Montane Woodlands Research Articles

Elevation, canopy cover and grass cover structure patterns of seedling establishment in a subtropical post‐fire restoration

Abstract Ecological restoration is beneficial to ecological communities in this era of large‐scale landscape change and ecological disruption. However, restoration outcomes are notoriously variable, which makes fine‐scale decision‐making challenging. This is true for restoration efforts that follow large fires, which are increasingly common as the climate changes. Post‐fire restoration efforts, like tree planting and seeding have shown mixed success, though the causes of the variation in restoration outcomes remain unclear. Abiotic factors such as elevation and fire severity, as well as biotic factors, such as residual canopy cover and abundance of competitive understorey grasses, can vary across a burned area and may all influence the success of restoration efforts to re‐establish trees following forest fires. We examined the effect of these factors on the early seedling establishment of a tree species—māmane (Sophora chrysophylla)—in a subtropical montane woodland in Hawaiʻi. Following a human‐caused wildfire, we sowed seeds of māmane as part of a restoration effort. We co‐designed a project to examine māmane seedling establishment. We found that elevation was of overriding importance, structuring total levels of plant establishment, with fewer seedlings establishing at higher elevations. Residual canopy cover was positively correlated with seedling establishment, while cover by invasive, competitive understorey grasses very weakly positively correlated with increased seedling establishment. Our results point to specific factors structuring plant establishment following a large fire and suggest additional targeted restoration actions within this subtropical system. For example, if greater native woody recruitment is a management goal, then actions could include targeted seed placement at lower elevations where establishment is more likely, increased seeding densities at high elevation where recruitment rates are lower, and/or invasive grass removal prior to seeding. Such actions may result in faster native ecosystem recovery, which is a goal of local land managers.

First record of the planthopper tribe Adenissini (Hemiptera: Caliscelidae) from Socotra Island, with description of a new genus and two new species

The planthopper family Caliscelidae (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Fulgoromorpha) and the tribe Adenissini are recorded here for the first time from the Socotra Archipelago (Yemen). A new genus, Oceatra gen. nov., is described for two new species from Socotra Island – Oceatra litoralis gen. et sp. nov. (type species) from coastal sand dunes and salt marshes, and O. scandens gen. et sp. nov. from evergreen montane woodland and shrub communities of the Hagher mountains. Oceatra gen. nov. is similar to Perissana Metcalf, 1952 but differs in the structure of the male style and phallobase. A key to distinguish the genera of the subtribe Adenissina is provided.

Systematics of the Ocoee Salamander (Plethodontidae: Desmognathus ocoee), with description of two new species from the southern Blue Ridge Mountains.

The "mountain" dusky is a charismatic ecomorph of Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus): smaller (~20-50mm SVL), more terrestrial and montane woodland species, typically with round tails and extremely variable, often colorful patterns. Originally considered a single species (D. ochrophaeus), populations across the Appalachians are now divided into D. abditus, D. carolinensis, D. ochrophaeus, D. ocoee, and D. orestes, which do not form a clade but are instead scattered across the phylogeny of Desmognathus. A Coastal Plain species with a mountain dusky phenotype (D. apalachicolae) is also nested within a lineage related to D. ocoee. Within the current concept of D. ocoee, there are up to 8 genetically distinct geographic lineages which display significantly different but substantially overlapping morphologies. Recent studies have suggested that as many as six species could reasonably be delimited based on genetic data. We evaluate the strength of that evidence here and find support for five species in the D. apalachicolae + D. ocoee group. The first is D. apalachicolae in essentially its originally described form from the Coastal Plain. The second and third are D. adatsihi sp. nov. and D. balsameus sp. nov., endemic to the Great Smoky/Plott Balsam and Great Balsam Mountains, respectively. The fourth corresponds to the resurrected D. perlapsus for populations from the Alarka and Cowee Mountains in North Carolina, through the Chattahoochee River drainage to the Fall Line in the Piedmont of Georgia and Alabama. The fifth is D. ocoee, here restricted to populations in the Nantahala and Unicoi Mountains and southernmost Blue Ridge escarpment, along with previously recognized populations from the Cumberland Escarpment and Cumberland Plateau of south-central Tennessee and northeastern Alabama. This taxon concept of D. ocoee includes three deeply divergent geographic genetic segments that hybridize across two contact zones, while D. apalachicolae may be nested within some southern Blue Ridge populations of D. ocoee. The resurrected form of D. perlapsus also exhibits some admixture with the newly restricted D. ocoee. While this taxonomic arrangement is robust and stably derived from mitochondrial, morphological, and nuclear data, more sophisticated future analyses sampling additional populations and loci to estimate relationships may reach more subtle conclusions regarding the identity of some lineages within D. ocoee.

