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Copyright of Ciência Florestal (01039954) is the property of Ciencia Florestal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

En la laguna de las Ilusiones, Villahermosa, Tabasco, México, las especies de aves interactúan con elementos antrópicos del paisaje. Se realizaron avistamientos de aves acuáticas con el método de conteo por punto fijo durante la temporada de secas y de lluvias del año 2020 en 12 sitios de muestreo en la laguna. Se registraron variables urbanísticas, físicoquímicas del agua, de vegetación y de macrohábitats para evaluar su influencia en las aves acuáticas. Se registró un total de 1,134 individuos pertenecientes a 8 órdenes, 12 familias y 25 especies. Las especies más avistadas fueron Ardea alba, Egretta thula y Butorides virescens. La diversidad de especies (índice de Shannon) fue mayor en la temporada de secas (H = 2.40 bits) y menor en la temporada de lluvias (H = 1.89 bits). El análisis canónico demostró que la riqueza de especies disminuyó a medida que incrementó el porcentaje de urbanización en las inmediaciones de los sitios de muestreo.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are mutualistic symbionts associated with most terrestrial plants. HMA communities vary in composition and life histories and are affected by land use and management. The caldén forests (Prosopis caldenia Burkart) in the province of San Luis have suffered a considerable reduction in their area. Currently, its relics are part of a landscape made up of forests and lands cultivated with Medicago sativa L. (alfalfa) and Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees (weeping lovegrass), key forage species for livestock production in the region. Considering the ecological and economic importance that these land uses have for the region, the objective of this work was to analyze whether the diversity of AMF is affected by the change in land use from caldén forest to alfalfa or weeping lovegrass plots and whether there are indicator species for each use. Four plots of permanent forest were established, 4 of alfalfa and 4 of weeping lovegrass. Soil samples were taken from each plot, the physicochemical characteristics were determined and the AMF spores were extracted. The composition of the spore communities was different in each land use. The AMF morphospecies richness did not showed differences between forest and alfalfa but show differences with weeping lovegrass. Total abundance, spore abundance of ruderal and stress-tolerant species were significantly higher in alfalfa. In addition, 2 indicator species were identified in alfalfa, 1 in forests, and 2 in weeping love grass. This study provides evidence suggesting that land-use change in Caldenal significantly alters the composition of AMF spore communities and may have a negative effect on this endemic forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ways people think, feel, speak about, and act in and with environments are inextricably intertwined with the well-being of other living things, including birds. We report on the kinds of messages contained in 598 examples of locally-defined signs from 498 bird taxa from 169 sources and 123 ethnolinguistic groups. Using Peirce’s three sign forms: symbolic, iconic, and indexical, we analyze one aspect of human–bird interactions: that of reading bird sign for ecological and social interpretations. Understanding ecological semiotic nuance is important for translating between local, regional, and global science, and for respecting autonomous processes of local people attributing value or lack thereof to birds and their habitats. Over one-third of the signs in our sample (216; 36%) were specifically described as omens of some kind, commonly of death, illness, or something “bad”. Three modes of message delivery account for the majority of the data: predicting (60%), bringing (15%; including news, rain, luck), and indicating (15%; including seasonal change, fruit ripening, animals). Reading birds to predict weather (especially rain) was common, as was listening to and interpreting birds’ alarm calls warning of snakes or predators, and knowing that a certain bird indicates the presence of certain other animals, or of a water source. We collected 51 examples of warblish, the imitation or translation of bird sounds into non-onomatopoeic words. We argue for the amplification of ecocultural conservation (attending to histories of human–nonhuman relationships in place) to channel resources and land control to local and Indigenous managers who are immersed in relevant bird–people information networks. We discuss the importance of (1) reduction of uncertainty in local and hyper-local environments, (2) biocultural provocations in which birds fulfill important roles in human society, and (3) informational connectivity and locally-defined interspecies ethical relationships as key elements for inclusive and effective ecocultural bird conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to evaluate the degree of conservation, analyse the structural and floristic similarity of the woody and herbaceous layers of two ecotone forest communities and evaluate the indicator species of a Mixed Ombrophilous Forest (MOF) and Dense Ombrophilous Forest (DOF). We outlined 30 sampling units of 100 m2 in each area (West and East), where we measured three woody and one herbaceous layers. Each species was classified into ecological groups, phytogeographic distribution and conservation status. We selected other 13 studies performed on similar ecosystems to carry out cluster and indicator species analyses. We registered 213 species, arranged into 63 families. The richest families were Myrtaceae, Lauraceae and Fabaceae. In the woody layers Araucaria angustifolia, Allophylus edulis and Cupania vernalis highlighted in West area, while Casearia sylvestris, Cyathea phalerata and Ilex paraguariensis highlighted in East area. Ctenitis paranaensis predominates in herbaceous layer of both areas. Our cluster analysis has formed two groups (MOF; DOF), including both study areas in MOF group. The study areas are in a maturation process. Serra da Baitaca State Park presents high conservationist importance. We list indicator species of montane MOF and DOF forests in the Paraná State, which can be used for monitoring alterations in vegetation caused by environmental changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Colombiana de Entomología is the property of Universidad del Valle and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Studies on how the altitudinal gradient determines community composition and structure in tropical high altitude grasslands are limited. Objective: To evaluate the plant community composition and structure and their relationship with altitude and soil properties along an altitudinal gradient of three granitic rocky outcrops at the Serra do Brigadeiro State Park, Minas Gerais, in southeastern Brazil. Methods: In each selected site, 100 plots of 1 x 1 m were established, totalizing 300 plots in the study area. We compared floristic composition, relative coverage and abundance among sites. We performed beta diversity analysis. We also performed an indicator species analysis and a canonical correlation analysis to investigate possible relations between abiotic (soil and altitude) and biotic (indicator species abundances) variables. Results: We sampled a total of 9 276 individuals belonging to 39 families and 102 species. Significant differences were observed among sites regarding composition, abundance and coverage. The indicator species analysis revealed that 57 species (55.88 %) were indicators. The distribution of indicator species abundances was correlated with environmental variables. Conclusions: It was observed that altitude and soil play an important role in controlling community composition and structure, beta diversity and species distribution in the highland grasslands studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tropical montane forests are characterized by high species richness and endemism of bryophytes. However, this diversity is highly sensitive to microclimatic changes related to anthropogenic disturbance. Objective: In this study, we assessed the richness and composition of epiphytic bryophytes on the trunks of trees in undisturbed and disturbed montane forests on the Western slope of the Baru Volcano National Park. Methods: Undisturbed forests were highly humid, while disturbed forests showed high light levels and temperature. In each tree we measured the presence and cover of epiphytic bryophytes in 160 quadrants of 20 × 30 cm. Results: In total, we recorded 86 species (49 liverworts and 37 mosses). Bryophytes richness was positively influenced by disturbance, with disturbed forests showing a high number of sun epiphytes. Bryophyte community composition was different in each forest type, with shade epiphytes confined to primary forests and sun epiphytes restricted to disturbed sites. Conclusions: Bryophyte communities were effective indicators of montane forests disturbance on the Baru Volcano. Thus, protection of the undisturbed forests remnants might help to preserve a rich and diverse community of epiphytic bryophytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RESUMO Poças temporárias são importantes ampliadores da biodiversidade local, sobretudo em áreas florestadas estacionais. Alterações na cobertura vegetal ao longo das margens desses corpos hídricos podem alterar a composição e estrutura da sua comunidade zooplanctônica. Nesse sentindo, testamos a hipótese de que a presença de mata ripária altera a estrutura da comunidade zooplanctônica encontrada em poças temporárias. Foram filtrados até 10 litros de água, em malha de 20 µm, em poças com (CM) e sem mata ripária (SM), e coletados dados de clorofila-α e as variáveis limnológicas. Todos os espécimes foram identificados com microscópio óptico em câmara de Sedgewick-Rafter. Os dados foram tratados quanto à composição e estrutura da comunidade (riqueza, frequência, abundância relativa e biomassa), sendo realizadas análises de diversidade (Série de Hill), de correspondência canônica (ACC) e de espécies indicadoras (IndVal). Diferenças significativas foram observadas entre as variáveis limnológicas nas duas condições, principalmente nos parâmetros de turbidez, sólidos totais dissolvidos e clorofila-α, as quais mostraram maior influência sobre a estrutura da comunidade. Embora a diversidade e biomassa de rotíferos tenham sido superiores nas poças SM, a riqueza e a biomassa de cladóceros foi superior nas poças CM. A análise de espécies indicadoras demonstrou que alguns rotíferos e microcrustáceos, como Ceriodaphinia cornuta G. O. Sars, 1885, Notodiaptomus cearenses Wright, 1936 e Ostracoda morf.2 são indicativos de poças CM, enquanto outras espécies indicam ambientes com maior turbidez (poças CM), por exemplo Polyarthra vulgaris Carlin, 1943 e Diaphanosoma spinulosum Herbst, 1975. Os resultados sugerem uma diferenciação expressiva entre os ambientes com e sem vegetação ripária, mostrando sua importância na estrutura da comunidade, reforçando a necessidade de medidas protetivas para ambientes temporários, visto que são essenciais para a manutenção da biodiversidade local.

