Impact of fire on invertebrate communities in mallee-heath shrublands of southwestern Australia

A three-year study (1989?92) of the responses of invertebrates to fire was carried out in mallee-heath shrublands in the Stirling Range National Park, Western Australia. Abundances were measured at the Order level for major groups, and at the morphospecies level for Coleoptera. Changes in floristics and vegetation structure were monitored over the same period. At the Order level, variation in abundances was attributable more to locality, seasonal and year-to-year effects than to fire. Responses of beetles at the morphospecies level, however, reflected changes due to fire as well those attributable to season and year. Coleoptera and Diptera were most abundant 40 years after fire, Hemiptera and Orthoptera peaked in earlier seral stages, while Hymenoptera and Araneae showed relatively few fire-related trends. Coleoptera and Diptera best reflected changes due to season, year and fire, and together with some Araneae such as mygalomorph spiders, would most likely be suitable groups to consider in future studies. Multivariate analyses indicated that classification to morphospecies level is essential to elucidate changes due to fire. These analyses also indicated that changes in invertebrate abundance and composition did not accord with changes in floristics or vegetation structure. Each set of data therefore represents different facets of change over time, including those due to fire. Comparing our data with contemporaneous information collected in upland areas of the Park indicates that there is a clear dichotomy in the fire sensitivity of species inhabiting the wet gullies and thickets of the mountains and those occupying the seasonally dry lowland mallee-heaths. Fire management strategies need to take account of this dichotomy by protecting relictual fire sensitive species and habitats.

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Unveiling biogeographical patterns of the ichthyofauna in the Tuichi basin, a biodiversity hotspot in the Bolivian Amazon, using environmental DNA

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0262357 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. e0262357

Author(s):

Cédric Mariac ◽

Fabrice Duponchelle ◽

Guido Miranda ◽

Camila Ramallo ◽

Robert Wallace ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Aquatic Ecosystems ◽

National Park ◽

Amazon Basin ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Environmental Dna ◽

Biodiversity Hotspot ◽

Species Level ◽

Specific Primers ◽

Future Studies ◽

Bolivian Amazon

To date, more than 2400 valid fish species have been recorded in the Amazon basin. However, some regions remain poorly documented. This is the case in the Beni basin and in particular in one of its main sub-basins, the Tuichi, an Andean foothills rivers flowing through the Madidi National Park in the Bolivian Amazonia. The knowledge of its ichthyological diversity is, however, essential for the management and protection of aquatic ecosystems, which are threatened by the development of infrastructures (dams, factories and cities), mining and deforestation. Environmental DNA (eDNA) has been relatively little used so far in the Amazon basin. We sampled eDNA from water in 34 sites in lakes and rivers in the Beni basin including 22 sites in the Tuichi sub-basin, during the dry season. To assess the biogeographical patterns of the amazonian ichthyofauna, we implemented a metabarcoding approach using two pairs of specific primers designed and developed in our laboratory to amplify two partially overlapping CO1 fragments, one of 185bp and another of 285bp. We detected 252 fish taxa (207 at species level) among which 57 are newly identified for the Beni watershed. Species compositions are significantly different between lakes and rivers but also between rivers according to their hydrographic rank and altitude. Furthermore, the diversity patterns are related to the different hydro-ecoregions through which the Tuichi flows. The eDNA approach makes it possible to identify and complete the inventory of the ichthyofauna in this still poorly documented Amazon basin. However, taxonomic identification remains constrained by the lack of reference barcodes in public databases and does not allow the assignment of all OTUs. Our results can be taken into account in conservation and management strategies and could serve as a baseline for future studies, including on other Andean tributaries.

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The Vegetation Structure of Evergreen Coniferous Forests of Daehuksan Island in the Dadohaehaesang National Park

The Journal of Korean Island ◽

10.26840/jki.30.1.173 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 173-193 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Yeongjun Cho ◽

Hasong Kim ◽

Hyeonho Myeong ◽

Jungwon Park ◽

Janggeun Oh

Keyword(s):

Vegetation Structure ◽

National Park ◽

Coniferous Forests

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Linking Conservation, Community Knowledge, and Adaptation to Extreme Climatic Events: A Case Study in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13116478 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 6478

Author(s):

Amemarlita Matos ◽

Laura Barraza ◽

Isabel Ruiz-Mallén

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Animal Species ◽

Human Life ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Forest Products ◽

Buffer Zone ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Extreme Climatic Events ◽

Water Provision

This study is based on ethnographic research that analyzes how traditional knowledge and local beliefs on biodiversity conservation relates to the local ability to adapt and be resilient to climatic changes in two communities around Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique: Nhanfisse in the buffer zone and Muanandimae in the core area. A total of 78 semi-structured interviews with heads of households were conducted. We found that both communities carried out practices and held beliefs associated with conservation, such as protecting trees and animal species considered sacred or perceived as beneficial for human life in terms of water provision and agricultural production. In addition to traditional ceremonies that respond to extreme climatic events such as drought and flood, other adaptation strategies used by the communities include moving to neighboring areas in search of better living conditions and using forest products in times of scarcity. We discuss that the management of the park should be agreed on, in a shared way, between local communities and conservation agents to ensure that these areas continue to perform the ecological, subsistence, and spiritual functions required. Our research results contribute to a better understanding of local adaptation dynamics towards extreme climatic events and improvement of management strategies.

