Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patterns of vegetation in the vicinity of an industrially disturbed ecosystem, Sudbury, Ontario

During the past century, forests in the vicinity of Sudbury, Ont. , have been either destroyed or disturbed by logging, fires, and industrial pollution. These factors have produced an atypical mosaic of vegetation communities. This study investigates the patterns of plant communities that characterize this disturbed ecosystem.Nine major plant communities were found to predominate. These were determined by classification of the tree stratum with the aid of a hierarchical cluster analysis that was applied to data gathered from 142 quantitatively sampled field sites.These communities tend to be regulated by topography, soils, and distance from pollution sources. They can be grouped into two main types. The barren, birch transition and maple transition communities form a grouping that is attributed to pollution whereas the remaining six types are typical of the hemlock – white pine – northern hardwoods forest. The first three communities are restricted to the industrially disturbed region near Sudbury. Since t.
An Agro-Bioclimatic Classification of Arid and Semiarid Lands in the Isoclimatic Mediterranean Zones

The author favors a quantitative bioclimatic approach to describe and discuss the concept of “Mediterraneity,” its various criteria and acceptations. According to the criteria elected, the Isoclimatic Mediterranean Zone represents some 15 million km2 (including Mediterranean deserts), almost 12% of the land mass of the planet. The Mediterranean biomes habor some 75,000 species of vascular plants, including about 54% endemics. That means 25% of the world's vascular flora are present on 12% of the land mass. This bioclimatic zone is concerned with parts or the whole of more than 50 countries. This huge area is not homogenous, as one could anticipate, although summers everywhere are dry and warm (or hot) and winters rainy and mild (or cold). There are many and large variations within the overall framework. A critical analysis of some 1,500 weather stations from more than 50 countries revealed the existence of a number of submodels within the Mediterranean bioclimatic entity, including in the Mediterranean Basin itself. Definitions of such submodels are based on various significant and discriminating quantified criteria. Rainfall seasonality, characterized by a Mediterraneitry Index, may be monomodal, bimodal or trimodal, with peaks in any season but summer. Drought may be of a short or long duration, early or late, mild or severe. Summer rain may be totally missing for up to 4–5 months in the rainier zones (as in the east Mediterranean Basin) or significantly high (up to 22–23% of the annual total) in truly Mediterranean countries, such as in the west Mediterranean highland zones, not necessarily continental, for instance.
Patterns and drivers of regeneration of tree species in forests of peninsular Spain

Our study aimed to identify and explore the main factors that influence tree recruitment of multiple species at a regional scale across peninsular Spain, an understanding of which is essential for predicting future forest species composition in the face of ongoing environmental change. The study focused on the dynamics of the key transition phase from saplings to adult trees.
Soil Thresholds for Classification of Vegetation Types in Abandoned Cropland on the Loess Plateau, China

Soil erosion is a severe environmental problem on the Loess Plateau, China. Vegetation restoration is the most efficient method to control soil erosion and introducing late-successional plant species may accelerate natural succession. However, the progress is affected by soil conditions and the appropriate thresholds of soil condition for seed addition are needed. Our objectives were to identify the vegetation types, examine the key soil factors affecting the vegetation variation, and determine the thresholds of the soil factors for each vegetation type. Five vegetation types in secondary succession were identified: association (assoc.) Artemisia scoparia assoc. Bothriochloa ischaemum assoc. Artemisia gmelinii Artemisia giraldii assoc. Ostryopsis davidiana Rubus parvifolius L. , Syringa oblate and assoc. Sophora viciifolia Years since abandonment (YEAR), alkali-hydrolysable nitrogen (AHN), soil water content (SW), and total phosphorus (TP) were the key factors used to discriminate among vegetation types. Assoc. A. scoparia developed in croplands that had been abandoned for less than 11 years. Assoc. B. ischaemum developed in croplands abandoned for more than 11 years with lower soil nutrient levels (0.30 ≤ TP ≤ 0.646 g kg−1 and 16.72 ≤ AHN ≤ 32.62 mg kg−1). Assoc. A. gmelinii + A. giraldii always required greater TP (0.646 ≤ TP ≤ 0.79 g kg−1) to develop. When soil water content was lower (6.6 ≤ SW ≤ 8.4%), the assoc. S. viciifolia developed; otherwise, other associations, such as assoc. O. davidiana, developed. These soil thresholds can be used as references for guiding restoration, such as specifying proper soil conditions for seed sowing.
POSITIVE GRASS DIVERSITY-PRODUCTIVITY RELATIONSHIPS AND CONTROLLING FACTORS ALONG AN ELEVATION GRADIENT IN CENTRAL ASIAN ALPINE GRASSLANDS

