Changes In Species Diversity Research Articles

Geomorphology and Altitude Effects on the Diversity and Structure of the Vanishing Montane Forest of Southern Ecuador

(1) Background: Neotropical montane forests represent one of the most diverse world ecosystems; however, they are also among the most threatened ones mostly due to deforestation. Our main goal is to classify and clarify the forest types based on the changes in basal area (BA), tree density, and species composition of montane forests in Southern Ecuador, and to determine the influence of critical environmental and geomorphological factors. (2) Methods: One hundred thirty-two temporary plots of 400 m2 were installed in homogeneous and well-conserved forest stands. We identified and measured all trees >10 cm diameter breast height (DBH). We modeled species diversity (Fisher’s alpha) change in relation to climatic, altitudinal, and geomorphological gradients using GLM and Kruskall-Wallis analyses. The change in composition was determined using cluster analyses (BIOENV analysis followed by a LINKTREE procedure). Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) was used to analyze changes across climatic and geomorphological gradients. Finally, we used a SIMPER analysis to identify the species that contributed most to the floristic dissimilarity among the identified altitudinal forests types. (3) Results: The floristic groups were determined by altitude, temperature, and isothermality, but also some geomorphological variables and lithology were used. Plots located in low hills have higher alpha diversity compared to the high hills and dissected mountains. (4) Conclusions: Altitude is the most important factor responsible for the division of structural and floristic groups. In addition, those plots located on the whitish tuff have higher alpha value diversity compared with plots in andesitic tuffs. Precipitation on the wettest quarter (>839 mm) and isothermality (>90.5) are the most relevant climatic factors driving the floristic classification.

Cocoa agroforestry and tree diversity in relation to past land use in the Northern Ecuadorian Amazon

Shifting agriculture (SA) involving fallow intervals between crop cycles is common in tropical areas. It allows the recovery of soil fertility for subsequent crops. However, the diminishing of fallow intervals (referred here as intensification of SA) is a main cause of forest degradation. Agroforestry systems (AFSs) based on modification of mature forests may play an important role in buffering adverse environmental outcomes caused by short fallow intervals in SA. We investigated whether AFSs reverse the effect of intensification of SA in cocoa (Theobroma cacao) agrosystems and aimed to (1) characterize species diversity in cocoa agroecosystem under SA with short fallow periods; (2) predict the ecological impact of intensification of SA on floristic composition, particularly in endangered endemic species; and (3) identify whether changes in floristic composition and species diversity in agroecosystems under different fallow intervals are localized in certain strata or whether structural changes occur throughout the plant community. Our study revealed that shortened SA’s fallow periods on cocoa AFSs have drastic effects on levels of diversity. Tree species assembly decreases across cocoa agroforest established in reduced fallow periods. Also, absence of fallow intervals of SA affects tree conservation rates in AFSs by changing floristic composition. Nevertheless, the use of AFSs with complex arboreal structures under SA preserves and protects higher rates of native and endangered endemic species and delays forest degradation rates. The conservation of native species in this agricultural model may meet the requirements to reverse the cycle of land degradation and social deprivation.

Changes in Community Structure and Species Diversity of Water Birds as Ecological Indexes of Hor-Al-Azim Marsh

Changes in Community Structure and Species Diversity of Water Birds as Ecological Indexes of Hor-Al-Azim Marsh

Assessment of the Erosion Stability of Slopes in Terms of Digression and the Degree of Overgrowth

Agroecological systems of slopes experience stress due to constant dynamic movements, especially on the slopes of high steepness. We have formulated the idea of critical levels in the dynamic process of slope agroecological systems, which is subsequently considered as an indicator of sustainability. When analyzing the dynamic processes on the slopes, we identified the digression of the slope surface under the influence of erosion processes as a critical one. The object of research is the erosion slopes of ravines and gullies in the forest-steppe conditions of the Volga upland. The purpose of the study is to develop parameters for assessing the stability of erosion slopes based on the results of research and analysis of literature sources. Results and discussion. It is proposed to refer to the dynamics changes not only in species composition, but also changes in the degree of degradation in terms of overgrowth of slope areas, allowing to establish the processes of secondary succession as the destruction of the slope surface. According to our concept the changes of species diversity on the erosion slopes may be accompanied by the appearance of alien plants in consequence of the stability, biological diversity and protective functions of the protective forest plantations loss. The number of species may increase, but the erosion slope gradually loses its stability. Quantitative assessment of the degree of overgrowth in terms of undergrowth and their qualitative characteristics give an idea of compliance of the forest conditions on the slope with environmental requirements for self-seeding tree species. It is found that the number of self-seeding on the slopes with increasing stage of digression naturally decreases. The number of self-seeding, compared with seedlings, 2-4 times less, regardless of the degree of digression of the slope. On the control and on the site of stage I of digression, the number of shoots of self-seeding clearly differ, which affects the incidence rate. In other areas, the occurrence is 53 -100%, which confirms the uneven of overgrowing of the slope area.

