Returning home after fire: how fire may help us manage the persistence of scrub-steppe specialist bird populations

Semi-natural open habitats have drastically changed in the last few decades due to agricultural intensification and rural depopulation. Steppe-birds, and especially those adapted to primary stages of vegetation succession, are threatened by an increase in scrub cover, and management actions are being applied to reverse scrub encroachment and restore habitat suitability in semi-natural open habitats. In this paper we evaluated for the first time, the long-term effects of a wildfire on habitat structure, vegetation productivity, and the associated response of an endangered scrub-steppe specialist bird, the Dupont’s Lark Chersophilus duponti. Wildfire occurred in a Mediterranean steppe of central Spain dominated by permanent community of dwarf cushions scrubs. Bird abundance was evaluated by line transects in the burnt and unburnt areas 3 years prior to the fire and 4 and 7 years after the fire. We quantified changes in habitat structure at fine scale level through vegetation sampling points and in vegetation productivity by estimating the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Fire had strong effects for at least up to 4 years after the fire, when lower NDVI values, less scrub cover and fewer, but not significant, number of males were detected in the burnt area with respect to the pre-fire conditions. Seven years after fire most vegetation variables measured did not differ between areas, number of males detected within the burnt area was recovered and NDVI values in burnt area were slightly recovered but were significantly lower than in control area. Slow regeneration of the scrub cover after fire explained the unsuccessful occupation of the burnt area by the Dupont’s Lark up to several years after fire. The more dispersed and shorter habitat created by fire 7 years after the fire seems to be more suitable for the species than that in control areas. The large number of males around the burnt area may have played a role in the recolonization process. In sum, vegetation recovery and the presence of a low scrub-steppe specialist, as the Dupont’s lark, suggests that fire management could be integrated into conservation plans to effectively manage scrub encroachment processes in Mediterranean scrub-steppes.     

Returning genetic research results to individuals: points-to-consider

This paper is intended to stimulate debate amongst stakeholders in the international research community on the topic of returning individual genetic research results to study participants. Pharmacogenetics and disease genetics studies are becoming increasingly prevalent, leading to a growing body of information on genetic associations for drug responsiveness and disease susceptibility with the potential to improve health care. Much of these data are presently characterized as exploratory (non-validated or hypothesis-generating). There is, however, a trend for research participants to be permitted access to their personal data if they so choose. Researchers, sponsors, patient advocacy groups, ethics committees and regulatory authorities are consequently confronting the issue of whether, and how, study participants might receive their individual results. Noted international ethico-legal guidelines and public policy positions in Europe and the United States are reviewed for background. The authors offer 'Points-to-Consider' regarding returning results in the context of drug development trials based on their knowledge and experience. Theses considerations include: the clinical relevance of data, laboratory qualifications, informed consent procedures, confidentiality of medical information and the competency of persons providing results to participants. The discussion is framed as a benefit-to-risk assessment to balance the potential positive versus negative consequences to participants, while maintaining the integrity and feasibility of conducting genetic research studies.     

Mambu phone home

Mambu: A Melanesian millennium, by Kenelm Burridge. Princeton University Press, Princeton NJ, 1995 [reprinting of original 1960 edition with new preface]. 296pp., appendices, index. ISBN 0–691–00166–9 (paperback).     

南方砂梨返花过程中内源激素含量变化及其与秋季返花的关系

为探讨花芽内源激素含量变化与返花的关系,以砂梨品种‘丰水’、‘翠冠’为材料,研究了砂梨采果后返花过程中花芽内源激素(IAA、GA3、ABA)含量变化,以及早期落叶和秋季返花特征。结果表明:(1)在采果后至返花过程中,两个品种梨花芽中内源激素IAA和GA3含量都呈逐渐缓慢下降趋势;花芽ABA含量的动态变化成升-降-升的"S"曲线。(2)花芽返花受3种激素的动态平衡控制,花芽IAA/ABA、GA3/ABA和(IAA+GA3)/ABA值变化趋势均呈相似的"S"形曲线,IAA/ABA、GA3/ABA和(IAA+GA3)/ABA值增加,花芽返花;比值降低,花芽逐渐步入休眠期。(3)砂梨的落叶率与返花率呈极显著正相关关系,花芽中IAA/ABA比值与砂梨落叶率和返花率相关系数分别为0.805、0.774,相关性均达到显著水平。研究认为,梨返花与早期落叶密切相关,受花芽内源激素IAA、GA3、ABA动态平衡控制;早期落叶降低了花芽中ABA的含量,从而使花芽内生长促进型激素占主导地位,阻止自然休眠的花芽进入休眠或促使进入浅休眠部分花芽解除休眠,所以出现秋季返花现象。