Habitat associations of bats in Northern Ireland: implications for conservation

Agricultural intensification in Northern Ireland has brought about large-scale changes to the landscape with a detrimental effect on biodiversity. Between 1996 and 1998, we surveyed a stratified random sample of 1 km squares for bats using a spot-sample technique and time expansion bat detector to establish linear and area habitat associations. Bats strongly selected water bodies with bankside vegetation, treelines, and deciduous and mixed woodland edge, avoiding open areas such as upland/unimproved grassland and improved grassland. Of three sympatric pipistrelle species (Pipistrellus pipistrellus, P. pygmaeus and P. nathusii), two were shown to forage in different habitats; P. pipistrellus being more of a ‘generalist’, foraging in a wider variety of habitats than P. pygmaeus, a ‘specialist’ which foraged in a smaller range of habitats. Nyctalus leisleri selected parkland/amenity grassland, deciduous woodland edge and rivers/canals and avoided improved grassland, hedgerows, whilst Myotis spp. selected deciduous woodland centre, lake/reservoir margins and rivers/canals. Reduction in area and quality of inland water, deciduous woodlands and field boundaries in Northern Ireland may impact on bat populations. Habitat management should focus on improving those habitats which are selected by bats, including the maintenance and enhancement of connecting linear habitats.     

Dynamics of threatened goldenseal populations and implications for recovery

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) is a North American perennial clonal herb highly prized for its medicinal value. It is threatened at the northern range limit with only 20 populations known in Canada. To assist recovery planning, 13 populations were sampled to model dynamics. The fate of all ramets in one square-meter was monitored from 1998 to 2001. Transition matrices were built for 2000-2001, using three stage classes based on size and reproductive status. A six-stage pooled matrix, separating established ramets from newly produced ramets, was also constructed. Recruitment by seed was not observed and therefore excluded. The average population growth rate (λ) was 1.062 ± 0.053, which did not significantly differ from the equilibrium value (1.0) suggesting that the northern population is stationary. However, growth rates among population samples varied largely and had wide confidence intervals. Populations with λ-values less than or close to 1.0 require environmental change to increase. Recovery of goldenseal, and possibly other woodland perennials at risk, requires intervention aimed at population size augmentation, habitat optimization, and targeted dispersal.     

Reproductive biology of three sympatric endangered plants endemic to Florida scrub

We investigated the reproductive biology of three plants endemic to rosemary scrub habitats on the Lake Wales Ridge of Florida, USA. We used hand-pollination experiments and observations of flowers and their insect visitors to determine their mating systems and pollination. Fruit or seed set after self pollination was 94, 97, and 8% of fruit or seed set after cross pollination in Eryngium cuneifolium (Apiaceae), Hypericum cumulicola (Hypericaceae), and Liatris ohlingerae (Asteraceae) respectively, indicating that the first two are self-compatible and the last is obligately outcrossing. All three depend on insects for seed production (4-7% fruit or seed set without insects). Diverse insects visit flowers of E. cuneifolium (101 species recorded), whereas L. ohlingerae is visited predominantly by butterflies and H. cumulicola by one genus of bees (Dialictus, Halictidae). Our data indicate pollinator visitation does not currently limit seed production in E. cuneifolium or H. cumulicola, but does in L. ohlingerae. Despite the features they share (habit, habitat, disturbance regime), we found unique aspects of these species' reproductive biology yielding unique risks to population viability. We suggest that multispecies recovery plans must consider several aspects of the biology of species with superficial similarities to be successful.     

Soil seed bank compositional change constrains biodiversity in an invaded species-rich woodland

