Species Total Abundance Research Articles

Spatiotemporal Variations in Phytoplankton Community Structure and Diversity: A Case Study for a Macroalgae–Oyster Reef Ecosystem

The estuarine area of Luanhe River is an important fisheries ground in China’s Bohai Sea. In 2016, Tangshan Marine Ranching Co., Ltd. constructed a 2 km2 artificial oyster–macroalgae reef area by placing artificial reefs on the seabed adjacent to the Luanhe River Estuary. This action resulted in sustainable annual economic outputs through the fishing and sea cucumber put-and-take fishery. Although Luanhe River runoff and reef construction are important to the local phytoplankton community and fisheries’ production, little is known about how these factors affect phytoplankton community structure in the local coastal ecosystem. In this study, we conducted field surveys to investigate the spatiotemporal variations in species composition, abundance, dominant species, diversity indexes, niche width and overlap, and interspecific connection of the phytoplankton community in the ecosystem of oyster–macroalgal reefs. From July 2016 to August 2017, we collected data before and after reef construction in areas inside and outside of the benthic reefs in both the flood and dry seasons of Luanhe River runoff. We found a total of 79 species, with the majority represented by diatoms and dinoflagellates. The dominant species were Paralia sulcata and Coscinodiscus sp. The total species number and abundance increased from May to September. The species number in the reef area was greater than that outside the reef. Species abundance from August to September was greater in the reef area than in the control area, which was opposite the situation from May to June. We found more phytoplankton abundance in the flood season compared with that in the dry season. Our results suggest that reef construction can benefit the local phytoplankton community and that further studies of the relationship among oysters, macroalgae, and phytoplankton in the system are warranted. Moreover, we provide baseline data about variations in the phytoplankton community in a sea ranch area.

APHID SURVEILLANCE IN POTATO FIELDS: IMPLICATIONS FOR VIRUS MANAGEMENT AND TUBER QUALITY

Aphids are the most common and effective carriers of plant viruses. The transmission of potato viruses is primarily linked to the activity of winged aphids. This study monitored migratory aphids in a seed potato field during 2020 and 2021, utilizing yellow water pan traps placed at varying distances from the field edge (20, 50, and 80 meters) to gather spatial and temporal data on the activity of winged aphids within the seed potato field. Throughout the monitoring period, 922 aphids from 65 species were identified in 2020, while 2,508 aphids from 84 species were recorded in 2021. In both years, the highest number of aphids was collected from the trap positioned at the edge of the potato crop at 20 meters. Regarding the total abundance of vector aphid populations and species, in 2021 higher values were recorded than in 2020: 1227 vector aphids from 20 species in 2021 compared with 528 vector aphids from 17 species. In comparison to 2020, the level of virus infection in the tested material was highest in 2021 across all varieties, with the most significant increases noted for the PVM and PVY viruses. Aphids play a significant role as viral vectors in potatoes, impacting tuber quality by transmitting several damaging viruses, most notably the potato virus Y (PVY) and potato leafroll virus (PLRV). These viruses, can lead to a range of quality issues in the tubers, such asstarch and dry matter content.

Spatial ratios of native and alien species of vascular plants in forests in the southwest of Kyiv and the adjacent areas

Using the case of isolated oak-hornbeam forests in the green zone of the Kyiv Urban Area, spatial ratios of native and alien species of vascular plants were determined. The sampling method used by Whittaker (1980) made it possible to discover the following: the abundance of 134 species per 60 m2 in 12 localities varied from 880 to 1 individual/m2 with an average of 106.5 individuals/m2. The total species abundance of alien species ranged from 423 to 1 individual/m2. The highest total abundance values were observed in Adoxa moschatelliana – 880, Impatiens parviflora – 423, Galium odoratum – 371, Rabelera holostea – 367, and Prunus avium – 254 individuals/m2. At five spatial levels in 12 localities, 230 species from 142 genera and 58 families of vascular plants were found, including 48 alien species from 38 genera and 23 families. High species occurrence along with aboriginal forest species (Adoxa moschatelliana in 12 localities, Acer platanoides, Carpinus betulus, Galium odoratum, Prunus avium, Tilia cordata, Viola odorata in 10 localities) is characteristic only of Impatiens parviflora – 12 localities and Acer negundo – 10 localities. In general, the spatial ratios of native and alien species confirm the trends of recreational digression of hornbeam-oak forests in the green zone of the Kyiv Urban Area.

