青藏高原东部原始云杉林及其系列采伐迹地3个林地藓类种群结构与生物量的差异性评估

森林采伐对地表藓类种群的发育具有重要影响,但很少有人评估这种影响后迹地上的藓类种群状况.本研究调查了四川壤塘县4个系列采伐迹地和附近原始云杉林下3种林地优势藓类种群[锦丝藓(Actinothuidium hookeri)、塔藓(Hylocomium splendens)和大羽藓(Thuidium cymbifolium)]的发生频率和盖度、生物量以及维管束植物盖度和凋落物盖度,通过方差分析检验比较分析了3个藓类种群的盖度和生物量在不同采伐迹地及原始林之间的差异,评估了其自然发展趋势,揭示了维管束植物结构参数与藓类种群盖度和生物量之间的相互关系.发现:1)3种藓类种群的盖度和生物量在采伐迹地和附近原始林间有显著差异,但在系列采伐迹地之间没有明显差异,证实森林采伐后林生地表藓类种群显著衰退,随着迹地自然恢复进程这些藓类种群并未能逐渐恢复;2)微环境尺度上的藓类盖度和生物量在系列采伐迹地之间有较大的波动,Spearman相关分析显示乔木和草本层盖度是影响藓类种群生物量的主要因子.综合分析表明,采伐导致的环境变化以及藓类自身的牛态适应性和繁殖策略综合决定着藓类种群的自然恢复能力;如果仅仅依靠迹地自然恢复过程,顶极藓类种群(塔藓和锦丝藓)是难以自然复壮的.图6表4参44     

抚育对黄土高原人工油松林林下植被的影响

2015年3月旬邑县林业局开展了人工林抚育项目,对清水沟管护区内的人工林进行抚育,主要措施是卫生伐。为了探讨抚育对油松人工林林下植被的短期影响,本文以此抚育项目为研究基础,对黄土高原45 a人工油松林的抚育区和未抚育区进行研究,分析抚育1.5 a后人工油松林林下植被结构、物种多样性和生物量的变化情况,为黄土高原油松人工林的科学抚育提供理论依据及为抚育后长期动态的研究提供基础数据。结果表明,(1)抚育区和未抚育区林下植物种数分别为59种和49种。抚育区和未抚育区灌木层的Simpson指数、Shannon-Wiener指数和Pielou均匀度指数分别为0.786 0、2.069 6、0.734 4和0.777 9、2.028 6、0.712 3,无显著差异(P0.05);草本层的Simpson指数、Shannon-Wiener指数和Pielou均匀度指数分别为0.713 6、1.543 4、0.755 8和0.660 6、1.328 7、0.805 3,仅Shannon-Wiener指数差异显著(P0.05)。(2)抚育后,林下灌木层的盖度从74.16%下降到22.8%,草本层盖度由12.11%增加到33.8%;草本层密度由57 125 plant?hm~(-2)增加到155 595 plant?hm~(-2),灌木层密度由13 620 plant?hm~(-2)下降到12 780 plant?hm~(-2);灌木层生物量由1 377.62 kg?hm~(-2)减少到324.87kg?hm~(-2);草本层生物量由138.87 kg?hm~(-2)增加到371.69 kg?hm~(-2)。(3)抚育后林下植被生物量在各个器官和物种中的分配比例发生了明显变化。抚育后灌木层和草本层一些喜光或喜温暖湿润环境的物种的生物量贡献率增加;灌木层地下部分生物量与地上生物量比例显著增加,由0.86增加到1.62;而草本层与之相反,由1.43下降到0.92。从总体上看,人工抚育措施虽然降低了灌木层的生物量、盖度和密度,但是有助于灌木层的物种多样性和草本层的物种多样性、生物量、密度和盖度的增加。这些试验结果说明抚育对油松人工林林下植被的影响短期内主要表现在草本层植物上,对灌木层植物的影响较小。     

