Influence of cattle grazing on population density and species richness of granivorous birds (Emberizidae) in the arid plain of the Monte, Argentina

Cattle grazing is an important disturbance in the Monte plain, reducing grass biomass and rates of fruit setting. Grass seeds are the most important food for granivorous birds (Emberizidae) during winter. The objective of this study was to test whether granivorous bird populations (Emberizidae), grass seed production, and vegetation structure differed at sites with different intensities of grazing. Emberizid density and species richness were higher in the ungrazed site than in the two grazed paddocks. Seed abundance was also higher in ungrazed vs. grazed sites. Woody vegetation, that serve as safe nest sites, did not differ among treatments. Granivorous bird populations seemed to be affected by cattle grazing; however, the main mechanisms of this process remain unknown.     

Interaction dynamics of avian frugivores and plants in a Chilean Mediterranean shrubland

Studies of plant-frugivore interactions are important for identifying the roles that biotic seed vectors play in seed dispersal, and ultimately plant recruitment. In a subandean shrubland of central Chile, 50% of total flora (14 species) has fleshy fruits dispersed by birds. We examined two aspects of frugivore-plant interaction in this system: the structure of the seed-dispersal network, to predict the effect of hypothetical frugivore species loss for seed dispersal and disperser effectiveness, by analyzing whether birds contribute equally to the removal of seeds from different shrub species. We show that the seed-dispersal network is highly and significantly nested, resulting in a core of interactions among generalist vertebrates and plant species. A reduction in the populations of the three main avian generalists, Turdus falcklandii, Mimus thenca and Elaenia albiceps, would disrupt seed dispersal and natural regeneration for most woody species. Monte Carlo simulations showed that the network was robust to the random loss of frugivorous species but highly sensitive to the loss of generalist species first. Mist-net sampling of birds corroborated that most fruit removal was effected by E. albiceps and T. falcklandii, highlighting the importance of frugivore species identity on seed dispersal for the maintenance of Mediterranean shrublands.     

Patterns of frugivory,seed dispersal and predation of blue fan palms (Brahea armata) in oases of northern Baja California

Variations in spatial and temporal availability of fruits and seeds in oases are important not only for animal seeking resources, but also for palm population dynamics. We explored spatial association patterns between avian frugivores and blue fan palms in two natural palm patches of Baja California. Spatial patterns were analyzed at the individual tree and at 2 ha patches. We evaluated seed predation by vertebrates and invertebrates, and vertebrate seed dispersal around palms. Birds responded to fruit aggregation at the individual tree and the patch scales, but responses varied between patches. Palm fruit variables—the quantity and the phenological phase—and avian visits showed strong spatial aggregation and association at both scales in one patch, but not in the other. The intensities of seed predation and seed dispersal were significantly higher directly below palms than at >3 m away from them. Patches differed in the intensity of seed predation around palms and in the diversity of mammalian dispersers, but not in the intensity of seed dispersal. Blue fan palms function as important resources' focuses for a great number of animals that use palm oases as corridors, bringing seeds as they move and connecting isolated populations of palms.     

Crops,trees, and birds: Biodiversity change under agricultural intensification in Uganda's farmed landscapes

Geografisk Tidsskrift, Danish Journal of Geography 106(2): 115–130, 2006

This paper examines the relationship between the intensity of agricultural land use and the abundance and richness of trees and birds in a humid tropical developing region where natural vegetation is being rapidly converted into farmland under market and population pressures. We analysed survey data on land use, birds and woody plants collected in 14 study sites situated within smallholder cropland and commercial plantations in southern Uganda. Commercial plantations had very few trees and only 10% of the original bird species. Land use intensification in smallholder systems also showed losses in bird abundance and species richness, but not nearly as much as in plantations. In both systems the impact of intensification was much bigger on the specialised and threatened birds compared to the less specialised species. This argues strongly for ‘species-sensitive’ conservation policies combining protected areas with land use regulation in areas undergoing intensification. We also found a much higher loss in bird biodiversity during the first phases of land use intensification (when larger tracts of forest are cleared) than in later phases characterised by clearing of smaller patches of vegetation and improved management of farm trees. This suggests high pay-offs to geographical targeting of conservation efforts in farmed landscapes.     