Long-term effects of nutrient changes on rotifer communities in a subtropical lake

External nutrient loading has a major influence on the abundance, composition and diversity of zooplankton communities. To clarify how the reduction of nutrient loading during lake restoration interacts with other abiotic and biotic factors and how the interactive factors affect long-term changes in rotifer communities, we analyzed the relationships between the rotifer communities and environmental factors using a 17-year dataset. After the reduction of nutrients, both the abundance and biomass of rotifers declined, and the dominant rotifers changed from eutrophic-tolerant species to less tolerant ones. The lower TN:TP ratio that was caused by the imbalanced decrease in TN and TP after restoration promoted cyanobacteria, which negatively related to the resource-use efficiency of rotifers. Moreover, seasonal differences in the Shannon–Wiener index–TN relationships and the decrease in the Pielou index with the increase in water temperature implied there were interactive effects of water temperature and nutrients on species diversity. The study concluded that changes in rotifer abundance and community composition were mainly related to TN, but the changes in species diversity were mainly related to the interactive effects of the TN:TP ratio, water temperature and food quality. Our findings highlighted the effects caused by imbalanced nutrient changes on species diversity.

Rotational grazing and exclosure improves grassland condition of the halophytic steppe in Flooding Pampa (Argentina) compared with continuous grazing

The most common grazing management applied on rangelands is continuous grazing. However, it can cause negative changes in vegetation structure and ecosystem functioning, leading to rangeland degradation. In Flooding Pampa rangelands, scientific evidence in favour of rotational over continuous grazing was developed on the humid mesophytic meadow and the humid prairie communities, but not on the halophytic steppe community. We evaluated the changes in species composition, richness and diversity, vegetation and litter cover, functional group composition and forage quality during 8 years in halophytic steppe subjected to both continuous or rotational grazing, and exclusion from grazing. Grazing exclusion and a rotational grazing system caused significant changes in the vegetation structure compared with continuous grazing. These treatments increased vegetation and litter cover, the contribution of summer and annual and perennial winter grasses, all them of high forage value, and encouraged the appearance of several grasses adapted to fertile, well drained and non-saline soils. Because of these structural changes, species richness, diversity and pastoral value increased in the halophytic steppe of the Flooding Pampa, in a manner previously demonstrated in other grassland communities of this region.

Woody Species Richness and Diversity Following Successional Stages at Jello-Muktar Dry Afromontane Forest, South-eastern Ethiopia

The study was carried out at 8⁰55’N-9⁰05’N latitude and 40⁰50’E-40⁰51’E longitude, at Jello-Muktar dry Afromontane forest South eastern Ethiopia to analyze changes in species composition, diversity and species richness under three successional stages. Three sites were selected each with 10 sample plots from each succssional stage. The average distance between the plots was 200 m and the radius was 30m. In each plot, identification, counting and measurement of diameter at breast height (DBH) of all trees and shrubs (DBH≥10cm) was conducted. Comparison of richness (S) between sites and successional stages was analyzed by Chao2 estimator and Rarefaction was performed to compare species richness among sites and successional stages, for unequal number of individuals in sites. The Shannon-Wiener (H’) and the Pielou indices (E) were used to assess the species diversity and evenness indices. A total of 114 species corresponding to 76 tree and 38 shrub species were recorded in the three successional stages. The MS forest was found to have the highest species richness followed by IS and ES successional stages. Analysis of Chao 2 estimator revealed that an average of 89.6% of the total species expected had been found for each successional stage. The MS sites were also found to have the highest mean H’ and H’E indices. The Overall mean measure of evenness was about 0.86 which indicates that the relative homogeneity of the species in the samples was 86% of the maximum possible even population. Different conservation priorities should be implemented to maintain plant species at different successional stages.

