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Colicodendron scabridum, commonly known as “sapote”, is one of the most common woody species in seasonally dry neotropical forests, and an important food for numerous animals. We investigated sapote’s reproductive phenology and evaluated its relationship to temperature and precipitation. To do so, we installed seven 2 m x 300 m transects, each with fifteen focal individual sapote trees, at seven sites from 257 – 353 m at Cerro Venado, Lambayeque, Peru. The duration of flowering and fruiting varied among individuals, sites, and years. On average, 85-97 % of individuals with flowers bore fruit. The average fruiting period was shorter than the average flowering period, which it followed three months later. We used a cross correlation test to evaluate the relationship between flowering, and fruiting, with the monthly average temperature and precipitation. Sapote flowering changed in opposition to monthly average temperature, with a strong inverse correlation between flowering and temperature. In contrast, the frequency of individuals with fruits was positively correlated with temperature. There was no relationship between monthly precipitation with either flowering or fruiting. Our results suggest that temperature may determine when the species reproduces, thus affecting food availability for wildlife. The phenological variations we recorded are relevant to decisions for the conservation of this species.

Microplastic pollution has become a pressing worldwide environmental crisis due to its ubiquitous occurrence and distribution across the globe and potential impacts on ecosystems and human health. An increasing amount of studies on microplastic pollution worldwide have been reported. Nonetheless, knowledge of microplastic abundance, distribution, and characterization in the mid-North Pacific Ocean remained underexplored. Here, we collected microplastic samples from surface waters at 15 field stations in the mid-North Pacific Ocean using a Manta trawl from September 19, 2019, to October 30, 2019 and from a ∼1500 km latitudinal transect (15–25°N) and a ∼4300 km longitudinal transect (150°E-168°W). The abundance, distribution, and characterization of microplastics were investigated. Our results showed that microplastic abundance ranged from 0.06 to 1.23 items m−3, with a mean of 0.51 ± 0.36 items m−3. The most dominant polymer composition, color, and shape of microplastics were polypropylene (PP, 53%), light colors (white and clear, ∼60%), and irregular fragments (∼31%), respectively. A novel diversity index analysis of microplastic characteristics was carried out to identify multiple sources of microplastic pollution, providing a robust tool for inferring sources of microplastic pollution in the open sea. The K-mean cluster analysis suggested that the 15 sampling sites may be divided into a total of 6 clusters with similar polymer composition. The quantitative results from the field survey indicated the widespread occurrence of microplastic pollution in the open sea, which will allow us to better grasp the rate and extent at which the mid-North Pacific Ocean is increasingly polluted with microplastics.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics of maize intercropping with Eucalyptus urophylla at agroforestry system in two triple row distance (alleys) at different sampling distances and positions in relation to the eucalyptus external row (transect), and three positions in relation to the cardinal points: east side, west side and middle. Eucalyptus (E. urophylla) seedlings were planted with spacing of 1.5 m between plants and 3.0 m between rows (triple rows) and two triple row distances: 16.5 and 37.1 m apart, with the spatial exposure of the rows towards north and south, ranging from 888 to 464 plants ha-1. It was observed that treatments differed in relation to the number of ears ha-1 and grain yield in both seasons. In addition, in relation to the final plant density ha-1, in the 2014/2015 season, the maize at 4.2 m distance from eucalyptus at 16.5 m triple row distance had lower number of ears ha-1 and grain yield, and maize at 8.2 m from eucalyptus at 37.1 m triple row distance had greater number of ears and grain yield. The cardinal positions (W/E) in relation to the eucalyptus did not influence the agronomic characteristics of the maize. Key words: Cropping systems, integrated systems, Zea mays.

This study conducted from January to June 2018, attempts to determine the density, habitat preferences and attitudes of people towards Gekko gecko and its impact on the conservation of this species in human-dominated landscapes in Sonitpur district, Assam. Eight villages at different distances from Nameri Tiger Reserve were chosen for the study. The line transects analyzed using DISTANCE software estimated a density of 7.99 individuals ha−1 in fringe villages of Nameri Tiger Reserve which also had higher number of host tree species diversity with higher basal area and density as compared to that of villages distant from Nameri Tiger Reserve. Gekko gecko was sighted on a total of 30 trees (6 species, 2 families), the highest being Ficus rumphii (40%). Maximum sightings of Gekko gecko was done on trees (67%). The occurrence of Gekko gecko was highly influenced by distance from forest (12%), followed by source of income (11%) and gender (4%). The majority of the respondents (53.54%) revealed that Gekko gecko occurred naturally in the homegardens implying that homegardens provided the habitat that can support the populations of Gekko gecko. But 46.45% of the respondents reported that they were adopted (62.16% in villages distant from Nameri Tiger Reserve), which raises serious concerns about the conservation of Gekko gecko in homegardens. Though, majority of the people knew that it is illegal to trade Gekko gecko, the financial benefits of its trade is very alluring. To make homegardens more favourable for the survival of Gekko gecko there should be strict law enforcement, upgradation of the species in the IUCN Red List and options for alternative livelihood.

Stemphylium leaf blight (SLB) caused by Stemphylium vesicarium is the dominant foliar disease affecting large-scale onion production in New York. The disease is managed by fungicides, but control failures are prevalent and recently attributed to fungicide resistance. Little is known of the relative role of inoculum sources in initiation and spread of SLB epidemics. The spatial and spatiotemporal dynamics of SLB epidemics in six onion fields were evaluated along linear transects in 2017 and 2018. Average SLB incidence increased from 0 to 100% throughout the cropping seasons with an average final lesion length of 28.3 cm. Disease progress was typical of a polycyclic epidemic and the logistic model provided the best fit to 83.3% of the datasets. Spatial patterns were better described by the beta-binomial than binomial distribution in half of the datasets and random patterns were more frequently observed by the index of dispersion. Geostatistical analyses of spatial pattern also found a low frequency of datasets with aggregation. Spatiotemporal analysis of epidemics detected that the aggregation was influenced by disease incidence. However, diseased units were not associated with the previous time period according to the spatiotemporal association function of SADIE. Variable spatial patterns suggested mixed inoculum sources dependent upon location, and likely an external inoculum source at the sampling scale used in this study. Plate testing of 28 commercially available organic onion seedlots from 2017 and 2018 did not detect S. vesicarium. This finding suggests that although S. vesicarium has been reported as seed transmitted, this is unlikely to be a significant inoculum source in commercially available organic seed lots and even less so in fungicide-treated seed used to establish conventional fields. A small-plot replicated trial was also conducted in each of two years to quantify the effect of S. vesicarium-infested onion residue on SLB epidemics in a field isolated from other onion fields. SLB incidence was significantly reduced in plots without residue compared to those in which residue remained on the soil surface. Burial of infested residue also significantly reduced epidemic progress in one year. The effect of infested onion residue on SLB epidemics in the subsequent onion crop suggests rotation or residue management may have a substantial effect on epidemics. However, the presence of an inoculum source external to fields in onion production regions as indicated by a lack of spatial aggregation may reduce the efficacy of in-field management techniques.

The widespread of invasive plants across the world has increased the risk of extinction of native plants. It is then necessary for understanding the ecological impacts of invasive plants on neighbouring plant communities where they are found. This study aimed to assess the impacts of the abundance of Pneumatopteris afra on plant diversity of some invaded wetlands in Lafia, Nigeria. Three wetlands with size 500 × 500 m2 each were chosen. Forty 1.5 m × 1.5 m quadrats were laid at 10 m intervals across four 200 m transects at each wetland. The abundance of each plant species within the quadrats was counted and was used to estimate the diversity indices. The impact of the abundance of P. afra on the wetland communities was determined using Pearson correlation coefficients and linear regression models. A total of nine neighbouring plant species including P. afra were identified in all the sites. P. afra has the highest relative frequency and abundance in all the sites. Shannon and Simpson's diversity indices of all the sites are less than 2 showing that they are less diverse. The abundance of P. afra exhibited negative relationships with the diversity indices. Regression models also showed inverse relationships between P. afra and the diversity indices. The colonization of these wetlands by P. afra might be due to its ability to maximize disturbances and limit the growth and expansion of surrounding plants.

