Structural and functional changes in the fungal community of plant detritus in an invaded Atlantic Forest

Background Changes in the fungal community in the litter decomposition by invasive plants can negatively impact nutrient cycling in natural ecosystems. One still does not know the dimension of this hypothesis, but apparently, it is not despicable. This study evaluated the assemblage composition of fungi during litter decomposition in areas of Atlantic Forest invaded or not invaded by Tradescantia zebrina using Illumina MiSeq and metabarcoding analysis. Results The invaded sample showed significantly higher richness and a difference in the species dominance than the invaded litter. Ascomycota was the first most abundant phylum in both areas. Even so, the dissimilarity between areas can be evidenced. The fungal from Basidiomycota were very representative in the non-invaded areas (ranged from an abundance of 43.29% in the non-invaded to 2.35% in the invaded sample). The genus Lepiota can indicate the primary functional group related to biomass degradation and showed the might difference about the invaded areas due to its essential reduction by the invader. In the invaded sample, there was a total absence of the endophyte-undefined saprotroph guild. Also, some genera not taxonomically characterized were eliminated in the invaded sample, revealing that the fungal biodiversity of areas has not yet been thoroughly characterized. Conclusions Hence, makes impossible the real interpretation of the invasive plant impact, showing the importance of continuing research on fungal biodiversity. It is important to emphasize that the replacement of the native species by T. zebrina may be responsible for the elimination of fungal groups that have not yet been identified.

The synergy of patterns vs. processes at a community level: a successful mechanism underlying subtropical native forests along the urban riparian zone

Riparian zone possesses ecological position with biota differing from aquatic body and terrestrial lands, and plant-animal coevolution may be the main factor for the framework of riparian vegetation. In the current study, the riparian plant community patterns along the subtropical mountainous riparian belts of Chongqing, China, was proposed to be regulated by co-evolving with the avifauna through propagule-dispersal process. The results show that: 1) the forests’ species composition and vertical layers are dominated by native catkins of Moraceae species with adapting traits of small and numerous propagules to frugivorous bird species, revealing an evolutionary trend different from the one in the terrestrial plant climax communities in the subtropics, and which forms a biological base for the plant-bird co-evolution; 2) there are significant associations of plant-bird species clusters, i.e., four plant-bird co-evolution groups (PBs) were divided out according to the plant species’ dominance and growth form relating to the fruit-dispersing birds’ abundance; 3) the correlation intensity within PB ranks as PBⅠ>Ⅱ>Ⅳ>Ⅲ, indicating the PBⅠis the leading type of co-evolution mainly shaped by the dominant plant species; 4) the PB correlation may be a key node between patterns vs. process of a riparian ecosystem responsible for the native vegetation, or even the ecosystem health. The results theoretically contribute new evidence to plant-animal co-evolution interpreting the forests’ characters in riparian environments, and urban planner and managers may simulate the native forests for restoring a more stable riparian biota, a better functioning ecosystem in subtropical zone.

Initial Succession After Wildfire in Dry Boreal Forests of Northwestern North America

Wildfires in the boreal forest of North America are generally stand renewing, with the initial phase of vegetation recovery often governing the vegetation trajectory for decades. Here, we investigate post-fire vegetation changes in dry boreal forests of the Northwest Territories, Canada, during the first five years following the unusually severe 2014 wildfire season. We sampled post-fire tree regeneration and the overall plant community at one, three, and five years post-fire across different fire severities and stand types within fires that burned in 2014. Post-fire trajectories of tree recruitment, cover by plant functional types, and plant diversity varied widely among sampled stands, as well as among years post-fire. Tree seedling density reaches relative equilibrium by three years post-fire, whereas trends in understory plant cover and understory species assemblages suggest an ongoing change that will extend beyond five years of observation. In almost half of sampled stands, the composition of recruited trees differs from that of the pre-fire stand, suggesting a change in tree-species dominance. An analysis of regional climate reveals a significant, albeit spatially variable, warming and drying trend that will further accelerate forest-stand transformation through both climate drivers of plant community composition and indirectly through increasing fire activity. While the 2014 wildfires enhanced the structural and compositional heterogeneity of the region, they also triggered vegetation changes that are likely to be persistent. As such, this study exemplifies the speed and variability that characterizes post-fire stand development in a strongly moisture-limited part of North America.

