Floristic composition and conservation value of the stubble-field weed community, dominated by Stachys annua in western Hungary

Biologia ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gyula Pinke ◽  
Robert Pál
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Ambrosia Artemisiifolia ◽  
Significant Decline ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Conservation Priority ◽  
Farmland Birds ◽  
Coturnix Coturnix ◽  
The Past ◽  
High Conservation

AbstractThe stubble-field weed community, dominated by Stachys annua, was generally distributed in Hungary until the 1950s on mid-heavy and heavy, base-rich soils. Stachys annua is an excellent nectar-producer, and from the nectar collected in its habitats popular stubble-honey was produced. This vegetation type has suffered significant decline, mainly due to the early ploughing of stubbles associated with the intensification of agriculture. In the present study, the floristic composition of this community is assessed based on 213 phytosociological records, and its distribution in the past ten years in western Hungary is mapped. Sixty-five percent of the species are of Eurasian, European and Mediterranean elements, and the largest proportion of the species are spring-germinating summer annuals. The proportion of insect-pollinated plant species is approximately 70%, and the species composition also offers significant seed food sources for farmland birds, e.g. Coturnix coturnix and Perdix perdix. Therefore this community should deserve a high conservation priority for biodiversity. The factors that offer the greatest threats to the continuing existence of this community type are intensive agricultural management and the increasing spread of Ambrosia artemisiifolia.

Population densities and conservation assessments for three species of chameleons in the Toliara region of south-western Madagascar

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laza Andriamandimbiarisoa ◽  
Christopher Raxworthy ◽  
Kristopher Karsten ◽  
Stanley Fox
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Conservation Priority ◽  
Population Densities ◽  
Pet Trade ◽  
Anthropogenic Habitats ◽  
Spread F ◽  
Illegal Harvesting ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Conservation Assessments ◽  
Lower Population

AbstractMadagascar is a high conservation priority. Rainforests receive most of the focus, but the dry deciduous and spiny forests of south-western Madagascar house many endemics, are under high deforestation pressure, and remain largely unprotected. Charismatic vertebrates, like chameleons, face a secondary threat: harvesting for the commercial pet trade. Six chameleons inhabit the arid southwest near Toliara: Furcifer antimena, F. belalandaensis, F. labordi, F. lateralis, F. oustaleti, and F. verrucosus. We measured population densities of three of those species. Furcifer verrucosus has a large distribution, was dense (97.7 ha–1; 95% CI = 60.2-158.6), and inhabited forests and anthropogenic habitats. Furcifer labordi was much less dense (30.8 ha–1; 13.4-70.9), has a restricted range, and has a unique life history that makes it susceptible to perturbations from deforestation or illegal harvesting. Furcifer antimena was the least dense (17.0 ha–1; 9.3-30.9) and has an even smaller distribution range. We lack density data for F. lateralis, but this species was abundant in anthropogenic habitats. Within their respective ranges, there are currently no protected areas for F. antimena and only few for F. labordi; these two species are far less abundant than the more widely spread F. verrucosus. We recommend that high conservation priority be focused on F. antimena and the southern populations of F. labordi due to their restricted distributions, susceptibility to extirpation, lower population densities, and lack of formal protection. Establishing protected areas in the Ranobe region and north of the Fiherenana River, in the Belalanda region, would help protect important populations of these vulnerable species.

Youth and Parent Participation in Transition Planning in the U.S.A.: Findings from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 (NLTS 2012)

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Johnson ◽  
Martha L. Thurlow ◽  
Yi-Chen Wu ◽  
Xueqin Qian ◽  
Ernest Davenport ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transition Planning ◽  
Parent Participation ◽  
Individualized Education Program ◽  
The United States ◽  
Significant Decline ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
The Past ◽  
Transition Study ◽  
Disability Categories ◽  
National Longitudinal Transition Study

Abstract The purpose of this study was to use data from the United States' National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 (NLTS 2012) to present descriptive information on youth and parent participation and youth's role in required Individualized Education Program (IEP)/transition planning meetings by disability category and age groupings (14-22 year olds, 14-15 year olds, and 16-22 year olds). The study found that youth and parent attendance in IEP/transition planning meetings was high across disability categories, but the extent to which youth and parents met with teachers to discuss transition goals was much lower. Data from NLTS 2012 and a previous U.S. study, the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2 (NLTS2), were compared for youth's participation with school staff in discussing transition goals. A significant decline in participation was found over the past decade. Logistic regression analyses illustrated differences in youth and parent participation and youth's role by disability category.

