The demography of a clonal herbaceous perennial plant, the longleaved sundew Drosera intermedia, in different heathland habitats

Eight populations of longleaved sundew Drosera intermedia Hayne ramets were studied in three hydrologically and phytosociologically differing heathland habitats over a 4 yr period a pool edge, an old path through the wet heath, a seepage area At the extreme sites, with high levels of water table fluctuations (pool edge and dry path), both survival and recruitment were low, resulting in small populations The pool edge populations went extinct At the less extreme sites (wet paths and seepage area), populations were stable, but ramet and genet turnover was higher at the path sites than in the seepage area Demographic variation between populations was explained by differences in adult survival and sexual recruitment (asexual recruitment did not differ clearly), which, in turn, were related to specific biotic and abiotic factors Likely adult mortality causes were summer drought (all habitats), winter frost (path habitat), cover with a crust of iron bacteria after heavy summer rainfall (seepage area) and shading by Sphagnum and algae (pool edge) Low seedhng recruitment was caused by a low germination succes (pool, seepage area) and seedling survival (seepage area, dry path)     

古尔班通古特沙漠三种生境下梭梭种群的生殖分配特征

对古尔班通古特沙漠梭梭种群进行样地调查,从各构件生物量分配特征、开花和结果特征、不同发育阶段的生殖分配、同化枝与生殖生物量之间关系等方面研究了3种生境下梭梭种群的生殖分配特征。结果表明:3种生境中各构件生物量分配格局均具有显著差异,且变化趋势不一致,梭梭平均生殖分配在0.64%～1.5%;3种生境下,梭梭开花和结果特征均具有显著差异,表现出砾石生境>沙质生境>土质生境。不同生境梭梭生殖分配均随径级的增加变化不同,砾石生境和沙质生境样地随着径级的增加而降低,而土质生境样地随着径级的增加而增加;不同生境类型下梭梭同化枝、生殖生物量与径级的关系不同;梭梭的生殖分配和同化枝生物量之间呈线性或多项式正相关。     

Habitat and sex specific differences in the dioecious weed Acetosella vulgaris (Polygonaceae)

Abstract Patterns of resource allocation, numbers of reproductive structures and sex ratios of flowering populations of the dioecious weed Acetosella vulgaris (Fourr.) were examined in the Kosciuszko alpine region of Australia. Specifically, the sex‐specific response of ramets was compared between a disturbed alpine habitat, in which weeds such as A. vulgaris are common (disturbed roadside/path‐edge), and a native alpine habitat in which weeds appear to have a limited capacity to germinate, grow and reproduce (undisturbed tall alpine herbfield). The disturbed habitat was generally more favourable for growth of A. vulgaris. Ramets of both sexes had greater total and vegetative biomass than ramets in native habitats. Although reproductive biomass was also greater in disturbed habitats, females had less reproductive biomass than males, which was not as predicted. Reproductive effort was not affected by habitat or gender. The disturbed habitat also favoured increased numbers of inflorescences per ramet and flowers per ramet, as expected. Whereas the gender of the ramet also influenced numbers of reproductive structures, again, this was not as predicted. Females had more flowers per ramet and more flowers per inflorescence than males. This may be because of factors associated with wind pollination. Females were taller in native habitats but there was no difference between the sexes in disturbed habitats. Sex ratios varied from all male populations to nearly all female populations among the 25 sites sampled irrespective of habitat. Factors such as time since last disturbance may have contributed to variation in the sex ratios of alpine populations of A. vulgaris in Australia.     

Environmental networks,compensating life histories and habitat selection by white-footed mice

Summary Analysis of 6 years' data on a population of free-living white-footed mice documents both phenotypic and environmental control of litter size. Litter size was positively correlated with maternal body size. Maternal size depended upon both seasonal and annual variation. Paradoxically, the proportion of small versus large litters varied among habitats independently of the effects of body size. The result is an influence of habitat on life history that yields patterns of reproduction and survival opposite to the predictions of demographic theory. The habitat producing the largest litters had a relatively high ratio of adult/juvenile survival. Litter size was small in the habitat where the adult/juvenile survival ratio was smallest. All of these anomalous patterns can be explained through density-dependent habitat selection by female white-footed mice. Life-history studies that ignore habitat and habitat selection may find spurious correlations among traits that result in serious misinterpretations about life history and its evolution.     