Microhabitat coverage influences avian species composition more than habitat heterogeneity in Hong Kong urban parks

The relationship between habitat heterogeneity and diversity can underpin design of urban spaces for biodiversity conservation. The area-heterogeneity trade-off hypothesis predicts that higher habitat heterogeneity should result in an increase in species richness but only up to a point, beyond which habitat micro-fragmentation leads to decreases in species diversity. However, the strength of area-heterogeneity trade-offs at small spatial scales is not well studied. We studied the relationship between avian diversity and habitat heterogeneity in 16 small urban parks across Hong Kong during the winter dry season across 2016 and 2017 (ten repeated surveys in total for each park). Habitat heterogeneity was assessed by measuring the evenness of microhabitat coverage of seven habitats as well as vertical canopy cover. In total, 12,973 individuals of 73 bird species were recorded in the study. Habitat heterogeneity had a small but negligible effect on total bird species richness or abundance. However, water coverage was positively related to total, intermediately rare and habitat specialist bird species richness, and shrub coverage was positively related to total and common bird species richness. These results demonstrate that environmental heterogeneity had little effect on avian species richness in urban green spaces at small spatial scales. We also found that microhabitat coverage can affect avian diversity and abundance, and these effects are specific to certain groups of bird species. When managing urban green spaces for biodiversity conservation in densely urbanized cities, a decrease in management disturbance (e.g. tree topping or pesticide application) will likely benefit avian species. Together with the fact that some locally uncommon species were observed throughout the study, capacity exists for environmental enhancement of these small urban parks to contribute to local avian conservation.

Large wildfires alter the potential capacity of fire-prone Mediterranean pine forests to provide wild edible mushrooms over the long term

Projected trends of intensified wildfires due to climate warming and fuel-load accumulation are expected to significantly alter fungal diversity, but we know little about how these changes will impact ecosystem services. We aimed to analyze how large wildfires alter the capacity of fire-prone Mediterranean ecosystems dominated by Pinus pinaster Ait. to deliver the provisioning ecosystem service of mushroom production throughout the post-fire succession. We assessed this at early (<10 years), medium (10-20 years), and late (>20 years) stages after fire, compared to an unburned forest. Our results evidenced that large wildfires significantly reduced the capacity of these forests to provide mushroom harvesting opportunities. This adverse effect was most pronounced in the first few years after wildfire but persisted even after 20 years of post-fire succession. The total fungal species richness, abundance, diversity, and productivity at the post-fire successional stages remained lower than in the unburned forest, failing to reach their pre-fire levels even after two decades. However, the presence of commercially valuable edible fungal species, along with their species richness and productivity, began to recover in the medium and late stages after fire. In the immediate aftermath of the fire, saprotrophic fungal species dominated, while mycorrhizal species became more prevalent during the medium and late stages of secondary succession. Additionally, the abundance and productivity of mycorrhizal species in the late succession stage approached those found in the unburned forest. Soil pH and biochemical variables (microbial biomass C and β-glucosidase enzymatic activity) were key drivers of changes in species composition along the successional stages. This knowledge is essential to guide management solutions aimed at reducing ecosystem service loss and increasing resilience to the new scenario of extreme large wildfire events at shorter fire-free intervals, especially in southern Europe.