La composición y la abundancia del fitoplancton en el lago Sauce Grande Shallow se estudiaron durante el otoño de 2010. Se establecieron tres sitios de muestreo: En la salida del río Sauce Grande (E1), a la entrada del río Sauce Grande en el cuerpo de agua ( E2) y en el sector más profundo del cuerpo de agua (E3). Se identificaron sesenta taxones, pertenecientes a Chlorophyta (50%), Heterokontophyta (27%), Cyanobacteria (20%) y Dinophyta / Euglenophyta (3%). La abundancia de fitoplancton osciló entre 84500 y 340600 ind/ml. No se observaron diferencias en la abundancia total de fitoplancton entre las estaciones de muestreo, pero se encontraron diferencias significativas entre las fechas de muestreo. Planctonema lauterbornii Schmidle (Chlorophyta) fue la especie dominante con abundancias de hasta 70600 ind/ml. Se registraron varios indicadores de salinidad (como Chaetoceros muelleri, Cyclotella aff. meneghiniana y Protoperidinium achromaticum) e indicadores de eutrofización (como Microcystis aeruginosa y Pediastrum boryanum). Además, se identificaron representantes de los productores de floración tóxica putativos de Cyanobacteria (como especies de Anabaena, Anabaenopsis, Aphanocapsa y Microcystis). Este lago de poca profundidad está clasificado como eutrófico según Carlson TSI basado en clorofila a. La alta abundancia de fitoplancton y las bajas lecturas del disco Secchi permiten definir el Lago Sauce Grande como “turbio” y dominado por el fitoplancton.

