Highest Species Richness Values Research Articles

Tropical forest understorey riparian and upland composition, structure, and function in areas with different past land use

AbstractQuestionsAlthough past land‐use effects on composition and structure are described for many forest types, forested riparian areas have been overlooked. Riparian areas may contain unique species and high species richness, as well as contribute basal leaf‐litter resources for aquatic fauna. We asked: (a) does past land use alter composition in riparian vs upland areas in wet tropical forest; (b) which vegetation life forms characterize riparian zones; and (c) what is the composition and quantity of leaf litter in riparian zones compared to uplands?LocationRiparian and upland locations in tropical wet forest, Luquillo Forest Dynamics Plot (LFDP), Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico.MethodsStratified random sampling was conducted in riparian and upland areas of LFDP with high and low past land use. Understorey vegetation life form composition and cover were sampled in plots. Leaf‐litter species composition and components were estimated with collecting baskets placed throughout riparian zones and uplands.ResultsFerns and lianas were more abundant in riparian areas than uplands. Ordination of species composition groups was distinct for riparian and upland areas with different past land use when based on leaf litter, but this ordination pattern was not as clear in plot vegetation.ConclusionCharacterized by greater presence of ferns and lianas, riparian zones had higher species richness values and greater leaf litter biomass. Distinct leaf‐litter species composition within riparian and upland areas may result from a combination of different land‐use histories, various plant types, and environmental conditions. Although riparian areas are proportionally a small component of the forested landscape, they are significant contributors to ecosystem process, terrestrial and aquatic linkages, and plant community composition.

Do Anthropogenic Activities Affect Floristic Diversity and Vegetation Structure More Than Natural Soil Properties in Hyper-Arid Desert Environments?

Egypt is characterized by its hyper-arid desert environment with high temperature, scanty rainfall, high evapotranspiration rate, and patchy scattered precipitation-dependent vegetation. Located in this peculiar ecosystem, the northeastern part of the eastern desert occupies vast areas where this study was conducted. Despite some protection in this area, destruction of plant cover, soil erosion, and degradation of natural habitat are still occurring. Among the complex array of anthropogenic disturbances that directly affect species diversity, over-grazing, road construction, over-collection of plants, salinization, over-cutting, military activities, urbanization, and industrialization were encountered. The aim of this study was to assess the effect on long-lasting anthropopressure on the current floristic and ecological status of the unprotected area in comparison to the protected one. Two areas were chosen for detailed studies: protected (Wadi Degla; WD) and unprotected (Cairo-Suez road, SR). Fourteen soil variables were used to assess the soil–vegetation relationships in the two areas. An assessment of seven human activities (over-grazing, over-collection, introduced species, land degradation, urbanization, solid wastes, and military activities) was carried out at four levels of disturbance intensities. A floristic presence/absence data set of 25 plots × 56 species, including 14 plots for SR and 11 plots for WD, was employed in the analyses. The application of multivariate analysis techniques such as cluster analysis (for classification), indicator species analysis (ISA) and the multi-response permutation procedure (MRPP), canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), and redundancy analysis (RDA) for ordination were performed in the data analysis. Generally, a total of 85 plant species belonging to 68 genera and 30 families was recorded. Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae, Fabaceae, Zygophyllaceae, Poaceae, Brassicaceae, and Geraniaceae were the largest families, constituting more than 50% of the total flora. Chamaephytes, therophytes, hemicryptophytes, and phanerophytes prevail in the life form spectrum. Chorological analysis showed that the Saharo-Arabian element, whether pure or combined with other chorotypes, dominated the current flora, whereas the Mediterranean chorotype was very poorly represented. Application of cluster analysis yielded eight vegetation groups: I–IV for the Cairo-Suez road, and V–VIII for Wadi Degla. This study indicated the disappearance of several plant communities that were previously of common occurrence such as Retama raetam, Anabasis articulata, Ephedra alata, Artemisia monosperma, Zygophyllum decumbens, Lasiurus hirsutus, and Panicum turgidum. Partial CCA (pCCA) for the unprotected area revealed that most of the variance (45.7%) was attributed to the anthropogenic variables more than soil factors (14.5%). Like what was revealed in other unprotected areas, a clear relationship between anthropogenic pressure and habitat fragmentation was observed. Long-term, intensive human activities caused vegetation degradation, species loss, and a decline in plant richness. Hence, the highest species richness value was recorded in the protected area. Over-grazing, land degradation, and military activities were not correlated with the diversity indices, whereas over-collection of plant species, urbanization, and solid wastes were significantly negatively correlated with both α-diversity and the Shannon–Wiener index. Suitable protection measures should be taken to reduce the anthropogenic pressures in this ecosystem as well as some conservation programs and management plans should be implemented to save biodiversity.

