Habitats Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Abstract.—Harvesting of chameleons from the East Usambara Mountains of Tanzania for the exotic pet trade is of concern due to the high rates of habitat loss in this region and the fact that many of the species are endemic or near endemic... more

Abstract.—Harvesting of chameleons from the East Usambara Mountains of Tanzania for the exotic pet trade is of concern due to the high rates of habitat loss in this region and the fact that many of the species are endemic or near endemic to this isolated montane forest. Export of the majority of chameleons found in the East Usambaras is regulated by their listing under CITES Appendix II. To ensure harvesting is sustainable, however, greater knowledge of the ecology of species is needed.

Colombia está viviendo un proceso de transición iniciado a finales de 2016 con la firma del Acuerdo de paz, que puso fin a un conflicto armado de más de 60 años. En el marco de ese proceso se han producido proyectos de arquitectura... more

Colombia está viviendo un proceso de transición iniciado a finales de 2016 con la firma del Acuerdo de paz, que puso fin a un conflicto armado de más de 60 años. En el marco de ese proceso se han producido proyectos de arquitectura encaminados a la reparación individual y colectiva de las víctimas, la reincorporación de los exguerrilleros y al buen vivir de comunidades locales. Este artículo presenta parámetros de diseño arquitectónico elaborados por medio de los hallazgos en campo y la revisión de prácticas de diseño relacionadas con la transición. Estos permitirán la revisión de los proyectos arquitectónicos generados en ese escenario y la base para la generación de lineamientos de diseño para los diferentes contextos. El estudio permite concluir la responsabilidad emergente de la arquitectura en el proceso transicional de construcción de la paz en Colombia y la necesidad de diseñar herramientas para su aporte efectivo a este proceso.

Fish communities and habitat structures were evaluated by underwater visual censuses a rocky location impacted by thermal discharge (I) and at two control locations, one in a Sargassum bed (C1) and the other in a rocky shore with higher... more

Fish communities and habitat structures were evaluated by underwater visual censuses a rocky location impacted by thermal discharge (I) and at two control locations, one in a Sargassum bed (C1) and the other in a rocky shore with higher structural complexity (C2). Habitat indicators and fish communities exhibited significant differences between the impacted and control locations, with the impacted one

The brown hare, a Leporid widespread in the world, is now dispersed across Argentina after its introduction at the end of the 19th century. Studies on hare feeding ecology are important to evaluate a potential competition with domestic... more

The brown hare, a Leporid widespread in the world, is now dispersed across Argentina after its introduction at the end of the 19th century. Studies on hare feeding ecology are important to evaluate a potential competition with domestic and native wild herbivores. This study analyses the brown hare diet in relation to food availability, and dietary overlaps with several herbivores in northern Patagonia. Food availability was estimated by point-quadrat transects, and hare diet by microhistological analysis of faeces, carried out in five habitats in five seasonal samplings. Significant differences were detected by Kruskall-Wallis ANOVA with multiple comparisons by Tukey test. Feeding selection was detected by w 2 test, and dietary preferences by the confidence interval of Bailey. Grasses and chamaephytes were the most available plant categories, with Stipa, Panicum and Acantholippia as main species. Grasses and phanerophytes were the main dietary categories, including Poa, Panicum, Bromus, Adesmia and Prosopidastrum. The phanerophytes Prosopidastrum and Ephedra were more eaten in winter, when the main food item (Poa) presented lower availability. A higher dietary proportion of the chamaephyte Acantholippia occurred in rocky habitats, where the coarse dominant grasses were always avoided. Hares shared most food items with several wild and domestic herbivores in northern Patagonia. The lack of preference for forbs differentiates brown hares from other herbivores. However, hares exhibited important dietary similarities with plain and mountain vizcachas, goats and horses, and an interspecific competition for food is highly probable.

Summary For myxomycetes the understanding of their diversity and of their ecological function remains underdeveloped. Various problems in recording myxomycetes and analysis of their diversity are discussed by the examples taken from... more

Summary For myxomycetes the understanding of their diversity and of their ecological function remains underdeveloped. Various problems in recording myxomycetes and analysis of their diversity are discussed by the examples taken from tundra, boreal, and arid areas of Russia and Kazakhstan. Recent advances in inventory of some regions of these areas are summarised. A rapid technique of moist chamber cultures can be used to obtain quantitative estimates of myxomycete species diversity and species abundance. Substrate sampling and species isolation by the moist chamber technique are indispensable for myxomycete inventory, measurement of species richness, and species abundance. General principles for the analysis of myxomycete diversity are discussed.

Resource managers confronted with preserving ecosystems for prairie wetland birds in fragmented landscapes require landscape studies that direct conservation efforts over broad geographic regions. We investigated the role of local and... more