东北阔叶红松林群落分类、排序及物种多样性比较

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 东北阔叶红松林群落分类、排序及物种多样性比较 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201802080339 作者: 作者单位: 中国科学院沈阳应用生态研究所,中国科学院沈阳分院,中国科学院沈阳应用生态研究所,中国科学院沈阳应用生态研究所,中国科学院沈阳应用生态研究所,辽宁省林业科学研究院,中国科学院沈阳应用生态研究所 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 科技基础性工作专项资助项目（2015FY210200-9） Forest community classification, ordination, and comparison of species diversity in broadleaved-Korean pine mixed forests of Northeast China Author: Affiliation: Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences,,Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences,Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences,Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences,,Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Fund Project: Special Science and Technology Funded Project of Basic Research of China (No.2015FY210200-9) 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:植物群落是植物与环境相互作用的产物，探讨森林群落的分布格局、多样性变化规律及其与环境因子的关系，有助于该区森林群落稳定性的维持和生物多样性保护。在东北阔叶红松林区，沿纬度梯度在典型区域选择未受干扰的原始阔叶红松林进行群落调查，并运用多元回归树（MRT）、物种多样性指数比较和典范对应分析（CCA）方法，对森林群落进行分类、比较和排序。结果表明：东北阔叶红松林森林群落可分为4个类型，不同群落类型间物种组成及多样性差异显著。物种丰富度及多样性指数均为低纬度区的千金榆-枫桦-红松林显著高于高纬度地区的冷杉-红松林群落。CCA排序结果较好地反映了各群落类型的分布范围及其与环境因子的关系，其变化格局主要受温度和降水的影响，其次是土壤养分。该结果为气候变化下阔叶红松林的管理和保护提供了相应的理论依据。 Abstract:The plant community is the product of the interaction between plants and the environment, and the interaction process is associated with changes in community structure and species diversity. Exploring the distribution of forest communities, species diversity patterns, and their relationship with environmental factors is important for protecting forest stability and biodiversity. Quantitative analysis is an important approach in research on community classification and sorting and can profoundly reveal the ecological relationship between plant communities and environmental factors. The study of species diversity patterns can reflect the ecological characteristics of plant communities and their adaptability to environment change. The Korean pine broadleaved forest (KBF) is the local climax vegetation and mainly distributed in northeast China. It has a complex forest structure and rich biodiversity and is very important in maintaining the regional biodiversity. Therefore, it is vital to conduct a case study regarding community classification, ordination, and species diversity patterns in broadleaved Korean pine forests. In recent years, many studies regarding KBF have been conducted from various perspectives, but forest community classification, sorting, and comparison research using quantitative ecology is still lacking. Along a latitudinal gradient, we investigated the forest community structure with 40 plots (20 m×20 m). Then, forest community classification, ordination, and comparison of species diversity were conducted using the methods of MRT (multiple regression tree), CCA (correspondence analysis), and comparison of species diversity indexes. The results showed that the MRT classified the forest communities into four types by relating different aspects of species composition to environmental data:(I) Abies fabri-Pinus koraiensis Association, (Ⅱ) Quercus mongolica-Acer mono-Pinus koraiensis Association, (Ⅲ) Fraxinus mandshurica-Acer tegmentosum-Pinus koraiensis Association, (IV) Carpinus cordata-Betula costata-Pinus koraiensis Association. Species composition and diversity of forest communities differed greatly among the four types. The richness and species diversity index of Carpinus cordata-Betula costata-Pinus koraiensis Association were significantly higher than that of the Abies fabri Craib-Pinus koraiensis Association. The results of CCA were consistent with the forest community classification from MRT. It clearly reflected the distribution range of various community types and the relationships between community distribution and environmental factors. The Abies fabri-Pinus koraiensis Association corresponded to colder habitat, whereas the Carpinus cordata-Betula costata-Pinus koraiensis Association corresponded to warmer and wetter habitat. The Quercus mongolica-Acer mono-Pinus koraiensis Association tended to be in habitats with fertile soil. The distribution of the Fraxinus mandshurica-Acer tegmentosum-Pinus koraiensis Association had no special preference for environmental conditions. Temperature and precipitation were the main environmental factors affecting the distribution pattern of forest communities, whereas soil nutrients had smaller effects. These results help to more thoroughly understand the space distribution pattern and ecological characteristics of the forest community. They also provide the corresponding theoretical basis for the management and protection of broadleaved Korean pine forests in the future. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Intestinal Microbiocenosis Disorders in Danio rerio (Hamilton, 1882) and Inhibition of Protective Mechanisms under Nickel-Containing Nanoparticle-Induced Effects