Restoring habitat for riparian birds in the lower Colorado River watershed: An example from the Las Vegas Wash, Nevada

The success of riparian restoration projects in the arid southwestern U.S. is often measured in terms of vegetation characteristics such as growth, cover, and structure. Among low-elevation riverine environments within the Colorado River watershed, restoration is typically conducted to improve degraded habitats for birds of conservation concern by replacing the exotic tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima) with native cottonwoods (Populus spp.) and willows (Salix spp.). The working assumption for many restoration practitioners is that replacing exotic plants with native plants will improve habitat quality and will, therefore, benefit birds. Based on data collected at exotic and restored (i.e., native) sites along the Las Vegas Wash, Nevada, not all birds benefit from restoration. Broad measures of community benefit, including benefits to birds of conservation concern and riparian obligate/dependent birds, were not detected. There were, however, some species-specific benefits. Some environmental variables that were associated with exotic and native sites were significant in explaining the composition of the bird community. For example, the richness of forbs and grass-like plants (a proxy of soil moisture), invertebrate mass, and percent shade (a proxy for canopy characteristics) were important. Considering our results and depending on restoration goals, tamarisk replacement projects may not inherently provide benefits to birds.     

Seed predation and moisture limit germination of recalcitrant Dobera glabra (Salvadoraceae) seeds in the Afar rangelands, Ethiopia

We studied current recruitment failure of Dobera glabra, an important famine-food throughout the dryland parts of the Horn of Africa. The species has previously been found to have recalcitrant seeds, a strategy not common for plants in dryland areas. We experimentally tested (1) how germination capacity of D. glabra is affected by seed form, storage period and moisture under nursery conditions, and (2) how seed predation by vertebrate herbivore and seed exposure at germination site affect germination under field conditions in northern Afar rangelands, Ethiopia. D. glabra seeds that received either mulching or supplementary watering (3 days/week) had a higher germination success than controls. The seeds are probably desiccation sensitive since stored seeds had poor germination performance compared to fresh seeds. Seeds in the rangeland plots protected from herbivores had significantly higher germination success compared to open plots. Our findings demonstrate that seed predation and moisture limitation highly reduced the germinability of the recalcitrant D. glabra seeds, indicating that the species might have persisted due to past wetter periods and low herbivore density in dry environments.     

Seed dispersal and seed fate in Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia)

Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) is a charismatic symbol of the Mojave Desert. Despite its familiarity, we know little about the reproduction of this species, including mechanisms of seed dispersal. Here we examine mechanisms of seed dispersal and resulting seed fate. We experimentally tracked fruit and seed removal and followed the fates of Joshua tree seeds using radioactive tracers. The majority of Joshua tree fruits monitored were taken directly from the tree canopy by white-tailed antelope squirrels, and seeds and fruits on the soil surface were quickly removed by animals. Rodents given seeds labeled with scandium-46 cached them between 0.1 cm and 4.1 cm deep. Seedling emergence was most common for seeds planted 1 cm deep, whereas seeds placed on the soil surface seldom germinated. Wind dispersal is unlikely because fruits and seeds lack adaptations for wind dispersal; wind speeds required to move Joshua tree seeds and fruits across the soil surface were higher than those typically found in the Mojave Desert. Further, rodents removed most seeds before abiotic burial was possible. We conclude that most Joshua tree seeds are dispersed by scatter hoarding by rodents, and that caches made by rodents are suitable sites for seedling emergence.     

广州南沙湿地公园鸟类2014—2018年际动态及其对生境变化的响应

为了解广州南沙湿地鸟类迁徙规律,揭示鸟类整体迁徙动态变化,于2014年1月至2018年12月,连续在每月下旬日落前3 h采用样点法和样线法对南沙湿地公园鸟类群落多样性进行调查。结果显示：1) 2014—2018年共记录到鸟类139种,以冬候鸟为主。2）鸟类物种数年际波动较大,丰富度年际变化不明显,即鸟类种类在逐渐增加的同时,个体数量趋于稳定。3）鸟类月度变化呈现明显的候鸟迁徙规律,越冬期急速上升,繁殖期平缓。越冬水鸟迁飞时间有提前的趋势,且在富有食物来源的浅水滩涂地和在无瓣海桑等高大茂盛的红树林群落有更多种类与数量的水鸟分布。最后,建议在注重绿化连续性和整体性的同时,保护和管理鸟类的栖息环境,适当扩大滩涂地面积,增加红树林种植面积以及合理地围垦,科学维持浅水滩涂和红树林种植面积比例,吸引更多越冬候鸟。     

Effects of bark damage by feral herbivores on columnar cactus Echinopsis (=Trichocereus) terscheckii reproductive output

