scholarly journals Old and new challenges in using species diversity for assessing biodiversity

2011 ◽  
Vol 366 (1576) ◽  
pp. 2426-2437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Chiarucci ◽  
Giovanni Bacaro ◽  
Samuel M. Scheiner
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Quantitative Measurement ◽  
Phylogenetic Distance ◽  
Existing Problems ◽  
Species Abundances ◽  
Species Lists ◽  
Assessment And Monitoring ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
Patterns And Processes ◽  
Conservation And Management

Although the maintenance of diversity of living systems is critical for ecosystem functioning, the accelerating pace of global change is threatening its preservation. Standardized methods for biodiversity assessment and monitoring are needed. Species diversity is one of the most widely adopted metrics for assessing patterns and processes of biodiversity, at both ecological and biogeographic scales. However, those perspectives differ because of the types of data that can be feasibly collected, resulting in differences in the questions that can be addressed. Despite a theoretical consensus on diversity metrics, standardized methods for its measurement are lacking, especially at the scales needed to monitor biodiversity for conservation and management purposes. We review the conceptual framework for species diversity, examine common metrics, and explore their use for biodiversity conservation and management. Key differences in diversity measures at ecological and biogeographic scales are the completeness of species lists and the ability to include information on species abundances. We analyse the major pitfalls and problems with quantitative measurement of species diversity, look at the use of weighting measures by phylogenetic distance, discuss potential solutions and propose a research agenda to solve the major existing problems.

scholarly journals Taxonomic scale dependency of Bergmann's patterns: A cross-scale comparison of hawkmoths and birds along a tropical elevational gradient

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mansi Mungee ◽  
Ramana Athreya ◽  
Rohan Pandit
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Large Data ◽  
Elevational Gradient ◽  
Scale Dependency ◽  
Biological Organization ◽  
Intraspecific Trait Variation ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Single Location ◽  
Species Abundances ◽  
Patterns And Processes

Bergmann's rule predicts a larger body size for endothermic organisms in colder environments. The multiplicity of patterns and processes is expected because body size and temperature are two most fundamental factors on which many physiological, ecological and evolutionary processes depend, affecting all levels of biological organization, from individuals to communities. The confounding results from previous studies may be due to the differences in taxonomic (intraspecific, interspecific and community) and spatial (latitudinal vs elevational) scales. We compared Bergmann's patterns for endotherms (Aves) and ectotherms (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) along a same 2.6 km elevational transect in the eastern Himalayas. Using a large data spanning 3,302 hawkmoths (76 morpho-species) and 15,746 birds (245 species), we compared the patterns at the intraspecific (hawkmoths only), interspecific and community scales. At the interspecific scale, we account for phylogenetic non-independence in body mass by using a heirarchical linear mixed effects model for hawkmoths, and a phylogenetic generalised least squares model for birds. We assess the importance of using abundance-weighted metrics at the community scales, after accounting for spatial auto-correlation in communities. Hawkmoths exhibited positive Bergmann's pattern at the intraspecific and abundance-weighted community scale. Intraspecific variation accounted for a substantial 33% variation at the community level. Contrary to this, birds exhibited a strong converse-Bergmann's pattern at interspecific and community scales, both with- and without-abundance. Overall, all metrics which incorporate local traits and/or species abundances show stronger correlations than when this information is lacking. The multiplicity of patterns at a single location provides the opportunity to disentangle the relative contribution of individual- and species-level processes by integrating data across multiple nested taxonomic scales for the same taxa. We suggest that future studies of Bergmann's patterns should explicitly address taxonomic- and spatial-scale dependency, with species relative abundance and intraspecific trait variation as essential ingredients especially at short elevational scales.

Statistics in the Mathematics Curricula in Bulgaria

2021 ◽  
pp. 99-123
Author(s):  
Marta Zdravkova Sugareva ◽  
Mariana Koleva Mourgova
Keyword(s):  
Present State ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Educational System ◽  
Mathematics Curriculum ◽  
Teaching Material ◽  
Statistical Literacy ◽  
Existing Problems ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
Mathematics Curricula ◽  
Younger Generation

Living in the 21st century brings new challenges for the educational system, especially that which concerns education in mathematics, statistics, and technologies. In this chapter, recent problems of teaching statistics in schools in Bulgaria are discussed. The present state of the mathematics curriculum is presented, namely in the section “Probabilities and statistics”; some existing problems are discussed, and recommendations are made for further improvement of the teaching material. The objective of the study is to provide ground for increasing the statistical literacy of the younger generation through a more comprehensive and more up-to-date education in school.

scholarly journals Cryptic diversity in vertebrates: molecular data double estimates of species diversity in a radiation of Australian lizards ( Diplodactylus , Gekkota)

2009 ◽  
Vol 276 (1664) ◽  
pp. 2001-2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul M. Oliver ◽  
Mark Adams ◽  
Michael S.Y. Lee ◽  
Mark N. Hutchinson ◽  
Paul Doughty
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Nominal Species ◽  
Cryptic Diversity ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Taxonomic Impediment ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Developed Nations ◽  
Diversity Estimates ◽  
Conservation And Management

A major problem for biodiversity conservation and management is that a significant portion of species diversity remains undocumented (the ‘taxonomic impediment’). This problem is widely acknowledged to be dire among invertebrates and in developing countries; here, we demonstrate that it can be acute even in conspicuous animals (reptiles) and in developed nations (Australia). A survey of mtDNA, allozyme and chromosomal variation in the Australian gecko, genus Diplodactylus , increases overall species diversity estimates from 13 to 29. Four nominal species each actually represent multi-species complexes; three of these species complexes are not even monophyletic. The high proportion of cryptic species discovered emphasizes the importance of continuing detailed assessments of species diversity, even in apparently well-known taxa from industrialized countries.

