Forest-associated Species Research Articles

Diverse and larger tree islands promote native tree diversity in oil palm landscapes.

In monoculture-dominated landscapes, recovering biodiversity is a priority, but effective restoration strategies have yet to be identified. In this study, we experimentally tested passive and active restoration strategies to recover taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity of woody plants within 52 tree islands established in an oil palm landscape. Large tree islands and higher initial planted diversity catalyzed diversity recovery, particularly functional diversity at the landscape level. At the local scale, results demonstrated that greater initial planting diversity begets greater diversity of native recruits, overcoming limitations of natural recruitment in highly modified landscapes. Establishing large and diverse tree islands is crucial for safeguarding rare, endemic, and forest-associated species in oil palm landscapes.

Responses of avian assemblages to spatiotemporal landscape dynamics in urban ecosystems

ContextUrbanization and its associated impacts on biodiversity are increasing globally. There is a need to enhance our understanding of species responses to inform strategies for sustainable urbanization.ObjectivesThree extensive bird monitoring campaigns took place over the last three decades in the city of Naples, Italy, providing a comprehensive longitudinal dataset to analyse occurrence trends of urban birds. We aimed to assess both species-specific and assemblage-level changes in urban birds according to land cover dynamics.MethodsWe extracted bird data for the periods 1990–95, 2000–05, and 2014–18, and explored the spatial and temporal relationships between bird presence/avian assemblage composition, and land cover variation.ResultsThe species richness of breeding birds remained stable over time, despite a notable species turnover, influenced by changes in the species’ key land cover classes. Species associated with forest and urban land cover tended to colonise the area, while those dependent on abandoned and cultivated areas decreased or went locally extinct. Birds changed their degree of dependence upon their key habitat type over time, as species from marginal and open habitat types needed larger amounts of habitat to persist within the area, while forest species showed an opposite trend.ConclusionsHabitat-driven changes in avian assemblages within the urban landscape led to an increase in forest-associated species, and a decrease in birds associated with declining habitat types. Our findings may inform urban planning to promote more wildlife-friendly cities, which for our study area should prioritise open and marginal habitats.

The retention of non-commercial hardwoods in mixed stands maintains higher avian biodiversity than clear-cutting

Abstract A diverse landscape can support a more diverse range of species and allow for more complex community structures. In forested habitats, openings and changes in tree composition allow for a higher species richness due to the greater chance of niche occupancy. Knowledge about these relationships may be useful for adapting forest harvesting strategies to, for example, support bird diversity conservation and studies are required to understand how different harvesting strategies influence forest structure and bird diversity. Here, we used Autonomous Recording Units (ARU) to record dawn signalling of forest birds between two forest-harvesting treatment types (complete clear-cuts and hardwood-retention patches) vs control forest patches in the John Prince Research Forest, British Columbia, Canada. We compared Species Richness and Shannon diversity as detected through identifying species in audio recordings, across treatments. The observed Species Richness and Shannon diversity did differ between the Retention treatment and Forest controls when controlling for number of individuals sampled, but both had higher Species Richness and Shannon diversity of passerine species than the Clear-cut treatments. When comparing species composition, we found that forest-associated species were disproportionately detected in Forest controls compared to Clear-cut treatments but detected at intermediate levels in Retention treatments. Species associated with early-seral habitats, though, had disproportionate detection in Clear-cut treatments compared to Forest controls, but also showed expected detections in Retention treatments. These results suggest that partial harvesting and retention of non-commercial hardwoods, can help retain forest-associated species while also helping attract early-seral avian species; this can help increase the overall diversity of the landscape while still making logging profitable. Further research should be conducted to determine the value of this retained habitat at different spatial scales to understand the impacts that it may have for larger-scale deployment.

