Sampling saproxylic beetles: lessons from a 10-year monitoring study

We sampled saproxylic beetles using trunk window traps in two birch-dominated forests in Finland during 1990-1999. The sampling scheme, 10 traps attached to living fruiting bodies of Fomes fomentarius growing on dead birches, remained unchanged in both forests throughout the study period. Beetles belonging to 32 selected families were identified every year, whereas all species were identified during the last 4 years. Total number of identified individuals was 40,294 and number of species 583, of which 258 were saproxylic (dependent on dead wood). Species richness of rare and threatened saproxylic beetles in the samples varied a lot between the years and did not fluctuate synchronously between the forests. Variation between years was smaller when all saproxylic species were pooled together and some abundant species fluctuated synchronously in the two forests. Similarity indices and DCA-ordination did not generally suggest decreasing similarity between samples with increasing temporal isolation. Incidence-based similarities of common saproxylic species within and between forests and years were high (means 0.7-0.8), whereas those of rare saproxylics were roughly 50% smaller and much more variable. More than 75% of the common saproxylic species found during the entire 10-year period were detected already after 3 years of sampling but accumulation of rare and threatened species was much slower. Our results suggest that: (1) occurrence of rare and threatened species in samples is much less predictable than that of common species and, e.g. reserve selection based on rarities should be made cautiously; (2) estimation of total number of threatened species in a forest is very difficult, because such species accumulate slowly in the samples; (3) samples from different years can be comparable in certain cases.     

接种溶磷真菌对玉米和大豆根际细菌群落结构多样性的影响

Application of phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms （PSMs） has been reported to increase P uptake and plant growth. However, no information is available regarding the ecological consequences of the inoculation with PSMs. The effect of inoculation with phosphate-solubilizing fungal （PSF） isolates Aspergillus niger P39 and Penicillium oxalicum P66 on the bacterial communities in the rhizospheres of maize （Zea mays L. ‘Haiyu 6＇） and soybean （Glycine max Merr. ‘Heinong 35＇） was examined using culture-dependent methods as well as a culture-independent method, polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （PCR-DGGE）. Compared with the control, the number of culturable microbes for soybean was significantly greater with P39, whereas for maize, the same was significantly greater with P66. In addition, a greater number of microbes were found in the rhizosphere of maize compared with soybean. The fingerprint of DGGE for 16S rDNA indicated that inoculation with PSF also increased bacterial communities, with the P66 treatment having higher numbers of DGGE bands and a higher Shannon-Weaver diversity index compared with P39; the composition of the microbial community was also more complex with the P66 treatment. Overall, complex interactions between plant species and exotic PSMs affected the structure of the bacterial community in the rhizosphere, but plant species were more important in determining the bacterial community structure than the introduction of exotic microorganisms.     

Why conservation reserves should not always be concentrated in riparian areas: A study of ground-dwelling beetles in wet eucalypt forest

Reserve corridors in production forestry landscapes are frequently concentrated in riparian areas. This study describes the numerical response of ground-dwelling beetles to increasing distance from streams, with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of such a bias in reserve allocation. Patterns in abundance and diversity of epigaeic beetles were quantified at four first order streams in wet eucalypt forest in Tasmania, Australia. The depth and pattern of beetles’ riparian response varied between streams. Commonly trapped beetles were less abundant near to three of the four streams, and the numerical response model differed in each case. Species richness of common beetles was also lower near one of the streams. Pooled abundance and richness of rare species did not vary in response to the riparian-upslope transition. No riparian or upslope specialist species were identified among the most commonly collected species. Compared to upslope habitat, the riparian-upslope transition encompassed greater variability in species composition without actually increasing overall richness. The study findings demonstrate the need for ecosystem-specific data to optimize reserve placement, since the results were not predicted from general vegetation patterns, ecological theory, or the widely held assumption that riparian areas support greater abundance and diversity of organisms than adjacent upslope areas. Reserves encompassing more upslope habitat are recommended to complement those located in riparian areas.     

Patterns of amphibian diversity in Brazilian Amazonia: conservation implications

A literature survey was conducted to determine the amphibian diversity and distribution in Brazilian Amazonia. Patterns of endemisms and similarity of fauna between localities were also addressed. Twenty-eight inventories were found for the region, the majority localized in areas with easier access by road or river. A minimum of 163 amphibian species was recorded for Brazilian Amazonia. Although many species are endemic to the Amazonian lowlands as an entity, the patterns of species uniqueness among sites suggested low endemic distribution within the lowlands of the Amazon Basin. The mean similarity between localities varied from low to intermediate (mean=0.40), indicating that the Brazilian Amazonia is characterized by distinctive assemblages of amphibians throughout its extension. Localities further apart had lower similarity. No threatened species were recorded. These results contribute to determine priority areas for new inventories and establishment of conservation units. We suggest that areas next to the Amazon deforestation frontier should be prioritized for new studies due to the high rate of alteration and potential loss of species. Additionally, studies on amphibian population dynamics are few in Brazilian Amazonia and more of them should be emphasized to help to draw a better picture of the status of amphibians in this region.     