不同营林措施对林下层多样性和群落结构的影响

在人为活动干扰较为强烈的农林复合生态系统中,开展不同营林措施对林下层植物多样性和群落结构的影响研究,对于解决大尺度林下生境保护与小面积森林经营的矛盾问题具有重要的参考意义,也符合林区的现实需求。本研究针对东北国有林区的典型性和特殊性,于2013—2015年夏季调查了小兴安岭3种主要营林措施(割灌抚育、采伐和林下种植)对森林下层植物群落物种组成、结构特征、物种多样性及林下层生物量的影响。结果表明:草本层物种更容易受到人类管理活动的影响,其物种组成的变化大于灌木层的变化;3种经营措施都会降低灌草层盖度,种植样地灌草层高度和盖度下降最显著,相比对照组,其灌木和草本层盖度分别降了40%和54%;割灌时间越久,灌木层高度越高;3种经营措施均降低了物种多样性,其中种植作业的干扰最强烈,种植措施对灌木层的破坏高于草本层;生物量从高到低排序依次为2010年割灌样地、对照样地、采伐样地和种植样地,其值分别为2.1、2、1和0.4 kg?m~(-2)。本研究发现割灌抚育、采伐、林下种植等措施对森林下层植物组成、群落结构特征、物种多样性等方面均有不同程度的影响,整体而言,种植方式的干扰最为强烈。     

扎兰屯地区典型天然林群落特征及其相关性分析

为了解天然林的群落特征及其相关性,提升天然林的管理及生态防护功能,以大兴安岭扎兰屯天然落叶松(Larix gmelinii)纯林、白桦(Betula platyphylla)次生林、白桦-落叶松混交林为研究对象,分别对乔木层、灌木层和草本层的高度、胸径、冠幅、盖度等指标进行调查,分析群落结构特征,计算物种丰富度指数、多样性指数和均匀度指数,并进行主成分分析(PCA)。结果显示,(1)3个群落中落叶松林的乔木层树高、胸径和灌木层的地径、盖度均最高,草本层特征差异不显著(P0.05)。(2)落叶松林、白桦-落叶松林中平榛(Corylus heterophylla)和土庄绣线菊(Spiraea pubescens)的重要值均明显高于其他灌木树种;白桦林灌木层只有兴安柳(Salix hsinganica);3种林分草本层均以兴安苔草(Carex chinganensis)为优势种。(3)乔木层、灌木层的丰富度指数、Simpson指数和Shannon-Wiener指数均表现出:白桦-落叶松林落叶松林白桦次生林;草本层以落叶松林最为丰富,其Simpson指数、Shannon-Wiener指数均以白桦林为最大;乔木层、灌木层、草本层的Pielou指数均以白桦-落叶松林为最大。(4)PCA排序结果显示,随着林分郁闭度、乔木树高、胸径及灌木盖度、高度、基径的增大,灌木层植物的多样性指数和均匀度增加明显,草本层多样性降低;草本高度越高、盖度越大,草本层多样性指数、均匀度越高。研究表明:乔木层郁闭度、灌木层生长特征(盖度、高度和基径)是影响物种多样性的主因,林分群落特征与植物多样性存在相关性。     

闽西北地区不同龄组常绿阔叶混交林生态系统碳储量结构特征

选取福建西北部地区多群落类型组成的常绿阔叶混交林为研究对象,通过典型样地调查法,对生态系统各个层次进行取样调查,采用“相对生长法”计算乔木层生物量,灌木层、草本层和凋落物层采用全部收获法测得其生物量,对土壤层的调查采用剖面法加土钻法,代表性样品碳含量的测定采用重铬酸钾-外加热容量法。在此基础上,分析了该地区不同林龄常绿阔叶林生态系统碳储量及其格局特征,结果表明,（1）闽西北地区常绿阔叶林生态系统平均碳储量为260.63 t·hm-2。在每个发育阶段,各层片对整个生态系统碳储量的贡献率相对稳定,空间分布格局特征相似。幼龄林、中龄林、近熟林、成过熟林生态系统的碳储量分别为192.14、221.15、317.11和312.12 t·hm-2,基本表现出随林龄增加而逐渐增大的趋势。（2）乔木层、灌木层、草本层、凋落物层的平均碳质量分数分别为48.5%、46.9%、41.2%、44.0%,每个层片中,各器官的碳含量差异不大,乔木层、灌木层及草本层的碳质量分数表现出随层片高度降低而减小的趋势。土壤碳质量分数由表层到底层逐渐减小。0～10、10～20 cm土层碳质量分数均显著大于其余三个土层。（3）生物量碳储量在每个层片随着龄组不同,表现出不同的变化趋势。乔木层碳储量大小排序为近熟林﹥成过熟林﹥中龄林﹥幼龄林,灌木层与草本层在不同发育阶段的碳储量,均表现出以下规律：从幼龄林到中龄林不断增长,在中龄林达到最大值后,又随发育的进行显现出不断下降的趋势。随着地表凋落物现存量的不断增加,其碳储量也表现出幼龄林﹥中龄林﹥近熟林﹥成过熟林的趋势。土壤的平均碳储量为134.986 t·hm-2,随着林分发育,表现为成过熟林﹥近熟林﹥中龄林﹥幼龄林。     

