Lichen biota in the low land of the Ob basin

The article reviews the lichen diversity in the low land of the Ob basin based on the data published by the author and other specialists. So far, species diversity has reached 430 taxonomic units from 102 genera and 42 families. There are data about the distribution of certain lichen species for the main types of habitat and substrates with in cenosis. The largest variety is shown in communities of dark coniferous forests and mixed forests with declining aspens in the tree layer (215 species), of forested fens (161 species), and inundated forest cenosis (100 species). The least variety is found in ground slope communities (13 species) and phytocenoses of transition moors (12 species).     

Evaluation of lichen diversity as an indicator of environmental quality in the North Adriatic submediterranean region

In 2000, a standardized sampling protocol was developed by a group of European researchers to provide a repeatable and objective strategy for mapping lichen diversity as an indicator of environmental changes; this protocol is nowadays adopted in the guidelines to air quality bioindication in Italy. The present paper shows the results of a study of epiphytic lichen diversity performed according to both the new protocol and the standard methodology previously used in Italy; diversity values are based on frequency counts of all lichen species within particular sampling grids positioned on the trunks and divided in subunits. The survey was carried out in 61 sampling sites of two areas of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region (Italy) and Slovenia, characterized by similar climatic conditions and a wide range of anthropic pressure. Biodiversity values obtained following the two sampling methods are highly statistically correlated; this suggests an interpretative continuity of lichen diversity data for biomonitoring purposes. Lichen communities and diversity values occurring in natural areas, far from heavy human influences, are investigated by means of multivariate analysis of floristic releves of 11 sites. Diversity values scored in natural areas are rather variable, and are mainly influenced by the different vegetation types, Parmelion communities having lower diversity values than communities with Xanthorion elements. Evaluation scales of environmental alteration based on lichen diversity in the North Adriatic submediterranean bioclimatic area are provided. Some critical aspects of the sampling strategies are discussed.     

The multi-element content of the lichen Parmelia sulcata, soil, and oak bark in relation to acidification and climate

Understanding how biodiversity is influenced by changing atmospheric conditions is important for conservation, public policy and environmental health. In a recent study, an impact on two of the most abundant lichens in Europe (Parmelia sulcata and Hypogymnia physodes) was recorded at Burnham Beeches lying 40 km west of London (UK) during unusual atmospheric conditions whilst other species remained unaffected. Bark and soil chemistry also influence lichen vitality and community composition. Correlations between element concentrations and element ratios in different samples help understand element cycling. To study this further, the multi-element content of the lichen P. sulcata and bark sampled in 2000 from 16 oak (Quercus robur) trees at Burnham Beeches was compared with the same elements determined in 24 surface soils sampled in 2005 from beneath the same trees. Soil pH ranged from 4.1 to 6.7. Highly significant correlations (p<0.001) for Mn/Ca ratios in lichen versus bark, soil versus bark and soil versus lichen samples confirmed cycling via the soil-tree-lichen system. Similar Mn/Ca ratios were reported in coniferous forests where high Mn concentrations were shown to limit epiphytic lichen abundance. Soil acidification influences element bioavailability and bark chemistry in Burnham Beeches with implications for lichen diversity and health. Recovery was recorded in P. sulcata, including regeneration within monitoring quadrats. Biological systems are well known to be influenced by pollution episodes.     

景观干扰对乡村半自然生境植物多样性的 影响分析

乡村半自然生境植物多样性的影响分析,有助于推 动乡村生态景观高质量发展。村以下尺度乡村植物多样性研究 存在生境类型分析不全面、景观影响因子单一化、定量干扰机 制不深入等问题。在南京江宁西南部乡村地区,采用逐步回归 模型和广义加性模型,探讨了多种景观干扰对6类乡村半自然 生境植物多样性的影响,并提出了基于乡村植物多样性维持的 景观响应策略。结果表明：1)乡村景观格局、景观管理强度 和类型等对不同半自然生境植物多样性产生了显著影响,其综 合解释度约为10%~50%,小规模林斑、连接度高的半自然生 境、小面积池塘(<0.8hm2 )、茶田景观粗放管理方式、乡土 树种混交林等对植物多样性的正向促进作用显著;2)在所有显 著性指标中,斑块面积、斑块隔离度对各类半自然生境植物多 样性的影响最为突出,是驱动乡村植物多样性变化的重要景观 因素。     

Landscape memory in abandoned areas—physical and ecological perspectives (Central European mountains case study)

Using the concept of landscape memory we examined the relationship between persistence of anthropogenic landforms and their botanical composition several decades after depopulation of Karpno village (Sudetes Mts), which represents the socio-economic and ecological processes typical for mountainous areas in post-war Central Europe. The research was based on geomorphic and botanical field surveys. Evidence of anthropogenic landscape memory still persists in local land morphology and ecosystem composition, despite the apparent homogeneity of large-scale landscape features. Former human activities continue to affect local site properties, which results in a mosaic of diverse habitats. Plant species composition of secondary ecosystems remains different from both their anthropogenic precursors and surrounding natural communities. Persistent habitat eutrophication slows down competitive exclusion of shade intolerant species in sites overgrown by forest canopy. Observed evidence cannot be explained without knowledge of local history, which is vital for planning development and conservation of bio-cultural landscapes.     

