National Natural Monument Research Articles

Spatial variation analysis of soil properties using spatial statistics: a case study in the region of Sabalan mountain, Iran

Detailed soil information and soil maps are essential for the monitoring, management, conservation and restoration of natural ecosystems, rangelands and protected areas. Semi-automated mapping methods have advantages over conventional ones, and the selection of the best interpolation method and accurately predicted soil property maps are important for effective management and conservation strategies. Spatial soil information is important also for managing natural resources, predicting soil properties, improving sampling designs in future agro-ecological studies, and for assessing protected areas. We investigated the suitability of different interpolation methods for spatial variability predictions and for studying various soil properties within a rangeland ecosystem and the Sabalan National Natural Monument protected area, in northwestern Iran. Soil samples were collected randomly from a depth of 0–30 cm, and various properties were measured in the laboratory. Normality of data was examined and spatial statistics was applied to determine spatial variation of the properties. Interpolation methods of inverse distance weighting, Kriging and Cokriging were applied and compared for suitability. Results were evaluated using crossvalidation. The results of applying spatial statistics demonstrated that soil properties had spatial dependence; Cokriging emerged as the most accurate technique overall.

Epidemiologic survey of feline leukemia virus in domestic cats on Tsushima Island, Japan: management strategy for Tsushima leopard cats.

The Tsushima leopard cat (TLC) Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus, a subspecies of P. bengalensis, is designated a National Natural Monument of Japan, and lives only on Tsushima Island, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. TLCs are threatened by various infectious diseases. Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) causes a serious infectious disease with a poor prognosis in cats. Therefore, the transmission of FeLV from Tsushima domestic cats (TDCs) to TLCs may threaten the TLC population. We investigated the FeLV infection status of both TDCs and TLCs on Tsushima Island by screening blood samples for FeLV p27 antigen and using PCR to amplify the full-length FeLV env gene. The prevalence of FeLV was 6.4% in TDCs and 0% in TLCs. We also demonstrated that the virus can replicate in the cells of TLCs, suggesting its potential cross-species transmission. The viruses in TDCs were classified as genotype I/clade 3, which is prevalent on a nearby island, based on previous studies of FeLV genotypes and FeLV epidemiology. The FeLV viruses identified on Tsushima Island can be further divided into 2 lineages within genotype I/clade 3, which are geographically separated in Kamijima and Shimojima, indicating that FeLV may have been transmitted to Tsushima Island at least twice. Monitoring FeLV infection in the TDC and TLC populations is highly recommended as part of the TLC surveillance and management strategy.

Spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) from Forest Ecosystems of Třesín National Nature Monument (Litovelské Pomoraví, Czech Republic) with Suggestions to Conservation Management of the Locality

This paper presents faunistic records of spiders in the forest ecosystems of the Třesín National Nature Monument. Spiders were surveyed from 29 April 2013 to 25 October 2013. A total of 1012 individual spiders were collected from eight sites by pitfall traps, individual collection, sweeping grasses and herb vegetation, beating shrubs and trees, and shifting leaf litters. Spiders were identified as 146 species from 94 genera and 27 families. The families Linyphiidae, Lycosidae, Gnaphosidae, and Thomisidae exhibited high species diversity. Three species listed on the Red List of Threatened Species in the Czech Republic were recorded: Dysdera moravica (Řezáč, Gasparo, Král & Heneberg, 2014), Megalepthyphantes pseudocollinus (Saaristo, 1997), and Nusoncus nasutus (Schenkel, 1925). The finding of N. nasutus is among the first reports of this spider in the Moravia region. Several findings represent the northernmost occurrences of rare thermophilous spiders in Moravia and even the Czech Republic. The great richness of araneofauna and the occurrence of rare and poorly known spider species confirm the high biotic value of Třesín within the agriculturally intensified landscape of Moravia.

Zooplankton a zoobentos NPP Pastvisko

In the year 2002 the seasonal dynamic of zooplankton and zoobenthos in six localities of the national natural monument Pastvisko was observed. The localities belong to the lower Podyjí region, wetlands of international importance. This area was included to Ramsar convention in 1993. Pastvisko is a significant ornithological locality. Besides of birds are represented here also rare water plants as arrowhead (Sagittaria sagittifolia), bladderwort (Utricularia australis), water meal (Wolffia arrhiza), rare water invertebrates for example leech (Hirudo medicinalis), dragonfly (Epitheca bimaculata), water beetle (Hydrophilus piceus). The aim of the study was to evaluace the species composition of zooplankton and zoobenthos and a seasonal dynamic of these animal communities. Zooplankton samples were collected by water net (mesh 45 μm), zoobenthos samples were collected by sieve (mesh 0.5 mm).