Transportation infrastructure has bought many blessings for human civilization, although its negative influences, especially on a forested landscape should be heeded with prime concerns. In this study, we studied, how railway track perforating through Lawachara National Park affecting the nearby vegetation alpha (α) and beta (β) diversity and composition and soil properties, and whether the effects are active until a certain distance into the forest interior. Total 32 plots in 8 transect lines perpendicular to the railway are laid with 4 plots at 10 m, 40 m, 70 m and 100 m distances. Tree and tree regeneration α and β-diversity and composition, and soil organic matter and pH were assessed at each of these plots. Our results showed that, soil organic matter and pH, as well as α-diversity indices were significantly (P .05) with distances. High amount of organic matter in outermost plots was maybe due to the decomposition of litterfall and debris where increased pH value was due to presence of high amount of calcareous substances and plant residue. As the α-diversity of plant decreased with increasing distance from the railway track and in most cases the value decreased until 70 m distance, indicated that the influence of the railway tracks maybe prominent up to 70 m. So, to minimize this effect of vegetation structure proper steps such as careful planning in road building, afforestation using the native species and evaluation of the necessity of infrastructure and possible alternatives to it should be assessed.

Identification of nest predators and anti-predator behavior of Vanellus indicus (red wattled lapwings) were studied during two constitutive breeding periods (March-August) of 2018 and 2019. The study was performed along the river Ganges, Raebareli (Uttar Pradesh), India. The number of nesting pairs was counted by the line transect method and anti-predator responses were recorded by the focal sampling method. The nesting pairs varied significantly within and between study sites and years. A variety of predators (avian, mammalian and reptilian) were identified while some predators were designated in the unknown category. Sitting tight response was significantly different during the incubation period. The mobbing response, flying away and running away responses were significantly different during the post-incubation period. Circle noisily over the nests and alarm call were not significant between the two reproductive stages. We conclude that red wattled lapwings can differentiate among diverse predator species and adopt various anti-predator responses against them at different stages of their breeding cycle.

The Arabian Gulf is a very significant ocean body, which hosts more than 55% of the oil reserves of the world and produces about 30% of the total production, and thus, it is likely to face high risk and adverse problems by the intensified environmental stressors and severe climatic changes. Therefore, understanding the hydrography of the Gulf is very essential to identify various marine environmental issues and subsequently, developing marine protection and management plans. In this study, hydrography data collected at 11 stations along 3 linear transects in the early summer of 2016 were analyzed. The physicochemical parameters exhibited apparent variations along each transect, both laterally and vertically, connected to stratification, formation of different water masses and excessive heating. The temperature and salinity decreased laterally from nearshore to offshore, while layered density structures were identified in the offshore regions. The pH, dissolved oxygen (DO) and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fo) exhibited distinct horizontal and vertical variations. The observed pH is within the normal ranges, indicating that seawater acidification may not be a threat. The highest DO (6.13–8.37 mg/l) was observed in a layer of 24-36 m water depth in the deeper regions of the central transect.

Satellite-derived soil moisture (SM) products have become an important information source for the study of land surface processes in hydrology and land monitoring. Characterizing and estimating soil memory and persistence from satellite observations is of paramount relevance, and has deep implications in ecology, water management, and climate modeling. In this work, we address the problem of SM persistence estimation from microwave sensors using several autocorrelation metrics that, unlike traditional approaches, build on accurate estimates of the autocorrelation function from nonuniformly sampled time series. We show how the choice of the autocorrelation estimator can have a dramatic impact on the SM persistence metrics derived thereof, particularly given the nonuniform nature of satellite observations, yet this fact has been overlooked to a large extent in literature. We give empirical evidence of performance using ground-based SM measurements, as well as L-band Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) and C-band [Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-2 (AMSR2), Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT)] remotely sensed SM data. Experiments along transects allow us to scrutinize the inter-method consistency and the spatial-temporal characteristics of autocorrelation estimators. This motivates the introduction of novel measures of spatial-temporal autocorrelation and allows us to retrieve improved persistence estimates. Results over the Iberian Peninsula indicate the SM persistence patterns captured by L- and C-band microwave sensors over semiarid regions exhibit spatially concurrent patterns of persistence and support their combination in long-term data records. We conclude that accounting for the nonuniform nature of the satellite time series using robust autocorrelation estimations allows providing improved measures and spatial descriptions of SM persistence.

Continental shelves are thought to be affected disproportionately by climate change and are a large contributor to global air–sea carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes. It is often reported that low-latitude shelves tend to act as net sources of CO2, whereas mid- and high-latitude shelves act as net sinks. Here, we combine a high-resolution regional model with surface water time series and repeat transect observations from the Scotian Shelf, a mid-latitude region in the northwest North Atlantic, to determine what processes are driving the temporal and spatial variability of partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) on a seasonal scale. In contrast to the global trend, the Scotian Shelf acts as a net source. Surface pCO2 undergoes a strong seasonal cycle with an amplitude of ∼ 200–250 µatm. These changes are associated with both a strong biological drawdown of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in spring (corresponding to a decrease in pCO2 of 100–200 µatm) and pronounced effects of temperature, which ranges from 0 ∘C in the winter to near 20 ∘C in the summer, resulting in an increase in pCO2 of ∼ 200–250 µatm. Throughout the summer, events with low surface water pCO2 occur associated with coastal upwelling. This effect of upwelling on pCO2 is also in contrast to the general assumption that upwelling increases surface pCO2 by delivering DIC-enriched water to the surface. Aside from these localized events, pCO2 is relatively uniform across the shelf. Our model agrees with regional observations, reproduces seasonal patterns of pCO2, and simulates annual outgassing of CO2 from the ocean of +1.7±0.2 mol C m−2 yr−1 for the Scotian Shelf, net uptake of CO2 by the ocean of -0.5±0.2 mol C m−2 yr−1 for the Gulf of Maine, and uptake by the ocean of -1.3±0.3 mol C m−2 yr−1 for the Grand Banks.

Amphibian distribution on degradated habitat in Pasir Bintang and Manduriang districts of the Gunung Raya Wildlife Reserve, South Sumatra Province is caused by human activities, namely illegal logging and coffee plantations. Amphibians are one of the components that make up ecosystems that are very sensitive to environmental changes. This study aims to know the pattern of the amphibian species distribution on degradated habitat as a first step in conserving them. The method used is a line transect combination method with an encounter survey or Visual Encounter Survey (VES) with a time search of 3 hours in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats and the coordinates of the encounter are recorded. Trap by using a drift fence and pitfall traps at the affected location and also by using the interview method with the surrounding community and forest police. Determination of the distribution of amphibians is done by mapping the coordinates of the encounters that have been recorded using GPS with the help of the location of the coordinates on Google Earth into the amphibian distribution map. The results obtained are in the form of mapping the coordinates of amphibian encounters in the affected area. The conclusion of this study is the distribution of amphibian species in degradated habitat that have been encroached by illegal logging and coffee plantations are very few types and limited distribution due to habitat destruction and the small amount of food available.

Due to its topographic and climatic diversity, the state of Querétaro possesses high levels of amphibian and reptile richness, abundance, and endemism. However, this information must be updated constantly as regions with previously little to no information are further explored, using sampling methods that allow efficient recording of biological diversity. The objective of this study was to compare herpetofaunistic diversity among three different vegetation types (oak–forest, grassland, and associated secondary vegetation) using two sampling methods (pitfall/funnel traps and transects). We registered thirteen species: five amphibians, and eight reptiles. We found differences in species dominancy with amphibians showing higher values of relative abundance in oak forest and grassland for both sampling methods. Transects showed a higher effective number of species for q0, q1, and q2. The oak forest and secondary vegetation possess comparable similarity percentages and did not show significant differences (p = 0.54). We observed significant differences between the grassland and secondary vegetation (p = 0.02). We found high distinctness levels (> 70%) between sampling techniques. The present study shows the importance of protected natural areas as shelters for threatened groups such as amphibians and reptiles, and highlights the importance of using complementary sampling methods.

In this study, the author report detailed results of the variation of arsenic in groundwater along a transect in an area near the Hanoi city centre. The results showed that 64% of collected samples exceeded the WHO guideline value for arsenic concentration in drinking water. The arsenic concentration varied in a wide range, strongly depending on the sediment characteristics of each zone along the transect. Aside from As, groundwater in this area also was contaminated by elevated concentrations of Fe, Mn, and ammonium. The study also pointed out a positive correlation between As and reductive chemical species, namely DOC, NH4+, and CH4 in groundwater. Although there is no clear trend in the correlation between As and Fe, Mn, it can be concluded that the formation of arsenic in groundwater in the study area was due to the reductive dissolution of As-bearing iron minerals under the presence of organic matter.