The influence of coniferous afforestation on lowland farmland bird communities in Ireland: different seasons and landscape contexts

Current governmental policy in Ireland is encouraging afforestation, 80% of which is likely to consist of exotic conifer species, in low-lying agricultural areas. Whereas most studies of bird diversity in forest/farmland mosaic landscapes have focused on high quality woodland remnants in a hostile agricultural matrix, this study has considered the influence of man-made plantations in a less intensively farmed context. Bird communities of three lowland agricultural landscapes (each 2000 ha in area) with intermediate or low levels of coniferous forest cover (33% or 8% approximately) were sampled in winter and summer. Though total abundance and species richness of birds of farmland habitats in the partially forested and open sites did not differ, the presence of trees in the surrounding landscape did influence abundance of some common species such as Blue Tit Parus caeruleus, Robin Erithacus rubecula and Blackbird Turdus merula. In winter, species composition of farmland habitats with and without hedgerow trees differed between forested and open landscapes. Also, the abundance of certain species varied between farmland adjacent to and remote from forest edges, in both seasons. In these landscapes, coniferous plantations did not greatly affect the mainly generalist farmland bird community, either positively or negatively. However, if the proportion of land-use occupied by forestry were to increase, reducing the available hedgerow habitat and forest edge/area ratio, diversity and abundance of declining farmland bird species might be negatively affected.     

Habitat Suitability and Landscape Structure: A Maximum Entropy Approach in a Mediterranean Area

Species distribution models have recently become important tools in ecological research. Prediction of suitable habitats for threatened and endangered species is essential for the conservation and management of their native habitats. A landscape scale approach is relevant for biodiversity conservation since landscape planning and management are generally conducted at wide spatial scales, focusing on areas with complex landscape configuration as a consequence of human activities. The aims of this study were to test a maximum entropy approach (Maxent) to the development of a niche-based model for species of conservation interest and to relate this model to landscape structure metrics. The results obtained here showed a good predictive power of Maxent for the three target species and highlighted the importance of landscape structure analysis for the detection of patterns of habitat suitability. Moreover, this work stressed that combining classical environmental information with landscape structure in analysing habitat suitability for species of conservation interest may be used to guide conservation efforts and landscape management practices.     

Merging wildlife community ecology with animal behavioral ecology for a better urban landscape planning

Cities are extremely human-modified environments, with few existing original habitats. Local, regional and global studies have indicated scale-dependent patterns of communities in relation to urbanization. In general, species with high abundance in urban environments are generalist species, whereas specialists have declined. However, these results do not indicate directly if urban habitats are either sink or source habitats for wildlife. Reproductive success, mortality, and dispersion are key factors to improve our understanding of how to support more diverse animal communities in urban environments. We need more research on the factors affecting the behavioral responses to urbanization of species with different life-histories. Some studies have demonstrated that urbanization has clear impacts on the behavior of wildlife species, a character that is strongly related to the success of species in a given habitat. Indeed, animals can adapt to urban ecosystems behaviorally, for example, by adjusting their food preferences, foraging behavior, anti-predator behavior, or extending the length of their reproduction season. Merging community and behavioral ecology will enable a more effective conservation of remnant semi-natural habitats in urbanized landscapes.     

Rebuilding Networks of Forest Habitats in Lowland England

Forest habitats in England have remained fragmented for centuries, and this has isolated populations of woodland species. Now, however, there may be opportunities to increase woodlands and restore the connections between habitats and populations. An ecological basis is provided for reconstructing a forest habitat network.     

