Conservation potential of semi-natural habitats for birds in intensively-used agricultural landscapes

Agricultural intensification resulted in substantial loss of farmland biodiversity. Semi-natural habitats may be viewed as potential buffers of these adverse impacts, but a rigorous assessment of their capacity for supporting farmland biodiversity is lacking. In this study, we explored conservation potential of two different types of semi-natural habitats for birds in intensively-used agricultural landscapes – farmland hedges (i.e., linear strips of shrubby and tree vegetation) and open scrubland (i.e., scattered shrubs and abandoned orchards). Specifically, we tested whether the abundance and species richness of birds differ between these habitats considering various species traits, such as habitat affinity (i.e., forest, farmland and urban species), diet specialization (i.e., animal eaters, plant eaters, and omnivores) and conservation status (Species of European Conservation Concern). We found that open scrubland hosted on average 37.9 bird species and 122.6 individuals per 1 km² of the transect, whereas farmland hedges hosted only 19 species and 61.8 individuals per 1 km² of the transect. However, results have substantially changed if we considered the area of suitable habitat into account. More specifically, open scrubland hosted more bird species and individuals when we considered open habitat species and the area of open habitats, whereas farmland hedges had higher species diversity and individuals of woodland bird species when we considered the area of woodland habitats. Similarly, analyses of habitat affiliations of individual species corresponded to the whole-community patterns; and revealed that several woodland bird species were mainly associated with farmland hedges (e.g., Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs, Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos and Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla), whereas the open scrubland was preferred by open habitat bird species (e.g., Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra, Quail Coturnix coturnix and Skylark Alauda arvensis). These results demonstrate that semi-natural habitats, both open scrubland and farmland hedges, have large potential for promotion and conservation of bird communities within intensively used agricultural landscapes, as both may have represented suitable habitats for species with different ecological requirements. Therefore, management measures focused on the enlargement of the area of these habitats, in combination with suitable management (e.g., regulating the progress of natural succession in open scrubland; increasing structural diversity of existing farmland hedges), may substantially contribute to bird conservation within agricultural landscapes.     

青海互助北山国家森林公园不同生境的蝶类多样性研究

为了进一步探讨高海拔地区蝴蝶种类和数量与生境结构之间的关系,1993–1997年每年的7月对互助北山国家森林公园不同生境类型(谷间平原、温性草原、针阔叶混交林、高寒灌丛草甸)中蝶类群落的结构、数量和多样性进行了调查。共获得蝴蝶标本4,745头,86种,隶属于8科57属。种类较丰富的类群主要有:粉蝶科豆粉蝶属(Colias)6种、菜粉蝶属(Pieris)5种、绢粉蝶属(Aporia)4种、云粉蝶属(Pontia)3种,蛱蝶科网蛱蝶属(Melitaea)3种;个体数量以粉蝶科和灰蝶科为最多。不同的生境蝶类在种类组成和个体数量上有明显差异,其中以针阔叶混交林物种数(44种)最多,谷间平原个体数量(1,969只)最多。物种多样性指数以针阔叶混交林中最高,高寒灌丛草甸最低;均匀度以针阔叶混交林最高,谷间平原最低;优势度以高寒灌丛草甸最高。从不同生境蝶类成分的特有性上分析,特有属和特有种含量高低依次为针阔叶混交林(20属24种)>高寒灌丛草甸(8属8种)>谷间平原(6属7种)>温性草原(5属6种)。不同生境类型间蝶类种类的相似性系数在0–0.4259之间。蝶类种类组成的聚类分析结果显示:谷间平原与温性草原最先聚为一类,然后与针阔叶混交林聚为一类,最后与高寒灌丛草甸聚为一类。为保护该地区的蝶类物种多样性,应加大宣传力度,建立自然保护区,继续加强本底资源调查。     

Vegetation ecology of phytogenic hillocks (nabkhas) in coastal habitats of Jal Az-Zor National Park,Kuwait: Role of patches and edaphic factors

Phytogenic sandy hillocks (Arab. ‘nabkha’) are very frequently occurring aeolian deposits along the coastal plain of Kuwait. We investigated the vegetation of 42 nabkhas in a coastal habitat of Jal Az-Zor National Park, Kuwait. Sixty-two species were recorded (47 annuals and 15 perennials) in the studied nabkhas. Four vegetation types were recognized after classifying the vegetation of the nabkhas by TWINSPAN. They were named after their dominating host species which are Nitraria retusa, Zygophyllum qatarense, Haloxylon salicornicum and Panicum turgidum. Using Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), we assessed the relationships between environmental gradients, floristic composition, species diversity, and geomorphology aspects of the studied habitats. Notable environmental variables affecting the distribution of the vegetation types in the study area were: geomorphological aspect, size of plants forming the core of the nabkha, moisture and nutrients contents, salinity, sand and silt components, and pH.     