Small mammal relative abundance within riparian ecosystems of the Blue Mountains

There is a growing interest and investment in restoring riparian areas in the Pacific Northwest to protect biodiversity and water quality, and to restore quality habitat for threatened fish species. However, these management activities change vegetation conditions and potentially impact terrestrial species in these ecosystems. Our objective was to estimate associations between small mammals and 4 broad cover types—conifers, shrubs, grasses, and forbs—in riparian areas within the Blue Mountains of northeast Oregon, USA. We estimated abundances and spatial association for 10 small mammal species using a multispecies hierarchical abundance model and mark-recapture data collected on 36 sites from 2014 to 2017. We predicted that forest-associated species would be more abundant with greater conifer cover, that increases in shrub cover would favor most species, and that increases in grass and forb cover would favor grassland-associated species. Yellow-pine chipmunks (Tamias amoenus) were positively associated with conifer cover, while long-tailed voles (Microtus longicaudus) and montane voles (Microtus montanus) were negatively associated with conifer cover. Associations with shrub cover were positive for bushy-tailed woodrats (Neotoma cinerea), deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), and yellow-pine chipmunks, but negative for montane voles. Bushy-tailed woodrats and montane voles were negatively associated with grass cover. This study is the first to characterize the riparian small mammal communities in this region and provides insights on the effects of restoration activities on riparian ecosystems in dry interior forests and grasslands. We suggest that riparian plantings, a ubiquitous restoration practice, will increase the relative abundances for some, but not all, small mammal species. We also demonstrate use of a new multi-species abundance model that can be a powerful tool for analyzing mark-recapture data because it allowed us to extend the scope of our analysis to data poor species by pooling information with data rich species.

Spatial Ecology and Diel Activity of European Wildcat (Felis silvestris) in a Protected Lowland Area in Northern Greece.

Simple SummaryThe European wildcat is a species of conservation concern protected across its range in Europe, where it occurs in five discontinuous populations. The Balkan population has received little attention, making it difficult to assess whether the ecological traits reported for other populations apply also to this population. This hampers the development of targeted conservation measures. The present study reports the first findings on the spatial ecology and daily activity pattern of wildcats in a human modified landscape in Greece, using cutting edge data loggers attached to wildcat collars. In Greece, wildcat home range sizes are within the range of those reported for other populations. Male wildcats are active primarily at night and near dawn and dusk, as is typical for the species. However, the activity of some females varied from this pattern in late spring, in ways expected for wildcats, caring for offspring at a den. Overall, our findings help fill the ecological knowledge gap of the species in Greece and suggest that lowland agricultural areas with patches of natural habitats may have a significant role in the future conservation of the species.The Balkan populations of the European wildcat are among the least studied. This study reports the first findings on the spatial ecology and activity pattern of the wildcat in Greece and compares them to those of better studied northern populations. We fitted five wildcats (two males, three females) with collars containing GPS and accelerometer loggers (E-obs 1A) and collected data from fall to early summer. All animals moved within a mosaic of lowland agricultural fields, woodland patches, riparian forests and wetlands near the banks of a lake. The trapping rate was the highest reported for the species. The home range sizes, estimated using Brownian bridge movement models, ranged from 0.94 to 3.08 km2 for females and from 1.22 to 4.43 km2 for males. Based on overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA) values estimated from the accelerometer data, the diel activity of male wildcats followed the species’ typical nocturnal pattern with crepuscular peaks. Female activity varied seasonally, at times being cathemeral. We found only weak effects of environmental variables on wildcat activity, and no significant difference in the activity in open versus forested areas. Our findings suggest that human modified landscapes can play a significant role in the conservation of this typically forest-associated species.

Forest-associated bee species persist amid forest loss and regrowth in eastern North America

Forest-associated species, which depend on forest habitat for their survival, are among the world's most vulnerable species due to widespread forest loss. However, in many parts of the world, forests are re-growing. Thus, if forest-associated species can persist in young forests their conservation outlook is less bleak. We examined the effects of forest loss and regrowth on bee pollinators in eastern North America using three datasets totaling 36,605 individual specimens. First, we conducted a regional-scale study to identify forest-associated and habitat generalist bee species. Second, we examined how the abundance and richness of each group change with forest area and age, by collecting bees from forests chosen to vary orthogonally in these variables. Lastly, we examined whether the results of our field studies were consistent with long-term, regional trends in the richness of both groups, using a dataset of museum specimens collected between 1872 and 2011, which was a period of reforestation in our study region. We found that the abundance and richness of forest-associated bees increase with forest area, while being relatively insensitive to forest age. By contrast, habitat generalist bees are unaffected by forest area, but decrease in abundance with forest age. Consistent with these results, we found a 16% increase in the richness of forest-associated bees over a 140-year time series as reforestation occurred in eastern North America, but no significant trend for habitat generalists. Overall, our results show that the loss of forest area from a landscape harms forest-associated bees, and that young forests have high conservation value for both forest-associated and habitat generalist bees.

