Distribution of moss-inhabiting diatoms along an altitudinal gradient at sub-Antarctic Îles Kerguelen

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niek J.M. Gremmen ◽  
Bart van de Vijver ◽  
Yves Frenot ◽  
Marc Lebouvier
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Altitudinal Gradient ◽  
Cross Validation ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Important Variable ◽  
Diatom Species ◽  
Expected Species Richness

Altitudinal gradients provide excellent opportunities to study relationships between species distribution and climatic variables. We studied the species composition of 39 samples of moss-inhabiting diatoms, collected at 50 m intervals from 100–650 m above sea level. The samples contained a total of 130 diatom species, of which 51 occurred in 10 or more samples. Altitude appeared to be the most important variable explaining variation in species composition. Of the 51 common species, 33 showed a significant relationship with altitude. Although the majority of the latter declined with increasing altitude, for nine species the probability of occurrence first increased with increasing elevation, but decreased again at higher altitudes, and four species increased systematically with elevation. As a result, expected species richness per sample decreased from an estimated 43 at 100 m to 25 species per sample at 650 m. Diatom distribution patterns proved to be suitable predictors of the altitudinal position of sample sites. Cross-validation yielded a strong relationship between predicted and observed altitudes.

scholarly journals Diversity and composition of moss guilds on uprooted trees in Central European mountain forests: effects of uprooting components and environmental variables

2021 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Staniaszek-Kik ◽  
Jan Żarnowiec ◽  
Ewa Stefańska-Krzaczek
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Species Traits ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Forest Community ◽  
Moss Species ◽  
Component Type ◽  
Species Cover ◽  
Tree Uprooting

Abstract Key message The size of the structural components of the root–pit–mound complex was crucial for high moss species richness. Root plates, pits, and mounds were similar in terms of moss species composition, which was mostly determined by forest type. Context Uprooted trees may be colonized by different terricolous mosses including common species and specialists. Aims The main aim of the present study was to analyze the relative effects of tree uprooting on mosses. Methods We used the parametric ZIGLMM and GLMM models to explain the richness and abundance of the moss species and double constrained correspondence analysis (dc-CA) to analyze species composition. Results The size of components of RPM complexes had a positive effect on moss species richness. The species cover of mosses was positively correlated with elevation. Species richness was partly dependent on forest type and species cover on component type and age of the RPM complex. The most important factor diversifying species composition was the type of forest. Species traits were also related to forest communities. Conclusion Uprooted trees are worth keeping in forest community, especially large ones. Moreover, the conservation value of uprooted trees in woodlands is higher if they are dispersed in different forest types.

scholarly journals Distribution of Orchids with Different Rooting Systems in the Czech Republic

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 632
Author(s):  
Zuzana Štípková ◽  
Spyros Tsiftsis ◽  
Pavel Kindlmann
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
Altitudinal Gradient ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Abundance Distribution ◽  
Orchid Species ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Biodiversity Research ◽  
Species Survival ◽  
Terrestrial Orchids

Understanding diversity patterns along altitudinal gradients and the effect of global change on abundance, distribution patterns and species survival are of the most discussed topics in biodiversity research. Here, we determined the associations of orchid species richness and the degree of their specialization to specific environmental conditions (expressed by species specialization index) with altitude in six floristic areas in the Czech Republic. We distinguished three basic trends in these relationships: linear, parabolic and cubic. We then determined whether these trends differ between three orchid groups classified by their rooting systems: rhizomatous, intermediate and tuberous. We used distributional data on 69 species and subspecies of terrestrial orchids recorded in the Czech Republic and interpolated them at 100-m intervals along an altitudinal gradient in each floristic area. The trends in both species richness and mean species specialization index differed between the six floristic areas within each of the three orchid groups studied. These patterns are probably strongly influenced by the orography of the country and the distribution of different habitats in the six floristic areas in the Czech Republic. We also found that the most widely distributed orchid group in the Czech Republic are the rhizomatous orchids, followed by intermediate and tuberous ones.

