The fate of Amazonian forest fragments: A 32-year investigation

We synthesize findings to date from the world’s largest and longest-running experimental study of habitat fragmentation, located in central Amazonia. Over the past 32 years, Amazonian forest fragments ranging from 1 to 100 ha have experienced a wide array of ecological changes. Edge effects have been a dominant driver of fragment dynamics, strongly affecting forest microclimate, tree mortality, carbon storage, fauna, and other aspects of fragment ecology. However, edge-effect intensity varies markedly in space and time, and is influenced by factors such as edge age, the number of nearby edges, and the adjoining matrix of modified vegetation surrounding fragments. In our study area, the matrix has changed markedly over the course of the study (evolving from large cattle pastures to mosaics of abandoned pasture and regrowth forest) and this in turn has strongly influenced fragment dynamics and faunal persistence. Rare weather events, especially windstorms and droughts, have further altered fragment ecology. In general, populations and communities of species in fragments are hyperdynamic relative to nearby intact forest. Some edge and fragment-isolation effects have declined with a partial recovery of secondary forests around fragments, but other changes, such as altered patterns of tree recruitment, are ongoing. Fragments are highly sensitive to external vicissitudes, and even small changes in local land-management practices may drive fragmented ecosystems in markedly different directions. The effects of fragmentation are likely to interact synergistically with other anthropogenic threats such as logging, hunting, and especially fire, creating an even greater peril for the Amazonian biota.     

Sustainable Management of Nutrients in Forage-Based Pasture Soils: Effect of Animal Congregation Sites (5 pp)

Background, Aim and Scope   Grazing animals have a dominant effect on the movement and utilization of nutrients through the soil and plant system, and thus on the fertility of pasture soils. Grazing can accelerate and alter the timing of nutrient transfers, and increase the amount of nutrients cycled from plant to soil. Long periods, position of shade, and water resources for grazing cattle can influence the spatial distribution of soil biochemical properties including soil organic carbon (C), total extractable inorganic nitrogen (TEIN), and Melich 1 extractable total phosphorus (TP). The objective of this study is to test whether cattle congregation sites typical on most Florida ranches, such as mineral feeders, water troughs, and shade areas are more nutrient-rich and may contribute more nutrients to surface and groundwater supply than in other pasture locations under Florida conditions. Materials and Methods: Baseline soil samples around and beneath three congregations sites in established (>10 yr) grazed beef cattle pastures at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Subtropical Agricultural Research Station (STARS), Brooksville, FL, were collected in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Results: The levels of soil TEIN and TP were significantly (p ≤ 0.001) affected by the interaction of congregation sites and distance away from the center of the sites. Mineral feeders had the highest concentration of TP followed by shades and water troughs. The concentrations of soil TP decreased almost linearly with distance (x = meter) away from the center of the mineral feeders (-5.24x + 55.10; R2 = 0.92; p ≤ 0.001) and the shades (-6.25x + 57.21; R2 = 0.85; p ≤ 0.001). However, the level of TP around the water troughs (-0.25x + 16.91; R2 = 0.09) does not appear to change significantly with distance, staying close to about 13-18 mg kg-1. The levels of TEIN decreased linearly with distance away from the mineral feeders from the center of the shades. A linear model can describe the relationship between TEIN and distance away from the center of shades: -11.3x + 78.2; R2 = 0.95; p ≤ 0.001. The shaded sites (34.25 ± 1.7 mg kg-1) had higher levels than the mineral feeders (7.22 ± 0.60 mg kg-1) or water troughs (10.06 ± 0.8 mg kg-1) sites. Discussion: The higher soil TP near and around the mineral feeders can be attributed to the presence of phosphorus in the supplemental feeds. The average level of soil TP in the mineral feeders of 34.05 ± 0.44 mg kg-1 was not high enough to be of environmental concern. Losses of soil phosphorus by overland flow are becoming a big concern when the concentrations for soil phosphorus exceeded 150 mg kg-1 in the upper 20 cm of soils. With TN, the shaded sites (34.25 ± 1.7 mg kg-1) had either higher levels than the mineral feeders (7.22 ± 0.60 mg kg-1) or water trough (10.06 ± 0.80 mg kg-1) sites. Higher TEIN content at the shade sites may have been more likely due to frequent urination of animals and lack of vegetation immediately adjacent to shades. The lack of vegetation within and/or near the shades then had no uptake mechanism for removal of inorganic nitrogen, unlike the heavy demand for inorganic nitrogen by bahiagrass in other areas of the pasture. An accumulation of TEIN immediately adjacent to shades could lead to a potential point source that would be susceptible to leaching or gaseous losses to the environment. Conclusions: Early results of the study are suggesting that cattle congregation sites in beef cattle operations in Florida are not nutrient-rich, therefore may not contribute more nutrients to surface and groundwater supply under Florida conditions. Recommendations and Perspectives: Since there is no apparent vertical build up or horizontal movement of TEIN and TP in the landscape, we can then surmise that cattle congregation sites may be considered not a potential source of nutrients at the watershed level, at least on the sand ridge soils in Florida. Further research is continuing, including sampling at cattle congregation sites at other locations in north and south Florida, which started in July 2004.     

