Pub Date : 2019-12-01DOI: 10.2478/foecol-2019-0010
Apinya Saisamorn, P. Duengkae, Anak Pattanavibool, Somphot Duangchantrasiri, Achara Simcharoen, James L. D. Smith
Abstract Despite their extensive distribution globally, recent reports indicate leopards are declining, especially in Southeast Asia. To support conservation efforts we analyzed the behavioral interactions between leopards (Panthera pardus), their prey, and tigers to determine if leopards fine-tune their activity to maximize contact with four prey species (sambar; wild boar; barking deer; banteng) and avoid tigers and if prey alter their temporal activity in response to variation in their relative abundance ratio with leopards. A lower density of sambar in the northern part of our study area and a lower density of wild boar and a higher density of tigers in the southern part allowed us to examine fine-grained differences in the behavior of leopards and their prey. We used camera trap data to investigate spatial and temporal overlap. Differences in tiger relative abundance did not appear to impact the temporal activity of leopards. Leopards had similar cathemeral activity at all sites with highest activity at dawn and dusk. This behavior appears to be a compromise to provide access to diurnal wild boar and barking deer and nocturnal sambar and banteng. Sambar showed higher temporal avoidance of leopards in the north where its RAI was lowest; in contrast, wild boar had the highest temporal avoidance in the south where its density was lowest. This is the first study in Southeast Asia to quantify spatial and temporal interactions between the leopard, its primary ungulate prey, and the tiger. It provides new insights for conserving this declining subspecies.
{"title":"Spatial and temporal analysis of leopards (Panthera pardus), their prey and tigers (Panthera tigris) in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand","authors":"Apinya Saisamorn, P. Duengkae, Anak Pattanavibool, Somphot Duangchantrasiri, Achara Simcharoen, James L. D. Smith","doi":"10.2478/foecol-2019-0010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/foecol-2019-0010","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Despite their extensive distribution globally, recent reports indicate leopards are declining, especially in Southeast Asia. To support conservation efforts we analyzed the behavioral interactions between leopards (Panthera pardus), their prey, and tigers to determine if leopards fine-tune their activity to maximize contact with four prey species (sambar; wild boar; barking deer; banteng) and avoid tigers and if prey alter their temporal activity in response to variation in their relative abundance ratio with leopards. A lower density of sambar in the northern part of our study area and a lower density of wild boar and a higher density of tigers in the southern part allowed us to examine fine-grained differences in the behavior of leopards and their prey. We used camera trap data to investigate spatial and temporal overlap. Differences in tiger relative abundance did not appear to impact the temporal activity of leopards. Leopards had similar cathemeral activity at all sites with highest activity at dawn and dusk. This behavior appears to be a compromise to provide access to diurnal wild boar and barking deer and nocturnal sambar and banteng. Sambar showed higher temporal avoidance of leopards in the north where its RAI was lowest; in contrast, wild boar had the highest temporal avoidance in the south where its density was lowest. This is the first study in Southeast Asia to quantify spatial and temporal interactions between the leopard, its primary ungulate prey, and the tiger. It provides new insights for conserving this declining subspecies.","PeriodicalId":52505,"journal":{"name":"Folia Oecologica","volume":"46 1","pages":"73 - 82"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2019-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44864325","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-12-01DOI: 10.2478/foecol-2019-0011
J. Kulfan, Lenka Sarvašová, Michal Parák, P. Zach
Abstract Adult moths from an ecological group of winter geometrid species look for trees where they copulate and females lay eggs. We investigated how tree trunk and lower branch thickness affects the occurrence of females on trunks and branches and how the density of females and tree trunk thickness affects the occurrence of males on trunks. The research was carried out in a xeric thermophilous oak forest in southern Slovakia (Central Europe) in the winter season 2014–2015. The moths were obtained from Quercus pubescens trees by sticky bands. Three autumn species Operophtera brumata, Erannis defoliaria, Alsophila aceraria and four spring species Agriopis leucophaearia, Agriopis marginaria, Apocheima hispidaria, Phigalia pilosaria were recorded. We have found out that females had not exclusively negative geotactic behaviour as they (except for the rare P. pilosaria) occurred also on lower branches. Tree trunk and lower branch thickness had a positive effect on abundance of females of the three most abundant species (A. leucophaearia, O. brumata, E. defoliaria) on trunks and lower branches. Tree trunk thickness had a positive effect on density of the females of A. leucophaearia on trunks but not on O. brumata and E. defoliaria. The abundance of the males of O. brumata, E. defoliaria and A. leucophaearia on trunks was positively affected by tree trunk thickness and the density of their females.