南亚热带中幼龄针阔混交林碳储量及其分配格局

以南亚热带中幼龄针阔混交林为研究对象,通过典型样地调查法,对森林生态系统各个层次进行取样调查,采用12个样地实测数据和已有生物量模型相结合的方法计算乔木层生物量,灌木层、草本层和凋落物层采用全部收获法测得其生物量,对土壤层的调查采用剖面法加土钻法,代表性样品碳含量的测定采用重铬酸钾-水合加热法。在此基础上,分析了中幼龄针阔混交林碳储量及其分配格局。结果表明,主要造林树种树根、树杆、树枝和树叶碳含量均值分别为45.07%、46.73%、46.30%和47.72%。植物碳含量表现为乔木〉灌木〉草本。乔木碳储量占植被总碳储量比例介于63.38%-94.08%之间,灌木碳储量所占比例介于3.55%-12.67%之间,而草本碳储量仅介于为1.28%-23.95%之间,不同林龄段乔木和灌木碳储量均值随林龄的增加呈上升趋势,而草本碳储量呈下降趋势。土壤碳储量介于106.73-136.61 t·hm^-2之间,土壤碳储量随林龄的增加呈现出先降低后升高的趋势。针阔混交林总碳储量介于134.79-162.60 t·hm^-2之间,分配格局表现为土壤层〉植被层〉凋落物层。土壤层碳储量所占总碳储量比例范围为78.34%-94.45%,植被层所占比例介于4.84%-20.16%之间,凋落物层仅介于0.71%-1.50%之间,中幼龄针阔混交林碳储量主要以土壤固碳为主。研究结果为树种选择、人工林生态系统固碳潜力以及人工碳汇林的经营管理等研究提供科学参考。     

不同环境条件下3种药用苔藓生长情况比较

在不同环境条件下对大灰藓(Hypnum plumaeforme)、大羽藓(Thuidium cymbifolium)、金发藓(Polytri-chum commune)3种药用苔藓进行温棚栽培,通过对3种苔藓在3种基质、4种光照强度下的生长状况进行方差分析,结果表明:在3种不同生长基质下,大羽藓、金发藓的净增长长度均无显著性差异,在25%和50%遮光率遮阳网覆盖下3种基质对大灰藓的生长无显著影响,但在75%遮光率遮阳网覆盖下,3种基质对大灰藓的生长产生了影响;在环境温度和湿度相同的条件下,对照组无遮阳处理下3种苔藓在生长一段时间后都不同程度的出现枯萎死亡现象,光照强度为25%、50%、75%遮光率下3种苔藓的生长都有显著性差异.表2,参9     

干热河谷常见植物地表形态特征与泥沙拦截的关系

为探究植物的泥沙拦截能力及其与植物地表形态特征的关系,以金沙江干热河谷区6种典型植物[乔木:新银合欢(Leucaena leucocephala)、苦楝(Melia azedarach);灌木:坡柳(Dodonaea viscose)、马桑(Coriaria sinica);草本:扭黄茅(Heteropogon contortus)、拟金茅(Eulaliopsis binate)]为研究对象,进行水槽模拟试验.结果表明:(1)在水槽模拟试验下,6种植物初生苗和1年生苗均表现出不同的泥沙拦截能力.在初生苗期,马桑的泥沙拦截能力最强,扭黄茅和拟金茅最弱;在1年生期,马桑仍为泥沙拦截能力最强的植物,草本植物次之,乔木和坡柳最弱.(2)6种植物在初生和1年生时均表现出不同的地表茎形态特征、地表叶片形态特征、基部拦截体形态特征以及地上部分生物量的变化.(3)泥沙拦截量与植物贴地叶面积、基部最大冠长、基部最大冠宽、整体地上部分生物量和基部茎干物质密度呈极显著正相关,与茎-地面夹角呈极显著负相关,以上参数为影响植物泥沙拦截能力的主要地表形态特征因子.此外,植物基部茎表皮裂隙数、基部茎干物质含量、贴地叶片干物质含量和基部单位体积生物量与泥沙拦截量也具有显著的相关性.本研究认为该地区在采用植物措施治理水土流失和拦截泥沙时,应重点考虑上述植物关键形态因子以选取最优的植物种类.     

