Increase In Number Of Species Research Articles

RECOVERY RATES OF BIOTIC POTENTIAL OF AGRARIAN ECOSYSTEMS WITH THE REDUCTION OF PESTICIDE LOAD

The research paper estimated the reaction of Herpetobiont adult beetles (Coleoptera) on the reducing of the pesticide load in the agro-ecosystems of the steppe zone of Ukraine. We choose the crops of Triticum vulgare Host., Hordeum sativum L., Pisum sativum L., Zea mays L., Helianthus annus L. and Medicago sativa L., being part of field rotation as test cultures. The main long-term constant observations were conducted on Sinelnikovо Selection and Experimental Station of the Institute of Grain Farming, National Academy of Agrarian Sciences (Ukraine), located in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Based on the comparative characteristics of two study periods, namely: 1st - the period of intensive use of pesticides (1983-1989) and 2nd - period of substantial (by 10-12 times) reduce of pesticide press in Ukraine (1999-2005) we succeed to show that during second period in the fields of agrosystems cultures there was significant increase in number of species of beetles, particularly zoophagous, and their abundance. The studies proved the ability of natural populations of predatory beetles to effectively control the population of harmful insect fauna in agricultural ecosystems at economically safe level without the use of pesticides.

Recovery of ciliate communities from an oligotrophic mountain stream after a catastrophic wind damage

We studied the recovery of ciliate taxoceonoses in a mountain stream after a catastrophic windstorm that strongly affected mountainous regions of Slovakia in 2004. To this end, we analyzed changes in the community structure of ciliate assemblages from the Zubrovica stream in the Low Tatra Mts during the time frame between 2003 and 2008 by various statistical methods, including diversity and similarity indices, hierarchical clustering, multidimensional scaling, and PCA. The climax ciliate communities were characteristic for oligotrophic running waters, i.e., they were equitable (EH=0.75–1.00) and harbored a comparatively low number of species (2–9) with typically low abundances (10–125ind./ml). However, the community structure changed dramatically after the devastating windstorm. There was a significant increase of species number (10–30) and abundance (260–1480ind./ml), concomitant with a decrease of the equitability (EH=0.43–0.83). These changed quantitative and qualitative community parameters wore off comparatively quickly, i.e., about six months after the catastrophic windstorm, the ciliate taxocoenoses had reached a community structure similar to that before the wind damage. The present observations and those from terrestrial habitats indicate that ciliate communities have a good capability to comparatively quickly reach a climax even after a strong disturbance.

Vegetation change and homogenization of species composition in temperate nutrient deficient Scots pine forests after 45 yr

AbstractQuestionDoes eutrophication drive vegetation change in pine forests on nutrient deficient sites and thus lead to the homogenization of understorey species composition?LocationForest area (1600 ha) in the Lower Spreewald, Brandenburg, Germany.MethodsResurvey of 77 semi‐permanent plots after 45 yr, including vascular plants, bryophytes and ground lichens. We applied multidimensional ordination of species composition, dissimilarity indices, mean Ellenberg indicator values and the concept of winner/loser species to identify vegetation change between years. Differential responses along a gradient of nutrient availability were analysed on the basis of initial vegetation type, reflecting topsoil N availability of plots.ResultsSpecies composition changed strongly and overall shifted towards higher N and slightly lower light availability. Differences in vegetation change were related to initial vegetation type, with strongest compositional changes in the oligotrophic forest type, but strongest increase of nitrophilous species in the mesotrophic forest type. Despite an overall increase in species number, species composition was homogenized between study years due to the loss of species (mainly ground lichens) on the most oligotrophic sites.ConclusionsThe response to N enrichment is confounded by canopy closure on the N‐richest sites and probably by water limitation on N‐poorest sites. The relative importance of atmospheric N deposition in the eutrophication effect is difficult to disentangle from natural humus accumulation after historical litter raking. However, the profound differences in species composition between study years across all forest types suggest that atmospheric N deposition contributes to the eutrophication, which drives understorey vegetation change and biotic homogenization in Central European Scots pine forests on nutrient deficient sites.