The Role of Wildfire,Prescribed Fire,and Mountain Pine Beetle Infestations on the Population Dynamics of Black-Backed Woodpeckers in the Black Hills,South Dakota

Wildfire and mountain pine beetle infestations are naturally occurring disturbances in western North American forests. Black-backed woodpeckers (Picoides arcticus) are emblematic of the role these disturbances play in creating wildlife habitat, since they are strongly associated with recently-killed forests. However, management practices aimed at reducing the economic impact of natural disturbances can result in habitat loss for this species. Although black-backed woodpeckers occupy habitats created by wildfire, prescribed fire, and mountain pine beetle infestations, the relative value of these habitats remains unknown. We studied habitat-specific adult and juvenile survival probabilities and reproductive rates between April 2008 and August 2012 in the Black Hills, South Dakota. We estimated habitat-specific adult and juvenile survival probability with Bayesian multi-state models and habitat-specific reproductive success with Bayesian nest survival models. We calculated asymptotic population growth rates from estimated demographic rates with matrix projection models. Adult and juvenile survival and nest success were highest in habitat created by summer wildfire, intermediate in MPB infestations, and lowest in habitat created by fall prescribed fire. Mean posterior distributions of population growth rates indicated growing populations in habitat created by summer wildfire and declining populations in fall prescribed fire and mountain pine beetle infestations. Our finding that population growth rates were positive only in habitat created by summer wildfire underscores the need to maintain early post-wildfire habitat across the landscape. The lower growth rates in fall prescribed fire and MPB infestations may be attributed to differences in predator communities and food resources relative to summer wildfire.     

入侵植物银胶菊在不同生境下表型可塑性和构件生物量

研究了入侵植物银胶菊在4种不同小生境间花果期形态特征变化和构件生物量特征。结果显示:在植株密度小但土壤肥沃的小生境中,植株各形态指标如茎长、茎直径和花序直径等都明显高于其它小生境,在生物量结构特征上则表现为总生物量和花果生物量所占比例的升高。随着植株密度的增加以及土壤肥力下降,上述各形态指标都发生了较明显的变化,生物量投资也进行了优化配置,银胶菊表现出了较高的形态可塑性。银胶菊与觅光和竞争相关的几个指标如叶和根的比例都增加,但用于生殖构件的比例却减少了。相关分析显示,银胶菊花果期各构件生物量与高度成正相关,与密度为负相关,并受环境因素的制约。表明,较高的形态可塑性和较强的生殖配置策略可能是银胶菊成功入侵我国的重要特征。     

扎龙湿地不同生境芦苇分株的形态特征及生物量分配的异速关系

不同环境条件下的植物个体可以表现出形态特征的分异和物质分配的权衡与调整。采用大样本抽样调查与统计分析方法,比较研究扎龙湿地不同生境芦苇(Phragmites Australis)生殖株和营养株的形态特征以及生物量分配的异速关系。结果表明：在9月末,盐碱生境、旱生生境、湿生生境和水生生境芦苇分株的生长表现出较大的生态可塑性,株高和株重均以盐碱生境最小,水生生境最大,最大值与最小值的比值分别为1.3—3.3和1.8—5.1,分株生长在种群间的变异度高于种群内,与营养株相比,生殖株的变异度较低;分株的支持分配与生产分配的比值为1.8—4.2,生产分配以盐碱生境最高,以水生生境最低,而支持分配和生殖分配表现与生产分配相反的序位;生殖株的花序长和花序重与株高间呈直线函数形式增长,株高和株重低于种群平均值的20%和35%的分株不进行有性生殖;叶重、叶鞘和茎重以及分株重与株高间呈幂函数形式的异速生长关系。植物通过改变个体的形态特征以及调整构件间生物量分配适应不同环境,而受遗传因素控制的构件间生长关系却相对稳定。     

