The contribution of competition to tree mortality in old-growth coniferous forests

Competition is a well-documented contributor to tree mortality in temperate forests, with numerous studies documenting a relationship between tree death and the competitive environment. Models frequently rely on competition as the only non-random mechanism affecting tree mortality. However, for mature forests, competition may cease to be the primary driver of mortality.We use a large, long-term dataset to study the importance of competition in determining tree mortality in old-growth forests on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada of California, U.S.A. We make use of the comparative spatial configuration of dead and live trees, changes in tree spatial pattern through time, and field assessments of contributors to an individual tree's death to quantify competitive effects.Competition was apparently a significant contributor to tree mortality in these forests. Trees that died tended to be in more competitive environments than trees that survived, and suppression frequently appeared as a factor contributing to mortality. On the other hand, based on spatial pattern analyses, only three of 14 plots demonstrated compelling evidence that competition was dominating mortality. Most of the rest of the plots fell within the expectation for random mortality, and three fit neither the random nor the competition model. These results suggest that while competition is often playing a significant role in tree mortality processes in these forests it only infrequently governs those processes. In addition, the field assessments indicated a substantial presence of biotic mortality agents in trees that died.While competition is almost certainly important, demographics in these forests cannot accurately be characterized without a better grasp of other mortality processes. In particular, we likely need a better understanding of biotic agents and their interactions with one another and with competition.     

Pinus pinaster Ait. tree mortality following wildfire in Spain

Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) is the tree species most affected by wildfire in the Iberian Peninsula. Prediction of the probability of fire-injured tree mortality is critical for management of burned areas, evaluation of the ecological and economic impact of wildfire and prescribed fire planning and application. Pine bark beetles (Scolytidae) frequently attack burned maritime pine stands and cause extensive post-fire mortality throughout the Iberian Peninsula. In the present study, maritime pine trees were monitored for three years following 14 wildfires in four ecotypes in Spain (11 fires in Galicia (Galician ecotype - NW Spain), one fire in Portillo (Meseta-Castellana ecotype - Central Spain), one fire in Rodenal (Rodenal ecotype - Central Spain), and one fire in Genalguacil (Sierra Bermeja ecotype - SW Spain)). Data on tree attributes, crown and bole injury, ground fire severity, Ips sp. presence and tree survival were obtained by examining 3085 trees. Logistic regression models for predicting the probability of delayed maritime pine mortality were developed by use of generalized estimated equations (GEE). An ample range of response to fire damage in mortality was evident among the four ecotypes and different models were fitted for each. The most important variables for predicting tree mortality were total crown volume damaged, presence of Ips sp. attack and cambium kill rating. The results highlight the extensive presence of Ips sp. in burned maritime pine forests and its importance in tree mortality process, the ample range of response of P. pinaster, in terms of post-fire mortality, as well as the need to develop site specific mortality models for the different ecotypes of this species following fire.     

Avian anaesthesia related mortality and the associated risk factors in a UK zoological collection

ObjectiveTo analyse avian anaesthesia-related mortality in a UK zoological collection over a 5-year period and identify risk factors for mortality.Study designRetrospective cohort study.AnimalsA total of 135 individual birds across 37 species, anaesthetized during 206 events in a UK zoological collection between 1 January 2014 and 30 June 2019 (inclusive).MethodsAnaesthesia records were reviewed and variables such as age, body condition, weight, sex, duration of anaesthesia and health status were collated. Anaesthesia-related mortality was defined as those deaths occurring during anaesthesia and up to 7 days postanaesthesia. Outcome was analysed using multivariable conditional logistic regression. Overall mortality was defined and included birds euthanised during anaesthesia for non-anaesthesia related reasons. Data were summarised as median (range). A value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. Relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated for the association between risk factors and anaesthetic death where a statistically significant difference was found.ResultsThe overall mortality rate was 10.19% (95% CI = 6.06–14.3%), while anaesthesia-related mortality was 3.88% (95% CI = 1.69–7.51%). Birds with an abnormal health status had a 15.53-fold (95% CI = 1.95–123.63) increased risk of death compared with those with a normal health status. The duration of anaesthesia was also a statistically significant risk factor (p = 0.021) in the univariable analysis, but not when combined with health status. No other variables were associated with anaesthesia-related mortality.Conclusions and clinical relevanceAbnormal health status and longer anaesthetic procedures were associated with a significantly increased risk of anaesthesia-related death in this population of birds. It is recommended that anaesthetic duration is minimized, and pre-existing diseases are diagnosed where possible prior to general anaesthesia of birds. Anaesthetizing healthy birds was associated with a low risk of mortality.     