Biodiversity of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) along an altitudinal gradient in the Central Alps

Zootaxa ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 3626 (4) ◽  
pp. 429-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
BARBARA M. FISCHER ◽  
HEINRICH SCHATZ
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Altitudinal Gradient ◽  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Pine Forest ◽  
Oribatid Mites ◽  
Central Alps ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Mite Communities

Oribatid mite communities were studied in the Central Alps(Obergurgl, Tyrol, Austria). Samples were taken on four sites along an altitudinal gradient from 2050 m a.s.l to 2900 m a.s.l., in different vegetation units (pine forest, Nardetum, Caricetum, Androsacetum). A total of 86 species were found, most of them occurred only at one altitude, four species were found in all four study sites. Three taxa could not be ascribed to a certain species (Carabodes sp. Mycobates sp., Tectocepheus sp.). Species richness and density of oribatid mites decrease with increasing altitude. The results are compared with previous studies in the same region and show remarkable shifts in species composition.

Lichens on down wood in logged and unlogged forest stands

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 1033-1041 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred L. Bunnell ◽  
Toby Spribille ◽  
Isabelle Houde ◽  
Trevor Goward ◽  
Curtis Björk
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Rare Species ◽  
Timber Harvest ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Breast Height ◽  
Decay Class ◽  
Lichen Cover ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Crustose Lichens

Lichen communities of forests often appear to be negatively affected by timber harvest presumably because of reduction of suitable substrate and increased desiccation. We examined species richness and composition of lichens on wood of logs of the same decay class in unlogged stands (>140 years old) and logged, 20- to 30-year-old stands. There was no significant difference in species richness or mean lichen cover between logged and unlogged stands, but species composition differed, including species that were unique to either logged or unlogged stands. Crustose lichens accounted for 71% of rare species and all of the species occurring more commonly in unlogged stands; macrolichens accounted for 82% of common species and 60% of the species occurring more commonly in logged stands. Diameter at breast height and decay characteristics of down wood were the best predictors of lichen richness. Among lichen-rich, decay class 3 logs, relatively small amounts of retained down wood sustained lichen richness equivalent to unlogged stands. It appears important to ensure that decay classes favourable to lichens are retained after harvest.

The effects of altitude and rainfall on the composition of the termites (Isoptera) of the Leuser Ecosystem (Sumatra, Indonesia)

2001 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 379-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
FREDRICK GATHORNE-HARDY ◽  
SYAUKANI ◽  
PAUL EGGLETON
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Rain Forest ◽  
Altitudinal Gradient ◽  
Species Assemblage ◽  
Termite Species ◽  
Feeding Group ◽  
Rainfall Patterns ◽  
Group Ii ◽  
Western Side

In 1998 a survey was made of the termites of the Leuser Ecosystem (in Sumatra, Indonesia), which includes a substantial area (c. 1 million ha) of unbroken primary rain forest. Nine sites and an altitudinal gradient were sampled. Altitude had a significant effect on species richness, which declines with even a 100-m increase in altitude. Species composition too was significantly affected by altitude. Functionally, only termites in one feeding group (II, which forage outside of their nests) were significantly affected by altitude. A mid-altitude termite species assemblage was evident. Longitude also significantly affected species composition; Macrotermitinae were numerous on the western side of the Ecosystem and Termitinae and Nasutitermitinae more numerous to the east of it. This was probably due to differences in rainfall patterns across the Ecosystem.

scholarly journals News from the west: the orchid bees from Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Euglossina)

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz R. R. Faria ◽  
Betânia Cristina Neves ◽  
Araceli Judith Arce ◽  
Maria Noel Clerici Hirschfeld ◽  
Fernando César Vieira Zanella
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Common Species ◽  
The Other ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Severe Winter ◽  
The West ◽  
Semideciduous Forest ◽  
Orchid Bees ◽  
Seasonal Semideciduous Forest

Abstract: Orchid bees were surveyed at Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, the largest remnant of Seasonal Semideciduous Forest in Brazil. Seven species were collected, and Eufriesea violacea (Blanchard) was the most common species, followed by Euglossa annectans Dressler. The observed species richness and species composition agree with what is known for the local euglossine faunas in fragments of Seasonal Semideciduous Forest of southern and southeastern Brazil. On the other hand, the abundance of individuals was remarkably low. The occurrence of a severe winter in 2013 and the collection of several males in other fragments suggest that this noteworthy low abundance can be fortuitous.