不同生境入侵植物北美车前繁殖器官性状变异与权衡特征

提高繁殖输出是入侵植物成功入侵的重要机制,但不同生境间繁殖器官性状变异特征尤其是性状权衡关系可能会存在差异。以入侵植物北美车前（Plantago virginica）为研究对象,采集草坪、荒地和林下3个生境的植物花序,探究花穗及花序柄的形态、生物量及其异速生长关系在不同生境间的差异性。结果表明：不同生境北美车前大部分花序形态与生物量指标存在显著差异,草坪和荒地生境花序属细长型,而林下生境则为矮壮型。北美车前繁殖器官不同性状间的异速生长关系既有保守型也有易变型,体现出不同的环境敏感性。不同生境间北美车前繁殖器官资源分配的个体大小依赖关系也存在不一致性。可见,北美车前花序性状及资源分配在不同生境间既存在一定的可塑性也具有相对保守性,这可能是其高入侵能力的重要原因。     

Non-interactive effects of habitat complexity and adult crayfish on survival and growth of juvenile crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus)

1.  In a 1-month outdoor stream channel experiment, we investigated the relative importance of habitat complexity (i.e. cobbled area) and the presence of adult signal crayfish ( Pacifastacus leniusculus ) males on the survival and growth of juveniles.
2.  In treatments with high habitat complexity, more juveniles survived, more were newly moulted and they had a higher specific growth rate (SGR) at the end of the experiment than juveniles in treatments with low habitat complexity. The presence of adult males did not affect survival, moulting stage or growth of the juveniles.
3.  The presence of adult males decreased juvenile activity during night. Juveniles in treatments with low habitat complexity were more active than juveniles in high habitat complexity during both day and night.
4.  There was no difference in total invertebrate biomass between treatments. However, some invertebrate taxa, such as Chironomidae larvae, were affected by habitat complexity or the presence of adult crayfish. Juvenile crayfish in all channels had consumed detritus, algae and Chironomidae larvae and there were no differences in gut contents or stable isotope signals (carbon and nitrogen) between treatments, indicating a similar diet among the juveniles across treatments. However, the biomass of chironomids was significantly higher in channels with adult crayfish present, indicating a decreased consumption of chironomids by juveniles in the presence of adults.
5.  Our results suggest that the recruitment of juvenile crayfish is mostly affected by habitat complexity. The competition for food and shelter and aggressive interactions between the juveniles were most pronounced in low habitat complexity, indicating that habitats with a good access to shelter will enhance recruitment of juvenile crayfish in streams.     

不同生境自交植物黄花大苞姜生殖分配的研究

为了探讨自交植物黄花大苞姜(Caulokaempferia coenobialis)对石壁附生这一特殊生境的生态适应,对其不同物候期和不同生境的生殖分配进行了对比研究。结果表明,在生殖生长过程中,黄花大苞姜种群用于营养生长的生物量分配占有绝对优势,而用于生殖的生物量分配比例较小(<13%)。在黄花大苞姜各构件的生物量分配中,根茎和叶的比重较大(24.22%~43.25%)。在光线较弱生境中的种群,为了提高资源获取能力,黄花大苞姜分配到叶的比重明显高于光线较强的种群,而分配给根茎的比例却明显低于光线较强的种群。随着物候期的推移,黄花大苞姜生殖分配的比例不断增加,到果期达到最大值。不同种群间和年度间黄花大苞姜分配给生殖构件的比例没有显著差异,推测其生殖分配可能受遗传因素控制。个体大小与根茎生物量呈极显著线性函数同速生长,而与生殖分配在云天海种群没有表现出相关性,在上坪和天堂顶种群表现为同速生长关系,但决定系数小于40%。因此,黄花大苞姜能有效调节其在不同生境的生物量分配以适应石壁附生的特殊生境,在光线较弱的种群提高叶的生物量分配并降低根茎的生物量分配以提高资源的获取能力。整体上投资到营养构件的生物量占比高达87%以上,生殖构件在居群间和年度间均保持稳定。这种繁殖策略,一方面较高的营养构件投资可以获得更多的资源,另一方面稳定的生殖投资可以保证种群的延续,各构件相互协调以更好适应石壁这一资源匮乏的生境。     

Differences in predator composition alter the direction of structure‐mediated predation risk in macrophyte communities

