Effects of Buffer-Strip Retention and Clearcutting on Land Snails in Boreal Riparian Forests

Abstract:  We investigated the short-term effects of forest clearcutting on land snails (terrestrial gastropods) in 15 forest stands along small streams in Sweden. Two different silvicultural treatments were applied at each site: clearcutting across the stream channel and buffer strips 10 m wide on each side of the stream. Additionally, we studied 10 reference sites in unlogged riparian forests along similar-sized streams. All sites were studied before logging and then 2.5 years after logging. After clearcutting the number of individuals in a 0.5-m² sample from each site decreased on average from 107 to 87, and the mean number of species per sample decreased from 9.9 to 7.7. Most species were negatively affected, but there were also clear differences in sensitivity. There were correlations between species survival and ground moisture. At the wettest clearcut sites with an almost intact bryophyte cover, the land snails were unaffected by clearcutting. This result suggests that wet or moist forest floors can serve as refugia even at very small spatial scales (e.g., shallow hollows, crevices). If this is an important mechanism, the spatial distribution of small habitats could be important for the long-term survival of the snail fauna or other small, dispersal-limited organisms at clearcut sites. In the buffer strips, the number of individuals decreased but not the number of species, indicating that buffer-strip retention is a good practice for protecting land snails in riparian forests. The varying effectiveness of the buffer strip could partly be explained by the proportion of the remaining basal area, emphasizing that buffer strips could be even more effective if efforts are made to avoid heavy damage by windthrows.     

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     

小陇山林区主要森林群落凋落物及死木质残体储量

采用固定面积样方取样法研究了小陇山林区锐齿栎和油松天然林死木质残体及凋落物的总储量.结果表明:小陇山林区锐齿栎天然林粗死木质残体(Coarse woody debris,简称CWD)和细小木质残体(Fine woody debris,简称FWD)储量分别为29 350.92 kg hm-2和2 298.41 kg hm-2,分别为油松天然林的3.8和1.3倍.油松林CWD组成中枯立木占到85.65%,倒木只占14.35%,而锐齿栎天然林枯立木和倒木所占的比例基本为1.从CWD的径级结构上来说,锐齿栎林内以大径级CWD为主(≥20 cm),占样地CWD总储量的60.81%,天然油松林以小径级(20 cm≥小径级≥10 cm)CWD为主,大、小径级分别占CWD储量的55.33%和44.67%.油松林内凋落物储量为30 472.31 kg hm-2,是天然锐齿栎凋落物储量8 902.29 kg hm-2的3倍以上.凋落物和死木质残体储量的不同是锐齿栎天然林和油松天然林种群结构、林分更新和群落内部竞争状况及凋落物分解状况差异所导致的结果.     

Effects of Clearcutting on Habitat Use and Reproductive Success of the Ovenbird in Forested Landscapes

We studied Ovenbirds ( Seiurus aurocapillus ) in northern New Hampshire during 1992 and 1993 to determine whether edge-related changes in habitat use and reproductive success reported in fragmented landscapes exist in predominantly forested landscapes. Six study plots were placed adjacent to four recent clearcuts (2.1–5 ha) and extended 400 m into the forest interior. Nests, territories, and territorial males obtaining mates were equally distributed in edge (0–200 m) and interior (201–400 m) areas. Nest survival was higher in the forest interior in 1992 and for 1992 and 1993 combined. The proportion of pairs fledging ≥ 1 young, fledgling weight, and fledgling wing-chord did not differ between edge and interior in either year. Number of young fledged per pair was slightly lower in edge areas, but these differences were not significant. We conclude that clearcutting in extensively forested landscapes can affect Ovenbird reproductive success. Nevertheless, the effect on Ovenbird populations is moderated by the abundance of mature forest cover in the region and by the tendency of Ovenbirds to renest after initial nest failure.     

