Specific features of the oribatid fauna in high-mountain pine forests of the Eastern Caucasus in relation to altitudinal zonality

The abundance, structure, and distribution of oribatid communities in high-mountain pine forest biotopes of the Eastern Caucasus are described in dependence on elevation above sea level. The oribatid fauna of high-mountain pine forests proved to be characterized by high abundance, an assortment of dominants, and species richness. It was shown that, as the elevation increases, specific dominants typical of particular altitudinal zones appear in communities, and changes in the mass species occur. These species are stable in terms of their long-term dynamics, and zonal groups (communities) demonstrate a high species diversity.     

长湖鱼类群落结构的时空变化

为系统阐明长湖鱼类群落结构特征,2014年3~11月对长湖鱼类群落结构的空间差异和季节动态进行了较为全面的调查。结果表明,长湖共调查到鱼类43种,隶属于7目14科37属,主要为湖泊定居型鱼类;大湖区和海子湖区鱼类优势种组成虽存在一定的差异,但鲫、鰐、鲤和达氏鲌为两个湖区的共同优势种;长湖鱼类群落的Margalef丰富度指数、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数分别为0.53~2.30、0.52~2.02和0.24~0.66,除丰富度指数外,均表现为5月或8月相对较高;聚类和MDS排序分析结果表明长湖鱼类群落分为两大类群,呈现显著的时空异质性;ABC曲线显示长湖优势鱼类以小型鱼类或大型鱼类的幼体为主,且已受到不同程度的干扰。针对长湖鱼类资源已出现衰退,建议在拆除围网/拦网养殖、取缔有害渔具的同时,考虑增殖放流、栽种水生植物等措施来达到长湖鱼类资源保护和可持续利用的目的。     

汉江中下游春季浮游甲壳动物群落结构的空间差异

2002年4月,在汉江中下游从丹江口坝上至其河口沿途设17个采样点,共采集到浮游甲壳动物10科26属33种,其中桡足类4科10属11种,枝角类6科16属22种。根据各采样点的种类组成和数量分布,采用Shannon Wiener指数、Simpson指数和Pielou均匀度指数分析了不同江段浮游甲壳动物的群落多样性特征,并运用SOM人工神经网络方法对其群落结构的空间差异进行了比较。结果表明,汉江中下游江段浮游甲壳动物的密度分布呈现出中游高于下游的特征,而物种丰度和群落多样性指数则是下游高于中游;中游上段的属于密度高但多样性低的群落、中游下段和汉江口属于密度较低但多样性高的群落,下游除汉江口外属于密度和多样性均较低的群落。     

Relationship between the Biodiversity of phyto- and zoobenthos in the continuum of the model mountain river Komarovka (Primorye,Russia)

The structure of benthic communities was studied in the continuum of the model mountain river Komarovka, which flows in the conifer-broadleaf forest subzone in the southwest of the Silkhote-Alin Mountain Range (Primorye, Russia). The lowest species diversity of phyto- and zoobenthos was recorded in the upper reaches of the river, in a heterotrophic area; the highest species diversity, in the central part of autotrophic area. At the same time, the Shannon index for algal communities had the highest values in the heterotrophic area, while that for bottom invertebrate communities, within the autotrophic area. Thus, the increase in invertebrate species diversity in the river continuum was accompanied by complication of the structure of zoobenthos, while the increase in the taxonomic diversity of phytobenthos took place against the background of increasing dominance of a few algal species.     

Soil-dwelling Collembola in coniferous forests along the gradient of pollution with emissions from the Middle Ural Copper Smelter

The results of three-year studies on Collembola communities in spruce-fir forests along the gradient of pollution with emissions from the Middle Ural Copper Smelter (Revda, Sverdlovsk oblast) are presented. They show that the species and ecological structure of these communities change abruptly in the impact zone (1 km from the source of emissions), compared to the background zone (30 km from the source), which involves a decrease in the abundance and diversity of Collembola. Their total abundance and species richness in the zone of intermediate disturbance (7 and 4 km) are considerably higher than in the background zone, and the species structure of communities is characterized by superdominance. Four species groups differing in sensitivity to pollution are distinguished. Preference for zones with different pollution levels in closely related species is regarded as a case of ecological vicariation.     