北京百花山自然保护区不同植被地面生苔藓植物物种多样性

采用相似性系数和物种多样性指数对北京百花山自然保护区8种植被内地面生苔藓植物的物种多样性进行了研究,得知8种植被中地面生苔藓植物有13科31属65种（含种以下的单位）,优势科6科,优势种12种。不同植被中苔藓植物的物种组成、优势科和优势种不同,丛藓科和真藓科植物在草甸和灌丛内占绝对优势,而森林植被内的绢藓科为绝对优势科;油松林和落叶阔叶混交林的物种相似性最高为51.63,草甸和荆条灌丛与大部分植被的物种相似为0。地面生苔藓植物的分布与其生长的基质相关性最大,另外水分条件、小生境、草本层盖度和凋落物盖度等也影响地面生苔藓植物的分布。白桦林和落叶阔叶混交林应成为生物多样性保护的重点植被类型。     

Altitudinal biodiversity patterns of seed plants along Gongga Mountain in the southeastern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau

The mechanisms underlying elevation patterns in species and phylogenetic diversity remain a central issue in ecology and are vital for effective biodiversity conservation in the mountains. Gongga Mountain, located in the southeastern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, represents one of the longest elevational gradients (ca. 6,500 m, from ca. 1,000 to 7,556 m) in the world for studying species diversity patterns. However, the elevational gradient and conservation of plant species diversity and phylogenetic diversity in this mountain remain poorly studied. Here, we compiled the elevational distributions of 2,667 native seed plant species occurring in Gongga Mountain, and estimated the species diversity, phylogenetic diversity, species density, and phylogenetic relatedness across ten elevation belts and five vegetation zones. The results indicated that species diversity and phylogenetic diversity of all seed plants showed a hump‐shaped pattern, peaking at 1,800–2,200 m. Species diversity was significantly correlated with phylogenetic diversity and species density. The floras in temperate coniferous broad‐leaved mixed forests, subalpine coniferous forests, and alpine shrublands and meadows were significantly phylogenetically clustered, whereas the floras in evergreen broad‐leaved forests had phylogenetically random structure. Both climate and human pressure had strong correlation with species diversity, phylogenetic diversity, and phylogenetic structure of seed plants. Our results suggest that the evergreen broad‐leaved forests and coniferous broad‐leaved mixed forests at low to mid elevations deserve more conservation efforts. This study improves our understanding on the elevational gradients of species and phylogenetic diversity and their determinants and provides support for improvement of seed plant conservation in Gongga Mountain.     

Assessing the impact of land abandonment, nitrogen enrichment and fairy-ring fungi on plant diversity of Mediterranean grasslands

Semi-natural calcareous grasslands are of great conservation interest because of their high species richness, but they are threatened by land abandonment and nitrogen eutrophication. These plant communities evolved as a result of a long history of human activity, which generated and maintained these habitats by extensive grazing and mowing. Calcareous grasslands are listed as a priority for conservation in the EC Habitats Directive. However, the effects of different management regimes, nitrogen enrichment, and soil-borne pathogens on plant species diversity are less clear for grasslands of the Mediterranean Basin, compared to meadows in Northern and Central Europe. In this study, we assessed the impact of land abandonment, nitrogen enrichment, and fairy-ring fungi on species diversity in semi-natural grasslands found in the Mediterranean Basin by comparing the available literature with findings from recent studies carried out in Central Italy. In a series of field experiments, the cutting of abandoned grassland consistently reduced the living biomass of the dominant perennial grasses, such as Brachypodium rupestre and Bromus erectus, and promoted a rapid increase in species richness and diversity by allowing the establishment of rare species. There was a similar, but less effective, restoration of species diversity and composition in mowed grassland after litter removal. We also show that nitrogen enrichment at levels comparable to atmospheric deposition depresses species diversity, which also hampers the positive effects of litter removal. Our findings are consistent with previous results achieved in Northern and Central Europe, which however, mainly focused on grasslands with intermediate to high primary productivity levels. The limited availability of data from low-productivity, drought-prone Mediterranean grasslands requires further studies to assess the impact of land abandonment and nitrogen eutrophication in such ecosystems. Finally, we discuss the role of fairy-ring fungi in the maintenance of plant diversity in species-rich grassland. We show that fairy-ring fungi (e.g. Agaricus campestris) critically affect the spatial distribution and diversity of coexisting plant species. By killing the dominant perennial herbs, these radially growing plant pathogens produce empty niches for rare, short-lived species, thus affecting the vegetation pattern. Overall, our results are of interest for environmental managers, as they provide guidelines for the restoration of abandoned areas and the conservation of these species-rich habitats.     

