Showing papers in "Acta Oecologica-international Journal of Ecology in 2001"

Seasonal patterns and control of gas exchange in local populations of the Mediterranean evergreen shrub Pistacia lentiscus L.

Abstract: We examined temporal and spatial variations in net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, intrinsic water-use efficiency, sub-stomatal CO 2 concentration, apparent carboxylation efficiency and chlorophyll fluorescence in the Mediterranean shrub Pistacia lentiscus . The study was done at the extremes of a precipitation and temperature gradient on the coast and in the mountains of Mallorca, Spain, with gas exchange measurements at different times of the year, and combined measurements of gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence in a controlled experiment. The objectives were to relate annual variation in photosynthetic functions to environmentally induced constraints and to quantify to which extent local differences in climate can affect photosynthesis in shrub populations. In the mountain population, net photosynthesis peaked in spring and autumn, when water was abundant and temperature was moderately high. It was reduced in winter paralleling reduced carboxylation efficiency. Photosynthesis was at the annual minimum in summer at both sites due to drought-induced stomata closure combined with impaired function of the Calvin cycle. The coastal population maintained high photosynthesis in mid winter but had a pronounced decline in spring, and the summer decline lasted longer than in the mountains. Integrated over the seasons, net photosynthesis was about 25 % lower in the coastal than in the mountain population, in spite of maintained high mid winter photosynthesis. Hence, the reduction at the coast was mainly due to early onset of drought in spring and a long period of summer drought, showing that local climatic differences can cause pronounced spatial differences in plant carbon balance. As a consequence, similar differences probably also occur as a function of year-to-year variability of precipitation patterns and temperatures.

Spatial and Temporal Variability of Canopy Structure in a Tropical Moist Forest

Abstract: Tree fall gaps are widely considered to play a prominent role in the maintenance of species diversity, while the spatiotemporal variability of canopy structure within closed forest stands is largely ignored. In this study we examined the vertical and horizontal components of canopy structure and its seasonal variability in a tropical wet semideciduous rainforest in Panama. Leaf area indices (LAI) were derived from measurements of diffuse radiation and empirically-based leaf angle distribution by mathematical inversion of a light interception model. Vertical distribution of LAI was non-homogeneous with 50% of the leaf area being concentrated in the uppermost 5 m of the canopy. In the wet season, when foliage is most abundant, the horizontal distribution of LAI in a 2100 m 2 plot ranged widely from 3 to 8, with a mean of 5.41. Changes in mean LAI between wet and dry seasons were small but highly significant. While ca 40% of the area was not affected by local changes in LAI, sizeable small scale changes in LAI did occur between wet and dry season in some locations. Local changes in LAI ranged from –2.3 to 2.4. These changes resulted in a 50% or more increase in light reaching the forest floor at 29% of the measuring locations, and a doubling or more at 13% of the location. Our results imply that structural heterogeneity by simple tree fall gaps do not adequately describe the dynamics of forest canopies.

Potential contribution of the seed bank in coniferous plantations to the restoration of native deciduous forest vegetation

Abstract: In this study, we compared the soil seed bank and current vegetation under coniferous plantations and adjacent native deciduous forests. The objective was to assess how much of the initial plant diversity is retained in such plantations, and the potential to restore this initial plant community from seed bank in case of reversion to broadleave stands. Four stands growing side by side and with different dominant species were selected at two locations (site of Haye: Quercus petraea, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies; site of La Petite-Pierre: Quercus petraea, Fagus sylvatica, Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies). In each stand, ground vegetation was surveyed and soil seed bank was sampled. Composition of ground flora and seed bank of stands were quite different: only 11 to 30 % of the species were in both the ground flora and the seed bank. Composition of the seed bank was mainly influenced by site location and sylvicultural practices such as the type of afforestation or the tree cover. Species richness of seed banks and vegetation were higher in the site of Haye than in the site of La Petite-Pierre. Seedling density strongly decreased with stand age. Whereas between 65 and 86 % of species found in the ground vegetation of native deciduous stand were also present in the understory or the seed bank of mature coniferous stands, this was only about 50 % in young coniferous stands. Species of deciduous stands which were absent from coniferous stands were typical of old forests. In contrast, species mainly found in the coniferous stands were often ruderal. In the studied areas, it would be possible to restore up to 86 % of the native deciduous forest vegetation, but some plant species typical of ancient forests may have disappeared during the coniferous stage.