The productivity-diversity relationship in grasslands is of great interest with regard to species loss in natural ecosystems, where species extinction is not random but directed. We carried out a three-year investigation from 2005 to 2007 along an elevation gradient in alpine grasslands of Central Asia in an area of 70 x 20 km(2) at Bayinbuluk, Tianshan Mountains. We selected 9 sites (10 x 10 m(2)) and 117 plots (1 x 1 m(2)) from 2460 to 3260 m a.s. l. with 100 m intervals of altitude. Species richness, productivity, soil characteristics, air temperature and relative humidity (May-August) were recorded. The relationship between plant diversity and productivity was significant and positive. We used ordination techniques such as Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) to examine the relationship between vegetation and the environmental factors. The results showed that plant species composition, species richness and productivity were significantly affected by air temperature, soil pH and relative humidity across the study area.
Changes in the epibenthos of Saldanha Bay, South Africa, between the 1960s and 2001: an analysis based on dredge samples

Saldanha Bay, which lies on the south-west coast of South Africa, has undergone major development over the past 30 years, including breakwater and harbour construction, harbour extension, dredging, mining, fishing, fish processing and mussel culture. This study examines whether the benthic macrofaunal communities in the bay have been altered over this period. Twelve stations that had been sampled in the 1960s, prior to harbour construction, were re-sampled in 2001 (40 years later) with a surface dredge. Species abundances were coded from 1 (present) to 5 (abundant) to make the two sets of samples comparable. The benthic communities before harbour development were significantly different from those in 2001 (ANOSIM, p < 0.001). Increases in the abundances of the whelk Nassarius speciosus and the crab Hymenosoma orbiculare were mainly responsible for these differences. Two main benthic communities were recognised in the 1960s and, at that stage, covered large extents of the bay, whereas in 2001 the communities were divided into distinct 'Small Bay' and 'Big Bay' groups, reflecting the division of the bay into two areas by the development of a harbour wall. Although natural fluctuations may account for some of these changes, it is more likely that the considerable anthropogenic activities within Saldanha Bay, which are known to have altered physical conditions, have led to the changes observed in the benthic communities.
The value of nest boxes in the research and management of Australian hollow-using arboreal marsupials

Nest boxes have been recognised as research and management tools for arboreal marsupials in Australia for over 20 years. We review the published literature with the aim of describing the scope of studies conducted in Australia thus far and providing guidance to future research. We recognise three types of application in research: (1) detection of species, (2) study of a species’ ecology, and (3) investigation of box designs preferred by different species. Several species of arboreal marsupial may be detected more readily in nest boxes than by conventional survey techniques, allowing description of key aspects of their ecology; e.g. feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus), eastern pygmy possum (Cercartetus nanus) and brush-tailed phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa). Identifying the most favoured nest-box design for any species has implications for detection and management uses of nest boxes. More research is needed but preliminary findings suggest that species prefer narrow entrance holes, while height of the nest box above 3 m may be inconsequential. We recognise three types of management application: (1) species introduction, (2) support of populations of endangered species, and (3) strategic placement such as to enhance habitat connectivity. Currently there have been few attempts to use nest boxes to manage arboreal marsupials but further research is needed to realise their potential as a management tool.
New microsatellite resources for groupers (Serranidae)

