Assessing waterbird conservation objectives: An example for the Burry Inlet, UK

We use an individual-based model to assess the conservation objectives for knot Calidris canutus L. and oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus L. on the Burry Inlet Special Protection Area (SPA), UK. Population monitoring has identified a decline in oystercatcher numbers, but cannot determine whether this is due to a decline in site quality. Long term data on cockle stocks show that the biomass of the large-sized cockles consumed by oystercatcher declined after 2004, whereas a similar decline was not observed in the smaller cockles consumed by knot. The model postdicts that during the winters of 2005/2006 to 2008/2009 the site was unable to support the number of oystercatcher present at the time it was designated (i.e. the SPA population). Large cockle biomass remained low during 2009/2010, but increases in mussel biomass meant that the model postdicted that the site could support the SPA population of oystercatcher. Knot food supplies remained high during most years, except 2008/2009 during which the model postdicted that the SPA population could not be supported. The model postdicted that the stock reserved for oystercatchers after shellfishing needed to be 2-4 times the amount consumed by the birds in order to support the bird population. We recommend that where necessary, the conservation objectives of waterbirds should be assessed using a combination of thorough population size and behaviour monitoring to identify sites with population declines, and individual-based modelling on these sites to determine whether reduction in site quality may contribute to the site-specific population decline.     

Mass mortality of common eiders (Somateria mollissima) in the Dutch Wadden Sea, winter 1999/2000: starvation in a commercially exploited wetland of international importance

Mass mortality of common eiders (Somateria mollissima) was observed in winter 1999/2000 in the Dutch Wadden Sea. Approximately 21,000 common eiders died. Dissected birds were severely emaciated and 94% were infected with the acanthocephalan parasite Profilicollis botulus. Green shore crabs (Carcinus maenas), intermediate hosts of the parasite, were slightly more ‘available’ than in other years, but parasite infections in the eiders were close to normal. Few eiders were oiled (5%), there were no toxicological, bacteriological, or virological explanations for the observed mortality.In the Wadden Sea, a wetland of international importance, mussel (Mytilus edulis) cultures occur in sublittoral areas, while mechanical cockle (Cerastoderma edule) fisheries are licensed annually after evaluation of available resources. The wintering eiders in 1999/2000 required c. 3.1 million kg ash-free dry mass, while information on mussel and cockle stocks (irrespective of accessibility and profitability) suggested a resource 4.7× the requirement of common eiders only. Food shortage is suggested to have caused the observed mortality, involving both principal (mussels and cockles) and secondary (Spisula) prey.Winter census reports showed shifts in wintering distribution of common eiders in the 1990s, indicating the utilisation of Spisula in the North Sea in poor food years in the Wadden Sea. Following particularly intense fisheries in summer 1999, attempts to feed on Spisula in winter 1999/2000 failed. It is hypothesised that overfishing of mussels and cockles in the Wadden Sea in the early 1990s resulted in structurally reduced food resources, contractions of the foraging area of common eiders, and increased use of secondary prey in the North Sea.     

Relationship of biotic and abiotic factors to recruitment patterns in Margaritifera margaritifera

We investigated relationships of biotic and abiotic factors to recruitment patterns of the endangered freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) in 10 Swedish streams. We found that the maximum proportion of gravid mussels did not differ between streams with and without recent recruitment. Moreover, the mean glochidial load on trout (Salmo trutta), which was positively related to adult mussel density, did not differ significantly between these stream types. Thus, the larval stages of the freshwater pearl mussel were not related to recruitment failure. Instead, recruitment is probably hindered at the next stage in the life history of the mussels, the benthic stage, and may be related to sedimentation as turbidity was four times greater in streams lacking recent recruitment than in streams with recent recruitment. Furthermore, we found that juvenile mussel density was positively related to the number of glochidial infections per stream area in streams with ongoing recruitment, indicating that successful recruitment in these streams may depend on both mussel and trout density. Future research should thus examine biotic interactions between mussels and trout as well as the effects of sedimentation on benthic-living mussels.     

