Foraging behavior of pileated woodpeckers in partial cut and uncut bottomland hardwood forest

In bottomland hardwood forests, partial cutting techniques are increasingly advocated and used to create habitat for priority wildlife like Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and Neotropical migrants. Although partial cutting may be beneficial to some species, those that use dead wood may be negatively affected since large diameter and poor quality trees (deformed, moribund, or dead) are rare, but normally targeted for removal. On the other hand, partial cutting can create dead wood if logging slash is left on-site. We studied foraging behavior of pileated woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus) in one- and two-year-old partial cuts designed to benefit priority species and in uncut forest during winter, spring, and summer of 2006 and 2007 in Louisiana. Males and females did not differ in their use of tree species, dbh class, decay class, foraging height, use of foraging tactics or substrate types; however, males foraged on larger substrates than females. In both partial cut and uncut forest, standing live trees were most frequently used (83% compared to 14% for standing dead trees and 3% for coarse woody debris); however, dead trees were selected (i.e. used out of proportion to availability). Overcup oak (Quercus lyrata) and bitter pecan (Carya aquatica) were also selected and sugarberry (Celtis laevigata) avoided. Pileated woodpeckers selected trees ≥50 cm dbh and avoided trees in smaller dbh classes (10–20 cm). Density of selected foraging substrates was the same in partial cut and uncut forest. Of the foraging substrates, woodpeckers spent 54% of foraging time on live branches and boles, 37% on dead branches and boles, and 9% on vines. Of the foraging tactics, the highest proportion of foraging time was spent excavating (58%), followed by pecking (14%), gleaning (14%), scaling (7%), berry-eating (4%), and probing (3%). Woodpecker use of foraging tactics and substrates, and foraging height and substrate diameter did not differ between recent partial cut and uncut forest. Partial cutting designed to improve or maintain habitat for priority wildlife did not affect pileated woodpecker foraging behavior or availability of selected trees compared to uncut forest in the short term.     

草食动物与草地植物多样性的互作关系研究进展

动物-植物互作关系一直是草地生态学研究的核心问题之一。在草地放牧系统中的动植物界面上,生物多样性的作用突出而敏感,因此,对动物与植物多样性的互作关系探讨,有益于深刻阐释放牧系统的稳定性与持久性机制。本文综述了有关草食动物对草地植物多样性的作用结果、影响因素、作用机制,以及植物多样性对草食动物生产性能、多度和多样性影响的研究现状,并就今后的研究方向提出几点建议:扩展动物多样性及不同动物组合对植物多样性的作用机制研究;加强有关植物多样性变化对草食动物、特别是大型草食性动物的反馈作用过程研究;加强对动物采食行为的深入理解,尤其是动物采食对植物多样性响应机制的认识;加强草食动物与植物多样性之间的动态互作关系研究,以及这种互作关系变化对草地生态系统过程及功能的影响研究。     

Cultivar placement affects pollination efficiency and fruit production in European pear (Pyrus communis) orchards

European pear (Pyrus communis) requires insect pollination among compatible cultivars for fruit production. However, most commercial orchards have a limited number of cultivars arranged in monotypic blocks or rows. This can result in insufficient inter-cultivar pollination. We hypothesise that limitations in pollen transfer among cultivars could be explained by both insect behaviour and orchard design. We compared insect activity and pollination efficiency in two European pear cultivars, in orchards with different designs: (i) cultivars alternated in the same row or (ii) cultivars in separate rows. To assess limitations in pollen transfer, we also compared hand pollination with compatible pollen versus open pollination by insects. Insect visitors mainly foraged on neighbouring trees within a row, with few movements across rows (1%). Honey bees (Apis mellifera) and bumble bees (Bombus terrestris) visited significantly more flowers per tree (8.5 vs. 3) and more trees (2.1 vs. 1.3) than solitary bees (Andrena spp.) and hoverflies. Insect visitors deposited large amounts of pollen (∼500 pollen grains) on flower stigmas regardless of the insect type. Cultivar placement affected inter-cultivar pollination; less incompatibility signs were observed when cultivars alternated in the same row (5%) than when cultivars were in separate rows (38%). We observed limitations in pollen transfer as open pollination resulted in significant reduced fruit set, compared with hand pollination, in ‘Conférence’ (21% vs. 30.7%) and ‘Doyenné du Comice’ (7.2% vs. 16.8%). The foraging behaviour of the insects limited thus inter-cultivar pollen transfer in the orchards with cultivars in separate rows. Cultivars used for pollination (pollinizers) should be planted in the same rows as the main cultivar to increase inter-cultivar pollination.     

东方蜜蜂采集行为初步观察

 分析了东方蜜蜂发生采集行为的基本条件,研究了采集粉蜜的同一性,并初步测定了采集范围.结果表明:东方蜜蜂具有调整蜂群结构以最大生态效率来利用自然资源的特性.     