Exploring the interplay between water quality parameters and aquatic fauna in a human-dominated stream network in Iran

Rivers and streams are dynamic linear features that undergo numerous disturbances from nearby human activities. This is particularly evident in Iranian arid regions, where agricultural activities are concentrated along these water bodies to harness their freshwater resources. This study utilized 12 stations in the Maharlu stream network to assess the impact of human activities on its water quality and aquatic fauna. Results indicated that severe nutrient pollution attributed to a high mean nitrate concentration (67.77 ± 79.72 mg/L). By employing PCA analysis, three main principal components were extracted, explaining a variance of 82.61%. PC1 exhibited high positive loadings for dissolved oxygen (DO), while PC2 showed an elevated salt concentration. Midges and non-biting mosquitoes, predominantly from the Chironomidae family, emerged as the dominant taxon, contributing to over 98% of the total species abundance. Furthermore, integrated PCA–CCA analysis revealed downstream shifts in species composition toward more tolerant species, driven by decreasing DO levels and increasing salt concentrations. These shifts in trends found in water quality parameters and species composition were linked to agricultural runoff carrying substantial amounts of fertilizers, pesticides, and organic matter from livestock farming. Consequently, there is an urgent need to implement conservation measures to mitigate their adverse effects.

PHREEQ C Modelling Tool Application to Determine the Effect of Anions on Speciation of Selected Metals in Water Systems within Kajiado North Constituency in Kenya

Heavy metals and anions in water pose a significant risk to living organisms, including humans, and must therefore be carefully monitored. There are numerous approaches and methods of analysis to choose from. Using the PHREEQ C chemical modeling technique, this study looked at the effect of certain anions on the speciation of selected metals in the water environment of Kajiado North. Twenty-five sampling points were used in the study, which covered five Kajiado North election wards. Samples were taken twice during the dry and rainy seasons, in November 2019 and March 2020. Using standard methods, physicochemical characteristics were analyzed, concentrations of selected heavy metals using the (ICP- OES) 7000 series, and selected anions using a multi parameter photometer, their concentration values compared to the specified maximum contaminant level and speciation analysis done using the Computer-based technique PHREEQ C. The range observed for pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, sulphate, chloride, fluoride, nitrate and carbonates was 7.43- 9.30, 23.0 -28.0oC, 335-1265μS/cm, 4.54-361.41mgL-1, 5.19-184.6 mgL-1, 0.01-2.90 mgL-1, 0.1-8.6 mgL-1, and 3.18-55.19 mgL-1 respectively. The range observed for heavy metals was 0.06-1.08 mgL-1 , 0.00 -0.05082 mgL-1, 0.01-0.02597 mgL-1, 0.01-0.01610 mgL-1, 0.00 -0.0327 mgL-1, 0.00-42.7842 mgL-1, and below detection limit, for Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Mg, and Cd respectively. The findings revealed that Cd, Zn, Cu, Cl-, NO2-, and eElectrical cconductivity concentrations were below the WHO levels. At certain sampling points, however, SO42-, F-, Pb, Fe, and Mn were above WHO limits. In some water systems, traces of SO42-, F-, Cu, Fe, Cd, and Mn were found to pose significant health risks, according to PHREEQ C speciation analysis. Anion concentrations, pH, temperature, and metal concentrations are all important variables in modeling. Metals formed anion complexes and the total abundance of metal species was classified at the highest levels as Fe(OH)3, PbCO3, Zn(CO3)2, Cu(CO3)2, Mn+2, MgF-, and Mg+2. At a water system temperature of 25oC without anions, it was found to have the highest chemical species. CuCO3, CuNO3, and CuOH+ complexes are also formed at low pH. Based on the data for different metal species at different pH values, the bioavailability of metal species definitely depends on pH.

