Constraints to the implementation of biological control in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a tropical island with a rich diversity of arthropods, with many species of indigenous natural enemies of economic pests. However, no extensive island wide surveys have been carried out for natural enemies of major crop ecosystems and only a few of the indigenous natural enemies are reported useful for augmentation biological pest control by massive field releases of laboratory-produced insects. Most successful biological control programs on the island are importation (i.e. classical) biological control programs, where established exotic natural enemies control certain pest populations in valuable crops. There is growing interest in the use of native natural enemies in pest management, thus creating a need for intensive research on the ecology of indigenous natural enemies and development of infrastructure and technology to produce natural enemies for augmentation. This paper examines constraints and opportunities for implementation of biological control in Sri Lanka.     

第七届热带森林生态学学术研讨会述评

为持续加强热带森林生态学科技工作者之间的相互了解、促进学术交流与合作。2016年8月12—14日在海口举行了以"做实生态学基础,服务美丽热区建设"为主题的第七届热带森林生态学学术研讨会,有18位生态学领域的研究者做了学术报告,报告内容涵盖了热带森林生态服务功能评估、热带森林生态系统物质与能量的循环、环境对热带森林物质能量循环的影响、海南岛植物区系与海南岛的起源、热带植物种类资源调查分析、热带生态资源资产核算、热带人工林生态及科学发展、以及热带森林生态学野外观测技术等。     

The life and work of Rosemary Lowe-McConnell: pioneer in tropical fish ecology

Synopsis Rosemary Lowe-McConnell is one of the pioneers of tropical fish ecology. During a colourful and eventful career spanning over 45 years, she has worked in the tropical waters of Africa and South America and contributed significantly to our understanding of the ecology, zoogeography, phenology, evolution and taxonomy of tropical fishes. She has also assisted countless young ichthyologists and fisheries scientists and stimulated ichthyology through her lucid books on fish ecology. She continues to play an active role in the promotion of ichthyology and ecology from her home in Sussex in the English countryside. A brief biography and tribute is given so that her contributions to tropical fish ecology can be more widely appreciated.     

Indigenous Burning as Conservation Practice: Neotropical Savanna Recovery amid Agribusiness Deforestation in Central Brazil

International efforts to address climate change by reducing tropical deforestation increasingly rely on indigenous reserves as conservation units and indigenous peoples as strategic partners. Considered win-win situations where global conservation measures also contribute to cultural preservation, such alliances also frame indigenous peoples in diverse ecological settings with the responsibility to offset global carbon budgets through fire suppression based on the presumed positive value of non-alteration of tropical landscapes. Anthropogenic fire associated with indigenous ceremonial and collective hunting practices in the Neotropical savannas (cerrado) of Central Brazil is routinely represented in public and scientific conservation discourse as a cause of deforestation and increased CO₂ emissions despite a lack of supporting evidence. We evaluate this claim for the Xavante people of Pimentel Barbosa Indigenous Reserve, Brazil. Building upon 23 years of longitudinal interdisciplinary research in the area, we used multi-temporal spatial analyses to compare land cover change under indigenous and agribusiness management over the last four decades (1973–2010) and quantify the contemporary Xavante burning regime contributing to observed patterns based on a four year sample at the end of this sequence (2007–2010). The overall proportion of deforested land remained stable inside the reserve (0.6%) but increased sharply outside (1.5% to 26.0%). Vegetation recovery occurred where reserve boundary adjustments transferred lands previously deforested by agribusiness to indigenous management. Periodic traditional burning by the Xavante had a large spatial distribution but repeated burning in consecutive years was restricted. Our results suggest a need to reassess overreaching conservation narratives about the purported destructiveness of indigenous anthropogenic fire in the cerrado. The real challenge to conservation in the fire-adapted cerrado biome is the long-term sustainability of indigenous lands and other tropical conservation islands increasingly subsumed by agribusiness expansion rather than the localized subsistence practices of indigenous and other traditional peoples.     

The legacy of cultural landscapes in the Brazilian Amazon: implications for biodiversity

For centuries Amazonia has held the Western scientific and popular imagination as a primordial forest, only minimally impacted by small, simple and dispersed groups that inhabit the region. Studies in historical ecology refute this view. Rather than pristine tropical forest, some areas are better viewed as constructed or 'domesticated' landscapes, dramatically altered by indigenous groups in the past. This paper reviews recent archaeological research in several areas along the Amazon River with evidence of large pre-European (ca 400-500 calendar years before the present) occupations and large-scale transformations of forest and wetland environments. Research from the southern margins of closed tropical forest, in the headwaters of the Xingu River, are highlighted as an example of constructed nature in the Amazon. In all cases, human influences dramatically altered the distribution, frequency and configurations of biological communities and ecological settings. Findings of historical change and cultural variability, including diverse small to medium-sized complex societies, have clear implications for questions of conservation and sustainability and, specifically, what constitutes 'hotspots' of bio-historical diversity in the Amazon region.     