Revision of the Pachycondyla wasmannii-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 3609 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-141
Author(s):  
JEAN CLAUDE RAKOTONIRINA ◽  
BRIAN L. FISHER
Keyword(s):  
Identification Key ◽  
Conservation Priority ◽  
Key To Species ◽  
Species Limits ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
High Conservation

Defining species limits and describing species of ants are important to identify taxa and habitats with elevated diversity in areas of high conservation priority such as the Malagasy region. The Pachycondyla wasmannii-group is revised in the Malagasy region where eight species are recognized, four of which are new: P. masoala sp. n., P. planicornis sp. n., P. tavaratra sp. n., and P. vazimba sp. n. Four species have been previously described: P. cambouei Forel, P. comorensis (André), P. perroti Forel, and P. wasmannii Forel. Pachycondyla perroti admista Forel is newly synonymized under P. perroti. Pachycondyla cambouei is widespread in eastern Madagascar, morphologically variable, and divided into seven morphotypes. An identification key to species and distribution maps are provided for the genus in the Malagasy region. All species are known only from Madagascar except P. wasmannii, which occurs also on Anjouan of the Comoros Islands.

scholarly journals The IUCN-SSC Cave Invertebrate Specialist Group

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Deharveng ◽  
Tony Whitten ◽  
Judson Wynne ◽  
Ana Komericki ◽  
Sonia Khela
Keyword(s):  
Social Impact ◽  
Narrow Range ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Red List ◽  
Business Sector ◽  
Conservation Priority ◽  
The Past ◽  
Species Survival ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Specialist Group

The Cave Invertebrate Specialist Group, an IUCN Species Survival Commission, is a group of 80 taxonomists, biospeleologists, ecologists, and conservation biologists. Since 2014, our objectives have been to: (1) conserve subterranean habitats, and address one of the largest lacunas in conservation biology – the protection of sensitive cave and subterranean invertebrate populations; (2) conduct IUCN Red List evaluations for imperiled and/or narrow range endemic species; (3) encourage comprehensive baseline biodiversity surveys, in particular to determine the proportion of unknown biodiversity yet to be discovered; and, (4) provide collaborative opportunities with the business sector for conducting Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, Biodiversity Action Plans, and site and species management plans. We will our accomplishments over the past four years including growth of membership, the number of Red List evaluations conducted and the total number of species recognized as a conservation priority.

scholarly journals Primate populations in continuous forest and forest fragments in Central Amazonia

1988 ◽  
Vol 18 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 291-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony B. Rylands ◽  
Alexine Keuroghlian
Keyword(s):  
Food Sources ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
The Past ◽  
Pithecia Pithecia ◽  
Ateles Paniscus ◽  
Continuous Forest ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Central Amazonia ◽  
One Year