长白山北坡不同海拔及干扰程度下访花食蚜蝇群落的差异

本研究采用垂直面取样法,对中国长白山北坡不同海拔及干扰程度下访花食蚜蝇群落的物种组成、多度、丰富度及多样性进行了调查研究。我们选择了不同垂直带的两个样地,分别位于800~1 100 m和1 750 ~2 150 m;每个样地选取3种生境类型,每一生境类型采样面积为20 m×20 m。252组调查数据表明,共采到访花食蚜蝇42种2 540个体。不同海拔生境访花食蚜蝇的组成、多度、丰富度及多样性的差异分析结果表明: 低海拔样地内不同生境访花食蚜蝇的群落相似性高于高海拔样地;低海拔样地访花食蚜蝇的多度高于高海拔样地,而物种丰富度低于高海拔样地;不同生境类型访花食蚜蝇多样性指数存在差异,但高海拔样地与低海拔样地多样性差异不显著;过渡林生境（岳桦林带）与次生林生境（针阔混交林带Ⅱ）中访花食蚜蝇的多样性较高。保护珍稀植物物种的人工植物花园访花食蚜蝇多样性仅次于过渡林生境（岳桦林带）与次生林生境（针阔混交林带Ⅱ）,保护作用显著。     

天坑森林植物群落叶功能性状、物种多样性和功能多样性特征

以天坑内部-边缘-外部森林植物群落为研究对象,通过调查植物的群落结构、叶功能性状,探究天坑内外森林植物群落叶功能性状、物种多样性和功能多样性变化特征及其内在关联,为深入了解负地形森林生态系统的功能和恢复退化喀斯特地区的植被提供一定参考。研究结果如下：（1）比叶面积（SLA: 198.75 cm2/g)）、叶面积（LA: 42.70 cm2）、叶磷含量（LPC: 1.70 g/kg）和叶钾含量（LKC: 10.27 g/kg）在天坑内部最高,叶组织密度（LTD: 0.32 g/cm3）和叶干物质含量（LDMC: 0.41 g/g）在天坑外部最高,天坑内外森林均易受到磷限制,表明随天坑内部-边缘-外部生境变化,植物对环境的适应机制和生存策略发生了部分调整,物种的防御策略增强,生长投入策略减弱。（2）Shannon-Wiener指数（2.82）、Simpson指数（0.92）和Pielou’s均匀度指数（0.87）均以天坑外部最高,功能丰富度（1.05）、功能离散度（1.88）和Rao’s二次熵（4.52）以天坑内部最高,表明随天坑内部-边缘-外部生境的变化,植物功能性状的差异减少,物种分布及其功能性状分布总体上更为均匀、物种数量增多。（3）物种多样性指数之间、功能多样性指数之间存在较强的相关性,表明物种多样性指数之间、功能多样性指数之间存在不同的制约关系。（4）叶功能性状与物种多样性、功能多样性的相关性强,物种多样性和功能多样性之间相关性较弱,表明叶性状对生态学过程的变化较为敏感,叶功能性状与物种多样性之间存在较强的耦合关系。     