There is an imminent need to collect information on distribution and abundance of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) to understand how they are affected by the ongoing decrease in Arctic sea ice. The Kane Basin (KB) subpopulation is a group of high-latitude polar bears that ranges between High Arctic Canada and NW Greenland around and north of the North Water polynya (NOW). We conducted a line transect distance sampling aerial survey of KB polar bears during 28 April–12 May 2014. A total of 4160 linear kilometers were flown in a helicopter over fast ice in the fjords and over offshore pack ice between 76° 50′ and 80° N′. Using a mark-recapture distance sampling protocol, the estimated abundance was 190 bears (95% lognormal CI: 87–411; CV 39%). This estimate is likely negatively biased to an unknown degree because the offshore sectors of the NOW with much open water were not surveyed because of logistical and safety reasons. Our study demonstrated that aerial surveys may be a feasible method for obtaining abundance estimates for small subpopulations of polar bears.

The commonly observed negative relationship between stomatal density (SD) and atmospheric CO2 has led to SD being proposed as an indicator of atmospheric CO2 concentration. The use of SD as a proxy for CO2 , however, has been hampered by an insufficient understanding of the intraspecific variation of this trait. We hypothesized that SD in Pinus sylvestris, a widely distributed conifer, varies geographically and that this variation is determined by major climatic variables. By sampling needles from naturally growing trees along a latitudinal range of 32.25°, equivalent to 13.7°C gradient of mean annual temperature (MAT) across Europe, we found that SD decreased from the warmest southern sites to the coldest sites in the north at a rate of 4 stomata per mm2 for each 1°C, with MAT explaining 44% of the variation. Additionally, samples from a provenance trial exhibited a positive relationship between SD and the MAT of the original localities, suggesting that high SD is an adaptation to warm temperature. Our study revealed one of the strongest intraspecific relationships between SD and climate in any woody species, supporting the utility of SD as a temperature, rather than direct CO2 , proxy. In addition, our results predict the response of SD to climate warming.

Human-induced wildfires are increasing in frequency in tropical forests, and their deleterious consequences for biodiversity include decreases in seed rain, which may be affected directly by fire or indirectly by the creation of edges between forest and non-forest environments. Understanding seed rain is key to assess the potential for natural regeneration in plant communities. We assessed the impact of fire and fire-created edges on seed rain species richness, abundance, size, weight, and dispersal syndromes in Atlantic Forest remnants in Bahia, Brazil. We assessed seed rain at monthly intervals for an entire year along seven 300 m-long transects placed perpendicular to the edge. We installed seed traps at the edge and at 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 150 m into the burnt area and into the forest from forest edge. We recorded a total of 9,050 seeds belonging to 250 morphospecies. We did not observe edge influence; however, we detected a lower abundance and proportion of animal-dispersed seeds in the burnt than in the unburnt areas. The seed abundance in the burnt areas was lower and seeds were smaller and lighter than those in the unburnt area. Seed rain in the burnt area was not greater near to the forest than far from it. The abundance and richness of seed rain was positively correlated with tree density. Our findings highlight the lack of seed rain in burnt areas and differences in community composition between the burnt and unburnt areas. Collectively, these results indicate negative consequences on natural regeneration, which can lead to permanent secondarization and challenges for early regeneration of burnt areas, which will initially have impoverished forests due to low seed richness.

BACKGROUND Drainage tube removal is difficult when the greater omentum becomes incarcerated in the drainage tube through the side holes. Currently, known removal methods are either ineffective or will cause additional damage to the patient in a secondary operation. Ureteroscopy and the holmium laser have been used in various surgical techniques in urology, and in theory, they are expected to be a good strategy for solving the problem of tissue incarceration. CASE SUMMARY Four patients diagnosed with difficult removal of an abdominal drainage tube following abdominal surgery are reported. All patients underwent surgery to remove the incarcerated greater omentum in the drainage tube using a holmium laser and a ureteroscope, and a new 16-F drain was then placed in the abdominal or pelvic cavity. The efficacy of this technique was evaluated by intraoperative conditions, success rate, and operating time; safety was evaluated by perioperative conditions and the probability of postoperative complications. All four operations went smoothly, and the drains were successfully removed in all patients. The average operating time was 24.5 min. Intraoperatively, the average irrigation volume was 892.0 mL, the average drainage volume was 638.5 mL, and no bleeding or damage to surrounding tissues was observed. Postoperatively, the average drainage volume was 32.8 mL and the new drains were removed within 36 h. All patients were able to get out of bed and move around within 12 h. Their visual analogue pain scores were all below 3. The average follow-up duration was 12.5 mo and no complications such as fever or bleeding were noted. CONCLUSION Ureteroscopic holmium laser surgery is an effective, safe and minimally invasive technique for removing drains where the greater omentum is incarcerated in the abdominal drain.

Summary This paper describes advances made to aerial surveys of macropods in New South Wales and Queensland. Regular aerial surveys of macropods across large areas of Australia’s arid and semi-arid rangelands were established as a response to concerns for the species’ conservation. They became integral to the harvest management of the four macropod species – Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), Western Grey Kangaroo (M. fuliginosus), Red Kangaroo (Osphranter rufus) and Common Wallaroo (O. robustus). Harvest quotas are set as a proportion of population size, requiring absolute estimates of abundance. Counts were made in strip transects from fixed-wing aircraft, but required correction for animals that are missed. In New South Wales and Queensland, counts are now made using line transect sampling, providing survey-specific correction. Helicopters are used in more rugged and timbered areas and where Common Wallaroo can be more frequently found and harvested. Mark-recapture distance sampling is used in more open country that can be surveyed using fixed-wing aircraft and improves the accuracy of density estimates by accounting for animals missed on the transect line. Macropod populations are likely to be surveyed in the future by airborne imagery and by drones, but the technology needs further development. Spatial models could usefully provide small-scale density estimates and address non-random sampling.

Birds’ activities may cause short-circuit damages of transmission line (TL), especially in the areas without tall trees and other vegetation. ± 400 kV Qaidam-Lhasa DC TL with an average altitude of about 4650 m in China is the highest DC TL in the world. Since November 2011 to the end of January 2017, there have been a total of 102 short-circuit damages, including 95 damages caused by birds. The damages were mainly caused by the defecation of birds. This paper analyzes the characteristics and causes of flashover damages of the Project. Moreover, A survey of birds along the TL was carried out by using line transect method and point count method, and then the comprehensive improvement measures for such bird-related outages were put forward. The results show that a total of 26 species of birds are involved in the damages, mainly including large or clustered birds such as Gyps himalayensis, Aegypius monachus, Buteo hemilasius, Buteo buteo and Corvus corax. The damages often occur at night in winter and spring. The prevention measures shall be dominated by guiding type and supplemented by isolation type and expulsion type, and focus on the treatment of tension tower. Through improvement, the outages have been greatly reduced from 2018 to now.

IntroductionIt is essential to understand plant adaptive strategies on plant stoichiometric traits at the species level rather than at the community level under various environmental conditions across the Tibetan Plateau (TP).MethodsHere, plant community function and edaphic and meteorological factors were collected at 111 sites along an extensive water–heat gradient during the peak growing season in 2015. Community-weighted mean trait (CWM) was introduced to illuminating dynamics of the functional trait at the community level.ResultsOur results indicated that plant functional traits, including CWM-leaf total carbon (CWM_LTC), CWM-leaf total nitrogen (CWM_LTN), and CWM-leaf total phosphorus (CWM_LTP), showed similar and comparatively marked increases from alpine meadow (AM) to alpine steppe (AS). Moreover, since the tightly coordinated variation among each plant functional trait of AM was higher than that of AS, a more stable coupling mechanism of these plant functional traits could be observed in AM under a long-term evolutionary habit. Specifically, there was higher annual mean precipitation (AMP) in AM than that in AS significantly (P < 0.01), and AMP was significantly correlated with soil moisture and soil total phosphorus in AM. Generally, our findings suggest that precipitation determines divergent coupling plant community function in both AS and AM.

