bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Security, Not Defence, Strategic, Not Habit: Restructuring the Political Arrangements for Policy Making on Britain's Role in the World
Authors: GEARSON JOHN , GOW JAMES
Published: August 2010

The Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition government has committed itself to a Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDR) in 2010. The government and the country face very hard choices to bring United Kingdom defence and security policy back from the brink of bankruptcy—both financial and strategic (Gow). To succeed, it must overcome the failings of the past (Chisnall, Dorman, Rees) and take a truly open and radical look at all aspects of policy and process—including the Trident independent nuclear deterrent (Allen), relations with Europe (Witney) and the importance of cyber‐issues in the future security context (Fisher). It must get strategic concepts right to provide flexibility with credibility (Stone). It must deliver ‘what the military wants’: true strategic prioritisation, radical defence acquisition reform, and credible balancing of resources and commitments (Kiszley). The scale of the challenge facing the United Kingdom in—and beyond—the 2010 SDR is why The Political Quarterly convened a workshop early in 2010 involving MPs, practitioners, retired military personnel, journalists, commentators, business people and academics, and publishes these associated papers. Most of all, to overcome the failings of the past, there must be a radical move beyond the welcome first steps of the Cameron–Clegg government to introduce a National Security Council and a National Security Advisor, to reconfigure relationships within government, across departments and with Parliament to have a government figure of accountability and responsibility—a Secretary of State for Security Policy, primus inter pares with other Secretaries of State—to make sense of the questions needing to be asked and answered (Gearson and Gow).
The Denationalization of Cabinets in the European Commission
Authors: EGEBERG MORTEN , HESKESTAD ANDREAS
Published: August 2010

The cabinets of the European Commission are seen to play a crucial role in the policy‐making process. So far, however, they have in many respects remained ‘black boxes’. In this article we ‘unpack’ the demographic composition in terms of nationality of three commissions' cabinets. The standard portrayal of cabinets has been that of national enclaves and points of access. Reforms during the period have required a more multinational composition. Our study shows that not only have the new rules been implemented: the new formal requirements have become over‐fulfilled and increasingly so. In 2004, 96 per cent of the cabinets contained more nationalities than formally prescribed and 57 per cent of the personnel were non‐compatriots of their respective commissioners. Based on studies of comparable phenomena, it is reason to believe that decomposition of a particular demographical cluster within an organizational unit reduces the impact of such demographical factors on officials' decision behaviour.
The Euro–Mediterranean Partnership: Trade in Services as an Alternative to Migration?
Authors: HOEKMAN BERNARD , ÖZDEN ÇAĞLAR
Published: August 2010

This article discusses options to facilitate movement of workers between high‐income and developing countries within the framework of trade agreements, focusing on the European Union's partnership agreements with neighbouring countries. Existing frameworks for co‐operation offer the possibility of expanding temporary rather than longer‐term or permanent movement of workers since extant trade agreements provide scope for negotiating specific market access commitments for services, including those delivered through the cross‐border movement of natural persons. Even though the potential for such ‘embodied’ trade in services will not be anywhere near what would be associated with substantial liberalization of migration regimes, furthering the services trade dimension in the European Union's trade agreements offers significant potential Pareto gains. For the partner countries these gains from temporary movement of service providers are both direct – through greater employment and revenue from providing services in the European Union – and indirect – by helping to increase and sustain higher growth at home.
Open‐Ended Membership Prospect and Commitment Credibility: Explaining the Deadlock in EU–Turkey Accession Negotiations
Authors: UGUR MEHMET
Published: August 2010

After the enlargement of 2004, the European Union (EU) has introduced an open‐ended framework for accession negotiations. Although the ultimate aim is still to ensure the integration of candidate countries, the timing and modality of membership is not guaranteed in advance. This article utilizes a political economy model to demonstrate that open‐ended accession negotiations would lead to suboptimal outcomes in the form of inadequate convergence reforms undertaken in the candidate country and poor membership prospect offered by the EU. This analytical finding is compatible with and can be useful in understanding the dynamics of deteriorating reform output in Turkey and weakening EU commitment to Turkish membership since the start of the open‐ended accession negotiations process in 2005. Two necessary conditions must be satisfied to overcome such adverse outcomes in the enlargement process: (i) the EU and the accession country must renew their commitments to reform and integration through a new political bargain; and (ii) they should follow this bargain with periodic summits for co‐ordinating their commitments in the face of shocks to, or emerging deadlocks in, the process of open‐ended accession negotiations.
Pregnancy and ovulation rates in Grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) on the British coast
Authors: Boyd I. L.
Published: August 2010