Resource managers confronted with preserving ecosystems for prairie wetland birds in fragmented landscapes require landscape studies that direct conservation efforts over broad geographic regions. We investigated the role of local and landscape factors affecting habitat suitability by integrating remotely sensed wetland and land-cover data with wetland bird habitat models. We linked habitat models with locations of easement and fee-title wetlands to evaluate spatial location and extent of protected, suitable habitat. We also simulated impacts of the loss of small wetlands on suitability of larger wetlands for mobile species that use multiple wetlands. Lastly, we evaluated the efficacy of waterfowl habitat programs in preserving suitable habitat for nongame wetland bird species to recommend strategies for maximizing regional landscape connectivity. Regional databases constructed for this study indicate that easement and fee-title tracts encompass 13.9% (1.2 million ha) of land area and protect 19.8% of the wetlands in eastern South Dakota, USA. Proportion of protected wetlands is highest for semi-permanent (32.3%), intermediate for seasonal (25.6%), and lowest for temporary wetlands (15.8%). A stratified, two-stage cluster sample was used to randomly select 834 semi-permanent and seasonal wetlands that were surveyed for birds in 1995 and 1996. Logistic analyses indicate that habitat suitability for some species (e.g., Virginia rail, pied-billed grebe) is related to local vegetation conditions within wetlands, while suitability for others (e.g., northern pintail, black tern) is related to landscape structure at larger scales. As a result, unfragmented prairie wetland landscapes (i.e., areas with wetland complexes embedded within upland grasslands) provide habitat for more species than isolated wetlands in tillage fields. Models developed from survey wetlands were used to classify habitat suitability for all semi-permanent and seasonal wetlands in eastern South Dakota. Small wetlands are critical components of the surrounding landscape that influence habitat suitability of larger wetlands. Models used to reclassify suitability of larger remaining wetlands after small wetlands (Ͻ0.5 ha) were removed indicate that species most vulnerable to loss of small wetlands are vagile species that exploit resources over broad spatial scales. Number of wetlands suitable for northern pintails, a mobile species that uses multiple wetlands within a season, decreased 20.7% when wetlands Ͻ0.5 ha were removed. Historic paradigms dictating waterfowl habitat protection efforts also have conserved habitat for nongame bird species. Modern paradigms that acknowledge the importance of small shallow wetlands to breeding waterfowl have shifted the focus of protection towards preserving habitat for species that occupy more abundant seasonal wetlands. Cessation of protection efforts would result in further fragmentation of regional wetland landscapes. We recommend that wetlands be acquired not only to consolidate suitable habitat within protected core areas but also to ensure that core areas coalesce to preserve connectivity among regional wetland landscapes.

Tributaries of the Colorado River Basin, historically home to a complex of endemic omnivores collectively referred to as the 'three species'; flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis), bluehead sucker (C. discobolus) and roundtail chub... more

Tributaries of the Colorado River Basin, historically home to a complex of endemic omnivores collectively referred to as the 'three species'; flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis), bluehead sucker (C. discobolus) and roundtail chub (Gila robusta), have experienced the establishment of numerous non-native fish species. In this study, we examine the impacts of the trophic ecology of non-native fishes on the 'three species' in the San Rafael River, Utah, USA. We employ a suite of abundance comparisons, stable isotope techniques and size-at-age back-calculation analyses to compare food web structure and growth rates of the 'three species' in study areas with and without established populations of non-native species. We found that the 'three species' are more abundant in areas with few non-native fishes present, regardless of habitat complexity. Stable isotope analyses indicate non-native fishes lengthen the food chain by 0.5 trophic positions. Further, the trophic niche spaces of the native fishes shift and are narrower in the presence of non-native fishes, as several non-native species' trophic niche spaces overlap almost entirely with each of the 'three species' (bluehead sucker and flannelmouth sucker 100%, roundtail chub 98.5%) indicating strong potential for competition. However, the 'three species' demonstrated no evidence of reduced growth in the presence of these non-native fishes. Collectively, these results suggest that while non-native fishes alter the food web structure presenting novel sources of predation and competition, mechanisms other than competition are controlling the size-structure of 'three species' populations in the San Rafael River.

Fish communities and habitat structures were evaluated by underwater visual censuses a rocky location impacted by thermal discharge (I) and at two control locations, one in a Sargassum bed (C1) and the other in a rocky shore with higher... more

Fish communities and habitat structures were evaluated by underwater visual censuses a rocky location impacted by thermal discharge (I) and at two control locations, one in a Sargassum bed (C1) and the other in a rocky shore with higher structural complexity (C2). Habitat indicators and fish communities exhibited significant differences between the impacted and control locations, with the impacted one

We review plant conservation in the Mascarenes (Reunion, Mauritius, Rodrigues) and the granitic Seychelles islands. Sizes of angiosperm floras are: Seychelles (200 species, c. 70 endemics of which c. 70% are threatened), Mauritius (691... more

We review plant conservation in the Mascarenes (Reunion, Mauritius, Rodrigues) and the granitic Seychelles islands. Sizes of angiosperm floras are: Seychelles (200 species, c. 70 endemics of which c. 70% are threatened), Mauritius (691 species of which 273 are single island endemics [SIE] and another 150 are Mascarene endemics [ME]), Rodrigues (150 species, 47 SIE, 72 ME), Reunion (550 species, c. 165 SIE, c. 140 ME). The main threats affecting plant diversity are small population sizes and fragmentation, and invasive alien species. While in Mauritius, Rodrigues and Seychelles <5% of intact habitat is left, this proportion is still 30% in Reunion. Consequently habitat restoration is a priority in Mauritius, Rodrigues and Seychelles. All islands have recently greatly advanced some aspects of plant conservation, while gaps are also apparent. Advances include conservation strategies (all), ex situ conservation (all), extent of protected areas (Reunion, Seychelles), new NGOs (Reunion...

EUCALYPT ecologists in Australia finally have a text that is a comprehensive review of the current state of knowledge on eucalypt ecology. This book incorporates and expands on ideas found in Eucalyptus, the Universal Australian by Pryor... more

EUCALYPT ecologists in Australia finally have a text that is a comprehensive review of the current state of knowledge on eucalypt ecology. This book incorporates and expands on ideas found in Eucalyptus, the Universal Australian by Pryor and Johnson (1981) and Pryor's (1976) The Biology of Eucalypts.