As variações da vegetação em função da posição topográfica têm despertado o interesse dos pesquisadores. Entretanto, poucos estudos verificaram as associações florísticas formadas pela posição topográfica de uma encosta. Neste trabalho, analisamos se as variações na vegetação permitem detectar agrupamentos florísticos em uma Floresta Pluvial Subtropical. A vegetação foi amostrada em 25 parcelas de 400 m² distribuídas sistematicamente, onde foram medidos os indivíduos com DAP ≥ 5,0 cm. Amostramos 1.727 indivíduos e 144 espécies. A ordenação NMDS segregou três grupos em função da posição topográfica da encosta (Monte Carlo, P ≥ 0,05; ANOSIM, P < 0,001). Euterpe edulis e Sloanea guianensis se destacaram nos terços inferior e médio da encosta, enquanto Ocotea aciphylla e Alchornea triplinervia se destacaram no terço superior. Algumas espécies se mostraram indicadoras dos setores analisados, como é o caso de Actinostemon concolor e Alsophila setosa no terço inferior, Cyathea corcovadensis e Rudgea recurva no terço médio e Myrcia pulchra e Podocarpus sellowii no terço superior. Nossos resultados indicaram que as variações florísticas e estruturais observadas por Veloso e Klein (1959) e Klein (1980; 1984) para o Vale do Itajaí em Santa Catarina apresentam validade estatística nos dias atuais, pois verificamos a formação de diferentes grupos de acordo com a posição topográfica da encosta.

Several studies about the disposition of the community of Formicidae in the soil when facing different conditions of the agroecosystems were performed given the advance of the agricultural frontier. The abundance of tolerant species is common in these environments with negative consequences in wealth and diversity, although there are experiments with observations to the contrary. The hypothesis of this study was that characterizing the structure of the community allows detecting differences in the response of these insects towards diverse types of agricultural activity. The objective was to carry out an ecological analysis of the composition and abundance of the species of ants in two crops with different level of agricultural management: a plantation with aloe, Aloe vera (L.) Burm F. and another with maize, Zea mays L., and the reference was an area of secondary vegetation (uncultivated area). The study was performed in the ejido of San Lorenzo, municipality of Jaumave, state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. For sampling, 30 "pitfall" traps were used per site, between July and August 2013, with four repetitions every 15 d. Characterization of the structure of the ant communities in the three environments was obtained through measurements of wealth, diversity, indicator value and multivariate methods. The results showed 32 species of ants. The highest wealth was in the uncultivated area, the highest diversity in the maize crop, and the highest abundance in the aloe crop. Two species were indicators of the aloe crop and four species of the uncultivated area. The multivariate analyses showed significant association in the frequency of ants captured with the type of crop and the species. The structure of the ant community depended on the site and the season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assessed area and habitat heterogeneity effects on avian richness and composition in bofedales that differed in size and microhabitat diversity. We analyzed data collected in 2 seasons and 24 bofedales using General Linear Models, Ordinary Least Square models to establish the relationship of predictor variables on richness and Akaike Information Criterion for model selection. We evaluate composition classifying species into groups using Bray Curtis ordination, followed by Multiple Response Permutation Procedure to test for differences among groups, and Indicator Species Analysis to identify species. Bofedales differed in richness (F = 5.1, p < 0.001) and microhabitat diversity (F = 23.4, p < 0.001), but no seasonal differences emerged (p > 0.05). The best model indicates that 54% of variance in richness was explained by area and microhabitat diversity, however, a tendency to decrease in microhabitat diversity as area increases, suggests a relatively more important role of area. Results are supported by composition, as microhabitats not only differed pairwise (T = −94.14, A = 0.601, p < 0.001) and had significant indicator species (p < 0.05), but because its differential contribution to richness, as some microhabitats were more speciose than others. As such, few species-rich microhabitats may contribute more to richness than many species-poor ones which is not predicted by the habitat heterogeneity hypothesis. Disentangling the influence of area and habitat heterogeneity on species richness is important to establish conservation priorities that ensure bofedales integrity under imminent climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad is the property of Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Instituto de Biologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Land use change by the intensification of agriculture contributes to tropical forest fragmentation and biodiversity loss. In this sense, in comparison with traditional agroforestry systems (AFS), modern AFS are considered irrelevant for the conservation of biodiversity of tropical forest fragments. However, there is an increasing trend toward the establishment of different types of modern AFS. Owing to the sensitivity to environmental changes, we evaluated the biodiversity of butterflies in AFS with Coffea arabica and Erythrina poeppigiana (CP), and intermixed with Musa spp. (CPM) or Cordia alliodora (the only native species of AFS) (CPL), as well as premontane very humid forest fragments in the Volcánica Central-Talamanca Biological Corridor, Costa Rica. In six representative sites of each system we set up three parallel 80 m line-transects, separated by a distance of 25 m. Each coffee farm and forest fragment (FR) was surveyed during 1.5 hours to record butterflies. All sites were sampled once a month from May to July 2007. We obtained 4.5 hours of sampling/site, and 27 hours of sampling/habitat. Both CP and CPM together had a butterflies' species composition which differed from CPL and FR. The indicator species of both CP and CPM together were Hermeuptychia hermes and Anartia jatrophae which are typical of open areas. CPL resulted with the species of secondary forests Heliconius erato petiverana and Pareuptychia ocirrhoe as indicators. In contrast, FR resulted with several indicator species typical of closed canopy forests such as Pierella helvina incanescens, Caligo eurilochus, and Morpho peleides limpida. Moreover, the richness of species was similar among coffee AFS. Furthermore, the richness of species of each coffee AFS was lower in comparison with FR. However, among coffee AFS, CPL harbored higher diversity (Exp(H')) of forest butterflies than CP. Also, CPM was higher in abundance of frugivorous butterflies in relation with CP and CPL. In fragmented forests, coffee farms with exotic shade species combined at least with a native tree or fruit species, can be a better habitat for forest butterflies than those dominated by an exotic monospecific shade. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(1): 394-402. Epub 2018 March 01. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