Large-scale patterns of epiphytic lichen species richness: photobiont-dependent response to climate and forest structure

Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic association of a fungus with a photosynthetic partner. Although the photobiont type is a key life-history trait, tests of the potential differential role of the main photobiont types in shaping large-scale patterns of lichen species richness are still absent. The aim of the study was to test the influences of forest structure and climate on epiphytic lichen species richness across Italy and to see whether these relationships change for groups of species sharing different photobiont types. Regional species richness of epiphytic lichens divided into three main photobiont types (i.e. chlorococcoid green algae, cyanobacteria, and Trentepohlia algae) was retrieved for each of the 20 administrative regions. Multiple linear regression was used to quantify the effect of climate and forest structure, and their potential interaction, on the regional species richness for the three photobiont types, accounting also for the effect of regional area. Regional species richness was associated with both climate and forest structure variables but the relationships with both factors were largely photobiont dependent. Regional area and precipitation were the only predictors included in all the models, confirming the strong dependence of lichens on atmospheric water supply, irrespective of the photobiont type. Number of species with chlorococcoid green algae were further positively associated with cover of high forest, whilst lichens with Trentepohlia were further enhanced by warm temperatures. Cyanolichen species richness was only related to area and precipitation. Our study shed light on the relative importance of climate and forest structure on lichen species richness patterns at the macroscale, showing a differential response of the photobiont types to various environmental determinants. This differential response suggested that the current and future impacts of global change on lichens cannot be generalized and that species richness response will be likely dependent on the photobiont type.     

Urban Wilderness Construction: An Example of Shanghai Urban Biodiversity Education Base

One of the core values of urban wilderness construction is to restore the structures and functions of biological communities in fragmented urban habitats, and enable the stability and ecological succession of native communities with low human intervention. The paper discusses the design principles and technical methodologies in active urban rewilding by the example of Shanghai Urban Biodiversity Education Base project. Aiming to restore urban biodiversity and enrich the technical and theoretical research of urban wilderness construction and Nature-based Solutions, this project conducted habitat division, native species introduction, natural community construction, ecological benefit assessment, etc. In a year and a half, 260 native plant species, 255 insect species, 7 amphibian and reptile species, 71 bird species, and 6 mammal species were recorded within the 1.7 hm2 project site, showing higher biodiversity and density of animal populations than unrestored consructed forests surrounding. Along with the spontaneous progressive succession of the plant communities, the project has achieved good results. The technical approaches proposed in the project can be broadly applied in design and construction of country parks, wildlife habitats, ecological corridors / networks, and environmental education bases.     

Defining alternative futures and projecting their effects on the spatial distribution of wildlife habitats

This study had two purposes: (1) to inform a public process that would propose land use zoning for the Chico Creek Watershed in Washington State, USA and (2) to develop and demonstrate the use of readily accessible analytical tools and data for similar public processes across Washington. Three development alternatives (Planned Trend, Moderate, and Conservation) were designed by local citizens and county planners. We created artificial landscapes that depicted how land use zoning and land management practices would effect the spatial distribution of vegetation types. Wildlife–habitat relationship models were constructed for nine focal species. Using computer software known as HABSCAPES, the spatial distributions of habitats were mapped for each species. Under all alternatives the amount of forest vegetation decreased but the amount of mature conifer forest increased relative to current conditions. The relative habitat area index was 0.75, 0.69, 0.71, and 0.71 for the current condition, Planned Trend, Moderate, and Conservation alternatives, respectively. For six species, all future alternatives resulted in less habitat than the current condition, but for three species, all future alternatives resulted in more habitat. When species status was used to weight outcomes, the moderate alternative provided slightly more conservation benefit than the conservation alternative. Lessons learned about public land use planning processes are discussed.     

Nature reserve selection on forest fragments in a suburban landscape (Rome, Central Italy): indications from a set of avian species

A set of avian forest species, known from the literature as fragmentation-sensitive, was considered as the target in nature reserve planning following a conceptual framework. Their abundance was investigated in an 'archipelago' of oak woodland fragments embedded in a suburban landscape matrix of central Italy. None of the four species were found in any wood fragment smaller than 10 ha. The presence/absence analysis of woodland fragments studied showed that the study species were present, however, in larger fragments, highlighting the strategic role of habitat size and isolation for the persistence of these species at local scale. Species numbers and their total abundance were significantly and directly correlated to overall species richness of each fragment: in this landscape context our study species shows characteristics of serving as focus and surrogate species of bird richness. The selected species are area-sensitive and poor dispersers: however, they are still relatively widespread, at a regional scale. Although the abundance of individual species may be affected by stochastic factors, total abundance of this forest bird guild may constitute a useful dependent variable that can provide rapid quantitative data needed for planning strategies at local scales.     

How do habitat variability and management regime shape the spatial heterogeneity of birds within a large Mediterranean urban park?

