Secondary Forest Sites Research Articles

Are Forest Roads Attractive Hunting Sites for Frogs? A Comparison of On-Road and In-Forest Prey Biomass and Composition in Amami Island

Abstract Although forest roads are known to have negative effects on wildlife, frogs often are observed sitting along small forest roads, possibly using them as hunting sites. To determine if forest roads can be attractive hunting sites for frogs, biomass and composition of potential prey on roads and in adjacent forest were compared. Sticky sheet traps were placed on the roads or 10 m inside adjacent forest overnight at 22 sites in subtropical secondary forest on Amami Island, Japan. Trapped invertebrates were categorized into 10 taxonomic groups, and their dry weights were estimated from body size using an allometric equation for each group. There was no difference in biomass or composition between on-road and in-forest trapped invertebrates. This work suggested that forest roads are not necessarily better foraging areas for frogs than adjacent forest in terms of the quantity and composition of prey.

Anuran Communities in Different Riparian Habitats: Native Forest, Secondary Forest, and Sugarcane

Abstract. This study aimed to test the influence of different riparian habitats on the structure of anuran communities in southeastern Brazil. Nine stream stretches were selected representing three different riparian habitat types: Native Forest, Secondary Forest, and Sugarcane. A total of 223 individuals of 17 species and five families were captured. The Chao1 richness index indicated that after standardizing the sampling effort the Native Forest sites had higher richness than the Secondary Forests and Sugarcane sites, which presented similar richness. The Abundance and Biomass Curves for the Native Forest sites showed an overlap of the weight and abundance curves, suggesting that these sites presented lower disturbance levels. A disturbance gradient from Native Forest towards Sugarcane sites was observed. The Bray-Curtis similarity index showed a significant effect of riparian condition on species composition. Our results suggest that Sugarcane and Secondary Forest sites limit the distribution of certai...

A Fish-Based Index of Biotic Integrity for the Assessment of Streams Located in a Sugarcane-Dominated Landscape in Southeastern Brazil.

A multimetric, fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) was developed and tested to assess the ecological status of streams with different riparian conditions in the Piracicaba River Basin. Nine streams with three categories of riparian zone preservation were selected: native forest (NF) with preserved forest, secondary forest (SF) with forest in an advanced state of regeneration and surrounded by sugarcane plantations, and sugarcane (SC) without riparian vegetation and surrounded by SC crops. A continuous scoring system was employed, and candidate metrics were tested for range, responsiveness, and redundancy, resulting in the selection of eight metrics to compose the index. The final IBI score was positively correlated with an Environmental Index both in the dry (Spearman's rho = 0.76; P = 0.01) and rainy seasons (Spearman's rho = 0.66; P = 0.04), suggesting that this IBI is a suitable tool for the assessment of the biological conditions of these streams. The highest IBI values were observed in the rainy season at the NF and SF sites, with significant differences between the NF and SC sites (Kruskal-Wallis test: P = 0.03). The results indicated some variability in the biological integrity at SF and SC sites, suggesting a relationship with the intensity of the management of this crop. Patterns were consistent with other studies that have shown the effects of agriculture on the environmental quality of streams, which indicate the importance of the riparian zone to the maintenance of ecosystem integrity and supports the use of the IBI for biological monitoring in similar regions.

Functional trait strategies of trees in dry and wet tropical forests are similar but differ in their consequences for succession.

Global plant trait studies have revealed fundamental trade-offs in plant resource economics. We evaluated such trait trade-offs during secondary succession in two species-rich tropical ecosystems that contrast in precipitation: dry deciduous and wet evergreen forests of Mexico. Species turnover with succession in dry forest largely relates to increasing water availability and in wet forest to decreasing light availability. We hypothesized that while functional trait trade-offs are similar in the two forest systems, the successful plant strategies in these communities will be different, as contrasting filters affect species turnover. Research was carried out in 15 dry secondary forest sites (5-63 years after abandonment) and in 17 wet secondary forest sites (<1-25 years after abandonment). We used 11 functional traits measured on 132 species to make species-trait PCA biplots for dry and wet forest and compare trait trade-offs. We evaluated whether multivariate plant strategies changed during succession, by calculating a ‘Community-Weighted Mean’ plant strategy, based on species scores on the first two PCA-axes. Trait spectra reflected two main trade-off axes that were similar for dry and wet forest species: acquisitive versus conservative species, and drought avoiding species versus evergreen species with large animal-dispersed seeds. These trait associations were consistent when accounting for evolutionary history. Successional changes in the most successful plant strategies reflected different functional trait spectra depending on the forest type. In dry forest the community changed from having drought avoiding strategies early in succession to increased abundance of evergreen strategies with larger seeds late in succession. In wet forest the community changed from species having mainly acquisitive strategies to those with more conservative strategies during succession. These strategy changes were explained by increasing water availability during dry forest succession and increasing light scarcity during wet forest succession. Although similar trait spectra were observed among dry and wet secondary forest species, the consequences for succession were different resulting from contrasting environmental filters.