Ecological implications and seasonal variability of grazing by marine copepods on phytoplankton: comparison between Acartia omorii and A. steueri in Jangmok Bay, Korea

The grazing impacts of two Acartia species (Acartia omorii and A. steueri) on size-fractionated phytoplankton biomass were measured in Jangmok Bay, Korea (34°59′37.8" N, 128°40′28.2'' E) from January to May 2015. Total chlorophyll (Chl-a) concentrations ranged from 0.66 to 5.18 µg L−1, and micro-phytoplankton (> 20 µm) comprised up to 66% (range, 10.5–65.6%) of the total pigment. The total abundance of Acartia species ranged from 267 to 5931 ind. m−3, and these copepods accounted for 20.8 to 88.0% of the total copepod abundance. The ingestion rates of A. steueri (r2 = 0.904, P = 0.013) and A. omorii (r2 = 0.239, P = 0.046) showed a high correlation with micro-phytoplankton. The average grazing impact of Acartia species on phytoplankton biomass was approximately 6.8 ± 11.8% (range, 0.1–69.0%). Temperature–salinity (T–S) diagram analysis revealed distinct environmental preferences for each species; A. omorii preferred a broader temperature range of 6.2 to 17.1 °C and a salinity range of 31.8 to 33.5, whereas A. steueri was more restricted, preferring temperatures between 6.5 and 12.8 °C and a salinity range of 32.2 to 33.5. These findings not only contribute to our understanding of the ecological roles of these copepod species in marine ecosystems but also highlight the importance of continuous research regarding the mechanisms driving their coexistence and interaction with the coastal food web.

A review of the status, threats and management priorities of a remnant population of Indus River dolphins in the Beas River, India

Abstract The Indus River dolphin (Platanista minor) is a severely threatened species of freshwater dolphin that occurs only in the lower Indus River system of Pakistan and India. The dolphin's range has declined by 80% since the 1870s, and total species abundance is estimated as approximately 2000 individuals. In 2007, a remnant population of Indus dolphins was discovered above Harike Barrage, in the Beas River in India, 600 km away from all other individuals of its species. This paper provides an overview of the conservation status of Indus dolphins in the Beas River, details the threats they face, and suggests priorities for their conservation and management. Between 2011 and 2022, 40 dolphin direct count surveys were conducted. Indus dolphins occur only in the lower third of the Beas River and reported counts have been from one to eight individuals. The data do not indicate an increase in abundance, and instead suggest a potential decrease; however, sightings of calves continue to be reported annually indicating reproduction is still taking place. Threats to the Beas River dolphin population include accidental entanglement in fishing gear, pollution, escapement downstream of Harike barrage, altered and depleted river flow regimes' and the effects of a very small population size. Urgent conservation measures are essential if this small, but important satellite population is to persist. Recommended management actions include the complete removal of fishing nets from dolphin habitat, reducing pollution, ensuring adequate river discharge to sustain aquatic ecology including dolphins, evaluating and monitoring dolphin movement through Harike barrage and into canals, and engaging riverside communities to protect dolphins. In addition, the possibility of conservation translocations to supplement this population with individuals from larger healthy populations elsewhere in the range of the species should be explored.

The relationship between the abundance of non-native tree species and the community structure of resident woody species in tropical montane forest of West Usambara Mountains, Tanzania

Non-native tree species are globally claimed as liable to the encroachment of natural forests in their proximity resulting to the loss of biodiversity. This study was conducted in Magamba Nature Forest Reserve (MNFR) in West Usambara Mountains of Tanzania. A total of 96 (20 m x 20 m) plots were established to record all woody plants with Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) ≥ 5 cm while two nested plots of 2 m x 5 m were set to measure any plant with DBH ≥ 1 cm but less than 5 cm. Furthermore, two nested plots of 1 m x 1 m were established within the bigger plot in order to assess and record seedlings (DBH < 1 cm). Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) were used to assess the relationship between total abundance, species diversity, richness, evenness, and biomass of resident species and the abundance of Acacia melanoxylon and Eucalyptus grandis. Findings show a significant (p < 0.05) decrease of abundance of all resident woody species, adults, saplings and seedlings with an increase in the abundance of A. melanoxylon. The study also showed that the species richness and diversity of all resident species decreased with increasing the abundance of non-native species (p < 0.05). The abundance of E. grandis did not show significant (p > 0.05) association when assessed against the total abundance, species diversity, richness and evenness of all the resident woody species. This non-significant result may not necessarily mean no effect. This is because the P-value does not explain the size of the effect in biological data. Further analysis revealed that, the biomass of resident species was negatively related to the abundance of non-native species A. melanoxylon (p = 0.003) and E. grandis (p = 0.038). The negative relationship between the abundance, richness, diversity, evenness, and biomass of the resident woody species and the abundance of non-native species portrayed in this study raise an alarm. Therefore, there is need for setting monitoring and control mechanism to stop further spread of the non-native tree species in MNFR and hence, save the remaining biodiversity of the area.

