Swamp Habitats Research Articles

Seasonal population dynamics of Brachyiulus jawlowskii (Diplopoda, Julidae) in the Dnieper river arena

We have researched the population dynamics of Brachyiulus jawlowskii Lohmander, 1928 in the arena of the Dnepr river (within the "Dnieper-Orilsky” Nature Reserve) and also present a full picture of the habitat distribution of Julidae within the researched area. The tested models were basic types of arena biogeocenosis: sand steppe, black maple forests, artificial pine plantations, deciduous forest, meadow and swamp. Variation in population density of B. jawlowskii is determined by biotopical features. The swamp and meadow habitats can be characterized by the highest level of population dynamics. B. jawlowskii plays the greatest role in the herpetobiont grouping in swamp and oak forest habitats (6.7% and 4.6% respectively). In other types of habitat this species composes 0.1–3.5% of the total abundance of this group. The highest abundance dynamic was reached by the Julidae cenopopulations which inhabit the swamp, oak forest and meadow habitats. B. jawlowskii occupies a relatively significant share in the herpetobiont communities of these habitats. Thus, the indicators of absolute number of this species and its relative participation in the herpertobiont grouping indicate the preference of this species for marsh, oak forest and meadow habitats. These habitats can be characterized by an excessive or moderate level of edaphotopic humidification. The ecosystem of the steppe zone of Ukraine is subject to significant human impact. In nature reserves, this effect is minimized, which permits research to be conducted on regimes of natural population dynamics. We established that B. jawlowskii inhabits all habitats investigated within the arena zone of the Dnepr river. This indicates that this is an environmentally flexible Julidae species. The population dynamics of B. jawlowskii can be characterized by three distinct periods: spring-summer, summer and autumn. Each of these periods is characterized by a distinct population dynamic, but throughout the study period the metapopulation of B. jawlowskii remained stable. This is due to the redistribution of representatives of the biotopical metapopulation over a wide range. The conservation regime within the "Dnieper-Orilsky" Nature Reserve had a positively effect on the state of the B. jawlowskii population. Within the reserve on the territory of the arena of the Dnepr river B. jawlowskii uses a wide variety of types of habitats.

Notes from the Field: Development of a Contact Tracing System for Ebola Virus Disease - Kambia District, Sierra Leone, January-February 2015.

Kambia District is located in northwestern Sierra Leone along the international border with Guinea. The district is dominated by forest and swamp habitat and has a population of approximately 270,000 persons (approximately 5% of the nation's population) who live in rural villages and predominantly subsist on farming and trading. During 2014-2015, the remoteness of the area, a highly porous border with Guinea, and strong traditional beliefs about health care and sickness led to unique challenges in controlling the Ebola Virus Disease (Ebola) outbreak within the district.

Parathelphusa pardus, a new species of lowland freshwater crab from swamps in central Sumatra, Indonesia (Crustacea: Brachyura: Gecarcinucidae).

A new species of gecarcinucid freshwater crab of the genus Parathelphusa H. Milne Edwards, 1853, is described from freshwater swamp habitats in Pekanbaru, Riau Province, in central-eastern Sumatra, Indonesia. Parathelphusa pardus sp. nov., has a very distinctive colour pattern, and in this respect, resembles P. maindroni (Rathbun, 1902) from Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia; P. batamensis Ng, 1992, from Batam Island, Indonesia; P. reticulata Ng, 1990, from Singapore; and P. oxygona Nobili, 1901, from western Sarawak. It can be distinguished from these species and congeners by a suite of carapace, ambulatory leg, thoracic sternal and most importantly, male first gonopod characters.

INFLUENCE OF GRAZING INTENSITY ON SWAMP PLANT COMMUNITIES IN THE TROPICAL MONTANE WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS, NILGIRIS, SOUTHERN INDIA

Livestock grazing is a major anthropogenic impact influencing both grasslands and wetlands of the world which often results in the alteration of the structure, diversity and functioning of the plant communities. Here, we seek to understand how grazing intensity influences swamp vegetation, with an emphasis on their diversity, structure and function. Six swamps were selected, two each in high, moderate and low intensity grazing sites, from the tropical montane swamps of the Upper Nilgiri Mountains, southern India. We recorded a total of 78 species belonging to 63 genera and 31 families. Our results showed that species richness, abundance and species composition differed significantly across grazing treatments. Moreover, mean vegetation cover and mean height differed significantly across grazing treatments, indicating that grazing significantly affected the vegetation structure and growth of swamp plant communities. Species compositional patterns showed that moderately grazed plant communities were significantly different from low and high grazing sites. In summary, grazing intensity influenced swamp species richness, abundance, and swamp plant communities. Specifically, high grazing pressure reduced vegetation cover causing changes in swamp community structure leading to the gradual conversion of the swamp habitat into grasslands.

