Novel ecosystems emerge from alterations to historic abiotic regimes and contain new species combinations. Everglades canals offer an opportunity to understand the function of novel habitat for native and non-native fishes and how novel conditions in turn influence distribution, abundance and assembly patterns. I examined native and non-native fish assemblages collected across a gradient in novelty, defined by the loss of wetland connectivity and habitat complexity. As novelty increased, native species richness and abundance strongly declined, and the contribution of non-natives increased. Community structure vastly differed among canals and was strongly influenced by spatial factors and secondarily by hydrological factors. Natives and non-natives had opposing responses to key hydrologic and habitat parameters. This study represents the first comprehensive assessment of Everglades canal fishes, providing insight into the factors influencing native and non-native abundance and assembly patterns and contributing to our understanding of this novel but permanent habitat.

No description available.

No description available.

Today's arid and semi-arid zones of the Mediterranean are affected by desertification, resulting from various factors, including climatic variations and human activities such as overcultivation, overgrazing and deforestation. Afforestation programs are one of the most effective means in preventing desertification. For many years Libya has had afforestation programs in order to restore degraded land and in response to rapid desert encroachment in the north east of Libya, in the area called the Jabal Akhdar (Green Mountain), which has been investigated in this study. The purpose of this research was to investigate the relative roles of exotic compared to native tree species in preventing desertification and enhancing degraded land restoration in the Jabal Akhdar. The effect of environmental factors on exotic compared to native tree species have been assessed by observations on growth and reproductive success of the species, including variables of stocking rate, trunk diameter, tree height, crown diameter, tree coverage, natural mortality, felling and seedling regeneration, as well as calculated variables, derived from these measurements. The effects of methods and age of afforestation on the promotion of biological diversity have been investigated using the Shannon-Wiener diversity index. The effects of tree species on soil depth have also been investigated. Multivariate statistical analyses of site, species and environmental data, using both cluster analyses and factor analyses have been performed, with the aim of determining what is influencing the species, crops or differentiating between the sites, based on soil depth, angle of slope, altitude, rainfall and air temperature values. Pinus halepensis showed success in its growth and regeneration, particularly at higher altitudes and steeper slopes. Cupressus sempervirens was successful in growth and regeneration in the mountains. The exotic Eucalyptus gomphocephala was very successful in its growth, but did not regenerate well, while the exotic Acacia cyanophylla trees had a failure of both growth and regeneration. E. gomphocephala species appeared to favour relativley the flatter (non-mountain) sites, while A. Cyanophylla appeared to favour relativly the mountain sites. All the species responded positively to greater rainfall and deep soil, but they differed in where they were most likely to be successful. Environmental factors such as climate, terrain and soil are the main determinants of species distribution in the study area, in addition to their impact on the growth of the main trees. There appeared not to be any relationship between biodiversity and whether the main trees were native or exotic, and only P. halepensis showed any negative effect on the abundance of shrubs. There was greater diversity of trees and shrubs generally at the younger sites than the old sites. The present study emphasises the current mismanagement of planted forests, particularly with overgrazing contributing to desertification, through preventing tree growth and eliminating most sapling regeneration. This study concludes by making recommendations for more effective choice of tree species to plant, and for subsequent management to improve afforestation programmes in the Jabal Akhdar area. / The Libyan Higher Education Ministry

No description available.

The Thesis is treating the spreading of non-native waterfowl species into new ecosystems and factors, which influence that process. The impact of selected eco-geographic characteristics on the species diversity and on the numbers of non-native waterfowl individuals was analyzed on the results of the International Waterbird Census. Further, the influence of those characteristics on the numbers and population trends of selected 11 species of the Anatidae family in 17 European countries was assessed. The highest non-native waterfowl species diversity was recorded in countries of the Atlantic coast, i.e. France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and also Switzerland. The main positive influence on their numbers makes the density of population and species diversity of wintering waterfowl. As to the number of non-native species individuals the main impact is produced by both, species diversity and the given latitude, too. It means that the largest number of individual exist in northern countries - Great Britain, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands. Similar main influences have been traced with the family Anatidae, too, which have received special attention in the analysis, as it shows the highest number of non- native species. As to the main eco-geographic characteristics, having impact on the growth or...