Aquatic Oligochaeta (Annalida:Clitellata) as Bio Indication for Sediment Quality Assessment in Tigris River Within Baghdad City /Iraq

Aquatic Oligochaeta is an important group of Macroinvertebrates that has been very remarkable as bioindicators for assessing water pollution and determining its degree in water bodies. Hence, the idea of the current study aims at studying the impact of Baghdad effluents on the Tigris River by using oligochaetes community as bioindicators . For this purpose, four sites along the inside of Baghdad has been chosen. Site S1 has been located upstream, site S2 and S3 has been at midstream and site S4 at the downstream of the River.This investigation has used different types of biological indicators, including the percentage of oligochaeta within benthic invertebrates, which ranged from 49.2-51.28%. The highest percentage of the tubificid worms in the benthic samples has been 26.95% and recorded at S4, while the lowest percentage has been 14.45% recorded at S1. Pollution index D ranged between 0.34 and 0.52. The highest value of the ratio of oligochaeta to Chironomidae larvae has been 3.5 recorded at S4, while the lowest value has been 2.6 reported at S1. The percentage of L. hoffmeisteri within the oligochaetes community has been from 35-56%. The highest value of biological quality index Io has been 9.89 recorded at S1, and the lowest value has been (5.57) recorded in S4. A Composite index of Biological quality (Eo) index recorded as C5 in S1 and C4,D3 and E3 in the other sites. Oligochaeta index of sediment bioindication (IOBS) values ranged between 2.55 at S1 and 1.15 at S4. The tubicid index of sediment TUSP reported at d the highest value (52.57%) at S4 where as the lowest value has been 28.68% at S1. The highest species richness value has been 7.35 recorded at S1 and the lowest value has been 6.12 at S3. Shannon- Weiner diversity index (H) ranged from 0.06-0.049 Bit/ind. Species uniformity index (E) has been 0.018-0.016.It is clear from the results that most of the biological indices indicate that the Tigris River sediment has been slightly impacted by anthropogenic activity during its passage through the Capital Baghdad. S1 is considered as a reference site, as it has presented the first point of entry of the Tigris River to Baghdad and then the sediment gradually has become polluted to reach its highest degree in the last site S4 after passing through several slightly polluted sites.

Biotic homogenization or riparian refugia? Urban and wild land snail assemblages along a subtropical precipitation gradient

Abstract A noted impact of urbanization is the tendency for biotic homogenization, or the increase of similarity of geographically disparate communities. On the other hand, some urban habitats harbor biodiversity native to their region, a role potentially important in xeric landscapes, with irrigation increasing the coverage and availability of mesic habitats in an otherwise water-limited landscape. We assessed the relative importance of urban yards as agents of biotic homogenization or riparian refugia by characterizing community composition of Tamaulipan thornforest land snail assemblages across a pronounced precipitation gradient in far south Texas, USA. We quantified α- and β-diversity and assessed whether the land snail fauna of urban yards are more similar to each other across a precipitation gradient than they are to their wild counterparts, as well as determined the significance of moisture in driving Tamaulipan thornforest β-diversity, both in terms of turnover (changing species composition) and nestedness (species loss). Sites with both the wild and wet conditions had the highest values of species richness and abundance. Urban land snail communities were significantly homogenized, outweighing the influence of the precipitation gradient. We did not find urban yards served as a refuge for native, moisture-dependent, riparian snails. Our analyses find that turnover, not nestedness, is the largest contributor to β-diversity in these assemblages. Studies of urbanization should address regional spatial scales to quantify how urbanization modifies regional biodiversity arising from background environmental gradients. Such an approach could lead to improved understanding of how large metroplex areas could be used to maintain and even promote biodiversity.

