菌根真菌侵染对植物生物量累积的影响

为了从生态系统尺度探讨菌根资源与植物生物量累积的关系,调查了鼎湖山不同成熟度的三个森林群落主要优势树种的菌根侵染情况.综合分析各森林群落优势树种的个体数、生物量和菌根侵染率发现：1）菌根侵染率与径向生长速率相关,植物生长迅速的阶段菌根侵染率更高.中径级（胸径15-30 cm）的马尾松（Pinus massoniana）和锥（Castanopsis chinensis）的侵染率比小径级（胸径1-15 cm）个体的侵染率高,而大径级个体（胸径30 cm 以上）的侵染率略低于中径级个体的侵染率.木荷（Schima superba）则表现出侵染率随着胸径增大而增高的趋势.2）树种在群落内的侵染率越高,其对群落生物量的贡献率越大.如马尾松在马尾松林和混交林的侵染率分别为（77.30±18.02）%和（40.50±14.42）%,其对马尾松林群落生物量的贡献率达到87.43%,是对混交林生物量贡献率（17.51%）的5 倍.混交林和阔叶林的共有优势树种锥的侵染率和生物量贡献率也有存在相同规律.3）根系碳储量占群落总碳储量比例较高的群落其优势树种平均侵染率相对较高.马尾松林、混交林和季风常绿阔叶林中,根系碳储量占群落总碳储量的比例分别为55%、54%、42%,群落优势树种平均侵染率分别为（66.73±10.55）%、（46.97±27.28）%、（54.22±25.45）%,马尾松林的根系碳储量和平均侵染率均高于混交林和季风常绿阔叶林.以上结果表明,菌根真菌侵染对于植物个体生长速率以及群落水平的生物量累积具有-定的促进作用.     

模拟酸雨对华南典型树种生长及营养元素含量的影响

我国是世界上的第3大酸雨区,而华南地区是我国酸雨比较严重的地区之一。越来越严重的酸雨将对森林生态系统林木生长产生负面影响。本文采用盆栽试验模拟研究酸雨对华南典型树种尾叶桉和马尾松幼树生长及营养元素含量的影响。酸雨水平有4个:pH6.8(CK)、pH5、pH4和pH3。幼树生长期间观察并记录其酸雨受害症状,每隔10a测量一次树高,4个月后统计生物量、叶面积情况,并分析植株样品中的N、P、K、Ca、Mg等元素的质量分数。试验结果表明,在不同酸度酸雨的协迫下,尾叶桉和马尾松幼苗表现出不同程度的受害症状,酸度越高受害越严重。酸雨显著地抑制尾叶桉和马尾松的树高生长,降低幼苗生物量,减少叶面积生长。与对照相比,生长四个月后,pH5、pH4和pH3处理分别导致尾叶桉生物量降低10.79%、19.21%和27.25%,马尾松降低12.78%、22.98%和28.70%。尾叶桉植株内P、Mg、Ca质量分数不同程度地受到酸雨的影响,而N、K质量分数不受酸雨影响;马尾松除了P元素以外,其它元素质量分数在各个酸雨处理之间差异不显著。     

不同林分密度对尾巨桉生物产量及生产力的影响研究

对湘南低山丘岗区密度为600、900和1200株·hm-2的6年生尾巨桉丰产示范林进行了生物量及生产力的测定分析.结果表明:单株生物量随密度的增加而明显减小,低密度林分是高密度林分的4.36倍;林分生物量随密度的增加而减小,低密度林分比高密度林分高出48.26t·hm-2.年均净生物量分别达到14.86,11.42,6.82t·hm-2·a-1.林分各组分的生物量随密度的增大而减小,并出现W干>W根>W枝的规律.林分结构以低密度林分合理,叶面积指数最高,干材生物量达60%以上.在湘南低山丘岗区发展潜力大,可作为短周期纸浆材林培育首选树种.     