Juvenile cod (Gadus morhua) mortality and the importance of bottom sediment type to recruitment on Georges Bank

The demersal settlement of pelagic juvenile fish has been considered a critical period in which the final adjustment is made to the size of a year class. Distribution patterns of pelagic and recently settled juvenile cod (Gadus morhua) were examined from nine surveys on Georges Bank during the summer over 5 years, 1984–1989, to relate juvenile survival to the sedimentary environment. Pelagic juveniles were widespread across Georges Bank in June, and by mid‐July they occurred on all bottom types from sand to gravel on eastern Georges Bank. However, by late July‐early August they were mostly abundant on the northeastern edge gravel deposit, which with its complex relief, provides abundant prey and refuge from predators. A bank‐wide estimate of pelagic juvenile abundance in 1986 and 1987 was used to assess mortality of the recently settled juveniles and to evaluate the relative importance of survivors from the northeastern edge gravel area to recruitment of the Georges Bank population. Settlement mortality rates over 1–2 months on the northeastern gravel area ranged from 3 to 8% day^?1, which compared reasonably with other studies. The seasonal abundance of the pelagic juveniles was almost an order of magnitude higher in 1987 than 1986; however, recruitment at age 1 was similar, indicating that a high mortality of the demersal juveniles occurred in 1987. The limited northeastern gravel area on Georges Bank may represent a survival bottleneck depending on the variability in the distribution and abundance of juvenile cod settlement in relation to that of their predators.     

Contrasting population demographics and reproductive investment of white crappie in three eutrophic reservoirs

Abstract White crappie, Pomoxis annularis Rafinesque, provides important sport fisheries across North America but sometimes exhibits slow growth and fails to reach sizes acceptable to anglers. Three dissimilar white crappie populations were studied to assess whether differences in growth were associated with size and age at maturity and subsequent larval production. Similar to other species, female white crappie matured at younger ages and smaller sizes and contained larger ovaries in the population with the slowest growth; this population also had the lowest annual mortality. Larval production (number m^?3) in this population was intermediate to that of the other populations. Attempts to improve growth of white crappie in the slow‐growing population will probably be hindered by these individuals’ greater reproductive investment, which reduces the amount of energy available for somatic growth.     

Freeze testing and field mortality of Pinus sylvestris (L.) in northern Sweden

Six short‐term freezing experiments were carried out on 24 one‐year‐old single‐tree open pollinated families of Pinus sylvestris (L.) representing four populations in northerly Sweden (latitude 62°10'N to 66°50'N). Two experiments were conducted in a climate chamber, two in a greenhouse and two outdoors. For freeze testing the plants were exposed to ‐10°C for three hours in a freezing chamber. A freezing experiment in a climate chamber of 28 one‐year‐old full‐sib families (half diallel with two parents from each population) was also carried out. The results were related to the mortality of the same open pollinated families over the first 18 years in the field. The ranking of the populations was the same in all six freezing experiments as in the field. Significant differences in frost resistance between one‐year‐old open pollinated families were found within all populations except the most northern one. The correlations within populations between frost resistance and field mortality varied considerably between populations and freezing experiments. The results from the two greenhouse experiments showed the best correlations with the cumulative field mortality after 18 years. The freezing test of the 28 full‐sib families resulted in the same mutual ranking, according to the general combining ability of parents within populations, as was obtained from the freezing tests of single tree families.     