Short- and long-term effects of the endogeic earthworm Millsonia anomala (Omodeo) (Megascolecidæ, Oligochæta) of tropical savannas,on soil organic matter

Summary This study aimed to establish the effects of Millsonia anomala, a tropical geophagous earthworm common in the humid savannas of Lamto (Ivory Coast), on soil organic matter dynamics over different time scales under laboratory conditions. The texture of casts produced by the worms fed on a shrub savanna soil was not significantly different from that of the soil, which showed that M. anomala ingested soil particles without selection. Physical fractionation of soil organic matter showed that the coarse organic fraction (250–2000 m) was depleted by 25–30% in fresh casts compared to the control noningested soil; this was mainly due to a fragmentation of coarse organic debris. Incubation of casts and a 2-mm sieved control soil under laboratory conditions for more than 1 year showed that the C mineralisation rate was almost four times lower in the casts (3% year^-1) than in the control soil (11% year^-1). We therefore concluded that on a long time scale M. anomala populations may significantly reduce the decomposition rate of soil organic matter in Lamto savannas.     

Prioritisation of conservation areas in the Western Ghats, India

Areas of high conservation value were identified in the Western Ghats using a systematic conservation planning approach. Surrogates were chosen and assessed for effectiveness on the basis of spatial congruence using Pearson’s correlations and Mantel’s tests. The surrogates were, threatened and endemic plant and vertebrate species, unfragmented forest areas, dry forests, sub-regionally rare vegetation types, and a remotely sensed surrogate for unique evergreen ecosystems. At the scale of this analysis, amphibian richness was most highly correlated with overall threatened and endemic species richness, whereas mammals, especially wide-ranging species, were better at capturing overall animal and habitat diversity. There was a significant relationship between a remote sensing based habitat surrogate and endemic tree diversity and composition. None of the taxa or habitats served as a complete surrogate for the others. Sites were prioritised on the basis of their irreplaceability value using all five surrogates. Two alternative reserve networks are presented, one with minimal representation of surrogates, and the second with 3 occurrences of each species and 25% of each habitat type. These networks cover 8% and 29% of the region respectively. Seventy percent of the completely irreplaceable sites are outside the current protected area network. While the existing protected area network meets the minimal representation target for 88% of the species chosen in this study and all of the habitat surrogates, it is not representative with regard to amphibians, endemic tree species and small mammals. Much of the prioritised unprotected area is under reserve forests and can thus be incorporated into a wider network of conservation areas.     

Using lipid analysis and hyphal length to quantify AM and saprotrophic fungal abundance along a soil chronosequence

We evaluate the use of signature fatty acids and direct hyphal counts as tools to detect and quantify arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and saprotrophic fungal (SF) biomass in three Hawaiian soils along a natural soil fertility gradient. Phospholipids16:1ω5c and 18:2ω6,9c were used as an index of AM and saprotrophic fungal biomass, respectively. Both phospholipid analysis and hyphal length indicated that the biomass of AMF was greatest at the highest fertility site, and lowest where phosphorus limits plant growth. Saprotrophic fungal biomass did not vary. Hyphal length counts appeared to under-estimate SF abundance, while the phospholipid AMF:SF ratio was in line with expectations. This study indicates that phospholipids may be a valuable and reliable tool for studying the abundance, distribution, and interactions between AM and saprotrophic fungi in soil.     

环割是芒果树的一项促花保果的关键措施

随着我国对外经济技术交流的日益扩大,将有越来越多的农业科技人员走出国门、走向非洲,而非洲多数国家的热带果树中,芒果是最为普遍的果树之一。通过在尼日利亚东北区的包奇市从事芒果技术工作的3年中,对于芒果促花保果的措施进行了初步的探索。经过试验基本明确了在类似包奇市的生态区域内,进行环割是芒果树上的一项促花保果的关键措施,环割的时期以9月上、中旬为宜。     

Mites associated with budgerigars Melopsittacus undulatus (Psittaciformes: Psittacidae) and the first report of Ornithonyssus bursa (Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae) in Mexico

