Changes in Pyrenean woodlands as a result of the intensity of human exploitation: 2,000 years of metallurgy in Vallferrera, northeast Iberian Peninsula

This research is based on the discovery of a large number of charcoal kiln sites and abandoned iron mines in Vallferrera (Axial Pyrenees, northeastern Spain). The study reveals that this region has been affected by the metal mining and smelting industry for at least 2,000 years, with maximum intensity in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, followed by abandonment of the activity. The region’s woodland dendrochronology and historical records indicate that exploitation of wood charcoal for metalworking affected the past vegetation in the area and impeded the development of mature woodland. Our findings suggest that the greatest changes in vegetation and landscape history occurred at times of particular specialization in socioeconomic activities.

Assessing the performance of NDVI as a proxy for plant biomass using non-linear models: a case study on the Kerguelen archipelago

Numerous ecological studies, including of the polar environment, are now using the remotely sensed normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI, e.g. PAL-NDVI or MODIS-NDVI) as a proxy of vegetation productivity rather than performing direct vegetation assessments. Even though previous data strongly suggested a saturation of NDVI at high biomass values, few studies have explicitly included this characteristic in the modelling process. Here, we developed a generalized non-linear model to explicitly model the relationship between temporal variations of NDVI (Pathfinder AVHRR Land 8 km dataset) and empirical field data. We illustrated our approach on the Kerguelen archipelago by using a green biomass index (point-intercept protocol) sampled at a small scale relative to PAL-NDVI data, and in presence of spatial (water) and temporal (cloud contamination, snow) heterogeneity, i.e. field conditions encountered in many ecological studies. We showed a strong relationship (r _pred.obs = 0.89 [0.77; 0.95]_95%) between this index and the seasonal component of NDVI time series (NDVI_comp). Despite the absence of lignified species in the stand, the NDVI_comp reached an asymptote (0.54 ± 0.05) for high values of green biomass index stressing the need to account for non-linearity when relating NDVI and plant measurements. We provided here a new methodological framework to standardize comparisons between studies assessing performance of NDVI as a proxy of vegetation data.

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Berlinia korupensis</Emphasis> (Leguminosae <Emphasis Type="Italic">–</Emphasis> Caesalpinioideae), a new tree species from Cameroon

Summary  The tree species Berlinia korupensis Mackinder & Burgt is described as new. The species is endemic to the southern part of Korup National Park in Cameroon. Seventeen trees have been found so far, the largest being 42 m high and having a trunk diam. of 88 cm. The new species is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR D) under the criteria of IUCN. Two distribution maps are included; one map indicating the single locality in Cameroon near the Nigerian border where the new species was found and another map of the permanent plot where 14 of the 17 trees were recorded. A line drawing is also included, along with colour photographs of the flowers and the trunk.

Factors affecting Sciomyzidae (Diptera) across a transect at Skealoghan Turlough (Co. Mayo,Ireland)

Sciomyzid flies, which have potential as bio-indicators, were sampled by sweep-net surveys at a turlough in the west of Ireland. Turloughs are ephemeral wetlands (unique to Ireland), which flood from groundwater in winter and empty in the summer, during that time, they are frequently grazed. The weekly survey consisted of ten linear sweeps (5 m × 1 m) in each of six homogeneous and contiguous vegetation zones throughout the summer of 2004. The fauna was dominated by univoltine species with Ilione albiseta being particularly abundant, though species displaying a range of phenologies and life histories were also present. Species richness and total abundance were significantly higher in the two zones with the highest hydroperiods. Mantel tests showed that the species matrix was significantly co-structured with permanent features of the physical environment, but not with stochastic sampling variables related to weather conditions. Mantel correllograms displayed typical patterns of autocorrelation for hydroperiod, soil moisture and soil pH in each zone and vegetation height, vegetation length and Ellenberg moisture index (weighted for vegetation composition) in each sweep-path. No patterns of autocorrelation were evident for distance among zones, area of patch of vegetation zone sampled, area of the vegetation zone on the whole turlough, soil mass-loss-on-ignition and Ellenberg N and reaction indices. These results provide strong evidence for high microhabitat specificity in Sciomyzidae at this site and indicate a major influence of vegetation structure and hydrological regime on their ecology.

Are Girls Good and Boys Bad for Parental Longevity?

Using historical data from the Utah Population Database, this analysis finds significant, consistent, but small adverse mortality effects for mothers after age 50 who had mostly sons. Examination of age-dependent effects indicates that this association increases with mother’s age. Additionally, mothers who had mostly daughters faced mortality risks that increased with age. Offspring sex composition did not have a significant effect on paternal mortality. Interaction analyses were conducted to examine the effect of offspring sex composition with regard to historical period, residential location, socioeconomic status, and childhood survival. No other interactions were found to be statistically significant. Having mostly boys remained detrimental to maternal mortality regardless of childhood survival.