Secondary succession in a fallow central European wet grassland

This long-term study (23 yr) aims at specifying the characteristic features of secondary progressive successions in abandoned wet eutrophic grasslands as a precondition for better understanding causal relationships and improving the predictability of successions on such habitats. The vegetation of inundated fen grasslands (Calthion) at the lower course of the river Wümme near Bremen (Northwest Germany) was studied annually on three permanent plots (each 10×10 m²) where hay making had ceased in 1983, 1985 and 1992, respectively. In the initial succession phase of three to five years a fast increase of tall-growing, rhizomatous, deciduous reed species (e.g. Phalaris arundinacea) occurred. This strongly changed vegetation structure and within-canopy light climate, which was the reason for the strong decrease in species diversity. Rhizomes are hypothesized to be a key factor of high competitiveness in abandoned wet grasslands because this organ combines multiple advantageous functions: low-risk vegetative propagation, nutrient storage and nutrient re-allocation between above- and below-ground plant organs, all these functions allowing for a gradual build-up of a high biomass. Extinct grassland species (e.g. Senecio aquaticus) represent a contrasting set of plant traits such as small stature, short lifespan, prevailing generative reproduction and evergreen leaves. The subsequent succession phase commencing about five years after mowing was ceased was characterized by persistence of the established reed vegetation, which prevented tree colonisation until today. Secondary successions in abandoned wet eutrophic grasslands can be predicted on the level of plant communities and functional species groups considering changes in the habitat (esp. light climate), the presence of reed species with a specific set of plant traits in the “Initial Floristic Composition” and their potentially high competitive vigour.     

新疆阿勒泰山两河源自然保护区地面生地衣的物种多样性

阿勒泰山地是我国著名水系额尔齐斯河和乌伦古河的发源地,该山地地衣植物的研究在中国乃至中亚都占有非常重要的科学地位。新疆阿勒泰山两河源自然保护区位于阿勒泰山东段,气候在新疆最为潮湿,其地衣植物种类十分丰富。作者在该保护区选择6个植被带类型,即山地荒漠带、山地草原带、针阔混交林带、针叶林带、亚高山草甸带、高山草甸带,研究了其地面生地衣植物的物种多样性特征。结果表明:阿勒泰山两河源自然保护区地衣植物区系成分丰富而且复杂,共有地面生地衣植物5科6属46种,以石蕊科种类最为丰富,约32种。该地区不同植被带类型下地面生地衣植物物种的S?renson相似性系数在0.200–0.739之间,以针阔混交林和针叶林带的相似性为最高(0.739),针阔混交林和高山草甸带地衣植物物种相似性最低(0.200)。各植被带地衣优势种中白边岛衣(Cetrarialaeuigata)、林鹿蕊(Cladoniaarbuscula)、佐木氏珊瑚枝(Stereocaulonsasakii)、鳞地卷(Peltigeralepido-phora)、喇叭粉石蕊(Cladoniachlorophaea)、东方鹿蕊(Cladinagrisea)等的重要值在0.5以上,其余优势种的重要值均在0.5以下;山地森林带地衣植物物种多样性最为丰富,在整个阿勒泰山两河源自然保护区地面生地衣植物群落中占据优势地位,为该地区地衣植物多样性的分布中心,是地衣植物多样性保护的关键地区。     

Designing nature reserves: traditional criteria may act as misleading indicators of quality

Traditionally, numerous criteria have been used for selecting valuable areas for the establishment of nature reserves. In most cases these criteria are applied indiscriminately with the assumption that their generalized use gives them universal validity. In this study we test the value of different variables (area and shape of patches of natural vegetation, degree of internal fragmentation, and diversity of habitats at the periphery of patches) at the landscape level as indicators of plant richness and diversity, and relative abundance of native plants, in a group of natural vegetation relicts ranging from 0.004 km² to 1.027 km² and surrounded by sub-urban and industrial settings. Species richness, diversity, and number of native and exotic species increased with the area of the patches. The shape of the patch was the second most important variable to influence species richness and diversity. The number of exotic species increased with increasing numbers of native plants. Thus, patch size and plant richness should be carefully used for selecting conservation areas because it could result in choosing places threatened by the presence of exotics. Many of the other variables analysed showed no effects on biodiversity at the temporal and geographic scales considered. Ignoring these outcomes could result in choosing sub-optimal areas. We recommend the critical use of general criteria considering the selection process as an opportunity to evaluate the relevance of each criterion at the local level.     

