bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plant diversity and generation of ecosystem services at the landscape scale: expert knowledge assessment
Authors: Quijas Sandra , Jackson Louise E. , Maass Manuel , Schmid Bernhard , Raffaelli David , Balvanera Patricia 
Published: October 2012

Summary1. In spite of the increasing amount of experimental evidence on the importance of plant species richness for ecosystem functioning at local scales, its role on the generation of ecosystem services at scales relevant for management is still largely unknown. To foster research on this topic, we assessed expert knowledge on the role of plant diversity in the generation of services at the landscape scale.2. We developed a survey that included three levels of organization and seven components of plant diversity; four provisioning, six regulating and four cultural services; as well as three resources and three conditions among key abiotic factors that are likely to provide a contribution to service generation equalling that of plant diversity. Eighty experts in areas of biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and services answered the survey.3. The experts identified species diversity within a community and diversity of communities within the landscape as the most important levels of organization for service generation, both with positive effects. Composition and number of species were considered to be the most relevant components of plant diversity, the latter with a positive effect on services. Water availability was identified as the most important abiotic resource.4. Our results suggest different approaches to management for sustaining the generation of services at the landscape scale. Provisioning services were perceived as largely influenced by abiotic resources and less so (although positively) by plant diversity. Regulating services were expected to strongly depend on both plant diversity and abiotic factors. A particularly strong positive effect of plant diversity was expected for the generation of cultural services. Some variation in answers could be attributed to expert background.5. Synthesis and applications. The expert survey generated detailed information and new hypotheses on the relationship between plant diversity and services at the landscape scale. Future research is needed to test these hypotheses, yet the areas of agreement identified in this study can be used immediately, with caution, as synthetic expert knowledge at spatial scales that are relevant for management, to guide technological and policy interventions ensuring the maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem service delivery.
Using trait‐based filtering as a predictive framework for conservation: a case study of bats on farms in southeastern Australia
Authors: Hanspach Jan , Fischer Joern , Ikin Karen , Stott Jenny , Law Bradley S. 
Published: October 2012

Summary1. With world‐wide changes in human land use, an important challenge for conservation biologists is to develop frameworks to predict how species will respond to landscape change. Environmental filtering, where different environments favour different species’ traits, has the potential to be a useful predictive framework. Therefore, it is important to advance our understanding of how species with different traits respond to environmental variables.2. We investigated the distribution of microbats in a 1 000 000 ha agricultural region in southeastern Australia, with specific emphasis on the effects of tree density on bat species characterized by different sizes, wing shapes and echolocation frequencies. The study area is substantially cleared, and trees are continuing to decline because grazing inhibits tree regeneration. We monitored bat activity acoustically at 80 sites spanning a wide range of tree densities. We used regression modelling to quantify the response of bats to tree density and other ecological covariates, and RLQ analysis to assess how different traits correlated with various environmental gradients.3. Total bat activity and species richness peaked at intermediate tree densities. Species composition was explained by tree density and the traits of individual species. Sites with low tree cover were dominated by large, fast‐flying species, whereas sites with dense tree cover were dominated by smaller, highly manoeuvrable species. These findings are consistent with recent findings from other locations around the world.4. Synthesis and applications. Trait‐based predictive frameworks enable landscape managers to assess how different management strategies and landscape modifications are likely to affect different species. Here, we propose a framework to derive general predictions of how bats respond to landscape modification, based on tree density and species traits. We apply this framework to a current conservation issue of tree decline in our study area and derive management priorities including: (i) maintaining a range of tree densities throughout the region; (ii) ensuring the persistence of locations with intermediate tree densities; and (iii) using environmentally sensitive grazing practices, for example, by incorporating long rest periods.
Effects of the proportion and spatial arrangement of un‐cropped land on breeding bird abundance in arable rotations
Authors: Henderson Ian G. , Holland John M. , Storkey Jonathan , Lutman Peter , Orson Jim , Simper John 
Published: October 2012