Ecological Land Capability Evaluation of Dehloran County in Order to Ecotourism Development

Dehloran is located on the southeastern Ilam Province. It has a great potential for tourism development due to natural, cultural and historical attractions including national natural monuments as well as three rare phenomena of hot springs, bat cave and bitumen springs. In the current study, TOPSIS and AHP methods were applied to conduct the land capability evaluation study. A total number of 16 criteria and 10 constraints were initially determined and then; each map-layer was standardized using fuzzy and Boolean logics. In order to zoning the study area in terms of ecotourism suitability degrees, the raster layers derived from each environment were overlaid. Based on the obtained suitability degrees, the study area was categorized into three classes and final land capability evaluation map of Dehloran County was prepared. The results obtained from AHP Method indicated that Markazi District has the highest number of polygons with high suitability. The districts of Zarrinabad and Mousian are rated in the next priorities, respectively. According TOPSIS Technique, Markazi with a score of 0.910, Zarinabad with a score of 0.241 and Mousian with a score of 0.037 allocated themselves the first to third ranks, respectively. This shows that the results of the two methods are consistent with each other.

Bryofloristic survey of rich fens of the National Nature Monument Jestřebské slatiny (Doksy region, North Bohemia)

Abstract We present results of the bryofloristic survey of fens and degraded fens of the National Nature Monument ‘Jestřebské slatiny’ - ‘Shnilé louky’, ‘Baronský rybník’ and meadow ‘Pod Konvalinkovým vrchem’. Seventeen species of liverworts and 70 mosses were recorded in course of several visits by the authors, of which four liverworts and three mosses are classified as threatened in the Czech Republic. The most significant record was the re-discovery of a putatively vanished moss of rich fens, Campyliadelphus elodes, at the locality ‘Pod Konvalinkovým vrchem’. Given the regional importance of the record, we performed the revision of herbarium specimens from our country and present the typification of Chrysohypnum elodes var. salinum Podp., described from South Moravia.

Araneofauna of the Křéby National Nature Monument (Eastern Moravia, Czech Republic) with some notes to conservation management of the locality

This paper makes a faunistic contribution to knowledge of spider composition in the xerothermic habitats of the Křéby National Nature Monument which is located in Kroměříž district, eastern Moravia. Spiders were collected by four different methods during 25 April–28 October 2013: pitfall traps, sweeping of herb vegetation, individual collecting and beating the branches of shrubs and trees. In total, 1070 individuals (865 adult spiders) were collected and identified as 114 species of 19 families. The species diversity in the Křéby area is rather high, representing approximately 13% of Czech araneofauna. Of the identified species, five are listed in the Red List of Threatened Species in the Czech Republic. These included critically endangered Dysdera hungarica Kulczynski 1897, endangered Alopecosa solitaria (Herman, 1879), Cheiracanthium montanum (C. L. Koch, 1877) and vulnerable Lathys stigmatisata (Menge, 1869) and Haplodrassus dalmatensis (L. Koch, 1866). The findings of Alopecosa solitaria and Dysdera hungarica belong to the northernmost occurrence of these rare species in the Czech Republic. In general, the great richness of spider fauna and the occurrence of rare and threatened species for Czech region confirm the high biotic value of the investigated area. In addition, the author discussed management methods of the locality and suggest management conservation system for slowing down the succession rate on overgrown places.

천연기념물 식물유전자원의 보존방안 고찰 - 나고야의정서 발효 대비 중심으로 -

Natural Monument is a designated cultural property as part of the country. According to Article 2 of the Cultural Properties Protection Act, a national, ethnic and global heritage artificially or naturally formed, with a great historical, artistic, scientific and landscape significance is defined as a cultural heritage. Animals, plants, topography, geology, minerals, caves, biological products and special natural phenomena, having a great of historic, scenic and scientific value, are defined as the monument. According to Article 3 of Cultural Properties Protection Act, the conservation, management and utilization of National Heritage should be kept intact in its original form. So, Natural monuments are managing as retained its original form under the Basic Principles of current law. The highest population of coniferous tree in natural monument plant is ginkgo tree including 22 objects, followed by pines, junipers that order. And in case of broadleaf tree, there are zelkova trees, retusa fringe trees, pagoda trees, cork oaks, silver magnolias and etc. There are many of reported efficacy in available natural monument plants. The efficacy of plant species on pharmaceutical like anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, antioxidant activity, neuroprotective, improves cholesterol, anti-inflammatory, liver protection and anti-bacterial efficacy, on cosmetics and beauty like the inhibiting formation of skin wrinkles, whitening effect, variety of materials and the efficacy of the proposed utilization of its various papers and etc have been widely reported. Before the Nagoya Protocol enters into force, the future role of the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties Administration of Cultural Heritage should be obtain a legal right to manage the social, cultural and national natural monument with emotional value to the plant genetic resource as a natural monument efficient ways to study and preserve traditional knowledge biological resources by securing a claim to the sovereignty of the material will be ready.