The recent and rapid spread of the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) in Great Britain

This paper reviews the current, apparently rapid spread of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) in Britain, discusses the possible causes of this spread, considers the potential ecological consequences, and looks at what measures could be undertaken to minimise the impacts of zebra mussels and other invasive pests in Britain's freshwaters. Five out of 27 major water companies reported increases in their regions between 2000 and 2002 and a further three acknowledged their presence. Increases were also reported by the Environment Agency, Broads Authority, angling clubs and boatyards. No one interviewed reported a decrease in zebra mussels between 2000 and 2002. The most notable increases have been in southern, central and eastern England. A newly recorded population of zebra mussels in the River Darent, Kent, contained zebra mussels in dense mats of up to 11,000 individuals m⁻² and up to 20 cm in depth. There is evidence that the ecology of recently invaded sites has been deleteriously affected. A fishing lake in Lancashire has experienced increased water clarity and reduced fish biomass coincidental with the arrival of zebra mussels, while a newly recorded population in Barden Lake, Kent, appears to be having a deleterious impact on native unionid mussels, particularly the swan mussel (Anodonta cygnea) and, more, recently the painter's mussel (Unio pictorum). Repeated surveys in the River Thames, River Great Ouse and Barden Lake showed that the proportion of unionid mussels infested by zebra mussels had increased significantly in all sites studied during the past one to five years.     

Freshwater mussels as monitors of bacteriological water quality

A species of commercially obtained freshwater mussel (Elliptio complanata) was shown to actively filter, concentrate, and retain fecal coliform (FC) bacteria from a variety of freshwater stream environments. Fecal coliform densities in mussel viscera were maximum within 48 hr of in situ exposure. Significant FC reproduction did not occur in mussel viscera at temperatures below 30 °C. Variation in replicate FC determinations from mussels exposed in situ for 48 hr was less than that obtained directly from water samples. Numbers of FC concentrated in mussel viscera were retained for several hours after FC densities declined in the surrounding water, suggesting the utility of mussels to record recent episodes of fecal pollution.     

Marine protected areas export larvae of infauna, but not of bioengineering mussels to adjacent areas

Populations of organisms that create habitat can often be fragmented throughout landscapes by anthropogenic disturbances such as harvesting and loss or change to the identity of such bioengineers may lead to large changes in biodiversity. Using the fauna associated with a bioengineer, the intertidal mussel Perna perna, we tested hypotheses about the relative importance of larval export from protected populations in marine reserves. Harvesting led to the replacement of P. perna and the domination of shores outside reserves by turf-forming coralline algae, mostly Corallina spp. We determined whether the diverse fauna recruiting onto artificial units of habitat placed within mussel beds differed between reserves and non-reserve areas or whether shores outside reserves, and open to harvesting, received recruits through larval export from reserves. Furthermore, we determined whether this was affected by the distance away from reserves and whether colonisation was achieved by movement of adults from surrounding biogenic habitats or via the plankton. Overall, we found no effect of increasing distance away from a reserve on the cover of adult mussels or associated fauna. We found strong effects of the presence of marine reserves on abundances of molluscs and polychaetes but not crustaceans. There were greater densities of molluscs in sites with a reserve (i.e. inside reserves, and up to 5 km outside reserve boundaries), but more polychaetes in exploited sites. For molluscs, this pattern was driven by gastropods rather than bivalves. Furthermore, although reserves had greater cover of adult mussels than non-reserve areas, recruitment of mussels was not greater inside or near to reserves. Our study illustrates the effectiveness of these reserves in protecting stocks of adult mussels, and although there was no evidence that reserves provided export of the larvae of mussels (the target species), they did provide larval export of non-targeted associated species. By protecting a harvested bioengineer and through export of the larvae of its associated fauna, these reserves fulfil some, but not all the conservation aims of a marine protected area.     