Relationships between plant invasion and the soil seed bank in highly diverse fire adapted mediterranean woodlands are poorly understood, yet critical for that ecosystem’s conservation. Within the biodiversity hotspot of southwest Australia we investigated the composition and diversity of the Banksia woodland soil seed bank in good condition (GC), medium condition (MC) and poor condition invaded by the South African perennial species Ehrharta calycina (PCe) and Pelargonium capitatum (PCp). The investigation assessed three questions: (1) Do soil seed banks of invaded sites have fewer germinants of native species and more germinants of introduced (non-native) species than sites with minimal invasion? (2) Do soil seed banks show shifts in ecological functional types with invasion? (3) Is the soil seed bank of introduced species persistent? Native species germinants, mainly shrubs and perennial herbs, were highest in GC sites and least in poorer condition sites suggesting a reduction in their numbers had occurred over time. Introduced germinants were dominated by perennial and annual grasses, and annual herbs. E. calycina had the greatest seed density (8328 germinants m⁻²). More introduced than native germinants occurred in the litter. Rapid germination of introduced species (30% in week 1) compared to native species (4% in week 1) provides the capacity for their early dominance. A limited native soil seed bank and dominant persistent introduced soil seed bank represent great challenges for the structural and functional conservation and restoration of woodland ecosystems. This study provides key new knowledge, applicable to a wide range of ecosystems, to help formulate conservation protocols to control dominant introduced species and conserve and restore biodiverse-rich woodlands.     

Distribution of protozoa in scots pine mycorrhizospheres

The distribution of heterotrophic flagellates, naked amoebae, testate amoebae and ciliates was investigated in habitats created by Scots pine-Paxillus involutus and -Suillus bovinus ectomycorrhizospheres. The protozoa living on plant and fungal surfaces preferred the non-mycorrhizal pine roots over mycorrhizal roots or external mycelium. The testate amoebae were more abundant on external mycelium than on mycorrhizae regardless of the mycorrhizal fungal species. Numbers of protozoa were higher in the different habitats provided by S. bovinus mycorrhizospheres when compared with P. involutus mycorrhizospheres. Interestingly, the quality of the bacterial flora as food for the protozoa was affected by the mycorrhizal fungi even in the soils adjacent to non-mycorrhizal root tips of pine. These results demonstrate that mycorrhizal fungi create habitats differently suitable for protozoa living in boreal forest soil.     

Reproductive biology and conservation implications of three endangered snapdragon species (Antirrhinum, Plantaginaceae)

About 32% of Antirrhinum species are considered to be endangered; however, no field studies have focused on their reproductive biology. In this work, several aspects of the reproductive biology (flowering phenology, floral biology, breeding system) and potential limits on seed quantity and quality (pollen limitation, inbreeding depression) were studied in natural populations of three endangered species of the genus (Antirrhinum charidemi, Antirrhinum subbaeticum, Antirrhinum valentinum). Results disclose that all three species need insect visitors for seed production since fruit set after autonomous self-pollination was lower than under hand cross-pollination. A. charidemi and A. valentinum were mainly self-incompatible, whereas A. subbaeticum was self-compatible but herkogamous. Supplementary pollination in open-pollinated flowers only increased fruit set and seed set relative to controls in a given population of A. valentinum. Preliminary data on inbreeding depression at early life-cycle stages of the self-compatible A. subbaeticum revealed that the cumulative level was low. Despite the three species being closely related and sharing many ecological characteristics, they show different mating systems, and different factors limit seed quantity and quality. Thus, caution should be taken when making a common conservation plan for a group of closely related taxa.     

Impacts of earthworms and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus intraradices) on plant performance are not interrelated

Earthworms and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) might interactively impact plant productivity; however, previous studies reported inconsistent results. We set up a three-factorial greenhouse experiment to study the effects of earthworms (Aporrectodea caliginosa Savigny and Lumbricus terrestris L.) and AMF (Glomus intraradices N.C. Schenck & G.S. Sm.) on the performance (productivity and shoot nutrient content) of plant species (Lolium perenne L., Trifolium pratense L. and Plantago lanceolata L.) belonging to the three functional groups grasses, legumes and herbs, respectively. Further, we investigated earthworm performance and plant root mycorrhization as affected by the treatments. Our results accentuate the importance of root derived resources for earthworm performance since earthworm weight (A. caliginosa and L. terrestris) and survival (L. terrestris) were significantly lower in microcosms containing P. lanceolata than in those containing T. pratense. However, earthworm performance was not affected by AMF, and plant root mycorrhization was not modified by earthworms. Although AMF effectively competed with T. pratense for soil N (as indicated by δ¹⁵N analysis), AMF enhanced the productivity of T. pratense considerably by improving P availability. Remarkably, we found no evidence for interactive effects of earthworms and AMF on the performance of the plant species studied. This suggests that interactions between earthworms and AMF likely are of minor importance.     

