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Three new species of the Clubiona corticalis group in China are described: Clubiona bidactylinasp. nov., C. camelasp. nov., and C. subhuimingsp. nov.

Trees, flowers, and grasses growing in schoolyards are the most familiar plants to school children. If they can be used in science education and environmental education, they may have a high educational effect. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compile a list of vascular plants that grow in schoolyards as basic data for use as teaching materials in science and environmental education. In this paper, we report on the list of vascular plants in the schoolyard of an elementary school attached to the Faculty of Education, Kagoshima University. A total of 266 species of vascular plants were identified in the schoolyard of the elementary school during two surveys in spring and fall seasons. Of these, a total of 155 were native species, 91 of which were growing naturally. Alien plant species totaled 36, of which 27 grew in the wild. The total number of cultivated species was 74. It was clear that there are many native species in the schoolyard of the Elementary School attached to the Faculty of Education. In addition, many of the trees planted in the schoolyard were native trees that compose evergreen broad-leaved forest in Japan. Endangered species were also identified. Therefore, plants in schoolyard are a high potential for the teaching material to be used for learning about the familiar plants of Kagoshima Prefecture.

棲息場所や渡りの中継地として鳥類に利用される都市緑地は、都市化による影響で面積を縮小させている。そのため、都市内で棲息する鳥類の種数減少などが生じている。奈良教育大学高畑キャンパスも都市緑地の一つであるが、施設の増築や建設により、構内の緑地は面積を減少しつつある。その影響を受け、構内に棲息する鳥類の種数減少が考えられるため、構内の鳥類相を調べた。加えて、鳥類相と各種の個体数を先行研究と比較し、鳥類の環境選好性から鳥類相の変化を調査した。調査方法は、ラインセンサスとスポットセンサス、夜間録音を用いた。また、調査時間外に目視で確認した鳥類も記録した。本調査によって確認された鳥類は 7 目 21 科 37 種であった。ヒヨドリやイカル、メジロなど森林選好性鳥類の個体数と遭遇率 (羽/km) の増加が見られた。しかし、ムクドリやハクセキレイのような市街地や耕作地などを好む鳥類も増加していた。樹木数の増加や成長だけでなく、構内施設の増築や建設も鳥類に影響を与えていると考えられた。

The present study was undertaken in the natural temperate Himalayan forests of Himachal Pradesh, India, to assess the tree species composition and diversity. For this purpose, six major forest types (FT) viz., FT1- Upper Himalayan Pinus roxburghii forest, FT2- Quercus leucotrichophora forest, FT3- Low-level P. wallichiana forest, FT4- Moist C. deodara forest, FT5- Western Mixed Coniferous Forest, FT6- Pinus gerardiana forest were selected. Detailed sampling was carried out in these forest types, and the sample plots in each forest type were laid out using the stratified random approach. Tree stem density varied from 191.11 N ha−1 (FT6) to 441.11 N ha−1 (FT2), whereas the tree total basal cover varied from 20.01 m2 ha−1 (FT6) to 47.59 m2 ha−1 (FT5). The diversity indices reflected that a total of 21 tree species (16 genera, 11 families) were identified, with tree species richness ranging from 3 (FT6) to 9 (FT1 & FT5). The forest type FT5 recorded the maximum Shannon index of diversity (2.36), Simpson Index of diversity (0.75), Margalef's Index of richness (1.37), pielou equitability (0.74), menheink index of species richness (0.49), whereas the highest Shannon Index of diversity (0.73) and species heterogeneity (0.85) in FT6 forest type. Furthermore, dominance-diversity (d-d) curves drawn that all the six forest types showed geometric curves reveals that one or two tree species are dominant in a particular forest type. Simultaneously, the research area's species diversity, tree stem density, and tree total basal cover were equivalent to those seen in other sections of Western Himalayas.

Late Quaternary carbonate dissolution was evaluated by using planktonic foraminifera indices perfect test ratio (PTR) of Goborotalia menardii, G. menardii fragmentation index (MFI), percentage of total resistant species (RSP) and sediment calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content in five sediment cores collected from two diverse oceanographic settings of the Indian Ocean. The cores collected from a depth range of 2000 and 4250 m of the Andaman Sea, a marginal sea in the Northern Indian Ocean and a seamount rise in the Central Indian Basin (CIB) in the abyssal Indian Ocean depict the intensity of selective carbonate dissolution in the glacial-interglacial cycles of the late Quaternary period. The assemblages from the Andaman Sea show little or no dissolution (deepest core AAS 11, water depth: ~3000 m), whereas cores collected from the CIB shows moderate to very high dissolution (SVBC 37, water depth of ~4000 m and core BC 37, water depth of ~4250 m). Excellent carbonate preservation in the Andaman Sea is reflected in the high order of species diversity consisting of thirty-five species. In contrast, selective dissolution in the CIB resulted in poor diversity with just about twenty-three species. The well-preserved planktonic foraminifera assemblages provide a better paleoceanographic record in the Andaman Sea. The carbonate dissolution proxies in the Andaman Sea point towards excellent preservation during Marine Isotope Stage 2 (MIS 2), especially during the deglacial period (Heinrich event 1) attributed to enhanced ventilation and deepening of carbonate compensation depth (CCD). Cores from the CIB demonstrate that the dissolution does not uniformly modify an assemblage due to the differential susceptibility of each species. Selective dissolution is an important issue in interpreting foraminiferal assemblages for climatic and environmental changes. The study reveals that the relationship between G. menardii abundances and its fragments in a single core is an effective parameter to understand the dissolution as its ratio is not affected by climatic or related environmental changes. Utmost care should be taken while using species variation as an evidence for climatic or related environment change from the CIB. The present investigation observes that the MFI can trace deep-sea carbonate dissolution quantitatively at both CIB and the Andaman Sea locations.

Global change drivers, such as anthropogenic nutrient inputs, are increasing globally. Nutrient deposition simultaneously alters plant biodiversity, species composition and ecosystem processes like aboveground biomass production. These changes are underpinned by species extinction, colonisation and shifting relative abundance. Here, we use the Price equation to quantify and link the contributions of species that are lost, gained or that persist to change in aboveground biomass in 59 experimental grassland sites. Under ambient (control) conditions, compositional and biomass turnover was high, and losses (i.e. local extinctions) were balanced by gains (i.e. colonisation). Under fertilisation, the decline in species richness resulted from increased species loss and decreases in species gained. Biomass increase under fertilisation resulted mostly from species that persist and to a lesser extent from species gained. Drivers of ecological change can interact relatively independently with diversity, composition and ecosystem processes and functions such as aboveground biomass due to the individual contributions of species lost, gained or persisting. EEA Santa Cruz Fil: Ladouceur, Emma. German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv); Alemania Fil: Ladouceur, Emma. Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ. Department of Physiological Diversity; Alemania Fil: Ladouceur, Emma. University of Leipzig. Department of Biology; Alemania Fil: Ladouceur, Emma. Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. Institute of Computer Science; Alemania Fil: Blowes, Shane A. German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv); Alemania Fil: Blowes, Shane A. Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. Institute of Computer Science; Alemania Fil: Chase, Jonathan M. German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv); Alemania Fil: Chase, Jonathan M. Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. Institute of Computer Science; Alemania Fil: Clark, Adam T. German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv); Alemania Fil: Clark, Adam T. Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ. Department of Physiological Diversity; Alemania Fil: Clark, Adam T. Karl-Franzens University of Graz. Institute of Biology; Austria. Fil: Garbowski, Magda. German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv); Alemania Fil: Garbowski, Magda. Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ. Department of Physiological Diversity; Alemania Fil: Alberti, Juan. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Laboratorio de Ecología. Mar del Plata; Argentina. Fil: Alberti, Juan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Fil: Arnillas, Carlos Alberto. University of Toronto. Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences; Canadá. Fil: Bakker, Jonathan D. University of Washington. School of Environmental and Forest Sciences; Estados Unidos Fil: Barrio, Isabel C. Agricultural University of Iceland. Faculty of Environmental and Forest Sciences; Islandia Fil: Bharath, Siddharth. Atria University; India. Fil: Peri, Pablo Luis. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz; Argentina. Fil: Peri, Pablo Luis. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral; Argentina. Fil: Peri, Pablo Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Fil: Harpole, Stanley. German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv); Alemania Fil: Harpole, Stanley. Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ. Department of Physiological Diversity; Alemania Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. Institute of Computer Science; Alemania

The Sanjiang Plain is famous for its concentrated distribution of natural wet grasslands. These wet grasslands are an important source of seasonal pasture or hay in the area. However, changes in community structure and ecosystem function have already occurred in wet grasslands because of overgrazing and climate change, resulting in severe grassland degradation. Exploring a reasonable grazing management strategy is crucial for improving grassland species diversity, increasing grassland productivity, and maintaining sustainable grassland utilization. We investigated the effects of five grazing management (GM) strategies (no grazing through the growing season (CK), spring grazing exclusion (Spr-GE), summer grazing exclusion (Sum-GE)), autumn grazing exclusion (Aut-GE), and grazing through the growing season (G)) on the productivity, community composition and structure of wet grasslands in the Sanjiang Plain under three grazing intensities (GI) (light (L), moderate (M), and heavy (H)). Results showed that Spr-GE and Sum-GE were beneficial in increasing total aboveground biomass (AGB), but decreased plant community diversity in Spr-GE due to increased intraspecies and interspecies competition. The exclusion of different seasonal grazings changed the composition of plant communities. At the level of functional groups and dominant species, Spr-GE had a significant effect on most functional groups and dominant species’ characteristics, while Aut-GE had little effect on most functional groups and dominant species’ characteristics. However, different functional groups and dominant species had different responses to seasonal grazing exclusion. In addition, under M, there were significantly improved grassland total AGB and PF AGB. The results indicated that Spr-GE with M may be an effective livestock-management strategy to protect grassland vegetation and community diversity, as well as to restore degraded grassland.

