ALBERT

Description:    We studied species richness and density of rattan palms in 50 plots of 10 × 100 m 2 each between 250 m and 2420 m in eight sites in Lore Lindu National Park (LLNP), Central Sulawesi. Rattans were observed in all sample sites, representing three genera and 34 species. The elevational patterns for species richness and density were humped-shaped with maxima around 1000 m. Polynomial models of second order explained 59 and 32% of species richness and density with the factor elevation, respectively. A majority of rattan species (65%) overlapped between 1000 and 1100 m elevation, while a pronounced change in the rattan flora occurred above 1100 m. Commercially important rattan species ( Calamus zollingeri , C. ornatus var. celebicus , Daemonorops macroptera ) were not observed above 1250 m. The change of species assemblage was significantly related to elevation (56%), followed by geographical distance (47%) and precipitation (40%). Less than 10% of LLNP is lowland forests, much of which is threatened by agricultural intensification. In contrast, montane forests are well represented in the park and high elevation forests are not subject to agricultural conversion or intensive harvesting of rattan and other forest products. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-19 DOI 10.1007/s10531-011-0070-8 Authors Stephanie Stiegel, Systematic Botany, Albrecht-von-Haller Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Göttingen, Untere Karspüle 2, 37073 Göttingen, Germany Michael Kessler, Systematic Botany, University of Zurich, Zollikerstrasse 107, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland Daniela Getto, Landscape Management and Nature Conservation, University of Applied Sciences Eberswalde, Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 28, 16225 Eberswalde, Germany Joachim Thonhofer, Botany and Landscape Ecology, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University Greifswald, Grimmer Str. 88, 17487, Greifswald, Germany Stephen F. Siebert, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA Journal Biodiversity and Conservation Online ISSN 1572-9710 Print ISSN 0960-3115

Description:    Urbanization is widely recognized as a major factor promoting biological invasions worldwide. In this article, we provide insights into the patterns of biological invasions in Beijing, one of the largest and quickly urbanizing cities of the world, by developing a comprehensive list of naturalized and invasive flora and their associate traits (e.g., distribution, life form, habitat, or geographic origin). One hundred and twelve naturalized (including 48 invasive) plants have been identified within the Beijing Municipality. Most of the naturalized and invasive plants belong to four families (Asteraceae, Poaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Euphorbiaceae) and are annual herbs that preferentially grow in disturbed sites. North and South America are the main contributors to the naturalized and invasive flora of Beijing. As expected, those Beijing districts that have recently experienced the highest human population growth, urban expansion, and the largest economic growth are also those with the highest number of naturalized and invasive species. Urban expansion is predicted to continue in the near term making additional invasions likely that will significantly increase the proportion of introduced species in Beijing’s flora. An integrated management strategy for the whole municipality is urgently needed that includes comprehensive scientific research that documents the extent of invasions and their effects on Beijing’s economy and environment. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-27 DOI 10.1007/s10531-011-9999-x Authors Hua-Feng Wang, Beijing Urban Ecosystem Research Station, State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085 China Jordi López-Pujol, Botanic Institute of Barcelona (CSIC-ICUB), Passeig del Migdia s/n, 08038 Barcelona, Spain Laura A. Meyerson, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA Jiang-Xiao Qiu, Beijing Urban Ecosystem Research Station, State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085 China Xiao-Ke Wang, Beijing Urban Ecosystem Research Station, State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085 China Zhi-Yun Ouyang, Beijing Urban Ecosystem Research Station, State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085 China Journal Biodiversity and Conservation Online ISSN 1572-9710 Print ISSN 0960-3115