The Use of an Invasive Species Habitat by a Small Folivorous Primate: Implications for Lemur Conservation in Madagascar.

The lemurs of Madagascar are among the most threatened mammalian taxa in the world, with habitat loss due to shifting cultivation and timber harvest heavily contributing to their precarious state. Deforestation often leads to fragmentation, resulting in mixed-habitat matrices throughout a landscape where disturbed areas are prone to invasion by exotic plants. Our study site, the Mandena littoral forest (southeast Madagascar), is a matrix of littoral forest, littoral swamp, and Melaleuca swamp habitats. Here, Melaleuca quinquenervia has invaded the wetland ecosystem, creating a mono-dominant habitat that currently provides the only potential habitat corridor between forest fragments. We sought to understand the role of this invasive Melaleuca swamp on the behavioral ecology of a threatened, small-bodied folivore, the southern bamboo lemur (Hapalemur meridionalis). We collected botanical and behavioral data on four groups of H. meridionalis between January and December 2013. Our results confirm Melaleuca swamp as an important part of their home range: while lemurs seasonally limited activities to certain habitats, all groups were capable of utilizing this invasive habitat for feeding and resting. Furthermore, the fact that Hapalemur use an invasive plant species as a dispersal corridor increases our knowledge of their ecological flexibility, and may be useful in the conservation management of remaining threatened populations.

Higher genetic diversity in recolonized areas than in refugia of Alnus glutinosa triggered by continent-wide lineage admixture.

Genetic admixture is supposed to be an important trigger of species expansions because it can create the potential for selection of genotypes suitable for new climatic conditions. Up until now, however, no continent-wide population genetic study has performed a detailed reconstruction of admixture events during natural species expansions. To fill this gap, we analysed the postglacial history of Alnus glutinosa, a keystone species of European swamp habitats, across its entire distribution range using two molecular markers, cpDNA and nuclear microsatellites. CpDNA revealed multiple southern refugia located in the Iberian, Apennine, Balkan and Anatolian Peninsulas, Corsica and North Africa. Analysis of microsatellites variation revealed three main directions of postglacial expansion: (i) from the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula to Western and Central Europe and subsequently to the British Isles, (ii) from the Apennine Peninsula to the Alps and (iii) from the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula to the Carpathians followed by expansion towards the Northern European plains. This challenges the classical paradigm that most European populations originated from refugial areas in the Carpathians. It has been shown that colonizing lineages have met several times and formed secondary contact zones with unexpectedly high population genetic diversity in Central Europe and Scandinavia. On the contrary, limited genetic admixture in southern refugial areas of A.glutinosa renders rear-edge populations in the Mediterranean region more vulnerable to extinction due to climate change.

Response of Lonkida (Nauclea orientalis L.) towards Mycorrhizal Inoculum in Waterlogged Condition

This study was carried out to examine the morpho-anatomical adaptation, survival, growth, biomass and nutrient uptake of lonkida (Nauclea orientalis L.) from different habitats inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on waterlogging conditions for 90 days. The results showed that the lonkida seedlings formed lenticels (100%), adventitious roots (41%) and aerenchym under waterlogging conditions. Seedling from dry land habitats, both mycorrhizal and no-mycorrhizal, have a height growth rate lower than those from other habitat types. Similarly for relative growth rates of shoot (RGRs), root (RGRr) and total (RGRt) dry weight and the ratio of root shoots. Treatments of temporal swamp habitat without waterlogging and waterlogging and savanna with waterlogging have RGRt greater than other treatments. In general, plant dry weight (root, shoot and total) and total N in roots and shoots was greater in the interactionbetween  temporalswamp habitat with no-mycorrhizal on waterlogging condition. Independently, waterlogging increase the pool of average height gain (18%), diameter (46%) and leaf area (40%), leaf length (17%) and leaf width (21%). Nonetheless, treatment waterlogging decreased variable number of leaves (9%) andAMF colonization (71%). The results of this study indicate that the seedlings from the temporal swamp has good growth and high biomass in the conditions without or with waterlogging.Keywords : arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, lonkida, morpho-anatomical adaptations, Nauclea orientalisL, swamp, waterlogging

