere Reserve, Austria, between 2008 and 2010 in four research phases. In phase 1, 36 freelist interviews with local people and participant observation was conducted. In phase 2 school workshops were held in 14 primary school classes and their 189 children interviewed 506 family members with structured questionnaires. In phase 3, 27 children and two researchers co-produced participatory videos. In phase 4 indications for the impact of the project were investigated with questionnaires from ten children and with participant observation.

Results

Children participated in various ways in the research process and the scientific output and local impact of the project was linked to the phases, degrees and methods of children’s involvement. Children were increasingly involved in the project, from non-participation to decision-making. Scientific output was generated from participatory and non-participatory activities whereas local impact - on personal, familial, communal and institutional levels - was mainly generated through the participatory involvement of children as interviewers and as co-producers of videos. Creating scientific outputs from participatory video is little developed in ethnobiology, whereas bearing potential.

Conclusions

As ethnobotanists and ethnobiologists, if we are truly concerned about the impact and benefits of our research processes and results to local communities, the details of the research processes need to be deliberately planned and evaluated and then reported and discussed in academic publications.

     

Hoverfly (Diptera, Syrphidae) fauna of Ary-Mas locality (the Taimyr Biosphere Reserve)

The local fauna of Ary-Mas (the Taimyr Biosphere Reserve) was found to comprise 56 species of hoverflies, representing only two subfamilies: Syrphinae (36 species) and Eristalinae (20 species). Analysis of trophic preferences of adult hover-flies showed that Syrphidae visited plants of 17 species from 10 families. The representatives of Syrphidae preferred Tanacetum bipinnatum (18 species), Ranunculus propinquus, and Tripleurospermum hookeri (12 species each). Three species of hoverflies visited the greatest number of plant species: Melangyna arctica (11), Syrphus ribesii (9), and Parasyrphus dryadis (8).     

The impact of land conversion on plant biodiversity in the forest zone of Cameroon

Floristic surveys were carried out in different land use systems(primary and secondary forest, fallows of different ages, cocoa plantations,crop fields) within the forest zone of Cameroon, to assess the impact of landconversion on above-ground plant biodiversity. Beside various diversity studies,plant density was measured and diameter at breast height was estimated.The results showed that the forest areas, which represent thehistoric biodiversity of the region, preserve the greatest number of species(160 species in primary forest and 171 in secondary forest). Our resultsindicate the relatively great importance of secondary forests as refuge areasfor primary forest plant species that may function as a starting point forpossible regeneration of original biodiversity. Species richness is reducedprogressively from the original forest (160 spp.) and secondary forests (171spp.), to Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae) fallow fields(149 spp.), to an old fallow field (139 spp.), to a cocoa plantation (116 spp.)and to the farmland (64 spp.), where only weeds and crops contribute essentiallyto plant biodiversity. Also the number of species that are used for non-timberproducts (construction, food and medicines) decreased with increased landconversion.     

Taxonomy of Soldier Flies (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) of Sunderban Biosphere Reserve,India

The present communication deals with recording of nine species of soldier flies (Insecta: Diptera: Stratiomyidae) from Sunderban Biosphere Reserve of India, of which, Tinda indica (Walker, 1851), Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus, 1758), Odontomyia kashmirensis Brunetti, 1920, Odontomyia viridana (Wiedemann, 1824), Prosopochrysa vitripennis (Doleschall, 1856) are being reported for the first time from this unique and globally acclaimed mangrove ecosystem. Odontomyia kashmirensis Brunetti, 1920 is reported for the first time from the state of West Bengal. A key to identify these species is provided with taxonomic notes.     

Ecological features of exotic Vespula wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) invading the southernmost UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Biological Invasions - Invasive alien species may cause substantial changes and damaging impacts. Here, we document the current distribution and ecological interactions with native biota of...     

Rickettsial agents detected in the genus Psathyromyia (Diptera:Phlebotominae) from a Biosphere Reserve of Veracruz,Mexico

Phlebotomine sand flies are considered the main vectors of Leishmania, the causal agents of leishmaniasis, which is a serious emerging public health problem worldwide. The use of biological control alternatives, like endosymbiotic bacteria (Wolbachia and Rickettsia), have been proposed to decrease sand fly populations and reduce Leishmania transmissions, yet only few records on the detection of Wolbachia or Rickettsia in sand flies are available worldwide. The aim of this study was to perform the molecular detection of Rickettsial agents associated with sand flies from the last patch of a rainforest in south-eastern Mexico, where a high prevalence of Leishmania infantum has been reported. Sampling effort of sand flies covered 300 trap-nights between 2011 and 2013, and a total of 925 specimens from twelve species were morphologically identified. Using PCR techniques, we identified a new lineage of the endosymbionts Rickettsia in Psathyromyia aclydifera (prevalence of 19.54%), and Wolbachia in Psathyromyia shannoni and Lutzomyia sp. (prevalence of 25%). The detected Wolbachia lineage was similar to the wWhi strain found in Pa. shannoni from Colombia and Nyssomyia whitmani from Brazil; whereas the identified Rickettsia represents a new lineage worldwide. This is the first record of Rickettsial agents associated to sand flies from this region, yet it remains for analysed if these bacteria possibly play a role as vector control agents, capable of reducing the sand fly populations in Mexico.     

Zoning has little impact on the seasonal diel activity and distribution patterns of wild boar (Sus scrofa) in an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Understanding the spatio‐temporal distribution of ungulates is important for effective wildlife management, particularly for economically and ecologically important species such as wild boar (Sus scrofa). Wild boars are generally considered to exhibit substantial behavioral flexibility, but it is unclear how their behavior varies across different conservation management regimes and levels of human pressure. To analyze if and how wild boars adjust their space use or their temporal niche, we surveyed wild boars across the core and buffer zones (collectively referred to as the conservation zone) and the transition zone of a biosphere reserve. These zones represent low and high levels of human pressure, respectively. Specifically, we employed a network of 53 camera traps distributed in the Schaalsee UNESCO Biosphere Reserve over a 14‐month period (19,062 trap nights) and estimated circadian activity patterns, diel activity levels, and occupancy of wild boars in both zones. To account for differences in environmental conditions and day length, we estimated these parameters separately for seven 2‐month periods. Our results showed that the wild boars were primarily nocturnal, with diurnal activity occurring dominantly during the summer months. The diel activity patterns in the two zones were very similar overall, although the wild boars were slightly less active in the transition zone than in the conservation zone. Diel activity levels also varied seasonally, ranging from 7.5 to 11.0 h day⁻¹, and scaled positively with the length of the night (R ² = 0.66–0.67). Seasonal occupancy estimates were exceptionally high (point estimates ranged from 0.65 to 0.99) and similar across zones, suggesting that the wild boars used most of the biosphere reserve. Overall, this result suggests that different conservation management regimes (in this case, the zoning of a biosphere reserve) have little impact on wild boar behavior. This finding is relevant for wildlife management in protected areas where possibly high wild boar densities could interfere with conservation goals within these areas and those of agricultural land use in their vicinity.