Temporal matching of occurrence localities and forest cover data helps improve range estimates and predict climate change vulnerabilities

Improved quantification of species’ ranges is needed to provide more accurate estimates of extinction risks for conservation planning. Highland tropical biodiversity may be particularly vulnerable to the anthropogenic changes in land cover and climate and is subject to overestimation of geographic range size in IUCN assessments. Here, we demonstrate a novel and practical approach for quantifying inferred range reductions based upon temporal matching of recent species occurrence localities and vegetation data. As an illustration pertinent to montane forest-associated species with limited distribution data, we use Gymnuromys roberti, an endemic Malagasy rodent with a Least Concern conservation status. We estimated climatic suitability and climate change vulnerability using species distribution modeling (SDM). We then determined deforestation tolerance thresholds for the species by temporally matching recent occurrence localities with percent forest cover values from MODIS forest cover layers. Finally, we applied these thresholds in postprocessing SDM-based range estimates. These estimates demonstrate that the lack of sufficient forest cover substantially reduces the species’ current estimated range compared with the IUCN range map. Projections to 2050 suggest that there will be a loss of climatic suitability over three quarters of the currently suitable habitat along with increased fragmentation, highlighting the need to include climate change vulnerability assessments as an integral part of conservation planning. Broader application of SDMs could assist practitioners at various stages of conservation planning, stressing the need for improved accessibility of methodologically complex SDM approaches.

Potential of small-scale and structurally diverse short-rotation coppice as habitat for large and medium-sized mammals

We surveyed occurrence and activity of large and medium-sized mammals on three experimental short-rotation coppice (SRC) and three afforestations by camera trapping. Both habitat types were surveyed simultaneously in spring. Additional wintertime surveys were performed on the SRC to consider seasonal aspects of habitat utilisation. In spring, SRC and afforestations were predominantly used by the same species. European hare (Lepus europaeus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) were the most active species across all sites. Additionally, the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) showed intense activity on one SRC site. Activity of carnivorous and omnivorous species was comparatively low in both habitat types, but even lower on the SRC. The only forest-associated species (European badger Meles meles), detected on all afforestations, was absent from the SRC. In winter, the surveyed SRC were used by the same species as in spring. Most species showed similar activity on the SRC in both seasons. We conclude that small-scale and structurally diverse SRC provide suitable habitat, in different seasons, especially for herbivorous mammals associated with farmland and forest-ecotones rather than forest species. The extent to which our results can be generalised to large-scale commercial SRC is unclear. However, the results indicate that SRC can be managed in a manner compatible with wildlife and may then have a habitat function for mammals comparable to that of young afforestations. Creation of within-plantation heterogeneity can be a suitable measure to improve habitat quality and should, therefore, be considered in the design and management of SRC.

Conservation implications of a limited avian cross-habitat spillover in pasture lands

Increasing evidence demonstrates a role for the cross-habitat spillover process in the maintenance of biodiversity in managed agricultural landscapes. However, the mechanisms that drive this process are less well understood. In particular, it is critical to know how landscape structure modulates spillover movements, and whether species are moving through the matrix to acquire resources or simply to disperse between habitat fragments. We tested landscape effects and food resource use within cattle pasture matrices. We used mist-nets to collect data on avian communities across 51 sampling sites, spanning a forest cover gradient. We additionally integrated stable isotopic analysis (δ13C signature) to determine the provenance of resources used (either forest - dominated by C3 plants; or pasture, dominated by C4). Bird movement across pasture matrices was extremely reduced, and bird occupation was concentrated near forest edges. There was a clear distinction of resource use according to species’ habitat preferences, with forest-species foraging predominantly in-forests, open-area species in pastures, and generalist species having more varied diets, but still relying on a large proportion of C3 sources. Forest cover was unrelated to avian spillover from forests into pastures, but positively related to C3 signatures for both forest and open-area associated species. Finally, we found that most birds moving from forests to pastures were habitat generalists (63%), and that pastures work as a barrier for forest-associated species movement. Landscapes dominated by pasture are very unfavorable to the conservation of forest species, but potentially can maintain ecosystem services from the spillover of generalist species.