We characterized nine microsatellite loci and identified an additional 60 genomic regions containing microsatellites in the red hind grouper, Epinephelus guttatus. The nine loci were highly polymorphic, and primers designed from red hind genomic DNA produced a strong amplification product in a test panel of 16 other groupers in the genera Epinephelus and Mycteroperca collected from across the world. Most of the amplified regions were homologous to the red hind locus and a well-defined microsatellite repeat was generally evident. The nine loci, together with the 60 uncharacterized microsatellite-containing regions, provide a powerful tool for ecological and evolutionary studies in groupers.
Purposefully poetic

ABSTRACT Arts education has no firm place in Hawaii's public school system. Even the Board of Education plan and the State Department of Education's plans differ in how they refer to and make recommendations about the place or purpose of arts education. This article reviews examples of competing policy to suggest how arts-integrated style teaching could both bridge the gap and extend strategic goals. The article provides examples of how drama-integrated style teaching has positive social and academic benefits for English language learners that specifically build their self-efficacy, helping such students to become better learners. Using these examples, the article suggests potential strategic plan revisions.
Life table and heat tolerance of Acyrthosiphon pisum (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in subtropical Taiwan

The effect of temperature on the life table of Acyrthosiphon pisum reared on Pisum sativum was evaluated under laboratory conditions using temperatures of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35°C. The development time of juvenile A. pisum decreased with increasing temperature (from 21.3 days at 10°C to 4.7 days at 35°C). Adult longevity also decreased with increasing temperature (from 53.2 days at 10°C to 2.3 days at 35°C). Interestingly, 70% and 25% of A. pisum nymphs reared at 30°C and 35°C, respectively, successfully developed into adults. These temperatures have previously been considered unsuitable for A. pisum development. However, adult aphids reared at 30°C and 35°C failed to reproduce. Linear regression analysis revealed that the lower development threshold of A. pisum was 153.1 degree‐days above 1.9°C. Maximal average reproductive capability was observed at 10°C for A. pisum adults, with each adult producing more than 120 nymphs. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) of A. pisum increased from 0.124/day at 10°C to 0.337/day at 25°C, whereas opposite trends were observed for the net reproductive rate (R0) and the mean generation time (GT). At 20°C and 25°C, the intrinsic rate of increase of A. pisum was significantly higher than at 10°C and 15°C (P < 0.0001), indicating that 20°C and 25°C are within the optimal range for the growth of A. pisum, and that 30°C is beyond the upper threshold limit for reproduction, which involves a temperature range that is narrower than that of the survival range (upper limit is unknown, but above 35°C).
Rensch’s Rule Applies to Clinal Variation of Body Size in the Argentine Grasshopper Dichroplus pratensis: Correction of Bidau and Martí