Summary1. The response of bird abundance to the proportional availability of un‐cropped land (i.e. land that could be cultivated, such as fallows, grass–flower or wild bird areas) is under‐studied but of considerable significance for managing declining populations on farmland in western Europe.2. In this study, bird abundance was examined at a scale consistent with many national monitoring schemes. Birds were counted on 28 farm sites of c. 100 ha, representing cereal‐based and organic rotations. Sites were surveyed in summer, from 2007 to 2010, to assess the effect of the percentage cover and spatial arrangement of un‐cropped land on bird abundance, with data analysed at the whole‐farm (not patch) scale.3. Un‐cropped land area had significant effects on the abundance of key species (those with a high dependency on farmland) when controlling for effects of semi‐natural habitats and management. On farms with <3% of their total area as un‐cropped land, the densities of birds were significantly lower than on farms with >10% area of un‐cropped land.4. Positive, significant effects of the percentage area of un‐cropped land were detected for lapwing, skylark, linnet and yellowhammer and for all highly farmland‐dependent species combined. The relationship between un‐cropped land and bird abundance was stronger on conventional compared with organic farms, suggesting a greater importance of un‐cropped land on conventional farms.5. Un‐cropped land patch arrangement was significant for skylark and linnet abundance but generally weak amongst species compared with the availability of un‐cropped land. Skylarks were positively associated with a larger relative edge effect amongst patches, whereas linnets were more associated with larger blocks of contiguous habitat.6. Synthesis and applications. This study provides important evidence for a proportionate effect of habitat provision on farmland bird abundance. The relative area of un‐cropped land had the strongest effect on bird abundance. Sites with <3% (and, to a lesser extent, <5%) un‐cropped land were highly under‐populated. A two‐fold increase in the area of un‐cropped land was associated with an average 16–53% increase in the relative abundance of key species, which has implications for the contribution of un‐cropped areas towards population stabilization amongst farmland birds in Europe.
Multi‐temporal distribution modelling with satellite tracking data: predicting responses of a long‐distance migrant to changing environmental conditions
Authors: Gschweng Marion , Kalko Elisabeth K. V. , Berthold Peter , Fiedler Wolfgang , Fahr Jakob 
Published: October 2012

Summary1. Despite the wealth of data available from satellite tracking (ST) studies, such data have rarely been used to model species distributions. Using a novel method, we show how to exploit satellite data to analyse whether and how a migratory species responds to fluctuating environmental conditions in its wintering area. This is particularly crucial for establishing comprehensive conservation measures for rare species in areas that are threatened by increasing land use and climate change.2. We use ST data of Eleonora’s falcon Falco eleonorae, a long‐distance migratory raptor that winters in Madagascar, and assess the performance of static species distribution models (SDM) as well as multi‐temporal models. ST data were derived from seven falcons tracked during three consecutive wintering periods and for a total of 2410 bearings, of which 512 locations were used in SDMs. We employed environmental predictors (climate, topography and land cover) with a spatial resolution of 30 arc seconds (c. 1 km2) to match rigorously filtered ST data with an accuracy of ≤1 km.3. We first created a model with low temporal but high spatial resolution (half‐year). To predict suitable habitat for each month of the wintering season, we took advantage of the high temporal resolution inherent in ST data and employed temporally corresponding remote sensing data [Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) 10‐day composites] together with other variables to create monthly models.4. We show that ST data are suited to build robust and transferable SDMs despite a low number of tracked individuals. Multi‐temporal SMDs further revealed seasonal responses of the study species to changing environmental conditions in its wintering area.5. Synthesis and applications. We present a transferable approach to predict the potential distribution of organisms as well as their dynamic response to changing environmental conditions. Future conservation management plans could include the prediction of a species’ reaction to changing land‐use practices or climate change based on the methodology proposed here. This would provide an early warning system for the decline of populations wintering in remote areas that underlie strong climatic fluctuations.
Improved detection of an alien invasive species through environmental DNA barcoding: the example of the American bullfrogLithobates catesbeianus
Authors: Dejean Tony , Valentini Alice , Miquel Christian , Taberlet Pierre , Bellemain Eva , Miaud Claude 
Published: October 2012

Summary1. Alien invasive species (AIS) are one of the major causes of biodiversity loss and global homogenization. Once an AIS becomes established, costs of control can be extremely high and complete eradication is not always achieved. The ability to detect a species at a low density greatly improves the success of eradication and decreases both the costs of control and the impact on ecosystems.2. In this study, we compare the sensitivity of traditional field methods, based on auditory and visual encounter surveys, with an environmental DNA (eDNA) survey for the detection of the American bullfrogRana catesbeiana = Lithobates catesbeianus, which is invasive in south‐western France.3. We demonstrate that the eDNA method is valuable for species detection and surpasses traditional amphibian survey methods in terms of sensitivity and sampling effort. The bullfrog was detected in 38 sites using the molecular method, compared with seven sites using the diurnal and nocturnal surveys, suggesting that traditional field surveys have strongly underestimated the distribution of the American bullfrog.4. Synthesis and applications. The environmental DNA approach permits the early detection of alien invasive species (AIS), at very low densities and at any life stage, which is particularly important for the detection of rare and/or secretive aquatic species. This method can also be used to confirm the sensitivity of control operations and to better identify the distributions of vulnerable species, making this a very relevant tool for species inventory and management.
Effects of flood timing and livestock grazing on exotic annual plants in riverine floodplains
Authors: Lunt Ian D. , Jansen Amy , Binns Doug L. 
Published: October 2012

