Status and distribution pattern of coarse woody debris along an altitudinal gradient in Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarakhand, West Himalaya

A rapid assessment on the status and distribution patterns of coarse woody debris （CWD） was conducted by laying five curvilinear transects （transects A, B, C, D and E; major trails）, along an altitudinal gradient starting from 900 to 2 600 m, in three major watersheds （Charigad, Dogarhigad and upper Gosigad） of Goriganga catchment in Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, India. At every 100 m rise in altitude a hectare plot （100 m x 100 m） was selected. Results showed that the percentage contribution by different succession phases was in the decreasing order： phase I 〉 phase II 〉 phase IV 〉 phase III for snags, and phase III〉 phase II 〉 phase IV 〉 phase I for logs. Snag density in chir pine forest was high in transect A （11 snags＇ha^-1） at 1 500 m, and the value in rianj oak forest was high in transect B （10 snags.ha-l） at 2 300 m. The total available mass of snags and logs in chit pine forest was 13.9 t, of which snags mass accounted for 41% of the total mass and logs mass for 59%. While the total value was 5.6 t in rianj oak forest, of which snags and logs accounted for 60% and 40% of the total mass, respectively. Moreover, the presence of CWD in the study area if not harvested, would provide a great opportunity to the orchids in future to flourish by providing protection. The high densities of snags and logs in chir pine forest at mid-altitudinal zone led to less species richness and lower density of ground flora as the zone receives more light, accompanying with lower soil moisture, and thus only the dominant species occupy the habitat.

Regional Copper Deficiency in White-Tailed Deer

Minerals are critical in maintaining health and physiological function in wildlife. Geographic variation in soil and forage mineral concentration may predispose wildlife to mineral imbalances, where a common symptom is restricted somatic growth. We investigated if mineral imbalances could explain localized differences in morphology of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) occurring in geographically proximate sites with similar management, climate, and habitat. We collected serum samples and morphological measurements from free-ranging white-tailed deer captured during 2011-2019 from coastal and inland rangeland sites in South Texas, USA. We measured mineral concentrations in serum from captured deer at each location. Asymptotic deer body mass and antler size averaged 8% - 20% smaller for deer at the coastal compared to the inland site. The proportion of deer with deficient levels of serum copper was greater at the coastal site (66% versus 14%). Our results suggest regional mineral deficiencies in deer may limit antler and body development. Wildlife managers should be aware of all aspects of wildlife nutrition and the importance of considering nutrients beyond energy and protein.

Economic Valuation of Auctioned Tourist Hunting Blocks in Tanzania

Economic valuation of ecosystems is increasingly being recognized as an important exercise to inform sustainable utilization and conservation of natural assets. It helps in planning and establishing fair profit margins that accrue either directly or indirectly from the consumptive and non-consumptive uses of ecosystem goods and services. This paper is based on a study which estimated the economic values of tourist hunting blocks (HBs) in Tanzania using the Analytic Multicriteria Valuation Method (AMUVAM). The study used a sample size of 12 out of 24 vacant hunting blocks which were to be auctioned to potential hunting companies in December 2022. The economic values of HBs were estimated using the time horizon of 10 years (the mean tenure for winning company). The results show that the economic values ranged from USD 6,215,588 to USD 653,470,695 per hunting block and the Existence Value (EV) constituted about 19% of the Total Economic Value (TEV). EV ranged from USD 632,210 to USD 125,147,285. The study underscores the need for decisions to allocate ecosystems, such as HBs, to both direct and indirect uses, to be guided by a though understanding of their values. We further recommend building the capacity of staff charged with the role of managing and allocating uses of these ecosystems to enable them undertake economic valuation of ecosystems using both simple and more robust analytical tools, such as the GIS, relational databases, and worldwide websites based tools, like InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Environmental Services and Tradeoffs), ARIES (Artificial Intelligence for Ecosystem Services), and Co$ting Nature.