藤本植物适应生态学研究进展及存在问题

1　藤本植物的重要性　　藤本植物又称攀缘植物 ,是一类不能自由直立、通过主茎缠绕或攀缘器官攀缘它物升高的植物的总称 ,包括木质藤本和草质藤本两类。藤本植物是热带、亚热带森林重要的外貌和结构特征 ,常把森林冠层打结在一起形成特殊的层片结构[1～4] 。在南美热带森林中 ,在胸径大于 1 5～2 0ｃｍ的树木中有近一半的树冠上攀有藤本[5～ 7] ,森林下层植物中有 1 8%～ 2 2 %是藤本植物的幼藤[6] 。泰国[8] 和Ｇａｂｏｎ[9] 的热带森林的凋落物中藤本植物的叶占 32 %～ 36%。藤本植物也是热带森林种类多样性的重要组成部分。Ｇｅｎｔｒｙ…     

2015年海南省生态学会青年科技工作者学术研讨会述评

为探讨生态学最新前沿和进展,加强青年生态学科技工作者之间的交流与合作。 2015年11月28-30日在海南大学举行了以“加强合作研究,服务地方发展”为主题的2015年海南省生态学会青年科技工作者学术研讨会,有22位生态学领域的科技工作者做了大会报告,内容涵盖了森林生态系统固碳功能、热带云雾林群落生态学、动物寄生行为生态、道路生态、热带植物的分布与进化、生物多样性、生态恢复、环境生态承载力、生态友好行社区建设模式、生态系统生理学、海洋生态风险评估等。     

In depth review of the ecology of arenicolous marine fungi

As an ecotone, sandy beaches exist within a multi-dimensional mesh of environmental gradients, shaped by numerous parameters (e.g. temperature, humidity, wave action, sand particle size and salinity). These limit the proliferation of a narrow group of fungal species. Obligate arenicolous marine fungi are an ecological assemblage of sand-associated heterotrophs that inhabit sandy beaches. These organisms have evolved to cope with dynamic beach conditions, having a cosmopolitan distribution across tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. Herein we provide an overview of published works relating to the fungi of sandy beaches, focusing on the past half-century. We outline a broad range of topics in ecology including fungal adaptive traits to intertidal conditions at the morphological and genetic levels, temporal and spatial patterns in community structure, and species variations in substrate preference. Collectively, these concepts should encourage marine mycologists to embrace a holistic set of perspectives to shape the outlook for beach ecology.     

Diversity in symbiotic specificity of cowpea rhizobia indigenous to Zimbabwean soils

Tropical cowpea rhizobia are often presumed to be generally promiscuous but poor N fixers. This study was conducted to evaluate symbiotic interactions of 59 indigenous rhizobia isolates (49 of them from cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)), with up to 13 other (mostly tropical) legume species. Host ranges averaged 2.4 and 2.3 legume species each for fast- and slow-growing isolates respectively compared to 4.3 for slow-growing reference cowpea strains. An average of 22% and 19% of fast- and slow-growing cowpea isolates respectively were effective on each of 12 legume species tested. We conclude that the indigenous cowpea rhizobia studied have relatively narrow host ranges. The ready nodulation of different legumes in tropical soils appears due to the diversity of indigenous symbiotic genotypes, each consisting of subgroups compatible with a limited number of legume species.     

Tropical China Plant Diversity,Ecology and Conservation – a Glimpse at the Current State

Tropical and subtropical ecosystems, especially those found on limestone substrates, are among the most diverse terrestrial habitats in China. However, little is known about patterns of plant diversity, ecology and conservation status within these ecosystems. In this special issue we present five reviews and/or in-depth studies of these tropical Chinese plants and ecosystems that capture current research efforts in tropical China plant ecology.     

Tropical mangrove ecology: Physical and biotic factors influencing ecosystem structure and function

Our understanding of the ecology of tropical mangals has strong practical implications for the management and conservation of these threatened ecosystems. Earlier models of tropical mangals proposed overwhelming influences by physical forces and processes such as the tidal regime or geomorphology on ecosystem structure and function. Recent findings from especially the Indo-Pacific mangals suggest also considerable influence from biotic agents and processes such as sesarmine crab feeding and bioturbation activities in shaping the ecology of tropical mangals. I argue that more research attention should be paid to the study of the interplay between physical and biotic influences in the ecology of tropical mangals. Examples in litter dynamics and community determination are given to illustrate how biotic influences may respond to changes in the physical setting of mangals. This necessitates an approach integrating the two sources of influences. Despite decades of increased research effort, answers to many fundamental questions concerning practical management issues of tropical mangals are still largely unavailable. The often-acclaimed functions and values of tropical mangals also have to be critically assessed in the light of existing and future data. It is proposed that research effort should also be targeted towards the assessment and mitigation of the predicted impacts of urgent problems faced by tropical mangals (e.g. conversion to aquaculture ponds, pollution) in order to secure their long-term conservation and wise management.     