Seed dispersal, plant recruitment and spatial distribution of Bactris acanthocarpa Martius (Arecaceae) in a remnant of Atlantic forest in northeast Brazil

Abstract: Seed dispersal ecology of Bactris acanthocarpa Mart. (Arecaceae), an Atlantic forest understory palm, was investigated during two years as an attempt to test the following predictions: (i) seeds of Bactris are dispersed by mammals and large-gaped birds; (ii) Bactris benefits from seed dispersal in terms of seed predation avoidance, improvement of seed germination and seedling survival; and (iii) spatial distribution of adults is related to patterns of seed dispersal. The study was conducted at Dois Irmaos Reserve, a 387.4-ha reserve of Atlantic forest in northeastern Brazil (8o S–35o W). Black–rumped agoutis (Dasyprocta prymnolopha) and Guianan squirrels (Sciurus aestuans) were identified as the seed dispersers/predators, moving seeds short distances ( 4 m away in contrast to 96% of seedlings that occurred concentrated within 4 m from adults (77% under the palm crowns). Here, we present evidence that spatial distribution of B. acanthocarpa is partly due to low rates of seed removal, short-distance seed dispersal by agoutis and squirrels, and early seedling mortality associated with presence of seedlings under palm crowns.

Structural and functional variability within the canopy and its relevance for carbon gain and stress avoidance

Abstract: The functional variability in leaf angle distribution within the canopy was analysed with respect to regulation of light interception and photoprotection Leaf orientation strongly determined the maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) during summer: horizontal leaves were highly photoinhibited whereas vertical leaf orientation protected the leaves from severe photoinhibition The importance of leaf orientation within the canopy was analysed in two Mediterranean macchia species with distinct strategies for drought and photoinhibition avoidance during summer The semi-deciduous species (Cistus monspeliensis) exhibited strong seasonal but minimal spatial variability in leaf orientation Reversible structural regulation of light interception by vertical leaf orientation during summer protected the leaves from severe photoinhibition The evergreen sclerophyll (Quercus coccifera) exhibited high spatial variability in leaf angle distribution throughout the year and was less susceptible to photoinhibition The importance of both strategies for plant primary production was analysed with a three-dimensional canopy photoinhibition model (CANO-PI) Simulations indicated that high variability in leaf angle orientation in Q coccifera resulted in whole-plant carbon gain during the summer, which was 94 % of the maximum rate achieved by theoretical homogeneous leaf orientations The high spatial variability in leaf angle orientation may be an effective compromise between efficient light harvesting and avoidance of excessive radiation in evergreen plants and may optimize annual primary production Whole plant photosynthesis was strongly reduced by water stress and photoinhibition in C monspeliensis; however, the simulations indicated that growth-related structural regulation of light interception served as an important protection against photoinhibitory reduction in whole-plant carbon gain

Distribution patterns of four Orthoptera species in relation to microhabitat heterogeneity in an ecotonal area

Abstract: Microhabitat heterogeneity is considered to be one of the main factors affecting the structure and diversity of natural communities. This study evaluated: (i) whether it is possible to associate the distribution of four orthopteran species with small-scale spatial microhabitat heterogeneity based on floristic composition; and (ii) whether interspecific differences exist in microhabitat was among the different orthopteran species over a gradient of vegetation succession induced by abandonment of meadows. Orthoptera and plant species were sampled on 72 plots across an ecotonal area on Monte Bondone in the Southern Italian Alps. Microhabitats were identified based on grassland and undergrowth vegetation composition and by classifying sample plots using cluster analysis. Eight microhabitats were identified, each corresponding to a separate successional stage, and microhabitat use by each species was assessed. The distribution of orthopteran species revealed a different use of microhabitats. Species also had differing patterns of distribution, and a shift in distribution occurred following a change in microhabitat structure caused by mowing. The importance of the maintenance of a mosaic of microhabitats, with differently managed adjacent areas is discussed.

Meta-analysis of the interaction between shade-tolerance,light environment and growth response of woody species to elevated CO2

Abstract: Growth responses of different tree species to elevated CO2 vary enormously, even when grown under the same basic experimental conditions (such as nutrient supply and light conditions). A test of the hypothesis that this variation is associated with the species' shade-tolerance is presented. A meta-analysis of 74 logarithm-transformed response ratios RR (total biomass in -700 mu mol.mol(-1) CO2/biomass in current ambient CO2), grouped according to the species' relative tolerance to shade, revealed that RR differed widely and significantly between seedlings or saplings of woody species of different shade-tolerance. Only comparative studies were included in the meta-analysis, and interference from differences in basic experimental conditions between experiments was minimised. The mean RR of species with very high shade-tolerance was 1.51. This was significantly greater than the value of 1.18 for species intolerant of shade. Smaller differences in mean RR were found between groups of species that differed less widely in shade-tolerance. When responses were categorised according to two aspects of light environment in the experiments, daily integrated or peak photosynthetically active photon flux density (PFD), the differences in RR between different shade-tolerance classes disappeared at daily integrated PFD below similar to 20 mol.m(-2).ad(-1) or peak PFD below similar to 250 mu mol.m(-2).s(-1). Growth stimulation in juvenile trees is likely to cause increased survivorship in subsequent years. Even if the observed differences in RR were restricted to sites experiencing no or only moderate shading, it appears likely that they will affect species composition of naturally regenerating forests in the long term. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.

