A review of the ecology and status of the Kerry Lily Simethis mattiazzii (S. planifolia) Asphodelaceae in Ireland

The distribution, habitat and genetic diversity of Irish populations of the Kerry Lily (Simethis mattiazzii) are described. All sites known in 2009, centred around Kenmare Bay in SW Ireland, were sampled. The species occurs in a relatively uniform plant community, classified as 4030 Dry Heath within a low-lying coastal heath complex. A preliminary genetic investigation involving analysis of 21 chloroplast and nuclear gene regions revealed no genetic diversity in the samples examined, suggesting that the species in Ireland comprises a number of meta-populations, within one large, single population confined to the Derrynane area on the Iveragh peninsula in South-west Kerry (v.c.H1) and one on the north of the Beara peninsula, across Kenmare Bay from Derrynane, in West Cork (v.c.H3). A sixth site, at Cahergarriff on the south of the Beara Peninsula has since been discovered. Of the 5,750 flowering plants recorded in 2009, the biggest meta-population, which also had the highest plant density, numbered 2,364, on Abbey Island, near Derrynane. Results from two brief surveys in 2020 indicate that the populations have reduced in extent and size since 2009. The genetic results so far suggest that the species is genetically depauperate in Ireland, such that the Irish populations may in fact be only represented by a single, or narrow, founder genotype and may be the result of a one-off introduction. The potential mode of arrival of the species to Ireland is discussed in relation to trade with continental Europe, where its distribution is greatest in SW France and western Iberia. A follow-up genetic study is required to confirm these results and explore a putative point of origin for the species in Ireland. Conservation issues are addressed in the light of these observations.

Post-fire impacts on tree diversity in coastal heath forests of Brunei Darussalam

The adverse impacts of fires on the diversity of native plants in forest ecosystems are well documented. Tree diversity was studied in coastal heath (Kerangas) forests of Brunei Darussalam, Northwest Borneo after fire events. Eight 20 x 20 m plots were set up in once-burnt (3 plots), twice-burnt (3 plots) and unburnt heath forests (2 plots). All trees (live and dead) with stem diameters of 1 cm and above were censused, and measures of percentage canopy openness and soil variables (pH, gravimetric water and organic matter content, and concentrations of total nitrogen and phosphorus) were determined. Soil pH, gravimetric water content and total nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, and canopy openness were significantly higher in the burnt plots. Stem diameters were significantly higher in the unburnt heath forests, with mostly Acacia species recording smaller stem sizes (<10 cm dbh). Tree species richness and diversity were significantly lower in the once-burnt plots than in unburnt, intact heath forest plots indicating substantial loss of native tree diversity in fire-affected habitats. Tree community compositions of the once-burnt plots were dominated by invasive Acacia mangium. This study highlights the negative impact of fire on native tree diversity, soil properties and canopy openness of these coastal Kerangas forests, and further provides preliminary evidence that fire events have facilitated the successful establishment of invasive Acacia species.

Populationsutveckling hos svarthakad buskskvätta Saxicola rubicola under expansionens inledningsskede i Västsverige

With its 25 confirmed breeding records between 2000 and 2015, the European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola is historically a rare bird in Sweden. The first breeding in the West Coast was found in 2014. Censuses performed in 2017 and 2018 revealed 28 and 30 breedings respectively. Out of 83 investigated territories, most were found in coastal heath-lands in Halland. The arrival occurred in the turn of the month March–April and the majority of the males consisted of one year old birds (2Y). Fledgling date for 68 clutches were distributed from May to August. Second clutches were observed for ten out of 32 investigated breedings. The Swedish expansion should be seen in the context of Danish immigration in combination with a large-scale advance via the German Schleswig-Holstein area. The European Stonechat belongs to those advancing species that are expected to increase according to predictions regarding the future bird fauna. Due to warmer climate, plenty of appropriate biotopes and high probability of reproduction, the conditions are good for a continued expansion in southern Sweden.

Acid frogs can stand the heat: amphibian resilience to wildfire in coastal wetlands of eastern Australia

Fire has varying effects on species ecology. Knowledge of amphibian responses to fire is particularly limited, with variable responses reported amongst studies. Variability is attributed to differences in fire regimes, sampling methodologies, historical exposure to fire and species traits. Acid frogs, a group of amphibians restricted to acidic coastal heath wetlands of eastern Australia, occupy a discrete ecological niche that is exposed to regular and intense fires. Visual encounter surveys conducted monthly over 2 years revealed different short- and long-term responses to fire in three threatened acid frog species (Litoria olongburensis, Litoria freycineti and Crinia tinnula). Fires altered the thermal properties of habitats by increasing substrate temperature and widening daily temperature ranges. Acid frog populations did not suffer adversely from moderate intensity fires as suitable refuges, including standing water, were available. All species were present shortly after fire with subsequent successful reproduction occurring once wetlands were sufficiently inundated. Time since fire was a strong predictor of landscape scale differences in average relative abundance of acid frogs, yet the relationships varied among species. This highlights the importance of assessing community-wide responses to fire at the landscape scale. The dynamic and adaptive responses observed within acid frog populations demonstrate substantial resilience to fire processes in these fire prone environments.