TAXONOMIC COMPOSITION, MICROSCOPIC INDICES OF URINARY TRACT MICROBIOTA IN MEN WITH CALCULUS PYELONEPHRITIS

The aim of the study – to investigate the taxonomic composition, qualitativemicroecological indicators (index of constancy, frequency of occurrence, indices of speciesrichness of Margalef, species diversity of Whittaker and species dominance of Simpsonand Berger-Parker) and the immunosuppressive effect of causative agents of calculouspyelonephritis on the activity of the complement system, lysozyme and inhibition of themain immunoglobulin classes (IgM, IgA).Material and methods. Microbiological (bacteriological and mycological) urineexamination was carried out in 30 men aged 37-65 years (48.81 ± 4.27 years), patientswith calculous pyelonephritis. The ecological method was used to reveal the mechanismsof colonization of the biotope by microbiota. The adhesive properties were studied onnative human erythrocytes of group I (0I). Anti-immunoglobulin activity was studied bythe method described in the work of I.S. Gaidash, etc.Results. Out of 30 samples of the research material, 34 strains of opportunistic gramnegative and gram-positive bacteria were isolated and identifed. The majority (86.67%)had a monoculture of enterobacteria, enterococci, associations consisting of two taxonswere found in 13.33% of patients. It has been shown that 97.06% of isolated and identifedstrains from the urinary tract exhibit adhesive activity of varying degrees of activity. Onestrain of S. saprophyticus also exhibits adhesive activity (the average adhesion index is1.83 ± 0.09), which is considered as a non-adhesive strain. All strains of enterobacteriaand gram-positive cocci that persist on the mucous membrane of the urinary tract ofmen with infectious and inflammatory processes of the urinary tract with calculouspyelonephritis inhibit (P <0.05) immunoglobulins of class A (IgA).Conclusions. The infectious and inflammatory process on the mucous membranes of theurinary tract in men with calculous pyelonephritis is caused by facultative anaerobicgram-negative enterobacteria and gram-positive cocci. The presence of an infectious andinflammatory process is confrmed by an acceleration of the erythrocyte sedimentationrate by 76.67% and other clinical and laboratory studies. Pathogenicity factors arerevealed in isolated and identifed opportunistic taxons, that determine the initial stagesof the infectious and inflammatory process (cytoadhesion and colonization of the urinarytract mucosa), inhibit the functional activity of class A and M of immunoglobulins.

Assessment of Open Grown Trees Composition and Diversity in Selected Research Institutes in Peri-Urban Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria

Urban green spaces are rapidly deteriorating in most parts of Nigeria. The study assessed open grown trees composition and diversity in selected Research Institutes within Ibadan Region with the aim of comparing the ecological diversity in the study locations. This was achieved through species identification and mensuration of all open grown trees species that were accessible in the study areas. Open grown trees with Diameter at breast height ≥ 10cm were assessed for growth characteristics of total height and diameter at breast height. Basal area and volume were estimated from measured growth characteristics. Tree species were identified by a taxonomist at Federal Herbarium in Ibadan. Biodiversity indices of Shannon diversity index, species evenness and species dominance were computed to see variation in tree community of the areas. The Shannon diversity index calculated was higher in IITA with a value of 3.04 compared to that of CRIN with a value of 2.36. A dominance value of 0.15 and 0.05 was obtained for CRIN and IITA respectively. The study concludes that both institutes are repository of large diversity of tree species thereby, helping in the conservation of biodiversity while ameliorating weather. It is recommended that educational institutions from all levels located within the region as well as private organizations and individuals should plant trees within their domains in order to create conducive green environments that would promote sustainable environment in the region. This is possible when government provide adequate incentive and annual rewards for establishments with the best green environments.

Cold comfort: Arctic seabirds find refugia from climate change and potential competition in marginal ice zones and fjords

Climate change alters species distributions by shifting their fundamental niche in space through time. Such effects may be exacerbated by increased inter-specific competition if climate alters species dominance where competitor ranges overlap. This study used census data, telemetry and stable isotopes to examine the population and foraging ecology of a pair of Arctic and temperate congeners across an extensive zone of sympatry in Iceland, where sea temperatures varied substantially. The abundance of Arctic Brünnich’s guillemot Uria lomvia declined with sea temperature. Accessibility of refugia in cold water currents or fjords helped support higher numbers and reduce rates of population decline. Competition with temperate Common guillemots Uria aalge did not affect abundance, but similarities in foraging ecology were sufficient to cause competition when resources are limiting. Continued warming is likely to lead to further declines of Brünnich’s guillemot, with implications for conservation status and ecosystem services.