Additional report of Tenebrionidae collected from fruiting bodies of polypores at eight sites, including seven national parks, in Sarawak, with descriptions of nine new species, Basides nakashizukai sp. nov., Basides ornatimarginatus sp. nov., Basides rhinoceros sp. nov., Boletoxenus persimilis sp. nov., Bolitonaeus grimmi sp. nov., Menimus (Menimus) pygmaeus sp. nov., Menimus (Menimus) sphaericus sp. nov., Neomida sarawakensis sp. nov., Pentaphyllus lambirensis sp. nov.; Three synonyms are proposed: Basides flavofasciatus Pic, 1916 = Basides bifasciatus Motschulsky, 1873; Ischnodactylus sexguttatus Gebien, 1925c = Basides trimaculatus Pic, 1916; Platydema sexpictum Kaszab, 1939 = Basides trimaculatus Pic, 1916.

This research paper is based on living material belonging to the genus Euphaedra, collected over the last 10 years in Bangui, as well as a neighbouring South West area in Central African Republic (CAR). There are four rare species of Euphaedra confirmed in CAR, and three others are reported for the first time in this country. Some comments are included relating to species abundance and distribution.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of European beaver (Castor fiber L.) on vegetation diversity and the expansion of non-native plant species in areas surrounding watercourses in Polesie National Park, Poland. The investigation was carried out within six watercourses inhabited by beavers and four comparison watercourses where beaver were absent. European beaver living in the park had a small excursion range, reaching a maximum distance of 25 m from the watercourse so that effects on vegetation diversity were limited to the immediate vicinity of the watercourse. Beaver significantly influenced diversity of the tall tree and forest floor vegetation, while it did not significantly modify the diversity of the low tree and shrub layer. Five alien plant species were documented. The alien species most strongly associated with beaver activity was devil’s beggartick (Bidens frondosa L.), which occurred in the immediate vicinity of beaver dams. Other alien species most benefiting from the presence of beaver were giant goldenrod (Solidago gigantea Aiton) and black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.). Our study confirmed hypotheses found in literature according to which beaver activities that reduce the proportion of native species can promote the expansion of plant alien species.

In this study we assess the bias in estimates of bird richness in a tropical wetland. We used 18 months of data from point counts to estimate the species richness in a coastal lagoon in Oaxaca and computed eight species richness estimators. We evaluated estimate inaccuracy using the sum of total richness that we obtained with combined sampling techniques between 2006 and 2010. We selected the richness estimator of minimum inaccuracy and used randomized species accumulation curves to investigate differences in species densities obtained with 10 and 20-minute counts. To ascertain if habitat type influenced richness estimates, we compared the bird diversity associated with contrasting mangrove and estuarine environments. The total richness for the lagoon was 185 species and the jackknife 2 richness estimator showed the minimum inaccuracy. The randomized accumulation curves of 10 and 20 minutes displayed partially overlapping confidence intervals and an increasing time lag between the count durations at equivalent densities. The rarefaction curves from contrasting habitat types showed significantly higher richness and species density in the estuary while the jackknife 2 estimator indicated similar sample coverage in both habitats. We identify important consequences of the sampling methodology that we used and conclude that point count sampling resulted in incomplete species detection but facilitated comparative analyses.

Jellyfish are known to be opportunistic organisms that have been able to survive harsh conditions caused by climate change and environmental degradation for centuries. However, their aggregations can negatively impact affected regions' safety and socioeconomic well-being. Unfortunately, jellyfish tendency for attacks or blooms often go unrecognized beforehand. To address this issue, JELLY-XPLORE has been developed to provide species identification, morphological studies, species diversity, species evenness, and spatiotemporal variation within targeted areas. JELLY-XPLORE also integrates preliminary findings with Geographic Information System (GIS) to visualize the distribution of jellyfish species within the targeted area. By providing preliminary data on the current species residing in the area, JELLY-XPLORE aims to alert local communities, tourists, coastal authorities, and the general public to potential jellyfish-related risks. The goals of JELLY-XPLORE align with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 13 (climate action), promoting sustainability of coastal area activities and the safety of locals and the public.

Volcanic lava cave habitats are extreme environments. We carried out field investigations for five years and reported the results of bryophyte diversity in eight volcanic lava caves of Jingpo Lake World Geopark, where the largest underground lava caves in China are preserved. The results are as follows: (1) A total of 230 quadrats were set up, and 2041 bryophyte specimens were collected. The specimens belong to 272 species of 107 genera in 47 families, including 26 liverworts (13 genera, 11 families) and 246 mosses (94 genera, 36 families). (2) The α diversity of bryophytes in Underground Lava Fall Cave was the highest, while that in Foggy Cave was the lowest. (3) The dominant families included Mniaceae, etc, accounting for 55.9% of the total species. The dominant genera included Plagiomnium, etc, accounting for 24.3% of the total species. The dominant species included Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske etc. (4) There are no shared species among all eight lava caves, and each cave has a unique species composition. (5) Compared with that in other habitats in our previous studies, the similarity of bryophyte species between lava caves and underground forests of craters was high (113 species, 40.07%), while it was low between lava caves and lava platforms (9 species, 4.65%). Our study revealed that the lava caves have a high potential for bryophyte diversity, and such ancient ecological disaster sites are now rare refuges for bryophytes. Mosses are more adapted to cave habitats than liverworts. Bryophytes in this special eco-environment need to be considered and protected in order to preserve high-quality gene resources for humans, which is of great significance for the maintenance and development of biodiversity.

The Puuc Biocultural State Reserve (PBSR) is a unique model for tropical dry forest conservation in Mexico. Preserving forest biodiversity and carbon within the PBSR depends on maintaining low-impact productive activities coordinated by multiple communal and private landowners. In this study, we used state-of-the-art remote sensing data to investigate past spatial patterns in forest clearing dynamics and their relation to forest carbon density and forest plant species richness and diversity in the context of the forest conservation goals of the PBSR. We used a Landsat-based continuous change detection product for the 2000–2021 period and compared it to carbon density and tree species richness models generated from ALOS-2 PALSAR 2 imagery and national scale forest inventory data. The estimated error-adjusted area of detected annual forest clearings from the year 2000 until the year 2021 was 230,511 ha in total (±19,979 ha). The analysis of annual forest clearing frequency and area suggests that although forest clearing was significantly more intensive outside of the PBSR than within the PBSR during the entire 2000–2021 period, there is no evidence suggesting that the frequency and magnitude of forest clearing changed over the years after the creation of the PBSR in 2011. However, an emergent hotspot analysis shows that high spatiotemporal clustering of forest clearing events (hotspots) during the 2012–2021 period was less common than prior to 2011, and these more recent hotspots have been confined to areas outside the PBSR. After comparing forest clearing events to carbon density and tree species richness models, the results show that landowners outside the PBSR often clear forests with lower carbon density and species diversity than those inside the PBSR. This suggests that, compared to landowners outside the PBSR, landowners within the PBSR might be practicing longer fallow periods allowing forests to attain higher carbon density and tree species richness and hence better soil nutrient recovery after land abandonment. In conclusion, our results show that the PBSR effectively acted as a stabilizing forest management scheme during the 2012–2021 period, minimizing the impact of productive activities by lowering the frequency of forest clearing events and preserving late secondary forests within the PBSR. We recommend continuing efforts to provide alternative optimal field data collection strategies and modeling techniques to spatially predict key tropical forest attributes. Combining these models with continuous change detection datasets will allow for underlying ecological processes to be revealed and the generation of information better adapted to forest governance scales.