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Fire management in Pilanesberg National Park, Bophuthatswana, using expert systems as aids to decision making

African Journal of Range and Forage Science ◽

10.1080/10220119.1993.9638317 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 25-30 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

A.W. Bailey ◽

B.H. Brocket ◽

M.T. Mentis

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Expert Systems ◽

National Park ◽

Fire Management

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State-shifts of lion prey selection in the Kruger National Park

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr16090 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 28 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

N. T. Maruping-Mzileni ◽

P. J. Funston ◽

S. M. Ferreira

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Prey Selection ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Stable State ◽

Kruger National Park ◽

Ecological Processes ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Predator Prey ◽

Key Indicator ◽

Management Interventions

Aims Indicators of pending state-shifts carry value for policy makers. Predator–prey relations reflect key ecological processes that shape ecosystems. Variance in predator–prey relations may serve as a key indicator of future state-shifts. Methods Lion (Panthera leo) diet in the Kruger National Park was evaluated as such an indicator. Over the three-decade time span reviewed, variance in diet in relation to rainfall, prey abundance, management strategies and disease emergence were reviewed. Key results Rainfall patterns, both seasonal and cyclical, were identified as key drivers of predator–prey selection. However, the intensity of management in the form of artificial waterpoints overrode and confounded natural process. The results suggest that savanna systems are stable and punctuated by climatic events in the form of extreme above-average rainfall that temporarily destabilises the system. However, droughts are a cyclical part of the savanna system. Conclusion Lion prey selection did fluctuate with changing environmental conditions. Abrupt state shifts did occur; however, the ecosystem returned to a stable state. Implications State shifts in ecosystems pose key challenges to conservation managers. State shifts appear to be primarily associated with management interventions and environmental factors.

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The effects of a national highway on the Endangered golden-brown mouse lemur Microcebus ravelobensis in Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605317001284 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 53 (4) ◽

pp. 727-731 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Malcolm S. Ramsay ◽

Andriamahery Razafindrakoto ◽

Shawn M. Lehman

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Mouse Lemur ◽

Population Subdivision ◽

Empirical Testing ◽

Future Studies ◽

North West ◽

Mouse Lemurs ◽

Interior Forest ◽

Males And Females ◽

Dispersal Events

AbstractAlthough roads are often assumed to be barriers to the dispersal of arboreal species, there has been little empirical testing of this assumption. If arboreal animals are unable to cross roads, population subdivision may occur, or resources may become inaccessible. We tested the hypothesis that Route Nationale 4 (RN4), a paved highway, was a barrier to movement and dispersal of the Endangered golden-brown mouse lemur Microcebus ravelobensis in Ankarafantsika National Park, in north-west Madagascar. During June–August 2015 we conducted a capture–mark–recapture study at three sites: two adjacent to RN4 and one within intact forest without a potential barrier. During 2,294 trap nights we captured 120 golden-brown mouse lemurs 1,032 times. In roadside habitats we captured significantly more males than females, whereas the opposite was the case in interior forest habitat. We detected eighteen crossings of highway transects by nine individuals; however, all potential dispersal events involved males. In roadside habitat, movement was significantly inhibited in both males and females. We present some of the first data on the effects of roads on movement patterns in arboreal Malagasy mammals, showing species- and sex-biased effects of roads as dispersal barriers. Our findings indicate that roads may not be complete barriers to dispersal in lemurs. We recommend that conservation managers and scientists examine explicitly the effects of roads and natural arboreal bridges in Madagascar in future studies.

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Composition of Vegetation Types and Structures in Gunung Ciremai National Park Forest

IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science ◽

10.1088/1755-1315/748/1/012009 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 748 (1) ◽

pp. 012009

Author(s):

Agusyadi Ismail ◽

Yayan Hendrayana ◽

Dadan Ramadani ◽

Sri Umiyati

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Vegetation Structure ◽

National Park ◽

Stand Structure ◽

Complex Structure ◽

Forest Vegetation ◽

Intensity Data ◽

Vegetation Types ◽

Growth Phases ◽

High Level

Abstract Mount Ciremai National Park forest that area had been encroached. Because of that condition, stand structure especially the species composition and vegetation structure need to be researched. The aim of this research was to identify plant species and analyze forest vegetation structure. This research was conducted between March–April 2018 in the 15.500 ha area with 0.02% sampling intensity. Data was collected using grid line method that consisted of 34 sample plots with the 10 m distance between the plots and 20 m between the lines. The numbers of identified plant species at the research location were 43 species, classified by 10 families and 24 genera. Cinnamomum sintoc has a high level of dominance species. The forest vegetation was consisting by the different growth phases. The tree phase has the highest density of 3672 species/ha, while the seedling phase was lowest density of 1060 species/ha. The forest crown stratification were consisting of A, B, C, D and E stratum. The highest number of plants were from C strata for 4651 trees and the least from A strata with 25 trees with the highest tree was 42 m. Could be concluded that the composition of Mount Ciremai National Park forest have so many number of species and complex structure vegetation forest.