The effect of elevated reproductive effort onhumoral immune function in collared flycatcher females

Abstract: In order to test whether high reproductive investments impair immune function in naturally breeding collared flycatchers, we performed a brood manipulation experiment and simultaneously induced an immune response by challenging birds with a non-pathogenic antigen – sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Females rearing experimentally enlarged number of nestlings showed significantly lower level of specific anti-SRBC antibodies than control females attending unaltered broods, but only in one of the two study years. The haemoconcentration of leukocytes did not differ between the two groups in both study years. The significant difference in immunological responsiveness between control and enlarged group coincided with differences in survival probability to the next breeding season: females attending enlarged broods showed lower probability of survival than control females, but there was no relationship between the level of immune response and survival probability. Our results indicate that reproduction may indeed trade for resources with immune functions at least in terms of specific antibody production. However, as in the other studies on reproductive costs, these costs seem not always to be pronounced.

Seed dormancy-breaking and germination requirements of Drosera anglica, an insectivorous species of the Northern Hemisphere

Abstract: Seeds of Drosera anglica collected in Sweden were dormant at maturity in late summer, and dormancy break occurred during cold stratification. Stratified seeds required light for germination, but light had to be given after temperatures were high enough to be favorable for germination. Seeds stratified in darkness at 5/1 °C and incubated in light at 12/12 h daily temperature regimes of 15/6, 20/10 and 25/15 °C germinated slower and to a significantly lower percentage at each temperature regime than those stratified in light and incubated in light. Length of the stratification period required before seeds would germinate to high percentages depended on (1) whether seeds were in light or in darkness during stratification and during the subsequent incubation period, and (2) the temperature regime during incubation. Seeds collected in 1999 germinated to 4, 24 and 92 % in light at 15/6, 20/10 and 25/15 °C, respectively, after 2 weeks of stratification in light. Seeds stratified in light for 18 weeks and incubated in light at 15/6, 20/10 and 25/15 °C germinated to 87, 95 and 100 %, respectively, while those stratified in darkness for 18 weeks and incubated in light germinated to 6, 82 and 91 %, respectively. Seeds collected from the same site in 1998 and 1999, stratified in light at 5/1 °C and incubated in light at 15/6 °C germinated to 22 and 87 %, respectively, indicating year-to-year variation in degree of dormancy. As dormancy break occurred, the minimum temperature for germination decreased. Thus, seed dormancy is broken in nature by cold stratification during winter, and by spring, seeds are capable of germinating at low habitat temperatures, if they are exposed to light.

Vertical distribution and seasonal changes of fine and coarse root mass in Pinus kesiya Royle Ex.Gordon forest of three different ages

Abstract: Seasonal changes and vertical distribution of fine ( Pinus kesiya and fine root and rhizome mass of herbaceous species, and root production were studied in the 6-, 15- and 23-year old Pinus kesiya forest stands at Shillong, in the Meghalaya state of north-east India. Maximum fine and coarse root mass of P. kesiya, and fine root and rhizome mass of the ground vegetation were recorded during the rainy season. The contribution of the tree fine roots in 0-10 cm soil layer declined from 51% in the 6-year old stand to about 33% in the older stands. The major proportion (63-88%) of herbaceous fine root and rhizome mass was concentrated in this soil layer in all the three stands. The majority (36-57%) of tree coarse roots were present in the 10-20 cm layer in all the stands. The biomass and necromass values in the case of fine roots were more or less equal in a given stand, but the coarse roots had 5 to 9 times more live than the dead mass. The proportion of herbaceous fine root mass to the total fine root mass declined from 54% in the 6-year old stand to 30-32% in the 15- and 23-year old stands. The mean total fine root mass (pine + herbaceous species) decreased from 417 g m –2 in the 6-year old stand to 302 in 15-year and 322 g m –2 in the 23-year old stand. Annual fine root production showed a marked decrease from 1055 g m –2 in the 6-year old stand to 743 g m –2 in the 23-year old stand, but coarse root production increased from 169 g m –2 in the 6-year to 466 g m –2 in the 23-year old stand; the total root production thus remained approximately constant.