The state of the antioxidant system and the intestinal microbiocenosis in Danio rerio (Hamilton, 1822) have been studied with the use of nickel and its oxide nanoparticles released into environments. It is revealed that the nanoparticle-induced toxic effect causes oxidative stress, followed by restructuring of the intestinal microbiocenosis and inhibiting the protective mechanism. A low loading dose and a short period of exposure of the test object to the nickel nanoforms activate the antioxidant defense system of the body in response to the free radical evolution. Chronic conditions and high doses exhaust the antioxidant system under the effect of free-radical hyperproduction during oxidative stress. A change in the microorganism species diversity is ascertained; for instance, Rhodobacter and Methylobacterium replace Citrobacter and Enterobacter, respectively, with the introduction of the nickel oxide nanoparticles, while Bacillus, Acinetobacter, and Rhodobacter replacement occurs with the introduction of nickel nanoparticles. Therefore, the transient microorganisms tend to replace the normal intestinal flora. An increase in the environmental total amount of nickel in the nanoparticle form results in its accumulation in the body of hydrobionts under the effect of the induction of chronic conditions.

Vegetation structure and composition in Ciletuh Geopark, Sukabumi, Indonesia

Wulandari I, Hendrawan R, Husodo T, Megantara EN. 2018. Vegetation structure and composition in Ciletuh Geopark, Sukabumi, Indonesia. Asian J For 2: 54-61. Ciletuh Geopark has unique geological exposures and plant diversity that need to be maintained and managed to provide benefits, both to the environment and society. In order to manage plant diversity, the plant species that make up the area need to be identified. This research was conducted to determine the community structure and plants diversity of the Ciletuh Geopark. The results of the study were used as basic data in determining the pattern of biodiversity management in Ciletuh Geopark. The method used is a qualitative method, through an inventory of plant species and illustrating the vegetation profile diagram. Vegetation profile diagrams represent a vertical structure of the vegetation community. Data analysis was carried out qualitatively by describing vegetation conditions. Ciletuh Geopark has four types of communities, namely natural forests, horticultural gardens (gardens, humas, and fields), kebon tatangkalan (talun), coastal vegetation and mangroves. Ciletuh Geopark has 179 plant species, from understorey to trees. In this location, there has been a change in species diversity, which is dominated by crop plant species. However, based on its conservation status, there were also plants protected by the Indonesian government, namely Rafflesia patma.

Effect of freshwater inflow on self-restoration of macrobenthic diversity in seaward intertidal wetlands influenced by reclamation projects in the Yangtze estuary, China

The Yangtze estuary is considered as an important eco-region of China, but it has been heavily disturbed by reclamation projects. We evaluated the effect of freshwater inflow on the self-restoration of macrobenthic diversity in 3-year-old vegetated, gravel, and mudflat habitats of reclaimed seaward intertidal wetlands. There was a significant self-restoration of species richness and diversity in vegetated and gravel habitats with no inflow of freshwater, but there were no significant changes in species diversity in three habitats subjected to freshwater inflow. Significant changes in community structures of macrobenthos occurred in vegetated and gravel habitats from pre- to post-restoration. Analysis of benthic health showed that gravel habitats were under moderate to high levels of disturbance in pre-restoration period. In contrast, there tended to be no evidence of disturbance in vegetated and mudflat habitats during two investigations. Restoration of macrobenthos is best achieved in vegetated habitats with on inflow of freshwater.