川西高山森林生态系统林下生物量及其随林窗的变化特征

作为森林生态系统的重要组成部分,林下植被及其残体的分布受到林冠层的影响,但迄今有关林窗对林下植被和残体生物量的影响尚无研究报道.于2013 年8 月2 日至20 日,以海拔3 600 m 的川西岷江冷杉原始林林下植被为研究对象,根据区域内的坡向和林分组成等因素设置3 个100 m×100 m 的典型样地,调查其生物量及其随林窗的变化特征.在每个样地内选择3 个大林窗,在林窗、林缘和林下分别设置3 个20 m×20 m 的样方,调查粗木质残体长度或高度、大小头直径、枯立木记录胸径、腐烂等级等;在林窗、林缘和林下分别设置3 个5 m×5 m 的样方,采用“收获法”收集样方内直径在2.5-10 cm之间的细木质残体和灌木生物量;在林窗、林缘和林下分别设置3 个1 m×1 m 的样方来调查凋落物储量和草本生物量;在1m×1 m 的样方内随机选择1 个20 cm×20 cm 的小样方来调查地被植物生物量.结果表明,（1）川西高山森林生态系统总生物量为72.75 t·hm^-2,其中林下生物量为67.92 t·hm^-2,占生态系统生物量的95.17%.活体植被以灌木为主,其生物量为9.81t·hm^-2;残体部分以粗木质残体为主,其储量为53.00 t·hm^-2;（2）林窗对灌木、草本、地被植物的影响各不相同,且不同物种的灌木生物量表现出不同的分布规律;草本生物量表现出明显的“边缘效应”,在林缘显著高于林下;林窗和林缘的地被植物生物量相对较低;（3）粗木质残体储量从林下到林窗呈现减小的趋势,但总体储量仍然较大,林窗和林缘的细木质残体储量高于林下.这些结果为认识高山森林生态系统林下生物量及其格局,以及林窗在森林生态系统的重要作用提供了基础理论依据.     

33 a生福建柏人工林群落能量的研究

在福建三明对33 a生福建柏和杉木群落能量的研究结果表明福建柏群落和杉木群落干重热值和去灰分热值均以树叶最高,最低的为草本叶和茎或草本根;两个群落不同层次干重热值和去灰分热值的大小均为乔木层>林褥层>灌木层>草本层;两个群落乔木层干重热值和去灰分热值均以干皮最低. 两个群落不同组分灰分含量差异悬殊,最高的均为草本叶和茎,最低的均为干材. 福建柏的干重热值、去灰分热值、灰分含量均高于杉木,表明福建柏生成单位重量生物量的能量耗费比杉木多. 福建柏群落的能量现存量、年净增量、年归还量(通过凋落物)、年净固定量分别是杉木群落的0.97倍、1.65倍、1.15倍和1.36倍. 福建柏群落的太阳能转化效率为1.42%,而杉木群落为1.04%. 林下植被虽然能量现存量仅占群落的很小一部分,但在能量流动中占有重要地位,林下植被的能量流动速率比乔木层大得多,这对维持和提高地力较为有利. 33 a生福建柏群落仍然具有较大的能量年净增量,轮伐期应比杉木长;具有较高的能量流动速率,地力维护的能力也较强,是优良的造林树种. 福建柏经营密度应适当降低,发育群落林下植被以改良地力. 表5 参12     

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     

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.     

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.     