Understanding the habitat preference of the Stone Partridge (Ptilopachus petrosus) is a crucial step for its conservation and management across different ecosystems. This study was focused on the environmental factors and the vegetation data of the species habitat which were collected from 60 plots surveyed along 6 perpendiculars transects. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between the Stone Partridge and the environmental variables. Phytoecological data were analysed using a Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) to identify the different plant communities from which Shannon and Pielou indices have been measured. The analyses identified the proximity of the rocks as the environmental variables which determine the Stone Partridge presence. Three plant communities were associated with the Stone Partridge presence. The plant families most represented were the Poaceae followed by Leguminosae-Papilionoideae, Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae, Rubiaceae, Combretaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Asteraceae, Leguminosae-Mimosoideae and Cyperaceae. The phanerophytes and therophytes were the life forms most represented. The Shannon diversity indices for the plant communities varied from 2.12 at 4.53 bits. The identification of preferred habitats are a valuable tool for managers interested in the conservation of this species, however constant monitoring that identifies changes in the habitats is required to identify detrimental habitat change. Key words: Ptilopachus petrosus, Logistic regression, plant communities, conservation, Benin.

Seagrass communities play an important role in marine environments and estuary area, supporting communities of fish, snails and shellfish and other invertebrates. The diversity of seagrass species in the world is very low (

Increasing the activity of the utilization of mollusc resources by the community, both domiciled around and outside the waters of Tanjung Tiram Beach can have an impact on the sustainability of these resources. This study aims to analyze the density of mollusc and identify the activity of utilization of mollusc resources in the waters of Tanjung Tiram Beach. The study was conducted in October-November 2019 in the waters of Tanjung Tiram Beach, Poka Village. Data collection is taken using the quadratic linear transect method and interviews. The results showed the highest density was represented by Nassarius quadrasi for the gastropod class while for the bivalvia class it was represented by Marcia sp. The high density in both types of mollusc is due to habitat suitability supported by the quality of the waters. Based on respondent data, there are 20 types of mollusc that are used both for consumption, sale and as raw materials for making accessories through the "bameti" activity. Utilization activities are carried out by groups of women and children. The time of taking mollusks is done at low tide which takes place 2 times a week using aids such as coconut shells, spoons, drain and machetes. ABSTRAK Meningkatnya aktivitas pemanfaatan sumberdaya moluska oleh masyarakat, baik yang berdomisili di sekitar maupun di luar perairan Pantai Tanjung Tiram dapat berdampak terhadap keberlanjutan sumberdaya tersebut. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kepadatan moluska serta mengidentifikasi aktivitas pemanfaatan sumberdaya moluska di perairan Pantai Tanjung Tiram. Penelitian dilakukan pada Oktober-November 2019 di perairan Pantai Tanjung Tiram Desa Poka. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode transek linier kuadrat dan wawancara. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan densitas tertinggi diwakili oleh Nassarius quadrasi untuk kelas gastropoda sedangkan untuk kelas bivalvia diwakili oleh Marcia sp. Tingginya densitas pada kedua jenis moluska ini disebabkan oleh kesesuaian habitat yang didukung oleh kualitas perairan. Berdasarkan data responden, terdapat 20 jenis moluska yang dimanfaatkan baik untuk dikonsumsi, di jual maupun sebagai bahan baku pembuatan aksesoris melalui aktivitas “bameti”. Aktivitas pemanfaatan dilakukan oleh kelompok perempuan dan anak-anak. Waktu pengambilan moluska dilakukan pada saat air surut yang berlangsung 2 kali dalam seminggu dengan menggunakan alat bantu seperti tempurung kelapa, sendok, serok dan parang. Kata Kunci: kepadatan, aktivitas pemanfaatan, moluska, “bameti”, perairan Pantai Tanjung Tiram

Habitat fragmentation influences leaf morphology, quantity and quality of plant resources to herbivores, which in turn affects the patterns of fluctuating asymmetry and herbivory in Quercus deserticola. Forest fragmentation has negative effects on biodiversity by modifying environmental conditions, ecological processes and biotic interactions. We analyzed the effects of forest fragment size and habitat type (forest edge × interior) on the amount of plant resources and their quality for herbivores, leaf morphology, fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and herbivory on Quercus deserticola at the Cuitzeo Basin in Mexico. Six forest fragments, where Q. deserticola occurs were classified as (i) small (≤ 10 ha); (ii) medium (≥ 25 ha); and (iii) large (≥ 65 ha). In each forest fragment, four parallel transects of 5 × 50 m were sampled, two located at the edge and two in the interior of the fragments. Chlorophyll content, leaf area, canopy cover and tree size were greater in small than in larger fragments. Leaves of individuals in small fragments and in forest edges were more elongated and wider than in large and in the interior of fragments. Our results also showed higher levels of FA and insect herbivory in the small fragments and forest edges. Insect herbivory was positively correlated with FA in small forest fragments, indicating that the mechanisms driving their interaction are scale-dependent and vary among habitat types according to fragment size. Our findings do not support the idea that the fluctuating asymmetry is a reliable biomarker to detect environmental stress in Q. deserticola in fragmented habitats, but FA may be a good biomarker of plant stress caused by the amount of herbivory damage.

Understanding how terrestrial biotic communities have responded to glacial recession since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) can inform present and future responses of biota to climate change. In Antarctica, the Transantarctic Mountains (TAM) have experienced massive environmental changes associated with glacial retreat since the LGM, yet we have few clues as to how its soil invertebrate-dominated animal communities have responded. Here, we surveyed soil invertebrate fauna from above and below proposed LGM elevations along transects located at 12 features across the Shackleton Glacier region. Our transects captured gradients of surface ages possibly up to 4.5 million years and the soils have been free from human disturbance for their entire history. Our data support the hypothesis that soils exposed during the LGM are now less suitable habitats for invertebrates than those that have been exposed by deglaciation following the LGM. Our results show that faunal abundance, community composition, and diversity were all strongly affected by climate-driven changes since the LGM. Soils more recently exposed by the glacial recession (as indicated by distances from present ice surfaces) had higher faunal abundances and species richness than older exposed soils. Higher abundances of the dominant nematode Scottnema were found in older exposed soils, while Eudorylaimus, Plectus, tardigrades, and rotifers preferentially occurred in more recently exposed soils. Approximately 30% of the soils from which invertebrates could be extracted had only Scottnema, and these single-taxon communities occurred more frequently in soils exposed for longer periods of time. Our structural equation modeling of abiotic drivers highlighted soil salinity as a key mediator of Scottnema responses to soil exposure age. These changes in soil habitat suitability and biotic communities since the LGM indicate that Antarctic terrestrial biodiversity throughout the TAM will be highly altered by climate warming.

Lake level and its inferred East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) evolution in northern boundary of EASM during the Holocene are highly debated. Here, we present a 15-ka record of glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) in a closed lake in northern China to address this issue. Surface and downcore sediment data demonstrate sedimentary GDGT-0 and branched GDGTs (brGDGTs) are of aquatic production. Contents of GDGT-0 and brGDGTs increase but brGDGT-based paleo-temperature proxy decreases with water depth in surface sediments along a nearshore to offshore transect. This trend is likely due to an increasingly hypoxic condition, favored by anaerobic microbes producing these GDGT-0 and brGDGTs, in bottom water. Accordingly, brGDGT-derived water temperature and pH would reflect bottom water conditions that are largely regulated by water depth of the lake. Downcore GDGT data and their derived temperature and pH consistently reveal a gradually increasing lake level from the late Pleistocene to the early Holocene, a high level during 9.5−5 ka BP and a decreasing trend afterward. The lake-level records from independent and robust proxies in this study largely agree with pollen records in the region, supporting a mid-Holocene maximum EASM precipitation.

