Influence of habitat heterogeneity on the distribution of larval Pacific lamprey (Lampetra tridentata) at two spatial scales

1. Spatial patterns in channel morphology and substratum composition at small (1–10 metres) and large scales (1–10 kilometres) were analysed to determine the influence of habitat heterogeneity on the distribution and abundance of larval lamprey. 2. We used a nested sampling design and multiple logistic regression to evaluate spatial heterogeneity in the abundance of larval Pacific lamprey, Lampetra tridentata, and habitat in 30 sites (each composed of twelve 1‐m² quadrat samples) distributed throughout a 55‐km section of the Middle Fork John Day River, OR, U.SA. Statistical models predicting the relative abundance of larvae both among sites (large scale) and among samples (small scale) were ranked using Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC) to identify the ‘best approximating’ models from a set of a priori candidate models determined from the literature on larval lamprey habitat associations. 3. Stream habitat variables predicted patterns in larval abundance but played different roles at different spatial scales. The abundance of larvae at large scales was positively associated with water depth and open riparian canopy, whereas patchiness in larval occurrence at small scales was associated with low water velocity, channel‐unit morphology (pool habitats), and the availability of habitat suitable for burrowing. 4. Habitat variables explained variation in larval abundance at large and small scales, but locational factors, such as longitudinal position (river km) and sample location within the channel unit, explained additional variation in the logistic regression model. The results emphasise the need for spatially explicit analysis, both in examining fish habitat relationships and in developing conservation plans for declining fish populations.     

Population modelling of the spatial interactions between Maculinea rebeli their initial foodplant Gentiana cruciata and Myrmica ants within a site

A spatial computer simulation model has been developed to assist our understanding of the ways in which Maculinea butterflies depend upon the spatial distribution and abundance of their initial foodplant and their Myrmica host ant. It was initially derived for the Maculinea rebeli-Myrmica schencki-Gentiana cruciata system. It relates the population processes of the competing host and other ant species to an underlying gradient of habitat quality and incorporates the impact of adopted Maculinea caterpillars on the growth and survival of individual ant nests. The model was initially calibrated for a large site in the Spanish Pyrenees, but has since been successfully tested on 12 French sites and another in Spain. On such sites, with M. rebeli present, there is a close relationship between Maculinea population density and the density of the early larval foodplant G. cruciata. Optimum gentian density is estimated to be about 1500 plants ha-1 on sites with the natural clumping of gentians found. However, any site management which added extra gentians, especially if filling the gaps, is predicted to reduce the Maculinea population. Meta-population studies of single species have shown that the size and spatial arrangement of patches of assumed uniformly suitable habitat can influence their population dynamics and persistence. Our modelling suggests that the spatial pattern of suitable habitat of varied quality within a single site can influence the local butterfly population size and perhaps also persistence. Despite being free-ranging over the whole area, the butterfly's dynamics may depend on the arrangement of habitat quality at a finer spatial scale, due to its interactions with ant species possessing narrower habitat niches and more localized dispersal. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998     

秦岭皇冠优势灌木苦糖果的空间分布格局及种内种间关联

以秦岭皇冠暖温性落叶阔叶林25 hm²森林样地中的优势灌木苦糖果为对象,研究了苦糖果不同径级个体的空间分布格局以及种内种间关系。结果表明: 苦糖果径级结构呈现出下宽上窄的金字塔型,小径级植株数量最多,更新状态较好,处于稳定增长阶段,有利于群落更新和演替。以Ripley's K函数为基础,采用单变量和双变量成对相关函数,在3个零模型(完全空间随机模型、异质泊松模型和先决条件模型)的处理下,树种整体和不同径级以聚集分布为主,且聚集程度随研究尺度的加大而逐渐减小,逐渐趋向随机分布。受到生境异质性、扩散限制、负密度制约等影响,种内不同径级个体之间以正关联为主,但也有一定程度的无关联,未出现负关联的情况。种间关系较为复杂,既有无关联,也有正关联和负关联,但以负关联和无关联为主。     