A revision of pipistrelle-like bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in East Africa with the description of new genera and species

AbstractVespertilionidae (class Mammalia) constitutes the largest family of bats, with ~500 described species. Nonetheless, the systematic relationships within this family are poorly known, especially among the pipistrelle-like bats of the tribes Vespertilionini and Pipistrellini. Perhaps as a result of their drab pelage and lack of obvious morphological characters, the genus and species limits of pipistrelle-like bats remain poorly resolved, particularly in Africa, where more than one-fifth of all vesper bat species occur. Further exacerbating the problem is the accelerating description of new species within these groups. In this study, we attempt to resolve the systematic relationships among the pipistrelle-like bats of sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar and provide a more stable framework for future systematic efforts. Our systematic inferences are based on extensive genetic and morphological sampling of > 400 individuals covering all named genera and the majority of described African pipistrelle-like bat species, focusing on previously unstudied samples of East African bats. Our study corroborates previous work by identifying three African genera in Pipistrellini (Pipistrellus, Scotoecus and Vansonia), none of which is endemic to Africa. However, the situation is more complex in Vespertilionini. With broad taxonomic sampling, we confirm that the genus Neoromicia is paraphyletic, a situation that we resolve by assigning the species of Neoromicia to four genera. Neoromicia is here restricted to Neoromicia zuluensis and allied taxa. Some erstwhile Neoromicia species are transferred into an expanded Laephotis, which now includes both long-eared and short-eared forms. We also erect two new genera, one comprising a group of mostly forest-associated species (many of which have white wings) and the other for the genetically and morphologically unique banana bat. All four of these genera, as recognized here, are genetically distinct, have distinctive bacular morphologies and can be grouped by cranial morphometrics. We also demonstrate that the genus Nycticeinops, until now considered monospecific, includes both Afropipistrellus and the recently named Parahypsugo, thus representing the fifth African genus in Vespertilionini. A sixth genus, Hypsugo, is mostly extra-limital to sub-Saharan Africa. Finally, we describe three new species of pipistrelle-like bats from Kenya and Uganda, uncovered during the course of systematic bat surveys in the region. Such surveys are greatly needed across tropical Africa to uncover further bat diversity.

Demographic responses of forest-utilizing bats to past climate change in South Africa

AbstractHistorical forest contractions may have restricted the distributions of forest-utilizing fauna while providing opportunities for range expansions for open-habitat species. We aimed to test if habitat associations have played an important role in determining population genetic structure and demographic responses of six bats to oscillations in forest extent since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). We hypothesized that forest-associated species would display high levels of population structure and past population contractions as their distribution is dependent on fragmented forests. By contrast, habitat generalists would demonstrate low geographical structuring and historical population stability as suitable habitats are widely available. We used mitochondrial DNA to generate genetic diversity and population structure metrics of three forest-associated species and three habitat generalists in South Africa. Neutrality tests and Bayesian skyline plots were used to investigate demographic histories. A forest habitat association did not inform the population genetics of the study species. Rather, species-specific traits of roosting requirements, philopatry to the natal range and dispersal ability informed the observed structure. All species demonstrated population expansions during the Pleistocene, with no apparent decline during the LGM. It appears that the lower climate change footprint and refuge-status of eastern South Africa prevented population declines of insectivorous bats during the LGM.

Biological corridors as important habitat structures for maintaining bees in a tropical fragmented landscape

Biological corridors are an important conservation strategy to increase connectivity between populations—mainly vertebrates—in fragmented landscapes, which often require habitat restoration to achieve physical connections. Non-target groups such as bees could benefit from corridors while contributing to the restoration process given their role as pollinators, but little is known about the use of corridors by bees. Here we assessed the habitat value for bees of four biological corridors in the Colombian Andes by comparing bee species richness, community composition and functional diversity between corridors (which had two land-cover sections: riparian forest and restored forest), forest patches being connected by corridors and surrounding pastures. We found a higher species richness in riparian than in restored sections of corridors, which was comparable to that in forest and higher than in pasture. Community composition in forest and riparian sections were similar and differed from that in pasture. In contrast, functional diversity was similar among all land-use types, suggesting a higher species redundancy in forest and riparian corridors, given the higher species richness, compared to pastures. Our results show that riparian corridors are holding forest-associated species that could not survive in pastures, and given the higher redundancy, can significantly contribute to the maintenance of pollination services in fragmented landscapes. Our results also indicate that 13 years of restoration process have not been sufficient to reach reference levels (i.e. forest/riparian) in terms of bee species richness, but the recovery of some forest-associated species points to the potential of biological corridors to functionally connect forest patches.