Species richness,structure, and conservation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nitraria retusa</Emphasis> communities in the coastal salt marshes of Kuwait

Although the coastal salt marshes of Arabian Gulf have been altered extensively by human development activities, there is a paucity of data describing changes in the distribution and abundance of native coastal plant communities. The main objectives of this study are to determine vegetation condition, size structure, and conservation status of Nitraria retusa, a medicinal and salt-tolerant shrub, in disturbed and non-disturbed coastal salt marshes of Kuwait. Size measurements of Nitraria shrubs and nabkas, which are mounds of sediment developed around shrubs, were carried out in 50 quadrats (20 × 20 m²), randomly selected inside and outside Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve. Species richness and soil properties of nabkas and interspaces, the open areas between the nabkas, were also measured. The results revealed that nabkas of Nitraria in non-disturbed sites are more stable and rich in plant diversity than those in disturbed sites. Mean height and mean canopy diameter of Nitraria shrubs, total plant cover, and species richness are significantly higher in non-disturbed sites than disturbed sites, which indicate the positive influences of conservation for long term on vegetation structure and species richness. The results of soil analyses indicate the important role of nabkas in providing refuges for plant life and species diversity. The present study indicates that more than 50 % of the N. retusa community has been lost during the last few decades. Therefore, N. retusa should be considered an endangered species in Kuwait. The reduction in vegetation cover, a decline in species richness, and the overall degradation of salt marshes are attributed to human development activities along the coast of Kuwait. Effective conservation actions for threatened species in degraded coastal salt marshes of this region include establishment of protective enclosures, prohibitions on development that adversely affects native plant communities, and the planting native salt-tolerant shrubs to facilitate regeneration.     

Condition of the Soil Fauna near the Epicenter of an Underground Nuclear Explosion in the Northern Urals

Radioactive contamination affects soil organisms and causes profound structural rearrangements in soil zoocenoses, which are manifested in the decreased species diversity of invertebrate communities and low relative abundance of large soil invertebrates. However, these communities gradually recover their initial structure. The soil biota near the epicenter of an underground nuclear explosion performed 30 years ago in Perm oblast has been studied to reveal specific structural features of the soil macro- and microfauna. Its structural diversity is considered with regard to such components as species (taxonomic) composition, the structure of dominance, and the ratio of ecological and trophic groups.__________Translated from Ekologiya, No. 3, 2005, pp. 171–179.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Kolesnikova, Taskaeva, Krivolutskii, Taskaev.     

Specific features of bird community formation depending on the degree of anthropogenic impact

The population density and relative abundance of some bird species reach the highest values in the communities of habitats with a high degree of anthropogenic transformation. The species diversity of birds shows an inverse correlation with the index of anthropogenic impact (in grades) calculated with regard to a number of parameters. Relevant correlations change periodically, with the correlation coefficient reaching the highest values in the nesting period and decreasing to a minimum during the flight period.     

Dynamics of the Mite Communities (Acari: Parasitiformes) in Nests of the Parus major

The dynamics of nest-dwelling mites from the nests of the great tit in the protected area of Kamchia Mountain in Northeastern Bulgaria was investigated. The mite fauna inhabiting the nests of great tit differs significantly in terms of the degree of infestation, species richness, abundance and structure of communities in study years. There are statistically significant differences in the specimens’ number between 2014 and the other years 2012, 2013 and 2015. The mite species such as Dermanyssus gallinae, Androlaelaps casalis and Ornithonyssus sylviarum demonstrated significant changes in the abundance over the study years. A relation between the abundance of a species and the species diversity in the nests was not registered. Comparison of the annual dynamics of mites in the nests of great tit and the nests of semi-collared flycatcher for the same period of time and for the same environment, showed similarities—a significant fluctuation in the abundance of mites over the years and differences—in the species richness. Regarding the structure of the communities, both similarities and differences were recorded.

     

Specific Structural Features of Zooplankton in Lakes Differing in Trophic Status: Species Populations

The index of cenotic significance and other indices calculated on its basis were used for revealing specific structural features of zooplanktonic communities in lakes differing in productivity. The results showed that new indices (complexity coefficient, index of cenotic significance of dominant species, and integrated cenotic significance of the zooplankton) strongly correlate with the trophic status of the water body and are more responsive to changes in the structure of the community than the Shannon–Weaver index of species diversity. The results confirm the hypothesis that the structure of zooplankton is simplified in the course of lake eutrophication.     