Do tree-level monocultures develop following Canadian boreal silviculture? Tree-level diversity tested using a new method

Concern about forestry practices creating tree-level monoculture plantations exists. Our study investigates tree diversity responses for six early seral boreal forest plantations in Ontario, Canada, representing three conifer species; black spruce (Picea mariana), white spruce (P. glauca), and jack pine (Pinus banksiana), 14 release treatments, and 94 experimental units. Dominance-diversity curves and Simpson’s indices of diversity and evenness indicate tree alpha diversity. We propose a new method for assessing diversity, using percentage of theoretical species maximum (%TSM) which is determined by comparing post-disturbance richness (S) with a theoretical species maximum (TSM). Our results support the hypothesis that alternative vegetation release treatments generally do not reduce tree species diversity levels (%TSM) relative to untreated plots. The only %TSM (P ≤ 0.05) comparison that produced less diversity than in control plots was repeated annual treatments of Vision herbicide at one of the black spruce study sites. Our results generally support the hypothesis that tree monocultures do not develop after vegetation release. Only one out of 94 experimental units developed into a tree layer monoculture (Simpson’s reciprocal diversity index = 1). Again this was one of the repeated annual treatments of Vision herbicide at one of the black spruce study sites—a treatment which is atypical of Canadian forest management.

Individual variability of behavioural responses by Wandering Albatrosses (Diomedea exulans) to human disturbance

Sub-Antarctic Marion Island has had a permanent research station for 50 years and the islands Wandering Albatrosses have been intensively studied for 20 years. The reactions of breeding birds to approaches by a human on foot were recorded. Three response variables were calculated: intensity of vocal reaction (IVR), intensity of non-vocal reaction (INR) and overall response index (ORI). At 5 m from the nest, twice as many birds stood and/or vocalised as at 15 m. Nearest neighbour distance, age and gender did not explain individual variability of responses. Study colony birds had higher IVR scores than non-study colony birds; birds at colonies closest to the station had the highest ORI scores. A better breeding record was associated with lower IVR and ORI scores, but a causative relationship remains to be demonstrated. A minimum viewing distance of 25 m is recommended for breeding Wandering Albatrosses.

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Seasonality and historic trends in the reef fisheries of Pulau Banggi, Sabah, Malaysia

The reef fisheries of Pulau (meaning “island” in Malay) Banggi, Sabah are not managed, and lack baseline fisheries data despite forming part of a proposed marine park. Thus, a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches was applied to obtain a baseline picture about the past and present state of the fisheries. Fish landings were monitored, and fisher interviews conducted to investigate seasonal effects and historical changes in Banggi’s reef fisheries. Monsoon winds were a major driver of seasonal differences in catch quantities for the hook and line, but not the gillnet fishery. Spatial distribution of fishing effort and target species also differed by season. Fishers consistently indicated that Banggi’s fisheries were declining, with a suggested three to four times decrease in catch rates over the last 20 years. Interestingly, it appeared that substantial decreases began in the year 2000. The responses of fishers to seasonal changes, and the resultant implications for management are discussed. Importantly, the need for immediate management policies to prevent further declines and to maintain sustainable reef fisheries is stressed. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Rattus exulans and the catastrophic disappearance of Hawai’i’s native lowland forest

Paleoenvironmental and archaeological investigations from the ’Ewa Plain of O’ahu provide insight into the problem of understanding lowland native forest loss in Hawai’i. Data from pollen analysis of a pond core record, avian paleontology, and archeology, document a precipitous decline of the native forest starting before Polynesian settlement on the ’Ewa Plain but after Polynesian colonization of O’ahu. It is hypothesized that rats, introduced by Polynesian colonizers, increased exponentially in the absence of significant predators or competitors, feeding on a largely endemic vegetation that had evolved in the absence of mammalian predators. Rats radiated ahead of human colonizers on O’ahu, eating their way through the vegetation, perhaps before the colonizers had encountered much of the pristine lowland forest into which the rats had radiated. This hypothesis is supported by several observations, including the almost complete absence of extinct or extirpated avian faunal remains in archaeological deposits, the present distribution of endemic vegetation in Hawai’i, rat ecology, population biology, and other evidence.