Актуальность исследования обусловлена необходимостью оценки уровня воздействия крупного целлюлозно-бумажного предприятия, расположенного к северу от г. Сыктывкара, на основе экохимического анализа зимних атмосферных осадков (снега), продемонстрировать целесообразность применения такого подхода в экологических исследованиях. Цель: показать динамику аэротехногенной нагрузки на территорию вблизи АО «Монди СЛПК» по данным о химическом составе снежного покрова за период мониторинга. Объекты: образцы снежного покрова, отобранные в зоне воздействия предприятия и на условно фоновых территориях. Методы: снегосъемка с использованием трансект на постоянных пунктах отбора проб, применение аналитических методов согласно руководству по контролю загрязнения атмосферы (РД 52.04.186-89), картографические методы оценки распространения загрязнения в снежном покрове с использованием метода интерполяции (метод обратных взвешенных расстояний), применение алгебры карт для расчета площадей зон воздействия. Результаты. Представлены результаты экохимического мониторинга снежного покрова в зоне воздействия выбросов АО «Монди СЛПК» за многолетний период. Дана общая характеристика распределения компонентов выбросов относительно источника эмиссии. Мониторинг снежного покрова в импактной зоне предприятия позволил провести анализ динамики аэротехногенной нагрузки. Результаты расчета поступления веществ на территорию предприятия в 2019 г. показали наиболее низкий уровень загрязнения снежного покрова за весь период наблюдений, 66 % относительно объемов 2002 г. Отмечено снижение поступления загрязнителей, начиная с 2016 г. после реконструкции предприятия. Концентрации примесей в талой воде за пределами санитарно-защитной зоны не превышали санитарно-гигиенических нормативов. По данным мониторинга снежного покрова показан тренд к снижению аэрогенного воздействия. The relevance of the research is caused by the need to assess the level of impact of a large pulp and paper enterprise located north of the Ezhvinsky district of Syktyvkar on the basis of ecochemical analysis of winter precipitation (snow), to show the feasibility of using this approach in environmental studies. The main aim is to show the dynamics of the aerotechnogenic load on the territory near the Syktyvkar timber industry complex based on the data on snow cover chemical composition during the monitoring period. Objects: snowpack samples, selected in the zone of influence of emissions of Mondi Syktyvkar JSC and conditionally background areas. Methods: snow survey using transect, adhering to constant sampling points, application of analytical methods according to the air pollution control manual (GD 52.04.186-89), cartographic methods for estimating the spread of pollution in the snow cover using the interpolation method (inverse weighted distance method), application of map algebra for calculating the areas of impact zones. Results. The authors present the results of ecochemical monitoring of snow cover in the zone of aerotechnogenic impact of emissions Mondi Syktyvkar JSC for a multi-year period. A general description of the distribution of individual components of emissions relative to the emission center is given. Long-term monitoring of snow cover in the impact and sanitary protection zones of the enterprise allowed us to analyze the dynamics of the aerotechnogenic load on the territory. The results of the calculation of the modules of substances entering the territory of the enterprise in 2019 showed the lowest level of contamination of the snow cover for the entire observation period, 66 % compared to the volumes of 2002. A significant decrease in the content of components in the snow was noted, starting in 2016 after the reconstruction of the enterprise. Samples of snowmelt water outside the territory of the sanitary protection zone do not exceed the sanitary and hygienic standards for fisheries reservoirs for all components. In general, based on the results of ecochemical monitoring of snow cover, the trend towards reducing the aerogenic impact of the enterprise on the adjacent territory is shown.

Over the last decade, increasing proliferations of Atlantic Sargassum populations have led to massive beaching with disastrous environmental consequences. This study is a preliminary assessment of open ocean Sargassum spp. element concentration to assess their potential contribution on coastal ecosystems. Sargassum spp. samples from seven sites, collected along a transect from the center of the Atlantic Ocean to near the coast of Martinique (French West Indies), were analyzed to determine their potential metal and metalloid enrichment. Mean element concentrations from the Sargassum spp. samples were ranked in the following descending order: As > Fe > Mn > Al > Zn > V > Ni > Cu > Cr > Cd > Hg. Element concentrations are relatively low compared to previous results of beached Sargassum spp. except for As that need to be carefully considered before reusing Sargassum spp.

Galega officinalis L. goat’s rue (Fabaceae Lindl.) in Jaslo-Krosno Basin. Goat’s rue naturally occurs in the south and south-east parts of Europe. In southern Poland, it occurs in anthropogenic localities mainly. The aim of the study was presentation habitat diversification on different sites, identifying resources of Galega officinalis, and reviewing the phytotherapeutic uses of this species. Transect method was used to looking for new localities, and habitat diversity was investigated by the Braun-Blanquet’s phytosociological method. New localities were found in the eastern part of Jaslo and in Potok near Krosno (SE Poland). Allnew localities are anthropogenic in character and are located in places with an altered soil substrate. The studied plots belong mainly to the Artemisietea vulgaris class. The total area covered by Galega officinalis amounts to approximately 0,15 ha and can be a source of seed and seedlings for small-area crop fields. This species has very broad phytotherapeutic uses for both humans and farm animals.

Context Determining population size or density is often fundamental for wildlife conservation. For nocturnal species, indices are commonly used in place of abundance estimates, with spotlighting indices (e.g. sighting rate per km) being prevalent. Distance sampling is a collection of techniques that provide estimates of wildlife abundance from line-transect data, by correcting raw counts for imperfect detection. These methods have rarely been used to assess the abundance of nocturnal arboreal mammals. Aims To develop and evaluate a method for estimating the abundance and density of nocturnal arboreal mammals using double-observer distance sampling, and to apply the approach to a survey of the southern greater glider (Petauroides volans) in the Strathbogie Ranges, Victoria, Australia. Methods Two observers, 15–20 min apart, surveyed 25 randomly located 500 m transects, and recorded greater gliders using spotlights and binoculars. Densities and abundances were derived from the line-transect data by using mark–recapture distance sampling (MRDS) models and were compared with conventional distance sampling analysis (CDS). Key results Using the double-observer approach, we estimated an overall density of 0.96 gliders ha−1 (95% CI 0.60–1.50), giving a population estimate of 24 575 greater gliders across the Strathbogie Ranges (25 865 ha, 95% CI 15 620–38 661). The corresponding estimates for the study area derived using CDS applied to either both observers’ observations or to the first observer’s observations only, were 87% and 53% respectively, of the MRDS estimate. The analysis confirmed that the probability of detection of gliders along the transect line was less than one, justifying the use of the double-observer method to obtain accurate estimates of abundance. Conclusions The low detectability of greater gliders means that uncorrected spotlight counts will underestimate abundance, as will CDS. The double-observer method corrects for the negative bias associated with raw counts, enabling more accurate estimation of abundance for survey, monitoring and management purposes. Implications We recommend that double-observer distance sampling is adopted as a standard technique for estimating the abundance of greater gliders. The double-observer method potentially has wider relevance for assessing population size of other arboreal mammals, providing the assumptions of the approach can be met.

Land-use change from a rubber plantation into the ITERA campus area causes an ecological transition. The components of ecology affected are vegetation and wildlife (bird). Geographic information systems can be used to assess the condition of vegetation and its relation to the ecological component. This study analyses bird diversity, vegetation condition through the NDVI value distribution, and then analyses the bird distribution based on vegetation condition. Observation in transect is the method for collecting bird distribution data. Analyses of vegetation condition was carried out based on NDVI. Analyses of bird distribution based on vegetation condition was carried out spatially by overlaying thematic maps of vegetation with bird distribution. This research found 28 bird species belonging to 18 families with diversity index (H’) 1.84. The highest abundance species were Lonchura punctulata, Passer montanus, and Hirundo tahitica. The NDVI values ranged from -0.64-0.87. ITERA vegetation conditions are divided into five classes: very rare vegetation (VRV), rare vegetation (RV), m vegetation (MV), dense vegetation class (DVC), and very dense vegetation (VDV). Total encounters with birds in this study were 753. The distribution of birds to the vegetation conditions in ITERA has a higher tendency and diverse vegetation have implications of birds to use the vegetation. In the VRV class, there were 4 encounters, RV 37, MV 157, DVC 235, and VDV 315. Also, the number of bird species tends to increase along with the increasing vegetation value. Lonchura punctulata is a bird with the highest abundance in each vegetation class, followed by Passer montanus and Pycnonotus aurigaster. Key words: bird distribution, ITERA, land-use change, vegetation condition

The variations in the lake area, water level, and water volume change of the Aral Sea from 1987 to 2018 were analyzed in this study, which is based on the multi-temporal Landsat images and remote sensing water body index (Normalized Difference Water Index, NDWI). Lake shorelines were automatically digitized and visualized using Net Shoreline Movement (NSM) and Linear Regression Rate (LRR) by Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS). The surface area, water level, and water volume change of the North Aral Sea were not changed significantly in 1987-2018. The maximum lake area appeared in March 2015 with 3550.15 km2, the minimum lake area appeared in October 2001with 2830.56 km2. However, since 2010 the South Aral Sea split into the East Aral Sea and the West Aral Sea, the area change has shrunk dramatically. The area of the East Aral Sea decreased by 17852.65 km2 (89.99 %) from March 2011 to September 2018. The area of the West Aral Sea decreased by 2203.62 km2 (35.96 %) from August 2014 to March 2017. The distance of lake shoreline changes and rates of net movement along transects were determined by DSAS. The two largest positive values of NSM were 18715.93 and 12268.67 m, which showed lake shoreline retreat, occurred in the periods of 2010-2018 in the East Aral Sea and 1987-1999 in the South Aral Sea, respectively. The two periods in which the largest negative value of NSM appeared was (1987-1993) and (2001-2010) in the North Aral Sea, and the lake shoreline expanding distance was 145.43 and 545.84 m, respectively.