Impact of the alien plant Impatiens glandulifera on species diversity of invaded vegetation in the northern foothills of the Tatra Mountains, Central Europe

The impact of exotic annual Impatiens glandulifera on invaded European vegetation is ambiguous; there are studies reporting considerable negative as well as weak or even no impact of this invader on species richness and diversity of the invaded communities. The effect of invasion by I. glandulifera on species richness, diversity and the composition of resident vegetation was studied in the northern foothills of the Tatra Mountains in southern Poland. Two approaches were used: comparing diversity measures of the invaded and uninvaded plots and analysing changes in species richness and diversity in plots grouped according to increasing cover percentage of I. glandulifera. Invaded plots harboured 0.27 fewer species per 4 m2 and had significantly reduced values of the Shannon and Simpson diversity indices and Pielou’s measure of evenness. Analysis of changes in diversity measures with the increase in I. glandulifera cover revealed that an increase in I. glandulifera cover was from the onset related to a decrease in the diversity of the invaded plant communities, but after exceeding a 80% cover, this species dramatically reduced the diversity of the invaded vegetation. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis indicated a significant shift in the composition of invaded plots in relation to uninvaded plots, which resulted from the proportional increase in the more shade tolerant and nutrients demanding species. Our results suggest that in species-rich vegetation, such as fresh meadows and related communities, I. glandulifera may suppress weak competitors and, thus, negatively impact plant diversity.

Translocation of meadow, heath and fen to the Habitat Garden: The first insights after 4 years of the experiment

AbstractQuestionsHow does species composition of different vegetation types respond to translocation? How do they respond to encroachment of expansive native or alien species?LocationMeadow, heath and fen plots in Radzionków Habitat Botanical Garden, Poland.MethodsIn 2013, between June and October, 16,500 pieces of turf blocks from three communities, each 80 × 120 cm in size and 40–50 cm deep, were transferred from a donor site to newly constructed artificial basins. Temporal changes of species composition were observed in 163 permanent plots 2 × 2 m from 2013 to 2016. To analyse compositional changes, we carried out constrained ordination with time as explanatory variable. For changes in species richness, diversity, herb and shrub layers, contribution of woody species, diagnostic taxa, archaeophytes, neophytes, native expansive taxa and ruderal plants, a one‐way ANOVA was applied.ResultsWe found that only 35%–39% of species had a positive correlation with time. The total number of species significantly decreased only within the meadow plots. The fen and heath only experienced a slight decrease in species number. Significant changes in abundance of diagnostic species were observed in all plant communities. The abundances of diagnostic taxa were maintained during the first 2 year, then dropped considerably. The highest decrease was noted in the heathland community.ConclusionsTurf translocation appeared to be only partially effective as a compensatory measure. Four years after the translocation, the three different habitats still maintained their specific structural features, however the number of diagnostic taxa considerably decreased, particularly in the heathland and the wet meadow. Given the high financial and logistical effort required, translocation measures are questionable and should only be applied as an exceptional last resort method.

Provenance of invaders has scale-dependent impacts in a changing wetland ecosystem

Exotic species are associated with a variety of impacts on biodiversity, but it is unclear whether impacts of exotic species differ from those of native species with similar growth forms or native species invading disturbed sites. We compared presence and abundance of native and exotic invaders with changes in wetland plant species diversity over a 28-year period by re-surveying 22 ponds to identify factors correlated with observed changes. We also compared communities found within dense patches of native and exotic emergent species with similar habits. Within patches, we found no categorical diversity differences between areas dominated by native or exotic emergent species. At the pond scale, the cover of the exotic grass Phragmitesaustralis best predicted change in diversity and evenness over time, likely owing to its significant increase in coverage over the study period. These changes in diversity and evenness were strongest in younger, less successionally-advanced ponds. Changes associated with cover of P.australis in these ponds were not consistent with expected diversity decreases, but instead with a dampening of diversity gains, such that the least-invaded ponds increased in diversity the most over the study period. There were more mixed effects on evenness, ranging from a reduction in evenness gains to actual losses of evenness in the ponds with highest invader cover. In this wetland complex, the habit, origin and invasiveness of species contribute to diversity responses in a scale- and context-dependent fashion. Future efforts to preserve diversity should focus on preventing the arrival and spread of invaders that have the potential to cover large areas at high densities, regardless of their origin. Future studies should also investigate more thoroughly how changes in diversity associated with species invasions are impacted by other ongoing ecosystem changes.

Divergent trends in functional and phylogenetic structure in reptile communities across Africa

Despite extensive research on ecological community compositions, general patterns across large-scale environmental gradients have remained unclear. A widely used explanatory model is the stress dominance hypothesis (SDH), predicting that the relative influence of environmental filtering is greater in stressful habitats while competition is more important in benign environments. Here, we test the SDH using African squamates as a model system to facilitate general predictions on community structures amidst changing global environments. For the first time we investigate changes in functional, phylogenetic and species diversity across continental, environmental gradients within a multidimensional, phylogenetically informed approach. Results suggest that phylogenetic patterns of African squamates were likely shaped by clade-specific biogeographic histories, whereas functional structure reflects SDH predictions. We further detected significant structuring at both local and regional spatial scales, emphasizing the impact of regional-historical processes on local assemblages, and the need for broad conceptual frameworks to detect general patterns of community composition.

