Short term effects of wild fire on invertebrates in coastal heathland in southeastern Australia

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Penelope Greenslade ◽  
Derek Smith
Keyword(s):  
Fire Management ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Southeastern Australia ◽  
Wild Fire ◽  
Burnt Site ◽  
Total Species Richness ◽  
Burnt Areas ◽  
Total Species

Differences in the assemblages of terrestrial arthropod communities in burnt and adjacent unburnt areas of coastal heathland are reported. The burnt site experienced a wildfire 20 months prior to sampling. Collections of invertebrates from pitfall traps in winter indicated that there was no difference in total species richness or total numbers of individuals trapped between burnt and unburnt plots. However, at species level, 60 percent of the taxa showed a strong preference for either burnt areas or unburnt areas with only a few species trapped in around equal numbers in both areas. Twenty percent of species were only found on the unburnt plots. The implications of these results for fire management are discussed.

An evaluation of methods for sampling ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in British Columbia, Canada

2012 ◽  
Vol 144 (3) ◽  
pp. 491-507 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.J. Higgins ◽  
B.S. Lindgren
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Pitfall Trap ◽  
Assemblage Structure ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Pitfall Trapping ◽  
Nontarget Organisms ◽  
Total Species Richness ◽  
Total Species

AbstractAnts (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are ubiquitous and of considerable ecological interest, yet poorly studied in Canada. Given their natural history attributes and relatively low density and diversity in cool boreal forests, there is a need to evaluate the applicability of commonly used approaches to sampling and analysis. We examined the relative utility of two pitfall trap designs, mini-Winkler litter extractions, and colony versus forager sampling for ecological studies. First, we found that Laurent (conventional) and Nordlander (modified to exclude larger nontarget organisms) pitfall traps were equally efficacious for estimating total species richness. Second, pitfall trapping yielded marginally higher total species richness than mini-Winkler litter sampling, by the incidence-based estimator (Chao2). Third, two studies considering the relationship between captures of individual ants in pitfall traps and identified ant colonies argued for caution in how pitfall captures are interpreted. In the first study, Nordlander traps placed in a grid surrounding nests ofFormica obscuripesForel revealed unique and highly patchy captures of individuals, with no patterns relating to proximity to the nest. In the second study, abundance estimates to compare ant assemblage structure in a simple grassland ecosystem by pitfall trapping (relative) and area-based hand sampling (absolute) for colonies, revealed that relative sampling does not reflect the absolute ant assemblage structure. Our results support, equivocally, the use of pitfall traps (Nordlander) over mini-Winklers in the cool moist forests of west-central British Columbia, but individual specimen counts should not be used when analysing the data.

Partial cutting reduces species richness of fungi on woody debris in oak-rich forests

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 1807-1816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Björn Nordén ◽  
Frank Götmark ◽  
Martin Ryberg ◽  
Heidi Paltto ◽  
Johan Allmér
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Fruiting Bodies ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Total Species Richness ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Closed Canopy ◽  
And Control ◽  
Total Species

Partial cutting is increasingly applied in European temperate oak-dominated forests for biofuel harvesting, and to counteract succession in protected stands. Effects on biodiversity of these measures need to be carefully evaluated, and species-rich but neglected taxa such as fungi should be considered. We studied the effects of partial cutting on fungal fruiting bodies on woody debris. In 21 closed canopy forests rich in large oaks in Sweden, on average 25%–30% of the basal area was cut. Fruiting bodies were counted and some were collected in treated and control plots before and after treatment. We found 334 basidiomycete and 47 ascomycete species. Species richness of basidiomycetes declined significantly more in treated plots (on average 26%) than in control plots (on average 13%) between seasons. Species richness of ascomycetes increased by 17% in control plots and decreased by 2% in treated plots. Total species richness was significantly reduced on fine woody debris (1–10 cm in diameter), but not on coarse woody debris (>10 cm). Overall species composition did not change significantly as a result of partial cutting, but red-listed species tended to decrease more in treated plots. We suggest that approximately 30% of the stands should not be thinned, and dead stems and fallen branches should not be removed, to favor saproxylic fungi and their associated fauna.