Use of predictive distribution models to describe habitat selection by bats in Colorado, USA

AbstractNumerous processes operating at landscape scales threaten bats (e.g., habitat loss, disease). Temperate bat species are rarely examined at commensurate scales because of logistical and modeling constraints. Recent modeling approaches now allow for presence‐only datasets, like those often available for bats, to assist with the development of predictive distribution models. We describe the use of presence‐only data and rigorous predictive distribution models to examine habitat selection by bats across Colorado, USA. We applied hierarchical Bayesian models to bat locations from 1906–2018 to examine relationships of 13 species with landscape covariates. We considered differences in type of activity (foraging, roosting, hibernation), seasonality (summer vs. winter), and scale (1, 5, 10, and 15‐km buffers). These findings generated statewide probability of use models to guide management of bat species in response to threats (e.g., white‐nose syndrome [WNS]). Analysis of buffers suggest selection of land cover and environmental covariates occurs at different scales depending on the species and activity. Pinyon (Pinus spp.)‐juniper (Juniperus spp.) appeared as a positive association in the highest number of models, followed by montane woodland, supporting the importance of these forest types to bats in Colorado. Other covariates commonly associated with bats in Colorado include westerly longitudes, and negative associations with montane shrubland. Mechanical treatments within pinyon‐juniper and montane woodlands should be conducted with caution to avoid harming bat communities. We developed hibernation models for only 2 species, making apparent the lack of winter records for bat species in the state. We also provide a composite predictive surface of small‐bodied bats in Colorado that delineates where these species, vulnerable to WNS, converge. This tool provides managers with focal points to apply surveillance and response strategies for the impending arrival of the disease.

Ecosystem services of Hurri hills, a montane woodland ecosystem in the arid lands of northern Kenya

Hurri hills (HH) is an ungazetted mountain range in the northern part of Kenya in Marsabit County, harbouring a diverse range of ecosystems. The mountain range has been experiencing land conversion for town expansion, agricultural production and settlements threatening ecosystem service (ES) provision. Sustaining ES provision under increasing anthropogenic pressures is one of the challenges of the HH community. We used focus group discussions (FGD) in seven locations targeting eighty-two participants to identify ES, their importance, perceived drivers of change and the potential impacts on these ES. Preference ranking and Content analysis were used to determine the frequency of ES and their threats. The Jaccard similarity coefficient (J) was used to compute the similarity in ES and their threats in different locations. The FGD identified over 40 ES categorised under provisioning, regulating, supporting and cultural services. The primary ES provided by HH includes water (both domestic and livestock), pasture, fuelwood, thatch grass, cultural sites, cultural material, wildlife habitat, agriculture /settlement, and climate regulation. The Jaccard index of similarity varied at 0.73 for ES, 0.27 for forage species, 0.52 for fuelwood species, 0.29 for medicinal species and 0.36 species for building purposes while the index for threats to ES provision was 0.91. The study established the presence of wildlife species of both local and international importance classified between, near threatened and endangered. Overgrazing, unsustainable utilisation of forest resources, deforestation and climate change were the main drivers impacting ES provision. These results underline the significance of HH as a biological and socio-economic system to the local population. These results further support the need for community centred participatory resource use planning that integrates the inherent threats to the provision of ES in the HH ecosystem. The study recommends undertaking a detailed baseline survey to establish the status and distribution of the main plant and animal taxa to advise the viability of establishing community conservancies in a bid to conserve the ecosystem.