Changing Access to Labor,Pastures, and Knowledge: The Extensification of Grazing Management in Sudano-Sahelian West Africa

The broader ecological and social contexts within which livestock husbandry of Sudano-Sahelian West Africa operates have changed significantly over the past thirty years. This study concerns how: (1) these broader trends have affected the quantity and quality of labor investments into livestock herding; and (2) the ecological and animal nutritional implications of observed variation in labor investments into herding. The study was conducted in a 500 km² area of western Niger using a combination of qualitative interviews of herders and herd managers, household composition surveys, herd composition monitoring, grazing management monitoring and georeferenced vegetation and livestock grazing itinerary data. Statistical analyses were performed using a two-staged approach: (1) analysis of the factors affecting the allocation of labor to herding at the level of the managing household; and (2) analysis of the effect of herd characteristics, season, microgeography and herders’ social position on herders’ effort and the nutritional and ecological impacts of these efforts. The results of these analyses support the conclusion that the changing regional context of livestock husbandry leads to a reduction in labor (quantity and quality) investment or an “extensification” of herding with significant implications for livestock productivity and the environment.

GEM: a generic ecological model for estuaries and coastal waters

The set-up, application and validation of a generic ecological model (GEM) for estuaries and coastal waters is presented. This model is a comprehensive ecological model of the bottom of the foodweb, consisting of a set of modules, representing specific water quality processes and primary production that can be combined with any transport model to create a dedicated model for a specific ecosystem. GEM links different physical, chemical and ecological model components into one generic and flexible modelling tool that allows for variable sized, curvilinear grids to accomodate both the requirements for local accuracy while maintaining a relatively short model run-time. The GEM model describes the behaviour of nutrients, organic matter and primary producers in estuaries and coastal waters, incorporating dynamic process modules for dissolved oxygen, nutrients and phytoplankton. GEM integrates the best aspects of existing Dutch estuarine models that were mostly dedicated to only one type of ecosystem, geographic area or subset of processes. Particular strengths of GEM include its generic applicability and the integration and interaction of biological, chemical and physical processes into one predictive tool. The model offers flexibility in choosing which processes to include, and the ability to integrate results from different processes modelled simultaneously with different temporal resolutions. The generic applicability of the model is illustrated using a number of representative examples from case studies in which the GEM model was successfully applied. Validation of these examples was carried out using the ‘cost function’ to compare model results with field observations. The validation results demonstrated consistent accuracy of the GEM model for various key parameters in both spatial dimensions (horizontally and vertically) as well as temporal dimensions (seasonally and across years) for a variety of water systems without the need for major reparameterisation.

Habitat associations of the Small Red Damselfly (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceriagrion tenellum)</Emphasis> (De Villiers) in heathland in southern England (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae)

The Small Red Damselfly (Ceriagrion tenellum) (De Villiers) (Odonata: Coenagrionidae: Ceriagrion) is classed as vulnerable (Shirt, British Red Data Book, Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough, UK, 1987) throughout the UK, and is included in certain Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs) in the south. A large proportion of any Biodiversity Action Plan is concerned with the requirement of conservation and management programmes. In order to guide them, information about the habitat preferences of the species concerned is vital. Detailed habitat information was collected to include a variety of physical parameters particularly vegetation, both in-channel and bankside. The species was found to be primarily associated with in-channel emergent broad-leaved plants, bankside grasses and rushes, and shallow, narrow channels with dark organic substrate. The consequences of these findings are discussed in relation to the conservation and management of C. tenellum.

Airborne pollen sampling in a wildlife reserve in the south of Buenos Aires province,Argentina

The objective of this project was to study the pollen spectrum of the Marahué Wildlife Reserve (Central Argentina), the quantity and quality of airborne pollen grains, and to evaluate the contribution of outside sources, to protect a natural habitat with xerophytic shrub vegetation (“monte”) (the term “monte” is used for the dominant xerophytic shrub vegetation in the “partido” of Villarino) approximately 90 km south of Bahía Blanca. Sampling was performed weekly throughout a whole calendar year (January–December, 2003) using a volumetric impact sampler. Observations of flowering in the field were performed at the same time as the aerial sampling. Herbarium specimens were collected to make pollen collections of the species found in the study area, for reference purposes. The most abundant pollen types were Poaceae (31.3% total annual pollen), Amaranthus/Chenopodiaceae (25.3%), Eucalyptus (5%), Brassicaceae (3.9%), and Plantago (3.9%). This study showed the dispersion dynamics of pollen grains from characteristic species of the “partido” (the province of Buenos Aires is divided into partidos which are roughly equivalent to counties) of Villarino, the exotic flora of the surrounding area, and the pollen types from outside the region.

Hennigian Phylogenetic Systematics and the ‘Groundplan’ vs. ‘Post-Groundplan’ Approaches: A Reply to Kukalová-Peck

The recent contribution by Jarmila Kukalová-Peck on Hennigian phylogenetics and hexapod limb evolution is critically evaluated.