基于物种分布模型的精确采样提高目标物种发现率——以黑颈鹤(Grus nigricollis),白头鹤(Grus monacha)为例

明确野生动植物的地理分布是基础生态学和应用生态学领域的一个基础但关键的步骤,为后续分析提供了重要的信息。而野生动植物分布调查是一项需要投入大量人力,精力和资金的工作,特别是稀有物种的调查。物种分布模型越来越受到广泛引用尤其是在生物保护方面。为了证明物种分布模型在野生生物调查中精确采样方法的可行性,以全球易危物种黑颈鹤和白头鹤的实际繁殖分布预测为例,使用随机森林(Random Forest)算法加以验证。比较发现物种分布模型预测实际调查分布点,随机样方法生成的随机点,系统样方法的规则点在空间相对出现概率具有显著差异(P<0.001),实际分布点具有较高的相对出现概率。该结果表明若在物种分布相对出现概率较高区域设置样方能够减少实际调查区域,有效提高发现目标物种的概率,从而减少调查投入。基于物种分布模型的精确采样方法将有效地提高我们对稀有物种分布的了解,有利于野生动植物的保护规划。

印度喜马拉雅山区西藏盘羊的警戒行为(英文)

在几个动物类群中开展的许多行为研究中发现,个体的警觉水平与群体大小存在着负相关关系。一般认为,这种关系是由于个体在一个较大的群体中被捕杀的概率小。在本研究中,我研究了濒危的印度喜马拉雅地区西藏盘羊(Ovis ammon hodgsoni)的警戒行为与群体大小和逃逸地形的关系。我假设小群体中的、位于悬崖旁的盘羊比那些大群体中的、开阔地带(逃逸地形)中的盘羊的警戒水平高。结果发现随着群体增大,盘羊的警戒水平下降,但是,逃逸地形与盘羊的警戒水平没有关系。盘羊的不同性别、年龄组之间的时间预算存在显著差异。与雄性和亚成年个体比较,雌性用于警觉的时间多,它们比雄性采食时间长,移动少。因此。

Post-fire soil nutrient dynamics in a tropical dry deciduous forest of Western Ghats,India

Background: The effect of forest fire on soil is complex and relatively less understood than its above ground effect.Understanding the effect of fire on forest soils can allow improving management of valuable forest ecosystems as adequate and proper information is very important for efficient management. We have studied the recovery of soil properties after fire, using a chronosequence approach(two, five and fifteen years after fire and control). Soil samples were collected from each plot of four fire patches(B0, B2, B5 & B15) from three different depths viz. 0–10(Top), 10–20(Middle), and 20–30 cm(Bottom).Results: Soil organic carbon was lower than unburned plots after the fire and could not recover to the level of unburned plot(B0) even in 15 years. Total N, available P, and extractable K were lower 2-years and 5-years after the fire but are higher than unburned plot after 15-years. Available nitrogen(NO_3^- and NH_4^+) remain unchanged or higher than B0 in burned patches. Soil pH, Bulk Density, Water Holding Capacity, and Electrical Conductivity was lower initially after the fire. Forest fires have affected soil properties considerably. The response of soil properties varied with years after fire and soil depth.Conclusion: Forest fires occur very frequently in the study area. Significant quantities of carbon and total nitrogen are lost to the atmosphere by burning of litter, duff, and soil OM. Because nitrogen is one of the most important soil nutrients, the recapture of N lost by volatilization during a fire must receive special attention. Long-term studies are required to better understand the recovery of soil nitrogen.

Tree mortality and biomass loss in drought-aff ected forests of East Texas,USA

Changes in tree mortality due to severe drought can alter forest structure,composition,dynamics,ecosystem services,carbon fl uxes,and energy interactions between the atmosphere and land surfaces.We utilized long-term(2000‒2017,3 full inventory cycles)Forest Inventory and Analysis(FIA)data to examine tree mortality and biomass loss in drought-aff ected forests for East Texas,USA.Plots that experienced six or more years of droughts during those censuses were selected based on 12-month moderate drought severity[Standardized Precipitation Evaporation Index(SPEI)-1.0].Plots that experienced other disturbances and inconsistent records were excluded from the analysis.In total,222 plots were retained from nearly 4000 plots.Generalized nonlinear mixed models(GNMMs)were used to examine the changes in tree mortality and recruitment rates for selected plots.The results showed that tree mortality rates and biomass loss to mortality increased overall,and across tree sizes,dominant genera,height classes,and ecoregions.An average mortality rate of 5.89%year−1 during the study period could be incited by water stress created by the regional prolonged and episodic drought events.The overall plot and species-group level recruitment rates decreased during the study period.Forest mortality showed mixed results regarding basal area and forest density using all plots together and when analyzed the plots by stand origin and ecoregion.Higher mortality rates of smaller trees were detected and were likely compounded by densitydependent factors.Comparative analysis of drought-induced tree mortality using hydro-meteorological data along with drought severity and length gradient is suggested to better understand the eff ects of drought on tree mortality and biomass loss around and beyond East Texas in the southeastern United States.

