Rocky habitats are regarded as biodiversity hot-spots. Along with high species diversity, diverse ecological relationships can be observed in these habitats. Large groups of bird species use rocks in various ways： as...Rocky habitats are regarded as biodiversity hot-spots. Along with high species diversity, diverse ecological relationships can be observed in these habitats. Large groups of bird species use rocks in various ways： as perching/roosting sites, breeding or foraging habitats, information exchange sites, display arenas or as sources of minerals and water. Because of the inaccessibility of these environments, their role and importance to animals has been underestimated. We evaluated the use of rocky habitats by birds in the Tatra Mountains （49°13′N; 19°57′E, Carpathians, central Europe）. Rocky habitats were used by 29 bird species, eight of which used cliffs directly （i.e. for nesting, foraging or resting）. The number of species recorded as using cliffs was correlated with the surface area of the cliff face. A total of 2o forms of rocky habitat use were recorded, in five behavioural categories： vocalization, foraging, perching, flight and nesting. Prevailing behaviours were flying by a rock face, circling above the face, and vocalization on a tree/shrub growing next to a rock. Rocks provide a nesting habitat for specialized petrophilic species and permit the existence of numerous ecological relations between species and habitats. The results of this study show that rocky habitats support the diversity of ecological relationships.展开更多
A comparison of field performance of Acacia xanthophloea, Schinus molle, Casuarina equisetifolia and Gravellia robusta plant species was made in an exhausted limestone quarry, backfilled with limestone mine waste in a...A comparison of field performance of Acacia xanthophloea, Schinus molle, Casuarina equisetifolia and Gravellia robusta plant species was made in an exhausted limestone quarry, backfilled with limestone mine waste in a semi-arid area in Athi River, Kenya. The aim of the study was to determine if the tree species had an influence on the soil chemical properties. The soil had alkaline pH ranging from 8.0 to 8.98, low nitrogen content （〈 0.03%）, moderate phosphorus concentrations ranging from 44.15 ppm to 21.33 ppm and high to moderate exchangeable cations （Na, Ca, Mg and K）. All the tree species exerted a positive influence on soil properties necessary for plant growth. The pH values and total phosphorus were relatively lower in soils close to the trees （0.5 m） and increased with distance from the trees, while the soil values for total nitrogen and exchangeable cations were relatively higher close to the trees. C. equisetifolia had the best growth performance and a higher positive influence on the soil chemical properties necessary for plant growth followed by A. xanthophloea. It was concluded that trees should remain a feature of quarry rehabilitation because of their role in maintaining the biophysical environment.展开更多
基金financed in part from state funds allocated to science (Project No.N30509732/3259)
文摘Rocky habitats are regarded as biodiversity hot-spots. Along with high species diversity, diverse ecological relationships can be observed in these habitats. Large groups of bird species use rocks in various ways： as perching/roosting sites, breeding or foraging habitats, information exchange sites, display arenas or as sources of minerals and water. Because of the inaccessibility of these environments, their role and importance to animals has been underestimated. We evaluated the use of rocky habitats by birds in the Tatra Mountains （49°13′N; 19°57′E, Carpathians, central Europe）. Rocky habitats were used by 29 bird species, eight of which used cliffs directly （i.e. for nesting, foraging or resting）. The number of species recorded as using cliffs was correlated with the surface area of the cliff face. A total of 2o forms of rocky habitat use were recorded, in five behavioural categories： vocalization, foraging, perching, flight and nesting. Prevailing behaviours were flying by a rock face, circling above the face, and vocalization on a tree/shrub growing next to a rock. Rocks provide a nesting habitat for specialized petrophilic species and permit the existence of numerous ecological relations between species and habitats. The results of this study show that rocky habitats support the diversity of ecological relationships.
文摘A comparison of field performance of Acacia xanthophloea, Schinus molle, Casuarina equisetifolia and Gravellia robusta plant species was made in an exhausted limestone quarry, backfilled with limestone mine waste in a semi-arid area in Athi River, Kenya. The aim of the study was to determine if the tree species had an influence on the soil chemical properties. The soil had alkaline pH ranging from 8.0 to 8.98, low nitrogen content （〈 0.03%）, moderate phosphorus concentrations ranging from 44.15 ppm to 21.33 ppm and high to moderate exchangeable cations （Na, Ca, Mg and K）. All the tree species exerted a positive influence on soil properties necessary for plant growth. The pH values and total phosphorus were relatively lower in soils close to the trees （0.5 m） and increased with distance from the trees, while the soil values for total nitrogen and exchangeable cations were relatively higher close to the trees. C. equisetifolia had the best growth performance and a higher positive influence on the soil chemical properties necessary for plant growth followed by A. xanthophloea. It was concluded that trees should remain a feature of quarry rehabilitation because of their role in maintaining the biophysical environment.