The species richness, distribution and community structure in cold desert regions across the world are poorly understood because of their inaccessibility and remoteness. Similarly, the structure and composition of forest resources, including other management units (i.e., agroforestry and forestry systems), have hardly been studied in the cold desert of the Lahaul valley. However, such information is a prerequisite to understanding the trends and changes in the vegetation distribution under global climate change scenarios, especially considering the sensitivity of plant species in high-altitude areas of the Himalayan region. High anthropogenic activity has exerted tremendous pressure on available forest resources, including other management units in the cold desert of the Lahaul valley. Standard ecological methods were used to obtain an ecological (i.e., status, structure, composition and vegetation patterns) understanding of the region for biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability. The present study was aimed at understanding the trend, structure and composition of plant species in the cold desert region of the western Himalaya. A total of 64 species (27 trees and 37 shrubs) of vascular plants were recorded in the present study. Tree diversity demonstrated greater variation along the gradients and slope aspects. Salix fragilis trees, with a 102 tree ha−1 density and a few trees of Populus nigra, were found to be sparsely distributed under the agroforestry system on the south-facing slopes in Khoksar. In Jahlma, Salix fragilis grew in an agroforestry system with a density of 365 tree ha−1. However, in Hinsa, Juniperus polycarpos was a dominant tree species in the agroforestry system, with a density of 378 tree ha−1. On the north-facing slopes in Kuthar, a higher number of trees and bushes were present due to natural regeneration maintained by farmers along the edges of terraced agricultural fields. The south-facing slopes showed a relatively lower species richness and diversity as compared to north-facing slopes at similar locations due to relatively less favourable growth conditions under sun-exposed, extremely xeric soil conditions. The highest level of species turnover was found between the altitudes of 2400 m and 3000 m. Betula utilis showed the highest adaptability at higher altitudes (>3500 m). The vegetation analysis results and information generated in the present study are useful for gaining an ecological understanding of the cold desert ecosystem in the Lahaul valley. Sustainable forest resource management, including other management units (e.g., agroforestry and forestry systems), is crucial for improving the vegetation pattern, structure and function of the cold desert ecosystem, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, biodiversity and ecosystem service conservation.

Natural secondary Carya dabieshanensis forests comprise the natural wealth of the Dabie Mountains, which maintain the ecological balance of this region and enhance the incomes of farmers. However, forest ecosystems are being increasingly challenged due to increasing long-term anthropogenic development and management. Elucidating the impacts of management intensity and duration on the diversity and stability of vegetation communities in natural secondary Carya dabieshanensis forests is of great significance toward achieving sustainable forest management. For this study, we compared the effects of three forest management intensities (no management (CK), extensive management (EM), and intensive management (IM)), and five management durations (0, 3, 8, 15, and 20 y) on species diversity and the stability of vegetation communities (trees, shrubs, and herbaceous layers) of a Carya dabieshanensis forest. Our results revealed that the diversity of the vegetation communities continued to decline following the onset of management activities. The diversity, dominance, evenness, and richness indices of the vegetation communities decreased by 53.37%–62.77%, 46.04%–59.17%, 32.58%–53.55%, and 50.18%–51.30%, respectively, after 20 y of forest management. Intensive management translated to species diversity loss more so than extensive management. All vegetation communities of the forest stands under study were generally unstable; however, the stability they did have was not at risk under greater management intensity and duration, and neither did greater species diversity enhance it. This study provides new evidence to support the non-synchronicity of species diversity and community stability in forest resident vegetation communities. Since the species diversity and structural composition of tree layers have a positive effect on community stability, so we suggest that both extensive and intensive forest lands need to retain or replant more tree species other than Carya dabieshanensis.

Private forests have the potential to mitigate biodiversity loss and improve community livelihoods. However, information on the socio-ecological factors that drive their establishment and long-term management are limited. This study aimed to narrow this gap by assessing the potential of privately-owned forests in conserving biodiversity and supporting the livelihoods of communities in northern Burkina Faso. Floristic data were collected within 26 plots (900 m2 each) equally distributed between private Gourga forest, established in 1980) and its adjacent communal areas. Sixty-three (63) private landowners were interviewed in order to underpin their motivations and associated traditional knowledge and a stakeholder's workshop was conducted to develop conservation models for private forests and participatory implementation roadmap. Findings revealed that species richness was 132 in the Gourga forest and 85 in the communal areas, highlighting the importance of private forest in species conservation. Local communities recognized the provisioning (36.46%), regulating (28.46%) and supporting (22.48%) of ecosystem services provided by the Gourga forest as motivating factors. The main barriers to their establishment and management include lack of financial resources (35%), scarce lands (26%) and human pressures (8%). The implementation of private forests will need to be supported by the enactment of a secure land tenure policy, as well as payment for ecosystem services (PES) policies, incentivizing locals. We suggest decision makers mainstream privately-owned lands into national conservation strategies and design incentives policies to motivate local communities' engagement.

The growth in our knowledge of the diversity of the herpetofauna of Mexico has occurred over the period of approximately 445 years from the work of Francisco Hernández to that of a broad multinational array of present-day herpetologists. The work of this huge group of people has established Mexico as one of the most significant centers of herpetofaunal biodiversity in the world. This status is the result of a complex orography, in addition to diverse habitats and environments and the biogeographic history of Mexico. The current herpetofauna consists of 1,421 native and introduced species, allocated to 220 genera, and 61 families. This figure is comprised of 1,405 native species and 16 non-native species (as of April 2023). The non-native species include two anurans, 13 squamates, and one turtle. The level of endemism is very high, presently lying at 63%, with this level expected to increase with time. Species richness varies among the 32 federal entities in the country, from a low of 50 in Tlaxcala to a high of 492 in Oaxaca. Amphibian species richness by state-level can be envisioned as comprising three levels of low, medium, and high, with the lowest levels occurring in the Peninsula of Baja California, a group of seven states in north-central and central Mexico, and a group of three states in the Yucatan Peninsula, with the highest levels occupying the southern states of Guerrero, Puebla, Veracruz, Oaxaca, and Chiapas, and the medium level in the remaining states of the country. Reptile species richness also can be allocated to three categories, with the lowest level occupying Baja California Sur, a group of central states, and the states of the Yucatan Peninsula, and the highest level found in a cluster of the states of Veracruz, Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. Knowledge of the Mexican herpetofauna will continue to grow with additional studies on systematics, conservation, and the construction of checklists at various levels.

The occurrence of deadwood is inevitable during the process of plantation conversion, but the influences of conversion and the potential environmental effect on deadwood species diversity remain unclear. We established two fixed plots in Chinese fir thinned forest (TF) and Chinese fir and Michelia macclurei Dandy mixed forest (MF) (100 × 80 and 120 × 60 m2, respectively). We classified the deadwood into groups based on origin and by status, and analyzed deadwood species diversity using four common diversity indices. We also investigated the contribution of topographic factors to tree mortality using redundancy analysis. The species composition of deadwood differed markedly between the MF and TF. The species diversity and variety of deadwood status were greater for the TF than MF, although abundance was lower. Topography was poorly correlated with deadwood in the MF, while in the TF, altitude was strongly correlated with deadwood from Chinese fir, shade-intolerant late-coming populations, and fallen wood. Slope was negatively correlated with late-coming populations and fallen wood, but deadwood correlations with convexity were weak. These results indicate that cultivation methods strongly alter the species composition, status, abundance and diversity of deadwood in plantations. Topographic factors and targeted cultivation practices promote the formation of deadwood.

To establish the biogeographic affinities of the caddisfly fauna of Mongolia, published records and results of our faunistic studies were analyzed. This study captured more than 47,000 adults collected from 386 locations beside lakes, ponds, streams/rivers, and springs in ten sub-basins of Mongolia using Malaise traps, aerial sweeping, and ultraviolet lights. In total, 201 species have been recorded, and approximately 269 species may occur in Mongolia according to our estimation. In a comparison of species richness for the family level, the Limnephilidae and Leptoceridae were the richest in species. The families Brachycentridae, Glossosomatidae, and Psychomyiidae had low species richness, but they included the most dominant species in terms of abundance and/or the percentage of occurrence in the samples from multiple sub-basins. Comparing the sub-basins, the Selenge had the highest Shannon diversity (H’ = 3.3) and the Gobi sub-basin had the lowest (H’ = 1.5). According to the Jaccard index of similarity, caddisfly species assemblages of Mongolia’s ten sub-basins were divided into two main groups: One group includes the Selenge, Shishkhed, Bulgan, Tes, and Depression of Great Lakes sub-basins; the other group includes the Kherlen, Onon, Khalkh Gol, Valley of Lakes, and Gobi sub-basins. The majority of Mongolian species were composed of East Palearctic taxa, with a small percentage of West Palearctic and Nearctic representatives and an even smaller percentage from the Oriental region, suggesting that the Mongolian Gobi Desert is, and has been, a significant barrier to the distribution of caddisfly species between China and Mongolia.