The invasion of the exotic dioecious shrub Baccharis halimifolia is transforming the estuarine communities of Southern Europe. Large scale gradients of salinity and flooding regime determine B. halimifolia zonations in salt marshes where... more

The invasion of the exotic dioecious shrub
Baccharis halimifolia is transforming the estuarine
communities of Southern Europe. Large scale gradients
of salinity and flooding regime determine B.
halimifolia zonations in salt marshes where the
subhalophilous sea rush communities are the most
affected by invasion. In this study we aim to (1) assess
the invasion level and influence of B. halimifolia on
native flora and to (2) quantify the performance of the
exotic shrub in rush communities across fine-scale
salinity and waterlogging gradients. Using floristic
data collected in estuaries in Northern Spain we
identified 3 sea rush community subtypes: low,
medium and high salinity communities. B. halimifolia
cover decreased from low to high salinity communities.
Native species cover, richness and diversity and
herbaceous-subshrub layer cover was significantly
lower in invaded rush communities than in uninvaded
ones. The reduction of the singular native estuarine
species cover and richness was higher in the high and
medium salinity community than in the low salinity
community. Growth and reproductive traits measured
on two consecutive years in invaded rush communities
in Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve indicated that increased
edaphic stress reduced B. halimifolia individual performance
and enhanced attack by natural enemies.
Moreover, leaf drop was more responsive to salinity in
female than in male individuals.Weconclude that finescale
variations on edaphic stress played an important
role in the invasibility of rush communities by
affecting the individual performance of B. halimifolia,
and might generate sex specific responses. The implications
for rush marsh conservation are discussed.

How were o r c o u l d t h e y be improved? O t h e r s u g g e s t i o n s f o r m o d i f i c a t i o n o r improvement ( a t t a c h c u r v e s , e q u a t i o n s , graphs, o r o t h e r a p p r o p r i a t e i n f o r m a t i o n )... more

How were o r c o u l d t h e y be improved? O t h e r s u g g e s t i o n s f o r m o d i f i c a t i o n o r improvement ( a t t a c h c u r v e s , e q u a t i o n s , graphs, o r o t h e r a p p r o p r i a t e i n f o r m a t i o n ) A d d i t i o n a l r e f e r e n c e s o r i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t s h o u l d be i n c l u d e d i n t h e model: Model E v a l u a t o r o r Reviewer D a t e Agency

The initiation of an invasion event is rarely dated in studies of alien plants. Data from aerial photographs documenting the invasion from the outset facilitate the quantification of the rate of spread, allowing researchers to analyse... more

The initiation of an invasion event is rarely dated in studies of alien plants. Data from aerial photographs documenting the invasion from the outset facilitate the quantification of the rate of spread, allowing researchers to analyse species' population dynamics and providing a basis for management. 2. For 10 sites invaded by Heracleum mantegazzianum in the Slavkovsk y les, Czech Republic, aerial photographs from 11 sampling dates between 1947 (before invasion started) and 2000 were analysed. The area covered by the invader was measured digitally in a 60ha section of landscape, and information obtained on invaded habitats, year of invasion, flowering intensity and structure of patches. Invaded area was regressed on residence time (time since the beginning of invasion) and regression slopes were used to measure the rate of spread. Data were analysed by  , multiple regression and path analysis. 3. Pastures and fields contributed 84·7% to Heracleum total cover, forest and scrub 13·7% and human settlements 1·6% at the later stage of invasion. The direct effect of the rate of invasion on invaded area (0·82) was greater than that of residence time (0·22), but the total effect (direct and indirect) of residence time was only slightly less (0·79) than that of the rate of invasion (0·82). As invasion proceeded, the populations spread from linear habitats to the surrounding landscape. Mean rate of areal spread was 1261 m 2 year − 1 and that of linear spread 10·8 m year − 1 . Flowering intensity did not exhibit any significant trend over time. 4. Synthesis and applications. The strong effect of the rate of spread on the invaded area indicates that local environmental conditions hardly limit the spread of Heracleum . The species is easily detectable on aerial photographs taken at flowering and early fruiting times, from June to August. Knowledge gained from aerial photographs allows managers to identify dispersal foci and to focus control efforts on linear landscape structures with developing populations. Knowledge of the rate of spread and habitat vulnerability to invasion facilitates the identification of areas at highest risk of immediate invasion.

Habitat destruction and fragmentation are the root causes of many conservation problems. We conducted a literature survey and canvassed the ecological community to identify experimental studies of terrestrial habitat fragmentation and to... more

Habitat destruction and fragmentation are the root causes of many conservation problems. We conducted a literature survey and canvassed the ecological community to identify experimental studies of terrestrial habitat fragmentation and to determine whether consistent themes were emerging from these studies. Our survey revealed 20 fragmentation experiments worldwide. Most studies focused on effects of fragmentation on species richness or on the abundance(s) of particular species. Other important themes were the effect of fragmentation in interspecific interactions, the role of corridors and landscape connectivity in individual movements and species richness, and the influences of edge effects on ecosystem services. Our comparisons showed a remarkable lack of consistency in results across studies, especially with regard to species richness and abundance relative to fragment size. Experiments with arthropods showed the best fit with theoretical expectations of greater species richness on larger fragments. Highly mobile taxa such as birds and mammals, early-successional plant species, long-lived species, and generalist predators did not respond in the "expected" manner. Reasons for these discrepancies included edge effects, competitive release in the habitat fragments, and the spatial scale of the experiments. One of the more consistently supported hypotheses was that movement and species richness are positively affected by corridors and connectivity, respectively. Transient effects dominated many systems; for example, crowding of individuals on fragments commonly was observed after fragmentation, followed by a relaxation toward lower abundance in subsequent years. The three long-term studies ( у 14 years) revealed strong patterns that would have been missed in short-term investigations. Our results emphasize the wide range of species-specific responses to fragmentation, the need for elucidation of behavioral mechanisms affecting these responses, and the potential for changing responses to fragmentation over time.

