Near-shore distribution of Heaviside’s (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii) and dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) at the southern limit of their range in South Africa

Photo-identification surveys over three years along 390 km of coastline north of Cape Town, revealed that Heaviside’s dolphin distribution was consistent between years and higher in areas more exposed to swells and with greater long-term availability of small hake Merluccius capensis (their principal prey). Dusky dolphin sighting rates varied considerably between years, but were generally higher in areas with lower hake availability and sandier shores (mostly straighter coastline). Large groups of 50–200 dusky dolphins were only seen in St Helena Bay, the site of a wind-driven upwelling zone. Heaviside’s dolphins were found in shallower, cooler water than dusky dolphins and were more likely to be seen during brighter phases of the moon (when nocturnal light conditions may influence the vertical migration patterns of prey) and in areas of high hake abundance. Near-shore fishing activity was higher in the northern half of the study area and clustered around harbours. Set netting occurred only at Yzerfontein and St Helena Bay, but due to changes in the industry is currently thought to be a low threat to the population. Interactions between Heaviside’s and dusky dolphins were usually neutral and sympatry appears to be mediated by differences in overall range and the type and size of prey species taken.     

Habitat relationships with fish assemblages in minimally disturbed Great Plains regions

Abstract – Effects of local environmental influences on the structure of fish assemblages were evaluated from 159 sites in two regions of the Great Plains with limited anthropogenic disturbance. These regions offered an opportunity to evaluate the structure and variation of streams and fish assemblages within the Great Plains. We used canonical correspondence analyses to determine the influence of environmental conditions on species abundances, species occurrences and assemblage characteristics. Analysis of regions separately indicated that similar environmental factors structured streams and fish assemblages, despite differences in environmental conditions and species composition between regions. Variance in fish abundance and assemblage characteristics from both regions was best explained by metrics of stream size and associated metrics (width, depth, conductivity and instream cover). Our results provide a framework and reference for conditions and assemblage structure in North American prairie streams.     

Allometric model of the Reineke equation for Japanese cypress (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chamaecyparis obtusa</Emphasis>) and red pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus densiflora</Emphasis>) stands

An allometric model that explains the mechanism of the difference in the slope of the Reineke equation (A) among species was proposed based on the allometric relationships of mean tree height (H) to quadratic mean diameter D (H ∝ D ^θ ) and stand density N (H ∝ N ^δ ), i.e., A = θ/δ. The proposed model was fitted to Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa Endl.) and red pine (Pinus densiflora) stands. The allometric exponents θ and δ were, respectively, 0.8995 and −0.5000 for cypress and 0.8612 and −0.6619 for pine. The difference between cypress and pine was significant for δ but not for θ. Inserting the exponents into the model resulted in predicted slopes of −1.7991 for cypress and −1.3011 for pine. The difference in the slope of the Reineke equation between the two species was produced by characteristics related to the tree crown, rather than characteristics related to stem slenderness. The proposed model enables us to estimate the slope of the Reineke equation from commonly measured stand attributes, such as mean tree height and quadratic mean diameter. Therefore, the proposed model is expected to be practical and convenient for estimating the slope of the Reineke equation and for explaining the mechanism of its variation among species. The model should be also accepted as a generalized model of the stand density versus quadratic mean diameter relationship, whereas the original Reineke equation should be seen as a specific case of this model.     

Development and ecology of bottomland hardwood sites

A basic knowledge of the origin, development, and ecology of bottomland hardwood sites is important for assessing harvesting impacts on those sites. This paper presents an overview of the geologic origin and development of hardwood sites, species-site relationships and the natural patterns of ecological succession on those sites, and the implications of that information for forest management. Bottomland hardwoods occur on floodplain sites primarily in the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains. Past geologic events led to the formation of broad stream valleys in those areas because of the erodible, sedimentary geologic materials. Natural patterns of ecological succession on floodplain sites are influenced by autogenic and allogenic processes in that the sites may undergo constant change because of deposition. Three natural patterns of succession are recognized for floodplain sites of major river bottoms—those occurring on permanently flooded sites, those on low elevation wet sites, and those on higher elevation, better drained sites. Floristic composition and successional patterns are strongly influenced by the hydrologic events on the sites and particularly by rates and types of deposition.     

Foliar and shoot allometry of pollarded black locust, Robinia pseudoacacia L.

Browse of multipurpose tree species such as black locust could be used to broaden grazing options, but the temporal distribution of foliage has not been adequately studied. Our objective was to determine effects of harvest date, P fertilization (0 and 600 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), and pollard height (shoots clipped at 5-, 50-, and 100-cm above ground) on foliar and shoot allometry of black locust. The experiment was conducted on a naturally regenerated 2-yr-old black locust stand (15,000 trees ha⁻¹). Basal shoot diameter and foliar mass were measured monthly in June to October 2002 and 2003. Foliar and shoot dry mass (Y) was estimated from basal shoot diameter (D) by the function Y = aD ^b , with regression explaining ≥95% of variance. Allometry of foliar mass was affected by harvest date, increasing at a greater rate with D in September than in June or July, but not by P fertilization or pollard height. Foliar mass was predicted best by month-specific equations for the June to October growth interval. Allometry of shoot dry mass was unaffected by harvest date, P fertilization, or pollard height. These equations could be used as a first approximation of foliar and shoot mass for pollarded black locust.     