Patterns of woody plant invasion in an Argentinean coastal grassland

Coastal dune grasslands are fragile ecosystems that have historically been subjected to various types of uses and human activities. In Buenos Aires Province (Argentina), these areas are frequently afforested for urban and touristic development. The introduction and subsequent spread of exotic tree species is one of the main threats to conservation of natural grasslands as invasive trees strongly transform their structure and composition. The aim of this study was to identify patterns of woody plant invasion comparing plant communities and environmental variables between invaded and non-invaded areas surrounding the coastal village of Mar Azul, Argentina. Coastal grasslands in this area are being invaded by Populus alba (white poplar) and Acacia longifolia (coast wattle). The height of the saplings and the richness of the accompanying vegetation were evaluated in relation to the distance from the edge of the mature tree patches. Also, the cover, richness and diversity of all species in the invaded and non-invaded areas were measured, as well as soil pH, temperature and particle size. Negative correlations were found between the height of the saplings and distance to mature tree patches in all areas. The richness of the accompanying vegetation was negatively and positively correlated with the distance from the poplar and acacia area, respectively. The most abundant native species was Cortaderia selloana. Less cover, richness and diversity of native plant species and greater soil particle size were found in invaded areas, where the proportion of bare soil was higher. Also, a higher proportion of leaf litter in the invaded areas was registered. The results emphasize the invasive capacity of P. alba and A. longifolia advancing on the native communities and reducing their richness. Knowledge of the impact of invasive woody plants in coastal grasslands is important to design active management strategies for conservation purposes.     

Vegetation recovery and plant facilitation in a human-disturbed lava field in a megacity: searching tools for ecosystem restoration

Unplanned urban development threatens natural ecosystems. Assessing ecosystem recovery after anthropogenic disturbances and identifying plant species that may facilitate vegetation regeneration are critical for the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services in urban areas. At the periphery of Mexico City, illegal human settlements produced different levels of disturbance on natural plant communities developed on a lava field near the Ajusco mountain range. We assessed natural regeneration of plant communities 20 years after the abandonment of the settlements, in sites that received low (manual harvesting of non-timber forest products), medium (removal of aboveground vegetation), and high (removal of substrate and whole vegetation) disturbance levels. We also tested the potential facilitative role played by dominant tree and shrub species. Plant diversity and vegetation biomass decreased as disturbance level increased. Sites with high disturbance level showed poor regeneration and the lowest species similarity compared to the least disturbed sites. Six dominant species (i.e., those with the highest abundance, frequency, and/or basal area) were common to all sites. Among them, three species (the tree Buddleja cordata, and two shrubs, Ageratina glabrata and Sedum oxypetalum) were identified as potential facilitators of community regeneration, because plant density and species richness were significantly higher under their canopies than at open sites. We propose that analyzing community structural traits of the successional vegetation (such as species diversity and biomass) and identifying potential facilitator species are useful steps in assessing the recovery ability of plant communities to anthropogenic disturbances, and in designing restoration strategies.     

Effects of grazing on plant species diversity and pasture quality in subalpine grasslands in the eastern Pyrenees (Andorra): Implications for conservation

Mountain areas boast high levels of biodiversity due to the wide variety in topography, climates and traditional land-use practices they embrace. Recent changes in the mountain agro-ecosystems of Europe have led to a decline in these traditional practices (above all grazing) and have had negative effects on biodiversity. In this study we evaluated the effects of grazing pressure on plant species diversity and also focused on the common and rare species diversity, forage quality and forage production in the Festuca airoides, Festuca eskia, Festuca gautieri, Festuca paniculata and Nardus stricta grassland communities. These analyses could be of great importance in identifying the pastoral management practices that are most consistent with the conservation of plant diversity in the Andorran subalpine and alpine grasslands. Data were collected at 113 sampling sites exposed to either high or low grazing pressures. In all, 222 vegetation line-transects were established from which samples were collected and analysed using the NIRS method. In addition the lignin, protein and fibre fractions were obtained in order to evaluate the quality of the forage. In the Andorran summer pastures, the Festuca gautieri calcareous grasslands had the greatest plant species diversity, while the Festuca eskia, Festuca airoides and Nardus stricta grasslands had the lowest plant species diversity and a lack of common species due to their less homogeneous spatial structure. The highest quality forage corresponds to the Festuca gautieri and Nardus stricta grasslands, while the Festuca eskia grasslands have the lowest quality forage. Although high grazing pressure can lead to greater species diversity, it also tends to diminish forage quality and/or energy content by increasing the lignin content. Thus, domestic livestock is a fundamental element in these grasslands and an increase in the grazing pressure of the different types of livestock (cattle, sheep and horses) is necessary since a more balanced distribution of grazers between the grassland types – rather than an increase in grazers – will not be sufficient to maintain plant biodiversity. Likewise, there is a need to re-establish the practice of transhumance, a traditional pastoral practice based on the movement of livestock between winter lowland pastures and upland summer pastures.     