Understanding Grass Invasion, Fire Severity, and Acacia koa Regeneration for Forest Restoration in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

With invasive grasses increasing wildfire occurrence worldwide, a better understanding of the relationships between native plants, fire, and invasive grass is needed to help restoration plans facilitate ecosystem resilience. Invasive grasses are particularly problematic for altering fire regimes in the tropics, yet in Hawaiʻi, restoration sites are often planted with monocultures of the native tree Acacia koa, which can promote grass growth via nitrogen fixation. This, combined with the difficulty of estimating pre-fire grass cover under thick canopies, complicates attempts to restore Hawaiian ecosystems. We studied the 2018 Keauhou Ranch Fire in Hawaiʻi to investigate three questions: (1) at what level of precision can pre-fire grass cover be accurately estimated from oblique aerial photos? (2) how are post-fire A. koa regeneration densities affected by fire severity? and (3) how are post-fire A. koa regeneration densities affected by pre-fire grass cover and its interaction with fire severity? We collected burn severity and post-fire regeneration data from 30 transects stratified across mid-elevation woodland, montane woodland, and montane shrubland communities. We evaluated visual estimates of pre-fire grass cover from oblique aerial imagery with quantitative in situ data from 60 unburned transects of the same cover types. Pre-fire estimates of grass cover categories were 67% accurate in montane woodland (n = 9) and 100% accurate in montane shrubland (n = 11), but only 20% accurate in mid-elevation woodland (n = 10). In montane woodlands with low pre-fire tree densities, A. koa regeneration densities were higher with increased fire severity, but this trend reversed when pre-fire tree densities were high. We detected no effect of pre-fire grass cover, nor its interaction with fire severity, on A. koa regeneration density. This indicates that restoration through the planting of A. koa may be successful in promoting fire-resilient A. koa forest, although there are potential issues to consider regarding the effects that A. koa’s grass promotion may have on other species within the ecosystem.

Solving the sample size problem for resource selection functions

Abstract Sample size sufficiency is a critical consideration for estimating resource selection functions (RSFs) from GPS‐based animal telemetry. Cited thresholds for sufficiency include a number of captured animals and as many relocations per animal N as possible. These thresholds render many RSF‐based studies misleading if large sample sizes were truly insufficient, or unpublishable if small sample sizes were sufficient but failed to meet reviewer expectations. We provide the first comprehensive solution for RSF sample size by deriving closed‐form mathematical expressions for the number of animals M and the number of relocations per animal N required for model outputs to a given degree of precision. The sample sizes needed depend on just 3 biologically meaningful quantities: habitat selection strength, variation in individual selection and a novel measure of landscape complexity, which we define rigorously. The mathematical expressions are calculable for any environmental dataset at any spatial scale and are applicable to any study involving resource selection (including sessile organisms). We validate our analytical solutions using globally relevant empirical data including 5,678,623 GPS locations from 511 animals from 10 species (omnivores, carnivores and herbivores living in boreal, temperate and tropical forests, montane woodlands, swamps and Arctic tundra). Our analytic expressions show that the required M and N must decline with increasing selection strength and increasing landscape complexity, and this decline is insensitive to the definition of availability used in the analysis. Our results demonstrate that the most biologically relevant effects on the utilization distribution (i.e. those landscape conditions with the greatest absolute magnitude of resource selection) can often be estimated with much fewer than animals. We identify several critical steps in implementing these equations, including (a) a priori selection of expected model coefficients and (b) regular sampling of background (pseudoabsence) data within a given definition of availability. We discuss possible methods to identify a priori expectations for habitat selection coefficients, effects of scale on RSF estimation and caveats for rare species applications. We argue that these equations should be a mandatory component for all future RSF studies.