Comparative analysis of small mammal communities in Chisinau and Yaroslavl, two European cities located in different biomes

Comparative analysis of the structure of small mammal communities has been performed in two European cities located in different biomes: Chisinau (2008?C2009) and Yaroslavl (1994?C2002). The parameters studied included abundance, species composition, similarity and difference of faunas, species diversity, and proportions of groups differing in predisposition to synanthropy. It has been found that the structure of small mammal communities in these cities depends on specific physiographic conditions of the surrounding areas and on the distinctive features of the cities themselves (their structure, age, etc.). The similarity between the faunas is accounted for by the common ecological patterns of fauna formation in the biota of urban cenoses.     

Characteristics of soil nematode communities under conditions of woody plant introduction

Nematode communities in the rooted soil layer under the crowns of introduced tree species on Valaam Island (Republic of Karelia) have been studied by conventional nematological methods to evaluate their taxonomic diversity, population density, and eco-trophic structure. On the whole, 49 nematode genera have been recorded, with their total abundance varying from 1209 to 2548 ind./100 g soil. The abundance and proportion of plant parasites in the soil nematode assemblage have proved to be higher under introduced trees, compared to natural forest biocenoses.     

Ecological assessment of murine rodent communities in the mountain forest belt of southern Central Siberia

The results of long-term studies on the fauna and ecology of murine rodents inhabiting the mountain forest belt of southern Central Siberia are considered. A comparative analysis of the composition and organization of rodent communities has been performed in 15 key plots located within three geographic-climatic facies: perhumid, humid, and semihumid. The species composition, dominance structure, and total abundance of these communities in each facies have significant distinctive features, despite the generally high similarity of the communities within the forest belt. Information indices have been used to determine parameters of the diversity and evenness of communities, which reflect their state and degree of resistance to various factors.     

Species-specific Features of Blood Plasma Amino Acid Spectrum of Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in the Urals

The amino acid spectrum of blood plasma in three bat species (Myotis dasycneme, Pipistrellus nathusii, Vespertilio murinus) inhabiting the Urals has been studied for the first time. The bats were trapped in the zone of their high abundance in Chelyabinsk oblast (2013–2014). Free amino acids were determined by liquid ion exchange chromatography (a total of 384 determinations). It has been shown that the plasma amino acid spectrum consists of 22 amino acids in subadult bats of all three species, but there are species-specific differences in their concentrations. The total amino-acid pool concentration in migratory P. nathusii and V. murinus exceeds that in resident M. dasycneme by factors of 2.9 and 1.8, respectively. Migratory species are characterized by a high concentration of plasma arginine: it is six times higher in V. murinus than in M. dasycneme, and in P. nathusii arginine accounts for 25.4% of the amino acid pool. The group of glucogenic amino acids is prevalent in the blood plasma of migratory species (75% in V. murinus and 79% in P. nathusii), while in M. dasycneme the total proportion of lysine, glycine, and glutamic acid is 2.3 times lower than in P. nathusii and 1.7 lower than in V. murinus (p < 0.05). These results provide evidence for significant differences in the contents of free blood plasma amino acids between migratory and resident bat species.     

大宁河春季浮游藻类“水华”及其营养限制

报道了大宁河2004年春季和2005年春季浮游藻类的种类组成、垂直分布、数量、生物量以及C含量的调查结果，并应用多样性指数、丰富度指数和均匀性指数对其水质进行了综合评价；对大宁河蓄水后出现的富营养化现象和春季发生“水华”的原因进行了探讨，同时提出了控制水体富营养化的建议。2004年春季，藻类优势种为美丽星杆藻〖WTBX〗（Asterionella formosa）、卵形隐藻（Cryptomonas ovata）、里海小环藻（Cyclotella caspia）和新星形冠盘藻（Stephanodiscus neoastraea）；2005年春季的优势种为实球藻（Pandorina morum）、空球藻（Eudorina elegans）、里海小环藻(Cyclotella caspia)和卵形隐藻(Cryptomonas ovata)〖WTBZ〗。2004年和2005年的细胞密度、生物量和C含量分别平均为171.1×105 cells/L，12.2 mg/L，1 732.2 μg C/L和113.1×105 cells/L，10.1 mg/L，1 395.9μg C/L。对2005年春季熊猫洞采样点“水华”水进行生物测试的结果表明，P是藻类生长的限制因子。研究认为，控制大宁河沿岸带生活污水的排放量并减少由于农田地表径流所带来的营养输入是防止该河加重富营养化和发生“水华”的关键。     