Description:    The aim of this paper is to identify the habitat types listed in the Habitats Directive Annex I that require low-intensity agricultural management for their existence. We assessed the link between the Annex I habitat types and agricultural practices in order to identify habitat types that depend on the continuation of agricultural practices or whose existence is prolonged or spatially enlarged via blocking or reducing the secondary succession by agricultural activities. 63 habitat types that depend on or which can profit from agricultural activities—mainly grazing and mowing—were identified. They are classified into 2 groups: (1) habitats fully dependent on the continuation of agricultural management; (2) habitats partly dependent on the continuation of agricultural management. This paper also briefly discusses habitat types for which either doubts remain on their dependence on agricultural management, or the relation to extensive farming practices exists only in part of their area of distribution in Europe or under certain site conditions, respectively. Assessments of the conservation status of habitats of European Importance by 25 EU Member States in 2007 showed that habitats identified by us as depending on agricultural practices had a worse status than non-agricultural habitats. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s10531-011-9989-z Authors Lubos Halada, Institute of Landscape Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Branch Nitra, Akademická 2, P.O. Box 22, 949 01 Nitra, Slovakia Doug Evans, European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, 57 rue Cuvier, FR-75231 Paris, Paris Cedex 05 France Carlos Romão, European Environment Agency, Kongens Nytorv 6, 1050 Copenhagen K, Denmark Jan-Erik Petersen, European Environment Agency, Kongens Nytorv 6, 1050 Copenhagen K, Denmark Journal Biodiversity and Conservation Online ISSN 1572-9710 Print ISSN 0960-3115

Description:    Factors linked with intraspecific variation in trophic diversity are still poorly understood in generalist species like the Montagu’s harrier ( Circus pygargus ) but may have important implications for conservation management at a wide scale. We described geographic patterns of Montagu’s harrier diet across Eurasia, gathering diet data from 30 studies in 41 areas from 11 countries. We grouped prey as invertebrates, reptiles, small mammals, large mammals, eggs, small birds and large birds, and calculated the contribution of each prey type to the diet (as % biomass) and Shannon’s Diversity Index for each study site. We analysed qualitative estimates of prey abundance in relation to latitude and longitude, then diet composition in relation to habitat of the study area and prey abundance estimates. Diet diversity of Montagu’s harriers increased from north to south, while abundance of all prey groups other than small mammals showed the opposite trends. Agricultural areas in northern latitudes seemed to hold high densities of small mammals, but low densities of alternative prey. Overall, birds were the main prey in most of Montagu’s harrier’s distribution range, although the relative importance of each prey type in the diet was significantly explained by its local abundance and habitat, confirming the opportunistic foraging strategy of this raptor species. Consumption of mammals was an exception to this trend, being negatively associated with the abundance of alternative prey, suggesting that this prey is not preferred. Trophic diversity in this species could be influenced by land-use changes through variations in the abundance and availability of prey, which could impact its population dynamics. This may be particularly important for northern populations of Montagu’s harriers breeding in agricultural habitats, where trophic diversity is already low. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-21 DOI 10.1007/s10531-011-0077-1 Authors Julien Terraube, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain Beatriz Arroyo, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC-CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain Journal Biodiversity and Conservation Online ISSN 1572-9710 Print ISSN 0960-3115

Description:    We modelled presence/absence per tree of beetles and pseudoscorpions living in tree hollows in relation to trunk circumference, habitat openness, and connectivity (= density of hollow oaks in the surrounding area), using data from 281 oaks. The presence/absence models were then used to predict species’ occurrences in a county (11,600 km 2 ) in southeastern Sweden. For eight of the nine species, the most parsimonious occupancy model included a positive relationship with connectivity and at least one tree characteristic. Occupancy underestimates from occurrence records—the ratio of the area of occupancy based on our predictive model to the area of occupancy based on occurrence records—varied between 3 and 83 among species when using occurrence records up to 1993, with significantly larger underestimates for smaller beetle species. Today (after extensive surveys), underestimation has decreased to 1.3–25, confirming that calculations solely based on species occurrence records greatly underestimate the area of occupancy. We suggest this should be taken into account to a greater extent and in a clearer way than today when constructing red lists. The radius of the connectivity measure that generated the best fit varied between 135 and 2,857 m among species, with longer distances for more threatened species. Consequently, preservation of the most threatened species ( Elater ferrugineus and Tenebrio opacus ) requires conservation efforts at larger spatial scales than required to protect Osmoderma eremita , which frequently has been used as an indicator and umbrella species. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s10531-011-0072-6 Authors Thomas Ranius, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7044, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden Victor Johansson, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7044, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden Lenore Fahrig, Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada Journal Biodiversity and Conservation Online ISSN 1572-9710 Print ISSN 0960-3115