Effects of Controlled Fire and Livestock Grazing on Bird Communities in East African Savannas

Abstract: In East Africa fire and grazing by wild and domestic ungulates maintain savannas, and pastoralists historically set fires and herded livestock through the use of temporary corrals called bomas. In recent decades traditional pastoral practices have declined, and this may be affecting biodiversity. We investigated the effects of prescribed fires and bomas on savanna bird communities in East Africa during the first and second dry seasons of the year (respectively before and after the rains that mark the onset of breeding for most birds). We compared abundance, richness, and community composition on 9‐ha burned plots, recently abandoned bomas, and control plots in the undisturbed matrix habitat over a 3‐year period. Generally, recently burned areas and abandoned bomas attracted greater densities of birds and had different community assemblages than the surrounding matrix. The effects of disturbances were influenced by interactions between primary productivity, represented by the normalized difference vegetation index, and time. Bird densities were highest and a greater proportion of species was observed on burned plots in the months following the fires. Drought conditions equalized bird densities across treatments within 1 year, and individuals from a greater proportion of species were more commonly observed on abandoned bomas. Yearly fluctuations in abundance were less pronounced on bomas than on burns, which indicate that although fire may benefit birds in the short term, bomas may have a more‐lasting positive effect and provide resources during droughts. Several Palearctic migrants were attracted to burned plots regardless of rainfall, which indicates continued fire suppression may threaten their already‐declining populations. Most notably, the paucity of birds observed on the controls suggests that the current structure of the matrix developed as a result of fire suppression. Traditional pastoralism appears critical to the maintenance of avian diversity in these savannas.     

What Every Conservation Biologist Should Know about Economic Theory

Abstract: The last century has seen the ascendance of a core economic model, which we will refer to as Walrasian economics. This model is driven by the psychological assumptions that humans act only in a self‐referential and narrowly rational way and that production can be described as a self‐contained circular flow between firms and households. These assumptions have critical implications for the way economics is used to inform conservation biology. Yet the Walrasian model is inconsistent with a large body of empirical evidence about actual human behavior, and it violates a number of basic physical laws. Research in behavioral science and neuroscience shows that humans are uniquely social animals and not self‐centered rational economic beings. Economic production is subject to physical laws including the laws of thermodynamics and mass balance. In addition, some contemporary economic theory, spurred by exciting new research in human behavior and a wealth of data about the negative global impact of the human economy on natural systems, is moving toward a world view that places consumption and production squarely in its behavioral and biophysical context. We argue that abandoning the straightjacket of the Walrasian core is essential to further progress in understanding the complex, coupled interactions between the human economy and the natural world. We call for a new framework for economic theory and policy that is consistent with observed human behavior, recognizes the complex and frequently irreversible interaction between human and natural systems, and directly confronts the cumulative negative effects of the human economy on the Earth's life support systems. Biophysical economics and ecological economics are two emerging economic frameworks in this movement.     

Effects of Coffee Management on Deforestation Rates and Forest Integrity

Knowledge about how forest margins are utilized can be crucial for a general understanding of changes in forest cover, forest structure, and biodiversity across landscapes. We studied forest‐agriculture transitions in southwestern Ethiopia and hypothesized that the presence of coffee (Coffea arabica)decreases deforestation rates because of coffee's importance to local economies and its widespread occurrence in forests and forest margins. Using satellite images and elevation data, we compared changes in forest cover over 37 years (1973–2010) across elevations in 2 forest‐agriculture mosaic landscapes (1100 km² around Bonga and 3000 km² in Goma‐Gera). In the field in the Bonga area, we determined coffee cover and forest structure in 40 forest margins that differed in time since deforestation. Both the absolute and relative deforestation rates were lower at coffee‐growing elevations compared with at higher elevations (?10/20% vs. ?40/50% comparing relative rates at 1800 m asl and 2300–2500 m asl, respectively). Within the coffee‐growing elevation, the proportion of sites with high coffee cover (>20%) was significantly higher in stable margins (42% of sites that had been in the same location for the entire period) than in recently changed margins (0% of sites where expansion of annual crops had changed the margin). Disturbance level and forest structure did not differ between sites with 30% or 3% coffee. However, a growing body of literature on gradients of coffee management in Ethiopia reports coffee's negative effects on abundances of forest‐specialist species. Even if the presence of coffee slows down the conversion of forest to annual‐crop agriculture, there is a risk that an intensification of coffee management will still threaten forest biodiversity, including the genetic diversity of wild coffee. Conservation policy for Ethiopian forests thus needs to develop strategies that acknowledge that forests without coffee production may have higher deforestation risks than forests with coffee production and that forests with coffee production often have lower biodiversity value. Efectos de la Administración Cafetalera sobre las Tasas de Deforestación y la Integridad de los Bosques     

Globalization of the Cashmere Market and the Decline of Large Mammals in Central Asia

