Biodiversity Differences between Managed and Unmanaged Forests: Meta-Analysis of Species Richness in Europe

Abstract: Past and present pressures on forest resources have led to a drastic decrease in the surface area of unmanaged forests in Europe. Changes in forest structure, composition, and dynamics inevitably lead to changes in the biodiversity of forest‐dwelling species. The possible biodiversity gains and losses due to forest management (i.e., anthropogenic pressures related to direct forest resource use), however, have never been assessed at a pan‐European scale. We used meta‐analysis to review 49 published papers containing 120 individual comparisons of species richness between unmanaged and managed forests throughout Europe. We explored the response of different taxonomic groups and the variability of their response with respect to time since abandonment and intensity of forest management. Species richness was slightly higher in unmanaged than in managed forests. Species dependent on forest cover continuity, deadwood, and large trees (bryophytes, lichens, fungi, saproxylic beetles) and carabids were negatively affected by forest management. In contrast, vascular plant species were favored. The response for birds was heterogeneous and probably depended more on factors such as landscape patterns. The global difference in species richness between unmanaged and managed forests increased with time since abandonment and indicated a gradual recovery of biodiversity. Clearcut forests in which the composition of tree species changed had the strongest effect on species richness, but the effects of different types of management on taxa could not be assessed in a robust way because of low numbers of replications in the management‐intensity classes. Our results show that some taxa are more affected by forestry than others, but there is a need for research into poorly studied species groups in Europe and in particular locations. Our meta‐analysis supports the need for a coordinated European research network to study and monitor the biodiversity of different taxa in managed and unmanaged forests.     

Field-Level Financial Assessment of Contour Prairie Strips for Enhancement of Environmental Quality

The impacts of strategically located contour prairie strips on sediment and nutrient runoff export from watersheds maintained under an annual row crop production system have been studied at a long-term research site in central Iowa. Data from 2007 to 2011 indicate that the contour prairie strips utilized within row crop-dominated landscapes have greater than proportionate and positive effects on the functioning of biophysical systems. Crop producers and land management agencies require comprehensive information about the Best Management Practices with regard to performance efficacy, operational/management parameters, and the full range of financial parameters. Here, a farm-level financial model assesses the establishment, management, and opportunity costs of contour prairie strips within cropped fields. Annualized, depending on variable opportunity costs the 15-year present value cost of utilizing contour prairie strips ranges from $590 to $865 ha^?1 year^?1 ($240–$350 ac^?1 year^?1). Expressed in the context of “treatment area” (e.g., in this study 1 ha of prairie treats 10 ha of crops), the costs of contour prairie strips can also be viewed as $59 to about $87 per treated hectare ($24–$35 ac^?1). If prairie strips were under a 15-year CRP contract, total per acre cost to farmers would be reduced by over 85 %. Based on sediment, phosphorus, and nitrogen export data from the related field studies and across low, medium, and high land rent scenarios, a megagram (Mg) of soil retained within the watershed costs between $7.79 and $11.46 mg^?1, phosphorus retained costs between $6.97 and $10.25 kg^?1, and nitrogen retained costs between $1.59 and $2.34 kg^?1. Based on overall project results, contour prairie strips may well become one of the key conservation practices used to sustain US Corn Belt agriculture in the decades to come.     