Insect visitation and pollen deposition in an invaded prairie plant community

Invasive plants with large flowering displays have been shown to compete with native plants for pollinator services, often to the detriment of native plant fitness. In this study, we compare the pollinator communities and pollen deposited on stigmas of native plant species within and away from stands of the invasive alien plant, leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) at a large natural area in North Dakota, USA. Specifically, we ask if infestation influences (1) visitation rates and taxonomic composition of visitors to native flowers, and (2) the amount of conspecific pollen, number of pollen species, and proportion of heterospecific pollen on stigmas of native plants. We observed visits to selected native species during May and June 2000 and 2001. Stigmas were collected from a subsample of the flowers within these plots, squashed, and the pollen identified and counted under a light microscope. Visitation varied between years and among species of native plants: infestation had mixed effects in 2000 but visitation, especially by halictids was always lower within infestations in 2001. Despite differences in visitation between years, we found significantly less conspecific pollen on stigmas from infested plots in six of eight cases; we never found significantly more conspecific pollen on stigmas from within infestations. Our results emphasize the temporal variability in plant-pollinator relations and the added complexity imposed by an invasive species that will always make prediction of effects difficult. Nonetheless, the consistently lower conspecific pollen counts on native stigmas within infestations, regardless of visitation, suggest the likelihood of negative effects.     

Restoring forest herb communities through landscape-level deer herd reductions: Is recovery limited by legacy effects?

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) overbrowsing has altered plant species diversity throughout deciduous forest understories in eastern North America. Here we report on a landscape-level (306 km²) project in Pennsylvania, USA that tracked the herbaceous community response to deer herd reductions. From 2001 to 2007, we estimated deer densities, browse impact on woody seedlings, and censused the herbaceous flora in permanent plots throughout the area. We assessed herb layer species richness, abundance, and dominance and measured three known phytoindicators of deer impact: Trillium spp., Maianthemum canadense, and Medeola virginiana. We predicted that browse-sensitive taxa would increase in abundance, size, and flowering as would overall species diversity following deer culls and browse impact that declined by an order of magnitude by 2007. Following intensified deer harvests, we observed a limited recovery of the herbaceous community. Trillium spp. abundance, height, and flowering; M. canadense cover; and M. virginiana height all increased following herd reductions. Similarly, forb and shrub cover increased by 130% and 300%, respectively. Nevertheless, species diversity (i.e., richness and dominance) did not vary. Our work demonstrates that reducing deer densities can provide rapid morphological and population-level benefits to palatable species without a concomitant recovery in diversity. We suggest that decreasing deer populations alone may not promote plant diversity in overbrowsed, depauperate forests without additional restoration strategies to mitigate a browse-legacy layer dominated by browse-resistant species.     

Proportion of individuals with anti-Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis skin bacteria is associated with population persistence in the frog Rana muscosa

The emergence of the infectious disease chytridiomycosis is a major factor responsible for amphibian extinctions in pristine habitats. However, some populations coexist with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), the agent of chytridiomycosis, and others go extinct when Bd arrives. Variation of pathogen severity among populations may be explained by differences of antimicrobial skin peptides and anti-Bd skin bacteria. Previous work showed that a population of the frog Rana sierrae had a high proportion of individuals with at least one species of cultured anti-Bd skin bacteria and was coexisting with Bd for more than 6 years. A population of the closely related sister species Rana muscosa had a significantly lower proportion of individuals with anti-Bd bacteria, and the following year, it went extinct due to Bd. We extended previous work to include another sampling of the R. sierrae population coexisting with Bd and found that, although the anti-Bd bacterial community somewhat differed, both populations had a high proportion of individuals with antifungal bacteria. We also included a population of R. muscosa that was naïve of Bd and predicted to go extinct once Bd emerged since that was the fate of neighboring populations. However, the naïve R. muscosa population had a high proportion of antifungal bacteria, which suggested that the population might survive if Bd emerged. Two years later, the population was surviving with Bd endemic. Variation in the proportion of individuals with anti-Bd skin bacteria appears to explain why some populations persist when Bd emerges in a population.     