The greater glider (Petauroides volans) is a difficult species to study because they are arboreal, spending the majority of their time in the canopy. Here we review methods used to capture greater gliders and describe methods that are more effective in capturing greater gliders while decreasing risks to animal welfare. The routine uses (1) detection surveys (three methods trialled) to identify hollows occupied by greater gliders, and (2) tree climbing of identified den trees by a qualified tree climber who extracts the greater glider by hand from the hollow if it is shallow enough or waits up to 60 min for the animal to emerge and then catches it by hand. Detection of gliders residing inside a hollow was most efficient by tracking gliders 2 h before dawn, when compared to stationary stag watching and spotlighting along short transects at last light. Once located, success rate for capturing greater gliders from a den by tree climbing and hand capture was 76% (22/29 attempted captures) compared to zero captures from a long-pole-and-net method. Detailed guidelines on the climb and catch method are provided.

The Basin and Range and Rio Grande rift (RGR) are regions of crustal extension in southwestern North America that developed after Laramide-age shortening, but it has not been clear whether onset and duration of extension in these contiguous extensional provinces were the same. We conducted a study of exhumation of fault blocks along a transect from the southeastern Basin and Range to across the RGR in southern New Mexico. A suite of 128 apatite and 63 zircon (U-Th)/He dates (AHe and ZHe), as well as 27 apatite fission-track (AFT) dates, was collected to investigate the cooling and exhumation histories of this region. Collectively, AHe dates range from 3 to 46 Ma, ZHe dates range from 2 to 288 Ma, and AFT dates range from 10 to 34 Ma with average track lengths of 10.8–14.1 µm. First-order spatiotemporal trends in the combined data set suggest that Basin and Range extension was either contemporaneous with Eocene–Oligocene Mogollon-Datil volcanism or occurred before volcanism ended ca. 28 Ma, as shown by trends in ZHe data that suggest reheating to above 240 °C at that time. AHe and ZHe dates from the southern RGR represent a wider range in dates that suggest the main phase of cooling occurred after 25 Ma, and these blocks were not reheated after exhumation. Time-temperature models created by combining AHe, AFT, and ZHe data in the modeling software HeFTy were used to interpret patterns in cooling rate across the study area and further constrain magmatic and/or volcanic versus faulting related cooling. The Chiricahua Mountains and Burro Mountains have an onset of rapid extension, defined as cooling rates in excess of >15 °C/m.y., at ca. 29–17 Ma. In the Cookes Range, a period of rapid extension occurred at ca. 19–7 Ma. In the San Andres Mountains, Franklin Mountains, Caballo Mountains, and Fra Cristobal range, rapid extension occurred from ca. 23 to 9 Ma. Measured average track lengths are longer in Rio Grande rift samples, and ZHe dates of >40 Ma are mostly present east of the Cookes Range, suggesting different levels of exhumation for the zircon partial retention zone and the AFT partial annealing zone. The main phase of fault-block uplift in the southern RGR occurred ca. 25–7 Ma, similar to what has been documented in the northern and central sections of the rift. Although rapid cooling occurred throughout southern New Mexico, thermochronological data from this study with magmatic and volcanic ages suggest rapid cooling was coeval with magmatism in the Basin and Range, whereas in the Rio Grande rift cooling occurred during an amagmatic gap. These observations support a model where an early phase of extension was facilitated by widespread ignimbrite magmatism in the southeastern Basin and Range, whereas in the southern Rio Grande rift, extension started later and continues today and may have occurred between local episodes of basaltic magmatism. These differences in cooling history make the Rio Grande rift tectonically distinct from the Basin and Range. We infer based on geologic and thermochronological evidence that the onset of extension in the southern Rio Grande rift occurred at ca. 27–25 Ma, significantly later than earlier estimates of ca. 35 Ma.

Snow insulates the soil from air temperature, decreasing winter cold stress and altering energy use for organisms that overwinter in the soil. As climate change alters snowpack and air temperatures, it is critical to account for the role of snow in modulating vulnerability to winter climate change. Along elevational gradients in snowy mountains, snow cover increases but air temperature decreases, and it is unknown how these opposing gradients impact performance and fitness of organisms overwintering in the soil. We developed experimentally validated ecophysiological models of cold and energy stress over the past decade for the montane leaf beetle Chrysomela aeneicollis, along five replicated elevational transects in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California. Cold stress peaks at mid-elevations, while high elevations are buffered by persistent snow cover, even in dry years. While protective against cold, snow increases energy stress for overwintering beetles, particularly at low elevations, potentially leading to mortality or energetic tradeoffs. Declining snowpack will predominantly impact mid-elevation populations by increasing cold exposure, while high elevation habitats may provide refugia as drier winters become more common.

We evaluated the influence of soil properties, climate, and space on the distribution of herbaceous-shrub species in the Cerrado biome. We determined species composition, cover, and richness along 25 line transects in Cerrado (savanna-like vegetation) in three protected areas with different soil types and altitudes. Soil physicochemical properties, climate, and geographic coordinates were included in the analysis as species distribution predictors. We observed high species richness in all sites, especially in the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park (PNCV) and the Brasilia National Park (PNB), with over 200 species each. Only 16% of the species were recorded in all sites, indicating high species turnover for Cerrado herbaceous-shrub layer. The transformation-based redundancy analysis indicated that differences in the herbaceous-shrub flora were associated with soil physicochemical properties and climate. Species composition was primarily influenced by higher annual precipitation for PNCV, by the highest clay content and soil pH for PNB, and by greater annual mean temperature for Terra Ronca State Park (PETER). Soil, climate, and their spatially structured fraction explained herbaceous-shrub species distribution in the Cerrado (43.6%). The spatial variation which is not correlated to the environment adds only 4.5% to the model. Taken together, our findings provide a basis for understanding the distribution patterns of herbaceous-shrub species across climate, soil, and geographic distance. These findings are critical for the development of strategies to protect biodiversity and endangered species in the Cerrado, especially in the region most threatened by deforestation (PETER).

Understanding habitat needs and patch utilization of wild and managed bees has been identified as a national research priority in the United States. We used occupancy models to investigate patterns of bee use across 1030 transects spanning a gradient of floral resource abundance and richness and distance from apiaries in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of the United States. Estimates of transect use by honey bees were nearly 1.0 during our 3.5‐month sampling period, suggesting honey bees were nearly ubiquitous across transects. Wild bees more frequently used transects with higher flower richness and more abundant flowers; however, the effect size of the native flower abundance covariate (β^native = 3.90 ± 0.65 [1SE]) was four times greater than the non‐native flower covariate (β^non‐native = 0.99 ± 0.17). We found some evidence that wild bee use was lower at transects near commercial apiaries, but the effect size was imprecise (β^distance = 1.4 ± 0.81). Honey bees were more frequently detected during sampling events with more non‐native flowers and higher species richness but showed an uncertain relationship with native flower abundance. Of the 4039 honey bee and flower interactions, 85% occurred on non‐native flowers, while only 43% of the 738 wild bee observations occurred on non‐native flowers. Our study suggests wild bees and honey bees routinely use the same resource patches in the PPR but often visit different flowering plants. The greatest potential for resource overlap between honey bees and wild bees appears to be for non‐native flowers in the PPR. Our results are valuable to natural resource managers tasked with supporting habitat for managed and wild pollinators in agroecosystems., We investigated use of grassland patches by wild bees and honey bees. Our study showed that while honey bees and wild bees commonly co‐occurred at the same resource patches, they often visited different species of flowers within patches.