Seed deposition patterns and the survival of seeds and seedlings of the palm Euterpe edulis

Abstract: The seed deposition pattern created by a seed dispe rser is one of the components of the efficiency of a species as seed disperser, and ulti mately may influence the recruitment of a plant species. In this study, we used the seeds of a bird-dispersed forest palm, Euterpe edulis , to investigate the effects of two distinct seed d eposition patterns created by birds that defecate (clumped pattern) and regurgitate see ds (loose-clumped pattern) on the survival of seeds experimentally set in an E. edulis -rich site, and of seedlings grown under shade-house conditions. The study was conducted in the lowland forest of Parque Estadual Intervales, SE Brazil. Clumped and loose-clumped seeds were equally preyed upon by rodents and insects. Although clumped and isolated seedlings had the same root weight after 1 year, the isolated seedlings survived bette r and presented more developed shoots, suggesting intraspecific competition among clumped seedlings. Our results indicate that animals that deposit E. edulis seeds in faecal clumps (e.g. cracids, tapirs) are less efficient seed dispersers than those that regurgitate seeds i ndividually (e.g. trogons, toucans).

The influence of environmental factors on the population dynamics, reproductive biology and productivity of Echinogammarus marinus Leach (Amphipoda, Gammaridae) in the Mondego estuary (Portugal)

Abstract: The population density of Echinogammarus marinus in the Mondego estuary changed throughout the year, with a maximum during spring. The lowest densities were found in the north arm of the estuary, and the highest ones in the inner areas of the south arm. Higher densities appeared associated with the presence of muddy deposits under Fucus vesiculosus (Phaeophyta) and also with the presence of green macroalgae biomass over the sediments. Females were morphologically recognisable at smaller sizes than males, but males became larger than females. Fecundity increases with the size of females and is influenced by temperature and salinity. Sexual activity and recruitment take place continuously throughout the year, although it almost ceases by the end of winter. Present results are in opposition to the hypothesis of discontinuous recruitment presented in a previous study. Productivity (ash free dry weight- AFDW) was estimated at 1.74 to 2.45 g·m–2·year–1 in the north arm of the estuary corresponding to an annual turnover ratio ( P / B ) of 4.14 to 6.18. In the south arm, productivity was estimated at 1.96 to 2.74 g AFDW·m–2·year–1 in the middle section ( P / B of 4.68 to 6.56), and at 3.85 to 5.38 g AFDW·m–2·year–1 in the innermost sampling area ( P / B of 4.54 to 6.36). Differences in productivity appeared to depend only on population density, while annual P / B ratios were similar over the estuary. Evidence was found that several features of E. marinus population dynamics were dependent on environmental factors resulting from the particular estuary hydraulic regime.

Spatial distribution and home-range of the pest slug Arion lusitanicus (Mollusca: Pulmonata)

Abstract: The density and distribution of egg-batches, juveniles and adult Arion lusitanicus , as well as individual home-ranges, were investigated over two seasons. The study was performed on grassland which was mown twice a year and received no herbicides or pesticides, with neighbouring field and stream-side vegetation. Female-mature slugs preferred restricted areas closely neighbouring the taller vegetation of the stream-side vegetation and field, but less-favourable parts of the site were also inhabited in the second year when population densities increased and weather conditions were more favourable. It was postulated that slugs could have home-ranges, as homing behaviour is a well-known phenomenon. The application of a long-lasting individual marking technique enabled calculations of home-ranges (convex polygons) for slugs for the first time. Home-range size averaged 45.4 m 2 when the population density was low in 1995, and was found to be negatively correlated with density, as it decreased to 12.4 m 2 in 1996, when population density was high. Mating sites were found to be distinctly closer to the geometric centres of activity than the sites used for egg-deposition. Egg-batches were aggregated under the shelter traps (50 × 50 cm squares of hardboard covered with polystyrene) and the pattern of distribution of egg-batches persisted in the young hatchlings. A number of foreign A. lusitanicus were introduced into the unfavourable centre of the site, and by two to four weeks after release their distribution exactly resembled that of the local ones. In all the various aspects of behaviour investigated, large individual differences were found, suggesting a great plasticity in this generalist species. The importance of the species‘ dispersal capacity in relation to general ecological and applied aspects of control is discussed in the context of the present findings.