As sementes nas florestas são as responsáveis pela manutenção e perpetuação de comunidades vegetais através da regeneração e são insumo básico nos programas de recuperação e conservação de ecossistemas, por tanto, a qualidade fisiológica, física, sanitária e genética das sementes adquire um grande valor na produção de plântulas saudáveis e viáveis, visando a adaptabilidade e permanência de populações a longo prazo. Por tanto, objetivou-se conhecer e comparar a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de espécies florestais nativas produzidas em plantios de restauração florestal e em áreas de remanescentes naturais no interior do estado de São Paulo, a partir do potencial germinativo, teores de umidade e peso seco das sementes, para assim gerar informações sobre a influência das áreas reflorestadas e naturais sobre as características das sementes e se áreas reflorestadas podem ser possíveis fontes de coleta de sementes viáveis para produtores e viveiristas para futuros projetos de restauração. A coleta de sementes e frutos foi realizada em sete áreas plantadas e doze naturais em um raio menor a 50 km ao redor do município de Piracicaba, SP, no período de fevereiro e setembro de 2012. Foram selecionadas 12 espécies presentes nas duas áreas (remanescente e reflorestada) e coletados frutos de aproximadamente 10 matrizes de cada espécie para posteriormente realizar testes de umidade e germinação. Os frutos foram beneficiados e as sementes armazenadas em geladeiras para sua conservação. O experimento foi instalado em condições controladas, utilizando gerbox e vermiculita como substrato e foram avaliados três vezes por semana até atingirem a germinação constante. As variáveis resposta avaliadas foram: massa seca de sementes (MSS), porcentagem de germinação (%G), tempo médio de germinação (TMG) e Índice de Velocidade de Germinação (IVG). Os dados foram transformados, submetidos a uma análise de variância (ANOVA) e a teste de tukey a 1%. Os valores de massa seca de sementes e porcentagem de germinação diferiram estatisticamente entre as espécies e suas matrizes e revelaram a existência de interação significativa entre as espécies florestais e as procedências. Porém, não houve diferença significativa nos valores de tempo médio de germinação (Valor P = 0,8529) e o Índice de Velocidade de Germinação (Valor P = 0,2448) entre as procedências (natural e plantada). De acordo com os resultados a área natural (0,128 g de MSS, 59,5%G, 11,7 TMG e 3,08 IVG) apresentou os melhores valores com relação à plantada (0,100 g de MSS, 53,4%G, 12,1 TMG e 3,13 IVG). No entanto os resultados de germinação nas duas áreas foram acima de 50%, além de demonstrar que com relação ao tempo e velocidade de germinação não existe influência significativa dos ambientes sobre a qualidade das sementes produzidas resultando dados favoráveis para coletores de sementes, produtores de mudas e restauradores de ecossistemas. / The seeds in the forests are responsible for maintenance and perpetuation of plant communities through regeneration and are a basic input in recovery programs and ecosystem conservation, therefore the seed quality, physical health, and genetics of the seeds have a great value in the production of healthy and viable seedlings, aiming at adaptability and persistence of populations in the long term. With this in mind, this study aimed to know and compare the physiological quality of seeds of native forest species grown in restoration plantations and remaining natural forest areas in the state of São Paulo, from the germination potential, moisture content, and dry weight of seeds, thus generating information about the influence of natural forested areas on the characteristics of seeds and if reforested areas may be potential sources for viable seeds for producers and nurseries for future restoration projects. The collection of seeds and fruits was performed in seven restored areas and twelve remaining areas in a smaller radius of 50 km around the city of Piracicaba, SP, between February and September 2012. We selected 12 species present in the two areas (remnant and restored) and collected approximately 10 trees of each species for further testing of moisture and germination. The fruits were processed and seeds were stored in refrigerators for their conservation. The experiment was conducted under controlled conditions, using gerbox and vermiculite as substrate, and the seeds were evaluated three times a week until they reached constant germination. The following variables were evaluated: dry seed (MSS), germination percentage (G%), mean germination time (MGT) and Germination Speed Index (GSI). The data were transformed, and then subjected to an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey\'s test at 1%. The dry mass of seeds and germination percentage differed among species and trees of that species, and revealed the existence of significant interactions among species and provenances. However, no significant difference in the values of mean germination time (P-value = 0.8529) and Germination Speed Index (P-value = 0.2448) were found among the provenances (natural and restored). According to the results, the natural area (MSS 0.128 g, 59.5 %G, 11.7 MGT and 3.08 GSI) showed the best values compared to restored area (MSS 0.100 g, 53.4%G, 12.1 MGT and 3.13 GSI). However the results of germination in both areas were above 50%, and demonstrate that with regard to time and speed of germination there is not significant influence of the environment on seed quality resulting favorable information for seed collectors, seedling producers and restoring ecosystems.