南方集体林区生态公益林阔叶树枯损模型的构建研究

探讨阔叶树林分枯损模型的构建,对于经营管理作为我国南方集林区生态公益林的主要树种的阔叶树林分具有重要意义。利用顺昌县优势树种为阔叶树的1996和2006固定样地资料,构建阔叶树枯损模型。结果表明,模型估测的阔叶树林分枯损总数的估测精度为93.89%。     

Temporal changes in ascendance and in‐season exploitation of Atlantic salmon,Salmo salar,inferred by a video camera array

Abstract Weekly exploitation rates of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., in the River Utsjoki, Finland, were estimated from catch reports during the 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007 seasons, and recordings of all Atlantic salmon ascending the river using a submerged video camera array. In all years, mean weekly fishing mortality rates were significantly higher in June than July to August, with a falling trend throughout the fishing season. Owing to overlap in size between one‐sea‐winter (1SW) and multi‐sea‐winter (MSW) salmon, the estimated fishing mortality rates were based on all sea‐age categories combined. By the second week in June, 18.3–34.7% of large salmon (only MSW) had ascended, compared with 2.2–6.4% of small salmon (1SW and some MSW). Indirectly, the earlier start of ascent of large salmon to River Utsjoki indicated that in‐river fishing mortality of MSW salmon is higher than for 1SW salmon. A later opening of the fishing season may be used to reduce the in‐river fishing mortality, especially for the MSW component.     

小兴安岭谷地云冷杉林土壤酶活性的异质性

利用传统统计学与地统计学相结合的方法对小兴安岭谷地不同死亡程度云冷杉林表层土壤（0~20cm）酶活性空间异质性和格局进行研究。结果表明：①土壤脲酶变异函数曲线的理论模型符合线性模型,土壤转化酶、碱性磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶的理论模型符合指数模型或球状模型。②土壤酶活性各项指标的空间变异主要是由结构性因素引起,土壤碱性磷酸酶活性和过氧化氢酶活性指标的空间自相关程度均属较强以上（空间结构比均在75%以上）,土壤转化酶为中等（空间结构比均在25%以上）,土壤脲酶在较弱到中等之间变化。③云冷杉林表层土壤过氧化氢酶的自相关范围最大（0.58~3.08 m）,转化酶和碱性磷酸酶分别为1.41~3.98 m和0.91~4.29 m,而土壤脲酶自相关范围最小（15.426~16.673 m）。④土壤转化酶、碱性磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶活性的空间格局明显,土壤转化酶、碱性磷酸酶、过氧化氢酶和土壤脲酶的分数维分别为1.930~1.990,1.910~1.986,1.923~1.997和1.936~1.970。     

Connectivity of lobster (Homarus americanus) populations in the coastal Gulf of Maine: part II. Coupled biophysical dynamics

We used a coupled biophysical model to investigate larval transport and connectivity patterns in the Gulf of Maine lobster ( Homarus americanus ) population. Biological 'particles' were released at over 21 000 locations every 10 days over a 4-month hatching period, and were followed from hatching through late postlarval stage. In addition to circulation and dispersion, model calculations included spatial patterns of egg production, temporal patterns of hatching, temperature-dependent development, vertical distribution and mortality. We ran the model for three larval production seasons using the same hatching patterns and individual-based modeling parameters but different flow patterns in the coastal current system. Model results gave distribution and abundance patterns of competent postlarvae that closely resembled observed, alongshore patterns of lobster settlement density. We evaluated the relative contribution of all source regions to the total number of competent postlarvae in a series of medium-size zones along the coastal shelf, many of which are used in lobster management. Connectivity depended on many factors, including patterns of egg production and transport, and the location and size of the receiving zones. Self recruitment ranged from a few percent to >90% of competent postlarvae. Although it was common for postlarvae to come from many, often distant, sources, most of the competent postlarvae in a zone originated within one to two zones in the prevailing 'up-stream' direction, forming shorter connections along the coast than the energetic currents might otherwise suggest. Inshore migrations during summer hatching may contribute to these shorter patterns of connectivity. Transport in the prevailing 'upstream' direction was also indicated.