This study determined the pregnancy and ovulation rates in two stocks of Grey seals from Britain and described changes in pregnancy and ovulation rate with age. Seals sampled from the Hebrides during August 1978 and from the Fame Islands between March 1979 and October 1981 were used. Adult female pregnancy rate in the stock from the Fame Islands was estimated to be 94–29%, compared with 82–95% for seals from the Hebrides. These values were not significantly different. Pregnancy rate estimated by direct observation of a conceptus was comparable with an estimate from the presence or absence of corpora albicantia in the ovaries. By the age of four years and over (4 +), i.e. at maturity, 50% of females became pregnant. Pregnancy rate remained constant from age 5 + onwards. Pregnancy rate amongst females which became sexually mature at a younger than average age was lower than in older age classes.
Elastic properties of the forefoot of the Donkey, Equus asinus
Authors: Alexander R. McN. , Dimery Nicola J.
Published: August 2010

The elastic properties of the forefeet of Donkeys, and of tendons removed from the feet, have been investigated in dynamic tests at a frequency chosen to simulate running. The elastic properties of the foot are explained in terms of the properties of individual tendons and check ligaments. The elastic strain energy stored in the foot, during a trotting step, is calculated to be only a little less than the optimum quantity which would minimize the work required of the muscles in this gait. Frictional and viscous energy losses were fairly small in the experiments on feet, and would probably be smaller in the intact animal.
The rôle of fat and protein during breeding in the White‐bellied swiftlet (Collocalia esculents)
Authors: Hails C. J. , Turner A. K.
Published: August 2010

The breeding biology of the White‐bellied swiftlet was studied in Malaysia. Birds were captured every month, and more intensively during the breeding season. To investigate the role of fat and protein reserves in the annual cycle, carcasses were fat extracted after separating the pectoral muscles. The stage of the laying cycle was investigated by histological examination of the ovaries.

Fat and protein reserves were correlated with the body size of the birds. In non‐laying females and males, both reserves were correlated with date and feeding conditions determined by the weather. In egg‐laying birds, protein reserves were again correlated with feeding conditions, but fat reserves were negatively correlated with the day of the laying cycle. Assessment of the daily foraging abilities of the birds showed that, for egg‐layers, proteins were likely to be in greatest supply and fats in least supply. It is suggested that a fat reserve serves as an insurance against poor feeding conditions for laying birds.
A new mechanism of sound production by courting male jumping spiders (Araneae: Salticidae, Saitis michaelseni Simon)
Authors: Gwynne D. T. , Dadour I. R.
Published: August 2010

Male Saitis michaelseni Simon (Araneae: Salticidae) produce sounds during courtship which can be heard several metres away. Courting males stridulate on dead leaves and are positioned on the opposite side of the leaf from the female. The courtship display contains both visual and acoustic elements. Courtship consists of three phases. In the first two phases, the male stridulates, and in the third phase, in which he makes tactile contact with the female, he alternates bursts of stridulatory sound with bouts of percussive sound in which the first pair of legs strikes the substratum. Stridulation apparently results from the thickened bases of short hairs on the anterior part of the abdomen moving over two files on the posterior part of the carapace. This stridulatory mechanism has not been previously reported for salticid spiders. The frequency spectra and amplitude modulation patterns of sounds produced by stridulation and percussion are presented.
Ecological energetics of two European shrews: Crocidura russula and Sorex coronatus (Soricidae: Mammalia)
Authors: Genoud Michel
Published: August 2010

The energy strategies and especially the overwintering strategies of Crocidura russula (Croci‐durinae) and Sorex coronatus (Soricinae) were compared. These two species are sympatric over a large part of Europe, but have different ecological distributions and belong to subfamilies which have evolved under different climates. Energy budgets of wild animals were estimated by combining measurements of the metabolic rate in the laboratory (respirometry) with a time‐budget analysis in the field (radioactive tracking). Oxygen consumption was measured at different ambient temperatures (T,) and for three different behavioural states: activity, normothermic rest in a nest and torpor in a nest. These measurements were extrapolated for free‐living shrew populations by taking into account field data on morphology, behaviour, demography and climate, obtained in western Switzerland. If expressed by unit weight, the daily energy expenditure of S. coronatus, E (J g‐1) = 6459–89 T,(°C), is higher than the maximal expenditure of C. russula, E (J g‐l) = 4714–106 T,(°C). This is a consequence of the higher metabolic and activity rates of S. coronatus. However, since S. coronatus is a little lighter, individuals of both species have similar absolute expenditures. Unlike S. coronatus, overwintering C. russula can drastically lower their budget (up to 30% reduction) by the use of several saving mechanisms, e.g. torpor, nest huddling and selection of warm resting sites. But this species may reach high densities in winter and thus its population budgets may be high (up to 3000 kJ ha‐1 day‐1 for average winter conditions). The overwintering S. coronatus undergo a body size reduction, and their strictly territorial social organization maintains the population requirements at a low level (usually less than 500–600 kJ ha‐1 day‐1 for average winter conditions). The energy strategies of these two temperate shrews are correlated to their ecological distribution, and competition played an important rôle in their evolution.
Embryonic, foetal and placental development in the Common marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: Chambers P. L. , Hearn J. P.
Published: August 2010