We have examined slime cell distribution on the surface of the achenes of some Artemisia and Neopallasia taxa, as well as slime composition, envelope formation during the hydration, and slime relation to different morphological features... more

We have examined slime cell distribution on the surface of the achenes of some Artemisia and Neopallasia taxa, as well as slime composition, envelope formation during the hydration, and slime relation to different morphological features and environmental factors. The results of the studies show a characteristic pattern of slime cells distribution, which could differ between taxa. The slime in the taxa studied belongs to the cellulose type and consists of two components i.e., pectins and cellulose. Although all fruits contain slime cells, not all of them show the slime envelope formation. Plants occurring in dry habitats (such as A. barrelieri) or annual species (such as A. annua) are characterised by a large amount of slime and a fast process of slime envelope formation. Slime production has not been observed in some polyploid populations (A. campestris and A. campestris ssp. sericea) and in two species occurring in relatively fertile habitats (A. verlotiorum, A. vulgaris). A reason for this may be either the immaturity of polyploid fruits leading to the production of a scarce, not detectable slime amount or, alternatively, the occurrence of not functional slime cells. Slime facilitates and stimulates the germination, as well as the adherence of the fruits to the ground or to animals (for dispersal). The slime could play important role in the distribution and colonisation of new habitats in many Artemisia taxa.

Cardisoma guanhumi is the focus of an important artisanal fishery in Puerto Rico. Data on land crab landings point towards a dramatic decline in their abundance. This is cause for concern given the intrinsic value of the fishery and the... more

Cardisoma guanhumi is the focus of an important artisanal fishery in Puerto Rico. Data on land crab landings point towards a dramatic decline in their abundance. This is cause for concern given the intrinsic value of the fishery and the important role these crabs play in coastal ecosystems. In this paper we examine the effect of harvesting and habitat quality on the abundance, survival, and size structure of C. guanhumi. To accomplish this we conducted a capture-mark-recapture study for a period of 18 months at three localities with minimal or no harvesting, and three with intense harvesting. Habitat quality at the six study sites was assessed by measuring vegetation composition-structure and litter biomass. We also conducted a leaf consumption experiment to evaluate leaf litter selectivity and limitation. Mean crab abundance differed significantly among sites, and this variation was significantly explained by differences in crab survival among sites. Sites with less harvesting tended to have higher survivorship and more crabs than sites where harvesting took place. Crabs mean size differed among study sites and was inversely related to abundance. Vegetation composition and structure, leaf litter standing stock and leaf-litter consumption differed among study sites. However, only some of these habitat characteristics are directly related to crab abundance or demography. There is a tendency for sites with a high leaf litter standing stock and large basal area to have the largest crabs but in low abundance. This study shows that C. guanhumi populations are very sensitive to increases in mortality that result from harvesting, and that the historical decline in abundance of this crab in Puerto Rico can be explained, in part, by an increase in trapping effort. Our results also indicate that C. guanhumi is a very plastic species, capable of occupying diverse types of coastal forests and a leaf litter generalist.

The gelatinous macroplankters Mnemiopsis leidyi and Phyllorhiza punctata are recorded for the first time from the Italian coasts of the Western Mediterranean. In the framework of the CIESM Jellywatch campaign in the summer of 2009, M.... more

The gelatinous macroplankters Mnemiopsis leidyi and Phyllorhiza punctata are recorded for the first time from the Italian coasts of the Western Mediterranean. In the framework of the CIESM Jellywatch campaign in the summer of 2009, M. leidyi was recorded from the Ligurian, Tyrrhenian, and Ionian Seas, including swarming episodes that, together with those reported from Spain in the same period, suggest a great success of the species in the Western Mediterranean. A single specimen of P. punctata has been recorded from Sardinia. These species do not sting or harm humans and no impact on tourism is expected, but they might harm fisheries by predating on fish eggs and larvae and their prey, zooplankton. The large distribution area of M. leidyi suggests that the species invaded the Western Mediterranean during the summer of 2009, but its establishment is still uncertain, since the populations might not withstand winter conditions. The isolated record of P. punctata just indicates that it can reach this part of the Mediterranean.

The central organizing theme of this paper is to discuss the dynamics of the Serengeti grassland ecosystem from the perspective of recent developments in food-web theory. The seasonal rainfall patterns that characterize the East African... more

The central organizing theme of this paper is to discuss the dynamics of the Serengeti grassland ecosystem from the perspective of recent developments in food-web theory. The seasonal rainfall patterns that characterize the East African climate create an annually oscillating, large-scale, spatial mosaic of feeding opportunities for the larger ungulates in the Serengeti; this in turn creates a significant annual variation in the food available for their predators. At a smaller spatial scale, periodic fires during the dry season create patches of highly nutritious grazing that are eaten in preference to the surrounding older patches of less palatable vegetation. The species interactions between herbivores and plants, and carnivores and herbivores, are hierarchically nested in the Serengeti food web, with the largest bodied consumers on each trophic level having the broadest diets that include species from a large variety of different habitats in the ecosystem. The different major habi...