Structural complexity strongly influences the outcome of predator–prey interactions in benthic marine communities affecting both prey concealment and predator hunting efficacy. How habitat structure interacts with species‐specific differences in predatory style and antipredatory strategies may therefore be critical in determining higher trophic functions. We examined the role of structural complexity in mediating predator–prey interactions across several macrophyte habitats along a gradient of structural complexity in three different bioregions: western Mediterranean Sea (WMS), eastern Indian Ocean (EIO) and northern Gulf of Mexico (NGM). Using sea urchins as model prey, we measured survival rates of small (juveniles) and medium (young adults) size classes in different habitat zones: within the macrophyte habitat, along the edge and in bare sandy spaces. At each site we also measured structural variables and predator abundance. Generalised linear models identified biomass and predatory fish abundance as the main determinants of predation intensity but the efficiency of predation was also influenced by urchin size class. Interestingly though, the direction of structure‐mediated effects on predation risk was markedly different between habitats and bioregions. In WMS and NGM, where predation by roving fish was relatively high, structure served as a critical prey refuge, particularly for juvenile urchins. In contrast, in EIO, where roving fish predation was low, predation was generally higher inside structurally complex environments where sea stars were responsible for much of the predation. Larger prey were generally less affected by predation in all habitats, probably due to the absence of large predators. Overall, our results indicate that, while the structural complexity of habitats is critical in mediating predator–prey interactions, the direction of this mediation is strongly influenced by differences in predator composition. Whether the regional pool of predators is dominated by visual roving species or chemotactic benthic predators may determine if structure dampens or enhances the influence of top–down control in marine macrophyte communities.     

Habitat size, recruitment, and longevity as factors limiting population size in stage-structured species

Surprisingly little research has evaluated how habitat size may limit the population size of species that use different habitats at different stages of their lives. Here we develop simple discrete-time models to describe the population dynamics of species that use separate juvenile and adult habitats. Analytic solutions, model simulations, and elasticity and sensitivity analyses show that adult abundance is only limited by the size of the juvenile habitat when both adult habitat size and recruitment are much larger than juvenile habitat size. Juvenile habitat plays a marginally greater role in limiting population size for species with closed populations, where recruitment is proportional to adult abundance, versus open populations. Because adult populations often accumulate pulses of juveniles, adult habitat size can strongly limit population size over a broad range of parameter values, an effect that increases as the longevity of a species increases. Limited empirical research from a range of taxa supports these model predictions, although few studies were designed to actually test the limiting role of juvenile versus adult habitat. Future research must carefully evaluate whether and how processes at the juvenile stage affect adult abundance, and conservation efforts may be able to use this model to evaluate the cost-effectiveness, vis-a-vis increasing adult abundance, of time and money allocated to protecting juvenile habitats.     

Resource allocation to sexual and vegetative reproduction in a forest herbSyneilesis palmata (Compositae)

The balance between sexual and vegetative reproduction inSyneilesis palmata was examined in relation to environmental conditions and the amount of reproductive resources, which is defined here as the total quantity of dry matter invested in both modes of reproduction. The allocation balance was measured for individual plants of two populations, with different densities in an open habitat, for 2 years, and those of two other populations, under different light intensities in a plantation forest (forest floor and edge), for 3 years. Relative allocation to sexual reproduction decreased with increasing reproductive resources in all populations except for the forest edge, which showed a constant allocation balance. The high density population showed lower relative allocation to sexual reproduction than the low density population, irrespective of the amount of reproductive resources. However the between-year comparison of the high density population suggested that under extremely high density, plants with a small amount of reproductive resources enhanced sexual reproduction, while plants with a large amount of reproductive resources reproduced vegetatively. On the forest floor, plants with small amounts of reproductive resources had higher relative allocation to sexual reproduction than the forest edge population, while plants with large amounts of reproductive resources had a somewhat lower one. The adaptive significance of such allocation patterns are discussed, based on qualitative data on the characteristics of both types of offspring.     