Analysis of morphological variation in wild beet (Beta vulgaris L.) from Sicily

Summary In this paper the variation pattern of the Sicilian Beta germplasm collection is analysed. Accessions from Sicily were grown under controlled conditions and were evaluated morphometrically. Geographical distribution patterns of morphological characters are identified and the putative classification of the collection into coastal and inland populations is reassessed. Between adjacent populations significant variation was found for Petiole length, Leaf length, Leaf width and Biomass, however no one variable unambiguously reflected a geographical pattern. Overall differences between coastal and inland populations were small. Petiole length and rate of generative development were found to be important for distinguishing between these groups. Interferences are drawn on how the collection from Sicily could be rationalized to avoid excessive duplication.     

城市公园土壤和植被：自然和人为因子的影响

Various soil surface components, such as trees, shrubs and biological crusts, and human recreational activities, e.g., barbecues and trampling by visitors, may divide the area of the urban park into smaller fragments/microenvironments, differentiated by their microenvironmental conditions, which may differ in soil and vegetation characteristics. The spatial changes in the soil and vegetation characteristics and their causes were investigated in an urban park located south of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Israel. The area of the park is 0.5 km², including groves, a lake, lawns, and rest areas. Soil was sampled in nine microenvironments, of which seven were within the park: under Ceratonia siliqua trees (CsU), under Ficus sycomorus trees (FiU), rest area between tables under F. sycomorus (FiB), rest area under tables under F. sycomorus (FiT), open area with bare soil (OaS), open area with biological crust cover (OaC), and open area covered by herbaceous vegetation (OaV). Two more microenvironments, planar and sloping open areas (CoP and CoS, respectively) in the vicinity of the park, were used as the controls. Electrical conductivity, concentrations of soluble ions (Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and HCO₃^-), pH, contents of organic carbon, calcium carbonate and moisture, and grain size distribution were determined. In addition, herbaceous vegetation cover, number and diversity of herbaceous vegetation species were measured. It was found that soil properties and herbaceous vegetation characteristics varied within the park. Soil organic carbon, electrical conductivity, soluble salts, penetration depth, and vegetation characteristics were affected by human activities, mainly in the rest area between the tables. In contrast, the above characteristics were affected by natural factors mainly in the rest of the microenvironments, which were subjected to low levels of anthropogenic intervention. The heterogeneous structure of the park, as represented by the various microenvironments, offered new habitats and promoted the preservation of natural vegetation.     

蝴蝶多样性与地形相关性研究——以大峪流域为例

蝴蝶物种丰富度是蝴蝶多样性研究的热点之一,以大峪流域的蝴蝶为研究对象,借助GIS技术,结合数字高程模型（DEM）数据,研究了大峪流域内的蝴蝶多样性沿海拔梯度分布格局,及其与地形复杂度之间的关系。结果表明：随着海拔的升高,蝴蝶的科、属、种丰富度和密度均呈逐渐降低的趋势;蝴蝶的丰富度和密度与地形复杂度成正相关,随地形复杂度的降低而降低。     

日本落叶松EST-SSR标记开发及二代优树遗传多样性分析

利用SSR标记研究选自第1代育种试验林、拟纳入二代育种群体的264株日本落叶松二代优树的遗传变异情况。利用1620条落叶松EST序列进行EST-SSR标记的开发,共发现58条序列中含有67个SSR位点,占全部EST序列的3.58%。获得7个多态性EST-SSR标记,其中5个在朝鲜落叶松、长白落叶松、兴安落叶松和华北落叶松中均可扩增出预期目标片段,且具有多态性,表明这些标记在落叶松属内的通用性良好。利用6个EST-SSR标记和4个gSSR标记对日本落叶松二代优树群体开展遗传多样性分析,每个位点的平均等位基因数为4.6个,有效等位基因平均数为3.1个。群体观察和期望杂合度均值分别为0.5902和0.5702;Nei's基因多样度和Shannon多样性指数分别为0.5691和1.0966;全部单株间遗传相似系数0.1725～0.9667。说明该二代优树群体的遗传多样性较高,具有构建二代育种群体的潜力。     

长白落叶松人工林林隙间伐对林下更新及植物多样性的影响

2009年7月中旬,以佳木斯孟家岗林场间伐8年后的34年生长白落叶松人工纯林为对象,分析均匀间伐、大林隙和小林隙的林下更新和植物多样性。结果表明:与均匀间伐相比,林隙内出现了树高超过1.5m的胡桃楸、山杨和春榆等喜光阔叶树种,大林隙中出现树高超过2m的胡桃楸幼树;林隙内更新树种的个体密度、平均高和平均地径明显增加,大林隙尤为显著(P<0.05);林隙内木本植物的Simpson多样性指数和盖度均显著高于均匀间伐(P<0.05);与小林隙相比,大林隙内木本和草本植物盖度均显著增加(P<0.05);木本植物竞争种的重要值表现为大林隙>小林隙>均匀间伐,耐胁迫种的重要值相反(P<0.05);大林隙内1年生草本植物的重要值显著高于小林隙和均匀间伐(P<0.05),多年生草本植物则相反(P<0.05);大林隙Grime'功能群中杂草种的重要值高于小林隙和均匀间伐,耐胁迫种则相反(P<0.05);小林隙与均匀间伐的草本植物不同生活型及Grime'功能群的组成差异不明显(P>0.05);林隙间伐结合均匀间伐可以将长白落叶松人工纯林改造成长白落叶松针阔混交异龄林,较单独实施均匀间伐更有利于林下更新和植物多样性的提高,间伐林隙应...