不同人工林分枯落物和土壤持水能力研究

对大岭山林场尾叶桉、马占相思、黑木相思、厚荚相思、卷荚相思、杉木和马尾松林分的枯落物和土壤持水功能进行研究。结果表明,林地枯落物持水量的大小顺序为:马占相思林>杉木林>厚荚相思林>黑木相思林>尾叶桉林>马尾松林>卷荚相思林;土壤持水量大小则为:杉木林>厚荚相思林>卷荚相思林>马尾松林>尾叶桉林>马占相思林>黑木相思林。对于尾叶桉林来说,随着林分年龄的增加,其枯落物持水能力增加,但持水量降低。     

五种亚热带树苗的生长与干物质分配格局对大气污染胁迫的响应

将乡土木本植物猫尾木Dolichandronecauda-felina、蒲桃Syzygiumjambos、野牡丹Melastomacandidum、翻白叶树Pterospermumheterophyllum以及鸭脚木Scheffleraoctophylla1年生袋装苗盆栽,置半庇荫环境下适应4周,之后按株数均等分成两组,分别放置在南海五星污染区和广州华南植物园清洁区进行试验。5个月后进行植物构形生长参数和干物质量的测定,以探讨这5种亚热带树苗对大气污染响应的差异。结果表明,①这5种树苗均能在清洁区和污染区都存活,但生长特征表现明显差别。②除翻白叶树基径有少许增大外,大气污染基本上都使植物基径生长减小;树高方面,除了蒲桃外,其余树种树高都有所降低,鸭脚木树高受到的影响最为严重。③翻白叶树与猫尾木单株侧枝数有少许增加,而蒲桃和鸭脚木单株侧枝数有大幅度地下降,分别减少为清洁区单株侧枝数的46.5%和65.1%,野牡丹单株侧枝数基本上没有受到影响。④在污染区生长的5个树种单株干物质总量除了翻白叶树有所增加外,其余4个树种单株干物质量均有不同程度地下降。⑤除了蒲桃保持不变外,污染区?生长4种植物冠根比(CRR)均有不同程度地增加。在污染区生长的植株叶质量比(LWR)和叶面积比(LAR)与清洁区相比存在差异,野牡丹和蒲桃叶质量比和叶面积比下降,而其余3种植物叶质量比和叶面积比上升。综合实验结果表明,5种植物幼苗中对大气污染抗性最强的是翻白叶树和蒲桃,抗性最弱的是鸭脚木。     

不同桉树人工林Fe元素积累和循环的比较

为了桉树(Eucalyptus)的可持续经营,采用野外设置样地和室内分析方法相结合,对刚果12桉(Eucalyptus.ABL12)、尾叶桉(E.urophylla)、窿缘桉(E.exserta)3种桉树Fe元素的积累、循环进行比较研究.研究结果表明:刚果12桉、尾叶桉、窿缘桉3种桉树Fe元素质量分数平均值为:2 438.935 4、4618.853 5、3 858.128 8 mg·kg-1;林分Fe元素积累量为:16 787.430 7、73 163.470 1、16 421.537 kg·hm-2.年存留量为尾叶桉＞刚果12桉＞窿缘桉;年归还量为尾叶桉＞窿缘桉＞刚果12桉;刚果12桉、尾叶桉、窿缘桉循环系数分别为0.56、0.49、0.78.尾叶桉林下有植被的林分和林下无植被的林分Fe元素的质量分数分别为5 999.592 9、3 438.114 mg·kg-1;林分Fe元素积累量为:157.005 2、90.926 1 kg·hm-2;Fe元素年存留量分别为31.401 1、18.185 3 kg·hm-2·a-1;年归还量分别为33.418 3、13.947 kg·hm-2·a-1;年吸收量分别为64.819 4、32.132 3 kg·hm-2·a-1;循环系数分别为0.51、0.43.研究结果表明桉树凋落物的回归,促进林下植被的生长发育,对桉树人工林Fe元素的动态平衡起着重要的作用.     