Effects of Hurricane Rita on the Herpetofauna of Village Creek State Park, Hardin County, Texas

Numbers of species and individuals in the herpetofauna of Village Creek State Park, Hardin County, Texas, were compared before and after Hurricane Rita. Number of species in the entire park remained stable after the hurricane. However, there was a significant increase in numbers of species and individuals in some habitats within the park. Changes in the herpetofauna may be attributable to a massive tree-fall caused by Hurricane Rita, which opened the canopy and increased coarse woody debris within the park.El número de las especies y de los individuos en la herpetofauna de Village Creek State Park, condado de Hardin, Texas, fueron comparados antes y después del huracán Rita. El número de especies quedó estable dentro del parque después del huracán. Los cambios en la herpetofauna se pueden atribuir a una caída masiva de los arboles causada por el huracán Rita, que abrió el dosel y aumentó los restos gruesos de árboles dentro del parque.

Belemnites in the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary interval of the Mauryn’ya and Yatriya River sections, Western Siberia: Biostratigraphic significance and dynamics of taxonomic diversity

The stratigraphic distribution and taxonomic diversity of belemnites from the Volgian and Ryazanian deposits exposed in the eastern foothills of the North and Subpolar Urals, are studied and analysed. Studies of new collections from the Mauryn’ya and Yatriya rivers have revealed within the Laugeites groenlandicus-basal Surites analogus ammonite zones, the East Siberian Lagonibelus napaensis, Cylindroteuthis knoxvillensis, and Liobelus russiensis belemnite zones (the latter in the beds’ rank), the Lagonibelus gustomesovi and Arctoteuthis porrectiformis Beds, and local beds with Boreioteuthis explorata and Simobelus compactus. Since in the boundary beds of the Volgian and Ryazanian stages a great number of belemnite species known from the Tordenskjoldberget Member, Kong Karls Land, Svalbard, were found, it is inferred that the accumulation of the member started not in the Valanginian as many researchers believe but immediately at the beginning of the Cretaceous. The dynamics of belemnite species diversity in the northwestern margin of the West Siberian marine basin correlates well with climatic events. An increase of species number in the terminal Volgian-beginning of the Ryazanian corresponds to a temperature elevation in the Siberian paleoseas, and the subsequent reduction of species diversity in the second half of the Ryazanian is correlated with a gradual cooling. The peak of belemnite taxonomic diversity falls at the beginning of the Cretaceous when up to 15 species belonging to eight Cylindroteuthididae genera occurred concurrently. The new species Cylindroteuthis ornata sp. nov., Acroteuthis pseudoconoides sp. nov., Pachyteuthis eximia sp. nov., and Simobelus compactus sp. nov. are described.

Effects of altitude and climate in determining elevational plant species richness patterns: A case study from Los Tuxtlas, Mexico

Altitudinal changes of composition and richness of montane plant assemblages are complex, depending on the taxonomic group and gradient conditions, with different factors involved that are directly altitude-dependent (e.g., temperatures, air pressure) and altitude-independent (e.g., precipitation, cloud cover, area). In order to assess the relative impacts of temperature, precipitation, air humidity, and area of altitudinal belts on plant diversity, we analyzed diversity patterns of five species-rich groups, mostly herbaceous plants, in 74 forest plots along three climatically contrasting elevational transects from humid tropical lowland vegetation up to cloud forests at Los Tuxtlas, Mexico. We recorded 278 plant species, with ferns being the most species-rich group followed by orchids, bromeliads, aroids, and piperoids. The most striking results were the contrasting patterns and model results for terrestrial and epiphytic taxa. Whereas the richness of all terrestrial species taken together did not change significantly with elevation, vascular epiphytes showed increasing species numbers with altitude. However, a number of individual terrestrial taxa showed also significant elevation-related changes: aroids showed a marked decline with hight, orchids and piperoids increased, and ferns displayed a hump-shaped pattern with highest richness in mid-altitudes. Among the epiphytes, aroids declined while most other groups increased with altitude. This distinction is relevant for projections of responses of plant communities to climate change, which will lead to increased temperatures and to changing precipitation and cloud condensation regimes and thus will likely affect terrestrial and epiphytic species in different ways.