{"title":"Effects of a host tree on movement and distribution of winter geometrid moths (Lepidoptera): thickness of trunks and branches","authors":"J. Kulfan, Lenka Sarvašová, Michal Parák, P. Zach","doi":"10.2478/foecol-2019-0011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/foecol-2019-0011","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Adult moths from an ecological group of winter geometrid species look for trees where they copulate and females lay eggs. We investigated how tree trunk and lower branch thickness affects the occurrence of females on trunks and branches and how the density of females and tree trunk thickness affects the occurrence of males on trunks. The research was carried out in a xeric thermophilous oak forest in southern Slovakia (Central Europe) in the winter season 2014–2015. The moths were obtained from Quercus pubescens trees by sticky bands. Three autumn species Operophtera brumata, Erannis defoliaria, Alsophila aceraria and four spring species Agriopis leucophaearia, Agriopis marginaria, Apocheima hispidaria, Phigalia pilosaria were recorded. We have found out that females had not exclusively negative geotactic behaviour as they (except for the rare P. pilosaria) occurred also on lower branches. Tree trunk and lower branch thickness had a positive effect on abundance of females of the three most abundant species (A. leucophaearia, O. brumata, E. defoliaria) on trunks and lower branches. Tree trunk thickness had a positive effect on density of the females of A. leucophaearia on trunks but not on O. brumata and E. defoliaria. The abundance of the males of O. brumata, E. defoliaria and A. leucophaearia on trunks was positively affected by tree trunk thickness and the density of their females.","PeriodicalId":52505,"journal":{"name":"Folia Oecologica","volume":"46 1","pages":"83 - 90"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2019-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43747287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-12-01DOI: 10.2478/foecol-2019-0017
D. Fazekašová, J. Fazekaš
Abstract In the current study, we investigate the relationships among the soil functional diversity, physicochemical properties and heavy metals presence in an ecological farming system. The soil samples were collected from permanent research sites, from A soil horizons, at a depth from 0.05 m to 0.15 m, in June 2018. In fresh soil samples, we evaluated the metabolic profiles of their microbial communities, using Biolog® Eco Plates. The research showed that the soil physical properties got adjusted after a long-term application of an ecological farming system and that the measured values were stabilised, reaching the levels comparable with the average values for the relevant soil type. It is necessary to devote a continual attention to soil reaction, because soil is naturally acidified through acid atmospheric fallout as well as through calcium uptake-off by plants. The values of the selected heavy metals in the monitored period did not exceed the limit values specified in the Act No. 220/2004 Coll. Based on the results of Shannon’s diversity, we can conclude that the diversity in the investigated sites was low, from moderate to medium. The differences (3.26–3.36) among all 11 study localities were very small and not significant. There were determined the correlations between the soil functional diversity, soil physicochemical properties, and heavy metal contents. The average well colour development (AWCD) positively correlated with soil reaction and with Mg content and significantly negatively correlated with contents of Hg, Zn and Cu; equitability significantly positively correlated with soil reaction, Mg, AWCD and Shannon’s diversity. Spearman’s correlation coefficients confirmed the positive correlation between Shannon’s diversity and soil reaction, AWCD and Mg. In our study, no correlation was found between the functional diversity of microorganisms and the soil physical properties.