This study aimed to analyze the temporal changes in the floristic composition and regeneration structure in a remnant of Mixed Ombrophilous Forest that has been without interventions for decades. Two surveys were undertaken for the study; the first survey was conducted in 2012, and the second in 2017. The experimental area comprised 20 circular plots of 2.5 m radius, where was it performed the quantification of the regenerants, measurement of individual tree heights, and identification of the ecological group that each surveyed species belonged. All individuals with a minimum height of 0.50 m and a circumference at breast height of less than 15 cm were measured. Approximately 12,382 ind ha-1 were found in 2012 and 11,185 ind ha-1 in 2017. Only the following species increased their abundance per hectare in 2017 compared to the previous survey: Dalbergia frutescens (280.3 ind ha-1), Myrsine coriacea (178.3 ind ha-1), Allophylus guaraniticus (76.4 ind ha-1), Bernadia pulchella (51.0 ind ha-1), Casearia obliqua (50.9 ind ha-1), Casearia decandra (25.5 ind ha-1), and Luehea divaricata (25.5 ind ha-1). The remaining species had a negative balance or disappeared from the study. Ecological group analysis indicated the gradual replacement of shadow-tolerant climax species by pioneer and light-demanding climax species. The most representative species identified on both occasions did not undergo major changes, indicating that they are more likely to remain in the studied area. The results indicated that the studied remnant forest is in an advanced phase of succession; however, it presents punctual alterations that reflect its floristic and ecological dynamics. Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar as alterações temporais na composição florística e estrutura da regeneração em um remanescente de Floresta Ombrófila Mista sem intervenções há décadas, nos anos de 2012 e 2017. A área experimental foi composta por 20 parcelas circulares de 2,5 m de raio, onde foi realizada a quantificação dos regenerantes; a medição das alturas individuais das árvores e a identificação do grupo ecológico ao qual cada espécie pesquisada pertencia. Todos os indivíduos com altura mínima de 0,50 m e circunferência a altura do peito menor do que 15 cm foram medidos. Aproximadamente 12.382 ind ha-1 foram encontrados em 2012 e 11.185 ind ha-1 em 2017. Somente as seguintes espécies tiveram aumento de densidade em 2017 em comparação com o ano 2012: Dalbergia frutescens (280,3 ind ha-1), Myrsine coriacea (178,3 ind ha-1), Allophylus guaraniticus (76,4 ind ha-1), Bernadia pulchella (51,0 ind ha-1), Casearia obliqua (50,9 ind ha-1), Casearia decandra (25,5 ind ha-1) e Luehea divaricata (25,5 ind ha-1). As demais espécies tiveram um saldo negativo ou desapareceram da área. A análise dos grupos ecológicos indicou gradual substituição de espécies clímax tolerantes à sombra por espécies pioneiras e clímax exigentes de luz. As espécies mais representativas identificadas em ambas ocasiões não sofreram grandes alterações, indicando que são mais propensas a permanecer na área estudada. Os resultados indicaram que o remanescente estudado se encontra em fase avançada de sucessão; no entanto, apresenta alterações pontuais que refletem sua dinâmica florística e ecológica.

Hydraena schuleri Ganglbauer, 1901 was rediscovered after 18 years in Starý Potok, a small stream in eastern Slovakia, and we recorded it, for the first time, from the small rivers Stará Rieka and Udava in southern and eastern Slovakia. Adults were collected mainly from submerged moss growing on rocks in shallow water, where they were found together with Hydraena minutissima Stephens, 1929, H. pulchella Germar, 1824, H. pygmaea Waterhouse, 1833; Ochthebius colveranus Ferro, 1979, O. melanescens Dalla Torre, 1877, and O. metallescens Rosenhauer, 1847. We provide illustrations of the habitus and aedeagus, and a distribution map.

Livestock grazing is an important tool used in grassland land management practices. Studies have substantially addressed the effect of grazing on plant species diversity, revealing that moderate grazing increases plant species diversity. However, few studies have dealt with the relationship between grazing and arthropod species diversity, which remains unclear. Here, we hypothesize that moderate grazing promotes arthropod species diversity because arthropods are directly or indirectly dependent on plant diversity. In this study, we conducted a two-year plant and arthropod survey from 2020 to 2021 at four levels of grazing intensity, i.e., nongrazing (as a control), light grazing, moderate grazing, and heavy grazing, of the long-term grazing experiment starting in 2016. The data show that plant species diversity peaked in the moderate grazing treatment, and herbivore species diversity was positively correlated with plant species diversity (and hence peaked in the moderate grazing treatment). Moderate grazing promoted parasitoid species diversity, which was positively correlated with herbivore species diversity. However, predator species diversity did not significantly differ among the four treatments. In addition, saprophage species diversity decreased, whereas coprophages increased with increasing grazing levels, such that species richness (but not species diversity of detritivores statistically) was highest in the moderate grazing treatment. Consequently, the species diversity of arthropods as a whole peaked at the moderate grazing level, a phenomenology that is consistent with the intermediate disturbance hypothesis. Considering that moderate grazing has been found to increase plant species diversity, facilitate soil carbon accumulation, and prevent soil erosion, we suggest that moderate grazing would maximize multi-functional ecosystem services.

The Amanita subgenus Amanitina contains six sections, and the species diversity of this subgenus has still not been explored in Thailand. Twenty samples collected in 2019 and 2020, which had the morphological characteristics of the Amanita subgen. Amanitina, were observed in this study. Both the microscopical characteristics and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of the ITS, nrLSU, RPB2, TEF1-α, and TUB gene regions revealed that the 20 samples represented nine species and dispersed into four sections. Remarkably, three taxa were different from any other currently known species. Here, we describe them as new to science, namely A. albifragilis, A. claristriata, and A. fulvisquamea. Moreover, we also recognized six interesting taxa, including four records that were new to Thailand, viz. A. cacaina, A. citrinoannulata, A. griseofarinosa, and A. neoovoidea, as well as two previously recorded species, A. caojizong and A. oberwinkleriana. Moreover, we provide the first RPB2 and TEF1-α gene sequences for A. cacaina. Detailed descriptions, illustrations as line drawings, and comparisons with related taxa are provided.

Epiphytic bryophytes are important components of forest ecosystems and play important roles in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem function. However, the main factors driving epiphytic bryophyte diversity remain unclear. We collected the tree epiphytic bryophytes from a one-hectare plot within a temperate deciduous broadleaf forest (China). Canonical correspondence analyses and Mantel tests were used to establish linear regression models and thus dissect the effects of environmental variables (topography, light and bark physicochemical properties) on the species diversity, functional diversity, and phylogenetic diversity of epiphytic bryophytes. The relationship between environmental variables and epiphytic bryophyte diversity was analyzed using piecewise structural equation modeling. Results showed that the physicochemical properties of the bark directly influenced the species diversity and phylogenetic diversity of the epiphytic bryophytes. The physical and chemical properties of bark also indirectly affected the functional diversity of the epiphytic bryophytes. Elucidation of the factors driving epiphytic bryophyte diversity provides insights into their conservation.

Afforestation of former agricultural land poses a real challenge for foresters because soil life is often severely limited by the loss of natural soil fungal diversity. In addition, former agricultural soils have low levels of fungal species typical of forest soils, which have a unique microbiome that plays a protective role (antagonists, plant growth promoters, mycorrhizal fungi, etc.). This study aimed to determine the effect of using organic material in the form of bark compost, wood waste, and sawdust to improve the soil mycobiome of soils that have been damaged by their agricultural use. This study used experimental plots established 20 years ago, and we compared the biodiversity of the treated soils with that of the control soils by analysing soil samples with powerful molecular methods. Next-generation sequencing analysis of DNA extracted from soil samples and subsequent analysis of their species composition and biodiversity showed that the mycobiome of soil fungi has been altered by the addition of various forms of organic material. The proportion of fungi belonging to the Ascomycota decreased in favour of species from the Basidiomycota and Mucoromycota. The dominant fungal groups in the soil of the control area were Sagenomella, Wilcoxina, Oidiodendron, Meliniomyces, and Penicillium. Enrichment with organic matter by adding bark compost under the roots led to an increase in Penicillium, Inocybe, and Amphinema. The application of bark compost on the surface led to an increase in the dominance of Inocybe fungi in the soil. The mycobiome of the plant to which woody debris was applied was characterised by a marked dominance of fungi of the genera Russula, Oidiodendron, and Penicillium. Similar ratios were found in the plant to which sawdust was applied, where the fungi Meliniomyces, Penicillium, Oidiodendron, and Russula dominated. A comparative analysis of fungal diversity with the Shannon diversity index showed that the most diverse fungal communities were found in the sawdust plant (6.56), while the control sample (a soil sample from an agricultural area where no organic material was applied) had an index of 5.71. After the treatments, more potential antagonists against pine pathogens and mycorrhizal fungi were found to form beneficial symbiotic relationships with them. In our opinion, the results of this study show that it is worthwhile to introduce different forms of organic matter to post-agricultural land to improve soil biodiversity and mycorrhizal associations of pine roots with fungi to ensure the sustainability of the first generation of forests created.