Fungal solubilization of rock phosphate is enhanced by forming fungal-rhizobial biofilms

Biosolubilization of rock phosphate (RP) using a Penicillium spp., an Aspergillus spp., Pleurotus ostreatus, Bradyrhizobium elkanii SEMIA 5019 and their fungal-rhizobial biofilms was investigated. Eppawala Rock Phosphate (ERP, total P concentration 17.6%), a RP from a deposit in Sri Lanka was used. Penicillium spp.-B elkanii SEMIA 5019 biofilm released the highest amount of P from the ERP with the highest P release-to-P uptake ratio. The P release of Penicillium spp. alone was significantly lower than that of its biofilm. Similarly, P. ostreatus-B. elkanii SEMIA 5019 biofilm showed a higher P release than P. ostreatus alone. However, P. ostreatus alone or its biofilm showed lower P release-to-P uptake ratios indicating relatively higher P uptake compared to the P release. The Aspergillus spp., showed a moderate P release. Large bradyrhizobial cell clusters attached to the mycelial mat of Penicillium spp. and P. ostreatus were observed under light microscope after 12 and 25 days of incubation, respectively. The present study, identified an effective method of fungal-rhizobial biofilm mediated solubilization of RP.     

Widespread occurrence of an emerging pathogen in amphibian communities of the Venezuelan Andes

Many recent amphibian declines have been associated with chytridiomycosis, a cutaneous disease caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, but increasing evidence suggests that this pathogen may coexist with some species without causing declines. In the Venezuelan Andes, the disappearance of three anuran species during the late eighties was attributed to B. dendrobatidis. Recently, this pathogen was found to be prevalent in this region on the introduced American bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeianus. As a first step toward assessing the risk of amphibian communities to B. dendrobatidis in this region, we conducted a broad survey across multiple habitat types and an altitudinal gradient spanning over 2000 m. We diagnosed 649 frogs from 17 species using real time and conventional PCR assays, and recorded relevant abiotic characteristics of host habitats. Infection was detected in 10 native species of pond, stream and terrestrial habitats from 80-2600 m, representing nine new host records. L. catesbeianus was the most important reservoir with 79.9% of individuals infected and an average of 2299 zoospores. Among native frogs, Dendropsophus meridensis, an endangered species sympatric with L. catesbeianus, showed the highest infection prevalence and mean zoospore load (26.7%; 2749 zoospores). We did not detect clinical signs of disease in infected hosts; however, species such as D. meridensis may be at risk if environmental stress exacerbates vulnerability or pathogen loads. While surveillance is an effective strategy to identify highly exposed species and habitats, we need to understand species-specific responses to B. dendrobatidis to stratify risk in amphibian communities.     

Habitat use and conservation of bumblebees (Bombus spp.) under different grassland management regimes

Declines in the natural populations of several bumblebee species across Britain and Europe are an increasing cause for concern. In this study the habitat use of bumblebees was investigated on Salisbury Plain Training Area, the largest remaining area of unimproved chalk grassland in north-west Europe. Habitat characteristics influencing the overall abundance, species richness and foraging activity of bumblebees included the diversity and abundance of flowering plant species (particularly of favoured forage plants such as Trifolium pratense), vegetation structure and height. It is suggested that different Bombus species respond to these habitat characteristics depending on their specific foraging and nesting requirements, the case of Bombus humilis being especially relevant. The effects of several grassland management practices were considered in terms of their suitability for the conservation of bumblebee habitats. Cattle grazing was shown to be preferable to both sheep grazing and the absence of any management, although the timing and intensity of such grazing was important. Small-scale disturbances caused by vehicle activity were also of value in producing locally abundant forage resources in less intensively managed grasslands.     