On the Uncertain Taxonomic Identity of Adenomera hylaedactyla (Cope, 1868) and the Composite Type Series of A. andreae (Müller, 1923) (Anura, Leptodactylidae)

Adenomera andreae and A. hylaedactyla are two widespread Amazonian frogs that have been traditionally distinguished from each other by the use of different habitats, toe tip development, and more recently through advertisement calls. Yet, taxonomic identification of these species has always been challenging. Herein we undertake a review of type specimens and include new phenotypic (morphology and vocalization) and mitochondrial DNA information for an updated diagnosis of both species. Our morphological analysis indicates that the single type (holotype) of A. hylaedactyla could either belong to lineages associated with Amazonian forest-dwelling species (A. andreae clade) or to the open-formation morphotype (A. hylaedactyla clade). Given the holotype's poor preservation, leading to the ambiguous assignment of character states for toe tip development, as well as a vague type locality encompassing a vast area in eastern Ecuador and northern Peru, the identity of this specimen is uncertain. Morphology of toe tip fragments and the original species description suggest that A. hylaedactyla could correspond to at least two described species (A. andreae or A. simonstuarti) or additional unnamed genetic lineages of the A. andreae clade, all bearing toe tips expanded into discs. Analysis of morphometric data, however, clustered the holotype with the Amazonian open-formation morphotype (toe tips unexpanded). While additional data can be obtained from the holotype of A. hylaedactyla, at this time this type cannot be unequivocally assigned to any species of Adenomera distributed across eastern Ecuador and Peru's northernmost region of Loreto. For the time being, the name A. hylaedactyla still accommodates the only Amazonian open-habitat species. As to the type series of Adenomera andreae, a forest-associated species with toe tips fully expanded (developed into small discs) from eastern Brazilian Amazonia, we found that one of its paratypes shares a morphotype with the open-habitat species and is reassigned to A. hylaedactyla. With the taxonomic identity of A. hylaedactyla unresolved, formal descriptions of cryptic species complexes within the A. andreae clade distributed across the type locality of A. hylaedactyla run the risk of a possible future synonymization with A. hylaedactyla. Yet, not naming more circumscribed and potentially threatened cryptic species puts them at risk, as they would probably not qualify for conservation funding. Given the current fire crisis in the Amazon Basin, the risk of losing species before they are described far outweighs the risk of synonymization. We recommend that researchers prioritize descriptions based on the potential extinction risk of new species.

Can Forest-Associated Nocturnal Birds Persist in Oil Palm Agroecosystem?

A high demand for palm oil has led to the continued expansion of oil palm agriculture at the expense of tropical forests and forest biotic communities in many developing countries. The response of wildlife to oil palm establishment has been shown to vary according to taxa, and many forest species may not be able to adapt to the altered landscape. Many nocturnal bird species have been recorded in oil palm agriculture. Whether such forest species can also thrive in such a landscape is not known, and their responses to habitat complexity are poorly understood. We conducted point surveys of nocturnal birds (Tytonidae, Strigiformes and Caprimulgiformes over 80 points spaced at least 800 m apart and revisited five times) in oil palm smallholdings at Tanjung Karang, Kuala Selangor. Environmental factors measured at each point included: average height of oil palm stands, palm density, crop richness, and distances to the nearest forest, river and road. We recorded a total of 577 individuals of seven species. Palm density and distance to river were found to positively influence nocturnal bird species richness, whereas distance to the nearest forest was found to negatively influence avian species richness. In the case of abundance, number of oil palms, crop richness, and distance to the nearest river were found to influence nocturnal bird abundance positively in the smallholdings; however, distance to the nearest forest was found to influence bird abundance negatively. These findings suggest that maintaining key vegetation structure while reducing manmade structures such as roads may benefit nocturnal bird species in the smallholdings particularly those of open and semi-open habitats. However, the number of forest-associated species remained low in the smallholdings, which may only serve as suboptimal habitat for these birds. This implies that forest-associated species may not be able to persist in such landscapes.