印度拉达克羌塘地区黑颈鹤日间行为时间分配

时间分配研究是理解栖息地利用模式、资源利用和限制物种生存因素的合适手段,这些一旦掌握清楚了便可被整合到管理策略的制定中。于2008年、2009年和2010年繁殖期对拉达克地区的黑颈鹤(Grus nigricollis)日间行为时间分配进行了研究。为了更好地统一繁殖周期内不同繁殖阶段的活动模式,将黑颈鹤的繁殖期分成繁殖前期、繁殖中期和繁殖后期。调查期间,共进行了95天野外调查,黑颈鹤观察时长达785 h,所有观察在06:00—19:00完成,共记录到16314次行为事件。该文中黑颈鹤的日间行为时间分配以不同行为的百分比来表示。繁殖期内,黑颈鹤的取食行为占(48.5±1.3)%,其次分别为休息[(14.2±1.2)%]、运动[(10±0.7)%]、繁殖[(10±2.6)%]、保养[(5.7±0.5)%]、警戒[(4.1±0.9)%]、保卫[(1.5±0.3)%]和求偶炫耀[(0.7±0.2)%],另有(5.4±1.9)%]的时间黑颈鹤飞出观察视野。相较于其他生境,黑颈鹤在沼泽草甸生境中停留的时间最长[(43±0.9)%]。

Plants Diversity of the Burigi-Chato National Park: Rare and Invasive Species

This study was conducted within a distance of three to five kilometres around Lake Burigi as a study area in the Burigi-Chato National Park for the purpose of documenting the diversity of plants, identifying invasive and rare species for enhancing conservation in the park. Lake Burigi was purposively sampled as a study area for plant identification due to its potential as a tourist destination. No study has been conducted in the study area to reveal plants diversity, with a focus on documenting invasive and rare species, thus necessitating undertaking of this study to inform the park authority to take urgent control measures in avoiding widespread of invasive species and proper planning for conservation of rare species. The methods involved included field observation;plant identification using field guide books, indigenous and professional knowledge;field mapping using GPS receiver and literature review. Analysis of meteorological data and soil sample were also used among other methods. Meteorological data were analysed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS v.20 to determine the relationship between variables. A total of 102 plant species of different growth forms of trees, shrubs, grasses, sedges, forbs, and herbs were identified and recorded. Tegetes minuta and Argemone mexicana were recorded as invasive plant species, while six rare plant species potential for pharmaceutical industry;Zanthoxylum usambarense, Gardenia ternifolia, Faidherbia albida, Harrisonia abyssinica, Anona senegalensis, and, Pappea capensis were also recorded. Scars of wildfires were observed in the study area. The study area received an average rainfall of 964.36 mm per year, the highest peak recorded in 1951. The trend of rainfall showed that many years had rainfall below the average while the temperature was found to increase from year to year, the situation which suggests the existence of climate change in the study area. There was a weak negative relationship between temperature and wind speed. Soil nutrients and disturbances in the area were found to favour the growth of Tegetes minuta. Findings of this study would help ecological unit in the park to conduct regular ecological assessment for the purpose of controlling invasive plant species, which if left to flourish are likely to reduce habitat suitability for ungulates to utilize the area. Moreover, knowing which plant species are rare, adds value to the area as a destination to visitors interested in plants. The findings also allow the park authority to keep record of species rarity and thus easily take control of them to avoid unintended exploitation. Based on the findings, it was concluded that a number of disturbances, meteorological and edaphic factors favour the growth of invasive species. Urgent measures are to be taken to control the observed invasive plant species before they are left to spread in the park to avoid destruction of the habitat suitability and incurring unnecessary expenses and time in combating them. Furthermore, rare plant species especially those with pharmaceutical and industrial values are to be conserved with special attention to ensure their continued survival. It was recommended that human-induced activities should be prevented through regular ecological assessment, field patrols and public awareness programs. A similar study needs to be conducted during dry season to make comparison of the capacity of plants in adapting to different changes of the weather.