几种不同更新的森林群落碳储量结构特征分析

森林更新是维持和扩大森林资源的主要途径,也是森林结构调整、森林可持续经营和构建多功能高效的森林生态系统的过程。在安徽南部的岭南林场,选择了马尾松（Pinus massoniana Lamb）人工林（MP）、杉木（Cunninghamia lanceolata）人工林（CF）、阔叶混交天然次生林（MB）和针阔混交人工次生林（MN）等4种具有典型代表性的森林群落类型,研究了不同更新方式形成的森林群落的碳储量结构特征。结果表明：（1）针阔混交次生林树干生物量密度最大,为（67.32±56.57）mg.hm-2,杉木人工林生物量密度最小,为（43.79±9.13）mg.hm-2,而马尾松树干生物量所占比例最大,为（64.04±1.49）%。阔叶混交次生林碳储量最高,为（126.47±90.75）mg.hm-2;（2）4种群落类型中,阔叶混交林与马尾松群落碳密度最大,分别为95.67和98.21mg.hm-2,杉木群落碳密度最小,为55.41 mg.hm-2。阔叶混交林中的灌木层生物量碳密度最大,为（17.438±24.627）mg hm-2,马尾松林的草本层和枯落层生物量碳密度最高,分别为（1.326±0.431）、（5.517±2.846）mg.hm-2;（3）阔叶混交林群落的地下碳储量最高,为（10.5±9.8）mg.hm-2,群落地下碳储量从大到小的顺序是阔叶混交林〉针阔混交林〉杉木林〉马尾松林。相应的群落地上碳储量从大到小的顺序是阔叶混交林〉针阔混交林〉马尾松林〉杉木林。杉木林根茎比（R/S）最大,为0.21±0.01,杉木林群落中的灌木层根茎比（R/S）最大,为1.61±0.11;（4）在阔叶混交林中,株数密度与乔木层、草本层的碳比例正相关。在杉木林群落中,平均胸径、株数密度与乔木层碳所占比例成负相关。除杉木林群落外,灌木层碳含量之比与胸径及密度等调查因子都呈负相关。     

亚热带马尾松林恢复过程中物种丰富度及生物量变化

马尾松林恢复过程中物种丰富度及生物量变化有助于了解该过程中物种多样性及碳汇功能的变化。选取亚热带东部湿润地区的马尾松(Pinus massoniana)林、针阔叶混交林及常绿阔叶林样地构建马尾松林自然恢复系列,通过比较不同森林中生物量和物种丰富度的变化探讨马尾松林恢复过程中碳汇功能以及物种多样性的变化。依据中国科学院战略性先导科技专项"应对气候变化碳收支认证及相关问题"之森林课题调查数据库中亚热带东部湿润地区的部分数据进行物种多样性和生物量的分析,分别计算不同胸径(diameter at breast height,DBH)等级(1 cm≤DBH5 cm、5 cm≤DBH10 cm、10 cm≤DBH20cm、DBH≥20 cm)以及群落总的物种丰富度和生物量,采用Tukey多重比较以及简单线性回归的方法分析不同森林类型之间生物量以及物种丰富度的差异,并探索物种丰富度与生物量之间的关系。结果表明亚热带东部地区的马尾松林、针阔叶混交林以及常绿阔叶林的总平均生物量分别为(114.74±4.82)、(124.99±4.99)、(220.9±8.62)t·hm-2,总物种丰富度分别为(5.81±0.61)、(17.55±1.17)、(23.71±2.04),在马尾松林转变为针阔叶混交林的过程中群落的物种数量显著增加(P=0.000),但碳贮量增加不明显(P=0.305);在针阔叶混交林转变为常绿阔叶林的过程中碳贮量显著增加(P=0.000)且生物量向大个体(DBH≥20 cm)的方向集中,但群落整体的物种数量增加不明显(P=0.159)。总体而言,亚热带地区所选森林中物种丰富度与生物量之间未表现出良好的线性关系,但针阔叶混交林的大个体(DBH≥5 cm)以及3种森林类型的小个体(DBH5cm)的物种丰富度与生物量之间呈现显著的线性相关。研究表明,亚热带东部湿润地区森林中小径级的个体生物量随物种丰富度增加其变化趋势明显,增加小个体的物种丰富度既能够促进群落中资源的利用效率,又能够促进森林生态系统的物质循环;针阔叶混交林大个体的生物量随物种丰富度的增加而显著增加,对针阔叶混交林中大个体乔木进行合理的管理也能够促进群落对资源的有效利用。     