As drivers of terrestrial ecosystems, humans have replaced large carnivores in most areas, and human influence not only exerts striking ecological pressures on biodiversity at local scales but also has indirect effects in distant corners of the world. We suggest that the multibillion dollar cashmere industry creates economic motivations that link western fashion preferences for cashmere to land use in Central Asia. This penchant for stylish clothing, in turn, encourages herders to increase livestock production which affects persistence of over 6 endangered large mammals in these remote, arid ecosystems. We hypothesized that global trade in cashmere has strong negative effects on native large mammals of deserts and grassland where cashmere‐producing goats are raised. We used time series data, ecological snapshots of the biomass of native and domestic ungulates, and ecologically and behaviorally based fieldwork to test our hypothesis. In Mongolia increases in domestic goat production were associated with a 3‐fold increase in local profits for herders coexisting with endangered saiga (Saiga tatarica).That increasing domestic grazing pressure carries fitness consequences was inferred on the basis of an approximately 4‐fold difference in juvenile recruitment among blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur)in trans‐Himalayan India. Across 7 study areas in Mongolia, India, and China's Tibetan Plateau, native ungulate biomass is now <5% that of domestic species. Such trends suggest ecosystem degradation and decreased capacity for the persistence of native species, including at least 8 Asian endemic species: saiga, chiru (Pantholops hodgsoni), Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus), snow leopard(Panthera uncia), khulan(Equus hemionus), kiang (E. kiang), takhi (E. przewalski), and wild yak (Bos mutus). Our results suggest striking yet indirect and unintended actions that link trophic‐level effects to markets induced by the trade for cashmere. Globalización del Mercado de Cachemira y la Declinación de Mamíferos Mayores en Asia Central     

The lichen-rich coastal heath vegetation on the isle of Anholt, Denmark — conservation and management

The high conservational value of the lichen-rich vegetation and landscape of the marine foreland Ørkenen on the isle of Anholt is treated from a Danish as well as a European perspective. The sensitivity of the lichen-rich vegetation to physical disturbance is emphasized. The impact of invasive species such asPinus mugo as well as the effect of atmospheric deposition of nutrients on the heaths at Anholt is described. Considerations related to the development of a management plan for Ørkenen are presented.     

Behavior and ecology of Old World Luperini beetles of the genusAulacophora (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Summary The attraction of Old World leaf beetles in the genusAulacophora to kairomones and parakairomones which are effective lures for New WorldDiabrotica andAcalymma were investigated. Beetles captured on sticky traps baited with single and multicomponent lures were no different from the control traps for two species ofAulacophora. Yellow colored traps and squash blossoms are attractive toAulacophora beetles which detect sub-microgram quantities of cucurbitacins on silica gel. Leaf feeding behavior and flight activity data are correlated with varietal preference of threeAulacophora species. The common response byDiabrotica andAulacophora to cucurbitacins reinforces the two groups' coevolutionary association with the Cucurbitaceae. The apparent lack of a common response toCucurbita blossom volatiles suggests recent evolutionary pathways are substantially different for these two groups of beetles.     

Use of stochastic patch occupancy models in the California red-legged frog for Bayesian inference regarding past events and future persistence

Assessing causes of population decline is critically important to management of threatened species. Stochastic patch occupancy models (SPOMs) are popular tools for examining spatial and temporal dynamics of populations when presence–absence data in multiple habitat patches are available. We developed a Bayesian Markov chain method that extends existing SPOMs by focusing on past environmental changes that may have altered occupancy patterns prior to the beginning of data collection. Using occupancy data from 3 creeks, we applied the method to assess 2 hypothesized causes of population decline—in situ die-off and residual impact of past source population loss—in the California red-legged frog. Despite having no data for the 20–30 years between the hypothetical event leading to population decline and the first data collected, we were able to discriminate among hypotheses, finding evidence that in situ die-off increased in 2 of the creeks. Although the creeks had comparable numbers of occupied segments, owing to different extinction–colonization dynamics, our model predicted an 8-fold difference in persistence probabilities of their populations to 2030. Adding a source population led to a greater predicted persistence probability than did decreasing the in situ die-off, emphasizing that reversing the deleterious impacts of a disturbance may not be the most efficient management strategy. We expect our method will be useful for studying dynamics and evaluating management strategies of many species.