Mineral Fertilizers Influence the Macrofauna of Soils Under Cocoa Trees in the South-Western Côte d’Ivoire

A study on mineral fertilization of soils was carried out for two years in three cocoa farms in the Nawa region of south-western Côte d’Ivoire. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of mineral fertilizers on soil macrofauna. The experimental design was Fisher block with four treatment with three repetitions. The treatments were control without fertilizer (T0), NPK 0-23-19 fertilizer (T1), NPK 0-15-15 + 17 CaO + 5 MgO + 1 B2O3 + 0.5 Zn (T2) and NPK 4-10-10 + 19 CaO + 4 MgO + 0.8 B2O3 + 0.3 Zn (T3). Twelve soil monoliths were made per treatment and per site, to count the macrofauna of the soil. Each soil monolith was subdivided into three strata 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm. The organisms were counted and classified into functional groups. The abundance, species richness and diversity indices of Shannon-weaver and Piélou were determined. The analysis of variance of the numbers of individuals in the macrofauna did not show a significant difference between the treatments on different strata of the monoliths during the second year of the trial. However, during the first year, all the treatments with fertilizer in the 0-10 cm stratum had a more abundant macrofauna than that of the control without fertilizer at Soubré and Mayo. Multivariate analyses (AFC) showed links between functional groups of organisms and treatments. Myriapods and earthworms were linked to the T2 and T3 treatments, microarthropods to T1 and other organisms to T0. As for macrofauna diversity, the highest value of species richness (7 species), Shannon-weaver (2) and Piélou (1) indices were found in the fertilized treatments. Mineral fertilizers thus presented better conditions for the expansion of macrofauna. A reasoned application of mineral fertilizers creates a favourable living environment for certain soil organisms.

Regional Pelagic Rotifer Biodiversity in a Tropical Karst Lake District

The species richness, composition, abundance, and biomass of pelagic rotifers were determined in 17 karst lakes of the “Lagunas de Montebello” National Park, Chiapas, Mexico. The species richness of the region (21 species) and single lakes (1–12 species) was smaller than that of other Mexican, tropical, and temperate lakes. It is worth noting the high dissimilarity in species composition—about half (52%) of the species were observed in only 1–3 lakes. A total of eight rotifer families, all from the Monogononta subclass, were recorded. Keratella americana was the species with the highest occurrence (13 lakes), followed by Ptygura sp. (8 lakes). The abundance (0 to 536 ind L−1) and biomass (0 to 21 µg L−1) of rotifers were low. The highest values of species richness, abundance, and biomass were found in eutrophic lakes, and the lowest in oligotrophic lakes. The low values of rotifer biodiversity, abundance, and biomass in the Montebello lakes are probably the product of the interaction of different factors—such as environmental homogeneity (all water bodies are karst lakes), the low availability of “good-quality” food, and predation by cyclopoid copepods in the eutrophic lakes, and the low availability of food, and competitive interference by calanoid copepods and cladocerans in the oligotrophic lakes.

Sheep herding in small grasslands promotes dung beetle diversity in a mountain forest landscape

It is assumed that the transformation of native forest into agricultural fields and grazing grasslands negatively affects biological diversity, and there are multiple cases documenting this pattern. For example, when lowland tropical forests are transformed into extensive cattle pastures, dung beetle richness, abundance and diversity decrease. However, in some cases, biodiversity may respond in the opposite direction. We describe dung beetle assemblages in a mountainous landscape where small grasslands (less than 7.5 ha) with sheep pastoralism are imbedded in a pine-oak forest matrix at the Mexican Transition Zone. We captured 14 species (1058 beetles) in 10 forest sites, and 20 species (2591 beetles) in 10 grassland sites. Generalized linear mixed models showed significantly higher values of species richness, diversity and abundance in grazing grasslands. We found 10 shared beetle species between forests and grassland sites, and a PERMANOVA revealed significant differences in species composition between habitats. Generalized linear models showed that dung beetle richness, abundance and diversity are related to dung availability, soil moisture and altitude, but not to soil hardness nor land use heterogeneity. Similarly, we did not find significant correlations between compositional dissimilarity (beta diversity) and dung availability nor land use heterogeneity. Our results document how traditional sheep herding in small grassland patches embedded in a forest matrix promotes the diversity of dung beetle assemblages, showing that biodiversity can be enhanced by human activities. The results of this study indicate that grassland patches embedded in the forest matrix where traditional small herds of sheep graze, contribute to increasing landscape complexity by providing a mosaic of environmental conditions that promote a high diversity of dung beetles on a regional scale.