En este trabajo se continúa con la revisión taxonómica de las especies recolectadas durante la campaña de 2015 en el Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido. Se añaden al catálogo previo 409 taxones, algunos de ellos de ecología alpina-subalpina, de los cuales el 76% corresponde al phylum Basidiomycota y el 22,2% al Ascomycota. Se presentan en forma de listado, y a continuación una selección de 20 descripciones taxonómicas completas, que corresponden con especies interesantes, poco frecuentes y posiblemente nuevas en el territorio peninsular. De las especies estudiadas se han encontrado seis que han sido propuestas para el inventario de especies protegidas de la península ibérica y/o Aragón. Se presenta en este trabajo una primera aproximación, a modo de punta de lanza para evaluaciones posteriores, del grado de conservación de algunos hayedos del Parque a través de la ocurrencia de especies indicadoras.

Las Sierras Chicas de Córdoba son el cordón montañoso con mayor frecuencia de fuego del centro de Argentina. Sin embargo, hasta el momento no se ha evaluado cuál es la respuesta de las comunidades de plantas del Chaco Serrano a los efectos de la frecuencia de fuego. En base a 23 años de historia de fuego, evaluamos la fisonomía de la vegetación, la riqueza y la composición de la comunidad de plantas vasculares en sitios no quemados, con baja y alta frecuencia de fuego en el distrito Chaqueño Serrano localizado en las Sierras Chicas de Córdoba. Encontramos que la frecuencia de fuego produce cambios en la estructura de la vegetación, en la riqueza y en la composición florística. Específicamente, observamos una disminución de la riqueza total de especies en sitios con un mayor número de eventos de fuego. Todas las formas de crecimiento mostraron una disminución de su riqueza a los efectos del fuego, a excepción de los graminoides que no mostraron cambios. Además, detectamos un cambio en la composición de especies entre los sitios quemados (ambas frecuencias) y los sitios no quemados, caracterizado por la emergencia de especies indicadoras que definen ambas condiciones. Estos resultados indican que el fuego es un fuerte proceso ecológico que estructura las comunidades vegetales, seleccionando especies con rasgos de historia de vida (i.e., rebrote y ciclo de vida) que confieren valor adaptativo a las nuevas condiciones ambientales que impone el régimen de elevada frecuencia de fuego.