Neste trabalho foi avaliada a variação espacial da regeneração natural das espécies nativas no sub-bosque de um povoamento de Eucalyptus saligna Smith. localizado na Estação Experimental de Itatinga do Departamento de Ciências Florestais da Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz", Universidade de São Paulo, que vem sendo manejado ha 50 anos pelo sistema de talhadia simples. A Estação Experimental de Itatinga ocupa uma área aproximada de 675 ha localizados na região fisiográfica denominada Planalto Ocidental Paulista. O uso da terra é caracterizado pelos plantios monoculturais de espécies exóticas, principalmente Eucalyptus sp. e Pinus sp., e fragmentos florestais naturais representativos de floresta estacional semidecidual, floresta ripária, cerradão e cerrado, em diferentes níveis de perturbação. A área experimental compreende 2 sítios distantes entre si em aproximadamente 250 metros e com desnível topográfico de 30 metros, diferenciados principalmente pela fitofisionomia da vegetação, declividade do terreno e pelas diferentes características de fertilidade e capacidade de retenção hídrica dos solos. Foram alocadas aleatoriamente 8 parcelas permanentes de 625 m 2 em cada sítio. Em cada parcela foi realizado o inventário das espécies nativas arbóreas ou arbustivas em via de regeneração, abrangendo os indivíduos com altura maior que 1,5 metros, bem como as brotações das cepas de Eucalyptus saligna existentes. No sítio de solo Latossolo Vermelho Amarelo (LVA), que apresentou área basal média de 6,12 m 2 /ha para as brotações das cepas de Eucalyptus saligna, foram amostrados 92 indivíduos distribuídos em 24 espécies, com destaque para Pouteria torta, Didymopanax vinosum, Ouratea spectabilis , Piptocarpha rotundifolia , Pouteria ramiflora e Anadenanthera falcata. No sítio de solo Latossolo Vermelho (LV), que apresentou área basal média de 13,81 m 2 /ha para as brotações das cepas de Eucalyptus saligna, foram amostrados 991 indivíduos, distribuídos em 90 espécies com destaque para Copaifera langsdorffii, Psychotria sessilis , Pithecolobium incuriale, Myrcia rostrata e Actinostemum communis. No total foram identificadas 107 espécies, sendo 7 espécies comuns aos dois sítios, distribuídas em 72 gêneros e 34 famílias. Os índices de diversidade de Shannon-Wienner (H’) obtidos para o sítio LVA e LV foram respectivamente 2,51 e 3,75. Embora os dois sítios estudados estejam espacialmente próximos, as diferenças com relação a quantidade de indivíduos amostrados e o número de espécies identificadas foram significativas. Analisando-se os resultados pode-se concluir que as variações quantitativas e qualitativas da regeneração natural entre os dois sítios dependem principalmente das condições de umidade e fertilidade do solo. A influência das brotações do Eucalyptus saligna ocorre principalmente no sítio LV em decorrência das condições microclimáticas determinadas pelo dossel desuniforme existente, promovendo diferentes condições de sombreamento e umidade do ar e do solo, as quais possibilitaram o crescimento de espécies de diferentes estádios de sucessão. No sítio LVA, onde as brotações de Eucalyptus saligna ocorreram em menor densidade e tamanho, promovendo menor variação nas condições microclimáticas, pode-se concluir que houve pequena influência sobre a regeneração natural. / This study was carried out to evaluate the spatial variation of the native species naturally regenerating in Eucalyptus saligna stand understory. This stand which is located at Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz", Universidade de São Paulo (Itatinga Experimental Station, Forest Sciences Department), has been managed through lopping system for fifty years. The Itatinga Experimental Station, with an area of 675 hectares, is located on the physiographic region named São Paulo West plateau. This region is characterized by monoculture plantations of exotic tree species, mainly Eucalyptus sp and Pinus sp, besides representative remnants of natural forest formations like semideciduos seasonal forest, riparian forest and savannah (Cerradão e Cerrado) with different dis turbance degrees. The experimental area encompasses two sites separated from each other around 250 m, differing 30 m in altitude. These two sites are different mainly in phytophysionomy, land slope and soil fertility and soil hydric retention capacity. Eight permanent plots of 625 m 2 in each site (LVA and LV) were randomly sampled. The woody species individuals with height equal or bigger than 1,5 m and the Eucalyptus saligna coppicings were surveyed in each plot. On the LVA site, with an average basal area of Eucalyptus coppicings of 6,12 m 2 /ha, 92 individuals were sampled, distributed in 24 species and the most important ones were Pouteria torta, Didymopanax vinosum, Ouratea spectabilis, Piptocarpha rotundifolia, Pouteria ramiflora and Anadenanthera falcata. On the LV site, 991 individuals were sampled, distributed in 90 species and the most important ones were Copaifera langsdorffii, Psychotria sessilis, Pithecolobium incuriale, Myrcia rostrata and Actinostemum communis. A total of 107 species were identified and 7 species were common to both sites, distributed into 72 genera and 34 families. The Shannon-Wiener (H´) diversity indexes obtained for LVA and LV site were respectively 2.51 and 3.75. Although both studied sites were close to each other, the differences related to the abundance of the sampled individuals and the number of species were significant. Based upon the results it is possible to conclude that the quantitative and qualitative variations of the natural regeneration between the two sites depend mainly on the soil humidity and fertility. The Eucalyptus saligna influence occurs mainly on site LV due to the different microclimate conditions promoted by the uneven canopy, generating different conditions of shading, soil and air humidity, allowing the growth of species of different successional stages. At the LVA site, were the Eucalyptus saligna coppicing were at a smaller density and size, promoting a smaller variation at the microclimatic conditions, we may conclude that the influence at the natural regeneration was also smaller.