老龄阔叶红松林下层木空间分布的生境关联分析

基于老龄阔叶红松林30 hm2(500 m×600 m)固定监测样地,分析了老龄阔叶红松林下层(1 cm≤DBH≤5 cm)14个主要树种(个体数>300)的空间分布与空间距离、地形因子及郁闭度之间关联性。结果显示:(1)14个种都显示出了聚集分布,绝大多数种呈现出了在小距离级上呈显著正空间自相关大距离级上呈现显著负空间自相关的趋势。(2)6个种显示与空间距离显著相关即存在本身的聚集效应,占被检验种的42.86%;7个种显示出与环境(地形、郁闭度)有显著相关性即存在显著的生境偏好,占50%。个体数大于1000的7优势种中有5个种空间分布与生境显著相关,5个种与空间距离显著相关。(3)色木槭、千金榆显示出了对低海拔、向阳坡生境类型的偏好,簇毛槭、花楷槭、毛榛显示出对高海拔、坡度陡、向阴坡生境类型的偏好。这表明,老龄阔叶红松林下层木多数树种为聚集分布,其聚集性的空间分布受生境及自身聚集效应的重要影响。多个树种对同种生境的偏好体现了植物利用资源的相似性和生态位的重叠,对不同生境的偏好体现了物种间的排斥性,这是长期适应不同微环境,利用不同空间资源的结果,也是生态位分离的反映。     

Habitat selection in a large orb‐weaving spider: vegetational complexity determines site selection and distribution

1. The distribution of the large orb‐weaving spider Argiope trifasciata in old field habitats of North America and the habitat selection process this species used was studied for 2 years. 2. Because web spiders have limited dispersal abilities and an energetically costly prey capture device, they do not have the ability to sample potential foraging sites. Structural complexity of the vegetation to which the web must be attached is relatively easy to assess. The hypothesis that the structural complexity is a primary factor in determining initial web site selection was tested both by relating the natural distribution of the spiders across habitats to vegetational complexity and by manipulating the complexity of the habitats in a series of experiments. 3. Argiope trifasciata was not distributed evenly among three old field vegetation types. Habitat complexity was related to spider density in both years although no measure of insect activity, prey capture, or prey consumption was correlated with spider distribution. 4. Three experimental manipulations were conducted to test the impact of habitat structure on spider establishment: (1) the amount of natural vegetation was reduced, (2) structures were added to a simple habitat, and (3) the complexity of the structures added was varied. In each case, spiders were introduced and establishment of webs was monitored. In all manipulations, spider establishment was related to the complexity of the substrate available. 5. These results are important for understanding the cues that influence foraging site selection and therefore provide insight into the distribution of species with limited dispersal abilities and high site investment requirements.     

Spatial Heterogeneity in Habitat Quality and Cross-Scale Interactions in Metapopulations

Abstract Integration of habitat heterogeneity into spatially realistic metapopulation approaches reveals the potential for key cross-scale interactions. Broad-scale environmental gradients and land-use practices can create autocorrelation of habitat quality of suitable patches at intermediate spatial scales. Patch occupancy then depends not only on habitat quality at the patch scale but also on feedbacks from surrounding neighborhoods of autocorrelated patches. Metapopulation dynamics emerge from how demographic and dispersal processes interact with relevant habitat heterogeneity. We provide an empirical example from a metapopulation of round-tailed muskrats (Neofiber alleni) in which habitat quality of suitable patches was spatially autocorrelated most strongly within 1,000 m, which was within the expected dispersal range of the species. After controlling for factors typically considered in metapopulation studies—patch size, local patch quality, patch connectivity—we use a cross-variogram analysis to demonstrate that patch occupancy by muskrats was correlated with habitat quality across scales ≤1,171 m. We also discuss general consequences of spatial heterogeneity of habitat quality for metapopulations related to potential cross-scale interactions. We focus on spatially correlated extinctions and metapopulation persistence, hierarchical scaling of source–sink dynamics, and dispersal decisions by individuals in relation to information constraints.     