scholarly journals Updated checklist of aquatic macrophytes from Northern Brazil

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edson Gomes de MOURA JÚNIOR ◽  
Raíssa Maria Sampaio de PAIVA ◽  
Angélica Cândida FERREIRA ◽  
Lucília Dias PACOPAHYBA ◽  
Aldaléa Sprada TAVARES ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Macrophytes ◽  
Floristic Similarity ◽  
Field Collection ◽  
Biogeographic Patterns ◽  
Total Species Richness ◽  
Amphibious Plants ◽  
Aquatic Flora ◽  
Bibliographic Search ◽  
Northern Brazil ◽  
Total Species

Field collection and herbaria data did not allow to quantify the diversity of aquatic plants from Northern Brazil, so we could not detect biogeographic patterns. Therefore, our objectives were to identify and quantify the aquatic macrophytes of North Brazilian states, analyzing herbaria data plataforms (SpeciesLink and Flora do Brasil). The checklist was produced by bibliographic search (articles published between 1980 and 2000), herbaria collections of the platforms SpeciesLink and Flora do Brasil and field expeditions, where we utilized asystematic sampling. We also analyzed the floristic similarity of aquatic macrophytes among Northern Brazil, wetlands of distinct Brazilian regions and the Neotropics. We recorded 539 species, of which 48 are endemic to Brazil. The states with highest number of species were Amazonas and Pará, independently on platform. The most represented families were Poaceae (89 species), Podostemaceae (55), Cyperaceae (50) and Fabaceae (47). We highlight the unprecedent richness of Podostemaceae, due to our own field collection efforts on favorable habitats, 25 species being endemic. Emergent and/or amphibious plants (515) were dominant in total species richness and were best represented in lotic habitats. We found significant differences in richness and floristics among states, obtained from the platforms. There is floristic similarity among Northern states and other Brazilian wetlands. In conclusion, we observed a rich aquatic flora in Northern Brazil, in spite of scarcity of records for Acre, Rondonia and Tocantins; we highlight the unprecedent number of endemic species of Podostemaceae (25) and contrasting richness between SpeciesLink and Flora do Brasil.

scholarly journals Fish species diversity in headwaters streams of Paraguay and Paraná Basins

2007 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 1033-1042 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yzel Rondon Súarez ◽  
Sabrina Bigatão Valério ◽  
Karina Keyla Tondado ◽  
Alexandro Cezar Florentino ◽  
Thiago Rota Alves Felipe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Total Species Richness ◽  
Paraná Basin ◽  
Parana Basin ◽  
Number Of Individuals ◽  
Total Species ◽  
Fish Species Diversity

The influence of spatial, temporal and environmental factors on fish species diversity in headwater streams in Paraguay and Paraná basins, Brazil was examined. A total of 4,605 individuals were sampled, distributed in 60 species. The sampled streams in Paraná basin presented a larger total species richness (42) than Paraguay streams (40). However the estimated richness was larger in Paraguay basin (53) than Paraná streams (50). The streams of Paraná basin had a greater mean species richness and evenness, while more individuals per sample were found in the Paraguay basin. Difference between the sub-basins were found in the Paraguay basin, while for the basin of Paraná, richness and evenness vary significantly between the sub-basins, but the number of individuals varied seasonally. The most important environmental factors to species diversity and abundance were altitude, water temperature, stream width and stream depth for both the basins.

scholarly journals Increased mosquito abundance and species richness in Connecticut, United States 2001–2019

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanya A. Petruff ◽  
Joseph R. McMillan ◽  
John J. Shepard ◽  
Theodore G. Andreadis ◽  
Philip M. Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Mosquito Abundance ◽  
Total Species Richness ◽  
Multiple Species ◽  
Total Species