新疆河狸秋季啃伐河谷林的对策研究

本文对新疆河狸秋季啃伐对策的研究表明,被伐木离水边或食物堆距离(大于50m)越远,河狸的啃伐率越低,而选择性越强,在食物堆附近很少啃伐。新疆河狸最喜啃伐直径为2.5-4.5cm的林木,平均直径为2.57cm。河谷林密度降低,河狸的啃伐密度随之降低,但啃伐率升高。新疆河狸的最佳啃伐范围为离岸边15m以内、距食物堆40-120m的范围。河狸对河谷林的“皆伐式”啃伐、对大直径林木的强度啃伐、到距食物堆150m以外或在食物堆附近大规模啃伐及经常变换越冬洞位置,均因其生境的严重退化。人类活动是造成其生境严重退化的主要原因,禁止砍伐和放牧是河狸保护工作的关键环节。     

Scattered trees in rural landscapes: foraging habitat for insectivorous bats in south-eastern Australia

Scattered trees and small patches of vegetation among farmland are typical of rural landscapes throughout the world, often comprising a significant proportion of remaining habitats for native fauna. Insectivorous bats can use such isolated resources owing to the high mobility of most species, but little is known of the relationship between bats and tree density, or of the impact of incremental loss of trees in the landscape. Bats were surveyed at 30 sites in south-eastern Australia, in five habitat categories representing a range of tree densities from remnant woodland blocks (>35 trees/ha) to sparsely scattered trees (<1 tree/ha), and open paddocks devoid of trees. Sampling was undertaken by using harp traps and ultrasonic bat detectors. The abundance of potential arthropod prey was assessed by using light traps. Eleven species of insectivorous bats were recorded and bats were widespread in all habitat categories; all species were recorded around scattered trees. Overall activity, as revealed by detectors, did not differ significantly between the four treed categories, but in open paddocks there was a lower level of activity and a different community composition. However, a regression model revealed a significant quadratic relationship between activity of bats and tree density, with highest activity at 20-30 trees/ha. All species were recorded in open paddocks, but for eight of the ten species this represented <7% of their total activity recorded across all habitat categories. For six species, significant positive correlations were found between activity levels and the abundance of potential arthropod prey. In contrast to bat detectors, trapping results showed a significant difference in overall abundance of bats between wooded habitats, with decreased abundance as tree density declined. This study highlights the value of scattered trees as foraging habitat for bats, and emphasizes that, in rural land mosaics, such small and isolated habitat components have value for the conservation of biodiversity, and require greater recognition and protection.     

Free-choice mineral consumption in Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) response to diet deficiencies

All mammals have the ability to taste salt, so several studies have focus on mineral selection in the diet. Sodium and phosphorus are usually the most limiting for ungulates and thus some ruminants may regulate their consumption according to mineral needs and content of food sources. The aim of this study was to assess if the amount of minerals consumed is related to daily requirements. It was performed during lactation, examining consumption of 23 adult hinds and their calves. Animals were captive in 10,000 m² enclosures without pasture. Eleven highly bioavailable mineral compounds were offered in a cafeteria test and weighed weekly. Consumption behaviour was recorded by two cameras from dawn till dusk during the whole lactation period. Incidentally, meal offered had enough minerals to meet daily requirements of all elements except Na and Co. Mineral consumption of supplements was scarce for most elements (less than 10% of daily requirements) except for Na (44%) and Co (36%). Cobalt-supplement was consumed by calves much more than by hinds (90% vs. 10%), probably because requirements for growing ruminants are about 10 times higher than for adults. Animals consumed high percentages of Na and Co but not other minerals, even though flavours of NaCl, KCl and salt-mixed trace minerals are very similar. Thus, consumption seems to reflect physiological needs.     

蜜蜂幼虫信息素对工蜂发育和采集行为的影响

综述了蜜蜂幼虫信息素的研究现状,以及西方蜜蜂幼虫信息素对工蜂卵巢发育、工蜂王浆腺发育和工蜂采集行为发育三方面影响作用的最新研究进展.     

Winter foraging plants of domestic sheep in Hulunbeir grassland

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Hunting habitat selection by hen harriers on moorland: Implications for conservation management

We examine habitat use by hunting hen harriers Circus cyaneus at three study sites in Scotland to evaluate whether foraging patterns differ between sexes, sites, and stages of the breeding period. We modelled time spent hunting in focal plots as a function of habitat and nest proximity. Male hunting intensity (time spent hunting per hour of observation and km²) varied between sites and breeding periods, being lower during the nestling than the incubation period. Habitat use patterns were mostly consistent among study sites, which is important for developing species management recommendations applicable over the species’ range. Males avoided improved grassland, and selected areas of mixed heather and rough grass (with an optimum at ca. 50% heather cover). The effect of nest proximity was small. In contrast, females hunted mainly within 300-500 m of the nest, with a small additive effect of vegetation cover, areas of fragmented heather being preferred. Habitat management to benefit foraging harriers will involve creating (or maintaining) mosaics of heather/grassland around nest areas. Additionally, it might be possible to manipulate habitat to reduce conflict in areas where harrier predation on red grouse is important by segregating areas holding highest grouse densities (with high heather cover) from those favoured for harrier foraging (heather-grass mosaics). However, it would be necessary to test whether these manipulations might also influence harrier nest distribution, an effect which could negate any benefits from this strategy.