El conocimiento de los patrones de distribución de especies en las comunidades vegetales y su relación con factores del medio es un objetivo fundamental en ecología. Las comunidades de Pinus cembroides y P. johannis coexisten en diversas regiones de México, pero P. cembroides tiende a distribuirse en laderas de exposiciones sur y suroeste en sitios deteriorados, a diferencia de P. johannis localizados en áreas mésicas en laderas con exposición norte y noreste. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la influencia de algunos factores físicos en la semejanza florística de los piñonares de P. cembroides y P. johannis. El área de estudio se ubica en la Sierra San Miguelito, San Luis Potosí, México. Se seleccionaron 40 unidades de muestreo, distribuidas en una superficie de 50km²; en cada una se trazaron dos líneas de 20m perpendiculares entre sí, donde se registró la cobertura de los individuos interceptados. Se elaboraron dos tipos de matrices de datos: la primera con los valores de cobertura de 91 especies y la segunda, con siete variables topográficas, climáticas y de incidencia solar. Se aplicaron análisis de agrupamiento y de ordenación para explorar la influencia de variables ambientales en la diferenciación florística de los piñonares. El agrupamiento diferenció seis grupos; los tres primeros caracterizados por bosques de P. cembroides. La ordenación mostró que la varianza representada por los tres primeros ejes fue de 65.9%. El eje uno se correlacionó positivamente con la altitud y negativamente con la temperatura media anual y la orientación; los ejes dos y tres mostraron bajos valores de correlación con las variables probadas. Se observó que los piñonares de P. cembroides y flora acompañante, tienden a localizarse en sitios de menor altitud, con mayor temperatura media anual y en laderas con orientación al sur y suroeste. En contraste, los sitios de P. johannis, los de P. johannis-P. cembroides y de éstos con Quercus potosina, por lo regular están ubicados en condiciones de mayor altitud, temperatura media anual baja y con orientación al norte-noreste. La localización de estos bosques monoespecíficos y mixtos junto con las especies asociadas, indicadoras de variables ambientales, genera el pre-diagnóstico de la situación de las comunidades y su condición, para que en el futuro se planifiquen acciones acordes con el balance natural ecosistémico.

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Lawton et al. (1998) found, in a highly cited study, that the species richness of 8 taxa each responds differently to anthropogenic disturbance in Cameroon forests. Recent developments in conservation science suggest that net number of species is an insensitive measure of change and that understanding which species are affected by disturbance is more important. It is also recognized that all disturbance types are not equal in their effect on species and that grouping species according to function rather than taxonomy is more informative of responses of biodiversity to change. In a reanalysis of most of the original Cameroon data set (canopy and ground ants, termites, canopy beetles, nematodes, and butterflies), we focused on changes in species and functional composition rather than richness and used a more inclusive measure of forest disturbance based on 4 component drivers of change: years since disturbance, tree cover, soil compaction, and degree of tree removal. Effects of disturbance on compositional change were largely concordant between taxa. Contrary to Lawton et al.'s findings, species richness for most groups did not decline with disturbance level, providing support for the view that trends in species richness at local scales do not reflect the resilience of ecosystems to disturbance. Disturbance affected species composition more strongly than species richness for butterflies, canopy beetles, and litter ants. For these groups, disturbance caused species replacements rather than just species loss. Only termites showed effects of disturbance on species richness but not composition, indicating species loss without replacement. Although disturbance generally caused changes in composition, the strength of this relationship depended on the disturbance driver. Butterflies, litter ants, and nematodes were correlated with amount of tree cover, canopy beetles were most strongly correlated with time since disturbance, and termites were most strongly correlated with degree of soil disturbance. There were moderately divergent responses to disturbance between functional feeding groups. Disturbance was most strongly correlated with compositional differences of herbivores within beetles and nematodes and humus feeders within termites. Our results suggest that consideration of the impact of different forms of disturbance on species and functional composition, rather than on net numbers of species, is important when assessing the impacts of disturbance on biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Este estudo teve por objetivos analisar a estrutura de grupos florísticos na vegetação arbórea-arbustiva de um trecho de encosta de Floresta Estacional Subtropical, no Parque Estadual Quarta Colônia, RS, e determinar fatores ambientais importantes na ocorrência das espécies, a fim de subsidiar programas de restauração de áreas degradadas como ecossistema de referência. Para isso, foi realizado estudo fitossociológico em 12 parcelas de 200 m² (10 x 20 m), distantes 20 m entre si, distribuídas sistematicamente em quatro faixas de 100 m entre si, seguindo gradiente de topografia. Em cada parcela foram realizadas a identificação e a medição da circunferência à altura do peito (CAP) e da altura total dos indivíduos arbóreos e arbustivos, ou seja, com CAP > 15 cm, denominado componente arbóreo. Os dados do sub-bosque foram obtidos em parcelas circulares com raio de 1,78 m, instaladas no centro das parcelas de 10 x 20 m, medindo-se indivíduos com altura > 30 cm e CAP The objective of this study was to determine floristic groups of the shrub-tree vegetation strata of an excerpt from Forest Subtropical Deciduous slope in Parque Estadual Quarta Colônia, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, to analyze their structure and to determine key environmental factors for plant species occurrence, in order to provide restoration programs of of degraded areas as reference ecosystem. A phytosociological survey was carried out for vegetation analysis on 12 plots of 200 m² (10 x 20 m), systematically distributed on a topography gradient at 20 m interval, systematically distributed on four tracks of 100 m between them, following the gradient of topography. In each plot, it species was identified and it was measured circumference at breast height (CAP) and overall height of tree individuals, represented by those with CAP 115 cm, named upper stratum. Understory strata information was obtained on circular plots of a radius of 1.78 m, set up in the center of 10 x 20 m plots, from individuals with height 30 and CAP

