Scots pine growing on forested mires in Abernethy Forest,Strathspey, Scotland

Summary

A substantial proportion of the Abernethy Forest Reserve has Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) growing on the surfaces of a variety of mires. The hydrology of the mires has been affected by drainage and peat cutting but this area is unusual in having had a long period of protection from grazing by domestic stock. There are three main types of pine populations found on these mires. Woodland bog comprises predominantly bog vegetation with abundant pine seedlings due to the heavy seed rain from the surrounding woodland. Only a few very small trees survive, which are stunted, heavily diseased and have very low seed production. Wooded bog also comprises predominately bog vegetation but there are scattered mature trees of a moderate height with an open canopy. The trees are fertile and can form uneven aged stands with regeneration. Bog woodland is a predominantly woodland vegetation with tall, dense tree cover on deep peat. The trees are well grown with a dense canopy. A few remnants of bog vegetation remain in the ground flora although most have been replaced by woodland bryophytes and shrubs. Each of these three types is described and their development is discussed.     

The magic of the national flag

This paper aims to explore the question of the cult of the national flag from a few selected angles. I focus in particular on the magical dimension of the national flag. My argument is that the central position of the flag in nationalism has much do to with a magical mode of thinking. However, this type of thinking cannot simply be regarded as the legacy of so-called primitive or pre-industrial societies. On the contrary, I will argue that national flags are modern phenomena. The magic of the flag causes some people to behave as if the flag constituted an integral part of the nation. Damage of the flag is feared as desacralization, which may have direct consequences for the nation and threatens its existence. The magic of the flag is based on the confusion of two ontological domains: symbolic-metaphorical and metonymical-causal.     

High and dry: post‐fire tree seedling establishment in subalpine forests decreases with post‐fire drought and large stand‐replacing burn patches

Aim Climate warming and increased wildfire activity are hypothesized to catalyse biogeographical shifts, reducing the resilience of fire‐prone forests world‐wide. Two key mechanisms underpinning hypotheses are: (1) reduced seed availability in large stand‐replacing burn patches, and (2) reduced seedling establishment/survival after post‐fire drought. We tested for regional evidence consistent with these mechanisms in an extensive fire‐prone forest biome by assessing post‐fire tree seedling establishment, a key indicator of forest resilience. Location Subalpine forests, US Rocky Mountains. Methods We analysed post‐fire tree seedling establishment from 184 field plots where stand‐replacing forest fires were followed by varying post‐fire climate conditions. Generalized linear mixed models tested how establishment rates varied with post‐fire drought severity and distance to seed source (among other relevant factors) for tree species with contrasting post‐fire regeneration adaptations. Results Total post‐fire tree seedling establishment (all species combined) declined sharply with greater post‐fire drought severity and with greater distance to seed sources (i.e. the interior of burn patches). Effects varied among key species groups. For conifers that dominate present‐day subalpine forests (Picea engelmannii, Abies lasiocarpa), post‐fire seedling establishment declined sharply with both factors. One exception was serotinous Pinus contorta, which did not vary with either factor. For montane species expected to move upslope under future climate change (Larix occidentalis, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Populus tremuloides) and upper treeline species (Pinus albicaulis), establishment was unrelated to either factor. Greater post‐fire tree seedling establishment on cooler/wetter aspects suggested local topographic refugia during post‐fire droughts. Main conclusions If future drought and wildfire patterns manifest as expected, post‐fire tree seedling establishment of species that currently characterize subalpine forests could be substantially reduced. Compensatory increases from lower montane and upper treeline species may partially offset these reductions, but our data suggest important near‐ to mid‐term shifts in the composition and structure of high‐elevation forests under continued climate warming and increased wildfire activity.     

Influence of age on the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in Apodemus sylvaticus at Merja Zerga lagoon,Morocco

The influence of age and sex on the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in Apodemus sylvaticus was studied in Merja Zerga lagoon in northern Morocco. Five trace metal elements (Zn, Pb, Cr, Cu and Fe) were quantitatively analyzed by Varian AA 240 atomic absorption spectroscopy with graphite furnace in three organs (Liver, Kidney and Heart) from animals of different age and sex. The maximum metal level of the analyzed samples was recorded in adults and was limited to 46.62 μg/g for Pb and 35.1 μg/g for Cu, while it reached 22.69 μg/g, 7.59 μg/g and 6.78 μg/g for Cr, Zn and Fe, respectively. Highly significant differences were found for bioaccumulation of heavy metals according to animal ages and no significant differences were observed between the two sexes among the studied animals. Our results revealed also the existence of a strong correlation (r > 0.65) between the majority of biometric parameters and the trace element concentrations. In general, we found that age is a critical factor in estimating the level of heavy metal pollution. Other characteristics such as habitat, feeding habits and anti-predator behavior of the species need to be studied.     