鼎湖山粗死木质残体生物量特征

对鼎湖山季风常绿阔叶林1 hm2永久性样地内粗死木质残体(Coarse woody debris,简称CWD)的生物量、存在形式及分解状态进行研究.结果表明:1)鼎湖山季风常绿阔叶林CWD的生物量为42.09 t hm-2,其中倒木和枯立木分别为32.81 t hm-2、9.28 t hm-2,所占比例分别为77.9%、22.1%.1999~2010年间CWD年均输入量为1.68 t hm-2a-1.2)CWD主要优势树种为锥栗(Castanopsis chinensis)、黄杞(Engelhardtia roxburghiana)和荷木(Schima superba),所占比例分别为54.0%、15.1%和13.9%.3)CWD径级主要分布在30 cm以下,但对CWD生物量贡献最大的径级在30 cm以上.4)CWD的分解状态主要为中度分解状态,占CWD总生物量的61.2%.研究还表明,鼎湖山季风常绿阔叶林的CWD生物量呈逐年增加趋势.图2表3参17     

广西罗城马尾松、杉木、桉树人工林碳储量及其动态变化

对广西罗城仫佬族自治县杉木（Cunninghamia lanceolata）、马尾松（Pinus massoniana）桉树（Eucalyptus grandis x E.urophylla）人工林生态系统碳含量、碳储量进行了研究,结果表明：不同发育阶段马尾松、杉木、桉树人工林林下植被含碳率变化幅度为37.96%~49.03%,枯落物含碳率为41.8%～49.6%之间,马尾松幼龄林林下植被含碳率最高,2年生桉树林枯落物含碳率最小。0~60 cm土层含碳率变化幅度为0.45%～2.17%,0~20 cm土层含碳率表现为杉木〉马尾松〉桉树。马尾松、杉木、桉树人工林生态系统碳储量分别为135.61、144.30、87.54 t.hm-2,马尾松和桉树人工林生态系统碳储量均表现为随林龄的增加而增加,马尾松幼龄和近熟林碳储量分别高于杉木,杉木中龄林碳储量高于马尾松中龄林。马尾松、杉木、桉树人工林乔木碳储量分别占其总碳储量的43.03%、34.44%、22.92%。马尾松、杉木、桉树人工林下植被碳储量表现为桉树（2.54 t.hm-2）〉杉木（1.91 t.hm-2）〉马尾松（0.89 t.hm-2）。马尾松、杉木、桉树人工林枯落物碳储量分别占其总碳储量的1.64%、4.56%、1.95%。马尾松、杉木、桉树人工林土壤碳储量分别为74.13、86.48、62.95 t.hm-2,杉木人工林土壤碳储量最高,桉树最小,0~20 cm土层碳储量成为土壤的主体,马尾松0~20 cm土层碳储量占其土壤总碳储量的47.03%,杉木占51.67%,桉树为42.58%。乔木和土壤碳储量成为整个森林生态系统的主要的碳储存库。     

Achieving Open Access to Conservation Science

Conservation science is a crisis discipline in which the results of scientific enquiry must be made available quickly to those implementing management. We assessed the extent to which scientific research published since the year 2000 in 20 conservation science journals is publicly available. Of the 19,207 papers published, 1,667 (8.68%) are freely downloadable from an official repository. Moreover, only 938 papers (4.88%) meet the standard definition of open access in which material can be freely reused providing attribution to the authors is given. This compares poorly with a comparable set of 20 evolutionary biology journals, where 31.93% of papers are freely downloadable and 7.49% are open access. Seventeen of the 20 conservation journals offer an open access option, but fewer than 5% of the papers are available through open access. The cost of accessing the full body of conservation science runs into tens of thousands of dollars per year for institutional subscribers, and many conservation practitioners cannot access pay‐per‐view science through their workplace. However, important initiatives such as Research4Life are making science available to organizations in developing countries. We urge authors of conservation science to pay for open access on a per‐article basis or to choose publication in open access journals, taking care to ensure the license allows reuse for any purpose providing attribution is given. Currently, it would cost $51 million to make all conservation science published since 2000 freely available by paying the open access fees currently levied to authors. Publishers of conservation journals might consider more cost effective models for open access and conservation‐oriented organizations running journals could consider a broader range of options for open access to nonmembers such as sponsorship of open access via membership fees. Obtención de Acceso Abierto a la Ciencia de la Conservación     

