Higher Taxa as Surrogates of Plant Biodiversity in a Megadiverse Country

Abstract:  An important question in conservation biology is the extent to which the number of taxonomic supraspecific categories can serve as surrogates of species richness. This issue has been little explored in highly diverse areas. We used 113 floristic inventories from throughout Mexico, a megadiverse country, to evaluate the potential of higher-taxon richness for predicting local species richness of vascular plants. This large biodiversity data set includes the main vegetation types found across the country. In all, 247 families, 2,398 genera, and 11,890 species were used for the analysis, representing 99.6%, 90.2%, and 53.2% of the respective totals recorded in the country. We hypothesized that the number of genera and species would be accurately predicted by the richness of the higher taxon. To avoid getting spurious regressions resulting from the logical increase in lower-taxon richness as a higher taxon becomes richer, we calculated new response variables by subtracting from the number of elements in the lower taxon group the number of those in the higher taxon; these variables were "excess species" (number of species minus number of genera or families) and "excess genera" (number of genera minus number of families). Our results indicate that genera provide very effective surrogates for estimation of local species richness ( R ²= 0.85), whereas families have a more limited potential for this purpose ( R ²= 0.64). The predictive capacity of the diversity of higher taxon increased when the analyses were constrained to particular vegetation types (maximum R ²= 0.95 for genera). This surrogate method may be a valuable tool in locating and designing representative systems of protected areas for vascular plant diversity, especially in megadiverse countries, where conservation efforts are hindered by the lack of complete inventories and insufficient resources.     

Ecological problems of tree species in protected ecosystems of Orissa, India

The tree layer vegetation of two protected ecosystems i.e. Similipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR) and Bhitarkanika National Park (BNP) of eastern ghat was analysed for structure, composition and diversity. With respect to the tree species composition the two protected ecosystems were differed from each other at the family, genera and species level. About 117 tree species representing 85 genera and 42 families were recorded in SBR. The average number of species per hectare was 32.5. However, a total of 29 tree species representing 22 genera and 16 families were recorded in BNP with an average number of species per hectare of 24.17. Species dominancy of the two protected areas was also different due to their difference in habitat condition. In SBR Shorea robusta was the most dominant species while in BNP Excoecaria agallocha was the most dominant species. Shannon-Wiener species diversity was 3.15 for Similipal and 2.314 for Bhitarkanika indicating that Similipal was highly diverse than Bhitarkanika. In general both the protected ecosystems of Orissa are highly rich in biodiversity and are characteristics of good ecological wealth of eastern ghat. Thus conservation and management practices are essential for the sustainability of their biodiversity.     

Floristic composition of arid off –shore islands in Abu Dhabi,United Arab Emirates

Data on flora and vegetation of 14 off-shore islands representing different habitat types were studied for investigating floristic composition, vegetation types and correlation with their habitats and ecosystem. The results demonstrate considerable plant distribution and diversity among the islands within the limited spectrum of species; encompassing a total of 47 species, belonging to 43 genera under 24 families. The most representative families were Amaranthaceae (9 species), Fabaceae (4 species), Poaceae (4 species) and Asteraceae and Aizoaceae (3 species each). Fourteen families are represented by only one species. The mangrove species, Avicennia marina, occurs throughout the coast of Abu Dhabi in discontinuous patches and in different water salinities. The studies also seek to underline that dominant species that constitutes the flora of Abu Dhabi are salt tolerant in nature. Compared to other Arabian Peninsula ecosystems, UAE perhaps has a higher coastal: mainland area ratio, which has contributed to a natural dominance of salt tolerant species among the community. The studies show 40% similarity among islands with respect to the species diversity. The floristic composition of the off-shore islands also indicates a need to consider these sites as protected sites.     