Modern Pollen Record on Bat Guano Deposit from Siju Cave and its Implication to Palaeoecological Study in South Garo Hills of Meghalaya, India

Meghalaya is well known for its rich tropical biodiversity and numerous natural caves. The Siju Cave of Meghalaya, also known as cave of the bat, is among the longest caves on the Indian subcontinent. The palynological study of fifty bat-guano samples from Siju Cave and of thirty surface soil and moss cushion from the area immediate surrounding the cave reflects the close similarity between the modern pollen and vegetation in the region in the two areas sampled. The resulting palynodata comprise mainly the native flora, dominated by riparian taxa like Duabanga, Syzygium, Careya, and Ficus, along with evergreen and deciduous elements in the region. The evergreen taxa Mesua, Elaeocarpus ,a ndGarcinia, along with Impatiens, reflect the high precipitation in the region. The climate of the region and the vegetation are strongly influenced by the Simsang River, and the heavy rainfall results in the dominance of riparian taxa and other high-rainfall indicator taxa. The occurrence of pollen from Nepenthes khasiana ,a n endemic and endangered plant of Meghalaya, in bat guano is significant and may be due to its insectivorous and entomophilous nature. However, medicinal plants like Swertia chirata, Cinchona, and Rauvolfia are not encountered in the bat-guano sediments, despite their luxuriant growth around the cave, and these species could be avoided by the insects due to their alkaloid contain and bitter taste. The presence of highland taxa such as Pinus, Abies, Picea, and Larix in the bat guano deposit is significant and suggestive of high winds from higher altitudes, or the pollen may be introduced by the return of migratory Siberian birds during winter to the nearby Siju wildlife and bird sanctuary. The recovery of cerealia along with Areca catechu and Citrus pollen indicate the human activity in the region. The abundance of fungal remains, namely Meliola, Glomus, and Microthyriaceae along with degraded palynomorphs are suggestive of strong microbial activity under warm and humid conditions during sedimentation in the region. The main objective of this study is to identify the potential of bat guano for palaeoecological research and as supportive data for surface and sedimentary soil profiles in the South Garo Hills of Meghalaya. The palynodata from the bat guano of the Siju Cave provides a useful source for palaeoecological information for the South Garo Hills, where intensive natural and human-caused forest fires, heavy rainfall, and soil erosion occur every year and there is a relative scarcity of the lake, wetland, and swamp habitats that normally preserve pollen.

KARAKTERISTIK BUAH DAN MUTU MORFO-FISIOLOGIS BENIH LONKIDA (Nauclea orientalis L.) DARI HABITAT ALAMI DI SULAWESI TENGGARA

Lonkida (Nauclea orientalis L.) is a native multipurpose tropical tree species in Indonesia, which a few information regarding its biology and ecology. An experimental research was carried out to examine characters of fruit, seed and seed quality of lonkida growing at different habitat in South East Sulawesi. Fruit and seed was collected from four habitat types, such as dry land, permanent swamp, temporary swamp and temporary swamp savanna. The parameters to be observed were fruit size, seed size and morpho-physiology seed quality. The results showed that fruit size and number of seed per fruit are significantly different among habitats. The mean of fruit’s length and width and number of seed per fruit originated from permanent swamp and temporary swamp is greater than that of fruit’s from lonkida stand growing in the remain habitat’s. Those parameters ranging from 4.99±0.17 to 6.66±0.19 cm for fruit length and 3812±519 to 13.984±1912 seed for number of seed per fruit. Beside, the habitat condition also significantly affected to the characters of seed dimension and seed quality. Permanent swamp was a habitat with seed size and seed weight lower compare to another habitats. However, seeds produced by the lonkida stand growing on permanent swamp habitat and temporary swamp savanna has the higher percent of germination, germination capacity and mean day germination (MDG) than that of the seeds from lonkida stand growing on other habitats. Seed length is positively correlated with seed width and negative correlation with means germination time.