In their article entitled “Clinal Variation of Body Size in Dichroplus pratensis (Orthoptera: Acrididae): Inversion of BergmannOs andRenschOs Rules,”Bidau and Martṍ (2007) published results in this journal about clinal population data from 1998 to 2001. In the sexual size dimorphism (SSD) analysis of the grasshopper Dichroplus pratensis Bruner, they incorrectly conclude the 19 populations studied, encompassing 22 of latitude in Argentina, exhibit the inverse of RenschOs rule (Rensch 1960). The authors explain RenschOs rule as stating “that in species where males are larger than females, sexual dimorphism increases with size” (Bidau and Martṍ 2007). Although this is correct, it is an incomplete deÞnition. In his work, Rensch (1960) describes a general pattern to relate SSD to the body size of animals: “In species of birds inwhich themale is larger than the female, the relative sexual difference increases with body size. If by way of exception, the females are larger than the males, as among many species of birds of prey, the opposite correlation applies, i.e., the greater sexual difference is found in the smaller species” (p. 159). RenschOs rule is fully deÞned as the allometry observed when SSD increases with size if males are the larger sex, butwhenSSDdecreaseswith size if females are the larger sex (Rensch 1960, Fairbairn 1990 Abouheif and Fairbairn 1997, Fairbairn 1997). Allometry consistent with RenschOs rule is represented by the slope of a model II regression being 1 ( 1) when log female size is regressed on logmale size, regardless of which sex is larger (Abouheif and Fairbairn 1997). Note that if the axes are reversed (male size regressed on female size),RenschOs rule is representedbya slope of 1 ( 1) (Fairbairn 1997). More generally, RenschOs rule occurs when more variance in male body size than female body size is observed (Fairbairn 1997, Blanckenhorn et al. 2007). The results fromBidau andMartṍ (2007) indicateD. pratensis exhibits female-biased SSD (females larger thanmales). Their data demonstrate “. the degree of SSD decreases as mean size of both sexes increase,” thus actually conforming to RenschOs rule. Furthermore, in Fig. 3f they regress log female on log male body length (axes similar to Þg. 1 of Abouheif and Fairbairn 1997) and Þnd a slope of 0.5718. This value is unequivocally 1, but for this study to demonstrate an inverse of RenschOs rule the slope of the regression line would need to be 1 (Abouheif and Fairbairn 1997). The authors did not state whether they used a model I or model II regression in their analyses. If a model I regression was used, reanalyzing thedatawithpropermodel IImethodsmaychange the signiÞcance of the results. The study of Bidau and Martṍ (2007) clearly demonstrates a case where empirical evidence supports RenschOs rule in D. pratensis. Due to a misinterpretation of RenschOs rule, the authors wrongly cite their work as an example of the inverse to RenschOs rule.
Genetic tagging : Contemporary molecular ecology

Population genetic analyses have been highly successful in deciphering inter- and intra-specific evolutionary relationships, levels of gene flow, genetic divergence and effective population sizes. Parameters estimated by traditional population genetic analyses are evolutionary averages and thus not necessarily relevant for contemporary ecological or conservation issues. Molecular data can, however, also provide insight into contemporary patterns of divergence, population size and gene flow when a sufficient number of variable loci are analysed to focus subsequent data analyses on individuals rather than populations. Genetic tagging of individuals is an example of such individual-based approaches and recent studies have shown it to be a viable alternative to traditional tagging methods. Owing to the ubiquitous presence of hyper-variable DNA sequences in eukaryote genomes it is in principle possible to tag any eukaryote species and the required DNA can be obtained indirectly from substrates such as faeces, sloughed skin and hair. The purpose of this paper is to present the concept of genetic tagging and to further advocate the extension of individual-based genetic analyses beyond the identification of individuals to other kinds of relationships, such as parent-offspring relations, which more fully exploit the genetic nature of the data.
Mitochondrial genome data alone are not enough to unambiguously resolve the relationships of Entognatha, Insecta and Crustacea sensu lato (Arthropoda)

An analysis of the relationships of the major arthropod groups was undertaken using mitochondrial genome data to examine the hypotheses that Hexapoda is polyphyletic and that Collembola is more closely related to branchiopod crustaceans than insects. We sought to examine the sensitivity of this relationship to outgroup choice, data treatment, gene choice and optimality criteria used in the phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial genome data. Additionally we sequenced the mitochondrial genome of an archaeognathan, Nesomachilis australica, to improve taxon selection in the apterygote insects, a group poorly represented in previous mitochondrial phylogenies. The sister group of the Collembola was rarely resolved in our analyses with a significant level of support. The use of different outgroups (myriapods, nematodes, or annelids + mollusks) resulted in many different placements of Collembola. The way in which the dataset was coded for analysis (DNA, DNA with the exclusion of third codon position and as amino acids) also had marked affects on tree topology. We found that nodal support was spread evenly throughout the 13 mitochondrial genes and the exclusion of genes resulted in significantly less resolution in the inferred trees. Optimality criteria had a much lesser effect on topology than the preceding factors; parsimony and Bayesian trees for a given data set and treatment were quite similar. We therefore conclude that the relationships of the extant arthropod groups as inferred by mitochondrial genomes are highly vulnerable to outgroup choice, data treatment and gene choice, and no consistent alternative hypothesis of Collembola's relationships is supported. Pending the resolution of these identified problems with the application of mitogenomic data to basal arthropod relationships, it is difficult to justify the rejection of hexapod monophyly, which is well supported on morphological grounds.
Peroxidase: a marker for Ascochyta blight resistance in chickpea