Factors affecting bird communities in fragments ofsecondary pine forests in the north-western Mediterranean basin

Abstract: We assessed the influence of size, extent of isolation and vegetation structure of secondary forest fragments on the richness and species composition of breeding bird communities in a sample of pine forest fragments surrounded by an agricultural matrix in the north-western Mediterranean basin. Fragment size was the main predictor of bird’s occurrence, since it accounted for 70 % of the model variation. Isolation was also a valuable predictor of species occurrence, especially for forest specialists. Finally, subarboreal vegetation such as holm oak and a well-developed tree layer of large pines favoured forest species occurrence. Therefore, in spite of the long history of human impact, forest birds in Mediterranean mosaics are sensitive to both habitat loss and isolation of remnant patches in a similar manner to the patterns found in other temperate fragmented landscapes where human impact is more recent.

Pregermination heat shock and seedling growth of fire-following Fabaceae from four Mediterranean-climate regions

Abstract: The role of heat-shock in stimulating the germination of soil-stored seeds from fire-following plant species is well known. However, the effects of high pre-germination temperatures on subsequent seedling growth are less well understood. In this study, we examined the effect of pre-germination heat shock at five temperatures (60°, 75°, 90°, 105° and 120°C, each applied for 5 min) on the seedling growth of four, fire-following Fabaceae species from four Mediterranean-type ecosystems; Hippocrepis multisiliquosa (Israel), Gastrolobium villosum (Western Australia), Cyclopia pubescens (South Africa) and Lupinus succulentus (California). Following heat treatment and subsequent germination, seedlings were grown in controlled conditions before being harvested at either 10, 20- or 40 d old. A significant increase in mean dry weight biomass was found at 10 days for Hippocrepis seedlings germinated from seeds pre-heated to 90°C. However, subsequent comparison of mean dry weight biomass for seedlings of this species at 20 and 40 d old showed no significant response to heat shock pre-treatment. Similarly, an initial increase in growth of Gastrolobium seedlings germinated from seeds heated to 90° and 105°C disappeared as the plants matured. Seedling growth of Lupinus and Cyclopia was unaffected by the pre-germination heat treatment of their seeds. Since seedling competition is influenced by the size and growth rates of neighbouring plants, any changes in seedling growth rates as a consequence of the temperature environment experienced by their seeds, may therefore influence patterns of post-fire plant community recovery.

The ghost of a recent invasion in the reduced feeding rates of spitting cobras during the dry season in a rainforest region of tropical Africa

Abstract: Two species of cobras (Naja melanoleuca and Naja nigricollis) are known to occur in south eastern Nigeria, where much of the pristine rainforest surface has been felled in the last thirty years, and where the actual landscape is generally constituted by a mosaic of farmlands, plantations, suburban areas, with a few remnant forest fragments. In this region, Naja nigricollis is currently extending its range, especially by exploiting recently deforested areas. Based on the known general distribution range of this species and on the available literature data, it appears that Naja nigricollis has been colonizing the forested region of south eastern Nigeria, starting from the relatively arid savannas of central Nigeria, where this species aestivates during the driest months. In the forest region, however, snakes do not need to aestivate during the dry season. Nevertheless, whereas Naja melanoleuca has a foraging activity extended all-the-year round, Naja nigricollis reduces feeding rates during the dry months, although it does not suspend above-ground activity in these months. I suggest that rainforest spitting cobras suspend feeding during the dry months because their behaviour is just a ‘ghost’ of their recent past, when they were ‘normal’ spitting cobras of dry savana regions, which were thus constrained to aestivate during the dry season as it is the rule in this species in central and northern Nigeria. The ‘gost-of-the-past hypothesis’ seems to fit well with the ‘invading’ presence of Naja nigricollis in Nigerian areas where they were reported as rare or, even, absent, up to a few decades ago. Other hypotheses are discussed, and rejected.

Genetic variation and plasticity of Plantago coronopus under saline conditions

Abstract: Phenotypic plasticity may allow organisms to cope with variation in the environmental conditions they encounter in their natural habitats. Salt adaptation appears to be an excellent example of such a plastic response. Many plant species accumulate organic solutes in response to saline conditions. Comparative and molecular studies suggest that this is an adaptation to osmotic stress. However, evidence relating the physiological responses to fitness parameters is rare and requires assessing the potential costs and benefits of plasticity. We studied the response of thirty families derived from plants collected in three populations of Plantago coronopus in a greenhouse experiment under saline and non- saline conditions. We indeed found a positive selection gradient for the sorbitol percentage under saline conditions: plant families with a higher proportion of sorbitol produced more spikes. No effects of sorbitol on fitness parameters were found under non-saline conditions. Populations also differed genetically in leaf number, spike number, sorbitol concentration and percentages of different soluble sugars. Salt treatment led to a reduction of vegetative biomass and spike production but increased leaf dry matter percentage and leaf thickness. Both under saline and non-saline conditions there was a negative trade-off between vegetative growth and reproduction. Families with a high plasticity in leaf thickness had a lower total spike length under non-saline conditions. This would imply that natural selection under predominantly non-saline conditions would lead to a decrease in the ability to change leaf morphology in response to exposure to salt. All other tests revealed no indication for any costs of plasticity to saline conditions. [KEYWORDS: salt adaptation; Plantago coronopus; phenotypic plasticity reaction norms; salt tolerance; life-history; evolution; limits; growth; populations; allocation;selection]