Population Size and Habitat Utilization of Menelik’s Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus Meneliki Neumann, 1902) in Abasheba-Demero Controlled Hunting Area, Southeastern Ethiopia

Background : Despite Ethiopia is among few African countries with high wild animal species diversity, its mammalian resource is highly degrading. Hence, assessing the demography and ecology of the wild animals is indispensable to provide information on the current status of animal, which helps for better wildlife conservation and management purpose. Thus, an investigation on the population size and habitat utilization of endemic Menelik’s bushbuck ( Tragelaphus scriptus Meneliki Neumann, 1902 ) in Abasheba-Demero controlled hunting area was done for one year during both dry and wet seasons of the year, 2019. Objective : The objective of investigation was to gather baseline data on population size, structure and habitat utilization of Menelik’s bushbuck in Abasheba- Demero CHA. Methodology : To reach the objective, quantitative data was collected using18 representative random sampling of line-transects covering sample area of 18km 2 . For field survey, the total area of the controlled hunting area was systematically clustered into four sample units based on the major habitats of the study area (Montane forest habitat, woodland, riverine and seasonal grass-wetland) habitat. Data Analysis : SPSS computer software version 20, descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used to analyze the data. Result : The projected population of Menelik’s bushbuck was 519.36±individuals. From the total population, Male bushbuck covered38.27%females were 50.62%and young’s were 11.1%. The sex ratio of male to female was found to be 1:1.32. Age structure was dominated by adults, which constituted 55.5% of the total population. Although, the bushbucks were evenly distributed in all the four habitat types in both seasons, its frequency was higher in the riverine forest habitat (3.33 individuals per km 2 ). The most commonly observed group types throughout the study period were single (solitary) bushbuck. Conclusion : Based on the current study result the population of Menelik’s bushbuck was not in immediate danger. However, negative attitude of local people towards the CHA and anthropogenic pressures are major underlying problem that needs appropriate correction measure. Keywords : Abasheba-Demero, Controlled hunting area, Menelik’s bushbuck DOI : 10.7176/ALST/76-03 Publication date :September 30 th 2019

A Great Basin lake-level response to 38–34 ka Dansgaard–Oeschger oscillations

Paleontological, geochemical, and geophysical data from pluvial Lake Chewaucan, Oregon, northwestern Great Basin provide a high-resolution paleoclimate record spanning the interval (38–34 ka) that includes the Mono Lake paleomagnetic excursion, Dansgaard–Oeschger Interstadials #8–#6, and the end of Heinrich Event 4. New climate proxies presented here from the BB3-I core, whose chronology was established in a recent publication focusing on its paleomagnetic record, consist of sediment grain-size, Corg/N, ostracode faunal counts, lipid molecular stratigraphy, and palynology. They build on previously publised proxies from this basin based on environmental magnetism and supporting lithological features found in outcrop and core. Results from granulometry, geochemical analysis and the presence of the ostracode Cytherissa lacustris consistently demonstrate the correspondence of low lake conditions and colder water temperatures during Dansgaard–Oeschger stadials during a time interval including the low magnetic intensity feature of the Mono Lake Excursion, a paleomagnetic event found both in the lake core of this study and the composite Greenland ice core record between Interstadials #7 and #6. Pollen data also support this finding, suggesting colder and drier continental montane woodland conditions during stadials versus warmer and wetter semi-arid woodland conditions during interstadials. This is further supported with lipid molecular stratigraphy, indicating a consistent tendency toward terrestrial-sourced vegetation, reflecting increased stream discharge into deeper lakes during interstadials versus dominance of aquatic vegetation during low-discharge, low lake stadials. These results suggesting wet interstadials confirm those of earlier studies at Summer Lake and for other lake records in the Great Basin for millennial-scale climate change during MIS 3 age.