Invasibility of Species-Rich Communities in Riparian Zones

Invasibility of riparian plant communities was estimated by the percentage of alien species found along the Adour River (Southwest France) and along Lockout Creek, McKenzie River, and Willamette River (Central Cascades, Oregon, U.S.A.). At the patch scale, the invasibilities of riparian plant communities were compared between one exceptionally rich site of the Adour River and patches selected in the Hoh and Dungeness watersheds (Olympic Peninsula, Washington, U.S.A.). Alien species represented 24% of 1396 species for the Adour and 30% of 851 species for the McKenzie. They represented 24% of 148 species for the Hoh drainage and 28% of 200 species for the Dungeness drainage. Similar trends were found along the Adour River and along the McKenzie River for changes in total number of species per site and in percentages of alien species per site. These trends may be related to the intermediate disturbance regimes and to the physical structure of the riparian corridors. Climatic and human factors are also involved in these longitudinal changes. Positive linear relationships were found between the total number of species and the percentage of aliens observed in each site. At the patch scale, most of the sampled communities contained alien species. Although mature vegetative patches appeared to be invasible, young communities contained more alien species than older ones. For entire corridors, a positive linear relationship was found between total species richness and percentage of alien species in each patch type for the richest site of the Adour River. This may be partially explained by landscape features considered in a successional context. We suggest the use of empirical rules, and stress the importance of riparian systems for monitoring the conservation of local and regional species pools are suggested.     

鄱阳湖大型底栖动物群落结构的空间分布及影响因子研究

由于受人类活动干扰的加强以及受与长江干流之间"江湖关系"变化的影响,近年来鄱阳湖水生生态系统的状况及变化受到较多关注。对底栖动物群落结构的研究将有助于了解鄱阳湖生态系统结构现状及影响因子,对鄱阳湖保护对策的制定形成有效支撑。2016年7月,对鄱阳湖湖区(分别于鄱阳湖保护区和南矶山保护区)的底栖动物群落结构及相关环境因子进行了调查。调查共发现大型底栖动物27种,隶属于5门8纲,平均密度为48.40 ind.·m-2,其中主要以软体动物门为主;平均生物量为28.12 g·m-2,亦主要由软体动物门贡献。湖区主要优势种为河蚬(Corbicula fluminea)(优势度y=0.0655)、铜锈环棱螺(Bellamya aeruginosa)(y=0.0336)、霍甫水丝蚓(Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri)(y=0.0268)。底栖动物密度、生物量及多样性指数均呈现出鄱阳湖保护区高于南矶山保护区的格局,且二者在群落组成上有明显差异,鄱阳湖自然保护区主要以腹足纲和寡毛纲为主,南矶山自然保护区主要以瓣鳃纲和腹足纲为主。典范对应分析的结果显示,鄱阳湖保护区主要受到高水深、低浊度及高溶氧的影响;南矶山保护区各样点之间群落相似性较差,分别受不同因子的影响,这表明在各区域内部,局域微生境在局域群落结构的塑造上起主要作用,因此该区域内生态系统的保护应适当考虑空间尺度。     

Macroinvertebrate colonization and breakdown of leaves in an astatic pond in south India

Macroinvertebrate colonization and breakdown of Pongamia pinnata and Morinda tinctoria leaves were studied in an astatic pond in Madura College, Madurai. Morinda tinctoria leaves broke down fasterthan the leaves of P. pinnata. Breakdown capacities of astatic pond cannot be attributed to colonization of macroinvertebrates. Instead, microbial processing, and abiotic fragmentation are suggested as factors controlling breakdown rates. Tanypus sp (midgelarva) was abundant in leaf bags during the experimental period. This midge-larva appeared to use litter accumulations as a microhabitat that provided shelter and a rich supply of food in the form of organic matter Their abundance and regular occurrence of two leaves suggest that midge larvae enhance leaf fragmentation and possibly mediate the incorporation of organic matter in pond sediments once the plant tissue is sufficiently macerated.     

中国富营养化湖泊的生物修复

描述了中国湖泊富营养化污染现状 ,论述了湖泊富营养化形成的机理、生物修复富营养化湖泊 (尤其是去除水体和底泥碳、氮、磷 )的理论依据 ;提出了修复湖泊富营养化的技术途径 ,阐明了笔者对机械清淤和生物修复各自具有的优势和缺陷的看法。     

Disturbance of the Macroinvertebrate communities of bank-root biotope of a river in southern Nigeria

The impact of disturbance on the macroinvertebrate community was investigated in the biotope of a river catchment area. A total of 56 and 18 taxa were recorded at Stations 1 and 2, accounting for 71 and 29% individual organisms, respectively. Twelve taxa were common at both stations. Baetidae (Ephemeroptera) constituted the predominant group with the 46% density at the upstream biotope of Station 1, whereas, family Hydrobidae (Mollusca) dominated numerically the downstream Station 2. Data revealed that months of sampling at stations significantly influenced the occurrence and abundance of the major groups. Three distinct patterns of seasonal affiliation among the benthos were observed. Monthly variation in species diversity occurred. The macroinvertebrate community was affected by disturbances at the downstream bank-root biotope, limiting the occurrence of life forms to a few adaptable groups.     