Columnar cacti are an important feature of the arid “cardonal” landscape in South America. The predominant columnar cactus in the southern zone is Echinopsis (=Trichocereus) terscheckii. At some sites, the species suffers considerable trunk damage, attributed in previous studies to feral livestock grazing (donkey and cattle). In order to understand the potential impact of this damage on columnar cactus populations, we investigated whether reproductive output (flower, fruit and seed production) of Echinopsis terscheckii individuals was related to damage, controlling for the effect of individual plant size and habitat characteristics measured at meso and micro-scale. Cactus trunk damage negatively correlated with the number of flowers and fruits, but not with fruit size. We also found significant effects of meso and micro-habitat conditions on all the analyzed reproductive parameters while plant size was positively related to flower and fruit production. These results show that bark damage reduces the reproductive potential of cacti, and therefore that large feral herbivores could have negative effects on reproduction of columnar cacti. Such findings highlight the need for management programs to monitor population trends of these plants and also exotic herbivores.     

Pre- and post-dispersal seed loss and soil seed dynamics of the dominant Bulnesia retama (Zygophyllaceae) shrub in a sandy Monte desert of western Argentina

In deserts and semi-deserts dominant plants seldom rely on a persistent seed bank to ensure their recruitment from sexual reproduction, which is generally based on the seeds produced in the last reproductive event. We studied pre- and post-dispersal seed loss of Bulnesia retama, a dominant shrub of the sandy Monte deserts (western Argentina). We hypothesised that pre- and post-dispersal seed depletion in B. retama regulate soil seed density and in turn decrease soil seed reserves. We also hypothesised that spatial patches induced by standing vegetation and other microsites additionally affect post-dispersal seed loss and soil seed density.We observed that as much as half the total seed production was lost due to pre-dispersal seed predation. Seed dispersal plus predation showed a negative exponential function with 61% of seeds falling during the first 28 days, and 99% after 90 days, when 34% of the seeds remained inside excluded branches. A significant patch effect was observed on soil seed density and seed dynamics, with a greater number of seeds and increased seed depletion rates below B. retama shrubs. However, spatial patches did not affect seed germination although they increased with burial time, from 22% to 70% after 75 and 276 days, respectively. Likewise, a similar trend was found in potential seed germination; seeds collected directly from mother plants had a low germination rate (less than 25%), which increased to 75% after 276 days of soil burial. About 15% of the dispersed seeds should persist to the next rainy season, thus contributing to a low-density but persistent seed bank.The delay in seed germination and temporal decrease in soil seed density that we observed for B. retama suggest that a set of mechanisms have been developed promoting germination events whenever soil water is available, at any moment of the year.     

北京翠湖湿地鸟类资源现状及保护对策

2009-2011年对翠湖湿地鸟类进行了调查。结果发现:翠湖湿地记录到鸟类17目40科166种,其中非雀形目鸟类108种,雀形目58种。从居留型来看,旅鸟种类数量最多,留鸟和夏候鸟次之,冬候鸟最少。翠湖湿地拥有多种珍稀濒危鸟类,其中属于国家重点保护野生动物(2003)的34种,属于北京市保护野生动物(2007)的68种;翠湖湿地还拥有一些被列入双边国际协定保护中的候鸟,如《中日候鸟保护协定》、《中澳候鸟保护协定》。翠湖湿地鸟类生物多样性十分丰富,在保护野生动植物和候鸟方面发挥着重要的作用。     

近年鄱阳湖鸟类救治调查

我国鸟类资源丰富,但缺乏专业的鸟类救护机构,故缺乏成熟系统的鸟类救治经验。鄱阳湖是我国重要的鸟类栖息地,由于各种原因,很多鸟类会被救助。研究以鄱阳湖地区救护鸟类为对象,对2012-2014年期间救护档案进行归纳整理和统计分析。结果表明:救护鸟类总共有15只,其中13只为成年鸟,2只幼鸟。救护鸟类中雁属的数量最多,达到7只。救护鸟类的来源主要包括:鄱阳湖自然保护区管理局移送、鄱阳湖自然保护区监测站移送、林业局野生动物保护站移送和市民移送4个方面,其中管理局送过来的鸟类数量最多,达到了10只,占总数的66.7%。救护鸟类所受伤害症状主要有3类:骨折、中毒和外伤。造成伤害的危险源可分成4类:天网、投毒、天敌和其他。救治成活率达到了80%。通过本研究,为野生鸟类保护和救助提供了参考。     