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Biodiversity of bulbous and tuberous geophytes from the El Kala National Park (North-Eastern Algeria): checklist, vulnerability and conservation

Anales de Biología ◽

10.6018/analesbio.41.05 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 25-38

Author(s):

Besma Dechir ◽

Atef Chouikh ◽

Tarek Hamel ◽

Nawel Nadia Azizi ◽

Nawel Ganaoui ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Environmental Variables ◽

National Park ◽

Multivariate Analyses ◽

North Eastern ◽

Floristic Analysis ◽

The Subject ◽

Eastern Algeria ◽

A New Species

Treinta estaciones en el Parque Nacional El Kala (Noreste de Argelia) fueron objeto de un inventario florístico que se centró en el estudio de la ecología de geófitos bulbosos y tuberosos. La flora se caracteriza por una alta proporción de taxones raros y/o endémicos, entre ellos, 6 especies son endemismos algero-tunecinos pertenecientes a la familia Orchidaceae. En este trabajo, se da a conocer la presencia de una nueva especie para la flora argelina, Ophrys fusca subsp. lupercalis. Los análisis multivariantes revelaron, ciertas variables ambientales que determinan la distribución de los geófitos. Los lugares de interés son particularmente sensibles a las amenazas, particularmente las de origen antrópico. Thirty stations at the El Kala National Park (North Eastern Algeria) were the subject of a floristic focused on the study of the ecology of bulbous and tuberous geophytes. The floristic analysis was used to draw up a checklist of 67 species belonging to 36 genera and 14 families, among of which 19 species a high proportion of rare and/or endemic taxa; among them six signed taxa are endemic to algerian-tunisian mainly represented by family of Orchidaceae. In this work, we recorded the presence of a new species for the Algerian flora which is Ophrys fusca subsp. lupercalis. Multivariate analyses revealed certain environmental variables determining the distribution of geophytes. The visited sites show an alarming vulnerability and subject to threats, particularly anthropogenic ones.

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Vegetation structure and floristic composition of tree species in the habitat of Scaphium macropodum in Gunung Leuser National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia

Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity ◽

10.13057/biodiv/d210720 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (7) ◽

Author(s):

ARIDA SUSILOWATI ◽

DENI ELFIATI ◽

HENTI HENDALSTUTI RACHMAT ◽

KUSUMADEWI SRI YULITA ◽

ADI NURUL HADI ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tree Species ◽

Vegetation Structure ◽

National Park ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Good Condition ◽

Floristic Composition ◽

Line Transect ◽

Growth Stages ◽

Limited Information ◽

Wiener Diversity Index

Abstract. Susilowati A, Elfiati D, Rachmat HH, Yulita KS, Hadi AN, Kusuma YS, Batu SAL. 2020. Vegetation structure and floristic composition of tree species in the habitat of Scaphium macropodum in Gunung Leuser National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 3025-3033. Scaphium macropodum (Miq.) Beumee Ex K Heyne is a member of Malvaceae tree species and globally recognized as malva nut and locally known as ‘kembang semangkok’, ‘tempayang’, ‘merpayang’ or ‘kepayang’. The nut of S. macropodum has many benefits for medicinal purposes, yet destructive extraction of this tree species has led them to extinction. Among its natural distribution in Indonesia, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia is known as its original range, but there is limited information about the existence of this species. This study aimed to determine the vegetation structure of some tree species in the habitat of S. macropodum in Sikundur, Gunung Leuser National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia. Purposive sampling technique was employed by creating line transect at some forest areas where the population of S. macropodum is known to grow naturally. Four line transects with each transect consisting of five plots with nested plots within were established to record data at four growth stages, resulting in 80 plots in total. The results showed that the Important Value Index (IVI) of S. macropodum within the floristic community at the studied area was 21.98, 13.85, 27.30, and 39.60 for tree, pole, sapling, and seedlings stages, respectively. The Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (H) were 3.80, 3.70, 3.06 and 2.45, Index of evenness (E) are 0.94, 0.92, 0.86, 0.77 and the Index of Richness (R) are 11.76, 10.73, 6.59, 4.10 for tree, pole, sapling, and seedlings stages. This result suggests that the natural population of S. macropodum in Sikundur forest was still in good condition at all stages from tree to seedling.

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