Socoflata gen. nov., described for two new planthopper species from the mountains in Socotra island (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Flatidae)

A new genus of flatid planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Flatidae) is described from the island of Socotra (Yemen): Socoflata gen. nov., for S. aurolineata sp. nov. and S. histrionica sp. nov. (type species). Habitus, male and female external and internal genital structures of the new species are illustrated and diagnosed. Both Socoflata species are abundant and syntopic in the evergreen montane woodland and dwarf shrubland at high elevations in the Hagher mountains in central Socotra and are likely endemics of this area.

Shrinking windows of opportunity for oak seedling establishment in southern California mountains

AbstractSeedling establishment is a critical step that may ultimately govern tree species’ distribution shifts under environmental change. Annual variation in the location of seed rain and microclimates results in transient “windows of opportunity” for tree seedling establishment across the landscape. These establishment windows vary at fine spatiotemporal scales that are not considered in most assessments of climate change impacts on tree species range dynamics and habitat displacement. We integrate field seedling establishment trials conducted in the southern Sierra Nevada and western Tehachapi Mountains of southern California with spatially downscaled grids of modeled water‐year climatic water deficit (CWDwy) and mean August maximum daily temperature (Tmax) to map historical and projected future microclimates suitable for establishment windows of opportunity for Quercus douglasii, a dominant tree species of warm, dry foothill woodlands, and Q. kelloggii, a dominant of cooler, more mesic montane woodlands and forests. Based on quasi‐binomial regression models, Q. douglasii seedling establishment is significantly associated with modeled CWDwy and to a lesser degree with modeled Tmax. Q. kelloggii seedling establishment is most strongly associated with Tmax and best predicted by a two‐factor model including CWDwy and Tmax. Establishment niche models are applied to explore recruitment window dynamics in the western Tehachapi Mountains, where these species are currently widespread canopy dominants. Establishment windows are projected to decrease by 50–95%, shrinking locally to higher elevations and north‐facing slopes by the end of this century depending on the species and climate scenario. These decreases in establishment windows suggest the potential for longer‐term regional population declines of the species. While many additional processes regulate seedling establishment and growth, this study highlights the need to account for topoclimatic controls and interannual climatic variation when assessing how seedling establishment and colonization processes could be affected by climate change.

Charcoal usage in medieval and modern times in the Harz Mountains Area, Central Germany: Wood selection and fast overexploitation of the woodlands

Anthracological analysis is increasingly used to reconstruct natural and anthropogenic woodland dynamics. Here, we combine macro-charcoal records from charcoal production sites (kiln sites) with such from archaeological sites to elucidate past forest composition and its dependency on past fuel economy and human resource management.The anthracological investigations of seven medieval smelting sites in the Harz Mountains provide detailed information about past fuel and woodland usage. First, the charcoal records allow for separation of chronological phases within the archaeological sites. Second, a selection of distinct wood species is identified for the different smelting activities (silver–copper-production). Third, in addition to reconstructing the human activities related to ore smelting, it remains possible to reconstruct the local vegetation in the surroundings of the former smelting sites.The new anthracological investigations of kiln sites in the Harz Mountains focus on higher elevations (>600 mNN) and date to (early) modern times, showing a temporal and spatial shift of woodland exploitation to more remote, higher elevated areas. As expected, all typical taxa of the natural montane woodlands were used. Thus, local topographical conditions and natural woodland composition mainly regulate wood usage rather than human selection. Picea abies is the dominant species in all the records. However, surprisingly, local scale expansion of the montane beech woodland (Calamagrostio villosae-Fagetum) was identified, which reaches areas that today are fully covered by spruce woodland. Thus, the new results contradict the previously accepted assumption that the Harz Mountains above 750 mNN were covered by pure, natural stands of spruce until the 17th century. A recommendation for the woodland conservancy concept of the Harz national park, which includes tree planting to push woodland renaturalization is to add the planting of Fagus and Acer in elevations above 600 m.