鸟类在湿地生态系统监测与评价中的应用

湿地是鸟类的聚居地,一方面湿地为鸟类提供了不可替代的生境,另一方面鸟类的分布、数量、繁殖、生理等特征对湿地所承受的种种干扰有所响应。因而鸟类可以作为湿地生态系统监测与评价的指标。从湿地植被、湿地水环境、湿地生物多样性、湿地污染、湿地生态系统监测与评价几方面论述了鸟类作为指示生物的作用。鸟类是湿地中主要的顶级消费者,其生存与低营养级生物乃至无机环境密切相关,而且所处营养级与人类更接近,所以鸟类作为指示生物不仅适于快速的生态系统水平的评价,也对人类所面临的环境风险有参考价值。在未来的湿地生态系统监测与评价中,繁殖分布范围大的鸟类、顶级肉食性鸟类应当受到足够的重视。     

Reproductive phenology of Isolatocereus dumortieri (Cactaceae) in semiarid scrub in central Mexico: Effect of rain during the dry season

The giant cactus Isolatocereus dumortieri is a dominant species of the semiarid scrub of central Mexico. Its reproductive period is during the dry season, and it produces essential resources (pollen, nectar and fruits) for a great variety of animal species. We related the production of reproductive structures with water variables in the soil–plant system. The main goal of the present study was to evaluate the consequences of a change in rainfall pattern on the phenology of I. dumortieri. We watered some plants in the dry season to simulate heavy rain events, and to test the hypothesis that water availability during the reproductive season has a negative effect on fruiting and a positive effect on vegetative growth. The seasonality of rain events caused variations in soil water potential and plant osmotic potential, and we found that both variables influenced fruit production. The regression models relating the number of fruits with soil water potential, rainfall and osmotic potential were significant for all three study periods. The highest production of reproductive structures occurred in the driest year (2009), during which there was an ENSO event. Watering did not have a significant effect on osmotic potential or growth in the cacti. However, the watering × time interaction had a negative effect on the number of immature fruits. That is, at the end of the experiment, the plants that received the most water showed a decrease in the number of fruits. Plant growth during the rainy period was significantly greater than during the dry period. The results support the hypothesis that a change in rainfall pattern during the dry season has an effect on fruit production. Vegetative growth, however, occurred only during the wet season.     

黑龙江省富锦国家湿地公园鸟类多样性变化研究

2015年3—9月,采用样线法和样点法相结合的方法,对黑龙江省富锦国家湿地公园进行鸟类多样性调查。结果表明:公园内鸟类共12目20科28属50种,以雁形目最多。首次在公园内发现东方白鹳和白额雁。鸟类时空分布差异显著,春季鸟类最多,夏季最少;春秋季以鸭科为主,夏季以鸥科为主;明水面、沼泽湿地和人工岛是鸟类主要分布区域。鸟类物种多样性和物种丰富度均表现为:春季夏季秋季,而物种均匀度表现为:夏季春季秋季。富锦国家湿地公园是重要的鸟类栖息地,应加强对公园生态环境的保护和管理。     

Factors controlling regeneration in a rare desert tree Acacia peuce: Limits to soil seed bank accumulation in time and space

We assessed reasons for rare recruitment in Acacia peuce, an Australian arid zone tree, by testing recruitment-limitation hypotheses relating to seed bank inputs and losses. Viable seed occurred in low density in the soil (<1 seed m²) whereas freshly produced seed was non-dormant and germination was high and fast, indicating small rain events can deplete seed banks without providing sufficient moisture for seedling survival. Seed bank seed had lower viability than fresh seed. Insect predation of seed was negligible but seed pod production and seed number/pod were low. Thus, seed bank accumulation is limited by low inputs and continual high seed losses through germination and potentially seed death. No seed shadow effect under adult canopies was found, but dispersal beyond existing stands was negligible. Seed dispersal from parent plants occurred by wind movement of unopened pods whereas the resident ant fauna did not transport seed. Microsite parameters strongly influenced horizontal distribution of buried seed, with all seed being retrieved from vegetated sandy mounds. Overall, we found that seedling recruitment is likely to be confined to large above average rainfall events because the species is unlikely to maintain a seed bank in below-average and average rainfall phases.     