应用底栖动物为指示生物的松花江干流水生态预警研究

指示生物监测及水生态预警是利用水环境中指示物种的数量、群落结构指标和个体生理指标等描述水生态系统的健康状态,其相比于常规理化监测和预警更直接地反映水体的生态质量。本研究在松花江干流2012—2015年大型底栖无脊椎动物监测结果的基础上,结合各监测点生态质量管理目标,通过分析物种的种类、出现的频次、物种污染敏感性(耐污值),尝试提出了松花江干流监控断面以底栖动物为指示生物的水生态预警模式,研究思路和结果对流域水环境风险管理指标的拓展有积极作用。     

Use of Riparian Corridors and Vineyards by Mammalian Predators in Northern California

Abstract:  To address increasing fragmentation, conservation biologists have focused on protecting core habitat areas and maintaining connectivity among protected areas. Wildlife corridors, strips of relatively intact habitat designed to connect habitat fragments, may enhance connectivity, but little empirical evidence supports the idea that large mammals prefer to use corridors rather than the surrounding developed landscape. In Sonoma County, a premium wine-grape-growing region in California, we examined mammalian predator use of 21 riparian corridors classified as denuded, narrow, or wide according to the width of the remaining natural vegetation adjacent to the creek. We used unbaited, remotely triggered cameras to determine occurrence of predator species. We also monitored predator use of six vineyards, three close to core habitat and three far from core habitat, with unbaited cameras. Mammalian predator detection rates were 11-fold higher in riparian study areas than in vineyards. More native mammalian predator species were found in wide corridors than in narrow or denuded creek corridors. The number and activity level of native predators was higher in vineyards adjacent to core habitat than in vineyards farther away, where the number and activity level of non-native predators was higher. Maintaining wide and well-vegetated riparian corridors may be important in maintaining the connectivity of native predator populations to ensure their long-term survival.     

控制星湖内源性营养物质磷负荷的有效性研究

本文研究了天然沸石与石灰,铝盐,铁盐对湖水－沉积物系统中的湖水脱磷的可能性,以期在对星湖内源性营养物质磷负荷的控制方面提供科学依据。     

Composition of Floating Debris in Harbours of the United States

As part of a programme to characterize floating anthropogenic debris in the aquatic environment, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted 18 field surveys in the harbours of major metropolitan cities of the east, west, and Gulf coasts of the United States and the Mid-Atlantic Bight. the surveys were designed to provide information on the types, relative amounts, and distributions of aquatic debris in different geographic regions of the United States. Neuston nets (0.33 mm mesh) were used to collect surface debris during outgoing tides on two or three consecutive days in selected areas of each city. After each net tow, the debris, which ranged in size from small resin pellets to large plastic sheeting pieces, was identified, categorized, and counted. the data are being used to qualitatively characterize aquatic debris in coastal metropolitan areas, to examine potential regional variations, and to tentatively identify potential sources.     

Composition of Floating Debris in Harbours of the United States

As part of a programme to characterize floating anthropogenic debris in the aquatic environment, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted 18 field surveys in the harbours of major metropolitan cities of the east, west, and Gulf coasts of the United States and the Mid-Atlantic Bight. the surveys were designed to provide information on the types, relative amounts, and distributions of aquatic debris in different geographic regions of the United States. Neuston nets (0.33 mm mesh) were used to collect surface debris during outgoing tides on two or three consecutive days in selected areas of each city. After each net tow, the debris, which ranged in size from small resin pellets to large plastic sheeting pieces, was identified, categorized, and counted. the data are being used to qualitatively characterize aquatic debris in coastal metropolitan areas, to examine potential regional variations, and to tentatively identify potential sources.     

