A simple alternative to line transects of nests for estimating orangutan densities

We conducted a validation of the line transect technique to estimate densities of orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) nests in a Bornean swamp forest, and compared these results with density estimates based on nest counts in plots and on female home ranges. First, we examined the accuracy of the line transect method. We found that the densities based on a pass in both directions of two experienced pairs of observers was 27% below a combined sample based on transect walks by eight pairs of observers, suggesting that regular line-transect densities may seriously underestimate true densities. Second, we compared these results with those obtained by nest counts in 0.2-ha plots. This method produced an estimated 15.24 nests/ha, as compared to 10.0 and 10.9, respectively, by two experienced pairs of observers who walked a line transect in both directions. Third, we estimated orangutan densities based on female home range size and overlap and the proportion of females in the population, which produced a density of 4.25–4.5 individuals/km² . Converting nest densities into orangutan densities, using locally estimated parameters for nest production rate and proportion of nest builders in the population, we found that density estimates based on the line transect results of the most experienced pairs on a double pass were 2.82 and 3.08 orangutans/km², based on the combined line transect data are 4.04, and based on plot counts are 4.30. In this swamp forest, plot counts therefore give more accurate estimates than do line transects. We recommend that this new method be evaluated in other forest types as well.     

Structure of hydrophilic vegetation of a small river in an urban environment

The hydrophilic vegetation of the small Korovka River has been characterized in the urban and suburban zones of the city of Rybinsk (Yaroslavl oblast). The structure and state of the vegetation within the urban territory depends mainly on the anthropogenic load and hydrological factors. The main phytocoenoses of urban and suburban zones are hydrophilic and helophilic complexes, respectively. The level of overgrowth of these zones varies within the range of 30–70% and 5–20%, respectively. The following overgrowth patterns dominate in the urban zone: mosaic thicket, border, and underwater meadow. In the case of the suburban zone, the border and thicket patterns dominate.     

The use of structural species size classes in the description of the woody vegetation of a nature reserve

The need for a scientifically based wildlife management plan and more knowledge on the vegetation ecology of the Borakalalo Nature Reserve prompted an ecological investigation of the Reserve. One of the aims was to develop a structural classification of the woody component using species size (SPIZE) classes. A further aim was to compare the various structural classes identified with the recognized floristically derived plant communities of the Reserve. The frequency, density, percentage crown cover and importance value for each woody species were calculated. A classification of the woody component was done using a TWINSPAN classification algorithm on this structural density data. Fifteen structural SPIZE classes were identified, described and compared with the described plant communities. The results of this study indicate that structural SPIZE classes could also be used to explain the spatial distribution of woody species within and between various plant communities.     

The use of accurate mass tags for high-throughput microbial proteomics

We describe and review progress towards a global strategy that aims to extend the sensitivity, dynamic range, comprehensiveness, and throughput of proteomic measurements for microbial systems based upon the use of polypeptide accurate mass tags (AMTs) produced by global protein enzymatic digestions. The two-stage strategy exploits high accuracy mass measurements using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR) to validate polypeptide AMTs for a specific organism, from potential mass tags tentatively identified using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), providing the basis for subsequent measurements without the need for routine MS/MS. A high-resolution capillary liquid chromatography separation combined with high sensitivity, and high-resolution accurate FTICR measurements is shown to be capable of characterizing polypeptide mixtures of more than 10(5) components, sufficient for broad protein identification using AMTs. Advantages of the approach include the high confidence of protein identification, its broad proteome coverage, and the capability for stable-isotope labeling methods for precise relative protein abundance measurements. The strategy has been initially evaluated using the microorganisms Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Deinococcus radiodurans. Additional developments, including the use of multiplexed-MS/MS capabilities and methods for dynamic range expansion of proteome measurements that promise to further extend the quality of proteomics measurements, are also described.     