The invasive Clethra arborea has a dualrole in the diet of the Azores bullfinch, a critically endangered bird species endemic to the island of São Miguel (Azores, Portugal). This is a crucial winter food resource but it lowers the... more

The invasive Clethra arborea has a dualrole in the diet of the Azores bullfinch, a critically endangered bird species endemic to the island of São Miguel (Azores, Portugal). This is a crucial winter food resource but it lowers the availability of native laurel forest species that compose most of the bird's diet throughout the year. The removal of this and other invasive alien species is part of current laurel forest habitat restoration programmes, disregarding the impact on the Azores bullfinch population. In order to evaluate the first responses of the Azores bullfinch to habitat restoration, we studied bird diet, foraging behaviour, food availability and habitat occupancy in managed (without C. arborea) and control areas. Significant increases in the availability of native food resources in managed areas were noticeable in the diet, particularly the intake of Ilex perado ssp. azorica and Prunus lusitanica ssp. azorica flower buds. In most of the studied months birds heavily used and foraged in managed over control areas. The one exception was in December, when a resource-gap occurred in managed areas, which may be overcome in the short-term due to re-establishment of native plants following removal of invasive aliens.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of habitat fragment size and isolation on the dynamics of hazel grouse (Bonasa bonasia L.) occurrence. Habitat fragments surrounded by nonhabitat coniferous forest, in an intensively... more

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of habitat fragment size and isolation on the dynamics of hazel grouse (Bonasa bonasia L.) occurrence. Habitat fragments surrounded by nonhabitat coniferous forest, in an intensively managed forested landscape, were censused during seven seasons. None of the 33 habitat fragments were occupied in all seven seasons and 7 were never occupied. Turnover occurred in 79% of the habitat fragments. The most common occupation of a habitat fragment was by only one hazel grouse male (84%). Thus, the dynamics of hazel grouse occurrence in the habitat fragments was basically monitored on the scale of individuals. Large and less isolated habitat fragments with a high amount of cover were occupied significantly more often than small, isolated fragments. The effect of size appeared most clearly when analyzing the total number of hazel grouse occupying a habitat fragment. The appearance of hazel grouse in the habitat fragments was best explained by the amount of cover, distance to the nearest suitable habitat, and size of the habitat fragment. The effects of interfragment distance on the occurrence and appearance of hazel grouse implies that the habitat has become functionally disconnected for hazel grouse and suggests that the amount of suitable hazel grouse habitat left in this landscape has fallen below a critical level.

Habitat fragmentation is one of the principal threats to primates. Studies of primates in fragments usually conclude that fragmentation negatively affects some aspect of their biology or ecology. Nevertheless, the definition and... more

Habitat fragmentation is one of the principal threats to primates. Studies of primates in fragments usually conclude that fragmentation negatively affects some aspect of their biology or ecology. Nevertheless, the definition and quantification of fragmentation vary considerably among studies, resulting in contradictions and results that are difficult to interpret. We here 1) discuss the problems associated with the definition of habitat fragmentation and the ways of measuring it, 2) emphasize the importance of the concepts and methods from landscape ecology and metapopulation theory for the study of primates in fragmented landscapes, and 3) offer recommendations for more precise use of concepts associated with habitat fragmentation from the primates' perspective. When specific knowledge of the study species/population is available, we suggest that the definition of the variables to be measured should be functional from the primates' perspective, based, e.g., on their habitat requirements and dispersal capacity. The distance to the nearest fragment may not be the best way to measure the isolation between populations. Fragmentation per se is a landscape scale process and, hence, landscape scale studies are required to understand how species are distributed across heterogeneous landscapes. Finally, it is important to consider that what happens at the fragment scale could be the consequence of processes that interact at various spatial and temporal scales.

We studied habitat selection by Rhinolophus euryale in a rural area of southern Italy in 1998-2000 by radio-tracking. Two comparisons were carried out, one between habitat occurrence within individual home ranges and within the study... more

We studied habitat selection by Rhinolophus euryale in a rural area of southern Italy in 1998-2000 by radio-tracking. Two comparisons were carried out, one between habitat occurrence within individual home ranges and within the study area, the other between time spent in each foraging habitat and habitat occurrence within the home range. The first analysis showed that olive groves and conifer plantations were, respectively, the most and the least important habitats. The second analysis highlighted the importance of woodland for R. euryale, while urban sites, open areas and conifer plantations were avoided. We recommend that clearing of continuous, large areas of woodland for tree harvesting should be avoided. Conifers should not be used for reforestation. Urbanisation should be limited in the areas of greatest importance for the species, and linear landscape elements such as tree lines and hedgerows should be maintained. #

Cities contain a diverse range of habitats that support plant establishment and persistence. This study focuses on a particular vertical artificial habitat: masonry retaining walls in Hong Kong. We explored the diversity and coexistence... more

Cities contain a diverse range of habitats that support plant establishment and persistence. This study focuses on a particular vertical artificial habitat: masonry retaining walls in Hong Kong. We explored the diversity and coexistence of different plant growth forms, synoptic assessment of habitat conditions, and relationship between habitat factors and vegetation occurrence. Some 270 walls with notable plant colonization in old districts were studied. We surveyed intrinsic wall fabric, extrinsic site condition, tree species and abundance, and other types of plant cover. The data were evaluated with the help of principal component and multiple regression analyses. A wide assemblage of species and growth forms have established spontaneously on walls. The tree flora is dominated by Moraceae (Mulberry family) members, genus Ficus (figs or banyans), and particularly Ficus microcarpa. Trees with strangler characteristics pre-adapted to grow on the vertical habitat are strongly favoured, followed by ruderals and garden escapees. Natives outnumber exotics by a large margin. Multiple wall attributes could be condensed into four factors, classified as water-nutrient supply, habitat connectivity, structure-maintenance, and habitat size. The action of habitat factors on vegetation occurrence hinges on plant growth form and dimension. The occurrence of diminutive lichen-moss is related to the fundamental sustenance water-nutrient factor. The bigger mature trees are more dependent on the larger-scale habitat size factor. The medium-sized plants, including herbs, shrubs and tree seedlings, are contingent upon the dual influence of water-nutrient and habitat connectivity. Spatial contiguity with natural ecosystem can secure continual supplies of seeds, water, nutrient, genial microclimate, and clean air to foster wall vegetation growth. The conservation of walls and their companion flora could avoid degrading or reducing these critical enabling factors. The urban ecological heritage deserves to be protected from unnecessary, misinformed and harmful impacts.