Embryonic. foetal and placental samples were taken at hysterotomy from timed and estimated stages of pregnancy. Timed pregnancies were sampled at least every 10 days, between days 30 and 140 of the 144‐day gestation

Two placental discs of similar size were present in all cases. Placental growth followed a sigmoid curve with the most rapid growth being found between 60 and 90 days. Placentae from triplet pregnancies were larger and heavier than those from twin pregnancies. A description of the external characteristics of embryos and foetuses showed clear‐cut differences between each 10‐day interval. Foetal body weight was measured after day 70 and the body weight increased most rapidly after day 100. Twins were heavier than triplets during late pregnancy and at birth. The major organs were weighed after day 80 and the largest increase in weight gain was usually found between days 120 and 140. Fifty percent of the birth (is. 140‐day) weight was achieved by day 70–80 for the placenta and by day 120–130 for the body and organ weights. With the exception of the brain and adrenals, the body and organ weights at birth were 10–20° of their ultimate adult weight. The crown‐rump length (C.R.L.) was measured after day 50. The maximum increments in growth were found between days 70 and 110 and there was no difference between twins and triplets during pregnancy or at birth. Nineteen other trunk, limb and head measurements were taken after day 90 of pregnancy and the maximum increments in growth were found between 90 and 120 days. At birth, the trunk and limb measurements were 40° and the head was 68° of the adult size. In all weight and linear measurements, the rate of growth, which is the increment per unit of weight or length. was most rapid during the earliest time‐period measured.
Geographical variations in breeding activity patterns of the Natterjack toad Bufo calamita in Britain
Authors: Beebee Trevor J. C.
Published: August 2010

Bufo calamita is on the edge of its range in Britain, and exists only in three widely separated geographical regions of the country. The largest populations with the highest densities of animals are found on the Irish Sea coast. Data on the chronology of breeding activity show that the reproductive season for these thriving populations starts and finishes earlier than that for toads in eastern England, but that first records of metamorphosis occur at similar times throughout the country. The possible significance of these observations to the variable success of the species in the different geographical regions is discussed.
A scanning and transmission electron microscopic study of the bat lung
Authors: Maina J. N.
Published: August 2010

The lungs of two adult species of bat Epomophorus wahlbergi and Miniopterus minor fixed with 2.3% glutaraldehyde were processed for SEM (scanning electron microscope) and TEM (transmission electron microscope) examination by the standard procedures. The bat lung comprised a blood and air conducting zone (consisting of bronchi, bronchioles and large blood vessels), the intermediate zone (made up of alveolar ducts), and the respiratory zone, which consisted of alveoli and blood capillaries. The interalveolar septa comprised basically granular pneumocytes (type II cells), squamous pneumocytes (type I cells), endothelial cells, and, in the interstitium, collagen and elastic fibres with occasional fibrocytes. Blood capillaries were interposed in the interalveolar septa, thus bulging into adjacent alveoli. It was noted that grossly, architecturally and structurally, the bat lung was similar to that of a terrestrial mammal. However, in previous morphometric and physiological studies it has been found that bats have a large lung, a thin pulmonary blood‐gas barrier, a large pulmonary capillary blood volume, and high haematocrit and haemoglobin concentration. The bat lung, while retaining the basic mammalian pulmonary design, is well adapted to provide the large amount of oxygen demanded by flight. The avian pulmonary design (the lung‐air sac system) is thus not a prerequisite to flight.
Pup growth in the fur seals Arctocephalus tropicalis and A. gazella on Marion Island
Authors: Kerley G. I. H.
Published: August 2010

Subantarctic fur seal Arctocephalus tropicalis and Antarctic fur seal A. gazella pups at Marion Island were weighed frequently until weaning, which occurs earlier in A. gazella (112 days) than in A. tropicalis (± 300 days). The mean birth weight of both species was the same (4·2 kg) and males grew faster than females. Arctocephalus gazella growth was linear to weaning and faster than A. tropicalis growth, which was linear to 120 days of age, slowing until 203 days of age, and thereafter losing weight but recovering perceptibly prior to weaning. Tagging had no apparent effect on pup growth. Faster growth in males than in females is part of the differential growth patterns which lead to adult sexual dimorphism. Arctocephalus gazella pup growth at Marion Island is faster than at South Georgia, indicating that conditions at this, their most northerly breeding locality, are not limiting for pup growth. The decrease in A. tropicalis pup body weight in July/August may result from either a scarcity of food in winter or weaning having been initiated. The two groups (polar and non‐polar) of fur seals exhibit two strategies, which include differences in pup growth and suckling period; the polar species have a short suckling period and rapid pup growth and are predominantly pelagic over winter, while the more temperate species have a longer suckling period and slower pup growth and are less pelagic over winter.
The prosicular stage of Rhabdopleura (Pterobranchia: Hemichordata)
Authors: DlLLY P.N.
Published: August 2010

After settling, the larva of Rhabdopleura surrounds itself with a collagenous dome. Later, the zooid breaks through the wall of the dome and builds the horizontal tube part of the coenecium on to the dome.