Suburban areas connect the city and the natural land. This kind of area is subject to high ecological sensitivity. To give full play to the ecological value of spontaneous plants, it was applied to the construction of suburban parks. We need to explore the influence factors of park characteristics on spontaneous plants. This study takes Jiangyangfan Ecological Park as the main research object. We have investigated the spontaneous plants in it and the surrounding parks. Hence, 16 kinds of park environmental characteristic factors were selected to explore their effects on the composition and diversity of spontaneous plants. The results showed that: (1) There were 138 species of spontaneous plants belonging to 126 genera and 62 families in Jiangyangfan Ecological Park. Native plants accounted for 88.10%. (2) The Shannon-Wiener diversity index of spontaneous plants was ranked as Jiangyangfan Ecological Park > White Pagoda Park > Eight Diagrams Field Relic Park > Haiyue Waterscape Park. (3) Among the overall characteristic factors, the park perimeter and the actual accessible area had the most significant positive correlation to the diversity of spontaneous plants (p < 0.05). Among the environmental element characteristic factors, the Shannon-Wiener diversity index of cultivated plants had the strongest positive correlation with the diversity of spontaneous plants (p < 0.01). The number of water bodies presented the strongest negative correlation (p < 0.01). This study provides a useful reference for the rational planning of parks in suburban areas and the construction of sustainable urban and rural landscapes. The research results will contribute to the restoration of the ecological environment.

Here we overviewed the taxonomic diversity and compiled the checklist of gall-forming poplar aphids (Sternorrhyncha: Aphididae, Pemphigini) in the Asian part of Russia. Overall, 20 species, i.e. 18 Pemphigus and two Thecabius spp. were proven to have distribution in this macroregion. Based on our field study, following seven species represented novel geographical records. Among them, Pem. iskanderkuli Narzikulov is new for Asian Russia as per the record in Tuva Republic, and six species, Pem. matsumurai Monzen, Pem. microsetosus Aoki, Pem. plicatus Dolgova, Pem. populi Courchet, Pem. protospirae Lichtenstein, Th. latisensorius Hori, are new for some administrative regions of Siberia and/or the Russian Far East. Pemphigus passeki Börner, Pem. spyrothecae Passerini are alien species for the Asian part of Russia. Eight species, Pem. borealis Tullgren, Pem. bursarius (Linnaues), Pem. matsumurai Monzen, Pem. populi Courchet, Pem. passeki Börner, Pem. protospirae Lichtenstein, Pem. spyrothecae Passerini, Th. affinis (Kaltenbach), were documented in the Asian part of Russia as pests of poplars., The study was performed in the frame of the basic project of Sukachev Institute of Forest SB RAS (№ FWES-2021-0011) [field sampling] and the project of the Russian Science Foundation (grant № 22-16-00075) [species identification].

International audience; Assessing the relationship between grassland plant diversity and agronomic value is a major challenge to reconcile nature conservation and agricultural use of extensive grassland habitats. To do this, multiple facets of forage production must be considered such as the quantity produced and its nutritive value, commonly assessed through its digestibility, energy content, and nutrient content. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of plant diversity and functional traits on forage productivity and nutritive value in a wide set of semi-natural grassland habitats.Forage was sampled in 202 plots located across 68 permanent extensive grasslands in eight regions of France. Species and functional diversity indices, community-weighted means (CWM) of plant functional traits, and the relative cover of main plant functional types (PFT; graminoids, forbs, and legumes) were used to describe plant communities. Forage production was evaluated by recording early standing biomass (SB), and nutritive value parameters, namely digestibility (DMD), crude protein content (CP), and average mineral content (MinAv) at the beginning of the vegetation growing season.Species richness was negatively associated with SB and MinAv. Species evenness was positively correlated with CP, DMD, and MinAv, while PFT evenness was positively correlated with CP and DMD. Forage standing biomass increased with increasing graminoid cover and decreased with increasing forb cover. A higher legume cover and specific leaf area CWM as well as a lower leaf dry matter content CWM was associated with improved forage nutritive value and had no effect on SB. Our results highlight that a better forage nutritive value can be obtained with a higher plant species evenness in permanent grassland habitats. Furthermore, in grasslands with an even distribution of plant functional types, forage nutritive value may be improved with no loss in early standing biomass.

Agroforestry systems (AFS) are priority semi-natural ecosystems in fragile ecological zones. The complexity and diversity of their species structure play a crucial role in maintaining AFS stability. To explore the optimization of improvement strategies in AFS’ structure and stability for control of karst desertification (KD), in this study, we chose typical desertification control areas in the southern China karst region. The study included homegarden (HG), agrisilviculture (ASV), and multipurpose woodlots (MWLs) as three AFS. We quantified the AFS’ structural characteristics using descriptive statistics and spatial structure parameters. We used the fuzzy integrated evaluation method with structural and functional indicators as guidelines, and stand structure, plant species diversity, soil fertility, and environmental factors as first-level evaluation indicators. The entropy weight method calculates the weights of indicators at all levels. The fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method establishes an evaluation index system to evaluate the grading of AFS’ stability. The results showed that: (i) The species composition of the AFS in the KD control areas had a simple structure, the overall diversity level was low, and the diversity level of herbaceous plants was better than that of woody plants. (ii) The overall distribution curves of diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height (TH), and crown width (CW) of woody plants in the AFS in the KD control areas were slight to the left, with a single-peaked pattern, mostly randomly and unevenly distributed in space, with a low degree of tree species isolation and relatively weak stand stability. (iii) There was variability in the stability classes of different types of AFS, overall reflecting the ranking HG > ASV > MWLs. (iv) When structural optimization was applied, corresponding measures can be taken according to farmers’ wishes for different types of AFS and their primary business purposes. The improvement of stability depends mainly on the utility of the structural optimization applied coupled with positive human interference (for example, pruning, dwarfing, and dense planting). This study provides a scientific reference for maintaining the stability of AFS and promoting service provision.

Рассматриваются основные методологические проблемы изучения биоты ксилотрофных макромицетов. Многолетние исследования разнообразия и экологии дереворазрушающих грибов Оренбургской области (Россия) позволяют проанализировать эпистемологическую ценность разных методов. Обсуждаются недостатки методов изучения видового состава грибов, основанных на учете плодовых тел. Анализируются факторы, влияющие на полноту выявления видового состава микокомплексов (варьирование по сезонам, по годам). Предлагается использование маркеров — показателей структурности микокомплексов для анализа микобиоты, включающих динамику площади гименофора видов, продукцию плодовых тел, скорость микогенной деструкции древесины, выделение видов-индикаторов и редких видов; соотношения биотрофных и сапротрофных видов и ряд других., The main methodological problems of studying the biota of xylotrophic macromycetes are reviewed. Long-term studies of diversity and ecology of wood-destroying fungi in Orenburg Oblast (Russia) allow to analyse the epistemological value of different methods. Disadvantages of methods of studying the species composition of fungi based on fruit bodies are discussed. Factors affecting the completeness of the identification of the species composition of mycocomplexes (variation by season, by year) are examined. It is proposed to use markers — indicators of structure of mycocomplexes for analysis of mycobiota, including dynamics of species hymenophore area, fruit body production, rate of mycogenic destruction of wood, identification of indicator species and rare species; ratios of biotrophic and saprotrophic species and a number of others., Journal of Agriculture and Environment, Выпуск 4 (32) 2023

Background Mosquitoes are vectors of many pathogens, such as malaria, dengue virus, yellow fever virus, filaria and Japanese encephalitis virus. Wolbachia are capable of inducing a wide range of reproductive abnormalities in their hosts, such as cytoplasmic incompatibility. Wolbachia has been proposed as a tool to modify mosquitoes that are resistant to pathogen infection as an alternative vector control strategy. This study aimed to determine natural Wolbachia infections in different mosquito species across Hainan Province, China. Methods Adult mosquitoes were collected using light traps, human landing catches and aspirators in five areas in Hainan Province from May 2020 to November 2021. Species were identified based on morphological characteristics, species-specific PCR and DNA barcoding of cox1 assays. Molecular classification of species and phylogenetic analyses of Wolbachia infections were conducted based on the sequences from PCR products of cox1, wsp, 16S rRNA and FtsZ gene segments. Results A total of 413 female adult mosquitoes representing 15 species were identified molecularly and analyzed. Four mosquito species (Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Armigeres subalbatus and Culex gelidus) were positive for Wolbachia infection. The overall Wolbachia infection rate for all mosquitoes tested in this study was 36.1% but varied among species. Wolbachia types A, B and mixed infections of A × B were detected in Ae. albopictus mosquitoes. A total of five wsp haplotypes, six FtsZ haplotypes and six 16S rRNA haplotypes were detected from Wolbachia infections. Phylogenetic tree analysis of wsp sequences classified them into three groups (type A, B and C) of Wolbachia strains compared to two groups each for FtsZ and 16S rRNA sequences. A novel type C Wolbachia strain was detected in Cx. gelidus by both single locus wsp gene and the combination of three genes. Conclusion Our study revealed the prevalence and distribution of Wolbachia in mosquitoes from Hainan Province, China. Knowledge of the prevalence and diversity of Wolbachia strains in local mosquito populations will provide part of the baseline information required for current and future Wolbachia-based vector control approaches to be conducted in Hainan Province. Graphical Abstract