Este trabalho buscou analisar a formação de grupos ecológicos de espécies florestais lenhosas na caatinga, através da análise de agrupamento. Os dados são oriundos de duas áreas de estudo localizadas no Município de Floresta, PE, ambas com histórico de perturbação, onde os indivíduos com circunferência a 1,30 m do solo (CAP) igual ou superior a 6,0 cm foram georreferenciados, identificados, e tiveram o CAP e altura mensurados. A análise de agrupamento foi realizada através do programa Twinspan no software PC-ORD. Os resultados demonstram a formação de grupos ecológicos nas duas áreas, com a presença de espécies indicadoras.

Analisamos a estrutura dos grupos funcionais alimentares de Ephemeroptera em cinco tipos de substratos (folhiço em corredeira, folhiço em remanso, madeira, pedras e raízes) de trechos de primeira a quinta ordens da bacia do rio Pindaíba, estado do Mato Grosso, Brasil. Verificamos, ainda, a preferência de táxons por substratos específicos através da especificidade e frequência dos organismos, e se a abordagem funcional reflete as variações dentro da comunidade. Nossos resultados agregam informações a respeito da classificação funcional dos efemerópteros e mostram que os raspadores foram os mais abundantes e os coletores-apanhadores comportam uma maior riqueza de táxons. Os córregos de terceira ordem foram os mais ricos e abundantes enquanto que as distribuições dos grupos funcionais alimentares corroboram as predições do Conceito do Continuum fluvial. Além disso, as comunidades estudadas foram muito mais estruturadas taxonomicamente do que funcionalmente. Esse fato atesta a importância da biologia dos organismos para a seleção dos substratos. A preferência de alguns gêneros por substrato específico corrobora esta importância.

O efeito dos diferentes níveis de preservação ambiental de córregos de 1ª a 4ª ordens sobre a riqueza, abundância, similaridade na composição de Baetidae (Ephemeroptera) e o potencial das espécies como bioindicadoras foram investigados em uma região de cerrado matogrossense. Um total de vinte espécies/morfoespécies foi catalogado dentre as 1752 ninfas amostradas, sendo reportado dois novos registros de espécies para o país. Os valores do Índice de Integridade de Hábitat (HII) obtidos foram categorizados para ambientes degradados, alterados e conservados. A riqueza de espécies foi diferente entre os locais, sendo maior em ambientes alterados. A abundância foi maior entre ambientes conservados e alterados, sendo significantemente diferente dos locais degradados. A análise NMDS indicou que locais conservados e alterados apresentam similaridade de composição de espécies, diferindo dos locais degradados. Quatro espécies demonstraram relação positiva com o aumento dos valores do HII. Baetidae apresentou espécies indicadoras de ambientes com diferentes níveis de preservação, sendo Zelusia principalis Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty, 1998 e Baetodes sp. indicadoras de ambientes conservados e Aturbina nigra Salles, Boldrini & Shimano, 2011, Callibaetis sp. 2, Camelobaetidius aff. janae Dominique & Thomas, 2000, Paracloeodes binodulus Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty, 1996, Waltzoyphius roberti Thomas & Peru, 2002 como indicadoras de ambientes alterados. O conhecimento da ecologia das espécies avança no sentido de fornecer subsídios ao biomonitoramento da bacia e uso de espécies indicadoras.

As matas ciliares constituem corredores ecológicos e possibilitam a preservação da biodiversidade e dos recursos hídricos. A manutenção dessas funções ecológicas, muitas vezes, necessita da recuperação ambiental desses ecossistemas. Dessa forma, este estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar a vegetação arbórea e identificar espécies para a recuperação em áreas de mata ciliar. O estudo foi realizado em dois fragmentos nas margens direita e esquerda do rio Ijuí, município de Ijuí, RS. A vegetação foi inventariada em dez faixas sistemáticas, com comprimento variando de 17 a 35 m, perpendiculares ao rio, com distância de 50 m entre si, as quais foram subdivididas em parcelas de 10 x 10 m, totalizando 21, onde foram identificados e medidos todos os indivíduos com circunferência a 1,3 m do solo (CAP) ≥ 15 cm. Os dados obtidos no inventário foram utilizados na caracterização florística e estrutural da vegetação, na análise de agrupamento (TWINSPAN) e serviram de base na indicação de espécies para recuperação. Nos dois fragmentos, foram identificadas 38 espécies distribuídas em vinte famílias botânicas. Os três agrupamentos formados caracterizaram diferentes estágios sucessionais. Para a recuperação ambiental de áreas perturbadas, com características ambientais semelhantes, sugere-se o uso de Ateleia glazioviana, Helietta apiculata, Dalbergia frutescens e Parapiptadenia rigida como facilitadoras da sucessão. O plantio de Eugenia uniflora e Prunus myrtifolia pode auxiliar na atração da fauna dispersora. As espécies Cupania vernalis e Pilocarpus pennatifolius podem ser utilizadas no enriquecimento de áreas em estágio mais avançado da sucessão florestal.