Earthworm-mediated maternal effects on seed germination and seedling growth in three annual plants

Many ecological studies have pointed out maternal effects in plants and shown that plant maternal environment influences germination of their seed and subsequent seedling growth. However, few have tested for maternal effects induced by soil macroorganisms. We tested whether two earthworm species (Aporrectodea caliginosa and Lumbricus terrestris) trigger such maternal effects on seed germination and seedling growth of three plant species (Veronica persica, Poa annua and Cerastium glomeratum). Our results show that, through maternal effects, A. caliginosa enhanced seed germination (V. persica and P. annua) and seedling growth (C. glomeratum and P. annua) while L. terrestris reduced seed germination only in V. persica. In some cases, the increase in germination rates of seeds produced in the presence of earthworms was associated with a reduction of nitrogen content in seeds. These results show that earthworms induce maternal effects in plants and that the size and direction of these effects depend on the combination of plant and earthworm species.     

Effects of bush encroachment on an assemblage of diurnal lizard species in central Namibia

Bush encroachment is a serious environmental and economic problem in Namibia, but little is known about impacts on native reptile diversity. Area-confined visual surveys were used to examine a diurnal lizard assemblage in central Namibian commercial ranchlands. Surveys were conducted in plots of open savanna habitat and proximal bush-encroached habitat. The following four species comprised 97.5% of all lizard observations: Pedioplanis undata, Mabuya varia, M. striata, and Lygodactylus bradfieldi. Pedioplanis undata was terrestrial, and the remaining three species were largely arboreal in our study plots. Mabuya varia was found in all savanna plots but was absent from all bush-encroached plots. Two species (P. undata and L. bradfieldi) were less abundant in bush-encroached plots. One species (M. striata) was more abundant in bush-encroached plots than in open savanna plots. Arboreal lizards demonstrated an avoidance to invasive woody plant species. Decreased diversity of habitat structure in bush-encroached habitats appears to influence native savanna lizard assemblages. Our results are consistent with accumulating evidence suggesting that bush encroachment and its associated ecological impacts are reorganizing savanna ecosystems throughout southern Africa.     

Population demography and fecundity do not decline with habitat fragmentation in the rainforest tree Macadamia integrifolia (Proteaceae)

Habitat fragmentation is often associated with reduced levels of fitness and local extinction of plant species, and consequently poses a major threat to the persistence of species worldwide. The majority of demography-based fragmentation studies to date have focussed primarily on fragmentation impacts on individual plant fecundity. Here we investigate the impact of habitat fragmentation on the demography (plant height classes and density) and key population dynamic processes for the rainforest tree species Macadamia integrifolia (Proteaceae). Raceme and fruit production and seedling emergence across fragmented sites exceeded that in more intact sites with no apparent difference in short-term mortality rates. Fecundity of flowering trees did not appear to be affected by fragmentation. Instead, overall reproductive output in fragmented sites was enhanced relative to undisturbed sites due to a higher proportion of reproductively active individuals. The probability of flowering and fruiting was negatively correlated with the projected foliage cover (PFC) surrounding individual trees, and average PFC was significantly lower in small and medium fragments, suggesting light availability as a potential contributor to the trends observed here.This study demonstrates that the short-term effects of habitat fragmentation on population viability may not necessarily be detrimental for some species, and highlights the importance of assessing not only the fecundity of flowering individuals but also the proportion of individuals reproducing within fragments.     

Comparative demography of a rare species in Florida scrub and road habitats

Anthropogenic habitats can offer opportunities for expansion of rare species. The federally listed herb Hypericum cumulicola is virtually restricted to natural gaps within fire-maintained Florida scrub, but also occurs within and along sandy roads traversing scrub. To test the hypothesis that sandy roads provide suitable habitat for H. cumulicola, we compared the demographic performance of scrub and road populations at the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest and Archbold Biological Station in south-central Florida. Twice a year in February and August 1997-2006, we assessed recruitment and survival; annually in August we also measured maximum height and estimated reproductive output of tagged individuals. Scrub population dynamics were more stable than road populations. Recruitment increased with rainfall in scrub populations, but not always in road populations. Compared with scrub populations, road populations were weedier, with more variable life spans, earlier flowering, and higher fecundity. Germination rates did not differ between individuals from different habitats, but varied depending on simulated weather conditions. The weedier life history may reflect a divergent selective environment (and perhaps an evolutionary and ecological trap). Alternatively, adaptive plasticity in H. cumulicola may allow the species to maintain populations in anthropogenic habitats that can serve as refugia for fire-suppressed scrub populations.     