Shelterwood harvests promote high breeding bird diversity and shrubland species for less than 10 years in hardwood forests

We compared forest structure and breeding bird communities between shelterwood harvests (SW; n = 15) and mature upland hardwood forests (M; n = 16) over 17 years (Y). Both were relatively static throughout the study period in M. In contrast, heavy canopy reduction and increased light after timber harvests in SW initiated rapid increases in small tree stem densities and shrub cover driven primarily by blackberry (Rubus spp.) - a clonal shrub that “pioneers” recently disturbed, high-light environments. This open-canopy forest structure with low, dense vegetation was short-lived; young trees reached canopy closure within 10 years, with concomitant reductions in blackberry cover and stem density. Total abundance, species richness, and diversity of breeding birds was greater in SW than M, especially the first several years post-harvest; in Y6 these metrics were more than twice as high in SW as in M. Higher abundance, richness, and diversity in SW was driven by an influx of shrubland associates (indigo buntings (Passerina cyanea), chestnut-sided warblers (Setophaga pensylvanica), Eastern towhees (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)) and positive or neutral responses by most other species; only ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla) were more abundant in M. Abundances of shrubland bird species in particular tracked temporal changes in SW forest structure but each differed slightly in their patterns of increase, peak (with 15–26 times more in SW than M), and decline. By Y10 breeding bird communities in SW resembled those in M, although total abundance, species richness, and diversity remained slightly higher in SW throughout the study period. Total abundance, species richness, diversity, and abundance of shrubland bird species were positively- and ovenbird was negatively correlated with blackberry cover, indicating that it is a suitable stand-alone predictor of post-disturbance young forest and changes in breeding bird communities as forests mature. Our results show that young hardwood forests provide habitat for shrubland bird species and promote high breeding bird diversity for <10 years.

Effects of plantation intensity on longhorn and carabid beetles in conifer plantations mixed with broadleaved trees in northern Japan

ABSTRACT Reconciling timber production with biodiversity conservation is essential. Increasing the mixture of broadleaved (BL) trees into conifer plantations increases the abundance of species that prefer natural BL forests but can reduce conifer yields. Therefore, modeling of the relationships of the abundances of various taxa with conifer and BL trees is necessary for effective biodiversity conservation. Longhorn and carabid beetles are useful ecological indicators; however, their responses to the amount (e.g. basal area and coverage) of conifer and BL trees within stands remain unknown. We surveyed the abundances of longhorn and carabid beetles in plantations of Todo fir Abies sachalinensis and Sakhalin spruce Picea glehnii mixed with various amounts of BL trees and in natural BL forests. We analyzed the response of each taxon to the basal area of conifer trees (CBA) within stands. Unexpectedly, for longhorn beetles, no effect of CBA was detected for species using BL trees as larval host plants and the effect was positive for generalist species. For carabid beetles, the total abundance of forest-dependent species decreased almost linearly with increasing CBA. The species-level mean response was decreasing abundance with increasing CBA, which occurred more rapidly in the lower range of CBA. These results suggest large negative impacts of conifer trees, even in small amounts, for many carabid species. To reconcile timber production with carabid beetle conservation, it is essential to maintain remnant natural BL forests and revert unsuccessful conifer plantations containing abundant BL trees into BL forests.