The aim of this work was to investigate if the forest remnants of the city and the system of green space corridors could support target species for conservation, in the form of red-listed forest bird species, to show through the presence... more

The aim of this work was to investigate if the forest remnants of the city and the system of green space corridors could support target species for conservation, in the form of red-listed forest bird species, to show through the presence of the target species what habitat qualities are still possible near cities, and to reveal those features and properties of the landscape structure that were important in this sense. The findings could be used for developing guidelines for design of urban green space corridors. A spatial analysis was performed, covering the landscape in the study area and 67 sample sites with natural vegetation, within and outside of the green space corridors. Breeding forest birds were recorded and breeding of target species in the sample sites as functions of landscape descriptors was tested using logistic regression. Seven red-listed forest bird species were found breeding in the sample sites. Considering them as indicators of habitat qualities, the results would imply that the qualities of the urban and suburban forests were due to a vast range of deciduous forest, especially broad-leaved, and possibly also to a lower intensity of forestry than in rural areas, resulting in a sufficient number of mature and decaying trees. The logistic regression models showed that important properties of remnants of natural vegetation were large areas of forest on rich soils, together with connectivity in the form of amounts of this habitat in the landscape. These properties were associated with the green space corridors. Implications for the design of urban green space corridors would be to treat mature and decaying trees and patches of moist deciduous forest as a resource for vulnerable species, and to conserve large areas of natural vegetation together with a network of important habitats in the whole landscape, in this case forest on rich soils, also in built-up areas.

The aim of the work was to map and analyse benthic habitats in the Polish zone of the Baltic Sea using the Geographical Information Systems (GIS). The habitats definitions were analogous to those proposed in the HELCOM classification,... more

The aim of the work was to map and analyse benthic habitats in the Polish zone of the Baltic Sea using the Geographical Information Systems (GIS). The habitats definitions were analogous to those proposed in the HELCOM classification, which is based on two concepts—the euphotic zone has no clearly defined boundaries and the bottom sediments are defined on the basis of their fractions. The mapping was done using the theory of fuzzy sets.The fuzzy set map for each HELCOM category was created as a result of an intersection operation on two fuzzy set maps—the first showed bottom position relative to euphotic depth, and the second described the presence of a given sediment type on the bottom. The maps obtained were used to create a thematic map of habitats, which was generated at a pre-set significance level from the statistical analysis of a set of random realizations of habitat maps generated by stochastic simulation. The GIS-based analyses of the thematic map allowed a map of habitat groups to be developed and also allowed to find whether and to what extent the definitions proposed by HELCOM were applicable to the mapping of benthic habitats in the study area.

Slums are known to exist in almost every nation on earth. About one-third of the world's population lives in slums. The conditions of slums pose several negative effects on the dwellers. This paper examines the living, housing, sanitation... more

Slums are known to exist in almost every nation on earth. About one-third of the world's population lives in slums. The conditions of slums pose several negative effects on the dwellers. This paper examines the living, housing, sanitation and hygienic conditions of slum dwellers. It attempts to explain why people choose to live in slum areas, and the challenges they face drawing inferences from the case being Ayigya, a slum in Kumasi, Ghana.

Your article is protected by copyright and all rights are held exclusively by Springer Science +Business Media Dordrecht. This e-offprint is for personal use only and shall not be selfarchived in electronic repositories. If you wish to... more

Your article is protected by copyright and all rights are held exclusively by Springer Science +Business Media Dordrecht. This e-offprint is for personal use only and shall not be selfarchived in electronic repositories. If you wish to self-archive your article, please use the accepted manuscript version for posting on your own website. You may further deposit the accepted manuscript version in any repository, provided it is only made publicly available 12 months after official publication or later and provided acknowledgement is given to the original source of publication and a link is inserted to the published article on Springer's website. The link must be accompanied by the following text: "The final publication is available at link.springer.com".

Global warming is predicted to cause distributional changes in organisms whose geographic ranges are controlled by temperature. We report a recent latitudinal and altitudinal expansion of the pine processionary moth, Thaumetopoea... more

Global warming is predicted to cause distributional changes in organisms whose geographic ranges are controlled by temperature. We report a recent latitudinal and altitudinal expansion of the pine processionary moth, Thaumetopoea pityocampa, whose larvae build silk nests and feed on pine foliage in the winter. In north-central France (Paris Basin), its range boundary has shifted by 87 km northwards between 1972 and 2004; in northern Italy (Alps), an altitudinal shift of 110-230 m upwards occurred between 1975 and 2004. By experimentally linking winter temperature, feeding activity, and survival of T. pityocampa larvae, we attribute the expansions to increased winter survival due to a warming trend over the past three decades. In the laboratory we determined the minimum nest and night air temperatures required for larval feeding and developed a mechanistic model based on these temperature thresholds. We tested the model in a translocation experiment that employed natural temperature gradients as spatial analogues for global warming. In all transects we transferred colonies of T. pityocampa larvae to sites within zones of historical distribution, recent distribution, and outside the present range. We monitored air and nest temperature, incoming solar radiation, larval phenology, feeding activity, and survival. Early-season temperature effects on phenology were evident, with delayed development of colonies in the more extreme (colder) sites. In the coldest months, our model was consistent with the observed patterns of feeding activity: Feeding was progressively reduced with increasing latitude or elevation, as predicted by the lower number of hours when the feeding threshold was reached, which negatively affected final survival. Insolation raised nest temperature and increased feeding activity on the south but not the north aspect. Prolonged temperature drops below the feeding thresholds occurred at all sites, leading to starvation and partial mortality. Nonetheless, even the most extreme sites still allowed some feeding and, consequently, up to 20% colony survival and successful pupation. Given that the present distribution of the oligophagous T. pityocampa is not constrained by the distribution of its actual or potential hosts, and that warmer winters will cause the number of hours of feeding to increase and the probability of the lower lethal temperature to decrease, we expect the trend of improved survival in previously prohibitive environments to continue, causing further latitudinal and altitudinal expansion. This work highlights the need to develop temperature-based predictive models for future range shifts of winter-limited species, with potential applications in management.