Elektronenmikroskopische Oberflächenabdrücke und ihr Auflösungsvermögen

The Science of Nature -     

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF APPLYING MANURE,FERTILIZER, AND SEWAGE BIOSOLIDS ON A DAIRY FARM1

ABSTRACT: Farms that once spread only manures are now also applying sewage biosolids (sludge) and/or other wastes such as those from food processing. The objective of this study was to monitor environmental impacts at a dairy farm applying these materials. Fields were selected representing recent waste applications of manure (M1, M2), sewage biosolids (B1, B2), or fertilizer only control (F1, F2), although most fields had historical biosolids applications. Fields representing each treatment were not experimental replicates because of varying applications and soil characteristics. Septage and food processing wastes were also applied. Soil percolates were collected with wick lysimeters. Runoff was sampled at seven stream sites. Test field soils and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) were analyzed for trace elements. Cumulative trace metal loadings were low, at most only 1 percent of USEPA Part 503 limits. Surface soil enrichment was most evident for Mo, P, and S. Alfalfa tissue showed no trends of concern. The B2 site had the greatest percolate concentrations for 6 of 13 elements. Percolate Cu was somewhat elevated at Sites M1, M2, B2, and Fl. Percolate sodium was elevated on all M and B fields and sulfur was greatest at M2, B1, and B2. Soluble orthophosphate correlated with stream discharge during intensive monitoring of Stream Sites S1 (fertilizer) and S2 (biosolids). Peaks in S2 streamwater Mo lagged large runoff events by five days. Total streamwater export of Cu, Na, Mo, and soluble P were greater from the S2 biosolids subwatershed than from the S1 fertilizer subwatershed. Percolate concentrations exceeded corresponding streamwater concentrations in most cases.     

The Evolution and Role of Non-OPEC Production in the International Oil Market

In 1982, for the first time since OPEC was founded in 1961, its production was surpassed by the non-OPEC countries in the world excluding the centrally planned economies. In that year, for the world as a whole, OPEC provided 35% of the oil consumed. The decline was brought about by a decrease in consumption and by a marked increase in production from non-OPEC sources. It is expected that non-OPEC producers will have the capacity to meet more than half of the world's oil requirements until the early 1990s, at which time OPEC producers will again assume the role of providing over 50% of the world's oil.     

Influence of mercury and selenium chemistries on the progression of cardiomyopathy in pygmy sperm whales, Kogia breviceps

More than half of pygmy sperm whales (Kogia breviceps) that strand exhibit signs of cardiomyopathy (CMP). Many factors may contribute to the development of idiopathic CMP in K. breviceps, including genetics, infectious agents, contaminants, biotoxins, and dietary intake (e.g. selenium, mercury, and pro-oxidants). This study assessed trace elements in K. breviceps at various stages of CMP progression using fresh frozen liver and heart samples collected from individuals that stranded along US Atlantic and Gulf coasts between 1993 and 2007. Standard addition calibration and collision cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were employed for total Se analysis and pyrolysis atomic absorption (AA) was utilized for total Hg analysis to examine if the Se/Hg detoxification pathway inhibits the bioavailability of Se. Double spike speciated isotope dilution gas chromatography ICP-MS was utilized to measure methyl Hg and inorganic Hg. Immunoblot detection and colorimetric assays were used to assess protein oxidation status. Data collected on trace elements, selenoproteins, and oxidative status were evaluated in the context of animal life history and other complementary histological information to gain insight into the biochemical pathways contributing to the development of CMP in K. breviceps. Cardiomyopathy was only observed in adult pygmy sperm whales, predominantly in male animals. Both Hg:Se molar ratios and overall protein oxidation were greater in males than females and increased with progression of CMP.     

Die verbreitung der uferwanzen (Heteroptera: Saldidae) im brackigen und marinen litoral der nordamerikanischen pazifikküste

Shore bugs (Heteroptera: Saldidae) were collected during summer 1973 along the Pacific Coast of North America between the arctic and the subtropical regions. The field studies were aimed at determining the species-specific upper and lower limits of distribution in the littoral, and the distribution range of these species in estuaries. The saldids inhabiting the littoral zones can be divided into two groups: those species which live mainly along the coast (coastal species), and those which live mainly inland (inland species). Species found in the supralittoral occur at inland localities as well, and thus can either tolerate limnetic-oligohaline conditions (Salda littoralis, S. provancheri, Saldula coxalis) or are confined to habitats along salt lakes (Pentacora signoreti). Inhabitants of the eulittoral can either occur in the supralittoral and inland localities as well and are holeuryhaline (Saldula palustris, S. pallipes), or have disconnected inland populations (S. nigrita), or they live exclusively in the intertidal zones. In the subarctic, coastal species are distributed from the intertidal zones to inland limnetic habitats. The increasing aridity of southern climatic zones may act as a limiting factor confining the distribution of coastal species to the coast. On the other hand, the distribution of inland species may be influenced by competition with the coastal forms.

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Mit dankenswerter Unterstützung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft.