............................................................................................................................. 22 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 23 Materials and methods ....................................................................................................... 25 Results ............................................................................................................................... 32 Discussion .......................................................................................................................... 42 References ......................................................................................................................... 48 Chapter 3: The importance of young plantation forest habitat and forest roadverges for ground-dwelling spider diversity ...................................................... 57 Abstract .............................................................................................................................. 58 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 59............................................................................................................................. 58 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 59 Materials and methods ....................................................................................................... 61 Results ............................................................................................................................... 67 Discussion .......................................................................................................................... 73 References ......................................................................................................................... 78 Chapter 4: Influence of conifer tree species on ground-dwelling spider diversity in plantation forests ............................................................................. 84 Abstract .............................................................................................................................. 85 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 86 Materials and methods ....................................................................................................... 88 Results ............................................................................................................................... 93 Discussion ........................................................................................................................ 100............................................................................................................................. 85 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 86 Materials and methods ....................................................................................................... 88 Results ............................................................................................................................... 93 Discussion ........................................................................................................................ 100 References ....................................................................................................................... 105 Chapter 5: Ground-dwelling spider (Araneae) and carabid beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) community assemblages in mixed and monoculture stands of oak (Quercus robur/ Q. petraea) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) ....................... 113 Abstract ............................................................................................................................ 114........................................................................................................................... 114 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 115 Materials and methods ..................................................................................................... 117 Results ............................................................................................................................. 125 Discussion ........................................................................................................................ 133 Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................... 138 References ....................................................................................................................... 139 Chapter 6: The application of forest biodiversity indicators across forest stand types and regions .............................................................................................. 146 Abstract ............................................................................................................................ 147 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 148 Materials and methods ..................................................................................................... 150 Results ............................................................................................................................. 157 Discussion ........................................................................................................................ 161 References ....................................................................................................................... 169........................................................................................................................... 147 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 148 Materials and methods ..................................................................................................... 150 Results ............................................................................................................................. 157 Discussion ........................................................................................................................ 161 References ....................................................................................................................... 169 Chapter 7: Ground-dwelling spider diversity in rare European oak and yew woodlands and the impact of grazing ............................................................... 181 Abstract ............................................................................................................................ 182 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 183 Materials and methods ..................................................................................................... 185 Results ............................................................................................................................. 189........................................................................................................................... 182 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 183 Materials and methods ..................................................................................................... 185 Results ............................................................................................................................. 189 Discussion ........................................................................................................................ 195 References ....................................................................................................................... 200 Chapter 8: Concluding synthesis ...................................................................... 207 Main conclusions ............................................................................................................. 208 Forest management recommendations ............................................................................ 210 Further research ............................................................................................................... 211 References ....................................................................................................................... 213 Acknowledgements .......................................................................................... 218 Appendix 1 ....................................................................................................... 219 Appendix 2 ....................................................................................................... 224 Appendix 3 ....................................................................................................... 230 Appendix 4 ....................................................................................................... 233

Comparative plant ecology

Invertebrate diversity in Irish and British forests

Comparing invasive plants in their native and invasive ranges can answer questions about invasion mechanisms and inform management options. However, few studies have considered how density varies with spatial scale or how individual fitness is affected by conspecific density at different spatial scales. A census was carried out of 15 native UK populations of the perennial herb Linaria vulgaris Miller (Plantaginaceae), and of seven invasive populations from a climatically matched area of Alaska. There was no difference in density between native and invasive populations when compared at spatial scales of 0.0625, 0.5, 1 or 4 m2, or when density was measured as a mean field of each population. However, invasive populations covered a larger area, so density was greater at broad spatial scales. The effect of conspecific density on the height and reproduction of ramets varied with the spatial scale and between ranges. Invasive ramets were shorter than native ramets, and therefore produced fewer mature fruit. However, this was more than compensated for by the greater number of viable black seed in invasive fruit than native fruit. One of the reasons for this was the presence of the seed feeding weevil Rhinusa antirrhini in over half of the native, but none of the invasive, fruit. The majority of seed was estimated to fall within 1 m of maternal plants when surrounded with vegetation, but seed travelled further in an unvegetated area. Germination rates were very low in both the field and laboratory. The thesis ends with a description of the biology of L. vulgaris. This work demonstrates that invasion and escape from natural enemies can occur at a broad spatial scale, without increased density and vigour at a fine spatial scale.

background

Density and reproduction in native and invasive Linaria vulgaris populations at multiple spatial scales

esterase {EST), and phosphoglucoisomerase (PGI)) showed high resolution and were highly polymorphic. The examination of the extent of intra-cultivar {cv. Grasslands Huia) variation in these enzymes strongly indicated the usefulness of the isozymes for the clone identification. Using this method, we analysed the clene structure of a・T ropens mini-sward population, distinguishing well genets interrningled ach other, A practical procedure for the clone identification in fields will be also proposed.

Identification of White Clover (Trifolium repens L.) Clones Using Isozymes

The present paper deals with 130- herbaceous species belonging to 34- families were recorded. The life forms spectrum showed Chaemaephytes, Hemicryptophytes, Geophytes, Therophytes are abundantly found in this area. The dominance of Chaemaephytes indicates the tropical dry deciduous forest and humid conditions. The anthropogenic di s- turbances are greatly affected the biodive rsity and structural characteristics of a communit y.

Comparative plant ecology

Citations

Invertebrate diversity in Irish and British forests

Density and reproduction in native and invasive Linaria vulgaris populations at multiple spatial scales

Identification of White Clover (Trifolium repens L.) Clones Using Isozymes

Herbaceous life forms of Maruthamalai Hills, Southern Western Ghats, India

Conclusions and Future Research Challenges

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