Summary

Riverine floodplains around the world are highly prone to invasions by exotic species. While many processes have contributed to floodplain invasions, two theories have received particular attention: (i) replacement of native perennials by exotic annuals following historical livestock grazing and (ii) ‘terrestrialization’ because of fewer floods following river regulation.
We assessed how exclusion of grazers and flooding in different seasons affected established populations of exotic annuals in an 8‐year experiment. We hypothesized that effects of season of flooding would vary depending on timing in relation to annual plant life cycles and that outcomes may be affected by interactions between grazing and flooding.
Flooding in any season reduced exotic annuals to <2% cover and converted a dryland flora dominated by exotic annuals to a wetland flora dominated by native perennials. However, flood effects may be short lived, as areas flooded in 1 year supported abundant exotics the next. Grazer exclusion and interactions between grazing and flooding did not affect cover of exotic annuals, although grazing depleted native perennials in recently flooded areas.
Synthesis and applications. Consistent with the terrestrialization hypothesis, short‐duration floods provide a practical method for controlling exotic annual plants where river regulation has reduced the frequency of natural floods. As exotic impacts are greatest in dry periods, when exotics are most abundant, ecosystem benefits will be greatest when flooding leads to a protracted decline in exotic annuals during the dry (non‐inundated) years following flood recession. Otherwise, reductions in exotic annuals may be transient and have little positive impact on floodplain ecosystems and processes.
Seed limitation during early forest succession in a rural landscape onChiloé Island,Chile: implications for temperate forest restoration
Authors: Bustamante‐Sánchez Marcela A. , Armesto Juan J. 
Published: October 2012

SummaryRe‐establishment of native forest species in rural landscapes may be conditioned by the proximity of seed sources, the post‐disturbance composition of successional patches and the seed dispersal patterns of frugivores. Knowledge of seed dispersal rates into early seral communities, and how these are influenced by the structural and compositional characteristics of these communities is still quite poor.We used an observational approach to quantify the seed rain and seed limitation (SL) (proportion of sites to which seeds were not dispersed) of woody species during two growing seasons in three early successional shrublands with contrasting species composition and attractiveness to frugivores onChiloéIsland,Chile. We compared species immigration based on dispersal types (bird‐ vs. wind dispersed) and life‐form (shrubs vs. trees). Concomitantly, we used an experimental approach to test whether artificial perches would relieveSLand enhance seed dispersal and seedling establishment of fleshy‐fruited species.Most seeds collected were of pioneer shrubs already present in the early successional sites. Few (5%) were from trees appearing only in the surrounding second‐growth forest. Density of seeds from fleshy‐fruited trees and shrubs was seven times higher in the seral community most attractive to frugivores, whereas density of seeds from wind‐dispersed trees was similar among communities. Artificial perches significantly increased the density and species richness of seeds from fleshy‐fruited trees in all communities, but the magnitude of the facilitation effect depended on the ecological context of each seral community. Seed rain enhancement was higher in the community less attractive to frugivores. Seedling recruitment, however, remained low even under perches, indicating that additional constraints act during seed germination and/or seedling survival and growth.Synthesis and applications. Forest succession in this rural landscape may be delayed or arrested by extremely low seed rain, despite the proximity (<100 m) of seed sources in older forest patches. Although artificial perches significantly enhance inputs of bird‐dispersed tree seeds into shrublands, especially where fleshy‐fruited pioneer species are absent from the seral community, they do not overcome other site‐related barriers to establishment, as the lack of shaded places and limited soil drainage. Thus, in some ecological contexts, multiple approaches, such as direct seeding or planting, and the use of nurse plants, may be required to enhance seed rain and seedling establishment of fleshy‐fruited species.
Nursery‐propagated plants from seed: a novel tool to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of seagrass restoration
Authors: Balestri Elena , Lardicci Claudio 
Published: October 2012