Earthworm Community In Relation To Soil Properties And Metals In Hebei Province, North China

In this study, we examined the influence of soil properties (pH, total potassium (TK), available potassium (AK), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), available potassium (AP), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and soil organic carbon (SOC)), and metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn) on the density, diversity, and species composition of earthworms in the Hebei Province, North China. In total, 535 earthworms were collected from 20 sites in the study area, and belonged to three families, six genera, and ten species. Amynthas hupeiensis (39.4%) and Drawida gisti (37.8%) were the dominant species. The correlations between soil variables and earthworm composition determined using redundancy analysis indicated that SOC, TK, and AK enhanced earthworm density (total, adult, and juvenile) and species (A. hupeiensis and D. gisti) abundances. Earthworm composition remained unaffected by the metals (Cd and Pb) in the uncontaminated sites; in contrast, species were absent in areas with high metal concentrations (S19 and S20). Soil TN content was negatively and positively related to Shannon and Peilou indexes (p<0.05), respectively, indicating that TN may be pivotal in influencing earthworm diversity and species evenness. Overall, the soil properties such as K, SOC, and TN were the key variables affecting earthworm density, diversity, and species dominance.

Biodiversity of Bivalves in South Bintan Waters, Riau Archipelago, Indonesia

Bivalves is the second most diverse group of molluscs after gastropods, they are also one of the most important members in marine ecosystems. Their taxonomic classifications are based on their morphology which tend to represent adaptation responses to ecology. The samples of bivalves examined in this study were taken in the South Bintan waters by Marine Geological Research and Development Center, Bandung. Identification of the bivalves shell samples was with the aid of a microscope and NIS-Elements software and identified using an identification book. There were 34 species of bivalves found in South Bintan Waters belong to 14 families. The highest abundance was in Station 1 the location close to the overflow of the river and a harbor (1162.5 ind.m-2) and the lowest was in Station 10 the location Station 10 the location close to a small island which is usually used as a tourist spot (62.5 ind.m-2). Their diversity and eveness index were included in the medium category with H’ value of 0.58-4.12 and e value of 0.11-0.89 respectively. There was species dominance in Station 3 (Liralucina lyngei of Lucinidae) and 10 (Cardites bicolor of Carditidae) but not in other stations. Both species was the most frequent species. Bivalves in South Bintan waters showed many different morphologies which represented their adaptation. The bivalve shells found were of different morphology. There are several forms of bivalve shell morphology that have shape round like species Chama japonica, triangular like species Gemma gemma, fragile like species Dendostrea rosacea. The shell decorations found in the bintan Bivalves samples are Spinose, Commarginally, Commarginally and radially ribbed. The hinge teeth are heteroodont, isodont, and schizodont.

The spatial configuration of biotic interactions shapes coexistence-area relationships in an annual plant community

The increase of species richness with area is a universal phenomenon on Earth. However, this observation contrasts with our poor understanding of how these species-area relationships (SARs) emerge from the collective effects of area, spatial heterogeneity, and local interactions. By combining a structuralist approach with five years of empirical observations in a highly-diverse Mediterranean grassland, we show that spatial heterogeneity plays a little role in the accumulation of species richness with area in our system. Instead, as we increase the sampled area more species combinations are realized, and they coexist mainly due to direct pairwise interactions rather than by changes in single-species dominance or by indirect interactions. We also identify a small set of transient species with small population sizes that are consistently found across spatial scales. These findings empirically support the importance of the architecture of species interactions together with stochastic events for driving coexistence- and species-area relationships.

Diversity of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Rural Settlements and Degraded Seasonal Deciduous Forests

Biting midges are widespread in Brazilian natural ecosystems. However, deforestation and other activities that impact the environment are reducing natural habitats where biting midges proliferate. The objective of this study was to verify whether there is variation in the composition, richness, abundance, and seasonality of biting midges between wild and rural environments, in a forest area with intense deforestation. Biting midges were captured using 6 traps installed at an average height of 1.5 m in the peridomicile, intradomicile, and deciduous seasonal forests, once a month from May 2012 to April 2013. In total, 2,182 specimens of 13 species of the genus Culicoides were captured. Species richness was similar in the intradomicile (13 species), forest (12), and peridomicile (11), but species diversity was greater in the peridomicile (H’ = 0.803) compared with the intradomicile (H’ = 0.717) and forest (H’ = 0.687). The order of species dominance varied between the forest (Culicoides paucienfuscatus Barbosa &gt; Culicoides leopodoi Ortiz &gt; Culicoides foxi Ortiz &gt; Culicoides ignacioi Forattini) and peridomicile + intradomicile habitats (C. paucienfuscatus &gt; C. foxi &gt; C. filariferus Hoffman &gt; C. ignacioi). The activity of these dipterans was strongly influenced by meteorological variables, as biting midges are predominant in the rainy season (80.7% of specimens), when higher rainfall, relative humidity, and lower temperatures prevail. The abundance of biting midges was higher in the peridomicile + intradomicile (83.7% of specimens) compared with the degraded forest (16.3%), a result that reflects the loss of forest habitat due to intense and progressive deforestation.