Marsh birds as ecological performance indicators for Lake Ontario outflow regulation

Water-level regulation can have significant impacts on coastal wetland ecosystems. In this study we sought to update marsh-bird-based ecological performance indicators (PIs) that support adaptive management of long-term outflow regulation for Lake Ontario. Previous PIs established in the mid-2000 s were based on single species and monitoring them required data not currently being collected at broad scales. We therefore focused on developing and validating community-level PIs using data from an ongoing, long-term, basin-wide monitoring program, the Coastal Wetland Monitoring Program (CWMP). After identifying species with documented responses to variation in water levels in the literature, we considered a suite of potential PIs by first examining correlations with both annual mean water levels and measures of interannual water-level fluctuations. We then used a mixed-modelling framework to determine which highly correlated PIs exhibited statistically significant relationships with water-level variables. Having established significant effects of water levels on the candidate PIs, we performed a power-sensitivity analysis to determine the degree of change in each PI that can be detected based on current CWMP sampling. From these analyses, we propose six potential marsh-bird based PIs: sum total abundance of sensitive marsh-obligate species, richness of sensitive marsh-obligate species, and abundance of each of red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), marsh wren (Cistothorus palustris), common gallinule (Gallinula galeata), and least bittern (Ixobrychus exilis). Of these, the community-based PIs of sum total abundance and richness of sensitive species appear most suitable for assessing the marsh-bird community response to outflow regulation on Lake Ontario.

The effects of pollution by multiple metals derived from long-term smelting activities on soil mite communities in arable soils under different land use types in East China.

Soil pollution represents a threat to soil biodiversity and to soil and human health. However, many ecotoxicological issues, such as the impact of heavy metal pollution on the soil mite community and its spatial distribution in areas with complex environmental factors, are not fully understood. Here, an investigation was conducted in an arable area (about 11 km2) enclosed by surrounding mountains. The study area was contaminated with potentially toxic metals derived from copper smelting that was functioning for over 10years. The area comprised four land use types: woodlands, dry fields, paddy fields, and wastelands, and was divided into 141 study sites each with an area of 6.25ha. The soil metal (Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd) contents, pH, and organic matter were determined and their distributions were established. Furthermore, soil mite (Acari) community properties (species richness, individual abundance, and Shannon-Wiener diversity index) were determined, and the distributions of total species number and abundance were ascertained. Soil metal pollution strongly reduced soil mite community, but the effects depended on mite groups or species and their sensitivity to different metals as well as land use types. CANOCO analysis revealed that the order Oribatida was more highly correlated with soil metal contents, whereas the other three orders responded to soil metal contents depending on land use types, mite properties, or metals. SADIE method indicated that the coordinate relationship between mite species number and metal concentration was more negative (4-25% of the study sites) than positive (4-12%). The metal pollution levels in the soil were evaluated by single and integrated pollution and ecological risk indices.

Contrasting reef fish diversity and abundance in the Derawan Islands: A multi-temporal observations

Derawan Island, East Kalimantan Province, is located in the coral triangle, the center of mega biodiversity of the world's marine life, including reef fish. In this study, reef fish data were collected from 1994, 2003, and 2019 at six islands (Panjang, Derawan, Samama, Sangalaki, Kakaban, and Maratua) in Derawan Islands using the Underwater Visual Census (UVC) technique. The analysis results focused on herbivores, carnivores, and corallivores reef fish show that the total species diversity and abundance in 1994, 2003, and 2019 amounted to 116 species (5,268 fish/ha), 93 species (2,664 fish/ha), and 104 species (5,332 fish/ha), respectively. Those reef fishes decreased from 1994 to 2003 due to overexploitation but increased again in 2019, especially Acanthurid, Scarid, and Lutjanid fish taxa, possibly due to local government conservation regulations. Biodiversity and abundance were found higher in the Kakaban and Maratua Islands for herbivorous fish (&gt;25 species, &gt;3,500 fish/ha) followed by carnivores and corallivores (±20 species, ±2,000 fish/ha) than in other islands. The diversity of corallivores, herbivores, and carnivores was moderately correlated with live coral cover with R2 of 0.78, 0.77, and 0.61, respectively, but low for fish abundance. Long-term reef fish monitoring is necessary to know coral reef health in this area.