Effects of river ice on riparian vegetation

1. Many rivers and streams experience pronounced ice dynamics caused by the formation of anchor and frazil ice, leading to flooding and disturbance of riparian and aquatic communities. However, the effects of dynamic ice conditions on riverine biota are little known. 2. We studied the formation of anchor ice in natural streams over 2 years and assessed the effects of anchor ice on riparian vegetation by comparing sites with frequent or abundant and little or no anchor ice formation. We also studied the direct impact of ice on riparian plants by experimentally creating ice in the riparian zone over three winters and by exposing plants of different life forms to ?18 °C cold ice in the laboratory. 3. Riparian species richness per 1‐m² plot was higher at sites affected by anchor ice than at sites where anchor ice was absent or rare, whereas dominance was lower, suggesting that disturbance by ice enhances species richness. Species composition was more homogenous among plots at anchor ice sites. By experimentally creating riparian ice, we corroborated the comparative results, with species richness increasing in ice‐treated plots compared to controls, irrespective of whether the sites showed natural anchor ice. 4. Because of human alterations of running waters, the natural effects of river ice on stream hydrology, geomorphology and ecology are little known. Global warming in northern streams is expected to lead to more dynamic ice conditions, offering new challenges for aquatic organisms and river management. Our results should stimulate new research, contributing to a better understanding of ecosystem function during winter.     

样线法在南方山地生态系统野生动物调查中的试点效果评价

样线法是全国第二次陆生野生动物资源调查中的首选方法,但已有文献表明该方法在南方山地森林中应用时存在诸多问题。为此,我们于2010年4月19–24日在广东车八岭国家级自然保护区对样线法的实际调查效果进行试点,在保护区中心区域划定5 km×10 km的范围,布设6条3 km长的理论样线。实际调查时,使用GPS轨迹记录功能精确标记调查样线和时间。调查时有2条样线未能达到理论长度,平均每条样线耗时5.3±1.4 h,调查速度小于600 m/h。该方法针对常规调查物种的发现概率偏低,调查到的物种总数占保护区常规调查物种总数的比例(0.22)小于调查到的总物种数占保护区总物种数的比例(0.37);在调查强度为0.75%时,可对区域内物种进行有效抽样,但在有效评估一个区域的具体物种数量上可能存在缺陷。为此,我们对比了全国第一次陆生野生动物调查及试点工作的结果,针对南方山地森林生态系统调查提出以下建议:(1)应用GPS轨迹记录功能进行实际样线的设置和记录;(2)调查速度从2–3 km/h适当降低至600 m/h左右;样线长度控制在3–5 km,确保1天内可完成2条样线调查;(3)在现有的财力和人力条件下,样区内各类群调查强度略高于1%是较为适宜的;(4)采用多种辅助手段来提升常规调查物种的发现概率;(5)在地形复杂的位置可考虑使用样方或样点法辅助调查,增加物种发现概率,但不宜限制其调查强度。     

Light limiting thresholds for submerged aquatic vegetation in a blackwater river

Field-based monitoring data were used to estimate the limiting light threshold for Vallisneria americana, the dominant species, in the St. Johns River, Florida. There was a considerable range of threshold estimates (0.5–35% of surface light) among individual observations. Light threshold calculations were divided into low- and high-salinity groups of sites. The field-based mean threshold for 1998–2004 was 9% for low-salinity (<0.5 ppt annual mean) sites. Sites with higher salinity (>0.5 ppt annual mean) had a higher mean light threshold of 14%. A separate analysis of the freshwater Crescent Lake suggested a light threshold of 9%. Increased epiphyte biomass during the drought may have accounted for the majority of the higher light requirements in the freshwater reach of the river. Light requirement values in this study were similar to other studies focusing on V. americana.     

Regulation of submersed macrophyte biomass in a temperate lowland river: Interactions between shading by bank vegetation, epiphyton and water turbidity

Growth of aquatic vegetation is often controlled by light supply, which is potentially decreased by bank vegetation, water turbidity and epiphytic biofilm. To understand the relative importance of these shading factors and the interactions between them we analysed the seasonal course of macrophyte biomass, shading by bank vegetation, turbidity of the water column and epiphytic light absorption in shaded and sunny sections of a temperate eutrophic lowland river. At a shaded site, bank vegetation decreased the light supply by 79%, 0.5 m water column by 45% and 2-week-old epiphyton by 28% during the vegetation period. Growth of submersed macrophytes, but not of epiphyton, was light-limited in the shaded sections. We found a saturation-type correlation between light supply and macrophyte biomass. Therefore, the additional light absorption of the water column or epiphyton only shortened the period of optimum light supply at the sunny site, but was crucial for macrophyte development at the shaded site. Light absorption of phytoplankton was most important in spring and that of epiphyton in late summer. Submersed macrophytes effectively retained particles and thus improved light supply of downstream stands, but this positive feedback effect was only relevant for shaded sections in summer.     