Local Species Richness of Leaf-Chewing Insects Feeding on Woody Plants from One Hectare of a Lowland Rainforest

Abstract:  Local species diversity of insect herbivores feeding on rainforest vegetation remains poorly known. This ignorance limits evaluation of species extinction patterns following various deforestation scenarios. We studied leaf-chewing insects feeding on 59 species of woody plants from 39 genera and 18 families in a lowland rainforest in Papua New Guinea and surveyed all plants with a stem diameter at breast height of ≥5 cm in a 1-ha plot within the same area. We used two extrapolation methods, based on randomized species-accumulation curves, to combine these two data sets and estimate the number of species of leaf-chewing herbivores feeding on woody plants from the 1-ha area. We recorded 58,483 feeding individuals from 940 species of leaf-chewing insects. The extrapolation estimated that there were 1567–2559 species of leaf-chewing herbivores feeding on the 152 plant species from 97 genera and 45 families found in 1 ha of the forest. Most of the herbivore diversity was associated with plant diversity on the familial and generic levels. We predicted that, on average, the selection of 45 plant species each representing a different family supported 39% of all herbivore species, the 52 plant species each representing a different additional genus from these families supported another 39% of herbivore species, and the remaining 55 plant species from these genera supported 22% of herbivore species. Lepidoptera was the most speciose taxon in the local fauna, followed by Coleoptera and orthopteroids (Orthoptera and Phasmatodea). The ratio of herbivore to plant species and the estimated relative species richness of the Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and orthopteroids remained constant on the spatial scale from 0.25 to 1 ha. However, the utility of local taxon-to-taxon species ratios for extrapolations to geographic scales requires further study.     

西苕溪中上游流域水生甲虫分布与环境的关系

水生甲虫(昆虫纲,鞘翅目)群落结构受多种环境因素的制约.西苕溪中上游流域38个样点共发现水生甲虫12科36个分类单元.优势属是长角泥甲科的Stenelmis属和扁泥甲科的Psephenoides属,出现频度分别为30和22,但有29属的出现频率不大于5.典范对应分析(CCA)表明,鞘翅目群落组成受荫蔽度、总氮、电导率和栖境质量影响最大.样点环境指标聚类结果与CCA结果一致,样点被分为3组.从第1组至第3组,水体中的总氮(2.80→3.52 mg/L)和化学需氧量(14.5→20.29 mg/L)明显上升,荫蔽度(18→6)明显降低.第1组(18个分类单元)和第3组(16个分类单元)的水生甲虫种类组成差异极显著(P＜0.01),第2组水生甲虫多样性最高(26个分类单元).Macronychus,Zaitzevia,Scirtes,Stenocolus,Berosus,Laccobius和Ectopria属可作为清洁水体指示生物,Hydrocassis和Ancyronyx属是重污染水体指示生物.图3表4参16     

浙江古田山自然保护区青冈林植物物种多样性研究

分析了浙江古田山自然保护区青冈林的植物区系组成和群落物种多样性。结果表明，8个样地中共有维管束植物147种(含变种)，隶属51科92属。其中蕨类植物5科7属14种，裸子植物1科1属1种，被子植物45科84属132种。青冈林植物区系成分复杂，具有较高的热带成分比例。群落科、属、种组成多样性较高，植物种类丰富，组成复杂。群落垂直结构中，物种多样性依灌木层→乔木层→草本层的次序递减，乔木层、灌木层的物种多样性指数明显大于草本层。     

Improving the Performance of Indicator Groups for the Identification of Important Areas for Species Conservation

Indicator groups may be important tools with which to guide the selection of networks of areas for conservation. Nevertheless, the literature provides little guidance as to what makes some groups of species more suitable than others to guide area selection. Using distributional data on all sub-Saharan birds and mammals, we assessed factors that influence the effectiveness of indicator groups. We assessed the influence of threatened, endemic, range-restricted, widespread, and large-bodied species by systematically varying their number in indicator groups. We also assessed the influence of taxonomic diversity by systematically varying the number of distinct genera and families within the indicator groups. We selected area networks based on the indicator groups and tested their ability to represent a set of species, which, in terms of species composition, is independent of the indicator group. Increasing the proportion of threatened, endemic, and range-restricted species in the indicator groups improved effectiveness of the selected area networks; in particular it improved the effectiveness in representing other threatened and range-restricted species. In contrast increasing the proportion of widespread and large-bodied species decreased effectiveness. Changes in the number of genera and families only marginally affected the performance of indicator groups. Our results reveal that a focus on species of special conservation concern, which are legitimate conservation targets in their own right, also improves the effectiveness of indicator groups, in particular in representing other species of conservation concern.     