Oak-insect herbivore interactions along a temperature and precipitation gradient

The interactions between herbivorous insects and their host plants are expected to be influenced by changing climates. Modern oaks provide an excellent system to examine this assumption because their interactions with herbivores occur over broad climatic and spatial scales, they vary in their defensive and nutritional investment in leaves by being deciduous or evergreen, and their insect herbivores range from generalists to highly specialized feeders. In this study, we surveyed leaf-litter samples of four oak species along an elevation gradient, from coastal northern California, USA, to the upper montane woodlands of the Sierra Nevada, to examine the relationship between climatic factors (mean annual temperature and precipitation) and oak herbivory levels at multiple scales; across all oak species pooled, between evergreen and deciduous species and within species.Overall, temperature and precipitation did not appear to have a significant effect on most measures of total herbivore damage (percent leaves damaged per tree, percent leaf area removed and average number of feeding damage marks per leaf) and the strongest predictor of herbivore damage overall was the identity of the host species. However, increases in precipitation were correlated with an increase in the actual leaf area removed, and specialized insects, such as those that make leaf mines and galls, were the most sensitive to differences in precipitation levels. This suggests that the effects of changing climate on some plant–insect interactions is less likely to result in broad scale increases in damage with increasing temperatures or changing precipitation levels, but is rather more likely to be dependent on the type of herbivore (specialist vs. generalist) and the scale (species vs. community) over which the effect is examined.

Population ecology of the eastern pygmy-possum (Cercartetus nanus) in a montane woodland in southern New South Wales

The population dynamics of nectar-feeding non-flying mammals are poorly documented. We investigated aspects of the population ecology of the eastern pygmy-possum (Cercartetus nanus) in southern New South Wales. We captured 65 individuals over a 4-year period during 5045 trap-nights and 1179 nest-box checks. The body mass of adult males (mean ± s.e. = 24.6 ± 1.0 g) was marginally not significantly different (P = 0.08) from that of non-parous adult females (28.2 ± 1.9 g). Females gave birth to a single litter each year of 3–4 young during February–May. No juveniles were detected in spring of any year. Mark–recapture modelling suggested that survival probability was constant over time (0.78) while recapture probability (0.04–0.81) varied with season and trap effort. The local population (estimated at ~20–25 individuals) underwent a regular seasonal variation in abundance, with a decline in spring coinciding with the cessation of flowering by Banksia. A population trough in spring has been observed elsewhere. This appears to represent some local migration from the study area, suggesting a strategy of high mobility to track floral resources. Conservation of this species will depend on a more detailed understanding of how flowering drives population dynamics.

Phytoliths from Middle Stone Age habitats in the Mozambican Rift (105–29 ka)

The detection of areas suitable for hominins during late Pleistocene drought intervals is currently a priority for Middle Stone Age research. Predicting the location of populations and dispersal pathways through the East African Rift System during the last glacial phase is a challenging task due to scarce direct archaeo-vegetation data. We present a Mozambican phytolith record spanning 105–29 ka and argue for the necessity and utility of using local plant microbotanical data from archaeological sites to understand the past environments in which early modern humans lived. We assess biome structure, spatial variability, and compare phytolith-based to lacustrine environmental reconstructions to conclude that dense wooded landscapes dominated the area over much of the last glacial phase. Archaeological and botanical data suggest the hypothesis of a palaeodispersal along a montane woodland archipelago that could have attracted hominin settlement and facilitated dispersals through an inland bridge that connected southern, central and East Africa, and the two branches of the East African Rift System.