Assessing the importance of the riparian zone for stream fish communities in a sugarcane dominated landscape (Piracicaba River Basin, Southeast Brazil)

In the Neotropics, the effect of agriculture on freshwater habitats is still poorly understood, particularly with respect to sugarcane expansion to meet increased ethanol demands. The variation in taxonomic composition, community attributes and trophic structure of fish assemblages from streams under different riparian zone preservation conditions were studied. Nine stream reaches under the following riparian vegetation conditions were selected: Native Forest (NF), with mostly primary forest; Secondary Forest (SF), which included sites with vegetation in an advanced stage of regeneration surrounded by sugarcane plantations; and Sugarcane sites (SC), located in areas without riparian vegetation, adjacent to sugarcane crops. Forty-one species were collected. The variance partitioning and partial Redundancy Analysis (pRDA) indicated that community composition and trophic structure were significantly explained by riparian condition and spatial variations, while diversity, richness, abundance and biomass were only explained by season and space, with higher diversity and richness at the SF sites. Abundance-Biomass curves (ABC curves) suggested that sugarcane plantations destabilized fish assemblages, especially at the more intensively managed sites, which seem to influence stream integrity and associated fish fauna. We concluded that both physical conditions of streams and some attributes of fish communities reflected the different levels of preservation of the riparian buffers, but given the influence of regional processes which have a pervasive role in shaping local assemblages, land use at the watershed scale seemed to be important especially to explain the higher richness and diversity found at the SF sites.

Secondary succession in a fragmented Atlantic Forest landscape: evidence of structural and diversity convergence along a chronosequence

Changes in physiognomy, species composition and structure, and dispersal mechanisms of canopy and subcanopy plant assemblages were investigated along a chronosequence of three ages: 12, 20, and 50+ years old (=old-growth), three replications in each, in an Atlantic Forest landscape in Northeastern Brazil. Our objective was to investigate whether there is floristic and structural convergence along secondary succession. There were significant differences between secondary and old-growth forests in density and basal area only for the subcanopy. Differences in density between forest ages were noted when the assemblage was analyzed per diameter and height classes. Richness of canopy species of both secondary ages differed from those of old-growth forests. Some dominant species in the canopy of secondary forests showed a significant decrease in density with increasing age, which indicates an ongoing process of floristic changes. The low level of shared species between secondary and old-growth forests supports the idea that species composition is one of the last components to recover during successional process. Zoochory was the most important dispersal guild in species percentage and number, irrespective of stand age. Although regenerating areas can take alternative pathways, our results indicate that secondary Atlantic Forest sites have a high potential for natural regeneration. This recovery is recorded as a physiognomic convergence of the canopy layer in as little as 12 years, and progressive introductions of later successional species into the plant assemblage that lead to convergence in terms of the diversity and richness of the subcanopy and of dispersal guilds just 20 years after abandonment.

Activity and abundance of methane-oxidizing bacteria in secondary forest and manioc plantations of Amazonian Dark Earth and their adjacent soils.