Impact of Rice Cultivation Methods on Insect Pest Incidence and Their Management

Under the influence of fluctuating global climate scenario and limited resources of water availability, different methods of rice cultivation like System of rice intensification (SRI), Direct seeded rice (DSR), Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) and Aerobic rice have become popular as alternatives to conventional transplanting method. Due to these shifting cultivation situations, insect pest profiles have also undergone changes with associated influence on beneficial insects and other natural enemies. Multi-location studies carried out under All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project (AICRIP) have revealed significantly less incidence of major pests like stem borers, planthoppers in SRI compared to normal rice transplanting method. Overall, the SRI method leads to more robust plant health with enhanced capacity to resist pest attacks. In case of DSR, AICRIP studies have consistently revealed higher incidence of all the insect pests in the normal transplanted method compared to DSR. However, few reports have indicated association of insect pest outbreaks with higher seed rate and plant densities. Limited studies have shown that AWD also has the potential to minimize the incidence of insect pests and diseases compared to irrigated rice. However, soil borne pests, particularly root-knot nematode can be more damaging under aerobic conditions. Field cum laboratory studies carried out at ICAR IIRR on impact of cultivation systems on the rich insect biodiversity in rice have revealed association of higher total abundance and greater richness of beneficial insect species with SRI management.

Identification of Bacterial Communities and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Haemaphysalis spp. Collected from Shanghai, China.

Ticks can carry and transmit a large number of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses and protozoa, posing a huge threat to human health and animal husbandry. Previous investigations have shown that the dominant species of ticks in Shanghai are Haemaphysalis flava and Haemaphysalis longicornis. However, no relevant investigations and research have been carried out in recent decades. Therefore, we investigated the bacterial communities and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in Haemaphysalis spp. from Shanghai, China. Ixodid ticks were collected from 18 sites in Shanghai, China, and identified using morphological and molecular methods. The V3-V4 hypervariable regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene were amplified from the pooled tick DNA samples and subject to metagenomic analysis. The microbial diversity in the tick samples was estimated using the alpha diversity that includes the observed species index and Shannon index. The Unifrac distance matrix as determined using the QIIME software was used for unweighted Unifrac Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA). Individual tick DNA samples were screened with genus-specific or group-specific nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for these TBPs and combined with a sequencing assay to confirm the results of the V3-V4 hypervariable regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. We found H. flava and H. longicornis to be the dominant species of ticks in Shanghai in this study. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria are the main bacterial communities of Haemaphysalis spp. The total species abundances of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, are 48.8%, 20.8% and 18.1%, respectively. At the level of genus analysis, H. longicornis and H. flava carried at least 946 genera of bacteria. The bacteria with high abundance include Lactobacillus, Coxiella, Rickettsia and Muribaculaceae. Additionally, Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia japonica, Candidatus Rickettsia jingxinensis, Anaplasma bovis, Ehrlichia ewingii, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Coxiella spp. and Coxiella-like endosymbiont were detected in Haemaphysalis spp. from Shanghai, China. This study is the first report of bacterial communities and the prevalence of some main pathogens in Haemaphysalis spp. from Shanghai, China, and may provide insights and evidence for bacterial communities and the prevalence of the main pathogen in ticks. This study also indicates that people and other animals in Shanghai, China, are exposed to several TBPs.