The effects of light-induced reduction of the photosystem II reaction center

Accumulation of reduced pheophytin a (Pheo-D1) in photosystem II reaction center (PSII RC) under illumination at low redox potential is accompanied by changes in absorbance and circular dichroism spectra. The temperature dependences of these spectral changes have the potential to distinguish between changes caused by the excitonic interaction and temperature-dependent processes. We observed a conformational change in the PSII RC protein part and changes in the spatial positions of the PSII RC pigments of the active D1 branch upon reduction of Pheo-D1 only in the case of high temperature (298 K) dynamics. The resulting absorption difference spectra of PSII RC models equilibrated at temperatures of 77 K and 298 K were highly consistent with our previous experiments in which light-induced bleaching of the PSII RC absorbance spectrum was observable only at 298 K. These results support our previous hypothesis that Pheo-D1 does not interact excitonically with the other chlorins of the PSII RC, since the reduced form of Pheo-D1 causes absorption spectra bleaching only due to temperature-dependent processes. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The normalised difference vegetation index obtained from agrometeorological standard radiation sensors: a comparison with ground-based multiband spectroradiometer measurements during the phenological development of an oat canopy

Following the methodology of K. F. Huemmrich and colleagues [Huemmrich et al. (1999) J Geophys Res 104:27,935–27,944], agrometeorological standard radiation sensors, i.e. two photosynthetically active radiation sensors and an albedometer, were used to measure the broadband visible and optical–infrared reflectance of an oat plot during its whole growth period. From these reflectance data – recorded as 15-min averages and pooled to daily means – the seasonal cycle of the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) was calculated. In addition, a ground-based multi-channel spectroradiometer was used as a reference to estimate narrowband “green” and “red” NDVIs at weekly intervals near noon. The narrowband “green” NDVI was shown to be consistent with the simultaneous broadband 15-min NDVI. This shows that the configuration of agrometeorological radiation sensors is suitable to adequately track phenological crop dynamics.

Anthropogenic impacts to coral reefs in Palau,western Micronesia during the Late Holocene

The Palauan archipelago contains one of the most ecologically diverse coral reef systems in the Indo-Pacific that was as attractive for humans prehistorically as it is today. New evidence is emerging that during the past few thousand years there has been increasing exploitation of coral reef resources, particularly finfish and mollusks, leading to a decline in taxa numbers, richness, and diversity in various locales. This paper examines the historical interactions between human populations and coral reef ecologies in Palau by combining known archaeological data and results from modern biological data of different reef fauna. The integration of these data sources provides a framework for attempting to explain variations in taxa composition between islands in the archipelago and how this may relate to human exploitation or other phenomena through time. By using this perspective to link past events with present-day conditions, we can gain a better sense of the extent to which anthropogenic changes may have affected island environments in western Micronesia during the Late Holocene. The study also illustrates the many difficulties researchers face in attempting to synthesize and explain past and present human predation behavior when using disparate sources of data.

Parallel morphological/neural processing of hyperspectral images using heterogeneous and homogeneous platforms

The wealth spatial and spectral information available from last-generation Earth observation instruments has introduced extremely high computational requirements in many applications. Most currently available parallel techniques treat remotely sensed data not as images, but as unordered listings of spectral measurements with no spatial arrangement. In thematic classification applications, however, the integration of spatial and spectral information can be greatly beneficial. Although such integrated approaches can be efficiently mapped in homogeneous commodity clusters, low-cost heterogeneous networks of computers (HNOCs) have soon become a standard tool of choice for dealing with the massive amount of image data produced by Earth observation missions. In this paper, we develop a new morphological/neural algorithm for parallel classification of high-dimensional (hyperspectral) remotely sensed image data sets. The algorithm’s accuracy and parallel performance is tested in a variety of homogeneous and heterogeneous computing platforms, using two networks of workstations distributed among different locations, and also a massively parallel Beowulf cluster at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.

Chinook salmon invade southern South America

We document the invasion of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) to southern South America providing historical, current and future perspectives. We conducted field sampling, angler surveys, and analyzed all written records, and found evidence of reproductive populations in more than ten Andean (and many more coastal) watersheds draining mainly to the Pacific Ocean in Chile (39°–53° S), but also to the Atlantic Ocean in Argentina (50° S). Invasion begun ∼25 years ago apparently from a few point sources of introduction by ocean ranching operations using spring-run Chinook salmon originated from tributaries of the lower Columbia River, USA. The rapid spread suggests that Chinook salmon were pre-adapted to their novel marine and freshwater environments because of similarities to equivalent North Pacific habitats, and invasion may have been facilitated by low ecological resistance. Preliminary data suggest that populations express a latitudinal gradient in juvenile migration life histories equivalent to that in their native range. Parallels to the only other establishment of anadromous Chinook salmon outside their native range, New Zealand, suggests a predictable invasion rate. In South America, the invasion is ongoing in southern areas, yet we deem unlikely colonization of rivers north of the range reached thus far. This is the first anadromous salmon species to have invaded such a large range in South America, and it raises many evolutionary, ecological, environmental and socioeconomic issues, with several discussed here.