Väitekirja elektrooniline versioon ei sisalda publikatsioone, Tume elurikkus – elupaigast puuduvad, kuid sinna sobivad liigid – on oluline mõistmaks, kuidas piirkonna elustik kujuneb. Tume elurikkus on vaadeldud elurikkuse vastaspool, mõlemad koos moodustavad elupaiga liigifondi ehk kõikide sobivate liikide nimekirja. Kuigi on teada, et globaalmuutused mõjutavad eluskooslusi nii ruumis kui ajas, ei ole varem otseselt käsitletud, kuidas tumeda elurikkuse kontseptsioon aitab uurida bioloogilise mitmekesisuse muutuseid antropotseenis ning tõhustada looduskaitset. Oma doktoritöös arendasin teoreetilist raamistikku, kuidas liikide saabumine ja kadumine võib toimuda nii ühe liigifondi piires kui ka nende vahel. Uurides tumeda elurikkuse muutusi tuhandete aastate jooksul sai edukalt eristada taimetaksoneid, mille levila laieneb viivitusega: liigid suudaks muutunud tingimustes elada, kuid on veel pikka aega puudu. Liikide tunnuste analüüs näitas, et holotseeni ajal tumedasse elurikkusesse kuulunud ja seega ka levimisviivitusega taksonid olid omavahel suhteliselt sarnase ehituse ja elukäiguga. Tumeda elurikkuse taksoneid iseloomustas kiire elustrateegia (madal levimissvõime ja stressitaluvus). Lisaks leidsin, et tumedat elurikkust ja liikide omadusi saab kasutada keskkonnatundlike organismide (nt samblike) looduskaitse tõhustamisel, selgitades, millised liigid ja tunnused on väljasuremisohus ja milliseid saaks kasutada taastamises. Kokkuvõtteks, tume elurikkus on rakendatav erinevate taksonoomiliste rühmade, ajaperioodide ja globaalmuutuste tegurite korral, näitamaks, kui palju, kui kiiresti ja mis suunas muutuvad vaadeldud elurikkus ja liigifond. Tumeda elurikkuse kontseptsioon on seega paljutõotav lähenemine bioloogilise mitmekesisuse uurimiseks muutuvas maailmas., Dark diversity - the set of suitable but locally absent species - is an important concept to understand how ecological communities are assembled from regional to local scales. Dark diversity is the counterpart of observed diversity, which together form site-specific species pool. However, given that global change drivers affect community assembly processes across space and time, prior to this thesis no studies had explored how dark diversity could be useful to examine biodiversity dynamics in Anthropocene. Dark diversity may improve how we quantify and assess biodiversity change, and, consequently, enhance nature conservation. In this thesis, I advanced the role of dark diversity as a tool to examine biodiversity change by developing a conceptual framework in which species gains and losses are decomposed within and between species pools, revealing different biodiversity flows with possible time lags. Over millennial temporal scales, the dark diversity concept successfully depicted plant taxa facing expansion lags in their geographic range; species becoming suitable for changed environments but remaining absent. Functional traits revealed that taxa persisting in dark diversity over the Holocene and, thereby, in expansion lags, were those displaying high functional redundancy, and fast-life history trait strategies (linked to low dispersal ability and high stress intolerance). Moreover, I propose that dark diversity and functional traits can be used to enhance the nature conservation of warming sensitive organisms (e.g. lichens) by revealing which species and traits are mostly threatened to go regionally extinct or could be used in restoration. To conclude, with this thesis, I suggest that, since dark diversity is applicable to any taxonomic group, time period and global change driver, revealing how much, how fast and in what direction the whole species pool is changing, it is a promising approach to examine biodiversity in a changing world., https://www.ester.ee/record=b5552619

Forest edges, which are ecotones, have a significant impact on the spatial distribution of many Coleoptera species. This research was carried out in 2020–2022 on the territory of the Republic of Mordovia (the center of the European part of Russia). Beer traps (with a bait made of beer with sugar) were used to collect Coleoptera. Four plots were selected for the research, which differed in the composition of plants on the edges, adjacent open ecosystems, and types of forest ecosystems. The forest adjoined closely to this open ecosystem. Inside the forest interior, at 300–350 m, a control inner section of the forest with a closed canopy was selected. There were eight traps on each site: edge–below, edge–above, forest interior–below, and forest interior–above, with two traps in each plot. These traps were located at a height of 1.5 (below) and 7.5 m (above) above the ground on tree branches. In total, more than 13,000 specimens from 35 families were recorded. Cerambycidae, Nitidulidae, Curculionidae, and Elateridae had the greatest species diversity. Nitidulidae (71.6% of all individuals), Curculionidae (8.3%), Scarabaeidae (7.7%), and Cerambycidae (2.4%) predominated in total number. There were 13 species common to all plots. At the same time, only four species were found in all traps (Protaetia marmorata, Cryptarcha strigata, Glischrochilus grandis, and Soronia grisea). The abundance of P. marmorata on all plots at an altitude of 7.5 m on the edges was greater. G. grandis prevailed in the lower traps. The abundance of C. strigata and S. grisea varied depending on the location of the trap on different plots. The general pattern was the greatest species diversity of Coleoptera on the edges in the lower traps. At the same time, the total number of all species on the edges was lower. At the edges, the Shannon index was practically always higher or equal to similar indicators in traps located in the forest interior. According to the average values of all plots, it turned out that the number of species of saproxylic Coleoptera prevails inside forest areas, and the largest number of saproxiles was found in the upper traps. An interesting feature for all plots was a more significant relative number of anthophilic species at the edge in the upper traps.

The management of stand structure and the protection of species diversity are crucial to forest ecosystem service functions. Changbai Mountain is one of the three major forest regions in Northeast China, and understanding the characteristics of stand structure and the allometric relationship between stand structure variables and the correlation between stand factors and species diversity is the basis for achieving effective forest management and ecological function improvement. In this study, the typical deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest and coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest of the Longwan Nature Reserve in the Changbai Mountain were taken as the research objects, and the stand structure and diversity were investigated in detail. Allometric growth equations were established using the breast height diameter (DBH), tree height, and crown width of the main dominant species. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted on the stand structure and diversity of the forest community. The experimental results showed that young forests with small diameters and small individuals were the main part of the stands. Optimal allometric growth models of the main tree species (Acer mandshuricum, Ulmus davidiana var. japonica, Juglans mandshurica, Acer mono, and Tilia amurensis) were 0.807D0.646, 0608D0.381H0.390, 0.502D0.533H0.295, 0.795D0.540H0.157, and 0.541D0.484H0.301, respectively, with R2 values ranging between 0.6 and 0.8, indicating a good fit for the models. Furthermore, tree density, crown width, and DBH were the main factors affecting tree diversity. The research results will provide theoretical support for the efficient management of forest stand structure and diversity conservation in the Longwan Reserve.

Invasive alien species represent one of the main threats to biodiversity and species extinction. This is the case for the genus Prosopis, among which Prosopis velutina is the most invasive and common tree species along the Molopo River in the North-West Province, impacting native plant communities. However, its impact on the composition and diversity of native woody species remains poorly investigated in the area. Thus, this study aimed to assess the impact of P. velutina on native woody plant composition and diversity across three sites along the Molopo River. At each site, five quadrats of 20 × 20 m2 were randomly established in invaded and adjacent uninvaded stands. A comparative methodological approach was adopted, and the woody plants in invaded and uninvaded stands with similar site conditions were sampled. The results showed that native woody species density differed significantly (p < 0.05) between invaded and uninvaded stands, except for Bray sites, where there was a marginal difference (p = 0.6). The overall native woody species density decreased by 79.7% in the invaded stand. However, non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) and analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) indicated significant differences in native tree composition between invaded and uninvaded stands at all sites. In all three sites, all ecological indices had significantly lower values in invaded stands compared to uninvaded stands. The decrease in all ecological indices in invaded over uninvaded stands indicated that P. velutina invasion reduced the diversity of native woody plant species. Due to the incessant spread of P. velutina, it may become a long-term dominant species with an increasing impact on the native vegetation. Therefore, the findings of this study call for urgent management and appropriate control measures against the ongoing spread of this invader within the riparian zones of the Molopo River in North-West Province.