Native trees of Mexico: diversity, distribution, uses and conservation.

BackgroundMexico is one of the most floristically rich countries in the world. Despite significant contributions made on the understanding of its unique flora, the knowledge on its diversity, geographic distribution and human uses, is still largely fragmented. Unfortunately, deforestation is heavily impacting this country and native tree species are under threat. The loss of trees has a direct impact on vital ecosystem services, affecting the natural capital of Mexico and people’s livelihoods. Given the importance of trees in Mexico for many aspects of human well-being, it is critical to have a more complete understanding of their diversity, distribution, traditional uses and conservation status. We aimed to produce the most comprehensive database and catalogue on native trees of Mexico by filling those gaps, to support their in situ and ex situ conservation, promote their sustainable use, and inform reforestation and livelihoods programmes.MethodsA database with all the tree species reported for Mexico was prepared by compiling information from herbaria and reviewing the available floras. Species names were reconciled and various specialised sources were used to extract additional species information, i.e. endemic status, threat status, availability in seed collections, reports on plant uses and conservation actions currently in place. With this information, a comprehensive catalogue of native trees from Mexico was redacted. Available georeferenced records were used to map each species distribution and perform spatial analyses to identify gaps of information and priority areas for their conservation and exploration.ResultsMexico has at least 2,885 native tree species, belonging to 612 genera and 128 families. Fabaceae is the most represented family and Quercus the most represented genus. Approximately 44% of tree species are endemic to the country. The southern part of the country showed the highest values of species richness. Six hundred and seventy-four species have at least one documented human use. In terms of conservation assessment, ca. 33% of species have been assessed by either the IUCN Red List (919) or the National protection catalogue “NORMA Oficial Mexicana NOM-059” (29) or both (45). Additionally, 98 species have been included in the CITES listing for protection. In terms of existing conservation efforts, 19% of species have ex situ protection in seed banks, while protected areas overlap with all the identified peaks of species richness, except for those in the states of Veracruz and Chiapas. This work constitutes a key milestone for the knowledge, management, and conservation of the Mexican native trees. The two areas with high density of tree species identified in Veracruz and Chiapas represent two priority areas for tree conservation in Mexico, where integrated in situ and ex situ conservation efforts should be focused.

Crenal Habitats: Sources of Water Mite (Acari: Hydrachnidia) Diversity

Many studies emphasized the role that water mites play within the invertebrate communities of spring ecosystems, regarding species diversity and its significance within the crenal food web, as well as the specific preferences water mites exhibit towards spring typology. In pristine natural springs with permanent flow, water mites are nearly always present and usually display high diversity. This study aimed to determine whether significant differences in water mite assemblages between rheocrene (river-forming springs with dominant riffle habitats) and limnocrene (lake-forming springs with dominant pool habitats) karst springs could be detected in terms of species richness, diversity and abundance, but also in different ratios of specific synecological groups: crenobiont (exclusively found in springs), crenophilous (associated with springs) and stygophilous (associated with groundwater) water mite taxa. Our research was carried out on four limnocrenes and four rheocrenes in the Dinaric karst region of Croatia. Seasonal samples (20 sub-samples per sampling) were taken at each spring with a 200-µm net, taking into consideration all microhabitat types with coverage of at least 5%. Water mite abundance was found not to differ between morphological spring types. Significantly higher values of species richness and diversity indices were found in rheocrenes compared to limnocrenes, like those usually reported for this type of springs. However, unlike the studies previously reported, in this case, the higher shares of crenophilous and crenobiont water mite individuals were found in limnocrenes. The differences between stygophilous water mite taxa ratios among spring morphotypes were not statistically significant, indicating that the degree of the groundwater/surface water interaction (and water mite interaction therein) does not seem to be directly influenced by spring morphotype. Within this research, 40% of identified water mite species (eight out of twenty) were recorded for the first time in Croatia, thus highlighting again a huge gap in water mite knowledge of karst springs.