Searching for a model for use in vegetation analysis

Summary Indirect gradient analysis methods require an explicit vegetation model which must be based on direct gradient analysis studies. Various vegetation models are reviewed. Field evidence for the models is discussed. Experimental studies of species response to environmental gradients are reviewed and discussed. Three types of gradient are recognized as important for development of models: indirect environmental gradients where the environmental factor has no direct physiological influence on plant growth e.g. elevation; direct environmental gradients where the factor has a direct physiological effect on growth but is not an essential resource, e.g. pH; resource gradients where the factor is an essential resource for plant growth. The behaviour of the ecological carrying capacity and the role of competition along such gradients are shown to be important for developing vegetation models.     

The use of benthic macroinvertebrate families for river quality assessment in Lithuania

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of environmental factors on the distribution of macroinvertebrate taxa in different sized lowland Lithuanian rivers. A secondary aim was to assess ecological river quality and to determine the most suitable biotic index. A final aim was to determine the most appropriate macroinvertebrate families for river quality assessment in Lithuania. Species composition and quantitative characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrate communities have been investigated using standard kick-sampling method by a standard hand net in 24 different river sites in spring. Physical and chemical environmental parameters were measured in the same study site as the macroinvertebrate sampling. A total of 186 taxa representing 66 families or higher taxonomic ranks of benthic macroinvertebrates have been identified. Water temperature and current velocity influenced the highest number of ivestigated families. Seven of the most tolerant and eleven of the most sensitive macroinvertebrate taxa for hydrochemical parameters related with organic pollution were determined. The DSFI method was founded to be the best index for assessment of ecological status for Lithuanian rivers until more accurate estimation method will be created.     

A tool set for description and mapping vegetation on protected natural areas: an example from the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands belong to Mediterranean basin hotspot, especially because their rich endemic flora. Nearly 40% of the total archipelago area is protected through protected natural area network. However, some plant communities show high degree of disturbance or they develop in unprotected zones. So, multivariate analysis combined with vegetation mapping can be useful for identify, describe and protect the main plant communities. These tools have been applied in Caldera de Taburiente national park (La Palma. Canary Islands). An actual vegetation map of this park is showed and its major natural vegetation units are described. These tools could be applied to other protected and unprotected areas, especially for planning, management and conservation purposes.     

Spatial patterns in seed bank and vegetation of semi-natural mountain meadows

Soil seed bank composition and vegetative spatial patterns were studied in four mountain meadow communities in the Broto Valley (N. Spain), in order to analyse the differences that might exists between the two life forms. Soil and vegetation samples were taken at 1 m intervals from 10 m × 10 m quadrats in each meadow in one-year study. The spatial distribution of species was analysed along with the calculation of an autocorrelation coefficient which takes account of the relative position of samples: (Moran’s I). The results indicate that the abundance of the majority of the species in the seed bank and in the vegetation are randomly distributed, the percentage of species with a clumped distribution only exceeds 35% in the vegetation of one meadow and none of the taxa identified showed a uniform spatial organisation. The species that were distributed in the seed bank in a clumped pattern in more than one meadow were those of the pioneer species (Anagallis arvensis, Centaurium erythraea, Lamium purpureum and Stellaria media). All of these formed long-term persistent seed banks but were absent in the established vegetation in these meadows. According to the results, there exist not only differences between the spatial distribution of the species present in the same community, but also, that some species change their pattern of distribution according to the life form and to the grassland type in which they are found.     