Different cutting regimes improve species and functional diversity of insect‐pollinated plants in power‐line clearings

AbstractTo mitigate biodiversity loss, it is essential to understand how areas altered by human land use can act as alternative habitats for functional groups of species, which are in decline. In forested landscapes, power‐line clearings can be valuable habitats for early successional plant species, which in turn provide important food resources for pollinating insects. However, we know little about how management practices affect plant diversity, or how changes in species diversity translate into the functional diversity of floral resources. We conducted an experiment at 19 sites in power‐line clearings across southeast Norway where the woody vegetation was (1) cut and left to decay, (2) cut and removed, or (3) uncut. We assessed the effects of treatments on species diversity (richness, evenness, diversity) and functional diversity (functional evenness, functional dispersion) of understory plant communities of insect‐pollinated plants. We also investigated the influence of environmental conditions within the power‐line clearings, the surrounding landscape, and climatic factors on species and functional diversity. We found that the cut and cut–remove treatments were effective in increasing biological diversity of insect‐pollinated plants. The species and functional diversity showed contrasting responses to treatments, and the treatment effects depended on the environmental context. This shows that ecosystem functioning is not necessarily predictable from the ecological processes that drive species composition. The treatment effects on species diversity were partly explained by the stress‐gradient hypothesis; species richness was higher in the cleared plots in areas of low environmental stress from precipitation and elevation. In contrast, the treatment effects on functional diversity were positively influenced by productivity, stem density, temperature, available source habitats, elevation, and canopy density. Functional diversity, based on effect traits, should be emphasized when the aim is to maintain a broad range of pollination functions and services in power‐line clearings. This study shows that inclusion of power‐line clearings in conservation plans can mitigate biodiversity decline in forested landscapes. We recommend the cut–remove treatment in productive areas with available source habitats and high stem density. In low productive areas, with high stem density and high temperatures, the standard cut treatment is sufficient, but a higher cutting frequency is recommended.

Consequences of pond management for chironomid assemblages and diversity in English farmland ponds

Ponds represent a large potential resource for biodiversity in agricultural areas of lowland Europe though many are lost through natural succession towards damp woodland depressions (terrestrialisation). Managing ponds back towards their former open-water state may result in dramatic increases of biodiversity, even on heavily farmed land. Here, evidence is presented of the effects of terrestrialised farmland pond restoration on chironomid assemblages. Chironomid pupal exuviae were collected from three terrestrialised ponds on intensively-farmed land in North Norfolk, Eastern England. Two of the ponds had trees, scrub and sediment removed, while the third pond remained undisturbed as a control. Pupal exuviae collection resumed after the restoration period. In addition, nine unmanaged farm ponds and two formerly restored ponds were sampled. Nearby, another five restored ponds were also sampled for chironomid pupal exuviae. Water data revealed alkalinity, conductivity and phosphorus decreased while pH and dissolved oxygen increased after pond restoration. Chironomid species diversity, similarity and species compositional change were compared pre- and post-restoration. Assessments were made of chironomid species associated with colonisation of restored ponds as well as ponds without such management. After scrub and sediment removal the earliest colonisation of the ponds was by mud-eating species with rapid colonisation traits such as parthenogenesis, multiple generations in one year and tolerance of low oxygen conditions. Subsequent plant growth due to the opening up of the canopy led to consequent improved oxygenation and habitat structure. Other chironomid species dependent on these conditions were then able to compete with the early colonisers. Restoration also made a significant improvement in the number of chironomid species, as assessed by rarefaction curves.

Spatial distribution of benthic macrofauna in the Central Arctic Ocean.