Summary
Seagrasses and the valuable ecosystem services they provide are threatened world‐wide by impacts of human activity. Numerous revegetation efforts have attempted to restore seagrasses. Most restoration programmes use plants collected from the field because of limited seed availability, low seedling survival and difficulty in culturing plants. However, this practice risks damage to donor populations and has the potential to reduce genetic diversity, which may counteract the desired effects of restoration.
A novel aquaculture system for producing plants (mother plants and cuttings) from a limited number of seeds was tested using Cymodocea nodosa as model species. The ability of transplanted cuttings to survive and grow in the natural habitat was also evaluated.
Seed germination was high (48%) compared with field conditions, and most seedlings produced mother plants with up to 7·8 m of rhizome and 300 shoots within 4 years in culture. All cuttings from mother plants regenerated new plants. Up to 100 transplants were produced from two seeds, and most (85%) of them survived and initiated the colonization of substrate, 1 year after planting.
Synthesis and applications. This study provides a robust protocol that can reduce plant and/or seed collection pressure on donor populations and produce a high number of transplants which show lower mortality rates during the early transplantation phases. This method can also help to preserve genetic diversity in restored populations, which should be one of the major goals of ecological restoration. This novel tool can be applied to other seagrass species with low or unpredictable reproductive success, therefore the development of nurseries should be incorporated in future restoration programmes. This is currently the only sustainable methodology to produce material for transplanting programmes for protected species.
Soft‐sediment deformation structures in a Pleistocene glaciolacustrine delta and their implications for the recognition of subenvironments in delta deposits
Authors: PISARSKA‐JAMROŻY MAŁGORZATA , WECKWERTH PIOTR 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe development of soft‐sediment deformation structures in clastic sediments is now reasonably well‐understood but their development in various deltaic subenvironments is not. A sedimentological analysis of a Pleistocene (ca 13·1 to 15 10Be ka) Gilbert‐type glaciolacustine delta with gravity‐induced slides and slumps in the Mosty‐Danowo tunnel valley (north‐western Poland) provides more insight, because the various soft‐sediment deformation structures in these deposits were considered in the context of their specific deltaic subenvironment. The sediments show three main groups of soft‐sediment deformation structures in layers between undeformed sediments. The first group consists of deformed cross‐bedding (inclined, overturned, recumbent, complex and sheath folds), large‐scale folds (recumbent and sheath folds) and pillows forming plastic deformations. The second group comprises pillar structures (isolated and stress), clastic dykes with sand volcanoes and clastic megadykes as examples of water‐escape structures. The third group consists of faults (normal and reverse) and extensional fissures (small fissures and neptunian dykes). Some of the deformations developed shortly after deposition of the deformed sediment, other structures developed later. This development must be ascribed to hydroplastic movement in a quasi‐solid state, and due to fluidization and liquefaction of the rapidly deposited, water‐saturated deltaic sediments. The various types of deformations were triggered by: (i) a high sedimentation rate; (ii) erosion (by wave action or meltwater currents); and (iii) ice‐sheet loading and seasonal changes in the ablation rate. Analysis of these triggers, in combination with the deformational mechanisms, have resulted – on the basis of the spatial distribution of the various types of soft‐sediment deformation structures in the delta under study – in a model for the development of soft‐sediment deformation structures in the topsets, foresets and bottomsets of deltas. This analysis not only increases the understanding of the deformation processes in both modern and ancient deltaic settings but also helps to distinguish between the various subenvironments in ancient deltaic deposits.
Time‐transgressive tunnel‐valley infill revealed by a three‐dimensional sedimentary model, Hamburg, north‐west Germany
Authors: JANSZEN ADRIAAN , MOREAU JULIEN , MOSCARIELLO ANDREA , EHLERS JÜRGEN , KRÖGER JENS 
Published: October 2012

AbstractDeep, elongated incisions, often referred to as tunnel valleys, are among the most characteristic landforms of formerly glaciated terrains. It is commonly thought that tunnel valleys were formed by meltwater flowing underneath large ice sheets. The sedimentary infill of these features is often highly intricate and therefore difficult to predict. This study intends to improve the comprehension of the sedimentology and to establish a conceptual model of tunnel‐valley infill, which can be used as a predictive tool. To this end, the densely sampled, Pleistocene tunnel valleys in Hamburg (north‐west Germany) were investigated using a dataset of 1057 deep wells containing lithological and geophysical data. The stratigraphic correlations and the resulting three‐dimensional lithological model were used to assess the spatial lithological distributions and sedimentary architecture. The sedimentary succession filling the Hamburg area tunnel valleys can be subdivided into three distinct units, which are distinguished by their inferred depositional proximity to the ice margin. The overall trend of the succession shows a progressive decrease in transport energy and glacial influence through time. The rate of glacial recession appears to have been an important control on the sedimentary architecture of the tunnel‐valley fill. During periods of stagnation, thick ice‐proximal deposits accumulated at the ice margin, while during rapid recession, only a thin veneer of such coarse‐grained sediments was deposited. Ice‐distal and non‐glaciogenic deposits (i.e. lacustrine, marine and terrestrial) fill the remaining part of the incision. The infill architecture suggests formation and subsequent infill of the tunnel valleys at the outer margin of the Elsterian ice sheet during its punctuated northwards recession. The proposed model shows how the history of ice‐sheet recession determines the position of coarse‐grained depocentres, while the post‐glacial history controls the deposition of fines through a progressive infill of remnant depressions.