Abstract Historical declines in multiple insect taxa have been documented across the globe in relation to landscape-level changes in land use and climate. However, declines have either not been universally observed in all regions or examined for all species. Because mosquitoes are insects of public health importance, we analyzed a longitudinal mosquito surveillance data set from Connecticut (CT), United States (U.S.) from 2001 to 2019 to identify changes in mosquito community composition over time. We first analyzed annual site-level collections and metrics of mosquito community composition with generalized linear/additive mixed effects models; we also examined annual species-level collections using the same tools. We then examined correlations between statewide collections and weather variables as well as site-level collections and land cover classifications. We found evidence that the average trap night collection of mosquitoes has increased by ~ 60% and statewide species richness has increased by ~ 10% since 2001. Total species richness was highest in the southern portion of CT, likely due to the northward range expansion of multiple species within the Aedes, Anopheles, Culex, and Psorophora genera. How the expansion of mosquito populations in the northeast U.S. will alter mosquito-borne pathogen transmission in the region will require further investigation.

scholarly journals Responses of boreal ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) to different logging regimes during ten years of secondary succession

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matti Koivula
Keyword(s):  
Term Effect ◽  
Ecological Group ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Open Habitat ◽  
Total Species Richness ◽  
Long Term Effect ◽  
One Year ◽  
And Control ◽  
Total Species

Many biological responses may develop over long periods of time, and annual community variation should therefore be controlled in ecological research. We sampled carabid beetles over ten years in Norway spruce dominated forests in Southern Finland, harvested using replicated logging treatments of different intensities. We collected carabids in 1995 (prior to logging) and during four post-harvest seasons, 1996-98 and in 2006. The treatments were clear-cutting (no retained trees), modified clear-cutting (retention of three groups of 20-30 trees within one-hectare core) and gap cutting (three 0.16-ha openings within a one-hectare core), and control (mature unharvested forest). Carabids showed remarkable annual and regional variation at assemblage, ecological-group and species levels, such that was independent of treatments. The total species richness, and that of open-habitat carabids, were higher in cleared sites of all treatments than in control stands in 1997-1998 but not in 2006, suggesting that the logging response was ephemeral by many species. The abundances of forest and generalist carabids were little affected by logging. Open-habitat carabids were more abundant in clear-cuts and modified clear-cuts than in gap cuts, which was still detectable in 2006, suggesting a long-term effect. Open-habitat carabids were less abundant in retention sites of modified clear-cuts and gap cuts than in cleared sites, suggesting that retention attenuates assemblage change. Carabid assemblages of logged stands did not differ from control stands in 1996 but they did in 1997-1998, suggesting a one-year delay in logging response. Carabids showed remarkable annual and regional variation at assemblage, ecological-group and species levels, such that was independent of treatments. The total species richness, and that of open-habitat carabids, were higher in cleared sites of all treatments than in control stands in 1997-1998 but not in 2006, suggesting that the logging response was ephemeral by many species. The abundances of forest and generalist carabids were little affected by logging. Open-habitat carabids were more abundant in clear-cuts and modified clear-cuts than in gap cuts, which was still detectable in 2006, suggesting a long-term effect. Open-habitat carabids were less abundant in retention sites of modified clear-cuts and gap cuts than in cleared sites, suggesting that retention attenuates assemblage change. Carabid assemblages of logged stands did not differ from control stands in 1996 but they did in 1997-1998, suggesting a one-year delay in logging response. In 2006, logged and control stands hosted relatively similar assemblages which, together with the above results, suggests a partial faunal recovery. We conclude that even modest retention provides long-term support for forest carabids, but also that their full assemblage recovery takes longer than 10 years.

Dominance, diversity and distribution of lianas in Yasuní, Ecuador: who is on top?