先锋种丰富度对边坡植被群落特征及其护坡效益的影响

乡土植物灌木化建植是高速公路边坡防护的重要途径。以成渝高速(G85)永川段为例,以西南地区两种典型的边坡绿化初始配置"慈竹(Neosino calamus affinis)+野牛草(Buchloe dactyloides)"、"棉槐(Amorpha fruticosa)+紫羊茅(Festuca rubra)"为基础,分别与马棘(Indigofera pseudotinctoria Mats.)、黄荆(Vitex negundo)、狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon)、芒(Miscanthus sinensis)等路域优势种以不同方式组合,研究一定立地条件下初始绿化植物(先驱植物)的丰富度对边坡植被群落生长发育、早期演替行为及护坡性能的影响。结果表明:1)先驱植物丰富度可直接影响边坡植被的成坪时间、生物量积累:相同建植条件(边坡条件、播种密度等)下,先锋种种类越多,成坪时间就越短,被积累的生物量也越多;2)先锋种数量与群落的生物多样性水平有关(R20.954):相同演替阶段内,先锋种越多,群落的多样性水平(如物种丰富度、Shannon-Wiener指数、Pielou指数)则越高;3)群落中物种多样性水平与植被的护坡性能密切相关(R20.998):多样性水平越高,植被的蓄水、保土能力越强,边坡内径流系数、土壤侵蚀模数越小。可见,在边坡条件、播种密度等建植条件与建植措施一致的情形下,提高初始绿化植物的物种数可有效改善边坡植被的护坡性能。     

新疆东部天山蝶类多样性及其垂直分布

2006-2008年研究了新疆东部天山蝶类多样性和垂直分布.结果表明:研究区域内共记录蝴蝶7科43属63种,占新疆已记录蝶类种数的24.80％,区系组成主要是古北种,占73％;其次是广布种,占27％,没有发现东洋种.其中蛱蝶科的物种数最多,为11属19种,蚬蝶科的物种数最少,只有1属1种.按海拔将生境分为5个垂直自然带,包括低山灌木草原带、山地森林草原带、亚高山草甸带、高山草甸带、垫状植被带.蝶类物种数和个体数排序为亚高山草甸带＞山地森林草原带＞低山灌木草原带＞高山草甸带＞垫状植被带.采用Shannon-Wiener指数和G-F指数对蝶类物种和科、属的多样性进行了分析评价,结果显示亚高山草甸带的蝶类多样性最为丰富,其次是山地森林草原带和低山灌木草原带,而高山草甸带和垫状植被带的蝶类多样性相对较低,物种和科、属多样性分析结果均一致.蝶类垂直分布明显,物种数和个体数随海拔变化的趋势类似,均为先增加后下降.蝶类区系成分随着海拔升高发生改变,广布种的比例逐渐降低,高山草甸带和垫状植被带只有古北种分布.研究结果显示,生境改变对蝴蝶群落影响明显,保护生境是保护蝴蝶生存的最主要措施.     

Focal species diversity patterns can provide diagnostic information on plant invasions

In Europe, coastal sandy habitats are considered highly endangered among those included in the EC Directive 92/43/EEC (Habitats Directive). Among the different threats which affect coastal communities, the spread of alien plants has been claimed to induce changes in community diversity and structure. We therefore set out to analyse diversity patterns of native and focal species (diagnostic and characteristic of coastal dune habitats of European conservation interest) in sandy coastal habitats invaded by Carpobrotus aff. acinaciformis, a widespread alien plant. Focal species are a major conservation target for the Habitats Directive and their decline should be considered a serious threat for the whole habitat. The study was performed in the Central Western coast of Italy. We randomly sampled the vegetation of the holocenic dune by 2 m × 2 m plots. First we split the collected data in two sets: invaded and non-invaded. We compared overall native and focal species richness patterns of the two sets by rarefaction curves. Then, in order to describe the singular aspects of species diversity (e.g. richness, Shannon index, Simpson index, Berger–Parker index), we also compared Rènyi's diversity profiles and we tested the significance of the differences between invaded and non invaded sets using a bootstrap procedure. Rarefaction curves of the non-invaded set rise quickly and reach higher accumulation values than the invaded set, but differences between the two curves were not significant. With respect to Rènyi's profiles, the profile for the invaded dataset was always below the non-invaded one, but differences in diversity were significant only when specifically considering the focal species (Shannon, Simpson and Berger–Parker indices). In the analysed case, the invasion is significantly associated with changes in focal species diversity, instead those differences are not evident on the all native species pool. In the case of recent invasions, a consistent decline on focal species diversity may represent an early alarm sign of diversity loss and may help define specific conservation actions to prevent the decrease of overall diversity.     