Este estudo visa avaliar a riqueza, a densidade, a diversidade específica e a distribuição da comunidade de Chlorococcales s.l. em zonas pelágicas e litorâneas de diferentes hábitats aquáticos (lagoas isoladas, lagoas interligadas, banhados, açudes e arroios) em dois hidroperíodos (águas altas e baixas) em região subtropical no sul do Brasil. As amostragens de fitoplâncton foram realizadas em duas áreas, situadas entre as coordenadas 30(0)40´ - 30(0)10´ S e 50(0)30´ - 51(0)31´W no ano de 2003, com a obtenção simultânea de dados de temperatura, condutividade, pH, transparência e profundidade da água. Os resultados revelaram que as médias de riqueza e de diversidade específica foram maiores na zona litorânea e significativamente maiores (p24°C). Dentre os táxons observados, Desmodesmus heteracanthus (Guerr.) Hentschke et Torgan, D. lunatus (W. et G. S. West) Hegew. e Monoraphidium griffithii (Berk.) Kom-Legn., mostraram-se indicadoras de hábitats e D. armatus (Chod.) Hegew., D. denticulatus (Lagerh.) An, Friedl et Hegew. e D. lunatus foram indicadoras de hidroperíodo. Este estudo demonstra a importância do hábitat e do hidroperíodo, na estrutura da comunidade de Chlorococcales s.l.This study aims to evaluate richness, density specific diversity and distribution of the Chlorococcales s.l. community in pelagic and littoral zones of different aquatic habitats (isolated lagoons, interlinked lagoons, swamps, reservoirs and streams) during two hydroperiods (high and low water) in a subtropical region in Southern Brazil. Phytoplankton sampling was carried out in two areas, situated within the coordinates 30(0)40´ - 30(0)10´ S and 50(0)30´ - 51(0)31´ W, in 2003 with simultaneous information on temperature, conductivity, pH, transparency and depth of water. The results showed that richness and specific diversity averages were higher in the littoral zone and significantly higher (p24°C). Among the observed taxa Desmodesmus heteracanthus (Guerr.) Hentschke & Torgan, D. lunatus (W. et G. S. West) Hegew. and Monoraphidium griffithii (Berk.) Kom-Legn. were habitat indicators and D. armatus (Chod.) Hegew., D. denticulatus (Lagerh.) An, Friedl et Hegew. and D. lunatus were hydroperiod indicators. This study shows the importance of habitats and hydroperiods for Chlorococcales s.l. community structure.

Thirty three lotic environments in the Yungas mountain cloud forest of NW Argentina were sampled both in undisturbed forest areas and sites altered by human activities. Aquatic insects of 143 taxa in 55 families were collected. Cluster analysis suggested altitude as one of the main structuring variables of aquatic insect communities in these streams, and its importance was confirmed by non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS); the environmental parameters measured that were best correlated with the ordination were altitude, water temperature, latitude and channel variables (width, percentage of large and small woody debris, of undercut banks, cobble and coarse gravel). Multi response permutation procedures (MRPP) showed streams in well preserved areas to significantly differ in their composition from streams in disturbed areas. Proportion of Elmidae and of Plecoptera individuals and number of Trichoptera taxa were the biological metrics best correlated with the local disturbance gradient, suggesting that an 'ElPT' index could be a useful component in the evaluation of the ecological status of these environments. Indicator species analyses identified some potential indicators of stream condition and disturbance factors affecting these streams.Treinta y tres ambientes lóticos en las selvas nubladas de montaña de las Yungas del NO Argentino, fueron muestreados tanto en ambientes no modificados como alterados por actividades humanas. Insectos acuáticos de 143 taxones en 55 familias fueron colectados. El análisis de agrupamientos sugirió que la altura es una de las variables principales en la estructuración de las comunidades de insectos en estos arroyos, y la importancia de esta variable fue confirmada mediante un ordenamiento no-métrico multi-dimensional (NMS); los parámetros ambientales que mejor se correlacionaron con la ordenación fueron: altura, temperatura del agua, latitud y variables del canal (ancho, porcentaje de detritos leñosos grandes y pequeños, de bancos excavados, de piedras y grava gruesa). Procedimientos de permutación de respuestas múltiples (MRPP), mostraron que los arroyos en áreas bien conservadas difieren significativamente en su composición de los arroyos en áreas modificadas. La proporción de individuos de Elmidae y Plecoptera, y el número de taxones de Trichoptera, fueron los métricos biológicos mejor correlacionados con el gradiente de alteración ambiental local, sugiriendo que un índice 'ElPT' podría ser un componente útil para la evaluación del estado ecológico de estos ambientes. Los análisis de indicadores de especies, identificaron algunos indicadores potenciales de la condición de los arroyos y de los factores de alteración que los afectan.