The dome is a layered structure, unknown in other parts of the coenecium. whereas the horizontal tube is made up of rings in the classical manner of the adult coenecium. The construction of these two parts is different. The techniques used to reinforce the horizontal tube show a marked similarity to the cortical bandages recently described in the fossil graptolites, and give support to the claim that they are ancestral to Rhabdopleura. There are two sorts of early horizontal tube, one is a straight tube, and the other is longer and coiled. The hole in the dome through which the zooid emerges to build the horizontal tube is probably produced by a chemical boring of the zooid, and supports the hypothesis that the zooids can bore holes in shells and corals.
The influence of habitat on behaviour in a group of St. Kitts green monkeys
Authors: Chapman Colin
Published: August 2010

The relationships between specific ecological variables and the expression of behaviours were investigated in a group of green monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) inhabiting an ecologically diverse home range on the dry savanna‐like peninsula of St. Kitts, West Indies. The group's behaviour was shown to vary between areas that differed with respect to four factors produced from a factor analysis of 20 ecological variables.

A number of relationships between behaviour and ecology were found that have not been previously described. Social behaviours were negatively related to cover, while attention behaviours were positively related to cover. Agonistic behaviours and affiliative behaviours were positively related to food abundance. Open areas with edge proved to be important to the group, and a number of behaviours were expressed for longer durations and/or more frequently in these areas. Comparisons of this study with others illustrates a need to examine carefully behavioural ecological relationships using quantitative methodology.
Avian spurs
Authors: Davison G. W. H.
Published: August 2010

Spur size and number in the various species of Galliformes are considered in relation to body size and social system. Spur length is absolutely and relatively greater among large tropical species. Multiple‐spurred species are intermediate in size between spurless and single‐spurred species, but have longer legs. Possession of spurs is common, and presumably originated among monogamous species, but is still commoner among polygamous ones. Different spur shapes possibly reflect wounding versus stunning strategies of fighting. Wing spurs in other birds are briefly compared.
The breeding distribution and abundance of the rook (Corvus frugilegus L.) in Great Britain since the 1920s
Authors: Brenchley Anne
Published: August 2010

A dramatic decline in the breeding density of the rook (Corvus frugilegus) took place in Great Britain between 1944/6 and 1975. This was evident from the results of two national surveys conducted in these years and other more local censuses undertaken in the intervening period. The most notable decreases occurred in the eastern counties of England: Cambridgeshire (68%) and Lincolnshire (72%). Data from local surveys indicated that the decrease in rook breeding densities began in the late 1950s and continued into the 1960s. There were regional variations in the timing of this decline.

Regional variation in the breeding density of the rook and rookery distribution was analysed for the two national censuses. The pattern was shown to be similar for both periods, despite the fall in overall densities. Rooks occupied lowland (< 300 m) agricultural land and avoided areas of high human population. Higher rook densities and rookery sizes were consistently found in Scotland compared with England and Wales.
A comparison of foraging at refuse tips by three species of gull (Laridae)
Authors: Greig S. A. , Coulson J. C. , Monaghan P.
Published: August 2010

The comparative foraging of Black‐headed (Larus ridibundus), Herring (L. argentalus) and Great black‐backed gulls (L. marinus) was investigated at refuse tips in north‐east England. Between October and February, two races of Herring gulls are present, those which breed in Britain (L. a. argenteus) and the larger Scandinavian herring gulls (L. a. argentatus).

Three types of feeding at a refuse tip were distinguished: undisturbed primary feeding (highly competitive feeding on freshly dumped rubbish), disturbed primary feeding (agile surface dipping for food from the air, close to the working bulldozer) and secondary feeding (low density feeding on dispersed and partially buried rubbish).

In undisturbed feeding the largest individuals (i.e. Great black‐backed gulls) were competitively superior and achieved the highest feeding success. The smallest individuals (i.e. Black‐headed gulls) were rapidly excluded by the larger gulls. Scandinavian herring gulls were competitively superior in intraspecific interactions, but they were selectively attacked by Great black‐backed gulls. Disturbed feeding, in contrast, was used most by Black‐headed gulls and not at all by Great black‐backed gulls. Large body size is a disadvantage in disturbed feeding, due to increased wing loading acting as a constraint on manoeuvrability. Overall, the separation between species, in terms of the proportion of food gained by different feeding methods, was estimated at 30–50%.

