Distribution and diversity of leaf-cutting ants in Northeastern Argentina: species most associated with forest plantations

Abstract

Leaf-cutting ants (LCA) are considered one of the main herbivores and one of the most destructive pest insects of the Neotropics. Northeastern Argentina harbors the greatest species richness of these ants and in turn comprises the highest surface with forest plantations. Our aim was to establish which species of leaf-cutting ants are most commonly associated with forest plantations by analyzing their geographic distribution using published and unpublished species occurrence data. Also, estimate their potential areas of distribution along a latitudinal gradient that entirely encompasses northeastern Argentina using Ecological Niche Modeling. Only seven of the 20 species recorded were strongly associated with productive systems along the gradient, but only 2–3 species in each region could be considered high-risk species for forest plantations. High-risk species composition shows a turnover between regions. Our models show the potential distribution areas where LCA could become more abundant and dominant, and possibly causing a detrimental effect on the forest plantations in the studied region. We find that ecological niche models are useful tools to assess the environmental suitability of important LCA.     

Response of snails and slugs to fragmentation of lowland forests in NW Germany

Habitat fragmentation is a major cause for species loss, but its effect on invertebrates with low active dispersal power, like terrestrial gastropods, has rarely been studied. Such species can not cross a hostile habitat matrix, for which the predictions of island theory, such as positive relations between species richness and patch size, should apply. In order to test this prediction, we studied gastropod species diversity by assessing gastropod assemblage characteristics from 35 sites in 19 fragments of deciduous old-growth forests in the Lower Rhine Embayment, Germany. Assemblages differed between larger (≥700 ha) and smaller forests (<400 ha), those of large forests held a higher percentage of forest species. Although α-diversity was similar between the two forest size classes, small forests often comprised matrix species, resulting in a higher β-diversity. Edge effects on the species richness of matrix species were noticeable up to 250 m into the forest. Hierarchical partitioning revealed that distance to disturbances (external edge, internal edges like roads) explained most assemblage variables, whereas forest size and woodland cover within a 1 km radius from the sites explained only a few assemblage variables. Densities of two forest-associated species, Discus rotundatus and Arion fuscus, decreased with forest size. Yet, forest size was positively correlated with richness of typical forest species and densities of Limax cinereoniger. The latter species seems to need forests of >1,000 ha, i.e., well above the size of most fragments. In conclusion, the prediction is valid only for forest species. The response to fragmentation is species specific and seems to depend on habitat specialization and macroclimatic conditions. Jean-Pierre Maelfait: Deceased.     

江西森林病虫害发生现状、原因及可持续，控制对策探讨

本文从森林病虫害可持续控制的观点出发,分析了江西森林病虫害危害现状,探讨了江西省森林病虫害可持续控制的基本对策和措施。     

4种纯林空气负离子浓度研究

利用负离子仪对上海市松江区中央公园的4种纯林内的空气负离子浓度进行测定,并通过比较分析,得出如下结果：桂花、紫叶李、蚊母树纯林在5月和7月份的空气负离子浓度日变化曲线呈双峰型,石楠呈单峰型;在6月和8月份紫叶李、蚊母树和石楠纯林日变化曲线相似,几乎平行;不同纯林日平均负离子浓度有差异,相关性分析表明,纯林内的空气负离子浓度与温度和相对湿度的几乎无显著相关性,为合理利用负离子资源提供一定依据。     

晋西黄土丘陵边缘土石山区天然次生林群落β多样性研究

对晋西黄土丘陵边缘土石山区不同海拔高度木本植物物种丰富度以及各群落间β多样性特征进行了分析.结果表明,木本植物总物种丰富度随海拔高度的升高呈下降趋势,乔木种在海拔较高地段丰富度较大,灌木种则是在海拔较低地段丰富度较大.群落相异性指数Cody指数和Whittaker 指数多以相邻海拔群落间的指数值最小,群落间海拔差异越大指数值越大.而群落相似性指数Jaccard和Sorenson指数则表现出相反的变化规律,即随着群落间海拔差距的增大,指数值呈逐渐减小的趋势,相邻群落间的群落相似性指数值最大.     

神农架林区国有林场改革之我见

神农架林区是全国唯一以"林区"命名的行政区。笔者通过全面对神农架林区国有林场改革的现状分析,阐述了国有林场在天保工程、退耕还林、森林资源管护、造林绿化工作中所起的作用,为国有林场改革的顺利进行打下了坚实的基础;同时也指出了林区国有林场改革存在的诸多问题,主要表现为国有林场体制不顺,基础设施落后,生活条件艰苦,产业发展缺资金、缺人才、缺技术,离退休人员多,负担沉重,债务缠身,发展艰难。进而从改革国有林场管理体制和运行机制,加快森林资源流转步伐,大力发展林业产业,合理分流富余人员,稳定和完善对国有林场扶持政策等5个方面提出了林区国有林场深化改革之对策。     

森林-草原交错带天然次生林夏季鸟类群落多样性研究

为研究内蒙古高原东南缘森林-草原交错带不同林型鸟类群落特征,2005—2006年夏季对其天然次生林夏季鸟类进行了调查研究,共记录鸟类8目17科36种,天然次生林鸟类占该地区夏季鸟类总数的49.32%。其中,鸟类优势种为沼泽山雀(Parus palustris hellmayri),常见种为山斑鸠(Streptopelia orientalis orientalis)、小嘴乌鸦(Corvus corone orientalis)和黄眉柳莺(Phylloscopus inornatus inornatus),天然阔叶林有鸟类24种,天然混交林有鸟类27种,天然混交林具有最大的鸟种数、密度和多样性指数。天然阔叶林和天然混交林鸟类群落具有较高的相似性,有4种鸟类的密度在两种林型间差异显著(P<0.05)。结果表明:天然次生林对丰富交错带鸟类群落具有重要作用,建议保护天然次生林,以促进该地区生物多样性保存和健康发展。     

安徽省石台县长江防护林工程建设现状研究

系统研究了石台县2001年~2007年长江防护林工程建设情况,特别是其4个主要工程类别:人工造林、低产林改造、幼林抚育和封山育林工程的建设规模和资金投入结构。在此基础上,结合该县长防林工程建设的成功经验、取得的三大效益及尚存在的主要问题,作者建议在今后的长防林建设工程中应该加强工程管理、增加国家投资、拓宽融资渠道、巩固基层林站和加强监督监测等。     

关于青海省东部农业区退耕还林工程后续产业发展的思考

退耕还林工程实施8年以来,东部农业区的生态环境得到了一定的改善,也使退耕农民得到了实惠,然而特殊的自然地理环境限制和阻碍了退耕还林工程后续产业的发展。根据群众在实践中的有益探索,提出了加快发展退耕还林工程后续产业的几条措施。     

蛟河市改培速生丰产用材林建设项目的分析

改培速生丰产用材林建设项目是吉林省林业厅为加快全省林业发展、实施"三大区域"发展战略、促进森林资源恢复性建设启动的林业重点工程。本文对蛟河市改培速生丰产用材林建设项目进展情况进行了总结分析,并对项目建设过程中存在的问题提出建议。