Shale-derived soils have higher clay, organic matter, and secondary Fe oxide content than other bedrock types, all of which can sequester Hg. However, shales also can be Hg-rich due to their marine formation. The objectives of this study were to determine the concentration and phase partitioning of Hg in seven upland weathering profiles from New York to Tennessee USA and use geochemical normalization techniques to estimate the extent of Hg inheritance from weathering of shale bedrock or sequestration of atmospheric Hg. Total Hg concentrations in unweathered shale ranged from 3 to 94 ng/g. Total Hg concentrations decreased with depth in the Ultisols and Alfisols, with total Hg concentrations ranging from 18 to 265 ng/g. Across all shale soils and rocks, the oxidizable fraction of Hg (15% H2O2 extraction) comprised a large portion of the total Hg at 68% ± 8%. This fraction was dominated by organic matter as confirmed with positive correlations between Hg and %LOI, but could also be impacted by Hg sulfides. Across all sites, the reducible fraction of Hg (citrate-bicarbonate-dithionite extraction) was only 10% ± 4% of the total Hg on average. Thus, secondary Fe oxides did not contain a significant portion of Hg, as commonly observed in tropical soils. Although colder sites had a higher organic matter and sequestered more Hg, τ values for Hg indexed to Ti suggest that atmospheric deposition, such as pollution sources in Ohio River Valley, drove the highest enrichment of Hg along the transect. These results demonstrate that shale-derived soils have a net accumulation and retention of atmospheric Hg, primarily through stabilization by organic matter.

Nepenthes spp. is kind of plant that arranged ecosystem in West Kalimantan, especially in the Sebomban hill area, Sanggau Regency. But, its existence is threatened so that several species are included in the endangered category according to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The research aims to determine species, community structure, anddistribution patterns of Nepenthes spp. in the area of Sebomban hill, Bonti District, Sanggau Regency. The research method used purposive samplingand systematic sampling with transect. The results showed that there are 3 types of Nepenthes spp. namely N. ampullaria , N. mirabilis and N, gracilis . The density value of Nepenthes spp. ranged from 10 - 45 individual/ ha. The index of importance value of Nepenthes spp. ranged from 42% - 134%, the highest value being Nepenthes ampullaria in location III, while the lowest value was found in location I, namely N. gracilis . All Nepenthes spp. those found at the research location have a pattern of distribution as clustered.

Seaports are introduction hotspots for invasive alien species (IAS). This is especially true for rodents, which have accompanied humans around the globe since the earliest days of ocean-going voyages. The rapid spread of IAS soon after arrival in a new environment is facilitated by further human-mediated transport or landscape features, like roads. By measuring genetic diversity and structure to investigate dispersal pathways, we gained insight into the transport, spread and establishment stages of a biological invasion, leveraging the most common rodent species (R. norvegicus) in this setting. We characterized the genetic structure of three Norway rat populations along a busy industrial road used by trucks to access the Port area in Paranaguá city (Brazil). A total of 71 rats were genotyped using 11 microsatellite markers. The results revealed a pattern of gene flow contrary to the expected stepping-stone model along the linear transect, with the two furthest apart populations being clustered together. We hypothesize that the observed outcome is explained by natural dispersal along the corridor being lower than human-mediated transport. The sampled area furthest from the port is a gas station frequented by trucks which are considered the most likely mode of transportation. In terms of management strategies, we suggest more emphasis should be put on cargo surveillance to lower the risk of Norway rat dispersal, not only for biosecurity, but also for sanitary reasons, as this port is a major grain trading point.

With observed increases in retrogressive thaw slump (RTS) number, rates, and size in recent decades, there is a need to understand these highly dynamic landforms as they impact surrounding ecosystems and infrastructure. There is a general lack of detailed (e.g., daily) field observations of change in RTSs; we help fill this gap by monitoring three RTSs for much of the 2017 thaw period by setting up and tracking survey transects on a near daily basis. We correlated mean daily and cumulative retreat to mean daily air temperature (MDAT), total daily precipitation (TDP), and cumulative thawing degree days (TDD) using various polynomial regressions and Pearson correlation techniques. Our results show that July retreat was highly variable, and periods of increased RTS retreat did not always align with periods of increased air temperature. Also, multiple periods of increased retreat largely driven by sediment distribution in the RTS floor could occur within a single period of increased air temperature. Retreat rates decreased suddenly in early August, indicating a threshold of either air temperature, solar radiation or a combination of both must be reached for increased retreat rates. A statistically significant correlation was found between daily mean and mean cumulative retreat with MDAT (p > 0.001) and TDD (p > 0.001 and > 0.0001) but not with total daily precipitation. Correlating mean cumulative retreat and TDD using polynomial regression generated R2 values greater than 0.99 for all three sites. Both cumulative retreat and TDD account for past and current conditions, as well as lag responses, within the monitoring period. The high R2 values for the correlation of mean cumulative retreat and TDD suggest the potential for accurately modelling RTS retreat with minimal field data (air temperature and headwall position), however modelling is currently restricted to individual RTSs and only within short time scales. Monitoring RTSs on a daily scale allows RTS behaviour and trends to be identified that may be obscured at annual time scales and highlights the importance of all system inputs when considering RTS retreat dynamics.

The Kettara abandoned mine, Morocco, is a highly acid drainage-generating site with negative impacts. In order to impede the water–oxygen migration within tailings of Kettara mine, a store-and-release (SR) cover made with phosphate mine wastes (PMW) layers was implemented on the tailings of Kettara mine in five experimental cells. The characterization of vegetation is an important aspect of the monitoring strategy for the SR cover. In this optic, the objective of this study was to follow the local flora dynamic on the SR cover. Furthermore, this research highlighted the potential of this flora for the development of other appropriate phytomanagement plans of mining wastes. The monitoring surveys were carried out over five years (March 2015–April 2019). Six permanent transects were placed on five-constructed cells. The method of Line Intercept Transect was used to evaluate the vegetation cover and to determinate the floristic composition and relative frequency of the species. Plant diversity was quantified by Shannon diversity (H′) and Pielou evenness (J') indices. Four functional groups of plants were identified; therophytes and chamaephytes were the most abundant. Among 19 recorded families on SR cover, the most widely represented were Compositae (26.83%), Leguminosae and Poaceae with 9.76%, Apiaceae and Brassicaceae with 7.32% of the total taxa for each one of them. Of the 39 identified vascular species on SR cover, the most abundant were Anacyclus valentinus L., Calendula arvensis M.Bieb., Emex spinosa (L.) Campd., Hirschfeldia incana (L.) Lagr.-Foss., Spergularia rubra (L.) J.Presl & C.Presl, Stipa capensisthunb, and Herniaria cinerea L. Significant differences in Shannon diversity index (H′) were observed between the sampling areas (p > 0.05), it ranged from 0.739 to 3.857 bits/ind. on SR cover. The Pielou evenness index was not significantly different through transects; it varied from 0.578 to 0.978. These values indicated an equitable distribution of individuals within species on the investigated transects. The study revealed 29 vascular plant species that represent a great potential to be promoted for the phytomanagement of mine wastes in the context of arid and semi-arid environments.

This study delineates the role of small and medium river inputs, Low Saline Plume Advection (LSPA) and eddies in hydrography alteration and Chlorophyll a (Chl. a) in the Western Bay of Bengal. Samples were collected across five transects viz: Hooghly (HO), Mahanadi (MN), Rushikulya (RK), Visakhapatnam (VSKP) and Godavari (GD) during Fall Intermonsoon. Each transect consists of 7 or 8 locations from inshore to offshore. LSPA propagates southward concordance with the East India Coastal Current (EICC) and its southward flow strengthened by a cold-core eddy. LSPA results in the intermittent low salinity in the cross-shore section of HO, MN and RK. Upper layer Chl. a is 2–3 folds higher in inshore and in LSP-influenced locations than in its adjacent stations. The present study identified Double Chlorophyll a Maxima (DoCM) in LSPA-influenced slope regions of MN and RK. DoCM is less known in the BoB. DoCM has both the Surface Chl. a Maxima (SCM) and Subsurface Chl. a Maxima (SSCM). SSCM layer is relatively shallow and intense in slope and offshore regions of MN and RK due to their closeness with cold-core eddy. The present study highlights that freshwater discharge from small and medium rivers impacts hydrobiology around 10–50 km from the shore depends on the magnitude of river influx. LSPA is away from the local inputs and impacts hydrobiology (>500 km) along the path. EICC and eddies together regulated the direction of LSPA. Existing eddies nature alters vertical hydrobiology in slope and offshore regions.