Changes in carabid beetle diversity within a fragmented agricultural landscape

The distribution of carabid and cicindelid (Coleoptera: Carabidae) beetles in five distinct habitats (riparian, mature orchard, pine windbreak, young orchard, natural veld), within Tambuti Citrus Estate (Swaziland) was examined by pitfall trapping over 18 months. Habitats with high vegetation and litter cover had the highest species diversity and larger specimens, e.g. riparian border and pine windbreak, while the lowest diversity was observed in intensively managed mature citrus orchards. While species such as Tefflus delagorguei Guérin occurred in all the habitats sampled, certain species illustrated habitat specificity; e.g. Dromica ambitiosa Péringuey was observed only in the pine windbreaks while Haplotrachelus sp. Chaudoir occurred mainly in the vegetated riparian and natural veld habitats. Four unidentified carabid beetles were exclusive to the riparian border habitat. This habitat was the only one with a distinct assemblage of species in the agricultural mosaic studied. Multivariate analyses were used to assess the role of soil and environmental variables in relation to the ground beetle diversity within the agricultural mosaic studied.     

Current distribution and potential extent of the most invasive alien plant species on La Réunion (Indian Ocean,Mascarene islands)

Abstract La Réunion Island has the largest area of intact vegetation of the islands in the Mascarene archipelago. Biological invasions are the primary threat to biodiversity in the intact habitats of the island (those not already transformed by agriculture and urbanization). Our study aimed to identify areas to prioritize in managing invasive alien plants for biodiversity conservation. We used extensive surveys of 238 distinct untransformed areas on La Réunion to define the current distribution patterns of all invasive species. Using expert knowledge, we compiled maps of the current distribution of the 46 most widespread/important invasive plants at the habitat scale (identified according to vegetation structure). Data from 440 botanical relevés for the 20 most threatening invasive alien plant species across the island and climatic envelope models were used to derive climatic suitability surfaces; these were used to map potential distributions for these species. More than 10 species invade 16.7% of the remaining habitat. Five habitat types are invaded by 25 or more species, and eight have fewer than 10 invasive alien plant species. Cluster analysis based on presence/absence of species in the 18 habitat types produced eight groups of species that invade particular habitats. Potential distribution models show that some species have invaded large parts of their potential range (e.g. Fuchsia magellanica, Furcraea foetida, Hiptage benghalensis), whereas others have the potential to increase their range substantially (e.g. Clidemia hirta, Strobilanthes hamiltonianus, Ulex europaeus). Management implications are identified for both groups. Three broad groups of habitats were identified: (i) intact habitats with a low level of invasion (e.g. subalpine shrubland); (ii) moderately invaded habitats with varying levels of intactness (ranging from windward submountain rainforest to the Acacia heterophylla forest); and (iii) habitats with little remaining intact area and high levels of invasion (e.g. lowland rainforest). Different management interventions are appropriate for these three groups.     

Conservation genetics of endangered leaf-beetle Cheilotoma musciformis populations in Poland

Steppe-like habitats in Europe are seriously threatened as a result of fragmentation and anthropogenic degradation, at least in western and central parts. Considering the dramatic loss of steppe-like habitats, the evaluation of genetic variation in populations of steppe species is of immediate importance if appropriate conservation measures are to be undertaken. In this paper, we examine the genetic diversity of the highly endangered populations of the leaf-beetle Cheilotoma musciformis, which inhabits only a limited area in south-central Poland, which is geographically isolated from the continuous range of this species. Both mitochondrial and nuclear markers show that the Polish populations are distinct from Slovakian and Ukrainian ones. These regional populations should be considered independent conservation units. On the other hand, very little (mtDNA) or no (nuclear DNA) diversity has been found among the Polish subpopulations. This leads to the conclusion that this species has gone through a strong bottleneck leading to a drastic reduction in its genetic diversity prior to the establishment of present-day populations. Host plants have been identified for this species using barcodes, and the only hosts for the Polish and Ukrainian samples are sainfoins Onobrychis spp. while for the Slovakian sample it is either Dorycnium pentaphyllum or Lotus spp. (all Fabaceae). All of these data can be very valuable for the conservation of C. musciformis populations (e.g. for reintroductions).