Distribution patterns of vertebrates in relation to an extensive rainfall gradient and variation in soil texture in the tropical savannas of the Northern Territory, Australia

1999 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 381-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.C.Z. Woinarski ◽  
A. Fisher ◽  
D. Milne
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Soil Texture ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Clay Soils ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Rainfall Gradient ◽  
Bird Species Richness ◽  
High Rainfall

The abundance, richness and species composition of frog, reptile, bird and mammal faunas varied along an extensive gradient from 470 to 1406 mm annual rainfall, and between three contrasting soil types (clay, loam and sand) in northern Australia. Patterns varied between and within vertebrate classes. In general, the most fertile soils in the highest rainfall sites supported the greatest species richness and abundance, but this association with fertility broke down at lower rainfall sites. Frogs were richest and most abundant at high rainfall sites, especially on clay soils, presumably because these had greatest water availability. Clay soils supported few reptile species, but these were often at relatively high abundance. High rainfall sites supported the richest reptile faunas. On sand and loam soils, bird species richness varied little along the rainfall gradient, but richness declined very substantially on clay soils. This was probably largely due to the far more marked vegetation structural change on clay soils than on other substrates. Few mammals were reported, and no clear trends were associated with either rainfall gradient or soil texture. Turnover in species composition along the rainfall gradient was gradual and limited on sand and loam soils, but far more marked on clay soils. There were few cases of replacements of ecologically comparable species along the gradient. These patterns reflect the disparate history, fragmentation and landscape positioning of clay soil environments, relative to the far more homogeneous eucalypt-dominated vegetation on sand and loam soils. Although comparable studies are lacking on other continents, patterns revealed here may be idiosyncratic due to the virtual monopolisation by eucalypts of the environment across the very extensive rainfall gradient.

Distribution Patterns and Climatic Explanations of Species Richness of Vascular Plants in Xinjiang, China

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-ping LI ◽  
Nurbay Abdusalih ◽  
Shao-peng WANG ◽  
Zhi-heng WANG ◽  
Zhi-yao TANG
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Distribution Patterns

scholarly journals Disentangling the Ecological Determinants of Species and Functional Trait Diversity in Herb-Layer Plant Communities in European Temperate Forests

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 552
Author(s):  
Janez Kermavnar ◽  
Lado Kutnar ◽  
Aleksander Marinšek
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Functional Trait ◽  
Forest Stand ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Herb Layer ◽  
Bud Bank ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Stand Characteristics

Forest herb-layer vegetation responds sensitively to environmental conditions. This paper compares drivers of both taxonomic, i.e., species richness, cover and evenness, and functional herb-layer diversity, i.e., the diversity of clonal, bud bank and leaf-height-seed plant traits. We investigated the dependence of herb-layer diversity on ecological determinants related to soil properties, climatic parameters, forest stand characteristics, and topographic and abiotic and biotic factors associated with forest floor structure. The study was conducted in different forest types in Slovenia, using vegetation and environmental data from 50 monitoring plots (400 m2 each) belonging to the ICP Forests Level I and II network. The main objective was to first identify significant ecological predictors and then quantify their relative importance. Species richness was strongly determined by forest stand characteristics, such as richness of the shrub layer, tree layer shade-casting ability as a proxy for light availability and tree species composition. It showed a clear positive relation to soil pH. Variation in herb-layer cover was also best explained by forest stand characteristics and, to a lesser extent, by structural factors such as moss cover. Species evenness was associated with tree species composition, shrub layer cover and soil pH. Various ecological determinants were decisive for the diversity of below-ground traits, i.e., clonal and bud bank traits. For these two trait groups we observed a substantial climatic signal that was completely absent for taxonomy-based measures of diversity. In contrast, above-ground leaf-height-seed (LHS) traits were driven exclusively by soil reaction and nitrogen availability. In synthesis, local stand characteristics and soil properties acted as the main controlling factors for both species and trait diversity in herb-layer communities across Slovenia, confirming many previous studies. Our findings suggest that the taxonomic and functional facets of herb-layer vegetation are mainly influenced by a similar set of ecological determinants. However, their relative importance varies among individual taxonomy- and functional trait-based diversity measures. Integrating multi-faceted approaches can provide complementary information on patterns of herb-layer diversity in European forest plant communities.

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