Expansion of Aedes africanus (Diptera: Culicidae), a sylvatic vector of arboviruses,into an urban environment of Abidjan,Côte d'Ivoire

In 2008, an outbreak of yellow fever occurred in Abidjan. The entomological investigations confirm that Abidjan is at risk of yellow fever with a suspicion of the National Park of Banco (NPB) forest as a likely area of re‐emergence. This study aims to assess the dispersion of sylvatic vectors of arboviruses from the NPB forest to the surrounding areas (Andokoi and Sagbé). The sampling was done in the rainy season using the WHO layer‐traps technique. Among the six species of Aedes sampled, Aedes aegypti and Aedes africanus were the potential vectors of arboviruses. Both species were collected in Sagbé but only Ae. aegypti in Andokoi. Only Ae. aegypti were present 400 and 800 m from NPB forest, but at 200 m, it showed respective proportions of 75.5% and 87.5% in Sagbé and Andokoi. In the NPB forest, however, Ae. africanus has been the predominant species. The study showed the presence of Ae. aegypti in Andokoi and Sagbé. However, Ae. africanus was found in the NPB forest and in the 200 m radius in Sagbé. The establishment of an entomological surveillance program in all areas would therefore be essential for the prevention of arboviruses outbreaks in Abidjan.     

Method for endogenizing capital in the United States Environmentally‐Extended Input‐Output model

Each year businesses, governments, and homeowners in the United States invest around one fifth of gross domestic product into the creation of capital assets such as buildings, machinery, and software to enable production and consumption. Use of capital is typically included to some extent in environmental life cycle assessments of goods and services but is not incorporated into most environmentally extended input‐output (EEIO) models, including the US Environmental Protection Agency's USEEIO. Capital assets are typically created in years prior to their use, so a challenge lies in distributing the impacts of their creation over time. In this work, a highly detailed capital flow matrix approach is followed to distribute the use of fixed capital assets to consuming industries. Data from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis's Fixed Asset Accounts is merged with its Industry Accounts data by the creation of concordance tables. Public highways and streets are partially reallocated to industries operating vehicles. The resulting capital use matrix is later combined into a modified USEEIO. “Housing” is found to be the largest consumer of fixed assets, followed by general government, fossil fuel extraction, and financial industries involved in leasing. Construction, vehicles, and machinery are mostly used by industries in the form of fixed assets. The types of fixed assets used by industries are consistent with expectations: housing is dominated by structures, transport by equipment, and information industries by intellectual property products.     

The occurrence of the Broad‐toothed Rat Mastacomys fuscus in relation to feral Horse impacts

Feral Horse (Equus caballus) impacts in northern Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales, Australia are directly occurring in habitat of the nationally threatened Broad‐toothed Rat (Mastacomys fuscus). This species is endemic primarily to the mountain regions of south‐eastern mainland Australia and Tasmania, with a disjunct population at Barrington Tops. The Broad‐toothed Rat's preferred habitat is being increasingly impacted by browsing and trampling associated with the expansion of feral horse populations. This study surveyed 180 sites supporting preferred habitat for this species to determine Broad‐toothed Rat presence and relative abundance in relation to the level of feral horse impacts within the reserve. There was a significant negative relationship between feral horse impacts and both Broad‐toothed Rat presence and abundance. No scats were identified at localities where feral horse impacts were severe, and at moderate horse impact sites, there was a proportion (34%) without scats found. Locations with low horse impacts had little impact on Broad‐toothed Rat occurrence. As feral horse populations increase, Broad‐toothed Rat populations may be further impacted. Such impacts will be due to the loss of vegetation cover from feral horse trampling and grazing, making animals more vulnerable to predation by predators or impacting on their ability to disperse to more suitable habitat. Habitat remnants and vegetation corridors along drainage lines require protection from feral horses to prevent localized extinctions of Broad‐toothed Rat.     