The oxidation of atmospheric CH4 in upland soils is mostly mediated by uncultivated groups of microorganisms that have been identified solely by molecular markers, such as the sequence of the pmoA gene encoding the β-subunit of the particulate methane monooxygenase enzyme. The objective of this work was to compare the activity and diversity of methanotrophs in Amazonian Dark Earth soil (ADE, Hortic Anthrosol) and their adjacent non-anthropic soil. Secondly, the effect of land use in the form of manioc cultivation was examined by comparing secondary forest and plantation soils. CH4 oxidation potentials were measured and the structure of the methanotroph communities assessed by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and amplicon pyrosequencing of pmoA genes. The oxidation potentials at low CH4 concentrations (10 ppm of volume) were relatively high in all the secondary forest sites of both ADE and adjacent soils. CH4 oxidation by the ADE soil only recently converted to a manioc plantation was also relatively high. In contrast, both the adjacent soils used for manioc cultivation and the ADE soil with a long history of agriculture displayed lower CH4 uptake rates. Amplicon pyrosequencing of pmoA genes indicated that USCα, Methylocystis and the tropical upland soil cluster (TUSC) were the dominant groups depending on the site. By qPCR analysis it was found that USCα pmoA genes, which are believed to belong to atmospheric CH4 oxidizers, were more abundant in ADE than adjacent soil. USCα pmoA genes were abundant in both forested and cultivated ADE soil, but were below the qPCR detection limit in manioc plantations of adjacent soil. The results indicate that ADE soils can harbor high abundances of atmospheric CH4 oxidizers and are potential CH4 sinks, but as in other upland soils this activity can be inhibited by the conversion of forest to agricultural plantations.

An Integrated Study to Analyze Soil Microbial Community Structure and Metabolic Potential in Two Forest Types

Soil microbial metabolic potential and ecosystem function have received little attention owing to difficulties in methodology. In this study, we selected natural mature forest and natural secondary forest and analyzed the soil microbial community and metabolic potential combing the high-throughput sequencing and GeoChip technologies. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA sequencing showed that one known archaeal phylum and 15 known bacterial phyla as well as unclassified phylotypes were presented in these forest soils, and Acidobacteria, Protecobacteria, and Actinobacteria were three of most abundant phyla. The detected microbial functional gene groups were related to different biogeochemical processes, including carbon degradation, carbon fixation, methane metabolism, nitrogen cycling, phosphorus utilization, sulfur cycling, etc. The Shannon index for detected functional gene probes was significantly higher (P<0.05) at natural secondary forest site. The regression analysis showed that a strong positive (P<0.05) correlation was existed between the soil microbial functional gene diversity and phylogenetic diversity. Mantel test showed that soil oxidizable organic carbon, soil total nitrogen and cellulose, glucanase, and amylase activities were significantly linked (P<0.05) to the relative abundance of corresponded functional gene groups. Variance partitioning analysis showed that a total of 81.58% of the variation in community structure was explained by soil chemical factors, soil temperature, and plant diversity. Therefore, the positive link of soil microbial structure and composition to functional activity related to ecosystem functioning was existed, and the natural secondary forest soil may occur the high microbial metabolic potential. Although the results can't directly reflect the actual microbial populations and functional activities, this study provides insight into the potential activity of the microbial community and associated feedback responses of the terrestrial ecosystem to environmental changes.

Carbon pools recover more quickly than plant biodiversity in tropical secondary forests

Although increasing efforts are being made to restore tropical forests, little information is available regarding the time scales required for carbon and plant biodiversity to recover to the values associated with undisturbed forests. To address this knowledge gap, we carried out a meta-analysis comparing data from more than 600 secondary tropical forest sites with nearby undisturbed reference forests. Above-ground biomass approached equivalence to reference values within 80 years since last disturbance, whereas below-ground biomass took longer to recover. Soil carbon content showed little relationship with time since disturbance. Tree species richness recovered after about 50 years. By contrast, epiphyte richness did not reach equivalence to undisturbed forests. The proportion of undisturbed forest trees and epiphyte species found in secondary forests was low and changed little over time. Our results indicate that carbon pools and biodiversity show different recovery rates under passive, secondary succession and that colonization by undisturbed forest plant species is slow. Initiatives such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and REDD+ should therefore encourage active management to help to achieve their aims of restoring both carbon and biodiversity in tropical forests.