北京河流大型底栖动物空间格局及其环境响应研究

大型底栖动物群落结构及多样性对于区域河流环境状况具有重要的指示意义。基于2014年5月—2015年8月间北京市河流大型底栖动物群落结构调查数据,分析底栖动物的生物多样性特征和空间格局。调查共发现大型底栖动物151种(或分类单元),隶属于5门9纲67科127属,水生昆虫占绝对优势。聚类分析表明76个采样点可被分为4组,组1主要包含北部山区的潮白河水系,具有较为典型的山溪型河流底栖动物特征,组2主要包含永定河山峡段和北运河水系的清河,组3主要包含大清河水系和北运河水系的温榆河、北沙河、南沙河等,二者具有城市河流兼有山溪型河流底栖动物的特征,组4主要包含北运河水系,具有典型的城市河流底栖动物特征。优势种分析表明:组1的优势种为热水四节蜉(Baetis thermicus)、秀丽白虾(Exopalaemon modestus)和网栖石蛾(Cheumatopsyche sp.),组2为直突摇蚊(Orthocladius sp.)、钩虾(Gammarus sp.)和长足摇蚊(Tanypus sp.),组3为摇蚊科幼虫(larvae of Chironomidae)和寡毛类(Oligochaeta),组4是以中华摇蚊(Chironomus sinicus)为代表的摇蚊幼虫。功能摄食类群研究表明:组1以收集者和滤食者占绝对优势,相对丰度分别为60%和29.6%;组2、组3、组4均以收集者占绝对优势,相对丰度分别为97.7%、90%、97.5%。物种数、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Pielou均匀度指数和Margalef丰富度指数的组间差异性显著(P0.05)。研究表明,北京河流大型底栖动物受河流自然环境变化的影响显著,形成了典型的山区-城市底栖动物空间格局,山区河流中保持了较高的生物多样性,城市河流及其过渡区的大型底栖动物退化明显,大型底栖动物能够明显指示环境状况的变化并可指导河流环境的保护与恢复。     

Colonization of Bacillus spp. on seeds and in plant rhizoplane

Seed coating, dipping and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were employed to study bacterial and fungal colonization of the seeds and rhizoplane of maize (Zea mays L.) during the early stages of growth. Isolation of Bacillus spp. entailed screening soil bacteria with potential growth stimulation and plant pathogen suppressive abilities isolated from the rhizospheres and rhizoplanes of vegetable crops. The bacterial colonization of the spermosphere was 90%. When the coated seeds were fully germinated, bacteria moved to the emerging radicle. Virtually no bacteria occurred on the root tip both for the treated and untreated. However, colonization was 20% in the basal portion of the roots close to the seed-root junction. SEM observations showed that the bacterial cells were arranged linearly and laterally on the growing root axis. This phenomenon was more noticeable in the seedlings dipped in the bacterial culture on the 3rd day after germination. The results indicate that attachment to the seed coat and the rhizoplane by the plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) is an important factor in the successful colonization of the rhizoplane. The significance of the work is to ascertain that the inoculated Bacillus spp. adhered to and established in the rhizoplane of maize. It can therefore be used as a PGPR and as a biocontrol agent.     

Influence of Landscape Elements in Riparian Buffers on the Conservation of Semiaquatic Amphibians

Abstract:  Studies on riparian buffers have usually focused on the amount of land needed as habitat for the terrestrial life stages of semiaquatic species. Nevertheless, the landscape surrounding wetlands is also important for other key processes, such as dispersal and the dynamics of metapopulations. Multiple elements that influence these processes should therefore be considered in the delineation of buffers. We analyzed landscape elements (forest cover, density of roads, and hydrographic network) in concentric buffers to evaluate the scale at which they influence stream amphibians in 77 distinct landscapes. To evaluate whether our results could be generalized to other contexts, we determined whether they were consistent across the study areas. Amphibians required buffers of 100–400 m of suitable terrestrial habitat, but interspecific differences in the amount of habitat were large. The presence of amphibians was related to roads and the hydrographic network at larger spatial scales (300–1500 m), which suggests that wider buffers are needed with these elements. This pattern probably arose because these elements influence dispersal and metapopulation persistence, processes that occur at large spatial scales. Furthermore, in some cases, analyses performed on different sets of landscapes provided different results, which suggests caution should be used when conservation recommendations are applied to disparate areas. Establishment of riparian buffers should not be focused only on riparian habitat, but should take a landscape perspective because semiaquatic species use multiple elements for different functions. This approach can be complex because different landscape elements require different spatial extents. Nevertheless, a shift of attention toward the management of different elements at multiple spatial scales is necessary for the long-term persistence of populations.