贵州赤水桫椤国家级自然保护区鸟兽多样性红外相机初步监测

红外相机监测是了解野生动物多样性和威胁因素的重要手段。本研究采用网格法和分层抽样调查法, 在贵州赤水桫椤国家级自然保护区内选取20个监测位点布设红外相机, 对区内鸟兽物种多样性进行监测。2015年8月至2017年8月, 红外相机累计工作6,370个工作日, 共拍摄45,953张照片, 独立有效照片1,936张。准确鉴定出兽类4目8科19种, 鸟类4目11科28种, 其中, 国家II级重点保护野生动物7种。相对丰富度指数(RAI)排前五位的兽类依次是毛冠鹿(Elaphodus cephalophus)、鼬獾(Melogale moschata)、藏酋猴(Macaca thibetana)、小麂(Muntiacus reevesi)和野猪(Sus scrofa); 鸟类依次是紫啸鸫(Myophonus caeruleus)、红腹角雉(Tragopan temminckii)、灰胸竹鸡(Bambusicola thoracicus)、黑喉噪鹛(Garrulax chinensis)和棕颈钩嘴鹛(Pomatorhinus ruficollis)。物种积累曲线结果表明, 兽类稀疏化曲线在300天后趋于稳定, 表明监测取样已较充分, 而鸟类监测物种数随时间积累依旧保持增长趋势。     

利用红外相机公里网格调查钱江源国家公园的兽类及鸟类多样性

2014年5月至2019年4月, 作者采用红外相机技术调查了浙江省钱江源国家公园的兽类及鸟类多样性。将整个国家公园划分为267个1 km × 1 km的调查网格, 每个网格内设置3个固定调查位点, 使用1台红外相机定期在同一网格内的位点之间进行轮换。其中, 古田山片区在5年内共完成14轮次调查, 古田山以外的区域自2018年7月纳入调查范围, 何田、长虹片区完成2次轮换, 齐溪片区完成1次轮换。在253个网格内的741个有效位点上共获得140,413个相机工作日的数据, 采集兽类和鸟类的照片和视频268,833份, 有效探测数74,368次, 鉴定出21种野生兽类, 72种野生鸟类, 5种家畜及家禽。包括国家一级重点保护野生动物2种, 即黑麂(Muntiacus crinifrons)、白颈长尾雉(Syrmaticus ellioti); 国家二级重点保护野生动物17种, 合计占野生物种总数的20.4%。被IUCN物种红色名录评估为易危(VU)的5种, 近危(NT)的4种, 合计占物种总数的9.7%。被中国脊椎动物红色名录评估为濒危(EN)的1种, 易危(VU)的9种, 近危(NT)的10种, 合计占物种总数的21.5%。相对多度指数最高的大中型兽类为小麂(Muntiacus reevesi), 鸟类为白鹇(Lophura nycthemera)。本次调查获得了国家公园内兽类和鸟类的多样性组成、空间分布和相对多度, 为长期科研监测和科学管理提供了基础数据。     

西藏雅鲁藏布大峡谷国家级自然保护区金猫的色型类别与活动节律

2013-2018年间采用红外相机技术对西藏雅鲁藏布大峡谷国家级自然保护区的金猫(Catopuma temminckii)进行长期监测, 累计布设70个点位, 14,071个相机工作日。共收集金猫独立照片101张, 其中60张可识别色型, 占金猫独立照片总数的59.40%。共记录到4种不同色型的金猫个体, 拍摄频次比例为麻褐色型:红棕色型:黑色型:灰色型 = 46:7:4:3; 其中灰色型为我国野生金猫实体首次记录。不同色型的个体可同域分布, 而以雅鲁藏布大峡谷自然保护区为代表的藏东南地区是我国金猫色型变异最丰富的地区。基于红外相机照片对金猫的共性形态特征和不同色型的独特形态特征进行了详细的图文描述, 以期为该物种的深入研究提供详实的基础资料。活动节律的分析结果显示, 研究区内金猫以昼行性活动为主, 10:00-12:00为其最强的活动高峰。不同月份的日活动差异指数(daily-discrepancy index) α和昼行性指数(diurnal-nocturnal index) β均存在显著差异, 且活动强度具有明显的季节性变化, 不同季节的活动峰型存在显著差异。本研究为东喜马拉雅生物多样性热点区动物多样性本底的完善积累了基础资料, 也为后续的猫科动物色型多样性的形成机制研究提供了基础信息与参考。