Reproductive phenology in a riparian rainforest in the south of Santa Catarina state, Brazil

Phenological studies assist in forest ecosystems comprehension and evaluation of resource availability for wildlife, as well as in improving the understanding of relationships between plants and their pollinators and dispersers. This study aims to describe the reproductive phenophases of riparian plant species and correlate them with climatic variables. The reproductive phenology was analyzed biweekly throughout one year, recording the absence or presence of flowers/fruits. The flowering phenophase occurred throughout the year, with an increase in number of species in blossom in October, November, and December. The flowering peak of the community was observed in November. The fruiting phenophase also occurred throughout the year and showed an increase of species fruiting in June with a slight decrease in August and September. The data obtained in this study, when compared with other studies in different Atlantic Rainforest areas, indicates a seasonal pattern for the flowering phenophase and a variation in fruit availability throughout the year as well as in the fruiting peaks. Therefore, studies that observe flowering and fruiting events in loco are of main importance because they provide information on reproductive seasons of species for use in environmental restoration projects and thus alleviate the situation of degradation of riparian forests.

Global warming and biodiversity model projections

Many models intending to explain the latitudinal gradient of increasing species diversity from the poles to the equator are presented, which are a formalisation of the species-energy hypothesis. The model predictions are consistent with patterns of increasing species number with increasing mean air or water temperatures for plants and animals. An increase in species richness is also correlated with net primary production or the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index. This implies that increased availability of resources favours increased diversity capacity. The explanatory variables included in the biodiversity prediction models represent measures of water, energy, water-energy, habitat, history/evolution and biological responses. Water variables tend to be the best predictors when the geographic scope of the data is restricted to tropical and subtropical areas, whereas water-energy variables dominate when colder areas are included. In major models, about 20-35% of species in the various global regions (European, Africa, etc.) will disappear from each grid cell by 2050 and >50% could be vulnerable or threatened by 2080. This study provides good explanations for predictive models and future changes in biodiversity depending on various scenarios.

Cork oak woodlands in the north Tyrrhenian area (Italy): distribution and plant species diversity of a relict forest ecosystem

Italian north Tyrrhenian regions harbour pure or nearly pure cork oak woodlands towards the NE limit of the species range and the highest proportion of the habitat on mainland Italy, but their distribution, biodiversity and conservation status are still poorly known. Focusing on the key region of Tuscany, we analysed distribution and plant species richness of these forests based on literature and original field data. The habitat covers about 5.730 ha and is strongly fragmented for natural and non-natural reasons, underscoring its relict character. Out of the 420 plant taxa recorded, 19 were listed in IUCN categories at the national or regional level. Taxonomic singularity was especially high at the genus rank. Three neighbouring areas with different soil conditions and forest structure were compared based on field surveys, sample plots and linear transects from dense stands to shrub and herbaceous communities of small openings. The Versegge site showed the highest species richness at the area-scale and the mean diversity at the plot scale, representing a key biotope for the conservation of the habitat. However, the geographic–floristic covariation between the three sites suggested that a network of small areas would be more effective than a single, large area to protect the most significant components of the local cork oak flora. The Lattaia and Terzo areas may play an important role as corridor sites between the four SCIs of the Rete Natura 2000 network including cork oak communities on the Tuscan mainland. Species richness was higher in the stands with lower cork oak basal area, and there was a significant increase in species number along transects reaching openings caused by traditional human activities. A minor anthropic disturbance of traditional type may help to preserve the fine-scale habitat heterogeneity and the biodiversity of the whole ecosystem.