Cold and windy conditions led to increased numbers of Herring and Great black‐backed gulls at tips, and numbers of Great black‐backed gulls were also higher when fish landings at the coast were low. There were significant differences between tips in the number of Great black‐backed and Black‐headed gulls, possibly due to differences in working regime which influence the feeding opportunities which were available.
Morphofunctional study of the digging system of the Namib Desert Golden mole (Eremitalpa granti namibensis): cinefluorographical and anatomical analysis
Authors: Gasc J. P. , Jouffroy F. K. , Renous S. , Blottnitz F. Von
Published: August 2010

Digging locomotion of Namib Golden moles has been studied by making X–ray cinematograph films, and the morphology of their locomotor system investigated by means of radiographs and dissections. Biomechanical interpretations of the data so obtained show that moving forwards results from a cyclical compacting and decompacting of the surrounding sand. The whole step–cycle IS made up of a buttressing phase followed by several digging propulsion phases.
Play in Harbour seals (Phoca vitulina)
Authors: Renouf D. , Lawson J. W.
Published: August 2010

Harbour seals in a breeding colony at Miquelon exhibited 13 distinct types of play behaviour, 80% of which was solitary locomotor play. Most play was displayed by yearlings and juveniles, though a significant amount of adult play occurred as well. Mothers and pups rarely played. Yearlings played socially as often as alone, but seals of other age classes played by themselves most often. Only social play resembled adult activities. It is suggested that the function of mammalian play has been obscured by its similarity to adult behaviour.
THE PRACTICE OF PRICE STABILISATION.
Authors: DUCKHAM A. N.
Published: August 2010

Agricultural price stabilisation schemes are no innovation thrown up to counter the effects of the 1930–1932 slump; further, neither economic unsoundness nor administrative failure prevents the replanting of a scheme that has wilted or died. Such schemes are forced upon Governments by the innate insecurity and poor capital resources of agriculture, bý the accelerated effect of scientific and technical advance on productive capacity and bý the repercussions of economic nationalism and government intervention.

Agricultural price stabilisation may also help the industrial “producerconsumer” if it steadies agricultural purchasing power, if it. stimulates the farmer to greater efficiency, and if it ensures steadier food prices.

Price stabilisation devices fall into four man classes:

Regulation of the volume of demand;

Redation of the volume of Supply;

Maintenance of prices (e.g.“price pegging”) by the trading, loan, stock‐holding or other, financial “shock‐absorbing” operations of a statutory or collictive body;

Fixing “statutory”, or official prices and con'ditions of sale and providing the necessary administrative machinery for enforcement.

Examples of the main types in each of these four groups are given and the peculiar difficulties (compared with industry) of price fixing in agriculture are outlined, viz., (a) adequate supply control, (b) variations in the quality and perishability of products, (c) poor capital and credit facilities of farmers, and (d) the small size but wide (geographical) scatter of typical farm enterprises and the resultant problems of administration, public relations and evasion.

The types of difficulty, viz., (i) and (ii) errors in, forecasting supply and demand, (iii) evasion, (iv) over‐optimistic finance and stock‐holding policies; and (v) opposition of vested and disaffected interests, experienced in the practice of price stabilisation are then discussed and some of the fundamental problems which underly them‐(a) collective versus individual risk bearing; (b) elastic versus inelastic structure; (c) secrecy versus publicity; (d) equity between the constituent sections of an industry and the community are outlined.

Some tentative conclusions, which might form the basis for a discussion on a list of “do's and don'ts” for the guidante of those ŕesporisible for the design and administration or agricultural price stabilisation schemes are then put forward.
AGRICULTURE AND NATIONAL DEFENCE.
Authors: ASHBY A. W.
Published: August 2010

When we consider the organisation of agriculture for national defence we are considering primarily ways and means of securing a food supply, and the profitableness of agriculture is considered only as contributing to the security and the economy of the supply.

Food supplies must be secured, but without any unnecessary encroachment on supplies of man‐power for fighting or of man‐power or materials for implements and munitions of war. In securing food supplies we shall use external purchasing power and shipping not required for other purposes in order to save man‐power, and in order to make the best use of all resources.

The comprehensive general strategy of food supplies will then include‐

Storage of foods for the first shock and for any subsequent period of pressure, with storage of some agricultural raw materials.

Previous arrangement of supply of substitute labour and of supply of horses and equipment for extended arable production.

Purchase of external supplies of foods as long as shipping and purchasing power is available, and so long as such purchase does not reduce necessary external supplies of other goods.

Immediate mobilisation of agriculture for defence purposes‐(1) Reduction of some classes of livestock, probably beef cattle, fattening pigs and some lowland sheep, with specialised flocks of poultry, consistent with the best possible utilisation of the slaughtered stock; (2) Directing the greatest possible amount of existing and prospective crops of grain and other things to direct human consumption; (3) Sowing food crops to the limits on the available arable land; (4) Breaking pastures and preparing for sowing, and sowing (all of course at the appropriate seasons or at the most appropriate season according to the circumstances) to the limits of anticipated supplies of work‐power, equipment, and seeds.