The application of non-destructive methods to assess the stability of the national nature monument of the Pravčická Brána Rock Arch, Czech Republic

The study contains the results of non-destructive research of the Pravčicka Brana Rock Arch which focuses on the structure and natural dynamics of this rock formation and its current level of stability. The main results include a description of the block fabric of the rock body and the nature of the contact zone between the arch beam and the southern pillar, discovery of relatively fresh secondary fissures and identification of zones with weakened strength within the sandstone massif. Also the local hydrodynamic regime was determined by a combination of geophysical methods. Long-term monitoring has demonstrated slow and irreversible body movements and reversible quasicyclical movements associated with changes in temperature on a scale of days up to years. The collected information was used to develop a structural deformation model of the arch body, including a description of the nature of the disintegration. The work was designed to fully respect the protective conditions of the site, to facilitate future follow-up activities and to monitor any possible negative changes in the rock massif.

Měkkýši národní přírodní památky Kopičácký rybník (střední Čechy) [Molluscs of the Kopičácký rybník National Nature Monument (Central Bohemia)

The habitat diversity of the Kopičácký rybník National Nature Monument (Central Bohemia, Czech Republic) contains a pond with littoral vegetation and nearby fens, and surrounding Molinia meadows. The first malacological records originate from a short visit in 2004 when an abundant population of Vertigo angustior was found there. A detailed research during 2005–2012 resulted in the discovery of Anisus vorticulus, a critically endangered freshwater snail species. This local small population is even more worthy of a specific protection management as the site seems to be one of the last refugees of this species in the Czech Elbe Basin.

Spiders (Araneae) of Zbrašovské aragonitové jeskyně National Nature Monument (Moravia, Czech Republic)

Spiders of non-cave part of Zbrašovské aragonitové jeskyně National Nature Monument were investigated during the year 2011. Several capture methods were used from April to October. Altogether, 71 species from 20 families were recorded and 46 more species were allready found in previous studies. Until 2012, there are 89 species known from this NNM in total. Several remarkable species were found: Ceratinella major, Megalepthyphantes nebulosus, Porrhomma convexum. Most of spider species from the locality belong to climax (C) and semi-natural (SN) habitat species.

An invasive pest Brontispa longissima (Gestro) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) attacks an endemic palm in the Yaeyama Islands, Japan

The coconut hispine beetle Brontispa longissima (Gestro) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is considered native to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, and it has been established and causing serious leaf damages on Cocos nucifera (L.) in Asia, Australia and the Pacific Islands. Although this insect was found on only C. nucifera in the Yaeyama Islands, Japan in the 1980s, it was unknown whether it had established in the islands and whether it attacked the endemic palm Satakentia liukiuensis (Hatusima) H. E. Moore. We conducted field surveys in the Yaeyama Islands in 2007 to 2009 to determine whether B. longissima causes serious damages on S. liukiuensis in the islands. Although B. longissima infested leaves of the young trees in most nurseries or roadsides on Ishigaki, Iriomote and Kohama islands, no serious damage was observed on wild mature trees of the S. liukiuensis communities, which are protected as national natural monuments. All the developmental stages of B. longissima were found in November 2008 and May 2009. The present study first shows that B. longissima is common and attacks the endemic palm S. liukiuensis as a main host in the Yaeyama Islands where C. nucifera is very rare.

National Natural Monument, Forest around Omote-Sando Route of Mt. Horaiji(National Bryophyte Heritage Sites in Japan (NBHS))

National Natural Monument, Forest around Omote-Sando Route of Mt. Horaiji(National Bryophyte Heritage Sites in Japan (NBHS))

Geomorphosite assessment and management in protected areas of Greece Case study of the Lesvos island – coastal geomorphosites

Abstract. This paper presents a methodology for assessment of geomorphosites located in protected areas. The methodological process involves definition of «geomorphological value» of all sites using six criteria: 1) «scientific» and «educational value»; 2) geodiversity, 3) «ecological» and «aesthetic value»; 4) «cultural value»; 5) potential threats and protection needs; and 6) potential for use. The assessment method was implemented in Greece on various geomorphosites at different scales: landscape scale (national parks and monuments) and landform scale (Lesvos Island Geopark). For this purpose, eight representative national parks and natural monuments were classified and assessed using the proposed methodology at a large scale. The same methodology was also used to evaluate 15 distinet geomorphosites found in the coastal zone of the Lesvos Petrified Forest Geopark. Here, geomorphosites of different sizes and categories were selected, classified and assessed. In order to protect the identified geomorphosites and ensure their proper management, the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest, which is the management structure of the Lesvos Geopark, proposed the development of the Western Lesvos Marine Park. This park is to include the existing coastal visiting parks and a series of geomorphosites and marine fossil Sites.