Influence of Variability of Ryegrass Meadow Soil Conditions on their Natural and Utilization Values

The study presents the findings of research into the effect of the variability of site conditions on their floristic composition providinga basis for the identification of lower phytosociological units. Patches of Arrhenatheretum elatioris described with the assistance ofphytosociological surveys conducted using the Braun-Blanquet method were subjected to multi-criteria evaluation. On their basis, thefollowing parameters were determined: ecological and botanical structure, geographic-historical distribution, the structure of the lifegroupsof the floristic types identified, as well as natural values by the Oświt method and sward fodder value according to Filipek. In orderto determine the causes of the floristic variability observed, the following soil conditions were assessed: moisture content, soil reactionand nitrogen content by Ellenberg’s indicator method, as well as potassium, magnesium and phosphorus content by the appropriatelaboratory methods. Typical forms of Arrhenatheretum elatioris phytocenoses were found to develop on mucky soils in moderately moistsites. Patches of ryegrass occurring in sites with a periodically higher moisture content on organic soils refer to the Alopecuretum pratensisassociation. On the other hand, the sward of ryegrass meadows developed on dryer, mineral soils was characterised by increased numbersof species characteristic for xerothermic swards from the Festuco-Brometea class and sandy plant communities from the Koelerio glauca-Corynephoretea canescentis. More intensive utilization, primarily-fertilisation, was among the causes of the development of species-poorphytocenoses of low natural value but sward of a good fodder value.

Species-area relationships underestimate extinction rates

The species-area relationship (SAR), i.e. the increase in species number with area, has been repeatedly used to predict species extinction, at both local and global scales, with habitat reduction. He and Hubbell (Nature, 2011; 473, 368–371), however, argued that the function that relates species loss with decreasing habitat area cannot be simply obtained reversing the species-area accumulation curve. Using a statistically more appropriate curve based on endemics (EAR), they concluded that the SAR overestimates species extinction. Although we agree that SARs and EARs have different shapes, this does not imply that SARs overestimate species extinction. Empirical evidence suggests that SARs do not overestimate, but underestimate species extinction by habitat loss and fragmentation. We discuss various examples taken from recent literature to show that SARs underestimate species extinction.

Decomposer community complexity affects plant competition in a model early successional grassland community

The effects of a simple decomposer community, consisting of collembola, enchytraeids and earthworms on the performance of plants in a model Mediterranean early successional grassland community were investigated. Interactions of plant functional groups and species within the soil decomposer community resulted in significant shifts of plant competitive strength and therefore are likely to affect the rate of the successional development of plant communities. Depending on the functional role of the decomposer taxa involved, either legumes, or non-leguminous forbs were more negatively affected. Therefore, increasing species numbers with in the decomposer community gradually reduced the relative contribution of forbs (legumes and non-leguminous forbs), although fundamentally different mechanisms were responsible for these effects. Surprisingly, not the biomass-dominant annelid taxa, but collembola had the strongest effects on plant performance. The grass-to-forb ratio, an indicator of successional change, shifted from 3 to 4 in presence of collembola, suggesting that indirect effects on microbial symbionts of plants were more important than classic decomposer effects via increased and more constant nutrient availability to plants. Total plant productivity, however, was not affected, since grasses gained competitive advantage and compensated with increased growth for the negative animal effects on forb performance. Our results highlight the importance of specific functional groups among decomposers for structuring grassland plant communities. However, great plasticity in the plant community through negative covariance between forbs and grasses, partly compensated for decomposer effects at the plant canopy level.

Using historical plant surveys to track biodiversity on mountain summits

Background: Botanical records have been collected from mountain summits worldwide since the sixteenth century. Such records are of particular interest following the end of the Little Ice Age, when alpine climate changed. Aims: To review the evolution of alpine summit flora research and define appropriate re-surveys for documenting floristic changes since the mid-nineteenth century. Methods: The history of botanical observations of mountain summits worldwide conducted between the mid-sixteenth and mid-twentieth century is outlined. Secondly, we review evidence for floristic change on mountain summits from studies made between 1980 and 2010. Thirdly, we examine the methods used in earlier summit surveys and suggest appropriate approaches for reconducting such surveys. Results: We found ca. 300 summit flora studies up to 200 years old that are potentially suitable for re-surveying; most of them are in the Alps. Recent studies showed an increase in species numbers and an upward range extension of some species from lower elevations. For re-surveying it is judged best to carry out data collection by individual surveyors for sound comparisons with earlier studies. Conclusions: Data collected in historical summit flora studies allow their exploitation for long-term observation provided contemporary methods are replicated and the detection rate is estimated in the re-surveys.