热带与亚热带森林分子生态学研究

当前 ,植物学家会有更多的方法和手段来从事植物学的研究 ,如分子生物学方法、遗传学的方法、植物生理学的方法、分类学方法等。其中分子生物学方法直接研究植物遗传物质ＤＮＡ ,从根本上揭示了生物体内涵 ,有着极其重要的作用[4 7] 。因此用分子生物学手段进行生态学的研究有着广泛应用前景和重要意义。分子生物学方法既节省时间和资金 ,又比传统方法解决了更多的问题[6 1] 。例如在动物学研究中 ,用少许的毛发就可以分析高山土拨鼠 (ＭａｒｍｏｔａｍａｒｍｏｔａＳｃｉｕｒｉｄａｅ)的交配系统[30 ] ;粪便所带的肠道粘膜细胞ＤＮＡ也可以…     

Beyond Reserves: A Research Agenda for Conserving Biodiversity in Human-modified Tropical Landscapes

To truly understand the current status of tropical diversity and to forecast future trends, we need to increase emphasis on the study of biodiversity in rural landscapes that are actively managed or modified by people. We present an integrated landscape approach to promote research in human-modified landscapes that includes the effects of landscape structure and dynamics on conservation of biodiversity, provision of ecosystem services, and sustainability of rural livelihoods. We propose research priorities encompassing three major areas: biodiversity, human–environment interactions, and restoration ecology. We highlight key areas where we lack knowledge and where additional understanding is most urgent for promoting conservation and sustaining rural livelihoods. Finally, we recommend participatory and multidisciplinary approaches in research and management. Lasting conservation efforts demand new alliances among conservation biologists, agroecologists, agronomists, farmers, indigenous peoples, rural social movements, foresters, social scientists, and land managers to collaborate in research, co-design conservation programs and policies, and manage human-modified landscapes in ways that enhance biodiversity conservation and promote sustainable livelihoods.     

The biogeographical distribution of microfungi associated with three palm species from tropical and temperate habitats

The microfungi of three palm species were investigated in their natural habitats and in habitats where the palms were cultivated outside their natural ranges. The palms that were selected differed in their habitats and ecology. Archontophoenix alexandrae is endemic to tropical rainforests in Australia, Cocos nucifera is pan‐tropical and Trachycarpus fortunei occurs in warm‐temperate China. Different assemblages of fungi were found in association with palms in temperate regions as compared to those in tropical regions. These differences were more related to climatic influences than to the hosts sampled, as few fungi were host‐species specific. The status of the hosts at the site, i.e. indigenous or introduced, and the degree of disturbance of the habitats within which the palms grew were also influential. When sampled in its natural habitat, Archontophoenix alexandrae had a distinct palmicolous mycota typical of other palms in tropical rainforests. Outside of the palm’s natural habitat, a widely different mycota were recorded that comprised tropical species of a more plurivorous nature. A similar plurivorous assemblage characterized the fungi associated with Cocos nucifera, probably due to the palm’s long history of cultivation. Similarly, plurivorous, but temperate or widespread fungi were associated with Trachycarpus fortunei, both within and outside of its natural habitat. This palm is also highly cultivated. A reduction in palm fungi associated with palms in disturbed habitats has implications for conservation of these fungi. However, it is acknowledged that the data for fungal diversity and distribution is incomplete and fragmentary.     

Ectomycorrhizal fungi of the Seychelles: diversity patterns and host shifts from the native Vateriopsis seychellarum (Dipterocarpaceae) and Intsia bijuga (Caesalpiniaceae) to the introduced Eucalyptus robusta (Myrtaceae), but not Pinus caribea (Pinaceae)

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi form highly diverse communities in temperate forests, but little is known about their community ecology in tropical ecosystems. Using anatomotyping and rDNA sequencing, ECM fungi were identified on root tips of the introduced Eucalyptus robusta and Pinus caribea as well as the endemic Vateriopsis seychellarum and indigenous Intsia bijuga in the Seychelles. Sequencing revealed 30 species of ECM fungi on root tips of V. seychellarum and I. bijuga, with three species overlapping. Eucalyptus robusta shared five of these taxa, whereas P. caribea hosted three unique species of ECM fungi that were likely cointroduced with containerized seedlings. The thelephoroid (including the anamorphic genus Riessiella), euagaric, boletoid and hymenochaetoid clades of basidiomycetes dominated the ECM fungal community of native trees. Two species of Annulatascaceae (Sordariales, Ascomycota) were identified and described as ECM symbionts of V. seychellarum. The low diversity of native ECM fungi is attributed to deforestation and long-term isolation of the Seychelles. Native ECM fungi associate with exotic eucalypts, whereas cointroduced ECM fungi persist in pine plantations for decades.     