Representation of the world's biophysical conditions by the global protected area network

Protected areas (PAs) are often implemented without consideration of already existing PAs, which is likely to cause an overrepresentation of certain biophysical conditions. We assessed the representativeness of the current PA network with regard to the world's biophysical conditions to highlight which conditions are underprotected and where these conditions are located. We overlaid terrestrial and marine PAs with information on biophysical conditions (e.g., temperature, precipitation, and elevation) and then quantified the percentage of area covered by the PA network. For 1 variable at a time in the terrestrial realm, high temperature, low precipitation, and medium and very high elevation were underrepresented. For the marine realm, low and medium sea surface temperature (SST), medium and high sea surface salinity (SSS), and the deep sea were underrepresented. Overall, protection was evenly distributed for elevation across the terrestrial realm and SST across the marine realm. For 2 variables at a time, cold and very dry terrestrial environments had mostly low protection, which was also the case for low SST and low and medium SSS across most depths for marine environments. Low protection occurred mostly in the Sahara and the Arabian Peninsula for the terrestrial realm and along the Tropic of Capricorn and toward the poles for the marine realm. Although biodiversity measures are of prime importance for the design of PA networks, highlighting biophysical gaps in current PAs adds a frequently overlooked perspective. These gaps may weaken the potential of PAs to conserve biodiversity. Thus, our results may provide useful insights for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to establish a more comprehensive global PA network.     

Quantitative composition of the defensive secretion ofBledius species (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Oxytelinae) is adapted to naturally occurring predators

Summary The adaptation of defensive secretions to their target organisms was examined for the abdominal gland secretions ofBledius furcatus, B. spectabilis andB. arenarius. Therefore the target organisms of the secretion of theseBledius species (i.e. their predators) had to be identified. At the collection sites examined these were the earwigLabidura riparia, the antCataglyphis bicolor, the flyLispe candicans, different carabids of the generaPogonus, Dichirotrichus, Dyschirius, Bembidion andCalathus and the wading birdsHaematopus ostralegus andCalidris alba. The secretion of the abdominal glands contains the toxin ptoluquinone dissolved in either-dodecalactone and 1-undecene (B. furcatus andB. spectabilis) or in octanoic acid and octyloctanoate (B. arenarius). The ratio of these solvents is species-specific. Application experiments using some of the natural insect predators (L. riparia, C. bicolor, Pogonus, Di. gustavii, Dyschirius) revealed that these solvent ratios provided a more effective deterrent than other possible ratios. Thus by combining the solvents in certain ratios, the capability of cuticular penetration and therefore the effectiveness of the defensive secretions are adapted to their natural targets.     

Democracy versus development: New urban debates

The politics of development includes subtexts of choice, as underpinned by community consensus (or lack of it), against the larger backdrop of a liberal democracy, with its intricate power structures that influence the choice of concepts and often lead to complicity rather than consent. A dilemma exists between the understanding of field-level practitioners and that of academics, whose understandings of progress differ. Progress can (and often does) imply long-term change across generations whereas development is often more a matter of crisis management and delivering tangible results to end-users. This makes it a bone of contention across political systems, irrespective of local or global dynamics. Development can emerge as a tool to be wielded for power and further political mileage at the expense of progress. Progress cannot be studied as a counterpoint to development as the sense of history is often missing in development interventions. Development tends to be piecemeal as its very logic often stems from the rationale of power. This is not to suggest, however, that development is only about politics; it is definitely more than the politics of everyday life and involves all of civil society that requires its critical and immediate attention. In this sense, it has become a priority for politicians with an underlying agenda designed to out-manouevre dissent and all statements of protest.     