Algal community used for assessment of water quality of Haranbaree dam and Mosam river of Maharashtra

An algal community was used to assess the quality of water of Haranbaree dam and Mosam river of Maharashtra. Pollution tolerant genera and species of 4 groups of algae from each of 3 stations of Haranbaree dam and Mosam river were recorded. By using Palmer's index of pollution for rating of water samples the total score of each station of study area was greater than 20 indicating the confirmed high organic pollution. 34 pollution tolerant genera were recorded at all stations of dam and river. Out of 34 pollution tolerant genera, 27 genera and 33 genera were observed at the dam and river sites respectively. In present study 22 pollution tolerant species are observed at dam and river sites.     

井冈山猴头杜鹃群落特征的研究

以井冈山猴头杜鹃（Rhododendron simiarum）群落5个样地调查资料为基础,对该群落的物种组成、区系成分、群落结构和物种多样性进行了研究,结果表明：群落有维管植物30科43属50种,其中蕨类植物有5科6属6种,裸子植物4科4属4种,被子植物21科33属40种。区系分析显示该植物区系起源古老,地理成分复杂,以热带性成分为主,温带性成分占有一定的比例。群落为复层异龄结构,猴头杜鹃、甜槠（Castanopsis eyrei）、福建柏（Fokienia hodginsii）、台湾松（Pinus taiwanensis）、薯豆（Elaeocarpus japonicus）和白豆杉（Pseudotaxus chienii）为群落的建群种。除Pielou指数外,群落物种多样性指数较低,各样地间多样性指数测值变幅较大;测度猴头杜鹃群落物种多样性时,各种多样性指数基本表现出相同的趋势;总体来看,猴头杜鹃群落物种多样性在群落不同层次的变化规律为：灌木层〉乔木层〉草本层。     

高原退化湿地纳帕海植物多样性格局特征及其驱动力

对滇西北纳帕海湿地不同退化演替阶段的植物群落结构特征及多样性格局的研究结果表明:纳帕海共有植物115种,隶属38科、82属,植物群落15个,包括3个沉水植物群落、2个浮叶植物群落、6个挺水植物群落、4个草甸群落。其中原生沼泽有湿地植物25种,隶属16科、17属,3个沉水植物群落、2个浮叶植物群落;沼泽化草甸有湿地植物35种,隶属19科、26属,6个挺水植物群落;草甸有湿地植物64种,隶属28科、55属,4个草甸群落;垦后湿地仅有农作物4种,隶属4科、4属。随着原生沼泽、沼泽化草甸向草甸、垦后湿地的退化演替,植物群落伴生种增多,优势种的优势度明显下降,群落结构逐渐变得复杂;原生沼泽、沼泽化草甸植物群落分布面积萎缩,草甸、垦后湿地面积不断增大;物种丰富度与多样性指数随原生沼泽、沼泽化草甸、草甸的退化演替而逐渐增加,草甸植物物种丰富度、多样性指数最大,而垦后湿地为最低值。纳帕海植物多样性格局特征是对不同人为干扰强度与类型的响应,当前影响植物多样格局的驱动力主要是排水垦殖、无序旅游、过度放牧和周边森林的破坏等人为生产活动。     

Effect of Pollution On the Occurrence, Distribution and Sulphur Transformation Ability of the Thiobacilli in the River Ganga

The occurrence, distribution and nature of ambient thiobacilli along with their ability to oxidize different sulphur species under simulated natural and in vitro culture conditions were studied in the polluted and unpolluted sites of the River Ganga.