{"title":"Functional diversity of soil microorganisms in the conditions of an ecological farming system","authors":"D. Fazekašová, J. Fazekaš","doi":"10.2478/foecol-2019-0017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/foecol-2019-0017","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract In the current study, we investigate the relationships among the soil functional diversity, physicochemical properties and heavy metals presence in an ecological farming system. The soil samples were collected from permanent research sites, from A soil horizons, at a depth from 0.05 m to 0.15 m, in June 2018. In fresh soil samples, we evaluated the metabolic profiles of their microbial communities, using Biolog® Eco Plates. The research showed that the soil physical properties got adjusted after a long-term application of an ecological farming system and that the measured values were stabilised, reaching the levels comparable with the average values for the relevant soil type. It is necessary to devote a continual attention to soil reaction, because soil is naturally acidified through acid atmospheric fallout as well as through calcium uptake-off by plants. The values of the selected heavy metals in the monitored period did not exceed the limit values specified in the Act No. 220/2004 Coll. Based on the results of Shannon’s diversity, we can conclude that the diversity in the investigated sites was low, from moderate to medium. The differences (3.26–3.36) among all 11 study localities were very small and not significant. There were determined the correlations between the soil functional diversity, soil physicochemical properties, and heavy metal contents. The average well colour development (AWCD) positively correlated with soil reaction and with Mg content and significantly negatively correlated with contents of Hg, Zn and Cu; equitability significantly positively correlated with soil reaction, Mg, AWCD and Shannon’s diversity. Spearman’s correlation coefficients confirmed the positive correlation between Shannon’s diversity and soil reaction, AWCD and Mg. In our study, no correlation was found between the functional diversity of microorganisms and the soil physical properties.","PeriodicalId":52505,"journal":{"name":"Folia Oecologica","volume":"46 1","pages":"146 - 152"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2019-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44617956","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-12-01DOI: 10.2478/foecol-2019-0018
K. Andrusevych, G. Zadorozhnaya
Abstract The flora of vegetation cover of sod-lithogenic soil on loess loams was studied at a reclaimed site in the Nikopol manganese-ore basin. The control site is located on the black soil of the steppe area. The species composition of plants was studied in both sites annually for three years. Ecological analysis of the flora was carried out according to Raunkiaer’s system of life-forms and Belgard’s system of ecomorphs. It has been established that the floristic composition on the reclaimed site is significantly poorer than that of the steppe site. The reclaimed site was found to be have fewer species and a smaller number of families. The comparative inconstancy and dynamism of floristic composition on reclaimed soil is shown. The reclaimed ecosystem is distinguished by a significant share of the participation of annual and biennial plant forms. This indicates the anthropogenic transformation of the vegetation cover of the reclaimed soil. Also, a distinctive feature of the reclaimed soil flora is the smaller number of ecological groups of species. Such groups are united according to the ecological optimum to one of the environmental parameters.
{"title":"Diversity, dynamics and ecological analysis of flora of reclaimed soil","authors":"K. Andrusevych, G. Zadorozhnaya","doi":"10.2478/foecol-2019-0018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/foecol-2019-0018","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The flora of vegetation cover of sod-lithogenic soil on loess loams was studied at a reclaimed site in the Nikopol manganese-ore basin. The control site is located on the black soil of the steppe area. The species composition of plants was studied in both sites annually for three years. Ecological analysis of the flora was carried out according to Raunkiaer’s system of life-forms and Belgard’s system of ecomorphs. It has been established that the floristic composition on the reclaimed site is significantly poorer than that of the steppe site. The reclaimed site was found to be have fewer species and a smaller number of families. The comparative inconstancy and dynamism of floristic composition on reclaimed soil is shown. The reclaimed ecosystem is distinguished by a significant share of the participation of annual and biennial plant forms. This indicates the anthropogenic transformation of the vegetation cover of the reclaimed soil. Also, a distinctive feature of the reclaimed soil flora is the smaller number of ecological groups of species. Such groups are united according to the ecological optimum to one of the environmental parameters.","PeriodicalId":52505,"journal":{"name":"Folia Oecologica","volume":"46 1","pages":"153 - 163"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2019-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44461209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-12-01DOI: 10.2478/foecol-2019-0019
Ahmed Madi Waheed Al-Mayahi
Abstract This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of aluminum: (25, 50 and 100 mg l−1 of aluminum chloride AlCl3. 6H2O) on the enhancement of shoot multiplication, phytochemicals, as well as, antioxidant enzyme activity of in vitro cultures of the date palm cv. Um-Aldehin. The addition of aluminum in a concentration of 50 mg l−1 to the medium exhibited most effects on shoots regeneration and this substance also increased the number of shoots per a jar (73.34% and 8.2 shoots/jar, respectively), compared to the other concentrations, including the control treatment. A biochemical analysis of date palm shoots revealed that the high concentration of aluminum chloride (100 mg l−1) led to a significant accumulation of the total proline content, and to a high activity of ascorbate peroxidase, as well as a significant reduction in nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and chlorophyll, compared to the concentration of 50 mg l−1 for which there were recorded the highest contents of the mentioned elements, together with the highest content of chlorophyll in leaves.