The evaluation of key sites for breeding waders in lowland Scotland

This study considers the selection of sites based on the densities of breeding waders that would be considered to be distributed widely across common habitats in Scotland: so-called ‘wider countryside’ species. Five methods to provide a hierarchical classification of sites are assessed. Fifty percent of the populations of redshank (Tringa totanus) and snipe (Gallinago gallinago) occur on just 2 and 4.5% of Scottish lowlands, respectively, yet neither are suitably protected by conservation measures and both would benefit from a carefully targeted approach to their conservation. Three species, lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), curlew (Numenius arquata) and oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) are more appropriately considered to be dispersed species. We propose that, if the density of a breeding wader on a site exceeds the threshold level predicted for the top 1% of Scottish lowland for that species, and if the area of the site exceeds 1 km² then that site be considered to be a key site for farmland waders. The minimum density (in pairs km⁻²) must exceed 16.8 for lapwing, 10.1 for oystercatcher, 6.1 for snipe, 7.5 for curlew or 3.6 for redshank.     

Population trends in northern spotted owls: Associations with climate in the Pacific Northwest

We used reverse time capture-mark-recapture models to describe associations between rate of population change (λ) and climate for northern spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) at six long-term study areas in Washington and Oregon, USA. Populations in three of six areas showed strong evidence of declining populations, while populations in two additional areas were likely declining as well. At four areas, λ was positively associated with wetter-than-normal conditions during the growing season, which likely affects prey availability. Lambda was also negatively associated with cold, wet winters and nesting seasons, and the number of hot summer days. The amount of annual variation in λ accounted for by climate varied across study areas (3-85%). Rate of population change was more sensitive to adult survival than to recruitment; however, there was considerable variation among years and across study areas for all demographic rates. While annual survival was more closely related to regional climate conditions, recruitment was often associated with local weather. In addition to climate, declines in recruitment at four of six areas were associated with increased presence of barred owls. Climate change models predict warmer, wetter winters and hotter, drier summers for the Pacific Northwest in the first half of the 21st century. Our results indicate that these conditions have the potential to negatively affect annual survival, recruitment, and consequently population growth rates for northern spotted owls.     

Long-term influence of mowing on population dynamics in the rare orchid Dactylorhiza lapponica: The importance of recruitment and seed production

Many orchids are currently red-listed due to changes in land use, and their future persistence will depend on management. Traditional land use like mowing is believed to favour orchids through increased survival and reproduction of established individuals, but the lack of data connecting their complex life cycle presently limits our ability to evaluate effects of management. Here we used data from 16 years of demographic monitoring to study how mowing affects population dynamics in two populations of the rare orchid Dactylorhiza lapponica. Both populations were characterized by long-lived individuals, low adult mortality and high seedling mortality. The traditional regime of mowing every second year strongly increased recruitment and reduced seed production in both populations, but had moderate effect on adult survival, growth rate and flowering probability. Population growth rate was positive for all population × treatment combinations. Traditional mowing significantly increased growth rate in both populations, and LTRE-analyses revealed that this primarily was a result of increased recruitment. The results indicate that demographic rates commonly associated with orchid persistence may be insensitive to traditional management, and underscores the importance of seed production and recruitment to maintain population growth in this long-lived species. The combination of low establishment success and no seed bank makes D. lapponica dependent on high seed input. Our results suggest that D. lapponica would benefit most from traditional mowing performed after seed dispersal in the study areas, but also suggest a high probability of future survival in the absence of mowing.     

Monitoring of Organic Compounds and Trace Metals During a Dredging Episode in the Göta Älv Estuary (SW Sweden) Using Caged Mussels

The concentrations of selected trace metals, organotins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in caged blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) during dredging operations in the Göta Älv Estuary (SW Sweden). Maximum values of pollutants in mussel tissues were found after the dredging started. Our results showed that the dredging caused mobilization of organotins from the sediments to the water column during the experimental period. Multidimensional scaling (MDS) and cluster analysis were applied to compare and establish relationships between levels of pollutants in mussels and sampling sites during the experimental period. In order to evaluate the biological effects of contaminants, genotoxic damage was measured using the Comet assay, and its potential application for environmental monitoring is discussed.     