Background:Hematophagous mites affect numerous bird species, causing severe injuries to the budgerigars. Some species can cause dermatitis in humans.Aims:The purpose was to morphologically identify the mites related to budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) and their nests in Yucatan, Mexico.Methods:In May 2022, a private budgerigar hatchery was visited and mites were collected from the bodies of the birds and their nests. The morphological traits of the mites were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy.Results:Four of 30 birds showed severe clinical signs of mite infestation. The Budgerigars revealed lesions in the cere, nostrils, eyelids, beak, and paws. The bird’s skin showed signs of dryness and beige coloring. The birds with severe damage also presented anorexia and had deformed paws and beaks. The parasitosis was caused by the “burrowing mites,” Knemidocoptes pilae. The burrowing mites and the Grallacheles bakeri were recovered and identified from paw scabs. To eliminate mites, a topical application of Ivermectin was administered to the necks of the birds. The dose was a single, which has a residuality of 21 days. Two drops (0.115 mg/ml) of ivermectin were applied to each bird. A gradual reduction in crusted lesions due to mite mortality was noted. The “tropical fowl mite” Ornithonyssus bursa was identified in the nests, which represents the first record in Mexico.Conclusions:Three species of mites were discovered in a single budgerigar hatchery. This emphasizes the importance of deworming birds and keeping a clean environment in their cages to reduce the potential for parasitic mite infestation.     

海南热带牧草真菌病害调查(Ⅱ)

热带牧草病害是影响其产量和品质的重要因素之一。本次在海南调查了10种禾本科和豆科牧草,共鉴定出了12种真菌性病害,其中国内新记录寄主病害9种,海南省新记录寄主病害3种。为害较重的有灰梨孢[Pyricularia grisea(Cke.)Sacc.]引起的双花草梨孢灰斑病、新月弯孢[Curvularia lunata(Wakker)Boedijn]引起的雀稗或鼠尾粟弯孢菌叶斑病、球黑孢霉[Nigrospora zimmerman(Sacc.)Mason]引起的热研11号黑籽雀稗叶枯病以及蝴蝶豆假尾孢(Pseudocercospora centrosematicola)引起的蝴蝶豆褐斑病。     

Seed and oil yields of Moringa oleifera variety Periyakalum-1 introduced for oil production in four ecosystems of South America

Moringa oleifera Lam. is a member of Moringaceae family which grows throughout most of the tropics, and is native to sub-Himalayan tracts of north west India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Moringa seed concentrates 35-45% oil which is considered a great natural cosmetic emollient almost total natural absence of color and odor, and high oleic acid concentration (>73%). To assess their production potential in the Arid Chaco, The Yungas Tropical Forest, Tropical Lowland Forest, and in the Sub-Humid Chaco Ecosystems of South America, a comparative trial was undertaken to determine their seed yield and oil content. Arid Chaco Ecosystem: significant (P < 0.05) difference in seed yields among years were found, with 176.17 and 481.25 kg/tree recorded for 1- and 2-year-old trees, respectively. Sub-Humid Chaco Ecosystems: the difference in seed yield and oil percentage between years was significant (P < 0.05). Comparison between years showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher seed yields, and significantly (P < 0.05) lower oil percentage for the two years old trees, than for the one year old trees. The oil/tree content was significantly (P < 0.05) higher for two years old trees than for one-year-old trees. Yungas Tropical Forest Ecosystem: seed oil percentage was significant (P < 0.05) higher in one-year-old trees than in seeds of two years old trees. Overall: over the tree years, oil percentage was significantly (P < 0.05) higher for seeds produced at the Arid Chaco than at the Sub-Humid Chaco. The seed/tree yields and the oil/tree content were no significantly (P < 0.05) different among the three ecosystems. However, when oil percentage per tree and seed yield/tree were combined trees from Sub-Humid Chaco and from Yungas Tropical Forest yielded significantly (P < 0.05) higher oil content compared to that from Arid Chaco trees.     

海南东寨港海桑＋无瓣海桑红树林生态系统防风效应研究

[目的]研究海南东寨港海桑＋无瓣海桑红树林生态系统防风效应。[方法]采用自动气象站对海南东寨港海桑＋无瓣海桑典型人工红树林生态系统的防风效应进行定位观测。[结果]在5min尺度上,平均风速依次为：林后IH（H为平均树高）〈林后4H〈林前1H〈林前4H,林后风速大幅度削减,防风效果明显。旱季和雨季频率最高的风向分别是NNE、NE,林后1H对NNE、NE风的减弱程度较大,分别为34．70％、62．99％。林后1H处不同风速的减弱系数G雨季均远远大于旱季。旱季和雨季半小时平均风速进程均呈“单峰”变化,白昼半小时平均风速远远大于夜晚,白昼半小时平均风速变化急剧,夜晚变化缓慢。5rain风速尺度上,林前1H风速与林前4H风速相关性最好。林前1H处与林后1H处风速正常情况下消减幅度为65．35％～77．21％,而热带风暴期间消减幅度为33．29％～53．21％。[结论】为最合理的红树林造林结构和造林位置提供了理论支持和技术指导。