集合种群动态对生境毁坏空间异质性的响应

首次将分形几何(Fractal geometry)与元胞自动机(Cellular automata)相结合,研究了破碎化生境中集合种群的空间分布格局动态,以及集合种群动态对生境毁坏空间异质性的响应。研究发现:(1)各个物种种群在生境中的分布具有很好的分形特征,物种的计盒维数(Box dimension)不仅可以很好地反映种群的空间分布结构,也能很好地反映种群动态。(2)如果将空间因素考虑进来的话,生境毁坏的灭绝债务(Time debt)将大于空间隐含模式所模拟的结果。(3)物种灭绝同时存在强物种灭绝和弱物种灭绝。并且只有在生境随机毁坏下,才与空间隐含的模拟结果比较接近,即强物种中将是最强物种率先灭绝。而在边缘毁坏这种比较集中成块的开发方式下,将是较强的物种灭绝。(4)边缘毁坏相对随机毁坏有利于物种,尤其是弱物种的长期续存。     

长白山次生杨桦林种群空间点格局及密度制约效应

以长白山5.2 hm²次生杨桦林样地为研究对象,利用空间点格局分析的双相关函数g（r）以及随机标签零模型和案例-对照设计法,探讨了树木种群空间格局及其密度制约效应。研究结果表明：生境异质性对不同生活型以及不同树种的成熟个体在大尺度范围上具有强烈影响。剔除生境异质性带来的影响后,在14个常见树种中有12个树种在小尺度上呈显著的空间聚集分布格局;随着空间尺度的增加聚集性分布树种数量急剧下降,在18 m尺度上聚集率下降到0。全部14个常见树种均呈现出显著的密度制约效应,表明密度制约是调节温带森林树木种群空间结构的主要作用机制。此外,密度制约与物种多度呈负相关,与亚林层和灌木层树种的同种聚集强度呈正相关。并且随着空间尺度增大受密度制约影响的树种百分比逐渐减小,14个常见树种中有11个在0-1 m处达到最大的密度制约强度。     

Spatial patterns and associations of dominant woody species in desert–oasis ecotone of South Junggar Basin,NW China

Spatial patterns and associations of plant species are important for revealing how species interact with each other and with the environment, and hence have important implications for the understanding of species interaction and underlying ecological processes with apparent patterns in temperate desert vegetation. In this paper, the function g (r) was used to characterize the spatial patterns and associations of four dominant woody species in three 1-ha desert plant plots in the desert–oasis ecotone of South Junggar Basin, NW China. The complete spatial randomness null model showed four species exhibited significant aggregations at small scales (<20 m). Anabasis aphylla and Nitraria roborowskii, Haloxylon ammodendron and Reaumuria songarica were spatially positive associations at small scales with the independent null model, while A. aphylla and H. ammodendron, A. aphylla and R. songarica, R. songarica and N. roborowskii species pairs exhibited negative associations at small or moderate scales (20–60 m) in our study. The random labeling null model showed that dead standing plants of A. aphylla were largely determined by the combined effects of intra- and interspecific competition. In addition, the results also indicated that the two main factors of habitat heterogeneity and sandy desertification play important roles in determining spatial distribution patterns and associations of woody species in the desert–oasis ecotone of South Junggar Basin. Thus, the differences of species features in spatial patterns and associations should be paid more attention when planning afforestation and developing conservation strategies.     

生境隔离作用对喀斯特季节性雨林群落树种空间格局的影响

森林群落内强烈生境异质性可能会驱动不同树种间形成空间隔离,从而塑造出与局域复杂生境相适应的群落树种空间结构。该文以广西喀斯特季节性雨林中具有不同生境异质性强烈程度的3个典型森林群落1 hm²样地为研究对象,通过分析主要树种的种内空间分布格局和种间关联格局来量化群落树种空间结构,检测其对喀斯特局域生境隔离作用的响应规律。结果表明:(1)3个森林群落树种的空间分布格局整体上以中小尺度聚集分布为主,在较小尺度(0～13 m)上聚集分布比例为85%,在中尺度(13～30 m)上逐步降低至60%,在较大尺度(>30 m)上降低至20%以下; 随着生境异质性强烈程度的增加,群落内中小尺度种内聚集分布的比例逐步增加,平均值分别为63.1%、89.5%、94.4%。(2)3个森林群落树种的种间关联格局整体上以空间隔离和部分重叠为主; 在小尺度(0～3 m)上二者共占50%,在中小尺度(3～20 m)上占70%,在较大尺度(>20 m)上逐步降低至40%; 随着生境异质性强烈程度增加,群落中小尺度种间空间隔离和部分重叠的比例逐步增加,平均值分别为60.4%、70.2%、83.7%。综上结果表明,强烈的局域喀斯特生境异质性会增加群落树种的种内聚集分布强度,提高群落不同树种之间产生空间隔离的概率,说明局域复杂生境的隔离作用是塑造喀斯特森林群落树种空间结构的重要因素。该研究强调,在喀斯特石漠化区域进行植被生态恢复时,需充分评估不同地段生境条件,并参考相应原生境森林群落来配置树种及其空间组合。     