The problem of the correct use of agricultural resources in land, men and livestock for purposes of national defence can never be usefully considered except with reference to some anticipations as to the character and the possible duration of the “next war,” or except with reference to a general economic and industrial strategy. In any case the problem is not a simple one: it requires that all sorts of experience and specialised knowledge be brought to bear on its solution. It is not a problem which can be usefully approached with any casuistry: rather it calls for the greatest possible clarity and integrity of mind in those who may discuss it for the guidance of the nation. The most that one individual can do is to bring to bear on it his own general knowledge and experience and exercise his own critical abilities with the least possible prejudice.
Changes in Bird Abundance following Selective Logging on Seram, Indonesia
Authors: Marsden Stuart J.
Published: August 2010

Timber concessions cover 90% of forest on some Indonesian islands, but the effects of logging on endemic‐rich island avifaunas are poorly known. I used a point count method to estimate population densities of Seram’s lowland birds in recently logged forest and in unlogged forest. Few bird species were excluded from logged forest, and several species were similarly common in the two habitats. Bird species diversity (the Shannon index) was, however, significantly lower in logged forest. The proportion of Seram’s species that declined after logging was comparable to that reported from species‐rich continental areas. There were also some similarities in the types of birds most affected. Species that were rare in unlogged forests were no more likely to decline after logging than were common ones. Although birds with small global ranges fared no worse than widespread species, several endemic forms were seriously affected. So many of the region’s taxa are endemic to single islands that logging concessions need to be examined at an individual island level and the presence or absence of endemic forms of susceptible genera considered.

Cambios en la Abundancia de Aves Después de Tala Selectiva en Seram, Indonesia

Cerca del 90% de los bosques en ciertas islas Indonesias están concesionados a compañías madereras, pero se conoce poco de los efectos de la tala sobre la avifauna rica en endemismos asociada a estas islas. Utilicé un método de conteo por puntos para estimar las densidades poblacionales de las aves de tierras bajas en Seram, en bosque talado recientemente y en bosque no talado. Pocas especies de aves fueron excluidas del bosque talado, y varias especies fueron similarmente comunes en los hábitats. Sin embargo, la diversidad de aves (mediante Índice de Shannon) fue significativamente menor en el bosque talado. La proporción de especies de Seram que declinaron después del talado fue comparable a la reportada para áreas continentales de alta riqueza de especies. También hubo similitud en el tipo de aves más afectadas. Las especies raras y comunes en bosques no talados tenían la misma posibilidad de declinar después del talado. Aunque las especies con pequeños rangos de distribución global no corrieron peor suerte que las especies de amplia distribución, hubo varias formas endémicas que fueron afectadas seriamente. Debido a que muchas taxa de la región son endémicas a una sola isla, las concesiones madereras deben ser examinadas a nivel individual, y se debe considerar la presencia o ausencia de formas endémicas.
Effects of Introduced Bullfrogs and Smallmouth Bass on Microhabitat Use, Growth, and Survival of Native Red‐Legged Frogs (Rana aurora)
Authors: Kiesecker Joseph M. , Blaustein Andrew R.
Published: August 2010

We examined the direct and indirect effects of two introduced species, the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui), on the microhabitat use, growth, development, and survival of larval and metamorphic red‐legged frogs (Rana aurora). In field enclosure experiments, tadpoles ofR. auroraaltered their microhabitat use in the presence of both species. The shift in microhabitat use byR. auroracorresponded to increased activity in adultR. catesbeiana. Time to metamorphosis increased and mass at metamorphosis decreased whenR. auroratadpoles were exposed to either larval or adultR. catesbeiana. In contrast, smallmouth bass alone had little effect on the growth and development ofR. aurora. In all experiments, survivorship ofR. aurorawas significantly affected only whenR. aurorawere exposed to the combined effects of bullfrog larvae and adults or bullfrog larvae and smallmouth bass. Thus, the interaction between stages (larval‐adult) or species (bullfrog–smallmouth bass) produced indirect effects that were greater than when each factor was considered separately.

 Efectos de la Introducción de la Rana toroRana catesbeianay el PezMicropterus dolomieuien el Uso del Microhabitat, Crecimiento y Supervivencia de la Rana patirojaRana aurora 

Examinamos los efectos directos e indirectos de dos especies introducidas; la rana toroRana catesbeianay el pezMicropterus dolomieuien el uso del microhabitat, crecimiento, desarrollo y supervivencia de la Rana patirojaRana auroraen estados larvales y metamórficos. En encierros experimentales de campo, los renacuajos deR. auroraalteraron el uso de su microhábitat en presencia de ambas especies. El cambio en uso de microhábitat porR. auroracorrespondió con un incremento en la actividad de adultos deR. catesbeiana. El tiempo de metamorfósis incrementó y la masa durante metamorfósis disminuyó cuando los renacuajos deR. aurorafueron expuestos tanto a larvas como adultos deR. catesbeiana. En contraste, la presencia de soloMicropterus dolomieuituvo poco efecto en el crecimiento y desarrollo deR. aurora. En todos los experimentos la supervivencia deR. aurorafue significativamente afectada solo cuandoR. auroraestuvo expuesta a los efectos combinados de larvas y adultos de la rana toro y el pez. Por lo tanto, la interacción entre estados (larval/adulto) o especies (rana toro/Micropterus) produjo efectos indirectos que fueron mayores que cuando cada factor se consideró por separado.
Edge‐Related Nest Predation in Clearcut and Groupcut Stands
Authors: King David I. , DeGraaf Richard M. , Griffin Curtice R.
Published: August 2010