Amphibians and reptiles in the swamps dominated by the palm Raphia taedigera (Arecaceae) in northeastern Costa Rica

The herpetofauna that inhabits Caribbean Costa Rica has received considerable attention in the last two decades. This assemblage includes a total of 141 species of reptiles and 95 amphibians mostly distributed in tropical wet and moist lowland forests. While most information available came from primary and secondary forest sites, little is known about the amphibians and reptiles that inhabit more open habitats, such as wetlands and swamps. For instances, swaps dominated by the yolillo palm Raphia taedigera extend through much of the northeastern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica and eastern Nicaragua, but information about the herpetological community that uses such environments remains practically unknown. This situation reflects the little research conducted in such inhospitable environments. Here, we report the results of an intensive survey conducted to assess the herpetological community that inhabit R. taedigera palm-swamps. A total of 14 species of amphibians and 17 of reptiles have been recorded from these swamps. Amphibians and reptiles that inhabit yolillo swamps have wide distributions along much of Middle America and are considered common species throughout their range. In general, yolillo swamps are poor environments for herpetofauna: richness of reptiles and amphibians is almost two times higher in the adjacent forest than in the palm dominated swamps. Furthermore, most species observed in this swamps can be considered habitat generalists that are well adapted to the extreme conditions imposed by the changes in hydroperiods, reduce understory cover, low tree diversity and simple forest architecture of these environments. Despite similarities in the herpetofauna, it is clear that not all forest species use yolillo habitat, a characteristic that is discussed in terms of physical stress driven by the prolonged hydroperiod and reduced leaflitter in the ground, as these features drive habitat structure and herpetofaunal complexity. Our list of species using yolillo swamps is not definitive, and is likely to grow as more studies are conducted in this unexplored environment.

Effects of Oil‐Palm Plantations on Diversity of Tropical Anurans

Agriculturally altered vegetation, especially oil-palm plantations, is rapidly increasing in Southeast Asia. Low species diversity is associated with this commodity, but data on anuran diversity in oil-palm plantations are lacking. We investigated how anuran biological diversity differs between forest and oil-palm plantation, and whether observed differences in biological diversity of these areas is linked to specific environmental factors. We hypothesized that biological diversity is lower in plantations and that plantations support a larger proportion of disturbance-tolerant species than forest. We compared species richness, abundance, and community composition between plantation and forest areas and between site types within plantation and forest (forest stream vs. plantation stream, forest riparian vs. plantation riparian, forest terrestrial vs. plantation terrestrial). Not all measures of biological diversity differed between oil-palm plantations and secondary forest sites. Anuran community composition, however, differed greatly between forest and plantation, and communities of anurans in plantations contained species that prosper in disturbed areas. Although plantations supported large numbers of breeding anurans, we concluded the community consisted of common species that were of little conservation concern (commonly found species include Fejervarya limnocharis, Microhyla heymonsi, and Hylarana erythrea). We believe that with a number of management interventions, oil-palm plantations can provide habitat for species that dwell in secondary forests.

Relationship between environmental variables and surface activity of scorpions in the Arid Chaco ecoregion of Argentina

AbstractMany environmental factors may influence the activity of scorpions in arid ecosystems. In this study, we examined the effects of such factors on scorpion activity at a mature and a secondary forest site in the Chancaní Reserve (Arid Chaco ecoregion in Córdoba, Argentina). Scorpions were collected using pitfall traps, and their nocturnal activity was observed by means of UV light during 14 nights. Temperature, air humidity, atmospheric pressure, and wind velocity were measured, and the percentage of visible moon was estimated. A total of 440 scorpions, representing seven species belonging to two families (Bothriuridae and Buthidae), were observed in the study area. Brachistosternus ferrugineus was the species most commonly observed using both methods. Mature and secondary forest shared slightly more than 50% of species. Surface activity of scorpions observed with the two methods differed significantly between the two areas. Surface activity of all scorpions and of B. ferrugineus were negatively related to the phase of the moon and positively related to air temperature. Physical factors thus have important effects on scorpion activity.

Efecto de la perturbación en la comunidad de herbáceas nativas y ruderales de una selva estacional Mexicana