Effects of undergrowth removal and edge proximity on ground beetles in urban boreal forests

Urban forests are regularly managed for human safety and aesthetic reasons, but they are crucial habitat for many species. Removals of undergrowth occur commonly in these forests, yet the ecological consequences of these operations are poorly understood. We sampled ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) along 20-m edge gradients in Finnish urban forests, in five stands treated 0.5−2.5 years earlier with undergrowth removal and in five untreated stands. We hypothesized that undergrowth removal and edge proximity would benefit opportunistic and open-habitat species, whereas shady-habitat species would be affected negatively. Diversity and evenness indices, open-habitat species and Carabus nemoralis responded positively, and forest species, Leistus terminatus and Pterostichus oblongopunctatus responded negatively, to the undergrowth removal. Edge proximity had little effect on carabids. Diversity and evenness indices, open-habitat species and Carabus nemoralis responded positively, and forest species, Leistus terminatus and Pterostichus oblongopunctatus responded negatively, to the undergrowth removal. Edge proximity had little effect on carabids. However, open-habitat carabids were less abundant and less speciose 10−20 m from than right at the edge. We conclude that, while managing urban forests, undergrowth removals should be avoided at sites that host rare or threatened forest-associated species.

The changing landscape of wildfire: burn pattern trends and implications for California’s yellow pine and mixed conifer forests

Wildfire spatial patterns drive ecological processes including vegetation succession and wildlife community dynamics. Such patterns may be changing due to fire suppression policies and climate change, making characterization of trends in post-fire mosaics important for understanding and managing fire-prone ecosystems. For wildfires in California’s yellow pine and mixed-conifer forests, spatial pattern trends of two components of the post-fire severity matrix were assessed for 1984–2015: (1) unchanged or very low-severity and (2) high-severity, which represent remnant forest and stand-replacing fire, respectively. Trends were evaluated for metrics of total and proportional burned area, shape complexity, aggregation, and core area. Additionally, comparisons were made between management units where fire suppression is commonly practiced and those with a history of managing wildfire for ecological/resource benefits. Unchanged or very low-severity area per fire decreased proportionally through time, and became increasingly fragmented. High-severity area and core area increased on average across most of California, with the high-severity component also becoming simpler in shape in the Sierra Nevada. Compared to suppression units, managed wildfire units lack an increase in high-severity area, have less aggregated post-fire mosaics, and more high-severity spatial complexity. Documented changes in severity patterns have cascading ecological effects including increased vegetation type conversion risk, habitat availability shifts, and remnant forest fragmentation. These changes likely benefit early-seral-associated species at the expense of mature closed-canopy forest-associated species. Managed wildfire appears to moderate some effects of fire suppression, and may help buy time for ecosystems and managers to respond to a changing climate.

Biogeography of the Shimba Hills ecosystem herpetofauna in Kenya.

The Shimba Hills ecosystem along the south coast of Kenya is a key East African biodiversity hotspot. Historically, it is biogeographically assignable to the East African coastal biome. We examined the current Shimba Hills herpetofauna and their zoogeographical affinities to the coastal forests and nearby Eastern Arc Mountains biodiversity hotspots. The key studied sites included the Shimba Hills National Reserve, forest reserves, Kaya forests, and adjacent private land. Data on herpetofaunal richness were obtained from recent field surveys, literature, and specimens held at the National Museums of Kenya, Herpetology Section Collection, Nairobi. The Makadara, Mwele, and Longo-Mwagandi forests within the Shimba Hills National Reserve hosted the highest number of unique and rare species. Generally, the forest reserves and Kaya forests were important refuges for forest-associated species. On private land, Mukurumudzi Dam riparian areas were the best amphibian habitat and were host to three IUCN (Red List) Endangered-EN amphibian species, namely, Boulengerula changamwensis, Hyperolius rubrovermiculatus, and Afrixalus sylvaticus, as well as one snake species Elapsoidea nigra. Using herpetofauna as zoogeographic indicators, the Shimba Hills were determined to be at a crossroads between the coastal forests (13 endemic species) and the Eastern Arc Mountains (seven endemic species). Most of the Eastern Arc Mountains endemic species were from recent records, and thus more are likely to be found in the future. This ‘hybrid’ species richness pattern is attributable to the hilly topography of the Shimba Hills and their proximity to the Indian Ocean. This has contributed to the Shimba Hills being the richest herpetofauna area in Kenya, with a total of 89 and 38 reptile and amphibian species, respectively. Because of its unique zoogeography, the Shimba Hills ecosystem is undoubtedly a key biodiversity area for conservation investment.