The flowering pattern of the perennial herb Lobularia maritima: an unusual case in the Mediterranean basin

Abstract: In plant communities of the Mediterranean Basin most plant species reach their blooming peak in spring and have characteristically short flowering periods of two-three months. The perennial herb Lobularia maritima represents an exception to these characteristics, because it flowers for almost 10 months, and has its flowering peak in autumn. In this five-year study, we describe the flowering pattern of L. maritima at the population and community levels. Despite the unusually extended flowering period of L. maritima, the species showed characteristic low among-year variability in the length of the flowering period but large interannual variation in the distribution of flowers throughout the flowering period. The flowering pattern (unimodal or bimodal) of L. maritima individuals differed among the five years, suggesting that L. maritima plants are plastic enough to tailor their flowering to variable environmental conditions. We conclude that flowering phenology of L. maritima represents a very particular case in the plant community studied, and the influence of abiotic and biotic factors on the phenology of this species is discussed.

Diet of stoats (Mustela erminea) in an Alpine habitat:The importance of fruit consumption in summer

Abstract: The diet of stoat, Mustela erminea, in the Italian Alps was studied from May to October 1996 and 1997 through faecal analysis. Scats were collected along twenty transects and near dens within a 10-km2 study area. In the same area, seasonal variation in the available biomass of different prey types was estimated using capture-mark-recapture (small rodents), pitfall trap grids (insects), and fruit counts. About 60 % of scats (n = 734) contained small rodents, indicating that they were the main prey for stoat. However, the frequency of occurrence of fruits in the diet increased significantly in August, after rodent biomass had dropped by more than 50 % in July, but increased again to previous August levels. Fruit consumption decreased in September and October, although available biomass of fruits remained constant. Thus stoat included a large amount of alternative food in their diet when fruits were mature and their availability, and probably their profitability, increased. We were, however, unable to measure absolute consumption of prey. We conclude that primary prey, rodents, is always harvested, suggesting that the costs of harvesting rodents, abundant throughout spring–autumn, are never high. The consumption of alternative prey is independent of its availability, and increases only when relative benefits of harvesting alternative prey (fruits) increases, which is consistent with optimal foraging theory.

Eleven years of recovery dynamic after experimental burning and cutting in two Cistus communities

Abstract: Recovery after cutting and burning in two series of experimental shrubland plots dominated by Cistus laurifolius and Cistus ladanifer, respectively, was studied over 11 years. The two communities tend to recover by an autosuccession process after disturbances, with Cistus species being dominant from the first or second year. The greatest diversity is recorded in the first few years after the disturbances, with higher species richness, basically herbaceous ones, and lower dominance effect. Cover by woody species tends to increase but from the fourth year the differences are not significant. The highest herbaceous cover is after one year and the peak is more marked in the cut plots. Herbaceous species cover decreases afterwards and there are small changes in the different years but without clear trends. When all the samplings are compared by a TWINSPAN, the first division separates both communities and the second division the initial and the final phases from each community. The separation between cut and burnt plots is only observed in the final phases.

The dynamics of fish populations in the Palancar stream,a small tributary of the river Guadalquivir, Spain

Abstract: The relationship between flooding and changes in the size distribution of fish populations in the Palancar stream confirms observations in other rivers. On average, density decreased by 36.2 % and biomass increased by 14.5 %, passing from a period of severe drought to one of heavier than normal rains. Precipitation is the most important of the many factors affecting the populations of the Palancar stream; the most evident changes all occurred after the drought. During the drought period, the marked seasonal fluctuation in flow was the most important factor regulating the population dynamics. Fish density and biomass varied in proportion to the water volume. During the rainy period, the studied section of the river was found to be an important reproduction and nursery area, with juveniles and individuals of reproduction age dominating. The presence of Micropterus salmoides , an introduced piscivorous species, is another factor affecting the population dynamics in the Palancar stream. The observed absence of age 0+ individuals of the dominant populations is considered a direct effect of predation.