The importance of native and exotic plant identity and dominance on decomposition patterns in mountain woodlands of central Argentina

Exotic species can have a strong influence on ecosystem processes, especially when exotic invaders differ from natives in key morpho-functional features. We explored whether exotic species, especially those forming monospecific patches in Chaco montane woodlands, differ from natives in leaf attributes and decomposability. We then evaluated how exotic monospecific patches in that region alter litter decomposability, by weighting leaf trait values and decomposability by species abundance in the communities. In general, native and exotic species from Córdoba Chaco montane woodlands did not differ in leaf attributes (specific leaf area, leaf toughness, and leaf water content), or decomposability. Because of similar trait values and decomposability, we expected to find no differences in litter decomposability between plots dominated by exotic species and those of Native woodland. However, individual species decomposability weighted by species abundance in the communities showed that litter from exotic monospecific plots had slower decomposition than native ones. This pattern was confirmed by the higher decomposability and higher quality of the naturally mixed litter collected from native plots, compared to those collected from exotic plots. Despite the general similarities between most native and exotic species inhabiting Chaco montane woodlands, the overwhelming dominance of some exotic invaders in monospecific stands (and the consequent weight of their attributes on the litter each woodland produces) might be driving differences in decomposition patterns between woodland types. Our results indicate that when estimating the impact of exotic species on ecosystem processes, we should include their relative abundance in the community, as well as the relevance of the traits influencing those processes. Otherwise, we may draw erroneous conclusions.

Butterfly community ecology: the influences of habitat type, weather patterns, and dominant species in a temperate ecosystem

AbstractWe compared variation in butterfly communities across 3 years at six different habitats in a temperate ecosystem near Boulder, Colorado, USA. These habitats were classified by the local Open Space consortium as Grasslands, Tallgrass, Foothills Grasslands, Foothills Riparian, Plains Riparian, and Montane Woodland. Rainfall and temperature varied considerably during these years. We surveyed butterflies using the Pollard‐Yates method of invertebrate sampling and compared abundance, species richness, and diversity across habitats and years. Communities were most influenced by habitat, with all three quantitative measures varying significantly across habitats but only two measures showing variation across years. Among habitats, butterfly abundance was higher in Plains Riparian sites than in Montane Woodland or Grassland sites, though diversity was lowest in Plains Riparian areas. Butterfly species richness was higher in Foothills Riparian sites than it was in all but one other habitat (Tallgrass). Among years, butterfly abundance and species richness were lower during the year of least rainfall and highest temperatures, suggesting a substantial impact of the hot, dry conditions. Across habitats and years, butterfly abundance was consistently high at Plains Riparian and Foothills Riparian sites, and richness and diversity were consistently high in Foothills Riparian areas. These two habitats may be highly suitable for butterflies in this ecosystem, regardless of weather conditions. Generally low abundance and species richness in Montane Woodlands sites, particularly in 2002, suggested low suitability of the habitat to butterflies in this ecosystem, and this may be especially important during drought‐like conditions. Finally, to examine the effect that the presence of the very abundant non‐native species Pieris rapae L. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) has on these communities, we re‐analyzed the data in the absence of this species. Excluding P. rapae dramatically reduced variation of both butterfly abundance and diversity across habitats, highlighting the importance of considering community membership in analyses like ours.

Influence of forest land tenure regimes on forest condition in Uluguru mountains, Tanzania