Large urban parks can support a diverse bird community. However, the effects of variability among habitats and of park management on bird assemblages are poorly understood. We studied bird communities within the Yarkon Park, Tel Aviv, the largest urban park in Israel. We examined species richness, abundance and community composition across 20 locations that differ in levels of park management to identify habitat variables responsible for variation in bird richness and composition. Of 91 recorded bird species, 13 were aliens (14%), 4 were urban exploiters (4%), 54 were urban adapters (60%) and 20 were migrants (22%). Management had a significant effect on native bird richness and bird community structure varied among areas with different management regimes. Species richness of all the above species’ groups was lowest in intensively managed areas. Areas with intermediate levels of management had higher or equal richness compared to unmanaged areas. The majority of urban exploiters were found at all locations within the park reaching their highest abundances in intensively managed areas. Species richness of alien birds did not vary across levels of management. Bird species richness was negatively associated with lawn cover and with distance from nearest water source and was positively associated with the number of woody plant species. We suggest that urban parks should be designed such that the heterogeneity of native vegetation is preserved, if we aim to maintain native bird species diversity and minimize urban exploiter and alien species. When lightly managed or unmanaged, urban parks can retain large remnants of sub-natural habitats and can serve as important contributors to the conservation of native biodiversity within a large urban metropolis.     

A Strategic Approach to Conservation Planning for Coastal New Zealand Landscapes

In New Zealand's lowland production landscapes less than 5% of the land comprises native vegetation. The continuing loss of lowland habitats remains, as the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy (2000) recognized, one of the most intractable of New Zealand's conservation problems. The reasons behind this loss are explored and possible approaches to arresting this decline are considered. Field research was undertaken in two coastal plains landscapes. The purpose of the research was to examine the extent and character of native habitats remaining on the plains. A database comprising data on 744 sites with predominantly native habitats was created. The majority of these sites were not included on existing conservation databases and as such fall outside the remit of existing conservation planning and management processes. The study indicates that if the decline of native habitats on the plains is to be halted and reversed, a new approach to conservation planning is needed. A strategic planning approach to conservation is required, based on ecological regions where the focus is on co-ordinated planning of natural areas at the landscape scale.     

The urban coastal zone of Southern California

Every parkland provides habitats for wildlife. Wildlife is frequently recognised as a recreational asset. A few ancient parks are of outstanding national or regional importance for the conservation of invertebrates and epiphytic lichens associated with old trees and dead wood. The perpetuation of suitable habitat is essential if this conservation interest is to be maintained.     

The wildlife of parklands

Every parkland provides habitats for wildlife. Wildlife is frequently recognised as a recreational asset. A few ancient parks are of outstanding national or regional importance for the conservation of invertebrates and epiphytic lichens associated with old trees and dead wood. The perpetuation of suitable habitat is essential if this conservation interest is to be maintained.     

Differential response of selected taxa to landscape context and agricultural intensification

Understanding the dynamics of biodiversity in changing agricultural landscapes is a goal for nature conservation and agricultural policies. Agriculture operates at several spatio-temporal levels from field to landscape, and induces differential response of communities according to their ecological traits. Reactions of several taxa to landscape and agricultural changes was conducted along landscape gradients in northern Brittany (France) gathering 14 sites. Landscapes ranged from fine grained areas, with a large proportion of permanent grasslands, wood and hedgerows, to coarse grained ones dominated by crops. Response of communities were either loss of species along the gradient (as for Diptera Chironomidae and Empididae), replacement (Coleoptera Carabidae) and no change in species composition (small mammals). In this paper, we present why these taxa react in such different ways according to their life history traits, their mobility patterns and to which parameters of landscape structure or agriculture intensification they are sensitive. Density of hedgerow networks, and permeability of individual hedgerows determine the spatial distribution of adults Diptera according to their flying ability. Mean body size of carabid beetles significantly decreases along the gradient of agricultural intensification, small species adapted to disturbance replacing large ones that are characteristic of stable habitats. The same small mammal species are found all along the two gradients, but their relative abundance is linked to the importance of crops versus more stable habitats in the landscape.We concluded that species survival in those fine grained agricultural landscapes depends on processes operating at the site scale and defining habitat quality, and processes operating at the landscape and/or metapopulation scale such as landscape modifications in connectivity and habitat availability.     

A Strategic Approach to Conservation Planning for Coastal New Zealand Landscapes

In New Zealand's lowland production landscapes less than 5% of the land comprises native vegetation. The continuing loss of lowland habitats remains, as the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy (2000) recognized, one of the most intractable of New Zealand's conservation problems. The reasons behind this loss are explored and possible approaches to arresting this decline are considered. Field research was undertaken in two coastal plains landscapes. The purpose of the research was to examine the extent and character of native habitats remaining on the plains. A database comprising data on 744 sites with predominantly native habitats was created. The majority of these sites were not included on existing conservation databases and as such fall outside the remit of existing conservation planning and management processes. The study indicates that if the decline of native habitats on the plains is to be halted and reversed, a new approach to conservation planning is needed. A strategic planning approach to conservation is required, based on ecological regions where the focus is on co-ordinated planning of natural areas at the landscape scale.