Population densities of six primate species (Saguinus midas, Pithecia pithecia, Cebus apella, Chiropotes satanas, Alouatta seniculus and Ateles paniscus) were estimated in continuous forest and in isolated reserves (one of 100 ha and four of 10 ha). Saguinusdensities in the continuous forest were found to be low, probably due to the lack of edge habitat and second growth favoured by them; Pithecia, Cebus and Ateles populations are also low, possibly because of more widely distributed and/or less abundant food sources than is true for other Amazonian regions, although hunting in the past, particularly of Ateles may also be a contributing factor; and Chiropotes and Alouatta densities were found to be similar to those observed in other areas of Amazonas forests. Ateles and Chiropotes, which occupy ranges on the order of three km2 were excluded from the 100-ka reserve at the time of its isolation. Unfortunately populations were not known prior to isolation of this reserve but during isolation there remained four groups of Saguinus, two Pitheciagroups, one Cebus groups and five Alouatta groups. One Saguinus group disappeared two months later, and one year post-isolation the Cebus group also left the reserve. Single Alouatta groups survive in the isolated 10-ha reserves. Saguinus, present in the four 10-ha reserves following isolation, have disappeared from two of them. One 10-ha reserve retains a group of Pithecia.

scholarly journals Are immigrants responsible for the recent decline in Australian suicide rates?

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Kõlves ◽  
D. De Leo
Keyword(s):  
Poisson Regression ◽  
Significant Decline ◽  
Joinpoint Regression ◽  
Young Males ◽  
The Past ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Older Males

Aims.This study aims to examine Queensland suicide trends in the Australian-born population and in the overseas-born populations over the past 2 decades.Methods.All suicide cases for the period 1991–2009 were identified in the Queensland Suicide Register. Age-standardised suicide rates were calculated. Joinpoint regression and Poisson regression were applied.Results.A significant decline in suicide rates of young (15–44 years) overseas-born males was reported over the past 2 decades. Australian-born young males showed significant increase until 1996, followed by a significant decline; furthermore, their suicide rates were significantly higher when compared to overseas-born (RR = 1.36, 95%CI: 1.15; 1.62). Contrary older Australian-born males (45+ years) had significantly lower suicide rates than overseas-born males (RR = 0.90, 95%CI: 0.83; 0.98). Despite the convergence of the suicide trends for older males, changes were not significant. While Australian-born females had a significant increase in suicides, overseas-born females had a decline in 1991–2009.Conclusions.Conclusion. Significantly declining suicide rates of migrants have contributed to the declining in suicide trends in Queensland. Potential reasons for significantly lower suicide rates among young migrants might include the change in the nature of migration from involuntary to voluntary.

The effects of grazing and fire on vegetation and the vertebrate assemblage in a tropical savanna woodland in north-eastern Australia

2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex. S. Kutt ◽  
John C. Z. Woinarski
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Fire Effects ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Floristic Data ◽  
Vertebrate Assemblage ◽  
Tussock Grasses

We studied the response of vegetation and vertebrate assemblages to fire and grazing, and their interacting effects, in Eucalyptus woodland in north-eastern Australia. In this vegetation type, many pastures remain free of cattle grazing due to the occurrence of a native shrub poisonous to livestock. Vegetation (floristic data and 22 habitat variables) and vertebrate fauna (birds, mammals, reptiles) were sampled in 29 standardized 50 × 50-m quadrats in the 2001 wet season, representing four treatments: sites burnt recently (within 2 y) and grazed by cattle (4–8 ha per livestock unit); sites unburnt (last burnt >2 y ago) and grazed; sites burnt recently and ungrazed; and unburnt and ungrazed sites. Fire and grazing had a significant influence on vegetation: both grazing and fire reduced ground cover (fire in grazed sites 51–23%, fire in ungrazed sites 68–39%) and increased the cover of forbs (8% in burnt and grazed sites, 3% if ungrazed) and tussock grasses (20% in grazed and unburnt sites and 5% when ungrazed). Grazing caused a shift in floristic composition from the perennial hummock grass Trioda pungens to tussock grasses (e.g. Aristida spp., Enneapogon spp.), forbs (e.g. Phyllanthus spp.) and shrubs (e.g. Acacia spp.). Of the vertebrate groups, birds responded more to fire effects (9 species), reptiles to grazing effects (6 species) and mammals to the interaction (2 species). Species reacted to increases in bare ground (e.g. crested pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes, hooded robin Melanodryas cucullatus, Ctenophorus nuchalis) and to the dominant ground cover (e.g. Ctenotus pantherinus) or change in vegetation architecture (e.g. singing honeyeater Lichenostomus virescens, variegated fairy-wren Malurus lamberti). The clearest example of an interacting effect was the cycle of complementary dominance between the rodents Pseudomys delicatulus and P. desertor, the latter's post-fire recovery becoming more muted in sites where cattle grazed (modelled time for population recovery twice as long as in ungrazed sites).