Permanent sea-ice cover and low primary productivity in the mostly ice-covered Central Arctic ocean basins result in significantly lower biomass and density of macrobenthos in the abyssal plains compared to the continental slopes. However, little is known on bathymetric and regional effects on the macrobenthos diversity. This study synthesizes new and available macrobenthos data to provide a baseline for future studies of the effects of Arctic change on macrofauna community composition in the Arctic basins. Samples collected during three expeditions (in 1993, 2012 and 2015) at 37 stations on the slope of the Barents and Laptev Seas and in the abyssal of the Nansen and Amundsen Basins in the depth range from 38 m to 4381 m were used for a quantitative analysis of species composition, abundance and biomass. Benthic communities clustered in five depth ranges across the slope and basin. A parabolic pattern of species diversity change with depth was found, with the diversity maximum for macrofauna at the shelf edge at depths of 100–300 m. This deviates from the typical species richness peak at mid-slope depths of 1500–3000 m in temperate oceans. Due to the limited availability of standardized benthos data, it remains difficult to assess if and how the significant sea-ice loss observed in the past decade has affected benthic community composition. The polychaete Ymerana pteropoda and the bryozoan Nolella sp. were found for the first time in the deep Nansen and Amundsen Basins.

Characterising the richness and diversity of forest bird species using National Forest Inventory data in Germany

Data collected by forest inventories like the third National Forest Inventory (NFI-3, 2011–2012) in Germany was proposed to monitor forest biodiversity and evaluate existing forest management practices on a national scale. A data set was created from the NFI-3 data for analysis purposes which contained variables relevant to the habitat requirements of native forest bird species. Information on the distribution and abundance of 20 native forest bird species was taken from the Atlas of German Breeding Birds (2005–2009, 3003 grid cells). They form two important ecological groups: cavity-nesting and deciduous forest birds. For the first time, this data was combined with NFI-3 data and analysed using Random Forest models and partial dependence plots to determine which forest variables recorded by the NFI-3 were most closely related to forest bird species richness and diversity in temperate forests.It was shown that changes in forest bird species diversity and richness correlate with the NFI data but the different sampling methods of the NFI and bird species data also created methodological challenges which are discussed. The most important drivers of the richness and diversity of deciduous forest and cavity-nesting bird species are forest stand age and forest ownership. Deciduous forest and cavity-nesting birds show a preference for the way state, federal and municipal forests are managed over private forests. Private forests have significantly lower deadwood volumes and high proportions of coniferous trees, both of which are forest characteristics that lower the richness and diversity of bird species. Our findings show that efforts to protect forest birds should target managed forests older than 100 and 200 years and forests with total deadwood volumes >46.3 m3/ha. Protected areas also exhibited higher diversity and richness of forest birds which highlight their importance as suitable target areas for the protection of forest birds.

Ecosystem multifunctionality is highly related to the shelterbelt structure and plant species diversity in mixed shelterbelts of eastern China

Global change induced biodiversity loss has greatly affected ecosystem functioning, and thus the multiple services delivered by the ecosystem. Considerable recent works have focused on evaluating how species diversity changes impacts multiple ecosystem functions and services simultaneously (called ecosystem multifunctionality, EMF), but none of these evaluations were conducted in mixed shelterbelt ecosystems, which are valuable in providing multiple ecological benefits for coastal human settlements. Here, we measured the shelterbelt structure, plant species diversity, major individual ecosystem services and the EMFs of four single-species dominated mixed shelterbelts and a non-forested land along the coastal area of Eastern China and quantified how shelterbelt structure and plant species diversity affected EMF in a natural coastal scenario. Among the four mixed shelterbelts, the Populus nigra (PN) dominated mixture had significantly higher shelterbelt porosity and height, while Ligustrum compactum (LC) and Koelreuteria bipinnata (KB) dominated mixtures both had higher species richness. Concerning individual ecosystem services, the PN dominated mixture is statistically better at windbreak, C fixation and O2 releasing, plant diversity maintenance, nutrient transformation and cycling services, while the Taxodium distichum (TD) dominated mixture does better in soil and water conservation, therefore we observed the highest EMF in the PN dominated mixture. Also, we found that both shelterbelt porosity and height had significant positive effects on EMF, while no relationship was detected between shelterbelt permeability and EMF. Plant species richness and Shannon-Wiener index had significantly positive effects on EMF, but Pielow index had no significant effect on EMF. This indicated that the vertical structure of shelterbelts played a more important role than horizontal structure concerning ecosystem functioning, and EMF was not only positively affected by species richness but also species heterogenicity. These results will be informative in the policy-making and functional management of the shelterbelts and deepen the understanding of the biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationship under alternative environmental scenarios.