{"title":"Effect of aluminum on the growth of the in vitro culture tissues of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cv. Um-Aldehin","authors":"Ahmed Madi Waheed Al-Mayahi","doi":"10.2478/foecol-2019-0019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/foecol-2019-0019","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of aluminum: (25, 50 and 100 mg l−1 of aluminum chloride AlCl3. 6H2O) on the enhancement of shoot multiplication, phytochemicals, as well as, antioxidant enzyme activity of in vitro cultures of the date palm cv. Um-Aldehin. The addition of aluminum in a concentration of 50 mg l−1 to the medium exhibited most effects on shoots regeneration and this substance also increased the number of shoots per a jar (73.34% and 8.2 shoots/jar, respectively), compared to the other concentrations, including the control treatment. A biochemical analysis of date palm shoots revealed that the high concentration of aluminum chloride (100 mg l−1) led to a significant accumulation of the total proline content, and to a high activity of ascorbate peroxidase, as well as a significant reduction in nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and chlorophyll, compared to the concentration of 50 mg l−1 for which there were recorded the highest contents of the mentioned elements, together with the highest content of chlorophyll in leaves.","PeriodicalId":52505,"journal":{"name":"Folia Oecologica","volume":"46 1","pages":"164 - 169"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2019-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47478597","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-05-01DOI: 10.2478/foecol-2019-0007
M. M. Bijarpasi, T. Shahraji, H. S. Lahiji
Abstract The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the genetic variability and heritability of some morphological and physiological traits in Fagus orientalis Lipsky along an elevation gradient in northern forests of Iran. Beech leaves were sampled from southern and northern crown parts of healthy mature trees along an elevation gradient comprising sites situated at 700 m, 1,200 m and 1,700 m above the sea level. Our statistical analysis showed that the investigated traits differed significantly between the populations. The results indicated the lowest and the highest coefficients of variation for the high (1,700 m) and middle elevation populations (1,200 m) for leaf length, petiole length, leaf area, specific leaf area, dry weight, specific dry weight, leaf index and petiole index traits. With increasing elevation, mean leaf width, distance from leaf base to the leaf maximum width, dry weight and petiole index increased. The plasticity of leaf length, specific leaf area, specific dry weight, petiole index and petiole length peaked at middle elevation, and with increasing elevation, the plasticity of these traits declined. The distance from leaf base to the leaf maximum width had the highest coefficient of genetic (75.5%) and phenotypic (75.5%) variation. The heritability results showed that there were differences in all traits, and that the highest heritability was recorded for the distance from the leaf base to the leaf maximum width (99.95 %). The results suggest that the studied beech populations responded to the environmental changes by changing their leaf traits in different ways at different altitudes.