Tropical Tree Growth and Longevity: Validation of Growth Simulation,a Bootstrapping Model

ABSTRACT

Growth Simulation, an analytical modeling technique, has been increasingly used in ecological studies and practical forestry applications where dendrochronology is not applicable. The technique uses randomly sampled diameter increments from tagged trees over a known time interval to assemble a statistical sample of lifetime growth trajectories. We carried out a validation of Growth Simulation using a temperate species in order to compare indirect model outputs with direct tree ring analysis. Rings were measured on sample disks cut from 55 pine branches ranging in age from 8–36 years. Assessments included lifetime growth rates, growth rate with respect to diameter and age, periodic annual increment (PAI), cross-referencing of rings by date, and autocorrelation of growth over successive periods. Tree ring analysis and Growth Simulation showed close correspondence for all parameters tested (maximum, median, and minimum growth rates; longevity estimates). Growth Simulation is found to be a robust and informative technique for studies of tropical tree growth, and is especially useful where analysis of tree rings is not feasible or when bootstrapping analysis of ring data is of interest.     

Allometric model of the height–diameter curve for even-aged pure stands of Japanese cedar (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis>)

We derived an allometric model of the height–diameter curve for even-aged pure stands, which was a modification of the earlier model proposed by Inoue (2000a). An individual-dependent allometric equation was used as the height–diameter curve. Using the discriminant analysis method, all trees composed of a stand were stratified into upper and lower trees. It was assumed that both relationships between mean tree height H _m and upper tree height H _u and between mean DBH D _m and mean DBH of upper trees D _u could be described by the time-dependent allometric power equations. The height–diameter curve showed an average relationship between tree height and DBH of a given stand at a given time, and hence it could be assumed that the height–diameter curve contained two points (D _m , H _m ) and (D _u , H _u ). With these assumptions, we derived an allometirc model of height–diameter curve, which allowed the coefficients of the curve to be estimated from mean tree height and mean DBH. The proposed model was fitted to Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) data. The error ratio of the allometric model ranged from 2.254% to 13.412% (mean = 6.785%), which was significantly smaller than that of the earlier model. When the error of mean tree height was ±1.0 m or less, the effect of the error of mean tree height on the error ratio was comparatively small. This suggested that the error of ±1.0 m in mean tree height could be accepted in the estimation of height–diameter curve using the allometric model. These features enable us to combine the allometric model with Hirata’s vertical angle-count sampling or growth models. In conclusion, the allometric model would be one of the most practical and convenient approaches for estimating the height–diameter relationship of even-aged pure stands.     

Growth and nutrient accumulation of Brazil nut trees (Bertholletia excelsa) in agroforestry at different fertilizer levels

The Brazil nut tree(Bertholletia excelsa) is a frequent component of agroforestry systems in the Amazon because of its adaptation to nutrient-poor upland soils and multiple uses.We investigated the aboveground biomass production(kg dry weight),nutrient uptake and requirements(N,P,Ca,Mg,K) of Brazil nut trees of different sizes grown under agroforestry conditions and fertilized at different levels.Eight of 70 experimental trees with different size were harvested and stem,branches and leaves were separated.Nutrient contents were determined for three trees of varying size.Average tree growth was fast,but variability was high,suggesting considerable potential for the improvement of this economically important species.The trees responded to increased levels of fertilizer and lime with significantly increased foliar nutrient contents and growth,probably because of the improved availability of Mg and Ca for which the species seems to have a relatively high demand.In contrast to Brazil nut trees grown in forest or dense plantations,the agroforestry trees invested a substantial part of their biomass and nutrients in large branches and developed spreading crowns.To improve stem form,reduce competition with associated crops for light and recycle nutrients,regular pruning of lower branches or planting arrangements that favor self-pruning are recommended.These measures would also increase the recycling of Ca and Mg,large quantities of which are contained in the branches.     

Weight–length relationships of 33 demersal fish species from Azores archipelago

Weight–length relationships are presented for 33 fish species of Azores archipelago. This work is the first reference on weight–length parameters of 16 species. Samples were collected between the years of 1999 and 2003 using longline at depths ranging from a few meters to 1200 m. The parameters of a and b of the equation W = aL^b were estimated. The b values of the species caught ranged from 2.701 for Lepidopus caudatus to 3.677 for Centroscymnus crepidater. Whenever possible, the b values for the species obtained both in this study and some of the previously reported in the Portuguese waters were compared.