Copyright of Ciência Florestal (01039954) is the property of Ciencia Florestal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In northwest Patagonia, the two most pervasive disturbances at the landscape and community levels are fire and herbivory by introduced ungulates. There is a long history of fire in the region, but repeated fires followed by heavy browsing constitute a new type of disturbance regime in these landscapes. Our objective was to analyze different micro-environmental variables and plant community parameters at sites affected by the combination of both disturbances. We studied 17 sites within Nahuel Huapi National Park, classified according to fire and herbivore history: not burned (>50 years) or recently burned (<15 years); and free of livestock or alternatively under heavy browsing. We found a strong effect of time since fire and a slighter effect of cattle. The combination of both disturbances only had a synergistic effect on humidity (during hours of higher temperature occurrence) and on solar radiation, and consequently an increase in adverse environmental conditions was observed at recently burned sites and with cattle present. Additionally, total cover of woody and semi-woody species decreased at sites affected by both disturbances. Maytenus chubutensis and Rosa rubiginosa characterized unburned sites; and indicator species at sites without cattle and with cattle were Ribes magellanicum and Berberis darwinii, respectively. Through different mechanisms, fire and cattle modify community characteristics, and when both disturbances co-occur, in some cases they can synergistically affect the plant communities, exacerbating xeric conditions which may accelerate land degradation. By increasing knowledge of indicator species and their associated site conditions, we can provide basic information for restoration guidelines, conservation, and sustainable management of Patagonian forests and shrublands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad is the property of Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Instituto de Biologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hitherto fungi have rarely been considered in conservation biology, but this is changing as the field moves from addressing single species issues to an integrative ecosystem-based approach. The current emphasis on biodiversity as a provider of ecosystem services throws the spotlight on the vast diversity of fungi, their crucial roles in terrestrial ecosystems, and the benefits of considering fungi in concert with animals and plants. We reviewed the role of fungi in ecosystems and composed an overview of the current state of conservation of fungi. There are 5 areas in which fungi can be readily integrated into conservation: as providers of habitats and processes important for other organisms; as indicators of desired or undesired trends in ecosystem functioning; as indicators of habitats of conservation value; as providers of powerful links between human societies and the natural world because of their value as food, medicine, and biotechnological tools; and as sources of novel tools and approaches for conservation of megadiverse organism groups. We hope conservation professionals will value the potential of fungi, engage mycologists in their work, and appreciate the crucial role of fungi in nature. Una Perspectiva Micótica de la Biología de la Conservación [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Colombiana de Entomología is the property of Universidad del Valle and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Silva Lusitana is the property of Unidade de Investigacao de Silvicultura e Productos Florestais and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Physical factors influencing the floristic relationships of pinyon pine (Pinaceae) from San Luis Potosi, Mexico. in plant communities, the species distribution patterns and their relationships with environmental factors are of central importance in ecology. in San Luis Potosi of Mexico, woodlands of Pinus cembroides and P. johannis are sympatric, but P. cembroides tends to be located in South and Southwest slopes, in more disturbed sites; unlike, P. johannis, is mostly distributed in mesic areas, in North and Northeast slopes. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of some physical factors on the floristic similarity of pinyon pine P. cembroides and P. johannis. The study area was located in the Sierra San Miguelito, San Luis Potosi, Mexico. We selected 40 sampling units spread over an area of 50km². in each unit, we laid out two 20m long lines perpendicular to each other, in which we recorded cover data of the plant species intercepted. We developed two data matrices, the first one including cover values of 91 species, and the second one, considering seven topographical, climatic, and solar radiation variables. We applied cluster analysis and ordination to explore the influence of environmental variables on the floristic differentiation of pinyon pine woodlands. Clustering showed six groups, the first three characterized by P. cembroides. The ordination showed that variance represented by the first three axes was 65.9%. Axis 1 was positively correlated with altitude and negatively with mean annual temperature; axes two and three, showed low correlation with the variables tested. P. cembroides woodlands and accompanying flora tend to be located in lower altitude, higher mean annual temperature, and mainly in South-Southwestern slopes. in contrast, stands of P. johannis, mixed stands of P. johannis-P. cembroides, and Quercus potosina, were usually founded in greater altitudes, mean annual temperature slightly lower, and North-Northeastern exposure. The sites of these monospecific and mixed woodlands with associated species, indicators of environmental variables, generates the pre-diagnosis of the situation of the communities and their condition, so that future actions can be planned in agreement with the natural balance of the ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Scientiarum: Biological Sciences is the property of Universidade Estadual de Maringa and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)