中国种子植物特有属的地理分布格局

生物特有现象的地理格局及其形成机制是生物地理学的重要研究内容.本文通过整合173个地区的中国种子植物特有属编目资料、环境和空间因子数据,运用多元回归和方差分解的方法,探索了中国种子植物特有属丰富度及其占全部种子植物属丰富度的比例(特有属比例)与环境(生境异质性和气候)和空间因子的关系.结果表明:(1)特有属丰富度及特有...     

A heterogeneity test for fine-scale genetic structure

For organisms with limited vagility and/or occupying patchy habitats, we often encounter nonrandom patterns of genetic affinity over relatively small spatial scales, labelled fine-scale genetic structure. Both the extent and decay rate of that pattern can be expected to depend on numerous interesting demographic, ecological, historical, and mating system factors, and it would be useful to be able to compare different situations. There is, however, no heterogeneity test currently available for fine-scale genetic structure that would provide us with any guidance on whether the differences we encounter are statistically credible. Here, we develop a general nonparametric heterogeneity test, elaborating on standard autocorrelation methods for pairs of individuals. We first develop a 'pooled within-population' correlogram, where the distance classes (lags) can be defined as functions of distance. Using that pooled correlogram as our null-hypothesis reference frame, we then develop a heterogeneity test of the autocorrelations among different populations, lag-by-lag. From these single-lag tests, we construct an analogous test of heterogeneity for multilag correlograms. We illustrate with a pair of biological examples, one involving the Australian bush rat, the other involving toadshade trillium. The Australian bush rat has limited vagility, and sometimes occupies patchy habitat. We show that the autocorrelation pattern diverges somewhat between continuous and patchy habitat types. For toadshade trillium, clonal replication in Piedmont populations substantially increases autocorrelation for short lags, but clonal replication is less pronounced in mountain populations. Removal of clonal replicates reduces the autocorrelation for short lags and reverses the sign of the difference between mountain and Piedmont correlograms.     

Patterns in taxonomic and functional diversity of lake phytoplankton

1. Patterns in phytoplankton diversity in lakes and their relationships with environmental gradients have been traditionally based on taxonomic analyses and indices, even though measures of functional diversity (FD) might be expected to be more responsive to such gradients. 2. We assessed the influence of water column physical structure, and other components of the overall environment, on lake phytoplankton diversity using two taxonomically based indices [species richness (S) and the Shannon index (H’)] and a FD index, to determine whether these different measures respond in similar ways to habitat structure. The study encompassed 45 lakes in Eastern Canada, within two lake districts [the Eastern Townships Region (ETR) and Laurentians Region (LR)] that vary in geology and landscape and in lake morphometry and chemistry. 3. Across all lakes, S and H’ were higher in lakes having greater vertical temperature heterogeneity and higher susceptibility to wind mixing. In addition, H’ declined with total phosphorus concentration. FD was only related to maximum lake depth, a variable that integrates many other habitat features. 4. Further insight into the factors affecting phytoplankton diversity was obtained by contrasting the two regions. The taxonomically based diversity measures differed little between the regions, while FD was higher in the ETR where more trait variants were present and more evenly distributed amongst species. Whereas factors driving S did not differ between the regions, we found region‐dependent patterns in the relationships of H’ and FD with maximum lake depth: both indices decreased with maximum depth in the region with lakes more exposed to wind (ETR) but increased in the more hilly landscape where lakes are more sheltered from wind mixing (LR). 5. Our study demonstrates that, for phytoplankton communities, a FD index can show simpler and stronger responses to environmental drivers than a taxonomically based index, while shedding further light onto the functional traits that are important in particular lake categories.