Description:    Disease is often implicated as a factor in population declines of wildlife and plants. Understanding the characteristics that may predispose a species to infection by a particular pathogen can help direct conservation efforts. Recent declines in amphibian populations world-wide are a major conservation issue and may be caused in part by a fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). We used Random Forest, a machine learning approach, to identify species-level characteristics that may be related to susceptibility to Bd. Our results suggest that body size at maturity, aspects of egg laying behavior, taxonomic order and family, and reliance on water are good predictors of documented infection for species in the continental United States. These results suggest that, whereas local-scale environmental variables are important to the spread of Bd, species-level characteristics may also influence susceptibility to Bd. The relationships identified in this study suggest future experimental tests, and may target species for conservation efforts. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10531-011-0066-4 Authors Betsy A. Bancroft, School of Forest Resources, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2100, USA Barbara A. Han, Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, 30602 Athens, GA, Greece Catherine L. Searle, Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA Lindsay M. Biga, Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA Deanna H. Olson, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA Lee B. Kats, Natural Science Division, Seaver College, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA 90263, USA Joshua J. Lawler, School of Forest Resources, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2100, USA Andrew R. Blaustein, Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA Journal Biodiversity and Conservation Online ISSN 1572-9710 Print ISSN 0960-3115

Description:    Systematic conservation planning is a widely used approach for designing protected area systems and ecological networks. This generally involves dividing the planning region into a series of planning units and using computer software to select portfolios of these units that meet specified conservation targets whilst minimising conservation costs. Previous research has shown that changing the size and shape of these planning units can alter the apparent spatial characteristics of the underlying data and thus influence conservation assessment results. However, this may be less problematic when using newer software that can account for additional constraints based on portfolio costs and fragmentation levels. Here we investigate these issues using a dataset from southern Africa and measure the extent to which changing planning unit shape, size and baseline affects the results of conservation planning assessments. We show that using hexagonal planning units instead of squares produces more efficient and less fragmented portfolios and that using larger planning units produces portfolios that are less efficient but more likely to identify the same priority areas. We also show that using real-world constraints in the analysis, based on reducing socio-economic costs and minimising fragmentation levels, reduces the influence of planning unit characteristics on the results and so argue that future studies should adopt a similar approach when investigating factors that influence conservation assessments. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-15 DOI 10.1007/s10531-011-0063-7 Authors Bruno A. Nhancale, Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NR, UK Robert J. Smith, Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NR, UK Journal Biodiversity and Conservation Online ISSN 1572-9710 Print ISSN 0960-3115

Description:    Sandy and shingle beaches were investigated in 2009 and 2010 along the coast of the Baltic Sea in northern Germany with the purpose of assessing biodiversity gradients from shingle to sandy beaches, from beach to primary dunes, and the impacts of tourism on biodiversity. On nine beach sites, ranging between 100% shingle and 99% sand without shingle, Carabidae, Staphylinidae, and Araneae were studied. Two of the six sandy beaches were open and four were closed to tourists. Additionally, trampling effects from tourists, species richness of plants, and plant cover were investigated on sixteen beaches. According to results, primary dunes showed higher species richness in carabids and spiders, but not in staphylinds. Shingle beaches exhibited lower species richness in Staphylinidae and Araneae, but not in Carabidae. As estimated by the Jackknife II method, shingle beaches were the lowest in total species richness. Trampling intensity ranged from 0 footprints m −2 day −1 on closed beaches, up to a maximum of 30 footprints m −2 day −1 . On “intensively” used beaches (12 footprints m −2 day −1 , on average), reduction of plant cover was more pronounced than on “extensively” used beaches (7 footprints m −2 day −1 , on average). Both plant cover and plant species richness were lower on intensively and extensively used beaches than on closed beaches. In arthropods, only staphylind and spider species richness was significantly lower on open beaches than on closed beaches, but no differences were found in carabids. Referring to our results, trampling effects from tourists have high impact on species richness of sandy beaches, on both intensively and extensively used sites. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s10531-011-0069-1 Authors Marc Schierding, Institute for Ecosystem Research, University of Kiel, Olshausenstrasse 40, 24098 Kiel, Germany Susanne Vahder, Institute for Ecosystem Research, University of Kiel, Olshausenstrasse 40, 24098 Kiel, Germany Laura Dau, Institute for Ecosystem Research, University of Kiel, Olshausenstrasse 40, 24098 Kiel, Germany Ulrich Irmler, Institute for Ecosystem Research, University of Kiel, Olshausenstrasse 40, 24098 Kiel, Germany Journal Biodiversity and Conservation Online ISSN 1572-9710 Print ISSN 0960-3115