La perturbación de la selva estacional debido a la ganadería extensiva y la extracción de madera altera la comunidad de hierbas. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la riqueza, biomasa, composición y uso tradicional de las herbáceas nativas y ruderales en 120 cuadrantes de 0.25 m2 distribuidos aleatoriamente en diez sitios de 50 × 50 m: cuatro sitios con selva secundaria excluida de la perturbación por 32 meses, tres sitios con selva secundaria bajo perturbación crónica desde hace &gt; 30 años y tres sitios con selva conservada en la Sierra de Huautla, estado de Morelos, México. La perturbación de la selva estacional ha provocado un cambio en la composición y un aumento en la riqueza de hierbas. La disminución en la densidad de árboles, directamente por extracción o indirectamente por el pastoreo, tuvo un efecto mayor en la riqueza de hierbas al favorecer el establecimiento de ruderales. Sin embargo, dado que se sospecha que el ganado dispersa a las ruderales, probablemente en áreas sin ganado habrá una menor densidad de ruderales aún en un escenario de perturbación por extracción selectiva. Más herbáceas nativas que ruderales tienen algún uso tradicional y el 50% sólo se encontraron en los hábitats secundarios, de donde no han sido desplazadas, aún después de décadas de actividades humanas. La creación de mosaicos de selva conservada, hábitats excluidos y otros bajo uso agropecuario permitirá el mantenimiento de la comunidad de hierbas en coexistencia con las actividades económicas de la región.

Fine-root production in two secondary forest sites with distinct ages in Eastern Amazon

The objective of this work was to assess the fine-root (≤ 2 mm diameter) production dynamics of two forest regrowths at different ages. Fine-root production was monitored by the ingrowth core method in one 18-year-old site (2 ha) and one 10-year-old site (0.5 ha), both localized in the Apeú region, Northern Pará State, Brazil. The sites were abandoned after successive shifting cultivation, beginning in 1940. Monthly production of live fine-root was similar between sites and was influenced by rainfall seasonality, with higher production during the dry season than the wet season for mass and length. However, mortality in terms of mass was higher in the 10-year-old site than in the 18-year-old site. The seasonality influenced mortality only in the 18-year old site following the pattern observed for live fine-root. The influence seasonal on mortality in terms of length was different between sites, with higher mortality during the wet season in the 10-year-old site and higher mortality during the dry season in the 18-year-old site. Specific root length was higher during the wet season and at the 10-year-old site. Fine-root production was not influenced by the chronosequence of the sites studied, probably fine-root production may have already stabilized in the sites or it depended more on climate and soil conditions. The production of fine-roots mass and length were indicators that generally showed the same pattern.

Calling Activity of the Common Tink Frog (Diasporus Diastema) (Eleutherodactylidae) in Secondary Forests of the Caribbean of Costa Rica

Calling activity in terrestrial frogs can be used as a measure of habitat suitability for reproduction. We evaluated the calling activity of the common tink frog Diasporus diastema (Eleutherodactylidae) in 12 secondary forest sites that vary in age of recovery, and three old growth sites in the Caribbean of Costa Rica. We used visual and acoustic surveys along transects, and we identified only 26 individuals in a total of 12 hours of censuses for each site. We also used automated species identification from recordings, and we detected D. diastema in 10,605 of 49,273 recordings. The peak of the daily calling activity occurred from 2100h to 0100h, and the peak of monthly activity occurred in May. Calling activity did not vary among the different forest sites, suggesting that secondary forests can provide suitable habitat for D. diastema reproduction.