On 6 May 2003, a tornado severely damaged 284 ha of Mermet Lake State Forest and Wildlife Area in southern Illinois. We used mist nets and Anabat ultrasonic detectors to determine if community composition and habitat use of bats differed... more

On 6 May 2003, a tornado severely damaged 284 ha of Mermet Lake State Forest and Wildlife Area in southern Illinois. We used mist nets and Anabat ultrasonic detectors to determine if community composition and habitat use of bats differed between the tornado-disturbed forest and surrounding undisturbed forest during the summers of 2004 and 2005. Ten species of bats (118 individuals) were caught using mist nets on sites in undisturbed forest; 4 species (11 individuals) were mist-netted on disturbed sites (χ 2 = 34.24, df = 1, P < 0.0001). The Anabat system documented six species on both habitat types with no difference in the number of bat passes detected acoustically. We suspect that apparent differences in mist-net data refl ect the greater ability of bats on the disturbed sites to avoid nets. Telemetry data and fi eld observations confi rmed bats used disturbed and undisturbed areas for roosting and foraging. Unless precluded by higher fi re danger, we suggest that tornado-disturbed areas remain non-salvaged because they provide additional roosting and foraging habitat for many bat species.

Channel modification or channelization activities are listed among the top 10 sources for non-point pollution impacts to rivers (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 1993). Activities such as straightening, widening, deepening, and... more

Channel modification or channelization activities are listed among the top 10 sources for non-point pollution impacts to rivers (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 1993). Activities such as straightening, widening, deepening, and clearing channels of debris generally fall into this category. These activities can severely impact major river projects such as navigation and flood control, as well as alter or reduce the diversity of in-stream and riparian habitats. River systems maintain stability by providing just the necessary flow to transport the available water and sediment.

The Habitat Directive requires Member States to implement surveillance of the conservation status of habitats and species of Community Interest. The aim of this handbook is to outline the methodological instruments for the implementation... more

The Habitat Directive requires Member States to implement surveillance of the conservation status of habitats and species of Community Interest. The aim of this handbook is to outline the methodological instruments for the implementation of a monitoring program of the Italian habitat types, as required by art. 17 of the Habitats Directive, with particular regard to the data collection at site level. The European guidelines (Evans & Arvela, 2011. Assessment and reporting under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive - Explanatory Notes & Guidelines for the period 2007-2012 -Final Draft. European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity, p. 1-123) require the assessments to be carried out by compiling information on specific parameters and at biogeographical scale. Each parameter is considered separately, eventually combining all parameters in an evaluation matrix thus providing the overall assessment. For each habitat type several parameters have to be considered: “Area”, “Range”, “Structure and Functions”, “Future Prospects”. While “Range” and “Future prospects” need to be assessed only at the biogeographical scale, “Area” and “Structure and functions” can be assessed aggregating data collected at the site level; in this handbook, for each habitat of community interest present in Italy, we present monitoring forms for these two parameters. Altogheter, the handbook contains 124 forms, referring to 10 Coastal and Halophytic Habitats; 11 Coastal Sand Dunes and Continental Dunes, 15 Freshwater Habitats, 5 Temperate Heath and Scrub, 11 Sclerophyllous Scrub (matorral), 15 Natural and Semi-natural Grassland Formations, 8 Raised Bogs and Mires and Fens, 10 Rocky Habitats and Caves, 39 Forests. Each monitoring form has been produced with the support of leading national experts and sent to regional authorities for a review. The monitoring forms report the most effective available monitoring techniques for collecting the required parameters and variables, and define operational guidance for data collection. The monitoring forms describe priority variables (e.g. vegetation-plot based analysis) that need to be collected for complying with the Habitat Directive, and also indicate some optional or habitatspecific variables (e.g. substrate condition, water quality, etc.). The activities and methods suggested in this Manual are aimed at enabling the Regions and Autonomous Provinces to implement monitoring activities based on the collection of harmonized data by means of standardized technical protocols. A standardized basis of information is indeed essential for producing comparable data and generating reliable assessments on the conservation status of each habitat type at national level. Some important elements, such as the Favourable Reference Values and optimal thresholds for some of the parameters, are still under discussion at the European level and therefore will need to be further clarified in the near future

Les travaux archéologiques réalisés dans le pays sàbè (Moyen-Bénin) entre 2007 et 2017 ont livré des données qui permettent provisoirement de dégager les grandes lignes du processus d’occupation de cette région du yoruba occidental, entre... more

Les travaux archéologiques réalisés dans le pays sàbè (Moyen-Bénin) entre 2007 et 2017 ont livré des données qui permettent provisoirement de dégager les grandes lignes du processus d’occupation de cette région du yoruba occidental, entre le Xème et le XIXème siècles. Les prospections pédestres diachroniques et les fouilles réalisées indiquent deux grandes périodes d’occupation avec plusieurs phases migratoires à destination de ce territoire. C’est entre le XIème siècle et le XVème siècle de l’ère courante que les premiers groupes pratiquant la chasse et l’élevage arrivent dans la région et installent leurs villages autour des collines. D’autres populations connaissant aussi l’agriculture s’établissent dans la région entre le XVème siècle et le XXème siècle. Ce premier cadre chronologique régional mérite d’être mieux documenté à la lumière de nouvelles recherches sur les sites découverts dans la région.