大坝截流前后金沙江观音岩水电站鱼类群落功能多样性的变化

人类活动通过对非生物因素和生物多样性的作用从而对生态系统功能产生了巨大的影响。大量的理论和实验研究表明,物种功能性状在连接群落组成改变和生态系统进程转变中起着重要作用。由于物种功能性状的差异,栖息环境改变后,群落中容易适应新环境的物种占据优势,难以适应的物种数量减少甚至消失,从而导致整个群落结构发生改变,进而使整个生态系统进程发生转变。通过评价金沙江观音岩水电站大坝截流前后鱼类群落组成情况,结合不同种类功能性状的差异,采用生物多样性评估方法和功能多样性指数分析方法两种不同手段,对比分析截流前后大坝下游鱼类群落结构和功能多样性的变化,从而分析大坝建设的生态效应。结果表明:Bray-Curtis相异指数前后差异较大,辛普森指数无明显变化;功能多样性指数的变化表明大坝截流对水体中体型较大,口下位,食谱宽度较窄的鱼类生存和活动造成了一定的破坏,导致拥有这些特征的鱼类数量减少甚至消失,降低了下游鱼类群落的功能多样性,进而对该区域整个生态系统功能产生影响。     

Changes in the dry tropical forests in Central India with human use

Understanding changes in forest composition and structure is important to help formulate effective policies that promote future ability of forests to provide local livelihood needs, habitat and ecosystem services. This is particularly important in dry tropical forests that are ecologically different from other forests and are heavily used by local, forest-dependent residents. In this study, we identify biophysical, demographic and use factors associated with differences in species diversity, vegetation structure (abundance at different size classes), biomass and relative abundance of species across the Kanha–Pench landscape in Central India. We sampled vegetation in twenty transects across different human and livestock population densities and frequencies of use. We found that biomass, species diversity and vegetation (abundance at different size classes) are negatively associated with increasing population density, and species composition at different size classes is significantly different at higher frequencies of use at low population densities. Lack of difference in species composition at high population densities may be due to colonization and growth of individuals at some of these sites due to creation of new ecological niches and gaps at high human use. Relative abundance of species at different size classes also varies with frequency of use and population density. Results suggest that human use is altering relative abundance of species, which may change long-term forest composition and thus alter biomass and vegetation structure of the forest. We conclude that human use is an agent in altering long-term composition that can alter availability of tree species for local use and other ecosystem services.     

沱江源森林群落生物多样性垂直格局研究

在野外样带调查的基础上,分析了沱江源头九顶山植被生物多样性随海拔而变化的规律,并简要分析了植被生物多样性垂直格局的影响因子。从河谷到林线,乔木占据群落上层,其郁闭度对林下灌草层群落发育影响很大,生物多样性体现出乔木层与灌草层的相互关系：乔木盖度大的群落其灌木和草本层稀疏,而盖度小的次生林和林线上的高海拔区域灌木和草本种类与个体都迅速增加。多样性指数Hill指数及N1、N2指数变化规律基本相似：林线以下乔木层多样性指数最高,灌木层次之,草本层多样性指数最小,尤其在中度海拔体现明显,海拔3 500 m以上,草本多样性指数最高,灌木次之,而乔木已退出竞争。     

长江口大洋山近岸水域浮游植物群落及其与环境因子的关系

2012年对上海大洋山近岸水域浮游植物的群落结构和物种多样性的周年动态进行了逐月的研究。结果表明:浮游植物共有141种,隶属6门62属。以硅藻为主,共43属110种,占物种总种类的78.01%。该水域浮游植物的年平均细胞密度为(37.86±39.79)×104cell/L。中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum)和具槽帕拉藻(Paralia sulcata)为第一和第二优势种,细长列海链藻(Thalassiosira leptopus)、肋缝菱形藻(Nitzschia frustulum)和梅尼小环藻(Cyclotella meneghiniana)为该水域常见种。从水质参数和物种多样性指数综合评价:大洋山近岸水域水质总体属于轻中污染。冗余分析(RDA)表明对大洋山近岸水域浮游植物影响较大的是悬浮物浓度、盐度、水温和溶解氧。     

Structure and dynamics of marginal Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R. Br. (Orchidaceae) populations on limestones in the northeast of European Russia

Data are presented on the abundance, structure, and dynamics of hemipopulations of G. conopsea protocorms and autotrophic individuals at the northern boundary of the species range. The dynamics of ontogenetic structure of G. conopsea cenopopulations have a fluctuating pattern. Their response to adverse weather conditions is manifested in short-term reduction of density and increase in cenopopulation ageness in subsequent years. Deterioration of growing conditions in a series of ecotopes is accompanied by an increase in the proportion of young individuals, which allows the species to level off the impact of adverse weather factors on population size.