福州滨海湿地水鸟资源现状及保护对策研究

1997-2008年对福州滨海湿地水鸟进行了调查,记录到水鸟共132种,隶属9目21科,以鸻鹬类和雁鸭类为主,居留型以冬候鸟和旅鸟为主;拥有多种珍稀濒危水鸟,属于国家重点保护野生动物（1988）有15种、IUCN名录的有16种、中国濒危动物红皮书名录有16种。水鸟主要分布在闽江河口、福清兴化湾、福清湾、文武砂、罗源湾。同时针对福州滨海湿地水鸟情况提出了相应的保护对策。     

Precipitation impacts on mule deer habitat use in the chihuahuan desert of Mexico

In arid lands, food resources and predation risk become major decision factors in mule deer habitat use. We examined variables related to these two factors that might determine mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) habitat use in a warm desert at two spatial scales: the macro-habitat scale, which relates to home range decisions, and the micro-habitat scale, which relates to decisions made during foraging. Our prediction was that habitat use should primarily be explained by food variables and, to a lesser degree, by variables related to predation risk by pumas (Puma concolor). We mapped all deer pellet groups in 72, 1 ha quadrats in the Mapimí Biosphere Reserve and measured food and habitat variables over two years with different precipitation amounts. The area was used more intensively during the dry year. Under drier conditions, deer habitat use was explained primarily by food resource variables and secondarily by variables related with predation risk. During the wetter year, food resources became unimportant while cover and visibility explained deer habitat use. The data suggest that the tradeoffs deer are willing to make between food resources and predation risk in an arid environment are strongly affected by food resource levels, as influenced by precipitation.     

广东南岭国家级自然保护区森林鸟类多样性监测

野生鸟类资源是自然保护区生物多样性的重要组成部分,为了解广东南岭国家级自然保护区鸟类种类和数量动态变化以及鸟类栖息地环境状况,2017年4月、7月和10月对区内11条鸟类监测样线进行了调查。调查结果显示：1）记录鸟种11目27科89种,其中雀形目15科61种;发现频次888次,记录数量3 367只,频次和数量均居前五的有栗背短脚鹎Hemixos castanonotus、灰眶雀鹛Alcippe morrisonia、灰树鹊Dendrocitta formosae、红嘴相思鸟Leiothrix lutea。2）居留型以留鸟为主,共61种,占68.5%;夏候鸟15种,占16.9%;旅鸟7种,占7.9%;冬侯鸟6种,占6.7%。鸟类区系组成以东洋界鸟种为主,共62种,占总数的69.7%;广布种19种,占21.3%;古北种8种,占9.0%。3）4月份是南岭鸟类繁殖活跃期,也是调查记录鸟种和数量最多的月份。11条样线中,相思坑、炉田、横水、南木、泽子坪、电视台、第一峰鸟类多样性（Shannon Wiener index）较高,怡坑、仙洞、担杆冲、竹坳多样性较低。4）根据海拔和植被类型,样线鸟类群落可分为4类：低海拔针阔混交林、常绿阔叶林、高海拔针阔混交林和山顶矮林。300~1 500 m的针阔混交林和常绿阔叶林生境鸟类群落并没有很大差异,优势种均为栗背短脚鹎、灰眶雀鹛、灰树鹊等;而高海拔山顶矮林（1 300~1 800 m）生境鸟种则明显不同,以画眉科（Timaliidae）的红嘴相思鸟、红头穗鹛、赤尾噪鹛、褐胸噪鹛、灰眶雀鹛及莺科（Sylviidae）的金头缝叶莺、比氏鹟莺、栗头鹟莺、冠纹柳莺为主。建议建立南岭鸟类多样性监测网络和评价体系,以鸟类长期监测数据,如种类变化、种群波动,作为评价保护区生态环境质量的指标。     

Could abiotic environment shape fleshy fruit traits? A field study of the desert shrub Ochradenus baccatus

In the reciprocal relations between fleshy-fruited plants and their seed dispersers, the pulp shape and content may have important consequences for the plant's fitness through their influence on frugivore's fruit choice and thus on seed dispersal success. It is completely unknown to what extent the variation of these fruit traits is affected by the abiotic environment. We tested the hypothesis that abiotic environment governs fruit morphology and chemistry. We studied fruit morphology and analyzed the chemical content of the pulp of the fleshy-fruited desert shrub Ochradenus baccatus in its natural habitat and related these fruit traits to water availability and soil nutrients using Redundancy Analysis (RDA). We found that soil abiotic conditions such as short and long-term water availability and nutrients concentration affected fruit and seed size, pulp:seed ratio and pulp nutritional content (carbohydrates, fat, protein and glucosinolates). These results demonstrated for the first time a linkage between fleshy fruit traits and abiotic conditions in the plants' microhabitat. We suggest that the abiotic environment plays a more important role in shaping fruit traits than has been proposed before. Thus, the abiotic environment may determine plant fitness through its effect on fruit traits and thereby on fruit choice by potential seed dispersers.