印度黑颈鹤现状与分布

为了弄清和监测印度黑颈鹤(Grus nigricollis)的现状与分布,作者于2000-2014年开展了长期研究。每年在所有已知的黑颈鹤分布点开展调查,同时探索了新的区域。基于黑颈鹤的历史分布区,包括查谟和克什米尔、锡金等的文献记载和调查,该文对印度黑颈鹤的现状与分布进行了综述,详细列出了黑颈鹤在印度的当前现状与分布。首次对过去15年来印度黑颈鹤种群状况进行了报道:整个研究期间,于2012年在拉达克的繁殖地最多记录到139只黑颈鹤个体,于2006年在印度东北部记录到11个越冬个体。

The Extent and Drivers of Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Masito-Ugalla Ecosystem, Kigoma Region, Tanzania

Deforestation and forest degradation has been observed to be rampant in Masito-Ugalla ecosystem, Kigoma Region, western part of Tanzania. This paper therefore, intended to assess the extent of deforestation and forest degradation in the area, and to determine their causes. A total of 101 respondents were considered as the sample size for this study. The methods used for data collection were household questionnaire interviews, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, analysis of satellite images and direct observation. The findings indicated that deforestation was occurring in the study area. Satellite data revealed diminished closed woodland, bushed grassland, forest and thickets between 1990 and 2014. On the contrary, settlement area, cultivated land and open woodland had increased during the same time frame. Proximate factors causing deforestation and forest degradation included agricultural expansion, wood extraction and expansion of settlement area. Underlying factors included population growth, poverty, poor levels of education, lack of employment, corruption and embezzlement of public funds by politicians and senior government officials;and high demand for fuel-wood. Biophysical drivers like incidences of unplanned wildfires and socio trigger events notably civil strife were also important. In order to minimize the problem and based on the factors augmenting deforestation and forest degradation in the Masito-Ugalla ecosystem and their coupled negative consequences, effective environmental conservation education, increased patrols, effective law enforcement and provision of alternative energy sources are necessary.

Mass Foliar Damage at Subalpine-Timberline Ecotone in Western Himalaya Due to Extreme Climatic Events

Glimpses of unusual climatic conditions such as high summer temperature, heavy rainfall as well as snowfall and low winter temperature were noticed during 2010-2011 in subalpine-timberline (2700 - 3600 m) zones of Western Himalaya. Abundant winter injury to the current year (2010) foliage and shoot of Rhododendron arboretum and Quercus semecarpifolia became apparent in winters of 2010-2011. The foliar and bud mortality both increased with elevation beyond 2800 m and maximum along the edges of forest. Rhododendron campanulatum was another species which also got affected throughout the Western Himalaya. Such events were not reported earlier from the region and current observations indicate the high sensitivity of the plant species to the extreme inter-annual climatic variations.

泰国Khao Yai国家公园豹猫的道路生态学(英文)

为了解道路对豹猫(Prionailurus bengalensis)空间生态和时间生态的影响,使用无线电追踪技术对6只雌性个体和4只雄性个体进行了为期1-18个月的监测。道路上的车辆主要在白天出现,似乎不影响豹猫的位置或活动,即便在周末或假期车辆增加时,情形也是如此。需要更多的研究来确定本文报道的结果是否代表了该物种的整体情况,或者仅仅特定于Kao Yai国家公园。