2002 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 845-864 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn J. Burnham
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
Terra Firme ◽  
Habitat Specificity ◽  
Total Species Richness ◽  
Yasuni National Park ◽  
Coefficient Of Variability ◽  
Herbarium Collections ◽  
Floodplain Habitats ◽  
Total Species

Lianas of Yasuní National Park and the Huaorani Ethnic Reserve, Ecuador were sampled using 0.2-ha subsamples from 12 1-ha plots. Using surveys and herbarium collections, the total species richness of lianas in the park and reserve is estimated to be close to 500 species. Terra firme habitats are significantly more species rich than floodplain habitats, but density of stems is not significantly different between habitats. The most abundant liana species is Machaerium cuspidatum Kuhlm. & Hoehne (Fabaceae) in both floodplain and terra firme habitats, representing more than 10% of all stems in census plots. Analysis of rarity indicates that none of the liana species encountered on the 12 plots is rare in terms of geographic range, and many species are not rare in terms of population size or habitat specificity. The rank order of abundance, combined with the coefficient of variability in species distribution among plots, is used to identify the 38 species (an oligarchy) that dominate forests in Yasuní.

The Westphalian–Stephanian macrofloral record from the South Wales Coalfield, UK

2007 ◽  
Vol 144 (3) ◽  
pp. 465-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHRISTOPHER J. CLEAL
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Detailed Comparison ◽  
The South ◽  
Significant Drop ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Total Species Richness ◽  
Total Species

The South Wales Coalfield has the most complete Westphalian macrofloral record anywhere on the Variscan Foreland or adjacent basins, with 135 biodiversity-meaningful morphospecies having been recognized. All of the standard macrofloral biozones of the Westphalian Stage have been recognized, although a detailed comparison with the Central Pennines Coalfields has indicated some discrepancies in the relative positions of the biozonal boundaries. Total Species Richness progressively increases through the Langsettian Substage, and then remains relatively stable through most of the Duckmantian and Bolsovian substages. There is a distinct reduction in Total Species Richness towards the top of the Bolsovian Substage, but this partially recovers in the middle Asturian Substage with the appearance of a range of marattialean ferns, and medullosalean and callistophytaleans pteridosperms. There is no evidence of any significant drop in Total Species Richness towards the top of the succession, indicating that conditions at this time were relatively stable. The change from coastal floodplain to alluvial braidplain conditions in middle Bolsovian times correlates with a marked increase in the proportion of medullosalean remains being preserved in the adpression record, reflecting an expansion of the clastic-substrate habitats.

An endemic cephalopod assemblage from the lower Campanian (Late Cretaceous) Parras Shale, western Coahuila, Mexico

2013 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
pp. 881-901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Ifrim ◽  
Wolfgang Stinnesbeck ◽  
José Flores Ventura
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Late Cretaceous ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Faunal Composition ◽  
Cosmopolitan Species ◽  
Generic Composition ◽  
Three New Species ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Lower Campanian

The cephalopods from Union y Progreso represent the first fossil assemblage described from the Parras Shale in Coahuila, Mexico.Pseudoschloenbachia(Pseudoschloenbachia) aff.P. (P.)mexicana(Renz, 1936),P. (P.)mexicana(Renz, 1936),Baculites haresiReeside, 1927, andMenabites(Delawarella)vanuxemi(Morton, 1830) have a geographically restricted occurrence.Didymocerasjuv. sp.,Menuitesjuv. sp.,Polyptychocerasjuv. sp.,Pseudoxybeloceras(Parasolenoceras)juv. sp., andScaphitessp. ex gr.S. hippocrepis(DeKay, 1828) are represented by juveniles and could not be determined to species level.Desmophyllites diphylloides(Forbes, 1846) is the only long-ranging, cosmopolitan species described from this assemblage. Three new species are described:Eutrephoceras irritilasin. sp.,Hypophylloceras(Neophylloceras)arturoin. sp., andTetragonites silencioensisn. sp. The morphotypeBaculitesn. sp. is also inferred to be distinct. The faunal composition of this assemblage indicates a late early Campanian age. This assemblage shows a high degree of endemism. The causes for this endemism are currently unknown and difficult to assess. Nevertheless, the generic composition of the Union y Progreso ammonite assemblage suggests a short-term early Campanian endemic event.

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