Influence of woodland remnant edges on small skinks (Richmond,New South Wales)

Abstract Habitat fragmentation due to clearing often results in an increase in edge areas compared with overall remnant size, but there are limited data on the influence of increased edge areas on generalist species. Therefore, the abundance of small (<55 mm) generalist scinid lizards in small woodland remnants of the Cumberland Plain (western Sydney, Australia) was compared. Using pitfall trapping and points of transect survey techniques, three species were encountered: Lampropholis guichenoti, Lampropholis delicata and Cryptoblepharus virgatus. The abundance and diversity of these skinks differed significantly between edge and core areas; fewer individuals were encountered on the edge of the remnants than in core sites. Cryptoblepharus virgatus was only observed in edge sites where L. guichenoti made up the greatest skink abundance. In contrast, L. delicata abundance was greatest at core sites. There was also a significant difference between the edge and core with respect to the size structure of the L. guichenoti population. Larger numbers of subadults were observed in the edge sites, whereas there were significantly fewer adults and juveniles in these areas. Habitat characteristics did not account for the skink distribution observed.     

Base mineral inflow in a remnant cool-temperate mire ecosystem

Kiushitou (42°28N, 141°9E) is a lowland mire located in a residential area of northern Japan. We examined the 2-D distribution of hydrochemical variables and their seasonal changes in relation to plant communities in an attempt to conserve the Sphagnum fen (Sphagnum subfulvum). This mire is gently sloping and the upper area consists of alder and ash forests, while the lower area is covered with fen communities. The grassy fen, Moliniopsis japonica, occurs throughout the lower area, whereas the Sphagnum fen is restricted to the southwest part of the mire. anova and canonical correspondence analysis revealed that the occurrence of Sphagnum fen is negatively correlated with Mg, Ca and electrical conductivity (EC). These variables indicated that water in the upper forest area contained a high concentration of minerals from the neighboring residential area. Seasonal changes in EC values revealed that the watercourse from a spring point in an upper corner to the lowest drainage ditch was divided into two, southwest and northeast, courses. Because the northeast-course spring water joins mineral-rich water flowing from a point at the upper margin, the northeast part of the lower area contains considerable Ca and Mg. In contrast, the mineral-poor spring water flowing into the southwest part of the mire ensures the survival of the Sphagnum fen. Thus, when we stop the supply of mineral-rich water from the upper margin the area of the Sphagnum fen will expand into the northeast part of the mire. Two-dimensional details of the hydrochemical regime clarify the impact of mineral inflow and the expansion mechanisms of these minerals.     

Ecohydrological gradients and their restoration on the periphery of extracted peatlands

The moss layer transfer technique is effective at restoring extracted peatland surfaces. However, remnant peatlands persist on the periphery of extracted surfaces. These remnant peatlands drop steeply to extracted surfaces, producing artificial ecotones that are more challenging to restore. We asked to what degree natural ecotones at undisturbed reference fens can act as models for the restoration of artificial ecotones around an extracted peatland, and whether management actions can ameliorate conditions in artificial ecotones. We compared changes in elevation, water table, peat, and multiple vegetation characteristics between natural ecotones and unmanaged artificial ecotones. We then clear‐cut peripheral strips, completely filled perimeter canals, and smoothed peripheral slopes around sections of the extracted surfaces to assess whether hydrological conditions improved. Without management, artificial ecotones are not good models of natural ecotones. The elevation gradient is steep, and water tables drop steeply within 8 m of blocked perimeter canals, with possible effects at 25 m. The consequent vegetation had denser tree saplings, faster tree growth, almost no moss cover, and low moss species richness. After these management actions, water tables increased to within approximately 5 cm of those along natural ecotones. Future study is required to assess the extent of vegetation recovery, but these results hold promise for a more holistic rehabilitation of ecotones on the periphery of extracted peatland surfaces. We present recommendations to optimize the management actions on the periphery of extracted peatlands.     

A last stand in the Po valley: genetic structure and gene flow patterns in Ulmus minor and U. pumila

Background and Aims Ulmus minor has been severely affected by Dutch elm disease (DED). The introduction into Europe of the exotic Ulmus pumila, highly tolerant to DED, has resulted in it widely replacing native U. minor populations. Morphological and genetic evidence of hybridization has been reported, and thus there is a need for assessment of interspecific gene flow patterns in natural populations. This work therefore aimed at studying pollen gene flow in a remnant U. minor stand surrounded by trees of both species scattered across an agricultural landscape.Methods All trees from a small natural stand (350 in number) and the surrounding agricultural area within a 5-km radius (89) were genotyped at six microsatellite loci. Trees were morphologically characterized as U. minor, U. pumila or intermediate phenotypes, and morphological identification was compared with Bayesian clustering of genotypes. For paternity analysis, seeds were collected in two consecutive years from 20 and 28 mother trees. Maximum likelihood paternity assignment was used to elucidate intra- and interspecific gene flow patterns.Key Results Genetic structure analyses indicated the presence of two genetic clusters only partially matching the morphological identification. The paternity analysis results were consistent between the two consecutive years of sampling and showed high pollen immigration rates (∼0·80) and mean pollination distances (∼3 km), and a skewed distribution of reproductive success. Few intercluster pollinations and putative hybrid individuals were found.Conclusions Pollen gene flow is not impeded in the fragmented agricultural landscape investigated. High pollen immigration and extensive pollen dispersal distances are probably counteracting the potential loss of genetic variation caused by isolation. Some evidence was also found that U. minor and U. pumila can hybridize when in sympatry. Although hybridization might have beneficial effects on both species, remnant U. minor populations represent a valuable source of genetic diversity that needs to be preserved.     