北京西部山区胡枝子种群研究:个体和构件生物量

通过对北京西部山区胡枝子(Lespedeza bicolor Turcz.)种群个体和构件地上生物量进行系统研究。结果表明,种群(总和)个体和各构件地上生物量积累与年龄的关系均可用方程式Y=axb表示。不同种群的植株个体和构件生物量有显著性不同(P<0.05),在海拔910-1100m的山脊林缘的种群个体和构件地上生物量较其它种群大,植株地上营养构件的生物量比率较小,而繁殖构件生物量比率较大;不适生境中的种群则反之。种群个体生长和各构件生物量动态与环境条件关系密切。构件生物量比率也随着年龄的增长而有所变化。叶生物量比率随年龄增加而减小;枝构件生物量比率随年龄增加而增大;繁殖构件的生物量比率随年龄增加先增后减。依据相关指数R2,筛选各构件生物量估计的最优模型:枝、枝叶生物量和地上生物量均为m(DW)=a(D2H1)b,叶生物量和花果生物量均为m(DW)=a(D)b。     

青藏高原不同生境下湿生扁蕾(Gentianopsis paludosa)个体大小依赖的繁殖分配

植物对资源的投资和分配是生态学中的重要问题,它反映了植物应对环境变化时的生活史策略。选择青藏高原东缘同一海拔下的嵩草草甸(Kobresia sp.meadow)、金露梅灌丛(Potentilla fruticosa shrub meadow)以及草甸-灌丛交错带3种生境类型,并以3种生境下的湿生扁蕾(Gentianopsis paludosa)为对象,研究了其繁殖分配特征。结果发现:(1)在种群水平上,在生境从草甸经交错带到灌丛的变化中,湿生扁蕾个体大小和繁殖分配比例逐渐增加;3个种群湿生扁蕾的总花数目没有显著差异,但草甸生境湿生扁蕾的蕾期花数目显著高于灌丛生境,而果期花数目则显著低于灌丛生境;(2)在个体水平上,湿生扁蕾的繁殖绝对投入与个体大小显著正相关,且各种群植株都存在繁殖所需的个体大小阈值,而繁殖阈值在生境从草甸经交错带到灌丛的过渡中逐渐减小;湿生扁蕾的繁殖相对投入与个体大小负相关,但相关系数随着生境从草甸经交错带到灌丛的过渡中逐渐减小;各种群花数目与湿生扁蕾植株个体大小显著正相关。研究表明,湿生扁蕾的繁殖投资存在大小依赖效应,但生境差异会对其繁殖投资和生活史策略造成显著影响,而这种影响主要是由不同生境下自然条件的不同造成的。同时,资源分配也与湿生扁蕾的遗传特性和延迟自交的繁育系统特征有关。湿生扁蕾这种不同生境下个体大小依赖的繁殖投资差异是湿生扁蕾与其生境长期适应和进化(生境选择)的结果。     

北京西部山区胡枝子种群研究: 个体和构件生物量

通过对北京西部山区胡枝子(Lespedeza bicolor Turcz.)种群个体和构件地上生物量进行系统研究。结果表明, 种群(总和)个体和各构件地上生物量积累与年龄的关系均可用方程式Y=axb表示。不同种群的植株个体和构件生物量有显著性不同(P<0.05), 在海拔910-1 100 m的山脊林缘的种群个体和构件地上生物量较其它种群大, 植株地上营养构件的生物量比率较小, 而繁殖构件生物量比率较大; 不适生境中的种群则反之。种群个体生长和各构件生物量动态与环境条件关系密切。构件生物量比率也随着年龄的增长而有所变化。叶生物量比率随年龄增加而减小; 枝构件生物量比率随年龄增加而增大; 繁殖构件的生物量比率随年龄增加先增后减。依据相关指数R2, 筛选各构件生物量估计的最优模型: 枝、枝叶生物量和地上生物量均为m(DW)= a(D2H1)b, 叶生物量和花果生物量均为m(DW)=a(D)b。     

犬尾田鼠在斑块生境中更喜好内部区域

我们在斑块化的景观中实验测定了犬尾田鼠(Microtus canicaudus)的生境喜好,验证下列假说:在一斑块生境中,与边缘区域相比,雌性田鼠喜好内部区域.在低密度和高密度时成年雌性的巢区在生境内部区域分别占100% 和76%.高密度时在边缘区域雌性的捕获率较低,这种差异在低密度时更突出.在高密度时通过选择性去除生境内部和边缘区域的一些雌体,边缘区域13只雌体中8只(占62%)的巢区发生从边缘到内部区域的转移,内部区域20只雌体中只有3只(占15%)的巢区向边缘区域转移.动物的繁殖率、生存和体重在两个区域之间没有差异.但是,边缘区域个体的巢区比内部区域的要小.这些结果支持一些关于其他啮齿动物的研究观察结果(如鼠平类和田鼠类),但与草原田鼠不同.因此在一斑块生境中,与边缘区域相比,长尾田鼠更喜好内部区域,边缘区域与内部区域的比率可潜在影响动物的生境选择,也可能会影响斑块化生境中的种群统计学特征.     