Spatial analysis of Carbon-14 dynamics in a wetland ecosystem (Duke Swamp, Chalk River Laboratories, Canada)

A detailed survey was conducted to quantify the spatial distribution of 14C in Sphagnum moss and underlying soil collected in Duke Swamp. This wetland environment receives 14C via groundwater pathways from a historic radioactive Waste Management Area (WMA) on Atomic Energy Canada Limited (AECL)'s Chalk River Laboratories (CRL) site. Trends in 14C specific activities were evaluated with distance from the sampling location with the maximum 14C specific activity (DSS-35), which was situated adjacent to the WMA and close to an area of groundwater discharge. Based on a spatial evaluation of the data, an east-to-west 14C gradient was found, due to the influence of the WMA on 14C specific activities in the swamp. In addition, it was possible to identify two groups of sites, each showing significant exponential declines with distance from the groundwater source area. One of the groups showed relatively more elevated 14C specific activities at a given distance from source, likely due to their proximity to the WMA, the location of the sub-surface plume originating from the WMA, the presence of marsh and swamp habitat types, which facilitated 14C transport to the atmosphere, and possibly, 14C air dispersion patterns along the eastern edge of the swamp. The other group, which had lower 14C specific activities at a given distance from the groundwater source area, included locations that were more distant from the WMA and the sub-surface plume, and contained fen habitat, which is known to act as barrier to groundwater flow. The findings suggest that proximity to source, groundwater flow patterns and habitat physical characteristics can play an important role in the dynamics of 14C being carried by discharging groundwater into terrestrial and wetland environments.

KARAKTERISTIK BUAH DAN MUTU MORFO-FISIOLOGIS BENIH LONKIDA (Nauclea orientalis L.) DARI HABITAT ALAMI DI SULAWESI TENGGARA

Lonkida (Nauclea orientalis L.) is a native multipurpose tropical tree species in Indonesia, which a few information regarding its biology and ecology. An experimental research was carried out to examine characters of fruit, seed and seed quality of lonkida growing at different habitat in South East Sulawesi. Fruit and seed was collected from four habitat types, such as dry land, permanent swamp, temporary swamp and temporary swamp savanna. The parameters to be observed were fruit size, seed size and morpho-physiology seed quality. The results showed that fruit size and number of seed per fruit are significantly different among habitats. The mean of fruit’s length and width and number of seed per fruit originated from permanent swamp and temporary swamp is greater than that of fruit’s from lonkida stand growing in the remain habitat’s. Those parameters ranging from 4.99±0.17 to 6.66±0.19 cm for fruit length and 3812±519 to 13.984±1912 seed for number of seed per fruit. Beside, the habitat condition also significantly affected to the characters of seed dimension and seed quality. Permanent swamp was a habitat with seed size and seed weight lower compare to another habitats. However, seeds produced by the lonkida stand growing on permanent swamp habitat and temporary swamp savanna has the higher percent of germination, germination capacity and mean day germination (MDG) than that of the seeds from lonkida stand growing on other habitats. Seed length is positively correlated with seed width and negative correlation with means germination time.

Inland swamps in South East Asia harbour hidden cladoceran diversities: species richness and the description of new paludal Chydoridae (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Cladocera) from Southern Thailand

Freshwater surveys in the tropics have high potential for revealing new taxa if a wide range of habitats is included. Tropical inland swamps are ignored during most zooplankton sampling campaigns. We show that swamps harbour underestimated Cladocera diversities in South East (SE) Asia, illustrated here for Southern (S) Thailand. According to our preliminary data, based on 22 swamp sites in ten provinces, the cladoceran diversity of swamp habitats is high (about 73 taxa), i.e. a species richness of about 85% of the cladoceran taxa recorded in S Thailand. The Chydoridae are the most diverse group, about 66% of the total (48 out of 73 species), followed by the Macrothricidae (12%; 9 species) and the Sididae (11%; 8 species). Daphniidae only occupy a small proportion of the total species in these sites (5%; 4 species). Besides rare taxa, the SE Asian tropical swamps contain new records, even new species. We discuss the importance of tropical swamp habitats as hotspots of cladoceran diversity, which are being destroyed through agricultural and urban development in SE Asia. As an example, we describe two new paludal species of the Chydoridae (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Cladocera), restricted to inland swamps in S Thailand. The new taxa have conspicuous morphologies within their respective genera (Karualona Dumont and Silva-Briano, 2000 and Notoalona Rajapaksa and Fernando, 1987), compared to their common sister species in the region. Karualona serrulata n.sp. is separated from congeners by i) divided denticles on the posteroventral corner of the valves and ii) single setules on the anterior face of the first limb (instead of groups of setules, as in the majority of the Aloninae). We include notes on the other, common Karualona sp. populations from S Thailand. These animals show similarities with K. iberica and K. karua, yet belong to neither; we discuss the variability of characters in these populations and in the genus. The second new taxon, Notoalona pseudomacronyx n.sp., is a small species with a postabdomen strongly resembling that of Alona macronyx Daday, 1898, recently allocated to Celsinotum. It seems closest in morphology to an African, yet undescribed species of Notoalona. We included pictorial keys to all the species of these two chydorid genera, which have their main distribution in the circumtropics.