啮齿动物捕食压力下生境类型和覆盖处理对辽东栎种子命运的影响

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 啮齿动物捕食压力下生境类型和覆盖处理对辽东栎种子命运的影响 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201103270388 作者: 作者单位: 北方民族大学,北方民族大学 生物科学与工程学院,北方民族大学 生物科学与工程学院 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家自然科学基金资助项目 (30960087) Effects of different habitats and coverage treatments on the fates of Quercus wutaishanica seeds under the predation pressure of rodents Author: Affiliation: Beifang University for Nationalities,, Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:在六盘山区的辽东栎灌丛和辽东栎次生林地 (以下分别称"灌丛样地"和"次生林样地"),研究了群落生境和清除凋落物、凋落物覆盖及土壤覆盖等处理对啮齿动物取食和搬运/贮藏辽东栎种子的影响。结果表明:(1) 凋落物和土壤覆盖处理在种子释放的前期阶段有利于种子留存,但释放40 d后,种子在释放点的最终留存率在灌丛样地显著高于次生林样地 (Z=-2.333, P=0.020)。灌丛样地的自然状态的种子最终留存率显著高于凋落物覆盖处理 (Z=-0.674,P=0.05),但其它处理间无显著差异;次生林样地的凋落物覆盖和清除凋落物处理种子的最终留存率为0%,自然状态和土壤覆盖处理均不足1%,各处理间无显著差异。(2) 种子被啮齿动物的就地取食率在不同群落生境间差异显著 (Z=-2.333,P = 0.020);在灌丛样地,凋落物覆盖处理种子被啮齿动物就地取食率最高 (45.56%),而次生林样地的土壤覆盖处理最高 (64.81%),种子被啮齿动物就地取食率在灌丛样地和次生林样地均为清除凋落物处理最低 (分别为23.70%和40.00%);生境类型和覆盖处理对种子搬运后的取食率均无显著影响。(3) 次生林样地种子被啮齿动物搬运后的埋藏率显著高于灌丛样地 (Z=-2.88,P = 0.004);在灌丛样地,土壤覆盖处理种子搬运后的埋藏率最高仅5.56%,而在次生林样地,清除凋落物处理最高达9.26%。(4) 种子被啮齿动物搬运后取食的平均距离在灌丛样地和次生林样地分别为3.01 m和2.13 m,差异显著 (Z=-2.080,P = 0.038),而种子搬运后埋藏的平均距离前者小于后者 (分别为1.35 m和2.10 m),两者间差异不显著。 Abstract:Quercus wutaishanica is one of the dominant tree species in warm temperate deciduous forest of China. The predation and removal / burial of the seeds by rodents play an important role in the creation of seed shadow of the tree species. The present study examined the effects of community habitats and the treatments of litterfall removal, litterfall coverage and soil coverage on the predation and removal / burial of Q. wutaishanica seeds by rodents in both degraded Q. wutaishanica shrubs and secondary Q. wutaishanica forest ("shrubs site" and "secondary forest site" hereinafter) of Liupan Mountains, northern China. The results showed that the treatments of litterfall and soil coverage facilitated the seed survival in the early of release, while the finial survival rate of seeds in shrub site was significantly higher than that of secondary forest site after 40 days since release (Z=-2.333, P=0.020). The final survival rate of seeds in control plot was significantly higher than that of those covered by litterfall in shrub site (Z=-0.674,P=0.05), but no significant difference was observed between other treatments. In the secondary forest site, however, the seeds could neither finally survive under the coverage of litterfall, nor did the seeds under the treatment of litterfall removal. The survival rates of seeds in both control plot and with soil coverage were lower than 1%. There was no significant difference between the treatments. We observed a significant difference between the two community habitats in in situ predation rate (ISPR) of Q. wutaishanica seeds by rodents (Z=-2.333,P = 0.020). The highest ISPRs were achieved under litterfall coverage in shrubs site and soil coverage in secondary forest site (45.56% and 64.81% respectively). The treatment of litterfall removal resulted in the lowest ISPR (23.70% in shrubs site and 40.00% in secondary forest site respectively). Both habitat types and coverage treatments did not significantly affect the eaten rate of seeds after rodent-removal. The burial rate of seeds after rodent-removal (BRAR) was significantly higher in the secondary forest site than in shrubs site (Z=-2.88,P = 0.004). For example, the highest BRAR for the seeds covered by soil in shrubs site was only 5.56%. In secondary forest site, however, the highest BRAR under the treatment of litterfall removal reached 9.26%. The average distance of seeds eaten after rodent-removal in shrubs site (3.01 m) was significantly higher than that in secondary forest site (2.13 m) (Z=-2.080,P = 0.038), while the average distance of seeds buried after rodent-removal in shrubs site was shorter than in secondary forest site, although no significant difference was examined between them. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

The bats (Mammalia:Chiroptera) of the lower Waria Valley, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea: a survey and comparison across habitat types using mist nets

From June 2007 to February 2009 the Waria Valley Community Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods Project completed a mist net survey of bats in the lower Waria Valley, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea. The Waria Valley is located on the north coast of the Morobe Province ~190 km south-east of Lae, and still has large tracts of intact lowland hill and plain rainforest. Four broad habitats (agricultural, secondary forest edge, primary forest edge and primary forest) were surveyed using mist nets. A total of 596 individuals representing 11 species were caught, measured and identified over 8824 net-m h–1 across 99 nights. Within the limitations of this method, primary forest edge sites in general showed the highest degree of species richness and diversity and along with secondary forest edge sites were more even in species composition. Primary forest and agricultural sites were each dominated by a single species, Syconycteris australis and Macroglossus minimus respectively. Most captures were megachiropterans and microchiropterans were underrepresented, presumably in part because of the survey method employed.

A Chiroptera preliminary survey in the middle Madeira River region of Central Amazonia, Brazil

Western Brazilian Amazonia is considered to be more bat species-rich than areas in other parts of the biome. However, the middle Madeira River region has been pointed out as a lacuna for mammal inventories, and information on its bat diversity is still scarce. I present here a bat fauna survey of the middle Madeira River region and its main tributary, the Aripuanã River. Using mist nets [4626 meter net.hours (m.h)], I surveyed ten riverine village sites, four primary forest sites and one secondary forest site distributed along the margins of both rivers. In 22 nights during the dry and rainy seasons, 356 bats of 30 species and five families were recorded. The bat species-richness was similar along both rivers, with 24 species in the Madeira sites and 23 in the Aripuanã. Vampyriscus bidens and Mesophylla macconnelli were the most captured bats in the village sites along the Aripuanã River, whereas all captures of Artibeus planirostris occurred along Madeira River villages. A new record for Vampyressa thyone in the Amazonas state is reported, approximately 500 km southeast of the nearest record.

Flower visitors of Aechmea nudicaulis (Bromeliaceae): species richness, visitation frequency, and interactions in different habitats of southern Brazil

The present study aimed to record all flower visitors of Aechmea nudicaulis (Bromeliaceae) and their foraging behavior as well as their role in animal–plant and animal–animal relationships, and to assess temporal pattern of visitation on flowers. In order to estimate the influence of habitat on species richness and abundance, we compared the diversity and visitation frequency of flower visitors to Ae. nudicaulis in three different habitat types – secondary forest, low and high vegetation restinga – in Paraná and Santa Catarina. We recorded 40 taxa of flower visitors. The secondary forest sites showed highest, the restinga habitats lowest species richness and visitation frequency. Main visitor groups were birds, bees and butterflies. The species spectrum differed considerably among habitats and similarity was lowest between the two secondary forests in Paraná and Santa Catarina. We recorded mainly hummingbirds (54.6% of all visits) as flower visitors in Paraná, whereas flowers in Santa Catarina were dominated by bees (44.5–59.7% of all visits). The temporal pattern of visits was similar at all sites; visits occurred mainly in the morning hours. However, there was no significant correlation between number of visits and hour of day. In contrast to the expectation that Ae. nudicaulis flowers, due to their morphology, attract mainly hummingbirds, they were visited by a much wider spectrum of animal species, mainly insects and arachnids, varying according to habitat. Our findings answer the question of what attracts animals to the inflorescences and elucidate the nature of some of the manifold interactions between Ae. nudicaulis and its associated flower visitors.

Net precipitation and soil water dynamics in clearings, old secondary and old‐growth forests in the montane rain forest belt of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

AbstractThe montane rain forest belt on Mt Kilimanjaro forms an important water source for northern Tanzania that is threatened by both logging and fire. The aim of this study was to investigate the consequences of forest fragmentation on various aspects of the water cycle. Soil properties, rainfall, throughfall and soil water suction were analysed for mature forest, secondary forest patches and large clearings. A total of 10 plots located on the south‐western slopes of the mountain between 2100 and 2300 m.a.s.l. were monitored from May 2000 to June 2002. Annual rainfall amounts ranged from 2000 to 2600 mm with high spatial and inter‐annual variability. Rainfall interception ranged from 3 to 9% of incident rainfall in clearings, to a maximum of 32% in forests. In general, soils under mature forest were wettest and showed only minor moisture fluctuations throughout the year. Soils of secondary forest sites were driest and soil water suction exhibited the largest fluctuations. Additionally, the finer texture of soils under mature forest compared to secondary forest sites allowed higher amounts of soil water to be stored for similar soil water suction levels. Ventilation and radiation penetration, which influence the magnitude of interception, evaporation from the forest floor and transpiration, were probably higher in fragmented secondary than in closed mature forests. In clearings, higher throughfall and presumably lower transpiration rates led to moister conditions compared to adjacent secondary forest sites. Thus, soil conditions under mature forest were most suitable for optimum water storage on Mt Kilimanjaro. The transformation of closed mature forest to a mosaic of forests in different stages of regeneration led to increased spatio‐temporal variability in soil moisture. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.