Unseen rare tree species in southeast Brazilian forests: a species abundance distribution approach

Rarity is an important aspect of biodiversity often neglected in ecological studies. Species abundance distributions (SADs) are useful tools to describe patterns of commonness–rarity in ecological communities. Most studies assume field observations of species relative abundances are approximately equal to their true relative abundances, thus dismissing the potential for, and importance of unseen rare species. Here, we adopted the approach proposed by Chao et al. (Ecol, 96:1189–1201, 2015) to estimate the number and abundance of unseen species, and thus the true SADs, for tree species in 48 forest sites in Minas Gerais state, Brazil (4 rainforests, 35 semideciduous forests, and 9 deciduous forests). Also, we assessed the correlations between both unseen and rare species and sampling protocol and environment characteristics (climate, terrain, terrain heterogeneity). We found estimated true SADs invariably had higher species richness values than observed in the surveys, due to the increase in rare species. We estimate that up to 55.6% of tree species per site were unseen (8.5–55.6%), with an average of 26.6%. The estimated percentage of rare species per site was between 31.9% and 72.8%, with an average of 57.78%. We found rarity to be most strongly correlated with the percentage of unidentified trees, local terrain conditions and heterogeneity at site-level. Semideciduous forest and rainforest had similar higher percentages of unseen species (c. 27.2%) when compared to deciduous forests, probably due to the relatively higher local heterogeneity of these forests, which may provide more niches for rare species. Future studies should consider estimating true species abundances to better assess biodiversity.

Species composition, richness, and diversity of weed communities of winter arable land in relation to geo-environmental factors: a gradient analysis in mainland Italy

The interest in knowledge of the weed communities of arable land is growing worldwide. Italy is one of the countries in Europe that is the most biodiverse, geographically and environmentally heterogeneous, and rich in arable weed species. Thus, in this study, the geo-environmental factors influencing the floristic composition, the species richness, and the Shannon diversity of weed communities of Italian winter arable crops were investigated along a gradient across mainland Italy. Original data were collected in the spring of 2018 in 106 winter cereal and legume arable fields from one fixed area plot per field. Environmental and geographic data were retrieved for each plot, including latitude, longitude, elevation, soil texture, soil pH, continentality, temperature, and precipitation. The effect of crop type was also tested. Latitude was the main driver of floristic differentiation between the studied plant communities, followed by precipitation, temperature, continentality, elevation, and longitude. Soil features and crop type had no significant effects. Higher values of species richness and Shannon diversity were found in southern areas and at higher elevations. Significant explanatory variables accounted for 11.55% of the total variation in species composition of the surveyed communities. The results are discussed and compared with those of similar studies in other Eurasian countries.

Bathyal cumacean assemblages from the southern margin of the Cap Ferret Canyon (SE Bay of Biscay)

The structure of the cumacean assemblages from the southern margin of the Cap Ferret Canyon was studied at 13 stations ranging from 346 to 1099 m depth with a modified Macer-GIROQ suprabenthic sledge (four superimposed nets; 0.5 mm mesh size). A total of 1885 specimens were collected and classified into 5 families and 42 species. The total abundances fluctuated between 2.8 ind./100 m2 (station TS04; 484-485 m) and 55.8 ind./100 m2 (station TS08; 714-708 m). The highest values of species richness and diversity were recorded at station TS13 (1097-1099 m): S=25 species; H’(log2)=4.05. The near-bottom vertical distribution of the cumacean fauna showed the same pattern at all stations: at least 60% of the individu­als were sampled by the lower net of the sledge and a drastic abundance decrease occurred between the two lowermost water layers sampled by the sledge. The multivariate analysis carried out on abundance data discriminated three main groups of stations distributed across depth (TS09 excluded): group Ia (346-485 m) characterized by the dominance of Nannastacidae (57.2%) at family level and Campylaspis sulcata, Leptostylis macrura at species level; group Ib (522-714 m) characterized by the dominance of Nannastacidae (66.1%) at family level and Campylaspis squamifera, C. laevigata and Leptostylis ma­crura at species level; and group II (790-1099 m) characterized by the dominance of Diastylidae (40.3%) at family level and Makrokylindrus (Adiastylis) josephinae, Leucon (Epileucon) pusillus and Diastyloides serratus at species level. According to this analysis, the main faunal change occurs between group I and II between 714 and 790 m, in relation to changes in the texture of surficial sediments. Although bathyal cumacean assemblages appear to be less abundant than those studied on continental shelves, they are significantly more diverse. However, such results could be in part related to the use of different sampling methods.