Wild bee species increase tomato production and respond differently to surrounding land use in Northern California

Pollination provided by bees enhances the production of many crops. However, the contribution of wild bees remains unmeasured for many crops, and the effects of anthropogenic change on many bee species are unstudied. We experimentally investigated how pollination by wild bees affects tomato production in northern California. We found that wild bees substantially increase the production of field-grown tomato, a crop generally considered self-pollinating. Surveys of the bee community on 14 organic fields that varied in proximity to natural habitat showed that the primary bee visitors, Anthophora urbana Cresson and Bombus vosnesenskii Radoszkowski, were affected differently by land management practices. B. vosnesenskii was found primarily on farms proximate to natural habitats, but neither proximity to natural habitat nor tomato floral abundance, temperature, or year explained variation in the visitation rates of A. urbana. Natural habitat appears to increase B. vosnesenskii populations and should be preserved near farms. Additional research is needed to determine how to maintain A. urbana. Species-specific differences in dependency on natural habitats underscore the importance of considering the natural histories of individual bee species when projecting population trends of pollinators and designing management plans for pollination services. Thus, to maintain an entire bee community, multiple approaches, including maintaining natural habitat, should be implemented.     

Brassica genotypes differ in growth, phosphorus uptake and rhizosphere properties under P-limiting conditions

Compared to other crops, Brassicas are generally considered to grow well in soils with low P availability, however, little is known about genotypic differences within Brassicas in this respect. To assess the role of rhizosphere properties in growth and P uptake by Brassicas, three Brassica genotypes (mustard, Brassica juncea cv Chinese greens and canola, Brassica napus cvs Drum and Outback) were grown in an acidic soil with low P availability at two treatments of added P: 25 and 100 mg P kg⁻¹ as FePO₄ (P25 and P100). The plants were harvested at the 6-leaf stage, at flowering and at maturity. Shoot and root dry weight (dry weight) and root length increased with time and were lower in P25 than in P100. In P25, shoot dry weight was lowest in Outback and highest in Chinese greens. In the P100 treatment, Chinese greens had a higher shoot dry weight than the two canola cultivars. Chinese greens had a lower root dry weight and root length at flowering and maturity than the canola genotypes in both P treatments. Irrespective of P treatment, shoot P concentration was lower in Chinese greens than in the two canola genotypes. Specific P uptake (μg P m⁻¹ root length) decreased with time. In P25, Chinese greens had the lowest specific P uptake at the 6-leaf stage but it was higher than in the two canola genotypes at flowering and maturity. In P100, Outback had the lowest specific P uptake. Available P in the rhizosphere (resin P) decreased over time with the greatest decrease from the 6-leaf stage to flowering. In P25, resin P in the rhizosphere was greatest in Chinese greens at the 6-leaf stage and flowering and smallest in Outback at flowering. Microbial P and acid phosphatase activity changed little over time, were not affected by P treatment and there were only small differences between the genotypes. The rhizosphere microbial community composition [assessed by fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis] of Outback and Chinese greens differed from that of the other two genotypes at the 6-leaf stage and flowering, respectively. At maturity, all three genotypes had distinct microbial communities. Plant traits such as production of high biomass at low shoot P concentrations as well as the capacity to maintain high P availability in the rhizosphere by P mobilisation can explain the observed differences in plant growth and P uptake among the Brassica genotypes.     

Habitat selection by the Mediterranean horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus euryale (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae) in a rural area of southern Italy and implications for conservation

We studied habitat selection by Rhinolophus euryale in a rural area of southern Italy in 1998-2000 by radio-tracking. Two comparisons were carried out, one between habitat occurrence within individual home ranges and within the study area, the other between time spent in each foraging habitat and habitat occurrence within the home range. The first analysis showed that olive groves and conifer plantations were, respectively, the most and the least important habitats. The second analysis highlighted the importance of woodland for R. euryale, while urban sites, open areas and conifer plantations were avoided. We recommend that clearing of continuous, large areas of woodland for tree harvesting should be avoided. Conifers should not be used for reforestation. Urbanisation should be limited in the areas of greatest importance for the species, and linear landscape elements such as tree lines and hedgerows should be maintained.