{"title":"Genetic variability and heritability of some morphological and physiological traits in Fagus orientalis Lipsky along an elevation gradient in Hyrcanian forests","authors":"M. M. Bijarpasi, T. Shahraji, H. S. Lahiji","doi":"10.2478/foecol-2019-0007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/foecol-2019-0007","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the genetic variability and heritability of some morphological and physiological traits in Fagus orientalis Lipsky along an elevation gradient in northern forests of Iran. Beech leaves were sampled from southern and northern crown parts of healthy mature trees along an elevation gradient comprising sites situated at 700 m, 1,200 m and 1,700 m above the sea level. Our statistical analysis showed that the investigated traits differed significantly between the populations. The results indicated the lowest and the highest coefficients of variation for the high (1,700 m) and middle elevation populations (1,200 m) for leaf length, petiole length, leaf area, specific leaf area, dry weight, specific dry weight, leaf index and petiole index traits. With increasing elevation, mean leaf width, distance from leaf base to the leaf maximum width, dry weight and petiole index increased. The plasticity of leaf length, specific leaf area, specific dry weight, petiole index and petiole length peaked at middle elevation, and with increasing elevation, the plasticity of these traits declined. The distance from leaf base to the leaf maximum width had the highest coefficient of genetic (75.5%) and phenotypic (75.5%) variation. The heritability results showed that there were differences in all traits, and that the highest heritability was recorded for the distance from the leaf base to the leaf maximum width (99.95 %). The results suggest that the studied beech populations responded to the environmental changes by changing their leaf traits in different ways at different altitudes.","PeriodicalId":52505,"journal":{"name":"Folia Oecologica","volume":"46 1","pages":"45 - 53"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2019-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41720667","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-05-01DOI: 10.2478/foecol-2019-0001
S. Rabiu, R. K. Rose
Abstract The Savannah gerbil, Gerbilliscus gambianus (Muridae: Gerbillinae) is important to the ecological relations of the dry grassland ecosystem of West Africa, as well as, being a zoonotic agent of human diseases and potential crop pest. We examined the impact of seasonal changes on the population dynamics of G. gambianus in northern Nigeria, by completing population estimates using capture–mark–recapture (CMR) and indirect population density indices (PDI) methods. The latter included fecal pellet counts and limited spotlightening. During 1990–1992 we collected both CMR and PDI data, and established their relationship by regression, thus calibrating the PDI values to CMR estimator. We also completed a separate, PDI only, study during 2015–2017, and estimated monthly densities indirectly by toning the PDI values to population sizes in the CMR estimator. The lowest declines (<20 gerbils ha−1) were in mid rains (July–August), and highest increases (>90 gerbils ha−1) were after the rains (October–January). Seasonal effects on densities were significant during 1990–1992 but not during 2015–2017. There were improved survival rates for both adults (0.95) and young (0.83), adult capture probability (0.56), and mean monthly recruitment of young (23) after the rains. There was no significant change in the overall population dynamic pattern of G. gambianus over a 25-year period. Because G. gambianus did not maintain colonies inside farmlands cultivated by rain or irrigation, and its tendency for large population drops in mid-rains, we are in doubt of its potential as crop pest in northern Nigeria.
{"title":"Demographic response of the Gambian Gerbil to seasonal changes in Savannah fallow fields","authors":"S. Rabiu, R. K. Rose","doi":"10.2478/foecol-2019-0001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/foecol-2019-0001","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The Savannah gerbil, Gerbilliscus gambianus (Muridae: Gerbillinae) is important to the ecological relations of the dry grassland ecosystem of West Africa, as well as, being a zoonotic agent of human diseases and potential crop pest. We examined the impact of seasonal changes on the population dynamics of G. gambianus in northern Nigeria, by completing population estimates using capture–mark–recapture (CMR) and indirect population density indices (PDI) methods. The latter included fecal pellet counts and limited spotlightening. During 1990–1992 we collected both CMR and PDI data, and established their relationship by regression, thus calibrating the PDI values to CMR estimator. We also completed a separate, PDI only, study during 2015–2017, and estimated monthly densities indirectly by toning the PDI values to population sizes in the CMR estimator. The lowest declines (<20 gerbils ha−1) were in mid rains (July–August), and highest increases (>90 gerbils ha−1) were after the rains (October–January). Seasonal effects on densities were significant during 1990–1992 but not during 2015–2017. There were improved survival rates for both adults (0.95) and young (0.83), adult capture probability (0.56), and mean monthly recruitment of young (23) after the rains. There was no significant change in the overall population dynamic pattern of G. gambianus over a 25-year period. Because G. gambianus did not maintain colonies inside farmlands cultivated by rain or irrigation, and its tendency for large population drops in mid-rains, we are in doubt of its potential as crop pest in northern Nigeria.","PeriodicalId":52505,"journal":{"name":"Folia Oecologica","volume":"46 1","pages":"1 - 9"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2019-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42265482","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-05-01DOI: 10.2478/foecol-2019-0004
M. Mirzaei, A. Bonyad, Ismaeil Moradi Emamgheysi, I. H. Navroodi
Abstract Species diversity is one of the most important indices used to evaluate the sustainability of forest communities. The sampling method and the number of plots are factors affecting the estimation of plant biodiversity. In the present study, effects of different inventory grids on estimation of tree species diversity were compared in semi-arid forests of Iran. There were selected 50 hectares of these forests representing the regional forests. Sampling procedures were carried out on circular plots (1,000m2) within inventory grids, with dimensions of 50 × 50 m (200 plots), 100 × 50 m (100 plots), 100 × 100 m (50 plots), 200 × 50 m (50 plots), 200 × 100 m (25 plots), and 250 × 200 m (10 plots). For each plot, the type of the species and the number of trees were recorded. Simpson (1-D), Hill (N2), Shannon-Wiener (H’), Mc Arthur (N1), Smith-Wilson (Evar) and Margalef (R1) indices were used to estimate the tree species diversity. The inventory grid was evaluated based on the precision and cost criteria (E%2 × T). The obtained sampling error values showed that the inventory grid consisting of 200 plots exhibited more accuracy for estimating the biodiversity indices. But based on the results of E%2 × T, the inventory grid with 25 plots was selected as the most appropriate one for estimating the tree species diversity in semi-arid forests. The results of this study can also serve to estimate the tree species diversity in other semi-arid forests of Iran.