The complexity of calculating an accurate carbonate budget

Coral Reefs - A carbonate budget is a comprehensive measure of reef health and function that focuses on processes that produce and remove carbonate. A key parameter of a carbonate budget is reef...     

Ten-year seed bank and vegetation dynamics of a tidal freshwater marsh

A decade-long examination was made of recruitment and establishment in a tidal freshwater high marsh along the Delaware River. Over the 10 yr of the study, seed bank, field seedlings, and vegetation showed variable patterns and significant year-to-year fluctuations. Patterns of each species were unique, perhaps the result of specific germination and/or establishment requirements and seedling morphology. For a given species there was little correlation among seed bank, seedling, and vegetation patterns, and germination success did not guarantee establishment. Species diversity showed significant year-to-year fluctuation, but there was no trend, and perennials did not change in importance during the 10-yr period. Because four annual species (Bidens laevis, Cuscuta gronovii, Impatiens capensis, and Polygonum arifolium) composed over 90% of the seed bank and field seedlings, and 58-89% ( = 70 ± 4) of the cover, community dynamics were dependent on seedling recruitment. For a given species life history stages (seed bank, field seedlings, and vegetation) were not predictable over the temporal scale of a decade. It is predicted, however, that if hydrology remains unchanged, the same suite of species will persist. The importance of the parasite Cuscuta gronovii is noteworthy.     

Nested spatial patterns in seed bank and vegetation of Mediterranean old-fields

A nested sampling design was used to describe the spatial patterns for the species richness and composition in the seed bank and vegetation of three Mediterranean old-fields (1, 7, and 15 yr after the last ploughing). Three scales were examined hierarchically: sampling units within plots of 0.25 m² for the vegetation and of 0.05 m² for the seed bank, 100 m² plots within fields, and fields of 1000 m². In spite of the strong spatial variation among sampling units, species richness and composition of both seed bank and vegetation showed hierarchically structured patterns of heterogeneity, while each old-field was a homogeneous entity. These spatial patterns tended to be partially masked when the data were aggregated at the scale of the plot. Such results stress the use of a nested sampling design for studying variation in species richness and taxonomic composition in both vegetation and seed bank. This design, in combination with CCA, also showed that the vegetation showed a coarser grain than the seed bank, probably in relation to seed clumping.     

Seed bank and vegetation composition of forest stands of varying age in central Belgium: consequences for regeneration of ancient forest vegetation

Vegetation composition differs significantly between ancientand recent forest, due to slow colonization capacity of typical forest speciesand the higher abundance of early successional species in recent forest.However, little is known about differences in persistent seed bank compositionbetween ancient and recent forest and about the interaction between seed bankand vegetation in relation with forest age. We surveyed the seed bank and theunderstorey vegetationcomposition in transects from ancient to recent forest. Seed bank and fieldlayer vegetation characteristics and similarity between seed bank andvegetationwere analysed in relation to recent forest age and distance to the ancientforest. A total of 39 species and 14,911 seedlings germinated, whichcorresponds with a seed density of 12,426 seeds/m².Total seed density is significantly higher in the youngest recent forest parcel(55 years). Also the seed bank composition in the youngest forest parceldifferssignificantly from the other parcels. After a longer period of reforestation,the seed bank approaches that of the ancient forest, suggesting seed bankdepletion, although the seed bank is permanently replenished to some extent byseed bank forming species from local disturbances. Seed bank composition doesnot change significantly with distance to the ancient forest. Similaritybetween seed bank and vegetation composition, nomatter the forest age, is very low, but decreases with increasing forest age.The most frequent species in the vegetation are absent in the seed bank andvice versa. The contribution of forest species is highin the vegetation and they almost not occur in the seed bank, while species offorest edges and clearings, and species of disturbed environments are morefrequent in the seed bank. The seed bank is mainly composed of earlysuccessional species of former forest stages or species which temporary occurinsmall-scale disturbances. The seed bank may enhance the negative effects ofearlysuccessional, mainly competitive species to the forest species richness in therecent forest. In this respect, forest management should minimise forestdisturbances, to prevent germination of competitive species form buriedseeds.