A framework to measure the wildness of managed large vertebrate populations

As landscapes continue to fall under human influence through habitat loss and fragmentation, fencing is increasingly being used to mitigate anthropogenic threats and enhance the commercial value of wildlife. Subsequent intensification of management potentially erodes wildness by disembodying populations from landscape-level processes, thereby disconnecting species from natural selection. Tools are needed to measure the degree to which populations of large vertebrate species in formally protected and privately owned wildlife areas are self-sustaining and free to adapt. We devised a framework to measure such wildness based on 6 attributes relating to the evolutionary and ecological dynamics of vertebrates (space, disease and parasite resistance, exposure to predation, exposure to limitations and fluctuations of food and water supply, and reproduction). For each attribute, we set empirical, species-specific thresholds between 5 wildness states based on quantifiable management interventions. We analysed data from 205 private wildlife properties with management objectives spanning ecotourism to consumptive utilization to test the framework on 6 herbivore species representing a range of conservation statuses and commercial values. Wildness scores among species differed significantly, and the proportion of populations identified as wild ranged from 12% to 84%, which indicates the tool detected site-scale differences both among populations of different species and populations of the same species under different management regimes. By quantifying wildness, this framework provides practitioners with standardized measurement units that link biodiversity with the sustainable use of wildlife. Applications include informing species management plans at local scales; standardizing the inclusion of managed populations in red-list assessments; and providing a platform for certification and regulation of wildlife-based economies. Applying this framework may help embed wildness as a normative value in policy and mitigate the shifting baseline of what it means to truly conserve a species.     

Some polyphagous Homoptera gain protection from their natural enemies by feeding on the toxic plantsSpartium junceum andErythrina corallodendrum (Leguminosae)

Summary Interactions were studied among alkaloid-containing legumes (Erythrina corallodendrum andSpartium junceum) and non-toxic plants (Citrus sinensis, Cucurbita moschata andEuphorbia tirucalli), several polyphagous homopterans,Aphis craccivora (Aphididae),Icerya purchasi, I. aegyptiaca (Margarodidae),Lepidosaphes ulmi (Diaspididae) andPlanococcus citri (Pseudococcidae), and some major natural enemies of these homopterans. Significant reductions in survival due to negative effects of alkaloid containing as compared with non-alkaloidal plants were recorded for the predatorsRodolia cardinalis andChilocorus bipustulatus, but not forCryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae),Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) andSympherobius sanctus (Neuroptera: Sympherobiidae). The development time of the larvae or pupae ofR. cardinalis, C. carnea andS. sanctus was longer on the toxic plants than on the non-toxic ones. The percentage of parasitism ofA. craccivora collected from the non-alkaloidal plantsVicia palaestina andMelilotus albus was much higher than that onS. junceum. The parasitoid complexes ofA. craccivora differed between both plant groups. The nutritive value of honeydew ofI. purchasi andA. craccivora, as expressed by the life span ofEncyrtus infelix (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) adults, was also investigated. Life spans were significantly longer when the wasps fed on honeydew produced on non-alkaloidal plants (C. sinensis andPittosporum tobira) than on alkaloid containing plants whenI. purchasi — but notA. craccivora — was the producer. It is suggested that the chemical defense ofE. corallodendrum andS. junceum is exploited by polyphagous phytophages to reduce predation. In nature, population growth and density of four of the investigated homopterans are conspicuously high when they developed on the alkaloid containing plant species, and very low on non-alkaloid plants. The efficiency of their natural enemies may be reduced by sequestration of alkaloids (or other toxic plant compounds) or their transfer into excreted honeydew. Therefore it is assumed that a generalist phytophagous homopteran may be protected from its natural enemies, although at different rates of efficiency, if it can safely sequester the host allelochemical when it develops on toxic species within its host range.     

Sexual Predators,Energy Development,and Conservation in Greater Yellowstone

Abstract: In the United States, as elsewhere, a growing debate pits national energy policy and homeland security against biological conservation. In rural communities the extraction of fossil fuels is often encouraged because of the employment opportunities it offers, although the concomitant itinerant workforce is often associated with increased wildlife poaching. We explored possible positive and negative factors associated with energy extraction in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), an area known for its national parks, intact biological diversity, and some of the New World's longest terrestrial migrations. Specifically, we asked whether counties with different economies—recreation (ski), agrarian (ranching or farming), and energy extractive (petroleum)—differed in healthcare (gauged by the abundance of hospital beds) and in the frequency of sexual predators. The absolute and relative frequency of registered sex offenders grew approximately two to three times faster in areas reliant on energy extraction. Healthcare among counties did not differ. The strong conflation of community dishevel, as reflected by in‐migrant sexual predators, and ecological decay in Greater Yellowstone is consistent with patterns seen in similar systems from Ecuador to northern Canada, where social and environmental disarray exist around energy boomtowns. In our case, that groups (albeit with different aims) mobilized campaigns to help maintain the quality of rural livelihoods by protecting open space is a positive sign that conservation can matter, especially in the face of rampant and poorly executed energy extraction projects. Our findings further suggest that the public and industry need stronger regulatory action to instill greater vigilance when and where social factors and land conversion impact biological systems.     