Edge‐related increases in nest predation rates have been reported in forest adjacent to clearcuts. Group selection is an uneven‐age silvicultural technique that may provide an alternative to clearcutting, but group selection creates more edge per unit area cut than does clearcutting. Thus, if edge‐related increases in nest predation exist in forest adjacent to groupcuts, group selection may potentially result in higher rates of edge‐related nest predation than does clearcutting. To test this, we deployed 80 artificial shrub nests baited with Zebra Finch (Poephila guttata) eggs in edge areas (0–5 m from edges) and interior areas (45–50 m from edges) adjacent to clearcuts and groupcuts. The probability of a nest being depredated was higher in edge areas than interior areas (p = 0.02) and was independent of nest concealment, nest height, or whether the nest was adjacent to a clearcut or a groupcut (p = 0.18). Thus, we conclude that forest edges created by groupcutting are associated with increased levels of nest predation in adjacent forest, that the magnitude of this edge effect is similar to increases in nest predation in forest adjacent to clearcuts, and therefore that the abandonment of clearcutting in favor of group selection cannot be justified on the basis of concerns about the welfare of mature, forest‐dwelling birds.

Depredación de Nidos Relacionados con Bordes en Areas Taladas por Clareo y Tala en Grupo

Se ha reportado un incremento en la tasa de depredación de nidos en relación con bordes adyacentes de áreas taladas por clareo. La selección de grupo es una técnica silvicultural con desbalance de edades que podría proveer una alternativa al clareo; sin embargo, la selección de grupos crea más borde por unidad de área cortada que el clareo. Por lo tanto, el incremento en la depredación de nidos con relación a bordes existe en bosques adyacentes a zonas de corte en grupos. La selección de grupos podría resultar potencialmente en tasas más altas de depredación de nidos relacionados con bordes que las zonas taladas por clareo. Para probar esto, distribuímos 80 nidos artificiales cebados con huevos de Pinzón cebra (Pheophila guttata) en áreas de borde (0–5 m del borde) e interiores (45–50 m del borde) adyacentes a áreas clareadas y taladas en grupo. La probabilidad de depredación de nidos fue mayor en áreas de borde que en los interiores (p = 0.02) y fue independiente del ocultamiento de los nidos, altura del nido, o si el nido estaba adyacente a un clareo o a un corte de grupo. (p = 0.18). Concluímos que los bordes en el bosque creados por corte en grupos están asociados con incrementos en los niveles de depredación de nidos en bosques adyacentes, que la magnitud del efecto de borde es similar a incrementos en depredación de nidos en bordes adyacentes a clareos y por lo tanto, que el abandono de corte por clareos en favor del corte por selección de grupos no puede ser justificado en base a las preocupaciones relacionadas con el bienestar de las aves que habitan bosques maduros.
Effects of Human Colonization on the Abundance and Diversity of Mammals in Eastern Brazilian Amazonia
Authors: Lopes M. Aparecida , Ferrari Stephen F.
Published: August 2010

Abstract: With its long history of colonization, eastern Amazonia has the highest population density in Brazilian Amazonia and represents the typical pattern of recent human occupation. Between 1991 and 1995, we surveyed the mammalian fauna at five sites, representing different degrees of human disturbance. We used line transects (1511 km surveyed) to describe differences in diversity and abundance at each site and to evaluate the effects of environmental factors. Twenty‐two of the expected 44 species were recorded during surveys, but no more than 18 were recorded at any one site, and only 3 species were observed at all five sites. Despite a minimum transect length of 202 km, most species were recorded relatively infrequently at all sites, although overall sighting rates at different sites varied by more than 100%. Between‐site differences were even more pronounced when we compared specific groups (e.g., arboreal, terrestrial, game, nongame), reflecting the differential effects of factors such as hunting, logging, and forest clearing. In general terms, species diversity, abundance, total biomass, and mean biomass all tended to decrease with increasing human disturbance. Two more specific patterns were also distinguished: decreasing abundance and biomass of game species with increasing hunting pressure and increasing abundance of nongame species with increasing forest disturbance. Intense hunting pressure alone may have deleterious short‐term effects on abundance, but not necessarily on diversity, whereas prolonged hunting pressure, combined with forest clearing, results in marked distortions in the mammalian community. Overall, the study emphasizes the relative paucity of the mammalian fauna of eastern Amazonia, in terms of both species diversity and abundance, and its vulnerability to the ongoing process of human colonization in the region.
Assessing the Geographic Representativeness of Genebank Collections: the Case of Bolivian Wild Potatoes
Authors: Hijmans R. J. , Garrett K. A. , Huamán Z. , Zhang D. P. , Schreuder M. , Bonierbale M.
Published: August 2010