Description:    White-nose syndrome (WNS) was first reported in a hibernating bat population in central New York State in February 2006. Since 2006, WNS has been reported from bat hibernacula across much of eastern United States and adjacent Canada and has been associated with a dramatic decline in the populations of hibernating bats in the northeastern U.S. We are only beginning to discover how these declines are manifest in changes in summer bat abundance and activity at local scales. A 3-year (2004–2006) acoustic survey showed that the forested watershed of the Quabbin Reservoir in central Massachusetts supported an abundant and species-rich summer bat community. In 2010, 4-years following the initial occurrence of WNS, a re-survey of the same habitats and sites found a 72% reduction in bat activity on the watershed. This is the identical rate of decline reported from cave hibernacula surveys (73%). This decline in summer activity levels is most likely a consequence of WNS-caused mortality. The impacts of population losses of this magnitude of a once widespread and abundant taxa are unknown but are presumed to be ecologically significant. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s10531-011-9996-0 Authors Robert T. Brooks, U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station, University of Massachusetts, 201 Holdsworth Natural Resources Center, Amherst, MA 01002, USA Journal Biodiversity and Conservation Online ISSN 1572-9710 Print ISSN 0960-3115

Description: Domestic (?8private?9) gardens constitute a substantial proportion of ?8green space?9 in urban areas and hence are of potential significance for the maintenance of biodiversity in such areas. However, the size and nature of this resource and its associated features are poorly known. In this study, we provide the first detailed audit, using domestic gardens in the city of Sheffield as a model study system. Domestic gardens, the mean area of which was 151 m 2 , cover approximately 33 km 2 or 23% of the predominantly urban area of the city. The smaller gardens contribute disproportionately to this total because, although individually they add little, they are large in number. Conversely, the regions of the city with proportionately more garden area contribute most to the total garden area of the city, although such regions are limited in number. Based on the findings of a telephone based survey, 14.4% of dwellings with gardens were estimated to have ponds, 26% to have nest-boxes, 29% to have compost heaps, 48% to hold trees more than 3 m tall, and 14% of dwellings were estimated to be home to one or more cats. Whilst the absolute frequency of these features is low to moderate, by extrapolation they nonetheless yield estimates for domestic gardens in Sheffield of a total of 25,200 ponds, 45,500 nest boxes, 50,750 compost heaps, 360,000 trees, and a population of 52,000 domestic cats. These results are considered in the context of the role of gardens in urban areas as habitats for wildlife and the implications for housing policy. Content Type Journal Article Pages -46--46 DOI 10.1007/s10531-004-0513-6 Authors Kevin J. Gaston, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences University of Sheffield Sheffield S10 2TN UK Philip H. Warren, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences University of Sheffield Sheffield S10 2TN UK Ken Thompson, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences University of Sheffield Sheffield S10 2TN UK Richard M. Smith, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences University of Sheffield Sheffield S10 2TN UK Journal Biodiversity and Conservation Online ISSN 1572-9710 Print ISSN 0960-3115