An extant disjunct stand ofPterocarya fraxinifolia (Juglandaceae)in the central Zagros Mountains, W Iran1

Abstract Akhani, H. & Salimian, M.: An extant disjunct stand of Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Juglandaceae) in the central Zagros Mountains, W Iran. m Willdenowia 33: 113–120. 2003. — ISSN 0511-9618; © 2003 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem. A stand of Pterocarya fraxinifolia, hitherto unknown to science, is reported from the central Zagros mountains in the Irano-Turanian part of Iran, at an altitude of 1730 m, far disjunct from the populations at the Caspian Sea and in the Van area in SE Turkey. It has long been protected by the local people, who believe that cutting these trees is inauspicious. Structure, size and phytogeographical importance of the stand is discussed and its protection, along with nearby gigantic Platanus orientalis, as a national natural monument suggested.

The Shishigahana Moor in Mt. Chokai designated as a national natural monument because of occurring interesting bryophytes

The Shishigahana Moor in Mt. Chokai designated as a national natural monument because of occurring interesting bryophytes

Concept and its Changes on National Natural Monuments of Plants

天然記念物制度の指定方針とその変遷を明らかにするため, 植物に関連する国指定天然記念物の指定の実態を分析し, その時間的変遷を以下のように整理した。戦前は, 自然破壊の阻止, 学術資料の保存, 郷土や国家への愛情の向上という3つの意図を持ち, 偏りがあるとはいえ指定対象は多岐にわたっていた。第二次世界大戦での敗戦によるナショナリズム的側面の後退と高度経済成長がもたらした深刻な自然破壊によって, 学術優位が定着すると共に、珍奇なものから代表的一般的なものへと保護すべき対象も変化した。近年, 面的な保護を中心とした指定が進められている。しかし, 他の自然保護施策との関連から, より柔軟な制度改革が必要であろう。

Vegetation and land use changes of Shizukari mire, the former national natural monument of southwest Hokkaido.

Vegetation and land use changes of Shizukari mire, the former national natural monument of southwest Hokkaido.

Economics of protected areas: a new look at benefits and costs

true economic value of protected areas, including national parks (such as the Lake District), scientific reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and natural monuments and landmarks, is often difficult to measure. They may be the repositories of unique or very valuable natural assets, yet the short-term gains from exploiting their natural resources can often appear more attractive than the long-term benefits of husbandry and conservation. This book helps governmental and non-governmental agencies assess the costs and benefits associated with maintaining protected areas. More important still, it provides a method for assigning monetary values to natural features. Part one explains the available economic techniques and how to apply them. Part two applies these general principles to specific case studies in Thailand and other developing nations in Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa. authors provide a comprehensive overview of what is a rapidly changing field affecting the planning and administration of protected areas. authors are contributors to Analysis of the Environmental Impacts of Development Projects, The Economics of Management and editors of Dryland Management: Economic Case Studies.

Ariaciones espacio-temporales de la flora diatomológica en Laguna de Los Pozuelos (Jujuy, argentina)

La Laguna de Los Pozuelos se ubica al noroeste de la provincia de Jujuy (Argentina) a 3625 msnm. Fue designada Monumento Natural Nacional y Humedal de Importancia Internacional (Convención RAMSAR). Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo analizar las variaciones espacio-temporales de la flora de diatomeas y su relación con variables fisicoquímicos y especies de la familia Phoenicopteridae. Se estudiaron muestras recolectadas en 4 campañas entre 2008-2010. Se determinaron un total de 116 taxones infragenéricos. Dieciocho especies tuvieron una frecuencia de ocurrencia superior al 50 %, 34 fueron exclusivas de la laguna, 32 del río Cincel (tributario de la laguna) y un 39 % fue observado una sola vez. La riqueza específica fue más variable en la laguna que en el río. El Análisis de Redundancia (RDA) realizado en base a las variables físico-químicas y composición diatomológica permitió diferenciar 3 grupos principales de especies, que se asociaron principalmente con la temperatura, salinidad y pH. Se registraron por primera vez 31 taxones para la laguna y 18 nuevas citas para la provincia de Jujuy.