Plant studies in the first Himalayan Biosphere Reserve: a review

Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve(NDBR) was declared as the first Himalayan Biosphere Reserve owing to its unique biological and cultural wealth. Its core zones, Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flowers National Park, are a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. In spite of lying at a high altitude, interplay of factors such as unique geographical location, climate, topography and wide altitudinal variations have endowed NDBR with a rich and diverse flora. Proportionately high percentage of endemic and near endemic plants makes NDBR a very important protected area from conservation point of view. However, its floristic wealth is facing unprecedented threats in the form of climate change and growing anthropogenic pressure. Hence, a need was felt to assess the directionality, quality and sufficiency of past and ongoing research for the conservation of floral and ethnobotanical wealth of NDBR in the absence of any such previous attempt. Based on an extensive review of more than 150 plant studies on NDBR, this communication provides a detailed account of the current state of knowledge and information gaps on flora, vegetation ecology, rare, endangered, threatened(RET) and endemic plants and ethnobotany. Priority research areas and management measures are discussed for the conservation of its unique floral wealth. Incomplete floral inventorization, lack of biodiversity monitoring, meagre studies on lower plant groups, population status of medicinal plants, habitat assessment of threatened taxa and geo-spatial analysis of alpine vegetation were identified as areas of immediate concern.

喜马拉雅山西部Askot野生动物保护区内粗木质残体沿山高度分布格局与现状

A rapid assessment on the status and distribution patterns of coarse woody debris (CWD) was conducted by laying five curvilinear transects (transects A, B, C, D and E; major trails), along an altitudinal gradient starting from 900 to 2 600 m, in three major watersheds (Charigad, Dogarhigad and upper Gosigad) of Goriganga catchment in Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, India. At every 100 m rise in altitude a hectare plot (100 m x 100 m) was selected. Results showed that the percentage contribution by different succession phases was in the decreasing order: phase I > phase II > phase IV > phase III for snags, and phase III > phase II > phase IV > phase I for logs. Snag density in chir pine forest was high in transect A (11 snags·ha-1) at 1 500 m, and the value in rianj oak forest was high in transect B (10 snags·ha-1) at 2 300 m. The total available mass of snags and logs in chir pine forest was 13.9 t, of which snags mass accounted for 41% of the total mass and logs mass for 59%. While the total value was 5.6 t in rianj oak forest, of which snags and logs accounted for 60% and 40% of the total mass, respectively. Moreover, the presence of CWD in the study area if not harvested, would provide a great opportunity to the orchids in future to flourish by providing protection. The high densities of snags and logs in chir pine forest at mid-altitudinal zone led to less species richness and lower density of ground flora as the zone receives more light, accompanying with lower soil moisture, and thus only the dominant species occupy the habitat.

Plant studies in Himachal Pradesh,Western Himalaya: a systematic review

Owing to a predicted rise in temperature,increase in precipitation and the escalating anthropogenic stresses,the Himalayan ecosystems are the most threatened non-polar regions of the world.In the past,there have been racing extinctions and range shifts of several life forms in this region,particularly of the plant species.Therefore,consistent qualitative and quantitative records on botanical baseline data on a regular basis are indispensable.The current communication attempts to provide a detailed account on the current state of knowledge and research gaps in floristic studies of Himachal Pradesh,Western Himalaya.Based on an extensive review of more than 140 studies in the form of scientific peer reviewed literature on floristics,medicinal and aromatic plants(MAPs),rare,endangered,threatened and endemic species and ethno-botany,it is revealed that the number of floristic studies in Himachal Pradesh have surged in the past years but studies pertaining to the lower plants remain meagre.Unfortunately,the remote valleys including micro-watersheds lying in the coldarid regions are relatively less studied in terms of available growing stock and population status of MAPs.Depleting traditional ethno-botanical knowledge has been the major concern and,many threatened MAPs need to be accessed globally following IUCN standards.Thus,documentation of the conservation status of key MAPs,setting aside conservation areas around viable populations of threatened species,developing germplasm banks of the priority MAPs and monitoring the impacts of climate change has been suggested.

On the Identity and Taxonomic Status of Coluber nuthalli Theobald, 1868, with Redescription of the Type Specimens of Coluber nuthalli and Elaphis yunnanensis Anderson, 1879(Reptilia, Squamata, Colubridae)

The taxaColuber nuthalli Theobald, 1868 andElaphis yunnanensis Anderson, 1879 are compared and re-described, based on the examination of their type material. The morphological similarities of these two taxa revealed them as conspeciifc.Elaphis yunnanensis Anderson is thus declared as a protected name （nomen conservandum） with priority overC. nuthalli Theobald （nomen oblitum）. A lectotype forElaphis yunnanensis is designated and described. The validity ofyunnanensis as subspecies name in combination withOrthriophis taeniurus （Cope） will be discussed. A key to the subspecies ofO. taeniurus is provided.