Abstract: Genebank collection databases can be used for ecogeographical studies under the assumption that the accessions are a geographically unbiased sample. We evaluated the representativeness of a collection of wild potatoes from Bolivia and defined and assessed four types of bias: species, species‐area, hotspot, and infrastructure. Species bias is the sampling of some species more often than others. Species‐area bias is a sampling that is disproportionate to the total area in which a species is found. Hotspot bias is the disproportionate sampling of areas with high levels of diversity. Infrastructure bias is the disproportionate sampling of areas near roads and towns. Each of these biases is present in the Bolivian wild potato collection. The infrastructure bias was strong: 60% of all wild potato accessions were collected within 2 km of a road, as opposed to 22%, if collections had been made randomly. This analysis can serve as a guide for future collecting trips. It can also provide baseline information for the application of genebank data in studies based on geographic information systems.
Influence of Timber Extraction Routes on Central African Small‐Mammal Communities, Forest Structure, and Tree Diversity
Authors: Malcolm Jay R. , Ray Justina C.
Published: August 2010

Abstract: Despite increasing pressure to harvest timber from African tropical forests, the short‐ and long‐term ecological effects of qualitative and quantitative variation in extraction practices rarely have been examined. At a site in the southwestern Central African Republic, we surveyed rodent and tree communities and vegetation structure in unlogged forest and along skid trails and secondary and primary access roads at 12 and 19 years after logging. The most important source of variation among transects was the type of logging road: primary and secondary access roads showed the greatest change and skid trails the least. An intercorrelated suite of changes occurred along the margins of the roads, including changes in rodent community composition, increases in rodent abundance and diversity, changes in the height distribution of rodent abundance, increases in understory foliage density, and decreases in sapling density and tree species richness. Ecological changes along the secondary roads were nearly as strong as those along primary roads, despite the fact that secondary roads had been abandoned immediately after logging, whereas primary roads had been traveled up to the time of the research. Continuing edge‐induced effects along graded road margins at between 12 and 19 years after logging were indicated by differences in tree species composition, sapling and tree densities, and understory density. Our results support conclusions of increased disturbance to rainforest communities with increasingly destructive road construction techniques and suggest that canopy damage rather than stem damage is the most appropriate measure of logging damage. Although minimizing the length of access roads is important in reducing ecological effects, it should not be achieved at the expense of increased canopy damage. Rodent communities appear to be an easily measured indicator of these ecological changes and may be responsive to landscape‐level changes in forest cover and degradation.
Effects of a Biological Control Introduction on Three Nontarget Native Species of Saturniid Moths
Authors: Boettner George H. , Elkinton Joseph S. , Boettner Cynthia J.
Published: August 2010

Abstract: Damage to nontarget (native) invertebrates from biological control introductions is rarely documented. We examined the nontarget effects of a generalist parasitoid fly, Compsilura concinnata ( Diptera: Tachinidae), that has been introduced repeatedly to North America from 1906 to 1986 as a biological control agent against 13 pest species. We tested the effect of previously established populations of this fly on two native, nontarget species of moths ( Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), Hyalophora cecropia and Callosamia promethea, in Massachusetts forests. We estimated survivorship curves for newly hatched H. cecropia larvae (n = 500), placed five per tree in the field and found no survival beyond the fifth instar. We simultaneously deployed cohorts (n = 100) of each of the first three instars to measure the effect of parasitoids during each stage of development. C. concinnata was responsible for 81% of H. cecropia mortality in the first three instars. We deployed semigregarious C. promethea in aggregations of 1–100 larvae in the field and recorded high rates of parasitism by C. concinnata among C. promethea larvae exposed for 6 days (69.8%) and 8 days (65.6%). We discovered a wild population of a third species of silk moth, the state‐listed (threatened) saturniid Hemileuca maia maia, and found that C. concinnata was responsible for 36% (n = 50) mortality in the third instar. Our results suggest that reported declines of silk moth populations in New England may be caused by the importation and introduction of C. concinnata.
Application of Conservation Biology Research to Management
Authors: Flaspohler David J. , Bub Brian R. , Kaplin Beth A.
Published: August 2010

Abstract: We conducted a survey of all primary authors of “Contributed Papers” and “Research Notes” in Conservation Biology from 1987 to 1998 to assess the perceived effectiveness of published management recommendations. No systematic survey has previously assessed the degree to which authors believe that resource managers are using the growing body of research published in Conservation Biology. In March 1999, we sent surveys to 667 authors of 790 published papers, asking whether their papers included management recommendations, whether such recommendations have been used in practice, and why they believed they have or have not been used. We received completed surveys from 198 authors of 223 papers. The percentage of papers that included management recommendations increased from 1987 to 1991, then stabilized at about 75%. Author perception of the use of management recommendations generally increased over the 5 years from 1994 to 1998. Initiatives of federal, state, and local agencies were the most often‐cited cause of successful implementation of management recommendations, accounting for over half of all such cases. Our survey suggests that authors in Conservation Biology have increased the use of explicit management recommendations in their papers and that authors believe their recommendations are being used to an increasing degree.