The Sebangau National Park is a major stronghold for Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii) ranging from 6000 – 9000 individuals. In comparison with Bornean Orangutans, very little ecological fieldwork has been conducted to investigate sun bear biology, and there have been no thorough surveys of distribution or population densities. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the basic information on niche overlap between these two endangered species, specifically to quantify their relationship within the small-scale habitat in Punggualas area, SNP. Data was collected and measured during 15 – 21 June 2019; using line transects methods. A total of 6580 m was walked along 8 consecutive transects. Bear and aging sign follow Augeri protocols. A total 18 printed mark-claw and 17 Orangutan nests was measured according to the mentioned methodology. The relationships between signs use binary logistic regressions (StatPlus for Mac) and PCA model (using R), while interspecific relationships use Co-Occurrence modeling, ESP for Windows. The results showed that there is no difference between bear sign and orangutan nest (c2: 26.249; df :1, p-value : 0.001); While the results on habitat selection between transects is failed to reject the null hypothesis (c2 = 0.29; df :1, p-value : 0.490). The Mann-Whitney U test, also confirmed no distinctive overlap between the Orangutan and the Sun Bear (Z: 0.84; p-value: 0.40). The co-occurrence simulations also revealed significant results (C-Score = 1.00), by means both target animals co-existed in the habitat. Obviously, the Orangutan and Sun Bear occupy the same habitat. There is no distinctive overlap between them in terms of tree species selection and having a close interrelationship in terms of feeding ground, whereas the fruiting is not available. The only distinctive difference is that the Bear sign was tend hindering waterlogged terrain.

Mississippian carbonate and silica-rich reservoirs of northern and central Oklahoma formed along a regionally extensive carbonate ramp to basin transect. The stratigraphy, lithology, and porosity characteristics of the Mississippian Meramec and Osage series significantly vary as older ramp carbonates prograde southward and transition into younger calcareous and quartz-rich silt deposits of the Anadarko Basin. Lithofacies identified within the northern carbonate-dominated portion of the system commonly include altered chert, skeletal grainstones, peloidal packstones-grainstones, bioturbated wackestones-packstones, bioturbated mudstones-wackestones, glauconitic sandstones, and siliceous shale. Lithofacies within the southern siliciclastic-dominated portion of the system include structureless to bioturbated sandstones, siltstones, and laminated mudstones, each with varying degrees of carbonate content. We have grouped these core-based lithofacies into dominant lithologies/rock types, which tie to well-log properties. Electrofacies classification methods including the artificial neural network (ANN) and k-means clustering predict lithologies in noncored wells. ANN yielded the highest overall prediction accuracy of 85% for lithologies. Core, well log, and lithology log data establish the regional stratigraphic framework. The Mississippian interval of interest subdivides into 16 stratigraphic zones. A depositional-dip-oriented cross section and the associated reservoir models illustrate the proximal to distal and stratigraphic variability of the lithology and porosity. Lithology trends moving from north to south, from older to younger strata, reveal a carbonate-dominated succession capped by diagenetically altered chert northward shifting into a siliciclastic-dominated interval, which increases in clay content southward. Northward, prospective conventional reservoirs developed near cycle tops within diagenetically replaced cherts and cherty limestones associated with subaerial exposure and sea-level fluctuations. Southward, higher total porosity associates with increased clay content linked to the suppression of calcite cement, forming prospective unconventional targets near the bases of depositional cycles.

This study assessed the cooling ranges of small greenspaces (SGs) along the edges of surrounding areas and identified the spatial cooling distance threshold. Five SGs in a natural preserved public area located in College Station, Texas, USA, and a reference site (Rf) were selected for this study. Air temperature data collection took six rounds from fall to early summer. In each round air temperature was collected three times during a day (i.e., 10 h, 13 h, and 16 h). Temperature sensing units (TVCs) and loggers recorded air temperature every second via a transect survey. The cooling distance was determined according to each SG’s radius: (1) the centroid of the SG (GC), (2) the edge of the SG (GE), (3) 1.25 times the radius away from the GC (1.25R), and (4) 1.5 times the radius away from the GC (1.5R). Our findings showed the SGs’ cooling effect (∆TRf−i) surpassed their edges in general. The cooling degrees at the GC were higher and dropped continuously from the GE to 1.25R ending with 1.5R showing the lowest. In fall, the SGs’ mean cooling degree exceeded 9.24% at 1.5R compared to Rf. In early summer, the SGs’ mean cooling effects decreased significantly while showing a very small difference between the measurement points. Our findings contribute to uncovering some specific design features with SGs to cooling down cities by applying advanced technology. Our findings will help designers, planners, researchers, and local government officials by providing an optimal landscape planning and design guide for mitigating urban heat.

Restoration of natural forests previously replaced by plantations is a widespread challenge for forestry in Chile and elsewhere. However, there is little documented evidence for successful restoration, either through active or passive approaches. In this study, we aimed at (1) determining the potential for passive restoration in first-rotation Pinus radiata plantations through natural regeneration of native tree species and (2) identifying drivers of this advance regeneration. Across different regions in south-central Chile, we established nearly 260 plots to assess regeneration and environmental conditions along 26 transects running from plantations into adjacent natural forests. The regeneration was exclusively composed by native species, except for 7 individuals of P. radiata. Mean density and diversity of seedlings were significantly higher in natural forests than in plantations, but this was not the case for sapling density, and no differences in sapling diversity were supported. Additionally, significant differences in regeneration composition between plantations and natural forests were found only at two of the eight study sites. Compared to climatic and soil chemical variables, which varied mostly at regional scales, local environmental conditions showed little influence on regeneration, possibly due to the structural homogeneity of plantations. Yet, the significantly higher basal area, litter thickness and gap fraction of plantations compared to natural forests suggest that these factors may explain differences at the seedling stage. Our study indicates that the use of appropriate harvesting methods that maintain advance regeneration may facilitate the transition from plantations to native forests through passive restoration. The use this approach should be further investigated through analyzing regeneration’s response to different forms of plantation harvesting.

Bergmann’s rule predicts a larger body size for endothermic organisms in colder environments. The multiplicity of patterns and processes is expected because body size and temperature are two most fundamental factors on which many physiological, ecological and evolutionary processes depend, affecting all levels of biological organization, from individuals to communities. The confounding results from previous studies may be due to the differences in taxonomic (intraspecific, interspecific and community) and spatial (latitudinal vs elevational) scales. We compared Bergmann’s patterns for endotherms (Aves) and ectotherms (Lepidoptera:Sphingidae) along a same 2.6 km elevational transect in the eastern Himalayas. Using a large data spanning 3,302 hawkmoths (76 morpho-species) and 15,746 birds (245 species), we compared the patterns at the intraspecific (hawkmoths only), interspecific and community scales. At the interspecific scale, we account for phylogenetic non-independence in body mass by using a heirarchical linear mixed effects model for hawkmoths, and a phylogenetic generalised least squares model for birds. We assess the importance of using abundance-weighted metrics at the community scales, after accounting for spatial auto-correlation in communities. Hawkmoths exhibited positive Bergmann’s pattern at the intraspecific and abundance-weighted community scale. Intraspecific variation accounted for a substantial 33% variation at the community level. Contrary to this, birds exhibited a strong converse-Bergmann’s pattern at interspecific and community scales, both with- and without-abundance. Overall, all metrics which incorporate local traits and/or species abundances show stronger correlations than when this information is lacking. The multiplicity of patterns at a single location provides the opportunity to disentangle the relative contribution of individual- and species-level processes by integrating data across multiple nested taxonomic scales for the same taxa. We suggest that future studies of Bergmann’s patterns should explicitly address taxonomic- and spatial-scale dependency, with species relative abundance and intraspecific trait variation as essential ingredients especially at short elevational scales.