Brown trout spawning habitat selection preferences and redd characteristics in the Credit River, Ontario

Brown trout Salmo trutta redds in the Credit River, Ontario, were enumerated and assessed for physical, location and cover feature characteristics during the 2002 spawning season. Hydraulic habitats were classified on the basis of channel morphology and availability recorded. Combined use and availability data were used to assess habitat selection preferences and test for significant differences. Significant preferences for upstream pool and riffle habitat were found, but all available habitat types were used to some degree. Non‐preferred habitat redds were significantly larger than those located in preferred habitats and more likely to be found in association with woody debris cover. Larger redds were interpreted as indicative of larger fish. The use of non‐preferred downstream habitats by larger fish was further interpreted in the context of overwinter habitat requirements to reflect possible trade‐offs between reproductive and adult over‐winter survival requirements resulting in the selection of habitat for multiple life‐history functions. Results suggest that redd density alone should not be used to infer critical autumn habitat requirements for brown trout.     

Herbivore control in connected seascapes: habitat determines when population regulation occurs in the life history of a key herbivore

Herbivore outbreaks often trigger catastrophic overgrazing events in marine macrophyte ecosystems. The sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, the dominant herbivore of shallow Mediterranean seascapes, is capable of precipitating shifts to barrens when its populations explode. Paracentrotus lividus is found ubiquitously in rocky macroalgal communities and in sandy seagrass meadows of Posidonia oceanica, two of the most important subtidal habitats in the Mediterranean. We explored if habitat‐specific regulation across the principal stages of the urchin life cycle could help explain the persistence of these populations in connected mosaics. We measured each of three relevant ecological processes (i.e. settlement, post‐settlement survival and predation) across a wide stretch of the Mediterranean coast (ca 600 km). Our results show that habitat‐specific regulation is critical in determining urchin populations: each habitat limited urchin sub‐populations at different life stages. Settlement was never limiting; urchins settled at similar rates in both habitats across the coast. Post‐settlement survival was a clear bottleneck, particularly in seagrass meadows where no juvenile urchins were recorded. Despite this bottleneck in seagrasses, adult urchin populations were very similar in both seagrass and macroalgal habitats indicating that other processes (potentially migration) could be key in determining adult distributions across the mosaic. The fact that population regulation is clearly habitat‐specific suggests that sea urchin populations may be significantly buffered from bottlenecks in mixed seascapes where both habitats co‐occur. Sea urchin populations can therefore persist across the seascape despite strong habitat‐specific regulation either by maintaining reproductive output in one habitat or by migrating between them. By affording these regulatory escapes to habitat‐modifying species, patchy mosaics may be much more prone to herbivore outbreaks and a host of cascading effects that come in their wake.     

松嫩平原不同生境芦苇种群分株的生物量分配与生长分析

在松嫩平原8月中旬,4个旱地生境芦苇种群分株的生长和生产力以季节性临时积水的低洼地为最高,以碱斑地为最低,两个生境之间分株高度相差2.8倍,分株生物量相差4.4倍,其它2个生境沙地和草甸混生 少也达到了显著或极显著水平,不同生境芦苇种群分株生物量分配的差异,蕴涵着重要的生长调节和物质分配策略。在分株株较小而又有充分生长空间的沙地生境和三斑生境,以及具有种间竞争的草句生境,分株将50％以上的物质分配给叶的建造上,以保证充分的物质生产;在环境条件相对较好的低洼地生境,分株将近40％的物质分配给茎的伸长生长,以提高个体对空间和光资源的竞争力。4个生境芦苇种群在分株增高与增重,以及茎、叶与分株的相对增重均具有相同的幂函数异速生长规律。