江西青岚湖五种淡水蚌遗传多样性的微卫星DNA分析

利用北美Epioblasma capsaeformis（蚌科）和中欧Margaritifera margaritifera L.（珍珠蚌科）两种淡水双壳类的20对微卫星引物对江西青岚湖五种淡水蚌群体进行了PCR扩增，筛选出8对多态性较高的引物，并用这8个微卫星座位分别对三角帆蚌、褶纹冠蚌、洞穴丽蚌、射线裂脊蚌和中国尖嵴蚌五种蚌类群体进行了遗传多样性分析。结果表明：不同蚌类群体的平均等位基因数为2.8750～4.000，平均观测杂合度（HO）为0.4417～0.6333，平均期望杂合度（HE）为0.4430～0.5706，平均多态信息含量（PIC）为0.368～0.498，五个群体表现出较高的遗传多样性。有多个座位在不同蚌类群体中偏离哈代－温伯格平衡。五种蚌类群体间的遗传距离在0.6228与1.4724之间，三角帆蚌和褶纹冠蚌之间的遗传距离最大，射线裂脊蚌和洞穴丽蚌之间的遗传距离最小。     

Do meadow birds profit from agri-environment schemes in Dutch agricultural landscapes?

Since 1992 the European Union helps member states to reverse the loss of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes by the financial support of agri-environment schemes. Long-term studies investigating the effects of these schemes are an essential prerequisite for the development of an effective policy to restore biodiversity on farmland. In Dutch meadow landscapes almost all agri-environment schemes focus on the restoration of meadow bird populations by postponement of the mowing date. Between 1990 and 2002 we measured long-term changes in meadow bird densities in areas with and without agri-environment schemes in the Netherlands, both before and after the start of the contract. During these years bird territories were surveyed during five field visits between 15 March and 15 June. Densities of black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa), and redshank (Tringa totanus) were higher in the areas with management agreements, but these differences were already present before the start of the contracts. After the start of the management contracts densities of black-tailed godwit and oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) did not increase, while those of lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) and redshank even declined relative to the control areas. It is concluded that the current agri-environment schemes are not sufficient to restore meadow bird populations in Dutch agricultural landscapes. In addition to the prescribed postponement of the mowing date, it is probably necessary to raise groundwater levels and to reduce fertilization to allow for the development of an open vegetation structure that will increase chick survival to sufficiently high levels.     

The present levels of heavy metals in some molluscs of the upper gulf of Thailand

This investigation was carried out as part of Thailand's participation in the global ‘Mussel Watch’ program. The levels of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the green mussel, Perna viridis, oyster, Crassostrea commercialis, and the cockle, Anadara granosa, were studied from July 1982 to November 1982. Comparison was made with the previous study in August 1981 which also included the short necked clam, Paphia undulata and moon scallop, Amusium pleuronectes. It was found that the metal levels were sufficiently low that the molluscs could be consumed without any danger to health. The salinity of the water appeared to influence the uptake as higher levels of metals were found during the flood season when salinity was lower.     

Can We Use Zebra and Quagga Mussels for Biomonitoring Contaminants in the Niagara River?