scholarly journals Species diversity of birds in various high-rise complexes of the Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam area

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 166-172
Author(s):  
Ekaterina V. Shichkova ◽  
Sergey V. Chumakov
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Mountainous Area ◽  
Migratory Species ◽  
Bird Population ◽  
High Rise ◽  
Type Settlement ◽  
Species Lists ◽  
Bird Species Diversity

This paper presents the inventory results of bird species diversity in the area of the Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam. The territory covers the mountainous area of the National Park Shushensky Bor, urban-type settlement Cheryomushki and its surroundings, including a section of the Sayano-Shushensky reservoir in the upper head water of the Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam and the Yenisei channel below the dam. A list of 216 species has been compiled, for 195 there is reliable confirmation of their habitat. The share of migratory-nesting species is 41%, sedentary 14%, migratory species about 31%, wintering and partially wintering 34%. Three species of waterfowl spend winter in the non-freezing areas of the reservoir. Within various high-altitude complexes 10 types of habitats have been identified, where on the basis of quantitative surveys numerous and common bird species have been identified. The maximum species richness was observed for the ornithocoenosis of the floodplain-valley complex. A cluster analysis of the lists of bird species for the selected habitats has been carried out. The analysis showed a high -diversity along the gradient of heights: forest communities of different altitude levels are similar in species lists by no more than 45%, intrazonal and alpine habitats have unique sets of species and are similar to the others by 29%. The lists of birds in subalpine meadows and high-mountain tundras were found to be identical. In winter there is a high correlation of the bird population between the floodplain-valley complex and anthropogenically disturbed territories. Three bird species were found outside the main range and 5 species within the main range, but not previously noted in this area by other researchers.

Ecology of Australian Freshwater Fishes

2013 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Freshwater Fishes ◽  
Fish Ecology ◽  
The World ◽  
The Face ◽  
Australian Fish ◽  
Patterns And Processes ◽  
Fish Habitats ◽  
Australian Freshwater ◽  
Present Understanding ◽  
Conservation And Management

This edited volume reviews our past and present understanding of the ecology of Australian freshwater fishes. It compares patterns and processes in Australia with those on other continents, discusses the local relevance of ecological models from the northern hemisphere and considers how best to manage our species and their habitats in the face of current and future threats. In view of these challenges, the need for redress is urgent. The chapters are written by some of our foremost researchers and managers, developing themes that underpin our knowledge of the ecology, conservation and management of fish and fish habitats. For each theme, the authors formulate a synthesis of what is known, consider the need for new perspectives and identify gaps and opportunities for research, monitoring and management. The themes have an Australian context but draw upon ideas and principles developed by fish biologists in other parts of the world. The science of freshwater fish ecology in Australia has grown rapidly from its roots in natural history and taxonomy. This book offers an introduction for students, researchers and managers, one that the authors hope will carry Australian fish biology and resource management to new levels of understanding.

Metazoan parasites of freshwater cyprinid fish (Leuciscus cephalus): testing biogeographical hypotheses of species diversity

Parasitology ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 135 (12) ◽  
pp. 1417-1435 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. SEIFERTOVÁ ◽  
M. VYSKOČILOVÁ ◽  
S. MORAND ◽  
A. ŠIMKOVÁ
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Latitudinal Gradient ◽  
Parasite Species ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Phylogenetic Distance ◽  
Geographical Distance ◽  
Metazoan Parasites ◽  
Parasite Communities ◽  
Relative Prevalence ◽  
Leuciscus Cephalus

SUMMARYThe diversity and similarity of parasite communities is a result of many determinants widely considered in parasite ecology. In this study, the metazoan parasite communities of 15 chub populations (Leuciscus cephalus) were sampled across a wide geographical range. Three hypotheses of biogeographical gradients in species diversity were tested: (1) latitudinal gradient, (2) a ‘favourable centre’ versus ‘local oasis’ model, and (3) decay of similarity with distance. We found that the localities in marginal zones of chub distribution showed lower parasite species richness and diversity. A latitudinal gradient, with increasing abundance of larvae of Diplostomum species, was observed. There was a general trend for a negative relationship between relative prevalence or abundance and the distance from the locality with maximum prevalence or abundance for the majority of parasite species. However, statistical support for a ‘favourable centre’ model was found only for total abundance of Monogenea and for larvae of Diplostomum species. The phylogenetic relatedness of host populations inferred an important role when the ‘favourable centre’ model was tested. Testing of the hypothesis of ‘decay of similarity with geographical distance’ showed that phylogenetic distance was more important as a determinant of similarity in parasite communities than geographical distance between host populations.

scholarly journals Present Situation and Analysis of Yi Nationality Wrestling in Shilin County

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 01002
Author(s):  
Qiang Yan ◽  
Dong Huang
Keyword(s):  
Present Situation ◽  
Logical Analysis ◽  
Continuous Development ◽  
Existing Problems ◽  
The People ◽  
Expert Interview ◽  
Data Statistics ◽  
New Challenges

Wrestling has a long history, and wrestling activities are deeply loved and respected by the people of Shilin which is known as the "Hometown of Wrestling." With the continuous development and progress of society, Yi Nationality’s wrestling is facing new opportunities as well as new challenges. Through the methods of literature, data statistics, questionnaire, expert interview and logical analysis, this paper studies 50 long-term wrestlers in Shilin County, analyzes the present situation and finds out the existing problems, thus providing the necessary reference for the development of the Yi wrestling sport.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document