On the basis of incidence of appearance of Ascochyta blight symptoms after artificial inoculation of 25-day-old chickpea seedlings with 10 different pathotypes of Ascochyta rabiei, GL94011, PBG5 and C214 have been classified as resistant, moderately resistant and susceptible, respectively, to Ascochyta blight. In none of the pathotypes, peroxidase (PO) activity could be detected in culture medium and mycelium. Healthy tissues of GL94011 have almost three times the PO activity in comparison with that of C214. Resistant and moderately resistant genotypes showed 30–60% upregulation of PO activity against infection by A. rabiei whereas it was only 3–6% in susceptible genotype C214. These results indicate the possibility of using PO as a marker of Ascochyta blight resistance.
Do female Lake Eyre dragon lizards adjust courtship rejection behaviour under higher predation risk

Female resistance is expected to evolve when mating costs outweigh resistance costs. One potential cost of resistance is increased predation risk; however, the ability to compensate behaviourally may reduce these costs. In the Lake Eyre dragon, Ctenophorus maculosus , non-receptive females employ several rejection strategies, including lateral threat displays and flipping over, to prevent superfluous matings. C. maculosus rely on cryptic dorsal colouration for protection from predators; however, resisting females are highly conspicuous as they develop orange ventro-lateral colouration, which is emphasised during rejection displays. Furthermore, flipping over may increase vulnerability to predators by decreasing a female's ability to detect predators and to flee. We tested whether females behaviourally compensate for potential increased vulnerability by altering their use of lateral threats and flip-overs under high and low perceived predation risk. The duration of flip-over rejections was significantly lower under high predation but there was no effect of predation risk on the frequency or duration of lateral threats. This suggests that females may compensate for reduced mobility or ability to detect predators rather than increased conspicuousness. Our study confirms that females are able to modulate resistance behaviour in relation to predation risk, potentially altering the trade-off between mating costs and costs of resistance.
Breeding success and chronology of Wood Storks Mycteria americana in northern and central Florida, U.S.A.

The breeding success and chronology of Wood Storks Mycteria americana were studied at eight colonies in northern and central Florida during 1981–1985. Mean ± s.d. clutch size for all colony-years was 3.07 ± 0.56 (n = 2694 nests), with three-egg clutches (72%) most frequent. Mean clutch size among all colonies and years ranged from 2.73 ± 0.55 to 3.41 ± 0.61. Many colonies exhibited significant negative trends in clutch size with, hatching date because of a proportional decrease in four-egg clutches later in the season. Mean colony clutch size was not correlated with nest numbers, nesting density or mean hatching date within most years. Mean ± s.d. number of fledglings for all colonies and years was 1.29 ± 1.16 fledglings per nest (n = 2812 nests). Mean annual fledging rates in colonies ranged from 0 (colony failed) to 2.66 fledglings per nest. Most breeding failure occurred prior to egg hatching, and the second highest mortality occurred between hatching and 2 weeks of age. Four-egg clutches fledged more storks than three-egg clutches, which in turn were more successful than two-egg clutches. However, all clutch sizes showed similar fledgling per egg rates. The seasonal decline in productivity was associated proportionally with smaller clutch sizes later in the breeding season. An increase in mean hatching date was correlated with an increase in latitude. There was greater within-year breeding synchrony among colonies than interyear breeding synchrony within each colony. Breeding synchrony was not correlated with mean hatching date, latitude, longitude, nest numbers or nesting density.