Comparison of the insecticidal effects of water extracted and intact aromatic plants onAcanthoscelides obtectus,a bruchid beetle pest of kidney beans

Summary Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) is one of the most damaging pests of kidney beans,Phaseolus vulgaris L. worldwide. However, aromatic plants from the families Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Myrtaceae and Poaceae can protect kidney beans by direct or delayed insecticidal effect, through increased adult mortality and inhibition of beetle reproduction (both oviposition and adult emergence). The efficiency of hydrodistillated and intact plants fromThymus vulgaris andT. serpyllum, Mentha piperata, Rosmarinus officinalis, Satureia hortensis, Eucalyptus globulus, Laurus nobilis, Origanum vulgare, andCymbopogon nardus was compared. For both extracts,Origanum vulgare had the best effect. The insecticidal effect was induced by more than the essential oils because no significant difference was noticed between distilled and intact plants extract. Inhibition of reproduction was particularly important. These results suggest that lipidic as well as non lipidic, allelochemicals, such as phenolics, or non-protein amino-acids, or flavonoids may be involved in the toxicity of aromatic plants to this beetle.     

Rapid,recurring, structured survey versus bioblitz for generating biodiversity data and analysis with a multispecies abundance model

A bioblitz inexpensively and quickly generates biodiversity data, but bioblitzes are often conducted with haphazard, unreplicated sampling. Results tend to be taxonomically, geographically, or temporally biased, lack metadata, and consist of lists of observed taxa that do not enable further analyses or correction for imperfect detection. A rapid, recurring, structured survey (RRSS) uses a structured sampling design and temporal and spatial replication to survey randomly selected sites on a conservation property. We participated in a loosely structured bioblitz and a subsequent RRSS at Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve in Springville (St. Clair County), Alabama (USA) to compare observed richness derived from the 2 survey approaches. The RRSS data structure enabled us to fit models that accounted for imperfect detection to estimate abundances, occupancy probabilities, and habitat associations. The loosely structured bioblitz data could not be used in such models. We present a new integrated multispecies abundance model that we applied to avian RRSS data. Our model extension enables estimation for the community, employs data augmentation to estimate the number of undetected species, and incorporates covariates. The RRSS generated a more comprehensive and less biased list of observed taxonomic richness than the loosely structured bioblitz (e.g., 73 vs. 45 bird species and 104 vs. 63 insect families from the RRSS vs. loosely structured bioblitz, respectively). Models fit to the RRSS data identified seasonal patterns in avian community composition and allowed for estimation of habitat–occupancy relationships for insect taxa. The RRSS protocol has potential for broad transferability as a standardized, quick, and inexpensive way to inventory biodiversity and estimate ecological parameters while providing an outreach opportunity.     

Sequestration of cucurbitacin analogs by New and Old World chrysomelid leaf beetles in the tribe Luperini

Summary Two South American polyphagous leaf beetles,Diabrotica speciosa andCerotoma arcuata, selectively accumulated the bitter tasting compound 23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin D in their body after ingesting root tissues of cucurbit plants. Similarly, three Asian Cucurbitaceae-feeding specialists in the genusAulacophora were found to sequester the same compound. Cucurbitacin analogs were shown to deter feeding by a bird predator, indicating an allomonal role for these compounds in cucurbitacin-associated chrysomelid leaf beetles both of New and Old Worlds. The strong affinity to cucurbitacins, selective sequestration of the analogs and consequent protection from predators suggested an ecological adaptation mechanism developed in common among these two geographically isolated subtribes in the Luperini.