Aim: Evaluating the similarity of diversity patterns across micro- to macroevolutionary scales in natural communities, such as species-genetic diversity correlations (SGDCs), may inform on processes shaping community assembly. However, whether SGDCs not only hold across communities but also across lineages has never been explored so far. Here we investigated SGDCs across co-distributed taxa for different spatial components (alpha, beta, gamma), and formally tested the influence of dispersal traits on beta-SGDCs.Location: Western Indian Ocean.Time period: 2016-2017.Major taxa studied: Tropical reef fish species with contrasting dispersal traits.Methods: Using double-digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) Single Nucleotide Polymorphism data for 20 tropical reef fishes and distribution data of 2,446 species belonging to 12 families, we analysed the correlations between within-species genetic diversity and within-family species diversity (i.e., lineage diversity) for the three spatial components (alpha, beta, gamma-SGDCs). We then related the strength of beta-SGDCs per species to proxies of larval dispersal abilities.Results: We detected positive and significant lineage-based SGDC only for the beta component, that is, the families showing the greatest level of species turnover among sites contain the species with the greatest levels of genetic differentiation. We showed that the Monsoon Drift mainly explained the beta-diversity patterns at both intraspecific and interspecific levels. Higher beta-SGDCs were found for species with short pelagic larval duration and weak larval swimming capacity.Main conclusions: Our study reveals a strong correlation between genetic and species beta-diversity, a result explained by the presence of a 'soft' barrier and mediated by larval dispersal processes. This suggests that vicariance and dispersal limitation are major processes shaping beta-diversity patterns from microevolutionary to macroevolutionary scales in tropical reef fishes., Global Ecology and Biogeography, 32 (4), ISSN:1466-822X, ISSN:1466-8238

As climate change continues to impact the planet, the importance of forests is becoming increasingly emphasized. The International Co-operative Program on the Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests) has been monitoring and assessing forests in 40 countries since 1985. In Republic of Korea, the first Forest Health Management (FHM) survey was a nationwide sample point assessment conducted between 2011 and 2015. However, there are limitations in representing the health of forests that occupy 63.7% of Korea’s land area due to the nature of sample point surveys, which survey a relatively small area. Accordingly, a species richness map was created to promote species diversity in forest health evaluations in Republic of Korea. The map was created using data from the first FHM survey, which examined 28 factors with 12 survey indicators in four categories: tree health, vegetation health, soil health, and atmospheric health. We conducted an ensemble modeling of species distribution for woody plant species that are major habitats in Republic of Korea. To select the species, we used the first FHM survey data and chose those with more than 100 sample points, resulting in a total of 11 species. We then created the species richness map of Republic of Korea by overlaying their distributions. To verify the accuracy of the derived map, an independent verification was conducted using statistical verification and external data from the National Natural Environment Survey. To support forest management that accounts for climate change adaptation, the derived species richness map was validated based on the vegetation climate distribution map of the Korean Peninsula, which was published by the Korea National Arboretum. The map confirmed that species richness is highest around the boundary of the deciduous forest in the central temperate zone and lowest around the evergreen and deciduous mixed forest in the southern temperate zone. By establishing this map, it was possible to confirm the spatial distribution of species by addressing the limitations of direct surveys, which are unable to represent all forests. However, it is important to note that not all factors of the first FHM survey were considered during the spatialization process, and the target area only includes Republic of Korea. Thus, further research is necessary to expand the target area and include additional items.

A study was conducted at Munnar Forest Division (MFD) Idukki district, Kerala, to assess the diversity of birds.The study highlights the importance of biodiversity documentation at high altitudes in the Western Ghats and focused on understanding information regarding the diversity, distribution, and habitat preference of the recorded bird species during the pre-monsoon period.

Kandelia obovata (S., L.) Druce and Sonneratia caseolaris (L.) Engl. are two dominant mangrove species in the subtropical coastlines of the Pearl River Estuary, China. The main aim of this study was to investigate the specific causes of K. obovata mortality versus S. caseolaris vitality on the west coast of Bao’an, Shenzhen, China and to propose sustainable management strategies for mangrove protection and future ecological planting restoration. Results showed that although both mangroves possessed simple and unstable community structures, S. caseolaris had a more tenacious vitality than the native species K. obovata, indicating that the former possesses stronger adaptability under adversity conditions. Moreover, the salinity of the seawater collection point 5 from the K. obovata plot was found to be lower than that of seawater collection point 1–3 from the S. caseolaris sample plots, indicating that no hydrologic connectivity existed in the K. obovata plots. In addition, the location of the drain outlet (seawater collection point 8) might be another potential risk factor for the dead of near K. obovata forests, implying that they were badly affected by poor oxygen and serious inorganic pollution, such as ammonium nitrogen, total phosphorus, and other inorganic substances. Depending on local circumstances, we should consider strengthening infrastructure construction to activate hydrological connectivity, reinforcing the stability of man-made mangrove communities, and controlling the pollution sources for sustainable mangrove protection and management on the western coast of Bao’an, Shenzhen, China.

In karst ecosystems, different geographic environmental conditions can lead to different lithospheric conditions, thus determining community composition and altering biotic interactions. Guizhou Province is a typical ecologically fragile karst area located in the South China Karst. To explore the relationship between biodiversity and environmental changes in different karst habitats, the community structure of typhlocybinae (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha, and Cicadellidae) in three typical karst areas in Guizhou Province (the Zhenfeng–Huajiang Demonstration Zone, the Bijie Salaxi Demonstration Zone, and the Shibing Yuntai Mountain Nature Reserve) was analyzed. These areas are characterized by differences in terms of their geographic environment. For field investigations, typhlocybinae specimens were collected from five common leafhopper host plants—Juglans regia L., Rhus chinensis Mill., Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, Prunus salicina Lindl., and Debregeasia orientalis C.J. Chen—in the three study areas. A total of 4078 typhlocybinae specimens were captured, belonging to 6 tribes, 40 genera, and 121 species. Among them, Alnetoidia dujuanensis, Limassolla lingchuanensis, and Singapora shinshana were the dominant species. The numbers of typhlocybinae specimens from each region were as follows: Shibing, 2170 (53.2%); Bijie, 973 (23.9%); and Huajiang, 935 (22.9%). The number of leafhoppers collected in areas with serious rocky desertification was low, and the number increased with the increase in vegetation coverage. The order of the influence of environmental factors on the community structure of the leafhoppers in the three study areas was Huajiang > Bijie > Shibing. This order is consistent with the ranking of rocky desertification grades in the three study areas. The order based on the number of units at different taxonomic levels was as follows: Bijie (6 tribes, 32 genera, and 68 species) > Huajiang (6 tribes, 22 genera, and 58 species) > Shibing (5 tribes, 21 genera, and 48 species). The results show that environmental factors, such as climate and host plant leaf traits, had various effects on the characteristics and diversity of the leafhopper communities in different grades of rocky desertification areas. This study demonstrates that there are differences in species diversity in different grades of karst rocky desertification areas and provides a theoretical basis for future rocky desertification control and regional ecological restoration.

Agroforestry has long been considered one of the most important land-use practices for conserving species while also meeting the fundamental requirements of millions of poor people in developing countries. Thus, the objective of the study was to determine the impacts of agroforestry practices on the livelihood development of rural farmers and biodiversity conservation potency in the Madhupur tract, Bangladesh. The study was conducted in the Madhupur tract, a famous agroforestry region in Bangladesh, using a mix-method approach to data collection, such as face-to-face interviews of 100 agroforestry farmers for livelihood analysis and using sampling techniques across 50 quadrats (20 m × 20 m) for measuring biodiversity. The results showed that the agroforestry practices significantly increased farm income and provided more benefits to rural farmers. Agroforestry farmers were able to build a social platform while simultaneously increasing their capability through training programs. As a result, the development of agroforestry farmers’ livelihood capital was significant. At the same time, the agroforestry practices introduced 34 plant species into the bare forestland and, therefore, provided higher-quality habitats for biodiversity conservation. The fast-growing tree species, mainly Acacia (diversity index of 0.366), in association with partial shade-loving crops such as pineapple, turmeric, and ginger, were the most dominant species in the agroforestry practices of the Madhupur tract. The study also revealed that agroforestry serves as a wildlife corridor and attracts birds for feeding and breeding. Finally, the agroforestry of the Madhupur tract is a viable land-use practice for biodiversity conservation and livelihood development of rural farmers in Bangladesh, and it is highly suggested that it be strengthened and disseminated.