We compared contaminants in zebra and quagga mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena bugensis) of two different size classes from sites within the Niagara River to determine if the two species and two size classes can be used to monitor contaminants. Composite samples (i.e., at least 50 individuals) were analysed for 7 trace metals, total PCBs, selected organochlorine pesticides, chlorinated benzenes, and dioxins and furans. ANOVAs and MANOVAs showed that metal tissue concentrations varied significantly among sites, species, and size classes (P < 0.05). At sites where metal concentrations differed between species, zebra mussels had higher concentrations than quagga mussels. Similarly, larger mussels (i.e., 16–25 mm) generally had higher tissue concentrations than smaller mussels (<15 mm length). However, differences in tissue concentrations between size classes were present only for Cd, Cu and Mn and were infrequent, making these results inconclusive. For organic contaminants ANCOVAs and MANCOVAs using lipid concentration as a covariate revealed significant differences in tissue concentrations between the three sites, whereas differences between size classes were modest (P = 0.035). The ANOVA using individual parameters did not show a significant difference in tissue concentrations between the two size classes. In general, mussel tissue concentrations among stations (up to 7 stations throughout the river), were similar for Pb, Zn, Hg and Ni using data separated by species and size class. Concentrations of Cu, Mn and Cd were variable throughout the upper and lower Niagara. Tissue concentrations of α-BHC, 1,2,3 and 1,2,4 trichlorobenzene were similar in quagga mussels collected from 8 stations from the Canadian and American side of the river, whereas concentrations of total PCBs, octachlorostyrene, 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobenzene, pentachlorobenzene and hexachlorobenzene were higher in quagga mussels from the American side of the upper river.     

The status and conservation of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera Linn. in Great Britain

All available records of the occurrence of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera Linn. in Great Britain have been collected. Analysis of these records shows that there has been a recent decline in numbers of the species, which is especially marked in England and Wales. The causes of this decline are thought to be primarily pollution and overfishing in England and Wales, and overfishing in Scotland. Apparently even sparse populations remain fertile, but it is concluded that unless conservation measures can reduce overfishing, pearl mussels will become rare and endangered. It is suggested that the best conservation measures will be to restrict pearl fishing to licensed fishermen, perhaps using non-destructive fishing methods, and to prohibit the use of sub-aqua equipment.     

Distribution and Fate of Organotin Compounds in Japanese Coastal Waters

In order to elucidate the details of both the distribution and fate of organotin compounds (OTs) in the costal ecosystem, the concentrations of butyltin compounds (BTs) and phenyltin compounds (PTs) were determined in seawater, sediment and blue mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis collected in Maizuru Bay, Japan. The concentrations of tributyltin (TBT) in seawater, sediments and mussels ranged from 3.9 to 27 ng l^?1, from 1.2 to 19 ng g^?1 dry wt and from 0.77 to 11 ng g^?1 wet wt, respectively. Although the levels of TBT in seawater, sediments and mussels from Maizuru Bay were lower than those reported previously at other sites in Japan, the levels can still be toxic to susceptible organisms. Trace amounts of PTs were also found in seawater, sediment and mussel samples, indicating that there is a slight input of triphenyltin (TPT) into the seawater in the bay at present. The highest TBT concentration in seawater among all sites measured in the bay was found near a glass factory, and the lowest concentrations were observed at the center of the bay. The highest concentration of TBT in sediment was detected near a shipyard. In mussels, a high concentration of TBT was detected near a cement plant and timberyard. These results indicate that the major sources of contamination of OTs in the bay are considered to be from those facilities and ships. The proportion of TBT in seawater and mussels showed that, of total BTs, it was the predominant compound at most sites. These results suggested that there is a continuous input of TBT into the seawater and thereafter an accumulation of TBT in mussels due to their low metabolic capacity to degrade TBT. In sediment, the proportion of monobutyltin (MBT) was the highest of BTs at most sites. This could reflect a previous contamination by TBT used before the regulation of its usage in the bay.     

Test and application of a non-destructive photo-method investigating the parasitic stage of the threatened mussel Margaritifera margaritifera on its host fish E. Salmo trutta

The objective was to test the application of a novel, non-destructive photo-method estimating the larval encystment of one of the highly threatened unionid mussels, the freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) on the gills of its host fish, brown trout (Salmo trutta). There were significant correlations between the encystment intensity based on microscope counts and using the new photo-method for both young-of-the-year and older brown trout just after the encystment in October 2007 and just before larval release from the host fish in June 2008. The mean encystment intensity based on the two methods did not differ from each other for the two age classes of trout when based on comparisons including all individuals. An aquaria experiment showed that there were no differences in survival or growth between fish subjected to the treatments: photo-method and individual marking, photo-method and a control. When applied to encystment in single streams, there were significant correlations between the mean encystment intensity in each stream based on the methods for both trout age classes. Therefore, it may be possible to get reliable estimation of the encystment rates without injuring the mussel or the host fish, which may also be used in restoration and cultivation work. Furthermore, the larvae of M. margaritifera are among the smallest of all the worldwide-distributed, threatened unionid mussel species. The photo-method may therefore also be used for other mussel species with larger larvae, as they are more easily recognized on photos. Therefore, it may now be possible to investigate every life stage of unionid species without using harmful methods at all.     