Urban stormwater ponds in Singapore: potential pathways for spread of alien freshwater fishes

Urban stormwater ponds in Singapore are interspaced among the industrial and residential areas of this highly urbanized country and represent potentially harsh artificial habitats in which freshwater fish communities might be limited to low numbers of just a few hardy species. A recent first-time survey of three large urban ponds in Singapore, however, revealed that the fish communities in these ponds are greater in density and species richness than expected, with a combined richness of 24 species and fish densities ranging from 0.26 to 306.04 fish Ha -1 . These fish communities consisted of only alien species, with the dominant species being Amphilophus citrinellus. The connectivity of urban stormwater ponds to other freshwater systems in Singapore, including protected catchments with natural stream and swamp habitats that are refuges for native species, could make these habitats hotspots and beachheads for the invasion or spread of alien freshwater fish. This is a cause for concern and raises the need for more stringent regulatory controls of fish releases into these ponds.

Reconstructing Valanginian (Early Cretaceous) mid-latitude vegetation and climate dynamics based on spore–pollen assemblages

Changes in terrestrial vegetation patterns during the Valanginian (Early Cretaceous) and their link to major climatic and environmental alterations are poorly studied. In this study, the spatial and temporal changes in plant community structure are reconstructed based on spore–pollen records from two mid-latitude sites located in the Mid-Polish Trough (MPT, central Poland), and the Vocontian Basin (VB, southeast France). Stratigraphic control is provided by δ13Ccarb chemostratigraphy and calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy. Reconstruction of hinterland vegetation is based on palynological investigations of 83 samples from hemipelagic (VB) and marginal marine (MPT) sediments rich in terrestrial palynomorphs. A total of 45 palynomorph taxa were identified at generic level (30 spores, 15 pollen). Vegetation around the MPT was dominated by araucarian/cupressacean conifers while that surrounding the VB was dominated by drought-resistant cheirolepidiacean conifers. At both sites the understorey and/or vegetation of open areas was dominated by pteridophytes. An early Valanginian gradual trend towards humid conditions at the MPT, well expressed by a distinct increase in the spore–pollen ratio, culminates in a short-lived spore-maximum stratigraphically located at the lower/upper Valanginian boundary. It is characterized by low conifer abundances and high abundances of the fern spore taxa Cyathidites, Leiotriletes and Gleicheniidites accompanied by enhanced abundances of the pteridosperm pollen Vitreisporites pallidus, whose parent plants are assumed to be indicative of swamp habitats. The spore-maximum is coeval to a similar peak observed in the VB, characterized by essentially the same taxa. Here, the spore-maximum is preceded by a protracted phase of arid conditions, characterized by low spore abundances and exceptionally high numbers of the cheirolepidiacean conifer pollen Classopollis. Changes in moisture, identified as the key climatic factor determining trends and turnovers in vegetation, were probably controlled by a monsoonal circulation. The supra-regional humid phase expressed by the coeval spore maxima was probably induced by an intensified monsoonal climate. The temporal influence of a northern hemisphere arid belt at the VB, under the influence of the subtropical high-pressure belt, may have caused the temporal drying not affecting the MPT site, located further north.

Vector-Host Interactions and Epizootiology of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus in Massachusetts

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus is a highly pathogenic mosquito-borne zoonosis that is responsible for outbreaks of severe disease in humans and equines, resulting in high mortality or severe neurological impairment in most survivors. In the northeastern United States, EEE virus is maintained in an enzootic cycle involving the ornithophilic mosquito, Culiseta melanura (Coquillett) and passerine birds in freshwater swamp habitats. To evaluate the role of Cs. melanura and Culiseta morsitans (Theobald) in recent episodes of EEE virus activity in Massachusetts, we collected blood-fed mosquitoes between June, 2007, and October, 2008, from virus foci in 6 counties, and identified the source of blood meals by PCR amplification of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and sequencing. Analysis of 529 Cs. melanura and 25 Cs. morsitans revealed that nearly 99% and 96% of mosquitoes, respectively, acquired blood meals solely from avian hosts. American Robin, Turdus migratorius Linnaeus was identified as the most common vertebrate host for Cs. melanura (21.7%, n=115), followed by Tufted Titmouse, Baeolophus bicolor (L.) (8.7%, n=46), Black-capped Chickadee, Poecile atricapillus (L.) (8.5%, n=45), Scarlet Tanager, Piranga olivacea (Gmelin) (6.8%, n=36), Field Sparrow, Spizella pusilla (Wilson) (6.2%, n=33), Northern Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis (L.) (5.7%, n=30), and other mostly Passeriformes birds. Mammalian-derived blood meals were identified as white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus Zimmermann, domestic cow, Bos taurus L., and human, Homo sapiens L. There were 4 isolations of EEE virus, West Nile virus, and Highland J virus from Cs. melanura. Our results in conjunction with other lines of evidence, including reservoir competency, prevalence of antibody, and infection in nature, suggest that the American Robin, Tufted Titmouse, Black-capped Chickadee, and a few other passerine birds may play key roles in supporting EEE virus transmission in Massachusetts. Infrequent blood feeding of Cs. melanura on mammalian hosts, including humans, also indicates that this mosquito may occasionally contribute to epidemic/epizootic transmission of EEE virus in this region.

Topographic models for predicting malaria vector breeding habitats: potential tools for vector control managers.

BackgroundIdentification of malaria vector breeding sites can enhance control activities. Although associations between malaria vector breeding sites and topography are well recognized, practical models that predict breeding sites from topographic information are lacking. We used topographic variables derived from remotely sensed Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) to model the breeding sites of malaria vectors. We further compared the predictive strength of two different DEMs and evaluated the predictability of various habitat types inhabited by Anopheles larvae.MethodsUsing GIS techniques, topographic variables were extracted from two DEMs: 1) Shuttle Radar Topography Mission 3 (SRTM3, 90-m resolution) and 2) the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission Reflection Radiometer Global DEM (ASTER, 30-m resolution). We used data on breeding sites from an extensive field survey conducted on an island in western Kenya in 2006. Topographic variables were extracted for 826 breeding sites and for 4520 negative points that were randomly assigned. Logistic regression modelling was applied to characterize topographic features of the malaria vector breeding sites and predict their locations. Model accuracy was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC).ResultsAll topographic variables derived from both DEMs were significantly correlated with breeding habitats except for the aspect of SRTM. The magnitude and direction of correlation for each variable were similar in the two DEMs. Multivariate models for SRTM and ASTER showed similar levels of fit indicated by Akaike information criterion (3959.3 and 3972.7, respectively), though the former was slightly better than the latter. The accuracy of prediction indicated by AUC was also similar in SRTM (0.758) and ASTER (0.755) in the training site. In the testing site, both SRTM and ASTER models showed higher AUC in the testing sites than in the training site (0.829 and 0.799, respectively). The predictability of habitat types varied. Drains, foot-prints, puddles and swamp habitat types were most predictable.ConclusionsBoth SRTM and ASTER models had similar predictive potentials, which were sufficiently accurate to predict vector habitats. The free availability of these DEMs suggests that topographic predictive models could be widely used by vector control managers in Africa to complement malaria control strategies.

Potential Effects of Sea-Level Rise on Coastal Wetlands in Southeastern Louisiana