{"title":"Effects of inventory grids on estimation of tree species diversity in semi-arid forests of Iran","authors":"M. Mirzaei, A. Bonyad, Ismaeil Moradi Emamgheysi, I. H. Navroodi","doi":"10.2478/foecol-2019-0004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/foecol-2019-0004","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Species diversity is one of the most important indices used to evaluate the sustainability of forest communities. The sampling method and the number of plots are factors affecting the estimation of plant biodiversity. In the present study, effects of different inventory grids on estimation of tree species diversity were compared in semi-arid forests of Iran. There were selected 50 hectares of these forests representing the regional forests. Sampling procedures were carried out on circular plots (1,000m2) within inventory grids, with dimensions of 50 × 50 m (200 plots), 100 × 50 m (100 plots), 100 × 100 m (50 plots), 200 × 50 m (50 plots), 200 × 100 m (25 plots), and 250 × 200 m (10 plots). For each plot, the type of the species and the number of trees were recorded. Simpson (1-D), Hill (N2), Shannon-Wiener (H’), Mc Arthur (N1), Smith-Wilson (Evar) and Margalef (R1) indices were used to estimate the tree species diversity. The inventory grid was evaluated based on the precision and cost criteria (E%2 × T). The obtained sampling error values showed that the inventory grid consisting of 200 plots exhibited more accuracy for estimating the biodiversity indices. But based on the results of E%2 × T, the inventory grid with 25 plots was selected as the most appropriate one for estimating the tree species diversity in semi-arid forests. The results of this study can also serve to estimate the tree species diversity in other semi-arid forests of Iran.","PeriodicalId":52505,"journal":{"name":"Folia Oecologica","volume":"46 1","pages":"24 - 29"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2019-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46192421","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-05-01DOI: 10.2478/foecol-2019-0003
J. Kavan, Veronika Anděrová
Abstract A new non-invasive method based on picture analysis was used to estimate the conditions in Svalbard reindeer populations. The well-being of an individual subject is often expressed through visual indices. Two distinct reindeer populations were compared based on their antler parameters. Relative antler size and number of tines are variables supposed to reflect correspondingly the environmental conditions of sedentary populations within the growing season. The occurrence areas of two studied populations are distinctly isolated – separated with high mountain ridges, glaciers and fjords. The population in Petuniabukta occupies a sparsely vegetated region with harsh climatic conditions, whereas Skansbukta represents an area with continuous tundra vegetation cover, milder climatic conditions and, consequently, also a longer vegetation season. These environmental factors probably caused significant differences in the relative antler size and number of tines in the studied species. The Skansbukta population exhibited a larger relative antler size and higher number of tines than the population in Petuniabukta (both parameters differed significantly, p < 0.01). This difference reflects concisely the different environmental conditions of both locations. A comparison of Skansbukta population antler characteristics between years 2017 and 2018 did not reveal significant changes, most probably due to very similar atmospheric conditions in these two years (in terms of air temperature).