Responses of cycads with different life histories to the impact of plant collecting: simulation models to determine important life history stages and population recovery times

Collection of plants and seeds from wild populations threatens a large number of cycad species. We investigated to what extent individual life history stages contribute to population growth (λ) and compared two species with major differences in life histories in the African genus Encephalartos: Encephalartos cycadifolius, a highly persistent grassland species that resprouts after fire, and Encephalartos villosus, a relatively fast growing, non-sprouting forest species. Several harvesting scenarios impacting different sized individuals were simulated to determine the sensitivity of the two functional types to harvesting. In both species λ was most sensitive to changes in abundance of adult plants. The harvesting of seeds had minimal impact on population growth rates, whereas harvesting of adult plants led to rapid population decline. This response from two very different functional types suggests that the conservation of adult plants is critical for all cycad species. Despite similar responses to adult mortality, the two species had substantially different population growth rates. This determined recovery time after harvesting of adult individuals. Encephalartos cycadifolius is typical of highly persistent plant species associated with low levels of recruitment and unable to recover from even small losses of adults within a reasonable conservation time frame (<100 years). Our results suggest that the ability to recover from loss of individuals is an important factor that should be considered when assessing the vulnerability of wild populations to threats.     

Status of Zoobenthos and Fish Populations in Subarctic Rivers of the Northernmost Finland: Possible Effects of Acid Emissions from Russian Kola Peninsula

In 1990, a monitoring programme was initiated to survey the status of benthic invertebrate communities and fish populations over a wide range of subarctic rivers in northernmost Finnish Lapland (68°15′–70°N). A special emphasis was placed on detecting possible effects of acidification through sulfur emissions from Russian Kola Peninsula. Sampling in 13 rivers within four major river systems covered watercourses from small brooks to large 7th order rivers, and watersheds with different distances from the emission sources. The community structure of zoobenthos and the occurrence of acid-sensitive indicator species were assessed in 90 sampling sites. Sensitive fluvial fish species, including Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), brown trout (Salmo trutta), European minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus) and burbot (Lota lota), were monitored by studying their occurrence, abundance and juvenile recruitment. No signs of acid-induced failure in juvenile recruitment were detected in salmonid populations. The occurrence of minnow and burbot covered all the systems studied. In parallell, the structure of benthic communities with relatively high species diversity and wide distribution of a highly acid-sensitive caddisfly indicated no effects of acidification.     

Effects of feral mink removal on seabirds, waders and passerines on small islands in the Baltic Sea

We studied the effects of removing introduced American mink (Mustela vison) on the number of birds breeding on small islands in the Baltic Sea. During autumn 1992-2001 mink were removed from a 72 km² area, while mink were not removed from a 35 km² control area. Second removal (125 km²) and control areas (130 km²) were established during 1998-2001. The breeding densities of ringed plover (Charadrius hiaticula), arctic skua (Stercorarius parasiticus), arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) and rock pipit (Anthus petrosus) increased markedly in the removal areas in comparison to the control areas. Turnstone (Arenaria interpres), common gull (Larus canus) and wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) also appeared to increase. Two species already extinct in one of the removal areas, razorbill (Alca torda) and black guillemot (Cepphus grylle), returned to breed in the area. Breeding densities of great black-backed gull (Larus marinus), oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) and white wagtail (Motacilla alba) were unaffected. We conclude that it is possible to remove feral mink from large archipelagos with many small islands, and that mink removal increases the breeding densities of many bird species in this habitat.