Antifouling Effect of Bioactive Compounds from Selected Marine Organisms in the Obhur Creek,Red Sea

Three species of sponges and a tunicate were collected from Obhur creek of Jeddah coast for this bioactivity study. In order to assess the antifouling efficacy of selected marine organisms, methanolic extracts of these organisms were tested against different fouling bacterial forms and II-instar stage of the barnacle, Balanus amphitrite. Antibiosis, bioactivity and followed by multivariate analyses were carried out to check the efficacy of antifouling effect of the selected marine organisms. Principal component analysis revealed the exemplary antifouling efficacy of the sponge extracts of Stylissa sp. observed followed by Hyrtios sp. against bacterial forms in the laboratory study. De-trended correspondence analysis confirmed that the contribution of antifouling efficacy of the selected sponge extracts was observed to be more towards Bacillus sp., Vibrio sp. and Alteromonas sp. Moreover, the efficacy of Hyrtios sp. extract(20.430 μg m L^(-1)) followed by Stylissa sp.(30.945 μg m L^(-1)) showed higher against barnacle instar compared with other extracts in the bioactivity assay. Bray-Curtis cluster analysis under paired linkage categorized all the sponge extracts into one major cluster with 75% similarity, and one outlier tunicate. More than 80% similarity observed between Hyrtios sp. and Stylissa sp. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) showed that the contribution of major peaks found in the marine organisms were towards sulfones, sulfoxides, cyanates and ketones.

Distribution,Use Pattern and Prospects for Conservation of Medicinal Shrubs in Uttaranchal State,India

The present paper gives an insight into the distribution and use pattern of medicinal shrubs in Uttaranchal State. A total of 222 medicinal and aromatic shrub species have been appended based on secondary information. Euphorbiaceae, Rosaceae, Verbenaceae, and Fabaceae have the highest repre- sentatives of medicinal shrubs. Twenty one families had one species each in medicinal use. Verbenaceae and Euphorbiaceae in the sub-tropical region, Rosaceae in the temperate region, and Ericaceae and Rosaceae in the sub-alpine and alpine regions, respectively, had the highest representatives of medicinal shrubs. The distribution of medicinal shrubs was 42 % in sub-tropical, 29 % in warm temperate, 13 % in cool temperate, 9 % in sub-alpine and 7 % in the alpine region. Of the total species, 70 medicinal shrubs were native to the Himalayas and 22 native to Himalayan region including other Hima- layan countries. The most frequently used plant parts for various ailments were leaves (31 %) and roots (23 %). Most shrubs are being used for the diseases, viz. skin diseases, dysentery, cough, fever, wounds, and rheumatism. The present paper will help in the execution of strategies for promotion and cultivation of medicinal shrubs in Uttaranchal State.

Species identification refined by molecular scatology in a community of sympatric carnivores in Xinjiang, China

Many ecological studies and conservation management plans employ noninvasive scat sampling based on the assumption that species’ scats can be correctly identified in the field. However, in habitats with sympatric similarly sized carnivores, misidentification of scats is frequent and can lead to bias in research results. To address the scat identification dilemma, molecular scatology techniques have been developed to extract DNA from the donor cells present on the outer lining of the scat samples. A total of 100 samples were collected in the winter of 2009 and 2011 in Taxkorgan region of Xinjiang, China. DNA was extracted successfully from 88% of samples and genetic species identification showed that more than half the scats identified in the field as snow leopard（Panthera uncia） actually belonged to fox（Vulpes vulpes）. Correlation between scat characteristics and species were investigated, showing that diameter and dry weight of the scat were significantly different between the species. However it was not possible to define a precise range of values for each species because of extensive overlap between the morphological values. This preliminary study confirms that identification of snow leopard feces in the field is misleading. Research that relies upon scat samples to assess distribution or diet of the snow leopard should therefore employ molecular scatology techniques. These methods are financially accessible and employ relatively simple laboratory procedures that can give an indisputable response to species identification from scats.