Biodiversity, ecology, fisheries, and use and trade of Tetraodontiformes fishes reveal their socio‐ecological significance along the tropical Brazilian continental shelf

Abstract Tetraodontiformes fishes play a critical role in benthic and demersal communities and are facing threats due to anthropogenic impacts and climate change. However, they are poorly studied worldwide. To improve knowledge on the socio‐ecological significance and conservation of Tetraodontiformes a review of literature addressing the diversity, ecology, use and trade, conservation, and main threats of Tetraodontiformes combined with a comprehensive in situ dataset from two broad‐range multidisciplinary oceanographic surveys performed along the Tropical Brazilian Continental Shelf was undertaken. Twenty‐nine species were identified, being primarily found on coral reefs and algal ecosystems. At these habitats, tetraodontids present highly diversified trophic categories and might play an important role by balancing the marine food web Coral reef ecosystems, especially those near to the shelf break, seem to be the most important areas of Tetraodontiformes fishes, concentrating the highest values of species richness, relative abundance and the uncommon and Near Threatened species. Ninety per cent of species are commonly caught as bycatch, being also used in the ornamental trade (69%) and as food (52%), serving as an important source of income for artisanal local fisheries. Tetraodontiformes are threatened by unregulated fisheries, overexploitation, bycatch, and habitat loss due to coral reef degradation and the potential effects of climate change. These factors are more broadly impacting global biodiversity, food security, and other related ecosystem functions upon which humans and many other organisms rely. We recommend the following steps that could improve the conservation of Tetraodontiformes along the tropical Brazilian Continental shelf and elsewhere: (i) data collection of the commercial, incidental, ornamental and recreational catches; (ii) improvement of the current legislation directed at the marine ornamental harvesting; (iii) increase efforts focused on the education and conservation awareness in coastal tourism and communities; and, most important, (iv) creation of marine reserves networks in priority areas of conservation, protecting either the species and key habitats for its survival.

Fish larva distribution and profusion in Mangunharjo and Timbulsloko mangrove ecosystem

Mangrove area as nursery grounds for the fish larvae in Semarang and Demak. Fish larvae were collected during August - February representing dry and rainy seasons from three mangrove station swamps by a beach seine net. The net was dragged on the bottom for 100 m three times. A total of 291 fish larvae were collected, representing 5 families. The most abundant species formed about 76 % of all collected fishes. Two fish larvae family were collected for the first time from mangrove areas in the Timbulsloko. Most of the collected fishes are economically important fishes. Moreover five families were belonging to demersal fishes. The highest species richness value was recorded in Timbulsloko mangroves at night in the river. This Finding showed that mangroves could support the life history of many demersal and pelagic fish.

Patterns of species richness and endemism of butterflies and day-flying moths in the monsoon tropics of northern Australia