Rattan: Ecological balance in a borneo rainforest swidden

Various agricultural strategies have been tried in swidden areas of tropical rainforest. Some have focused on food production, others on cash crops. Certain strategies have disrupted the ecological balance of the rainforest, while others developed with ecological stability in mind, but rarely have food production and cash cropping been coterminous and maintained ecological stability. Rattan in tropical rainforest swidden of southeastern Borneo is an indigenous system of producing both food and a cash crop without ecological disruption.     

Community ecology of African reptiles: historical perspective and a meta-analysis using null models

Community ecology and resource-partitioning patterns of African reptiles have been increasingly studied over the past 30 years. In this paper, I review these studies and provide a meta-analysis based on null models and Monte Carlo simulations (RA2 and RA3 algorithms) to compare patterns of resource partitioning among reptiles in tropical versus nontropical Africa. In general, studies on community ecology of African reptiles have had a strong impact on the global study of resource-partitioning patterns in ectotherms, with such authors as Robert Barbault and Eric Pianka being among the most famous having ever worked in Africa. Despite previous claims, in this paper I suggest that there is no true evidence that reptile biomass is depressed in tropical Africa in comparison with tropical regions of other continents. My null-model reanalysis of 32 independent study systems (twenty from tropical Africa and twelve from nontropical Africa) shows that resource-partitioning patterns are nearly always found in tropical assemblages of reptiles, although this cannot be said for nontropical assemblages of species. Microhabitat (especially for lizards) and food (especially for snakes) are the resource axes typically partitioned by African reptiles.     

Effectiveness of strict vs. multiple use protected areas in reducing tropical forest fires: a global analysis using matching methods

Protected areas (PAs) cover a quarter of the tropical forest estate. Yet there is debate over the effectiveness of PAs in reducing deforestation, especially when local people have rights to use the forest. A key analytic problem is the likely placement of PAs on marginal lands with low pressure for deforestation, biasing comparisons between protected and unprotected areas. Using matching techniques to control for this bias, this paper analyzes the global tropical forest biome using forest fires as a high resolution proxy for deforestation; disaggregates impacts by remoteness, a proxy for deforestation pressure; and compares strictly protected vs. multiple use PAs vs indigenous areas. Fire activity was overlaid on a 1 km map of tropical forest extent in 2000; land use change was inferred for any point experiencing one or more fires. Sampled points in pre-2000 PAs were matched with randomly selected never-protected points in the same country. Matching criteria included distance to road network, distance to major cities, elevation and slope, and rainfall. In Latin America and Asia, strict PAs substantially reduced fire incidence, but multi-use PAs were even more effective. In Latin America, where there is data on indigenous areas, these areas reduce forest fire incidence by 16 percentage points, over two and a half times as much as naïve (unmatched) comparison with unprotected areas would suggest. In Africa, more recently established strict PAs appear to be effective, but multi-use tropical forest protected areas yield few sample points, and their impacts are not robustly estimated. These results suggest that forest protection can contribute both to biodiversity conservation and CO2 mitigation goals, with particular relevance to the REDD agenda. Encouragingly, indigenous areas and multi-use protected areas can help to accomplish these goals, suggesting some compatibility between global environmental goals and support for local livelihoods.     

Correlates of extinction risk of birds from two Indonesian islands

Size of distributional range, position in the range, body size and diet are some of the ecological traits that may correlate with local abundance. Evolutionary phenomena such as taxon cycles, acting over much greater time periods, may also influence abundance and promote species extinction. This paper assesses which of a wide range of ecological and historic traits best predict the variation in abundance of tropical forest birds on Sumba and Buru islands in Wallacea (Indonesia). In addition we seek to determine which traits predict species' ability to adapt to secondary or logged forest. The most important correlates of both abundance and ability to transfer were those related to the evolutionary history of the species within the Wallacean Archipelago and not the traits that were more directly related to species ecology. These relationships are maintained when allowance is made for phylogenetic relationships. Our interpretation of the results is that recent colonists to an island are initially rare in the indigenous forest habitat but concomitant with an adaptation to local conditions they gradually become more abundant and taxonomically distinct from other populations of the same species. These results apparently contradict the taxon cycle hypothesis but this may be a result of our focus on indigenous forest habitats rather than on a wider range dominated by anthropogenic ones.