The present study demonstrates one solution to a problem faced by managers of species of conservation concernhow to develop broad-scale maps of populations, within known general distribution limits, for the purpose of targeted management... more

The present study demonstrates one solution to a problem faced by managers of species of conservation concernhow to develop broad-scale maps of populations, within known general distribution limits, for the purpose of targeted management action. We aimed to map the current populations of the koala, Phascolarctos cinereus, in New South Wales, Australia. This cryptic animal is widespread, although patchily distributed. It principally occurs on private property, and it can be hard to detect. We combined a map-based mail survey of rural and outer-urban New South Wales with recent developments in estimating site occupancy and species-detection parameters to determine the current (2006) distribution of the koala throughout New South Wales. We were able to define the distribution of koalas in New South Wales at a level commensurate with previous community and field surveys. Comparison with a 1986 survey provided an indication of changes in relative koala density across the state. The 2006 distribution map allows for local and state plans, including the 2008 New South Wales Koala Recovery Plan, to be more effectively implemented. The application of this combined technique can now be extended to a suite of other iconic species or species that are easily recognised by the public.

Plants have traditionally been used as a source of medicine in Ethiopia since early times for the control of various ailments afflicting humans and their domestic animals. However, little work has been made in the past to properly... more

Plants have traditionally been used as a source of medicine in Ethiopia since early times for the control of various ailments afflicting humans and their domestic animals. However, little work has been made in the past to properly document and promote the knowledge. Today medicinal plants and the associated knowledge in the country are threatened due to deforestation, environmental degradation and acculturation. Urgent ethnobotanical studies and subsequent conservation measures are, therefore, required to salvage these resources from further loss. The purpose of the present study was to record and analyse traditional medicinal plant knowledge of the Bench ethnic group in Southwest Ethiopia.

Slums are known to exist in almost every nation on earth. About one-third of the world's population lives in slums. The conditions of slums pose several negative effects on the dwellers. This paper examines the living, housing, sanitation... more

Slums are known to exist in almost every nation on earth. About one-third of the world's population lives in slums. The conditions of slums pose several negative effects on the dwellers. This paper examines the living, housing, sanitation and hygienic conditions of slum dwellers. It attempts to explain why people choose to live in slum areas, and the challenges they face drawing inferences from the case being Ayigya, a slum in Kumasi, Ghana. The investigation involved a deskwork and field survey. A combination of primary and secondary data was assembled. The major sources of data employed were obtained from heads of households who were purposively selected. A sample size of 99 houses was selected from a sampling frame of 1,181 at a margin of error of 0.1. Questionnaires and interview guides were designed to answer the research questions for the study. The living conditions of the dwellers are poor resulting from low incomes. There is poor housing maintenance culture among the dwellers. This has resulted in over half of the houses in dilapidated states. Since the slum area has no properly constructed drains, stagnant waters are predominant with pockets of weedy areas serving as breeding places for mosquitoes and other diseases carrier insects. Several challenges are faced by Ayigya dwellers including water and sanitation problems, overcrowding and poor housing conditions. Policy reforms on slums, sensitization on the need for housing maintenance, funding mechanisms for housing, public education on the need for good environmental sanitation, and improvement in access to water and sanitation services are commensurate for the development of Ayigya.

This document is intended to update the concepts and ideas first presented in Information Paper 12, the first attempt to describe the Instream Flow Incremental Methodology in its entirety in 1982. This also is to serve as a comprehensive... more

This document is intended to update the concepts and ideas first presented in Information Paper 12, the first attempt to describe the Instream Flow Incremental Methodology in its entirety in 1982. This also is to serve as a comprehensive introductory textbook on IFIM for training courses as it contains the most complete and comprehensive description of IFIM in existence today. This should also serve as an official guide to IFIM in publication to counteract the misconceptions about the methodology that have pervaded the professional literature since the mid-1980's as this describes IFIM as it is envisioned by its developers The document is aimed at the decisionmakers of management and allocation of natural resources in providing them an overview; and to those who design and implement studies to inform the decisionmakers. There should be enough background on model concepts, data requirements, calibration techniques, and quality assurance to help the technical user design and imple...

Sixty fern species are considered problematic worldwide because of their invasiveness, but only two of them are tree ferns. This paper reports the invasion by the Australian tree fern Dicksonia antarctica to the eastern part of São Miguel... more

Sixty fern species are considered problematic worldwide because of their invasiveness, but only two of them are tree ferns. This paper reports the invasion by the Australian tree fern Dicksonia antarctica to the eastern part of São Miguel Island (Azores archipelago-Portugal). It probably escaped from cultivation in the nineteenth century and has spread to an area of over 48 km 2 , mainly at high altitude ([500 m a.s.l.). The invaded area is characterized by high precipitation (mean = 2,857 mm/year), high relative humidity (mean = 96.4%), and mild temperatures (mean = 12.1°C). The species has invaded forest plantations, exotic forests and two habitats of European conservation priority: native laurel forests and blanket bogs. Dicksonia antarctica plantlets (individuals with no trunk) were predominant in exotic forests, D. antarctica shrubs (trunk height \ 1 m) were most frequent in blanket bogs and forest plantations whereas trees (trunk height [ 1 m) in gardens. Blanket bogs had the maximum percentage (90%) of fertile individuals (i.e. with sporangia). The large size and poor access of invaded area makes full eradication from the island impossible. We recommend complete elimination in blanket bogs and to take control measures in native laurel forests as these are priority conservation habitats.