The paper scrutinizes the current wave of forest land tenure reforms since the inception of the new forest policy in 1998. It explores which type of forestland tenure regime had more positive influence on forest condition in the Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania. The assessment was done with reference to vegetation types of montane and miombo woodlands. The study showed that for the montane vegetation, state regime (Uluguru Nature Reserve) had higher stocking (volume 1,233m3/ha; basal area 78m2/ha; density 777 stems/ha) and tree species diversity (H’ 3.48) compared to communal regime (Chief Kingalu Sacred Forest) which had low stocking(volume 798m3/ha; basal area 49m2/ha; density 1,020 stems/ha) and tree species diversity (H’ 3.21). For the miombo vegetation, corporate/private regime (Tangeni Roman Catholic Church Forest Reserve) had higher stocking (volume 122m3/ha; basal area 27m2/ha and density 2,573 stems/ha) and tree species diversity (H’ 2.60) compared to communal regime (Misumba Village Land Forest Reserve) which had low stocking (volume 23m3/ha; basal area 10.8m2/ha and density 4,200 stems/ha) and tree species diversity (H’ 3.53). The study concludes that state regime represented by Uluguru Nature Reserve showed improved forest condition compared to communal tenure regime (Chief Kingalu Sacred Forest) for the montane vegetation type while private regime (Tangeni Roman Catholic Church Forest Reserve) was more effective in conservation than communal regime (Misumba Village Land Forest Reserve). The study recommends that sustainable management of forests could not be addressed by tenure reforms in the forestry sector alone, but requires 'cross-sectoral', 'inter-disciplinary' and 'participatory' approach along with secure tenure. Moreover, it is essential that an in-depth forest inventory is conducted at predetermined intervals to quantify stocking of tree, shrub species and forest disturbances to understand the level of resource extraction for each tenure regime. Key words : Tenure regimes, reforms, forest condition, Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania.

Bird community composition across an Andean tree‐line ecotone

AbstractFew studies have found strong evidence to suggest that ecotones promote species richness and diversity. In this study we examine the responses of a high‐Andean bird community to changes in vegetation and topographical characteristics across an Andean tree‐line ecotone and adjacent cloud forest and puna grassland vegetation in southern Peru. Over a 6‐month period, birds and vegetation were surveyed using a 100 m fixed‐width Distance Sampling point count method. Vegetation analyses revealed that the tree‐line ecotone represented a distinctive high‐Andean vegetation community that was easily differentiated from the adjacent cloud forest and puna grassland based on changes in tree‐size characteristics and vegetation cover. Bird community composition was strongly seasonal and influenced by a pool of bird species from a wider elevational gradient. There were also clear differences in bird community measures between tree‐line vegetation, cloud forest and puna grassland with species turnover (β‐diversity) most pronounced at the tree‐line. Canonical Correspondence Analysis revealed that the majority of the 81 bird species were associated with tree‐line vegetation. Categorizing patterns of relative abundance of the 42 most common species revealed that the tree‐line ecotone was composed primarily of cloud forest specialists and habitat generalists, with very few species from the puna grassland. Only two species, Thlypopsis ruficeps and Anairetes parulus, both widespread Andean species more typical of montane woodland vegetation edges, were categorized as ecotone specialists. However, our findings were influenced by significant differences in species detectability between all three vegetation communities. Our study highlights the importance of examining ecotones at an appropriate spatial and temporal scale. Selecting a suitable distance between sampling points based on the detection probabilities of the target bird species is essential to obtain an unbiased picture of how ecotones influence avian richness and diversity.

Interpreting Resource Gradients and Patches for the Conservation of Woody Plant Diversity at Mt. Kasigau, Kenya

Normal 0 Biodiversity conservation at Mt. Kasigau, Kenya in the Eastern Arc Mountains relies on understanding how plants are distributed on the mountain and integrated into local livelihoods. We focus on woody plants, and ask: (1) how does resource richness change with altitude; and, (2) can resource patches be identified that prioritize plant conservation within vegetation zones? The study measured the composition, structure, and use of woody plants in 55 nested plots stratified across bushland, montane woodland, and evergreen forest. Plant uses average highest in bushland below human settlements, show greatest variation in montane woodland, and are significantly lower in evergreen forest. Resource diversity correlates with species richness along the altitudinal gradient (r= 0.89), especially for food (0.64) and construction (0.59), but also shows distinct resource patches at locations in montane woodland. Species richness patterns at Mt. Kasigau confirm a high diversity of plant communities that can be used to collaboratively guide conservation planning