Evaluation of the economic crisis on the conservation of the ichthyofauna in Marine Protected Areas

The use of marine protected areas can be an effective way to simultaneously achieve both conservation and fisheries management objectives. The creation of marine protected areas, in addition to many benefits, also entails several costs, including the need for financing to maintain adequate surveillance and conservation. The recent economic crisis significantly lowered budgets for the maintenance of Spanish Marine Protected Areas, that may have had serious consequences for the marine resources sustainability. In this study we evaluated the indirect impact of the 2008 economic crisis on the conservation of fish stocks in Marine Protected Areas. We compared the number of species, abundance and biomass levels of the ichthyofauna, and abundance and biomass of selected species in two marine reserves (Cabo de San Antonio and Tabarca Island) with control areas, two years before (2008 and 2010) and two years after (2014 and 2015) the budget cut. Results in San Antonio revealed a decrease in total abundance, total biomass and number of species after the crisis, which translates into a decrease in the reserve effect. While in Tabarca no reduction has been observed in these variables, so the reserve effect was maintained after the crisis. We have found that of the 18 species analyzed, in San Antonio the abundance and biomass of 8 and 6 species respectively have decreased after the crisis, while in Tabarca the abundance and biomass of 6 and 8 species respectively have decreased after the crisis. Therefore, surveillance in marine reserves is necessary for the conservation of the species.

Biodiversity monitoring as a baseline for PROPER biodiversity protection program of PT. Geo Dipa Energi Dieng, Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract. Hadisusanto S, Purnomo, Trijoko, Reza A, Eprilurahman R, Yudha DS, Sudibyo P, Asti HA, Fauzy NH, Pranoto FS, Priyono DS, Mufti S, Rabbani A, Putri DM, Syamsumin, Tampubolon APC, Abdullah FN. 2022. Biodiversity monitoring as a baseline for PROPER biodiversity protection program of PT. Geo Dipa Energi Dieng, Central Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 4466-4472. Anthropogenic activities drove an unprecedented rate of land-use change in the last century. Corporate is one of the most highlighted sectors due to the extent of the impact on the environment. Therefore, PROPER (Corporate Performance Rating Assessment for Environmental Program) was developed by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry as a safeguard to halt biodiversity loss due to corporate-related development in Indonesia. The present study analyzed the flora and fauna composition, structure, and trend in PT. Geo Dipa Energi Dieng well pad surrounding area from 2019-2021, as a critical part of the PROPER assessments. The study revealed that the study area was homogeneously dominated by shrubs-herbaceous plants, contributing to 60% of total species richness and abundance. Two dominant species were the introduced wild species Ageratina riparia and the cultivated plant Solanum tuberosum. Moreover, despite tree individual scarcity, the tree growth form was primarily constituted by introduced species with a mean abundance of 347 individuals, or 5-fold higher than native species. Acacia decurrens and Cupressus sempervirens, the introduced tree species planted during the rehabilitation program, dominated the area. The homogeneous floristic composition led to a homogenization of the fauna community, particularly birds, dominated by cosmopolitan insectivorous species. NMDS analysis and Shannon-Diversity Index also revealed that the pattern and trend among sites and years were similar, and there was an insignificant change, showing the urgency of the long-term revegetation programs to rehabilitate the ecosystem. Moreover, the presence of protected species in the study area showed that ecosystem rehabilitation is critical.

Woody Plant Conservation Value of Three Contrasting Forest Management Regimes in Southwest Ethiopia

The future of the Afromontane forest of southwest Ethiopia is highly influenced by coffee management intensity. The study was conducted to investigate the woody species conservation value of a human-modified forest in southwest Ethiopia. We assessed woody species composition, regeneration and forest stand structure across three different management regimes (i.e., natural forest, coffee forest and coffee agroforest using 189 plots of 400 m2 (20 m × 20 m). A total of 64 species belonging to 33 families were identified and recorded across the three forest management regimes. About 83% of the recorded woody species were maintained in the coffee agroforest. The three forest types shared 61% of the recorded woody species. The coffee agroforest had maintained four strata or layers of stand structure. Nevertheless, the total abundance, density and basal area of woody species decreased from the natural forest to coffee forest and coffee agroforest. The Analysis of Similarity (ANOSIM) showed significant difference between the natural forest, coffee forest and coffee agroforest (Global RAnosim = 0.36, p &lt; 0.001). Similar regeneration patterns were recorded under the forest management regimes. Coffee agroforests simplify the woody plant composition and stand structure of the Afromontane forest in southwest Ethiopia.