Effects of Cyclone Waka on flying foxes (Pteropus tonganus) in the Vava'u Islands of Tonga

2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 555-561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim R. McConkey ◽  
Donald R. Drake ◽  
Janet Franklin ◽  
Filipe Tonga
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Forest ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Cocos Nucifera ◽  
Absolute Number ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Primary Forest ◽  
Flying Foxes ◽  
Pteropus Tonganus ◽  
Potential Food ◽  
Flying Fox

Severe tropical cyclones are a major cause of episodic mortality for Pacific Island flying foxes (large fruit bats). Many flying foxes starve after forests are stripped of food sources, and hunting by humans may also increase in the post-cyclone period. In December 2001, Cyclone Waka passed directly over the Vava'u Islands in the Kingdom of Tonga, western Polynesia. We visited the islands 6 mo later to survey the flying fox (Pteropus tonganus) population and assess availability of potential food items (fruit and flower) in primary, secondary and plantation forests. Less than 20% of the pre-cyclone bat population (surveyed in 1999–2001) remained 6 mo after the storm. The density of potential food trees in flower or fruit at this time was only 15% of pre-cyclone density, and the main species available were different in the two time periods. The highest density of potential food trees occurred in secondary forest (26 flowering or fruiting trees ha−1) and plantations (23 ha−1); primary forest offered the least food (18 ha−1). Since 65–70% of the land area has been converted to agricultural plantations, this vegetation type had the highest absolute number of food-bearing trees – almost seven times that of primary forest. Flowering coconuts (Cocos nucifera) were the most abundant food source overall and we suggest that this species may be important in sustaining flying foxes following severe storms.

scholarly journals Aspectos estructurales, composición florística y caracterización ecológica del bosque de oyamel de la Sierra de Zapalinamé, Coahuila, México

2017 ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan A. Encina-Domínguez ◽  
Francisco J. Encina-Domínguez ◽  
Efrén Mata-Rocha ◽  
Jesús Valdes-Reyna
Keyword(s):  
State Government ◽  
Chihuahuan Desert ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
The State ◽  
Spruce Forest ◽  
Ecological Value ◽  
Importance Value ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Climate Conditions

The sierra de Zapalinamé lies at the southeastern portian of the State of Coahuila, in a transitional area between the Chihuahuan Desert Region and the Sierra Madre Oriental. lt has the status of a protected natural area by the state government. The Chihuahuan desert scrub is the most common vegetation type; however, spruce forest grows where the climate conditions are cold and temperate. Ten circular plots of 1,000 m2 were established to determine the floristic composition, structure of the forest and other ecological variables. Diameter and height were measured for every tree and shrubs and herbs were recorded. Seedlings were evaluated in five plots of 2 m2 per site. Attributes of the vegetation like density, basal area and the importance value of the tree species were estimated. The spruce forest of the sierra de Zapalinamé is found between 2,668 to 3,025 m of elevation where the annual average precipitation rain varies from 560 to 600 mm and with a temperature of 12.5ºC, over litosol soils with a slope of 34% to 70%. The forest is dominated by Abies vejarii, species which grows at elevated places and another important species is Pseudotsuga menziesii. Regeneration is of a few seedlings; nevertheless, due to microclime and soil sorne regeneration is successful. A total 73 species were recorded in these forests, being the most diverse Asteraceae (15 species), Pinaceae (4) and Poaceae (4). Conservation of the spruce forest is important due to its ecological value; in addition Abies vejarii is listed under status of conservation in the Mexican red list, and also because a number endemic species of plants are in this protected area.

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