Macroalgal diversity along the Baltic Sea salinity gradient challenges Remane’s species-minimum concept

Remane’s species-minimum concept, which states that the lowest number of taxa occurs at the horohalinicum (5–8psu), was tested by investigating macroalgal diversity on hard substrates along the natural salinity gradient in the Baltic Sea. Field data on species occurrence and abundance were collected by SCUBA diving along 10 transects of the Finnish, Swedish and German coasts, covering a salinity range from 3.9 to 27psu. Macroalgal species numbers declined steadily with salinity, decreasing until 7.2psu was reached, but in the horohalinicum, a marked reduction of species number and a change in diversity were indicated by the Shannon index and evenness values. The non-linear decrease in macroalgal diversity at 5–8psu and the lack of increase in species numbers at salinities below 5psu imply a restricted applicability of Remane’s species-minimum concept to macroalgae.

Restoration of isolated and small coastal sand dunes on the rocky coast of northern Spain

The coastal dunes of the Basque Country have suffered a significant anthropic process of regional-scale destruction and fragmentation. This has led to the loss of seven, and endangerment of 14, of the 37 species of plants recognized as exclusive to these dunes. In response to this situation, the restoration of one of the lost dune systems, the Laida Dune, began in 2002 with the installation of sand trapping devices and the plantation of two dune-building species of plants. This study shows the results of a program that monitored the process of natural colonization of plant species in the restored dune over a period of seven years, until the loss of the dune by the action of storms in 2008. The results show that the vegetation dynamics in the restored dune followed a process of primary succession, with a progressive increase in species number, coverage and heterogeneity. The establishment of species was driven by the strong environmental gradient present perpendicular to the coastline. The results indicate that natural colonization in this coastal sector is now possible due to the large number of dune species present, and in spite of the isolation of the restored dune system and the loss and fragmentation of the dune habitats in the region. Over the seven years, 42 plant species became established on the dune, of which 18 were dune-exclusive species, representing 62.1% of the total number of species of the same type in the region. Five of these species are considered to be rare or threatened. Comparison with reference data allowed the evaluation of the trajectory of the plant community assembly. The results indicate that the highest similarity to a reference dune system was to the one located closest to the restored dune.

Diet selection variation of a large herbivore in a feeding experiment with increasing species numbers and different plant functional group combinations

The grazing of domestic herbivores affects the biodiversity of rangeland. Knowledge on the feedback of changed plant diversity on diet selection by domestic herbivores is poor even though it is at the core of the effects of herbivores on biodiversity of rangeland. We investigated the influence of increasing species numbers and different plant functional group combinations on the dynamics of diet preference and foraging selectivity by sheep. Sheep were given 16 consecutive meals at each sequential level of plant species richness. Three combinations of species, selected for functional types, were presented to sheep. The results showed that sheep did not usually maintain stable diet preference patterns for the 16 consecutive meals of the plant species combinations offered. The magnitude of meal to meal variation in the preference index for each species increased significantly with plant species richness. There was no obvious effect of post-ingestive learning on the meal variation in diet preference. The magnitude of sheep foraging selectivity within each meal significantly reduced with plant species richness. These results indicated that, when plant diversity was high, the diet selection pattern of herbivore may be more beneficial to maintaining high plant diversity. Thus, there may be a weak positive feedback between plant species richness and herbivore foraging. We suggested that increasing plant diversity, especially for plant functional group diversity, can reduce herbivore selectivity and promote more uniform use of different plant species in rangeland.