Patterns of species richness and endemism were analyzed for 154 resident/breeding diurnal Lepidoptera in 153 grid cells (100 km × 100 km) based on a recently published set of spatial distribution maps (range-map and atlas data) in the western and central Australian Monsoon Tropics biome of northern Australia (~1.2 million km2). Biodiversity hotspots were then identified on the basis of coincidence of high values of species richness, endemic richness and weighted endemism. Spatial and environmental variables accounting for significant variation in species and endemic richness were determined using multivariate generalized linear models. Broad patterns of species and endemic richness showed a pronounced north-south latitudinal gradient that was significantly correlated with mean annual rainfall, from the wetter northern coastal areas to the drier southern inland areas of the semi-arid zone. Analysis of weighted endemism identified three putative centers of endemism: the Top End (north-western corner), the Kimberley (northern) and Arnhem Land (Gove Peninsula). Overall, the north-western corner of the Top End (86,860 km2) – including the Arnhem Land Plateau (Kakadu NP-Nitmiluk NP and Warddeken IPA), reserves in the Darwin region, Litchfield NP, the Tiwi Islands, Fish River-Daly River, and Cobourg Peninsula (Garig Gunak Barlu NP) – is a major biodiversity hotspot for the conservation of diurnal Lepidoptera based on congruent patterns of species richness, endemic richness and weighted endemism. Large discrepancies between actual survey lists (atlas data) and inferred lists (range-map data) indicate the need for further inventory of the National Reserve System, particularly for several reserves identified as significant for diurnal Lepidoptera diversity (Marri-Jabin IPA, Djukbinj NP, Warddeken IPA and Nitmiluk NP).

Spatial associations among avian diversity, regulating and provisioning ecosystem services in Italy

An in-depth assessment of the spatial distribution of environmental resources and the condition of ecosystems is a key challenge in the management of ecosystems to support the provision of multiple ecosystem services. The main objective of this work was to investigate the spatial covariance of different aspects of avian diversity across gradients of provisioning and regulating ecosystem services in Italy at a high spatial resolution. Entire country of Italy. Regulating and provisioning ecosystem services proxies were mapped and standardised at a fixed spatial scale across Italy. We assessed taxonomic diversity, community evolutionary distinctiveness, functional evenness, functional dispersion, and phylogenetic species variability as proxies for biodiversity. Finally, mixed models were used to compare the spatial covariance between each ecosystem service and component of biodiversity. We found different associations between ecosystem services and each biodiversity component. Bird species richness was higher at moderate levels of agricultural production. When the levels of agricultural production were lower, phylogenetic relatedness index and functional dispersion decreased while evolutionary uniqueness and functional evenness were increased. Moderate levels of potential pollination services were spatially correlated with high values of bird species richness. In addition, taxonomic diversity of birds increased at moderate levels of timber production of deciduous forests, while community evolutionary distinctiveness decreased at lower timber production. Conversely, phylogenetic relatedness, functional dispersion, and functional evenness increased at lower levels of timber production. Similar patterns were found for carbon sequestration and bird diversity spatial associations. Finally, functional evenness wasn’t spatially related to any level of potential pollination and carbon sequestration provision. This work demonstrates that large-scale associations between ecosystem services and biodiversity vary spatially in Italy. Our findings were achieved at a large spatial scale and high-spatial resolution, providing information about the complex interactions among avian communities and the provision of ecosystem services.

Phytosociology of rainfed barely along the western Mediterranean Coast, Egypt

The exponential decrease of precipitation and increase of temperature in many dry regions in the world affect negatively the growth of main crops. The presence of associated weed species with these crops may add more adverse impact on yield. The present study aims at investigating the phytosociological structure of its associated wild species with rainfed barely (Hordeum vulgare L.) at Marsa-Matrouh Governorate, Egypt. Forty-eight stands were assigned at Marsa-Matrouh city for estimating the number of associated species with rainfed barely and its visual cover. Seventy-five species belonging to 63 genera and 24 families were recorded as associated species with rainfed barley. The most dominant families were Asteraceae followed by Poaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Fabaceae, Brassicaceae. A total of 48 species were recorded as annuals. On the other hand, 25 species were perennials. Two species were biennials. Therophytes were the dominant life form. The application of TWINSPAN on the cover estimates of 75 associated species recorded in the 48 sampled stands of barley, led to recognition of eight vegetation groups.The main indicator species for vegetative groups (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8): Glebionis coronaria, Carrichtera annua, Elymus farctus, Erucaria microcarpa and Malva parviflora are native species at the Mediterranean coastal strip. Carrichtera annua-Erucaria microcarpagroup (VG 3) had the highest value of species richness. Moreover, Erucaria microcarpa- Vicia monantha (VG 6) showed the highest value of species turnover. Erucaria microcarpa- Vicia monantha (VG 6) showed the highest value of shannon index. Elymus farctus- Erucaria microcarpa (VG 5) showed the highest value of Simpson index. The present study will help in improving the understanding for the phytosociology of rainfed barely and will help in improving the agricultural practices to increase the yield of this plant under the prevailing harsh conditions.