Thiobacillus thioparus, T. thiooxidans and T. denitrificans were isolated from the river water. the former two occurred in both polluted and unpolluted sites, while T. denitrificans occurred in polluted areas only. the paper pulp mill effluent discharge area contained the highest population of T. thioparus. the sewage drainage area showed relatively higher populations of T. thiooxidans and T. denitrificans.

The present study revealed that only biological oxidation of either thiosulphate or elemental sulphur occurred in the river water. All the thiobacilli screened oxidized thiosulphate, and three-fourths of them oxidized elemental sulphur. Some strains were found to be very good acidifiers. in spite of such acidification by the ambient thiobacilli, the pH of the river water remained alkaline. the specific rates of thiosulphate (0.18 -0.51 μMmolh^-1 mg^-1 cell) and sulphur (1.3 - 6.2 Normality day^-1 mg^-1 biomass) oxidations under simulated natural condition were found to be higher in polluted areas when compared with the unpolluted one (sulphur: 0.8 - 1.0 Normality day^-1 mg^-1).

Further, addition of thiouslphate or elemental sulphur in the river water in simulated in vitro condition resulted in the increase of respective oxidation rates. the variations in the natae of pollutants discharged into the river water influenced the oxidation rate of thiosulphate or sulphur.     

青岛市城市绿地种子植物区系的构成特征

在资料分析和2013年夏秋二季进行的实地调查基础上研究了青岛市城市绿地种子植物区系的科属种构成、种的生活型构成、属的地理分布区类型构成,并比较了青岛市城市绿地种子植物区系与青岛崂山种子植物区系、中国种子植物区系属的地理分布区类型构成差异。结果表明,青岛市城市绿地种子植物区系有种子植物69科155属228种,有含5种及以上的12个较大科、124个单种属、183种木本植物和45种草本植物,有热带分布属32属、温带分布属95属、世界分布属14属和中国特有属14属。青岛市城市绿地种子植物区系有植物种类丰富多样,木本植物种类多,区系中属、种的分化程度高,属的地理分布区类型多样且具有很典型的温带特征和鲜明的中国特色等特点。     

Effects of kraft-mill effluents on benthic macrophyte assemblages in a shallow-bay system (Apalachee Bay,North Florida,USA)

A 14-month study was carried out to determine the impact of kraft-mill effluents on the offshore benthic macrophyte distribution in a shallow north Florida Bay (USA). A polluted river drainage system was compared to an adjoining (unpolluted) one. The affected area was characterized by elevated levels of color and turbidity. Inshore areas associated with high levels of KME were characterized by severely reduced benthic macrophyte biomass, reduced numbers of species/unit area, and altered species composition when compared to control stations. Areas of chronic impact also had reduced levels of biomass, although the total number of species taken were not significantly different from the controls. In polluted areas, red and brown algae were proportionately more abundant than chlorophytes and spermatophytes. Dominance generally was reduced in areas of the Bay affected by KME. Except for areas of acute impact, there was no significant difference in species diversity (H) between polluted and unpolluted portions of the Bay. There were uniform increases in the total number of species on either side of the affected drainage system. Such areas were considered to be transition zones between the polluted and unpolluted parts of Apalachee Bay. Benthic macrophyte distribution, in terms of biomass and species (community) composition, was considered an important indicator of the impact of KME on the shallow coastal systems in question. The pattern of macrophyte species composition reflected various water-quality parameters. Species normally inhabiting deeper water were found in areas of increased turbidity and color. It was postulated that reduction of normal dominants such as Thalassia testudinum and Halimeda incrassata allowed the colonization of such areas by opportunistic species. This would explain the maintenance of comparable (total) numbers of species in polluted areas and the lack of effect of KME on species diversity even though biomass was severely restricted. These parameters were analogous to the epibenthic fish distribution in the respective drainage areas. Near-shore coastal systems in Apalachee Bay thus were affected by gradients in water quality in addition to natural (seasonal) fluctuations in key physical and chemical parameters. The benthic plant assemblages reflected variations in dominance, the occurrence of opportunistic species, and ecological diversity that resulted in a continuum of disturbance phenomena ranging from sparsely distributed groups in grossly polluted systems to well developed plant assemblages in areas that remain unaffected by KME.     

白洋淀芦苇型水陆交错带水化学动态及其净化功能研究

于2007年3月-11月对富营养化湖泊一白洋淀进行了现场调查,分析了温度、溶解氧（DO）、叶绿素、总磷（TP）及其他水化学指标的动态变化规律,并讨论了它们之间的相互关系。结果表明：白洋淀芦苇（Phragmites australis var．baiyangdiansis）型水陆交错带对营养物质具有强烈的截留作用,可以达到净化白洋淀水体的效果。从水质指标的空间分布看,污染较重的府河河口区域其水体TP、化学需氧量（CODc,）含量明显高于污染较轻的湖泊中心区域,空间梯度上呈逐步递减趋势。根据水体盐度、总溶解性固体、TP及DO含量进行聚类分析,可以将采样点分为3类：Ⅰ区、污染较重河口区域;Ⅱ区、中间过渡缓冲区域;Ⅲ区、污染较轻中心区域。Ⅰ区其水体DO含量明显低于Ⅲ区,而水体盐度则明显高于Ⅲ区。通过调查发现：在8月份,白洋淀水体DO含量突然增加;相关分析表明：叶绿素含量与DO（P=0．046）及温度（P〈0．01）之间呈显著正相关关系。结合叶绿素等指标的动态变化规律,8月份左右可能是白洋淀藻类爆发的危险时期。     

双台河口自然保护区滨海湿地的维管束植物区系特征

辽宁双台河口自然保护区滨海湿地维管束植物区系中有56科117属155种维管束植物,有蔷薇科、菊科、禾本科、蓼科、豆科、唇形科、香蒲科、眼子菜科、莎草科等9大科51属76种,9大科的属数、种数占区系总属数和总种数的43.59%、49.03%;区系内小科、单种属多,说明科、属的分化程度较高。区系中有15种盐生植物、25种水生植物、34种湿生植物、79种中生植物和4种旱生植物,湿地植被的优势种和建群种均为盐生植物、水生植物和湿生植物,这表明保护区内滨海湿地植被的形成不仅受海水、土壤盐渍化影响,更受辽河径流淡水的影响。区系中有地面芽植物、地下芽植物72种,占总种数的46.45%,说明冷湿气候对保护区内滨海湿地植被的形成有重要作用。区系中有世界分布属31属,占区系总属数的26.50%,这反映了湿地植被的隐域性;有温带分布属57属、热带分布属23属,分别占区系总属数的48.72%、19.66%,这分别表明保护区滨海湿地植被具有一定的地带性特征,雨量充沛、冬季气温较高的海洋性气候特征对湿地中起源于热带的维管束植物生存限制较小。     

生态恢复对退化河岸植物群落的作用 ——以重庆九龙外滩河岸带生态恢复为例

河岸带是陆地生态系统与水生生态系统之间的过渡地带,受人类干扰的威胁较大.长江是流经重庆都市区的主要河流,主城区两江四岸部分河岸硬化,河岸生态功能退化或丧失,生物多样性降低.本文以重庆主城区九龙外滩的河岸带为研究区域,通过调查,采用Ward最小方差法对植物群落类型进行划分,比较了生态恢复区域和自然区域的植物群落特征及优势...     