Using long-term monitoring to investigate the changes in species composition in the harbour of Ghent (Belgium)

The macroinvertebrate community of the harbour of Ghent was studied by analysing 135 samples taken at different sampling locations from 1990 until 2008. The results showed that the current Crustacea and Mollusca communities are mainly represented, in terms of abundances, by alien species. In total, seven alien and four indigenous crustacean species were found. Mollusc diversity was higher, with a total of 14 species, four of which were alien. Macroinvertebrate diversity was very low at the beginning of the 1990s, but increased due to the improvement of the chemical water quality achieved by sanitation and stricter environmental laws. This is reflected by the dissolved oxygen concentration, which increased from an average of 2 mg/l to an average of 9 mg/l, allowing more sensitive species to establish. Since 1993, the number of alien taxa has augmented, whereas the number of native taxa has remained stable. The improvement of the chemical water quality and the simultaneous increase in total number of species were also reflected in an increase of the Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index Flanders, which is used to assess the ecological water quality in Flanders. Due to intensive international boat traffic and the low species diversity, the harbour of Ghent is highly vulnerable for invasions. Stronger regulations and a better understanding about the contribution of shipping, shortcuts via artificial water ways, habitat degradation and environmental pollution are required to reduce the further spread of alien species.

Biological effects of anthropogenic salt-load on the aquatic Fauna: A synthesis of 17 years of biological survey on the rivers Werra and Weser

The reduction and the smoothened amplitudes of the chloride concentrations since 2000 have resulted in a gradual positive development of the aquatic fauna in the River Werra. In the salinized section of the river increasing species numbers have been determined along the salinity gradient, which shows maximum chloride concentrations of about 2500 mg/l, maximum potash concentrations at approximately 200 mg/l, and magnesia concentrations peaked at 320 mg/l. As an immediate consequence of the reduction in salt concentration the immigration of various caddis fly species into the lower River Werra was observed. The Number of taxa per sample rose from 5 to more than 30 in the lower Werra region. Changes in species-richness could be seen more frequently in river sections where chloride concentrations fluctuated around 1500 mg/l.

Temporal changes in the island flora at different scales in the archipelago of SW Finland

AbstractQuestion: How have species richness and vegetation patterns changed in a group of islands in the northern Baltic Sea over a 58‐yr period of changing land use and increasing eutrophication?Location: A group of 116 islands, the Brunskär sub‐archipelago, in SW Finland.Methods: A complete survey of vascular plant species performed in 1947–1949 by Skult was repeated by our group using the same methodology in 2005–2007 (historical versus contemporary, respectively). DCAs were performed and total number of species, extinction–colonization rates, species frequency changes and mean Ellenberg indicator values for light, moisture and nitrogen and Eklund indicator values for dependence of human cultural influence were obtained for each island and relevé.Results: Species richness has declined on large islands and increased on small islands. The increase in number of species on small islands is driven by a strong increase in frequency of shore species, which in turn is induced by more productive shores. The decrease in species richness on large islands is related to overgrowth of open semi‐natural habitats after cessation of grazing and other agricultural practices.Conclusions: After the late 1940s, open habitats, which were created and maintained by cattle grazing and other traditional agricultural activities, have declined in favour of woody shrub and forest land. Shores have been stabilized and influenced by the eutrophication of the Baltic Sea, and the vegetation has become more homogeneous. This development, resulting in lower species diversity, poses a challenge for the preservation of biodiversity both on a local and on a landscape level.

Comments on increasing number and abundance of non-indigenous aquatic macrophyte species in Germany

Hussner A, Van de Weyer K, Gross EM & Hilt S (2010). Comments on increasing number and abundance of non-indigenous aquatic macrophyte species in Germany. Weed Research 50, 519–526. Summary Non-indigenous aquatic plants are a major cause of biodiversity loss in many countries. In this study, our own field data and a literature review have been used to get an overview of the history and the present distribution of non-indigenous aquatic plant species in Germany. Results show that the number of non-indigenous aquatic plant species in Germany rose from 1 in 1860 to 12 in 1980, but doubled to 24 during the following 29 years. Thirteen of these species are naturalised in at least one federal state, 11 are only ephemeral. The number of non-indigenous aquatic plant species in the German federal states is significantly correlated with the population size and area. The increase in species number and abundance is probably caused by enhanced trading and increased invasibility of waters by eutrophication/re-oligotrophication and climate change. We propose a trading ban for some highly invasive non-indigenous aquatic species. This will not stop their natural spread, but should reduce the risk of further unintended entry and thus can be a major control factor.