Glick, P.; Clough, J.; Polaczyk, A.; Couvillion, B., and Nunley, B., 2013. Potential effects of sea-level rise on coastal wetlands in southeastern Louisiana. In: Brock, J.C; Barras, J.A., and Williams, S.J. (eds.), Understanding and Predicting Change in the Coastal Ecosystems of the Northern Gulf of Mexico, Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 63, pp. 211-233, Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749–0208.Coastal Louisiana wetlands contain about 37% of the estuarine herbaceous marshes in the conterminous United States. The long-term stability of coastal wetlands is often a function of a wetland's ability to maintain elevation equilibrium with mean sea level through processes such as primary production and sediment accretion. However, Louisiana has sustained more coastal wetland loss than all other states in the continental United States combined due to a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors, including sea-level rise. This study investigates the potential impact of current and accelerating sea-level rise rates on key coastal wetland habitats in southeastern Louisiana using the Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM). Model calibration was conducted using a 1956–2007 observation period and hindcasting results predicted 35% versus observed 39% total marsh loss. Multiple sea-level-rise scenarios were then simulated for the period of 2007–2100. Results indicate a range of potential wetland losses by 2100, from an additional 2,188.97 km2 (218,897 ha, 9% of the 2007 wetland area) under the lowest sea-level-rise scenario (0.34 m), to a potential loss of 5,875.27 km2 (587,527 ha, 24% of the 2007 wetland area) in the highest sea-level-rise scenario (1.9 m). Model results suggest that one area of particular concern is the potential vulnerability of the region's baldcypress-water tupelo (Taxodium distichum-Nyssa aquatica) swamp habitat, much of which is projected to become permanently flooded (affecting regeneration) under all modeled scenarios for sea-level rise. These findings will aid in the development of ecosystem management plans that support the processes and conditions that result in sustainable coastal ecosystems.

POPULATION AND MICROHABITAT OF Gonystylus bancanus (Miq.) Kurz IN DANAU PULAU BESAR-DANAU BAWAH WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, SUMATRA

Ramin ( Gonystylus bancanus ) is one of the major timber species that facing high exploitation in Indonesia. This species can only be found on a specific peat swamp habitat, thus it confines its distribution. Information on its current population and microhabitat characteristics is relatively limited. Here, we investigated natural population and microhabitat of ramin in a peat swamp area in Riau Province using random transects consist of 46 (100m2) sampling plots. Forty-eight individuals of ramin were found in which 46 of these belonged to G. bancanus , while the other two were different species. The estimated population density of ramin in this area was 7.18±2.75 individuals/ha i.e there were approximately seven individuals in each one-ha area of study. The population structure of ramin showed a J-shaped curve bearing many large old trees with few saplings without any seedlings. The microhabitat was investigated using the Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) and Canonical Analysis, generating two significant variables that discriminated three groups of the population.

Enzyme Activity in Forest Gleysols

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the enzymatic activity (dehydrogenase and urease) in trophically diverse Gleysols. Efforts to establish the relationship between enzymatic activity and physico-chemical properties of various subtypes of Gleysols were attempted. Dehydrogenase activity was best correlated with carbon content and acidity among the studied properties of soils. Urease activity was correlated with the reaction pf soil. Enzyme activity differentiates subtypes of Gleysols, which are characterized by a different type of soil humus. The dehydrogenase activity was higher in gleysols with peat or muck of swamp habitats. The opposite trend was found in the urease activity. The urease activity was the highest in the gleysols without organic matter. The studies showed that enzymatic activity is closely related to the type of accumulated organic matter and at the same time with species variety of plant communities..

Denning Ecology of Florida Black Bears in North-Central Florida

We studied the denning chronology, den type, and den-site characteristics of Ursus americanus floridanus (Florida Black Bear) in Ocala National Forest (ONF) and the adjacent residential area of Lynne, FL. We monitored 35 radio-collared females for 62 den years from 1999 through 2003. Den entry dates did not differ between parturient females (females that gave birth to cubs during the winter) and nonparturient (solitary females or females with yearlings) (P = 0.139). Females with cubs exited dens later (P < 0.001), and denned longer (mean =113 ± 3.3 days) than females without cubs (mean = 54 ± 6.0 days; P < 0.001). Among females with cubs, primiparous females entered dens on average 28 days later than multiparous females (P = 0.003); however, exit date and duration of denning did not differ between the two groups. Female bears denned in ground nests most frequently (n = 45), followed by excavated dens (n = 7); one female used a tree den. Compositional analysis revealed that denning habitat selection occurred in ONF, with sand pine as the preferred denning habitat, followed by swamp and pine flatwoods habitats. Denning habitat selection was not evident in Lynne, although the majority of females denned in swamp habitats. Parturient females often denned in ecotones with dense vegetation, due perhaps to the fact that such ecotones offer better protection to the female and her cubs from potential predators and weather elements. Habitat management activities should be limited during peak denning of parturient females, from late December to mid-April, particularly in Sand Pine - xeric oak and pine flatwood - swamp ecotones.