{"title":"Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) antler characteristics reflecting the local environmental conditions","authors":"J. Kavan, Veronika Anděrová","doi":"10.2478/foecol-2019-0003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/foecol-2019-0003","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract A new non-invasive method based on picture analysis was used to estimate the conditions in Svalbard reindeer populations. The well-being of an individual subject is often expressed through visual indices. Two distinct reindeer populations were compared based on their antler parameters. Relative antler size and number of tines are variables supposed to reflect correspondingly the environmental conditions of sedentary populations within the growing season. The occurrence areas of two studied populations are distinctly isolated – separated with high mountain ridges, glaciers and fjords. The population in Petuniabukta occupies a sparsely vegetated region with harsh climatic conditions, whereas Skansbukta represents an area with continuous tundra vegetation cover, milder climatic conditions and, consequently, also a longer vegetation season. These environmental factors probably caused significant differences in the relative antler size and number of tines in the studied species. The Skansbukta population exhibited a larger relative antler size and higher number of tines than the population in Petuniabukta (both parameters differed significantly, p < 0.01). This difference reflects concisely the different environmental conditions of both locations. A comparison of Skansbukta population antler characteristics between years 2017 and 2018 did not reveal significant changes, most probably due to very similar atmospheric conditions in these two years (in terms of air temperature).","PeriodicalId":52505,"journal":{"name":"Folia Oecologica","volume":"46 1","pages":"16 - 23"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2019-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46621716","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-05-01DOI: 10.2478/foecol-2019-0002
S. Stašiov, Marek Svitok
Abstract Modification of forest stand density by thinning is a common silvicultural practice implemented in management of production forests. However, changes in the stand density can entail considerable changes to the present forest environment and communities. The current knowledge about the effect of stand density modification on the local animal communities is based mainly on the flagship groups such as carabid beetles or birds. We focused our study on harvestmen. We explored how the stand density influences species composition of this species communities in submountain beech forests. The study was conducted in the Kováčovská dolina valley (Kremnické vrchy Mts, Central Slovakia) in 1997 and 1998, the method used was pitfall trapping. In total, 9 harvestmen species from 5 families were recorded. Prior to our research, the forest stands at the study locality were subject to thinning interventions the intensity of which influenced the structure of the local harvestmen communities. The most pronounced was the effect of very intensive thinning with stand density reduced below 0.5. From the recorded species, four preferred forest stands with lower stand density (Lophopilio palpinalis, Oligolophus tridens, Nemastoma lugubre, Trogulus nepaeformis), two species (Platybunus bucephalus, Dicranolasma scabrum) preferred forest stands with higher stand density. Generalization of the observed pattern requires to explore a wider spectrum of beech forests.
{"title":"The influence of stand density on the structure of harvestmen communities (Opiliones) in a submountain beech forest","authors":"S. Stašiov, Marek Svitok","doi":"10.2478/foecol-2019-0002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/foecol-2019-0002","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Modification of forest stand density by thinning is a common silvicultural practice implemented in management of production forests. However, changes in the stand density can entail considerable changes to the present forest environment and communities. The current knowledge about the effect of stand density modification on the local animal communities is based mainly on the flagship groups such as carabid beetles or birds. We focused our study on harvestmen. We explored how the stand density influences species composition of this species communities in submountain beech forests. The study was conducted in the Kováčovská dolina valley (Kremnické vrchy Mts, Central Slovakia) in 1997 and 1998, the method used was pitfall trapping. In total, 9 harvestmen species from 5 families were recorded. Prior to our research, the forest stands at the study locality were subject to thinning interventions the intensity of which influenced the structure of the local harvestmen communities. The most pronounced was the effect of very intensive thinning with stand density reduced below 0.5. From the recorded species, four preferred forest stands with lower stand density (Lophopilio palpinalis, Oligolophus tridens, Nemastoma lugubre, Trogulus nepaeformis), two species (Platybunus bucephalus, Dicranolasma scabrum) preferred forest stands with higher stand density. Generalization of the observed pattern requires to explore a wider spectrum of beech forests.","PeriodicalId":52505,"journal":{"name":"Folia Oecologica","volume":"46 1","pages":"10 - 15"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2019-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46427734","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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