Eucalypt plantings on farms benefit woodland birds in south‐eastern Australia

Abstract Most of the original forest and woodland cover on the western slopes of New South Wales and the northern plains of Victoria has been cleared for agriculture (wheat, sheep and cattle) and what remains is highly fragmented and modified by a long history of disturbance. Over the past three decades, native eucalypt trees and shrubs have been planted extensively in a part of this region to provide a range of environmental benefits. Our aim was to determine the extent to which these plantings could improve biological diversity in agricultural landscapes in south‐eastern Australia and to identify the variables influencing their effectiveness. We sampled birds at 120 sites encompassing the range of available patch sizes, stand ages, floristic and structural conditions, and habitat attributes for revegetated areas and remnants of native vegetation, and we compared these to nearby paddocks. Eucalypt plantings were found to provide significant improvements in bird population density compared with cleared or sparsely treed paddocks, and mixed eucalypt and shrub plantings had similar bird communities to remnant native forest and woodland in the region. Birds displayed a strong response to patch size, with both larger (≥5–20 ha) eucalypt plantings and larger (≥5–20 ha) remnants having more species and more individuals per unit area than smaller (<5 ha) patches of these vegetation types. Older (10–25 years) plantings had more bird species and individuals than young (<10 years) plantings. The distance from remnant forest and woodland (habitat connectivity) appeared to be an important variable influencing bird species richness in eucalypt plantings. The main differences were due to the greater numbers of species classified as woodland‐dependent in the larger‐sized patches of plantings and remnants. Eucalypt plantings provided useful habitat for at least 10 declining woodland‐dependent species, notably for the Speckled Warbler, Red‐capped Robin and Rufous Whistler. The Brown Treecreeper and Dusky Woodswallow appeared to be the species most limited by the extent of remnant forest and woodland in the region. Plantings of all shapes and sizes, especially those larger than 5 ha, have an important role to play in providing habitat for many bird species. Restoration efforts are more likely to be successful if eucalypt plantings are established near existing remnant vegetation.     

多山城市遗存山体植物多样性斑块效应研究

为探讨城市遗存山体植物多样性的斑块效应,以贵阳市建成区城市遗存山体为研究对象,采用单因素方差分析和最小显著性差异法(LSD),比较不同山体以及坡向、坡位的植物多样性差异,通过Spearman相关分析法,分析城市遗存山体植物多样性指数与城市遗存山体斑块指数之间的关系。结果表明：除地表粗糙度(SR)和分维数(Fd)指数外,23个城市遗存山体的斑块特征指标斑块面积(Pa)、表面积(Sa)、斑块形状指数(PSI)、破碎度(F)、相对高度(Rh)、平均坡度(As)、平面曲率(Hc)和剖面曲率(Pc)等指数差异比较大;不同城市遗存山体的植物群落整体植物、乔木层、灌木层和草本层的多样性指数均有显著差异。植物多样性各指数均与城市遗存山体的斑块特征指数F、Hc、Pc、Hc、Pa和Sa有相关性,与Rh、Fd、SR、PSI和As指数相关性不显著;不同坡位植物多样性各指数与城市遗存山体斑块指数响应强度由高到低顺序为山顶>山脚>山腰。不同坡向的植物多样性指数与城市遗存山体斑块指数响应强度由高到低顺序为西坡>北坡>南坡>东坡。总体而言,城市遗存山体的植物群落物种多样性存在斑块效应,城...     

First documentation of flehmen in a common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius)

A male common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) was observed giving a flehmen grimace on 14 occasions in July and August of 1998 at the Denver Zoo. Twelve instances of flehmen occurred after anogenital investigation of the female as she was exiting the pool. The two other instances of flehmen occurred in the terrestrial portion of the enclosure after the male examined samples of the female's freshly voided urine. The frequency of flehmen increased as the female approached estrus. Flehmen in common hippos may be an example of an evolutionary remnant. Zoo Biol 18:415–420, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The viral restriction factor tetherin/BST2 tethers cytokinetic midbody remnants to the cell surface

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Soil phosphorus availability determines the contribution of small,individual grassland remnants to the conservation of landscape-scale biodiversity

Questions

Small, remnant habitats embedded in degraded, human-dominated landscapes are generally not a priority in conservation, despite their potential role in supporting landscape-scale biodiversity. To warrant their inclusion in conservation management and policy, we question under which conditions they may exhibit the largest conservation value.

Location

Nine landscapes spread across the counties of Stockholm and Södermanland, Sweden.

Methods

Per landscape, plant communities were surveyed in 6 and 12 1 × 1 m² plots across large, intact semi-natural grasslands and small remnant grasslands, respectively. These two contrasting grassland types served as a model system. A topsoil sample was taken in each plot to determine habitat quality in terms of soil pH, plant-available P, and C:N ratio. We used a joint species distribution model to analyse the extent to which grassland type and habitat quality define and predict resident community diversity and composition, including whether they support grassland specialists.

Results

At the landscape scale, the combined remnant grasslands sustained diverse plant communities which did include a significant subset of habitat specialists. Yet, the contribution of individual remnants clearly varied with local-scale habitat quality; soil phosphorus availability lowered plot-level species richness, mostly by constraining the occurrence of grassland specialists. Semi-natural grassland communities were comparatively insensitive to variation in soil phosphorus availability.

Conclusions

The combined habitat amount and the significant number of habitat specialists sustained by remnant grasslands with high habitat quality, shows they can represent a valuable resource to support landscape-scale biodiversity conservation. This offers no wildcard to neglect the continued biotic and abiotic threats on semi-natural grassland plant diversity such as chronic and accumulating P eutrophication, discontinuation of management or poor matrix permeability, as semi-natural grasslands harbour the majority of habitat specialists, while sourcing surrounding remnant grassland communities.