The origin and patterns of species diversity are fundamental themes in ecology and evolutionary biology. Insular systems play an important role in biogeography, and the species richness within an insular system has classically been considered as determined by the balance between the rate of speciation plus net migration and the rate of species extinction. A recent wave of studies integrating comprehensive phenotypic, phylogenetic, and environmental data is accumulating additional macroevolutionary insights at unprecedented scales. In this review, I summarize and discuss the hypothesis that intermediate dispersal ability leads to clades with high species diversity by recurrent speciation events (referred to as the intermediate dispersal hypothesis, IDH). Although some recent empirical and theoretical studies have supported the IDH, further integration of other ecological and evolutionary concepts spanning different timescales is needed to resolve long-standing debates about the non-linear relationship between diversification and organismal dispersal ability. This paper presents a framework for future studies that intend to test the IDH; I organize the factors that should be taken into account, including the indices for quantifying dispersal ability and species diversification, and methods of taxon sampling. The IDH requires more attention and could be used to unveil the diversity of extant species and how dispersal ability affects rates of speciation and extinction.

Background. The article presents the results of the research on carpenter bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Xylocopinae: Xylocopa) housed in the Lodos Entomological Museum (Ege University, Izmir, Turkey). There are 10 species of Xylocopa occurring on the territory of Turkey. Three of them are common and abundant (X. violacea, X. valga and X. iris) and the other species are moderately common or rare. The aim of this study is to present new locality records of the material on the Xylocopa fauna of Turkey pre-served in the Lodos Entomological Museum, Turkey. Material and Methods. The objects of our research were carpenter bees collected from different localities of Turkey between 1975 and 2018 and housed in the Lodos Entomological Museum. Insects were collected by researchers, students and amateurs. We used stereoscopic microscope Bresser Advance ICD 10x-160x and specialized keys for Xylocopa identification. Results. We analyzed 262 specimens of carpenter bees that belong to four species (Xylocopa iris, X. pubescens, X. valga and X. violacea). The information on the specimens’ location and brief notes on the plants on which they were foraging is provi-ded. Three of the analyzed species namely X. iris, X. valga and X. violacea are listed in the category “Least Concern” of the IUCN Red List. Conclusions. We found new locality records for three Xylocopa species: X. iris reported from Manisa province for the first time, X. valga – from Antalya, Aydın, Denizli and Manisa and X. violacea – from Balıkesir, Denizli, Manisa and Tekirdağ pro vinces of Turkey. Further studies aiming to improve the knowledge on Xylocopa fauna should focus on collecting in little-known areas and some specific habitats of Turkey. © 2022 S. Tezcan, & I. Skyrpan.

Cytospora canker is one of the most important diseases affecting peach production in Colorado, yet previous efforts to characterize Cytospora species diversity in Colorado have relied exclusively on morphological traits. Recently, several new Cytospora species were described from peach orchards within the United States using molecular and morphological data, prompting the need to reexamine Cytospora spp. present on peach trees in Colorado. A total of 137 isolates of Cytospora spp. were collected from eight orchards in western Colorado. Isolates were sequenced at the internal transcribed spacer region and elongation factor 1-α and assessed with reference sequences in phylogenetic analyses. All isolates from western Colorado peach trees resolved with the newly described Cytospora plurivora. In addition to molecular characterization, temperature growth and virulence assays were conducted to assess phenotypic variation among the isolates from western Colorado. Variation across isolates was found both in growth at different temperatures and in virulence. Ancestral state reconstruction analyses resolved the most virulent (and most often collected) haplotypes together in a well-supported clade from which a single monophyletic origin of high virulence can be inferred. Finally, a droplet digital PCR assay was developed for use in ongoing and future studies to detect and quantify C. plurivora from field and laboratory samples.

Fusarium graminearum is the main causal species of Fusarium head blight (FHB) globally. Recent changes in the trichothecene (toxin) types in the North American FHB pathogens support the need for continued surveillance. In this study, 461 isolates were obtained from symptomatic spikes of wheat, spelt, barley, and rye crops during 2018 and 2019. These were all identified to species and toxin types using molecular-based approaches. An additional set of 77 F. graminearum isolates obtained from overwintering crop residues during winter 2012 were molecularly identified to toxin types. A subset of 31 F. graminearum isolates (15 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol [15ADON] and 16 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol [3ADON]) were assessed for mycelial growth, macroconidia, perithecia, and ascospore production, and sensitivity to two triazoles. Ninety percent of isolates obtained from the symptomatic spikes (n = 418) belonged to F. graminearum, with four other species found at a lower frequency (n = 39). The F. graminearum isolates from symptomatic spikes were mainly of the 15ADON (95%), followed by 3ADON (4%), nivalenol (0.7%), and NX-2 (0.3%) toxin types. All F. graminearum isolates obtained from overwintering residue were of the 15ADON type. The toxin types could not be differentiated based on the multivariate analysis of growth and reproduction traits. All isolates were sensitive to tebuconazole and metconazole fungicides in vitro. This study confirms the dominance of F. graminearum and suggests ecological and environmental factors, to be further identified, that lead to similar composition of toxin types in the northern United States. Our results may be useful to assess the sustainability of FHB management practices and provide a baseline for future FHB surveys.

In a survey of the agaricoid fungi from the territory of Sayano-Shushensky Biosphere Reserve, Western Sayan Mountains, South Siberia, fifteen species representing thirteen genera are revealed for the first time; among them: one (Mythicomyces corneipes) is new to Asian mycobiota, one (Pluteus rugosidiscus) is new to Russia while all fifteen are new records from the studied region. Descriptions and photos of all species are given with a brief discussion on their taxonomy and distribution. For some studied collections, new nrITS sequences were generated and their GenBank accession numbers are provided., При обследовании агарикоидных грибов с территории Саяно-Шушенского биосферного заповедника (Западный Саян, Южная Сибирь) впервые выявлено пятнадцать видов, относящихся к тринадцати родам. Среди них один вид (Mythicomyces corneipes) является новым для азиатской микобиоты, один вид (Pluteusrugosidiscus) – новым для территории России, и все пятнадцать видов являются новыми находками для изучаемого региона. В статье приводятся краткие описания и фотографии всех видов с информацией об их систематическом положении и географическом распространении. Для некоторых изученных коллекций были секвенированы нуклеотидные последовательности ITS-участка яДНК (их номера в базе данных GenBank даны в тексте).

The Momela soda lakes consist of seven small, hypersaline, alkaline lakes, situated in the East African rift valley at Arusha National Park, Tanzania. The lakes are fed by separate underground water sources with slightly varying mineral contents resulting in colour variation and supporting different kinds of prokaryotic and eukaryotic species. In this study, the diversity of Actinobacteria in surface water and sediments of five Lakes were investigated using culture-dependent and culture-independent molecular techniques. A total of 34 out of 112, and 13 out of 85, representatives of Actinobacteria isolates and clones, respectively, were selected for gene sequencing using the CD-HIT program. Analysis of their 16S rRNA gene sequences displayed the presence of species affiliated to 15 different genera, namely Mycobacterium, Rhodococcus, Microbacterium, Isoptericola, Dietzia, Leucobacter, Jonesia, Nesterenkonia, Micrococcus, Streptomyces, Hoyosella, Norcadiopsis, Cellulomonas, Bogoriella, and Agromyces. The results showed 5 and 12 putative new Actinobacteria isolates and clones, respectively. This is the first report of isolation of bacteria from the genus Mycobacterium from a soda lake globally, as well as the genera Hoyosella, Isoptericola, Jonesia, Micrococcus, Leucobacter and Agromyces from a soda lake in East Africa. Because Actinobacteria are known as a source of biotechnologically important compounds, the species revealed set a platform to search for novel bioactive compounds.

A monitoring survey was conducted in snake gourd agro ecosystem during the fruiting season at Gangnapur, West Bengal, India to generate extensive data on fruit fly diversity, population dynamics, infestation rates and evaluate the effect of trapping on fruit fly infestation rates vis-a-vis benefit cost ratio of snake gourd cultivation. Methyl Eugenol and Cue Lure traps were used to assess the fruit fly species diversity. The number of adult male flies trapped was used to calculate fruit fly per trap per day and assess the population dynamics. Bactrocera dorsalis, Zeugodacus cucurbitae and Zeugodacus tau were the predominant fruit fly species during the fruiting season. Maximum species diversity and evenness estimates were registered by Methyl Eugenol traps. Species richness estimates for Cue Lure and Methyl Eugenol traps during the entire experiment are analogous due to the trapping of two different types of fruit fly species. Zeugodacus cucurbitae is the most abundant species in the snake gourd ecosystem and dominated the community of fruit flies throughout the study. Fruit fly per trap per day values indicated that the Gangnapur area is at infestation level, for Zeugodacus cucurbitae and Bactrocera dorsalis, while, for Zeugodacus tau the area is at suppression level. The rate of infestation varied from 6.93 % to 44.09 %. Farmers with traps in their fields reported a benefit cost ratio of 0.73 to 4.63, while the no-trap group reported 0.34 to 1.56. This study at Gangnapur has proven the beneficial effect of trapping on the benefit cost ratio of snake gourd cultivation.