Structural and functional composition of fish communities associated to Zostera noltii meadows as a response to natural habitat recovery

Abstract During 2008, the Zostera noltii meadows located in the lower Mira estuary (SW Portugal) disappeared completely. However, during 2009, symptoms of natural recovery were observed, and in 2015 totally mature patches were detected. This allowed to investigate the temporal and spatial distribution patterns of the composition and structure of ichthyofaunal communities under two distinct habitat ecological conditions: before the collapse of mature vegetation of seagrass beds, in the 1980s (historical data), and after the natural habitat recovery process (new data). Significant differences were detected in the fish communities i) before and after the recovery process; and ii) in the seagrass beds and adjacent bare areas before the collapse, but no differences were observed after the natural recovery between seagrass fish communities and bare adjacent areas. Fish communities of seagrass beds in the 1980s were, in general, characterized by higher values of species richness, diversity and abundance. Apparently, the collapse of seagrass beds led to the disappearing of some fish species and to a decrease in abundance of others. Generally, such fish species have not returned to the system or recovered the population status during this early recovery process. This study addressed significant shifts that occurred in the lower Mira estuary fish communities in the last 30 years. Climate change may have influenced those alterations, although the event of the seagrass beds collapse seems to be the main driver of the community shifts.

Variación estacional de la composición florística en sabanas inundables en Arauca, Colombia

Mediante censos se documentó el recambio en la composición florística asociado al régimen de lluvias en comunidades de las sabanas de Arauca (Arauca, Colombia). Además, se cuantificó la abundancia relativa y el Índice de Valor de Importancia (IVI) de las especies en eventos de muestreo bimestrales a lo largo de un año. Se usaron transectos lineales con once puntos y once cuadrantes de 1 m2. Se registraron 110 especies y se obtuvo una correlación positiva entre la precipitación mensual y la abundancia de individuos, acompañada de un aumento del 85,7 % en la riqueza de especies en los meses de lluvias. Debido al mayor número de especies (96) la equitatividad de la comunidad fue mayor en el periodo de lluvias en tanto que, de las 57 especies de la época de sequía hubo dominancia de especies como Hydrolea spinosa, Melochia spicata, Peltaea sessiliflora, Cyperus luzulae, Acroceras zizanioides y Andropogon bicornis. El periodo de lluvias tuvo 53 especies exclusivas mientras que catorce lo fueron durante el periodo seco. Este estudio resalta la alta diversidad botánica que existe en las sabanas de la Orinoquia.

Ostracods and mollusks in northern Sfax coast: reconstruction of Holocene paleoenvironmental changes and associated forcing

The present study investigates the history of the northern Sfax coast by means of subsurface sediments of the sebkhas El Merdessia and El Awebed through a multiproxy approach. Ostracod and mollusk assemblages, diversity index, sedimentological criteria, correspondence analysis, and radiocarbon datings together provide an overview of the development of this coast over the last 5000 years. Original data give evidence for periods of predominantly lagoonal and brackish water conditions. These data testify to the emersion of sebkha El Awebed during Holocene, while sebkha El Merdessia recorded three marine transgressions toward 4599, 2225, and 1396 years cal BP. These transgressions are indicated by the richness of sediments in lagoonal and marine ostracod assemblages coupled with marine mollusks and the high values of species richness and diversity index. Sandwiched between 2225 and 1396 years BP, a period of sea-level stability and buildup of sand barriers in front of the estuaries was evidenced. Toward 250 years cal BP, a tsunami event is evidenced by the deposition of a shelly bed containing angular and sharpened Cerithium vulgatum in coarser marine sands overlaid by silts and clays rich in charcoal particles and pottery fragments. The comparison between the proxies analyzed of the studied area and those of Skhira coast leads to the conclusion that the two coasts were subjected to the same factors. However, a time shift of sedimentation is due to the uplift of Sfax northern coast favored by the activity of the faults, unlike the southern Skhira subsidence.