No allocation trade-offs between flowering and sproutingin the lignotuberous, Mediterranean shrub Erica australis

Abstract: Trade-offs between allocation to sexual or vegetative regeneration capacity are well established as a driving force in the life history patterns of plants in fire-prone environments. However, it is not known whether such trade-offs exist in plants which after aboveground removing disturbances, such as fire, may regenerate by sexual (seeding) or asexual (sprouting) mechanisms. We evaluated whether in the fire-recruiting resprouter Erica australis, which after fire can regenerate by seedling establishment or resprouting, a larger investment in flowers and seeds prior to being disturbed by clipping its aboveground parts would decrease subsequent sprouting, that is, its vegetative regeneration capacity. We analysed the relationships between flower and seed production and the ensuing production and growth of sprouts of six plants from thirteen different sites in central-western Spain. We found no significant relationships between measures of sexual reproductive effort and resprout production and growth 6 months after clipping the aboveground parts of the plants. No evidence of trade-offs between sexual and asexual efforts was found. Furthermore, no significant relationship was found between lignotuber total non-structural carbohydrates and sexual reproductive effort. In addition, 2 years after the disturbance, resprout biomass was positively and significantly correlated with sexual reproductive effort prior to the disturbance. This indicates that growth of resprouts was higher at the sites where plants made a greater reproductive effort. The sites that were more favourable to producing flowers and seeds could also be more favourable to resprouting.

Towards a causal analysis of stomatal patchiness: the role of stomatal size variability and hydrological heterogeneity

Abstract: The induction of the well known and widespread phenomenon ‘stomatal patchiness’ has been attributed to a variety of potential causes: from low PPFD levels, all kinds of stress conditions to CO 2 -changes and even fungal infections. A mechanism which explains the occurrence of reproducible patterns of static (i.e. stable) stomatal patchiness at low PPFD levels is proposed. Further, experimental evidence is presented for the hypothesis that dynamic (i.e. not stable) stomatal patchiness is a consequence of heterogeneous water status in different parts of the leaf and can be induced by all ambient factors which cause such heterogeneities.

Carbon mineralization in the southern Sonoran Desert

Abstract: We measured carbon mineralization in four different desert habitats (Arroyos, Hillsides, Canopies-Plains and Open-Plains) and the separate effect of litter addition from annual and perennial plants on soil microbial respiration using two laboratory soil incubation experiments. The differences in total aboveground phytomass among habitats correlates with soil nutrient content, soil particulate organic matter (POM) and consequently, C mineralization. The Arroyos habitat with the highest perennial plant phytomass and litter production, had the highest soil nutrient content, soil POM and C mineralization. Litter from annual plants had twice the P concentration than litter from the perennials, but only half the N concentration. Soil microbial respiration was higher with annual plant litter than with perennial plant litter in the Hillsides and Canopies-Plains, suggesting that microbial activity in both habitats was improved by litter with a higher C quality. In contrast, in the poorest habitat, the Open-Plains, the better response to the addition of perennial plant litter suggests that microbial activity may have been constrained by N input.

Relationships between root characteristics and seed size in two contrasting floras

Abstract: Plants vary greatly in root system characteristics, but the causes of this variation are poorly understood. We hypothesised that root system size is closely linked to the plant’s ecological strategy, and that seed size is correlated with root diameter, as a result of anatomical constraints. We analysed the relationships between root characteristics – root depth, basal root diameter and root type – and other plant attributes in more than 300 plant species from two ecologically and geographically contrasted areas: Britain and NE Spain. We used statistical tests that took into account phylogenetic patterns in the data. Apart from plant life span, only plant height and seed size were related to root size in the adult plants. Plant species with shallow or thin main roots had smaller seeds than species with deep or thick main roots, and species with taproots had bigger seeds than plants with fibrous or especially with adventitious roots. These relationships were consistent in the two floras. Seed size was related to plant height, but this association was weaker than that between seed size and root depth. Root depth explained a significant proportion of the variation in seed weight, independently from life form or dispersal mode and, in some cases, more than either of them. These results suggest that traditional ecological explanations do not adequately explain the relationship between seed and plant adult size, and that there will be other, complementary explanations. In particular, we propose that the relationship between seed size and plant height is secondary. The putative causal sequence is that deep-rooted plants (which are generally taller) have large seeds because of allometric and developmental constraints that mean that only large seeds can produce the thick roots that can grow rapidly to depth.

Community dynamics of leafminers (Diptera: Agromyzidae) and their parasitoids (Hymenoptera) in a natural habitat from Central Argentina

Abstract: We examined the temporal community dynamics of leafminers (Agromyzidae: Diptera) and their mainly polyphagous parasitoids in a natural habitat from Central Argentina. Changes in community composition are shown by changes in dominant species and similarity coefficients. Abundance of leafminers was highest in winter, and was not related to their species richness. Abundance and species richness were correlated in the parasitoid community. Temporal variation in parasitoid diversity and abundance were positively correlated with species number and density in the host community. Apparent parasitism was greater when parasitoid species richness was high and parasitoid community dominance was low.