Phytoplankton as index of water quality with reference to industrial pollution

In this paper Shannon-Weaver (SI-3.58-4.07, SII-3.1-3.72, SIII-1.64-2.25, SIV-2.54-2.95 and SV-3.09-3.23) diversity index was applied to surface phytoplankton to study the water quality status of river Bhadra receiving Mysore paper mill and Iron and steel mill effluent. A total of 45 species of phytoplankton belonging to 5 classes were recorded and study indicated that the phytoplankton diversity (Chlorophyceae-19 species, Bacillanophyceae-16 species, Cyanophyceae-07 species, Euglenophyceae-2 species and Chrysophyceae-1 species) did not reveal the same type of water quality (water temperature 24.62-27.32 degrees C, pH-7.08-7.25, electrical conductivity-67.49-201.94 micromhos/cm, dissolved oxygen-4.13-5.98 mgl(-1), chloride-12.30-40.85 mgl(-1), calcium-6.49-23.74 mgl(-1), total hardness 28.98-76.65 mgl(1), magnesium-4.69-15.92 mgl(-1), total alkalinity-77.26-86.53 mgl(-1), BOD-1.88-4.01 mgl(-1), COD - 16.53-45 mgl(-1), phosphate-0.001-0.53 mgl(-1), sodium-2.70-7.46 mgl(-1) and potassium-2.37-7.88 mgl(-1)). The investigation emphasized the need of phytoplankton community as index of water quality polluted by industrial effluents at the downstream stretch of the Bhadra river.     

莆田老鹰尖自然保护区森林群落物种多样性的研究

对福建莆田市老鹰尖植物区系和群落物种多样性的调查与分析,结果表明,老鹰尖植物种类丰富,计有维管束植物181科737属1003种(含变种),其中蕨类植物35科72属89种,裸子植物9科18属19种,被子植物137科647属901种;植物区系成分复杂,联系广泛,以热带亚热带成分为主,属、种分别占55.17％和57.48％,其植被为中亚热带向南亚热带过度类型;11个主要森林群落的物种多样性以米槠林为最高,D_(ah)达3.5109,其次为罗浮栲+丝栗栲林和米槠+栲树林,D_(ah)指数值分别达2.8945和2.7854,而篓竹林群落为最低,D_(ah)指数值仅1.0081,群落各层片物种多样性以灌木层为最高,呈灌木>乔木层>草本>藤本的变化趋势,说明老鹰尖的水热资源较为丰富。     

Use of epilithic diatoms to evaluate water quality in the Karasu River of Turkey

Epilithic diatom assemblages were used to evaluate water quality in the Karasu River basin (Turkey), which was polluted by industrial, agricultural and urban wastes. A total of 73 diatom taxa belonging to 22 genera were found from all seven sampling stations located in the River basin. The most pollution tolerant species Gomphonema parvulum, Nitzchia palea, Navicula cryptocephala were found in high densities at the polluted stations. Organic load (COD), biological oxygen demand in 5 days (BOD5) and concentrations of nutrients NO3(-)-N, NO2(-)-N, NH4(+)-N and PO4(3-)-P) were correlated negatively with dissolved oxygen. Except for generic index of diatoms (GI), all diatom indices were correlated significantly with COD, BOD5 dissolved oxygen and concentrations of nutrients. Saprobity index (SI), trophic diatom index (TDI) and the percentage pollution tolerant valves values suggested that the stations III, IV located in the River basin were eutrophicated and organically polluted.     

以有机污染为主的河流治理技术研究进展

借鉴国外污染河流治理与修复的经验,并结合我国当前严重的河流污染形势,介绍了以有机污染为主的河流治理技术的研究进展。根据污染河水处理系统与河道的相对空间关系,河流治理技术可分为三类,第一类是将河水引出河道水系,引入附近的污水处理厂进行处理的异地处理法,其中截污工程是异地处理法的关键;第二类是在河道内建设处理系统,沿程进行河水净化的原位处理法,如河道内的曝气法、投菌法、生物膜法和化学法等;第三类是在河岸带上建设处理系统,将河水分流其中进行处理的旁路处理法,如建于河岸上的人工湿地处理系统、氧化塘以及多种形式的生物床或生物反应器等,旁路处理法起着人工强化河岸带的作用,是目前受污染河流治理中值得关注的一条新思路。受污染河流的具体处理方法及空间位置的选择,需要根据实际情况而定。