Differential matrix use by Neotropical birds based on species traits and landscape condition.

There is considerable uncertainty about the role of human-modified habitats in supporting species in fragmented landscapes. This is because few studies sample outside of native habitats in the "matrix." Those that do, often fail to sample landscapes in a way that accounts for the confounding effects of native habitat pattern and species detection biases that can obscure species responses. We employed multi-species hierarchical occupancy models to determine the use of human-modified habitats by Neotropical birds in landscapes that were similar in forest amount and configuration but surrounded by a matrix of agriculture (predominately pasture), bauxite mining (surface mining for aluminum), or suburban development in central Jamaica. We found that the vast majority of bird species used the matrix: with the highest mean occurrences for open-associated, followed by generalist, and last forest-associated species. Migrant species had higher mean occurrences in all matrix types relative to resident species. Contrary to our expectation, mean occurrence for the entire species community, and for forest-associated and migrant species, were highest in bauxite, intermediate in suburban, and lowest in agriculture. Open-associated species had higher occurrences in both bauxite and agricultural matrices, whereas generalist species had higher occurrences in suburban matrices. Additional behavioral observations indicated that Neotropical birds used matrix areas, particularly scattered trees, to acquire food, and secondarily, as movement conduits. Matrix use patterns reflected the differential availability of potential resources and structural connectivity across the three landscape types, but only for those species adapted to open/edge environments and with generalized habitat requirements. Patterns of matrix use by forest specialists reflected the differential levels of degradation of the native forest; thus, we propose that higher matrix use for forest-dependent species may be induced by diminished within-forest resources. These results underscore that effective management of human-modified matrices requires in-depth understanding of the trade-offs between the benefits available in the matrix and the impacts on the disturbance of native habitats.

Warming threat compounds habitat degradation impacts on a tropical butterfly community in Vietnam

Species are threatened globally by multiple and often synergistic environmental changes including habitat loss, fragmentation and climate change. However, how these changes act in concert is poorly understood, especially in the tropics where the vast majority of biodiversity resides. Here, using a unique dataset covering 10 years of butterfly surveys (2003–2013) at Tam Dao National Park in northern Vietnam, we examined the combined impacts of habitat degradation (following intensive infrastructure development in 2005) and the possible threat of warming (extrapolating upon the relationship between natural climatic variation and community indices) for tropical butterfly communities. We found that both habitat degradation and warmer temperatures led to fewer narrow-range and forest-associated species comprising the sampled communities. Under projected climate change scenarios, the impact of warming was comparable to habitat degradation with respect to community change, and degraded forest communities were projected to shift towards cosmopolitan and non-forest species even more. The tropics have been heavily deforested world-wide and also suffer from heavy impacts of degradation and fragmentation, especially road construction. Warming will compound habitat degradation impacts such that the conservation of tropical biodiversity will require addressing these multiple global changes simultaneously.

Changes in the breeding bird communities on mires and in surrounding forests in southeastern Norway during a 40-year period (1976–2015)

The breeding bird communities of 18 mires and surrounding forests in southeastern Norway were censused in 1976–77 and in 2015. We found that 53% of the mire species with sufficient data for analyses showed significant changes. Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata, Common Crane Grus grus, Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola and Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis increased, whereas Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus, Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis and Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava decreased. There were also near significant decreases of Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata and Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis. Population changes did not differ between short- and long-distance migrants. Species with marginal populations on mires declined more than mire specialist species, suggesting an indirect negative influence of problems in other habitats. Overall, there was a significant 19% decline in number of mire species, but a non-significant 7% increase in number of individuals. The bird community in the forests surrounding the mires showed significant population changes for 42% of the species with sufficient data for analyses, with increases in many resident forest species, but less so for migrants. Overall, there was a near significant 12% increase in number of forest species, and a significant 28% increase in number of individuals. Mire- and forest-associated species did not differ in population trends. Among short-distance migrants (mire and forest species combined), species wintering in agricultural habitats had more negative population changes than species wintering in other habitats. Thus, the breeding bird community on and around mires in this part of Norway has undergone large changes during the last 40 years. We discuss our results in relation to general trends of bird communities in northern Europe.