Unpredictable responses of garden snail (Helix aspersa) populations to climate change

Abstract: We studied the impact of climate change on the population dynamics of the garden snail (Helix aspersa) in the Ecotron controlled environment facility. The experimental series ran for three plant generations, allowing the snails to reproduce. We investigated the isolated and combined effects of elevated CO2 (current + 200 mu mol mol(-1)) and warming (current + 2 degreesC) in three consecutive runs (CO2, Temperature and Combined). In the CO2 Run, the number of juvenile snails recorded at the end of the experiment did not differ between ambient and elevated CO2, whereas in the Temperature Run, fewer juveniles were found at elevated temperatures. An opposite response was observed in the Combined Run, where significantly more juveniles were found in elevated temperature and CO2 compared to elevated CO2 on its own. Within each run, juvenile emergence was not affected by treatments but juvenile presence was first observed about 70 days earlier in the Combined Run than in the Temperature Run. The differences in snail performance in the different runs were not correlated with differences in community structure or leaf quality measured as C:N ratios and neither with the abundance of the most preferred host plant species, Cardamine hirsuta. ne abundance of this species, however, was significantly altered in all runs. The results illustrate clearly the degree of difficulty in making predictable generalisations about the consequences of climate change for certain species. [KEYWORDS: behaviour; Ecotron; elevated CO2; temperature; herbivory; mollusc Elevated atmospheric co2; terrestrial ecosystems; herbivore interactions; calcareous grassland; insect performance; model ecosystem; plant-responses; carbon-dioxide; temperature; phytochemistry]

Multiple infestation by seed predators: the effect of loculate fruits on intraspecific insect larval competition

Abstract: Many morphological features of fruits are important factors affecting predispersal seed predation by insects. This paper analyses the predispersal seed predation process of a major predator (a Noctuidae lepidopteran larvae) in loculate fruits of a bushy perennial plant, Cistus ladanifer . The main aim of the study is to assess the potential effect of internal valvae (which partition groups of seeds) in the intraspecific competition between larvae in multiple-infested fruits. Our results show that larvae do not reject already infested fruits, but they avoid the proximity of other larvae within the fruit, keeping an average minimum distance of one locule. In multiple-infested fruits, larval mortality increases and the proportion of seeds consumed by each larvae decreases. In those situations in which valvae keep apart larvae within a fruit, these only suffer the cost of exploitation competition with a low acquisition of resources. However, when all valvae between them are pierced by the larvae, competition switches to an interference component and larval mortality increases markedly. The existence of valvae within a fruit allows larvae to diminish the cost of intraspecific competition, obtaining high life expectancies (70%), even in triple-infested fruits.

Demographic structure and life history traits of the common goby Pomatoschistus microps (Teleostei, Gobiidae) in a Mediterranean coastal lagoon (Rhône River delta, France)

Abstract: Demographic structure and life history traits of the common goby Pomatoschistus microps were investigated in a brackish water lagoon of the Rhone River delta (Mediterranean Sea, southern France). The size frequency distribution and gonadosomatic index indicated that three different age groups occurred and reproduced successively in the lagoon, resulting in a long spawning period from March to September and a high investment in reproduction. This high investment in reproduction, which contrasts with that found in other mostly northern European populations, probably relates to the unpredictability of the gobyˈs environmental conditions.

Selection and capture of prey in the African ponerine antPlectroctena minor (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract: Prey selection by Plectroctena minor workers is two-fold. During cafeteria experiments, the workers always selected millipedes, their essential prey, while alternative prey acceptance varied according to the taxa and the situation. Millipedes were seized by the anterior part of their body, stung, and retrieved by single workers that transported them between their legs. They were rarely snapped at, and never abandoned. When P. minor workers were confronted with alternative prey they behaved like generalist species: prey acceptance was inversely correlated to prey size. This was not the case vis-a-vis millipedes that they selected and captured although larger than compared alternative prey. The semi-specialised diet of P. minor permits the colonies to be easily provisioned by a few foraging workers as millipedes are rarely hunted by other predatory arthropods, while alternative prey abound, resulting in low competition pressure in both cases. Different traits characteristic of an adaptation to hunting millipedes were noted and compared with the capture of alternative prey. We also noted the parsimony of the behavioural phases during their capture compared to the capture of alternative prey.