Através da semeadura de espécies nativas de diferentes grupos ecológicos, será possível levantar dados sobre a constituição, o adensamento e o enriquecimento do banco de sementes como uma possível prática de recuperação de áreas degradadas, principalmente visando: 1) o primeiro recobrimento do solo; 2) o possível enriquecimento da área (aumento do número de espécies) com a semeadura direta. O objetivo geral desse trabalho foi analisar a viabilidade metodológica da constituição artificial de banco de sementes de espécies florestais nativas, como estratégia de recuperação de áreas degradadas. Este trabalho teve como objetivos específicos: i) Estudar espécies potenciais para uso de semeadura direta de espécies nativas em áreas degradadas, quanto à emergência de plântulas e se, o número de indivíduos estabelecidos após um ano da semeadura é suficiente para ocupação florestal de uma área degradada; ii) Avaliar diferentes condições (tratamentos) da semeadura a lanço de espécies florestais nativas para potencializar a emergência de plântulas. Foram realizados neste trabalho dois experimentos em períodos diferentes. O experimento “A" foi instalado em fevereiro de 2003, em delineamento de blocos casualizados (DBC) e 36 tratamentos com 3 repetições, resultando em 108 parcelas em esquema fatorial (3x2x3x2) objetivando testar 20 espécies florestais, sendo 10 pertencentes ao grupo de preenchimento e 10 pertencentes ao grupo de diversidade. O experimento “B" foi instalado em janeiro de 2004, em blocos casualizados (DBC) e 4 tratamentos com oito repetições, resultando em 32 parcelas em esquema fatorial (2x2) objetivando testar 20 espécies florestais do grupo de preenchimento. Neste experimento as sementes das espécies florestais nativas (20 espécies) além de semeadas no campo tiveram também sua germinação testada em sementeiras no viveiro para posterior comparação com a germinação das espécies em condições de campo. De acordo com os resultados obtidos a método mostrouse viável conseguindo nesse experimento, aos 360 dias após a semeadura até 874 indivíduos ha -1 no grupo de preenchimento (4 espécies) e 1902 indivíduos ha -1 no grupo de diversidade (7 espécies) no experimento “A". As espécies do grupo de preenchimento Platypodium elegans e Pterogyne nitens e a do grupo de diversidade Jacaranda cuspidifolia foram as que mais se destacaram no experimento “A" com 292, 318, 574 indivíduos ha -1 respectivamente. Embora as espécies no experimento “B" não tenham germinado em condições de campo, seus dados de germinação em sementeiras no viveiro demonstraram que as sementes estavam viáveis, exceto Cecropia pachystachya. Os fatores ambientais em condições de campo contribuíram para a não germinação de sementes das espécies florestais estudadas neste experimento (“B"), principalmente a competição com Brachiaria decumbens. Isso demonstra que o manejo desta gramínea pós-semeadura é fundamental para o sucesso deste método. / Through the sowing of native species of different ecological groups, it will be possible to raise information on the constitution, the growing and enrichment of the bank of seeds as possible practical of recovery of degraded areas, mainly aiming at: 1) the first covering of the ground; 2) the possible enrichment of the area (increase of the species number) with the direct sowing. The general objective of this work was to analyze the methodological viability of the artificial constitution of bank of seeds of native forest species, as strategy of recovery of degraded areas. This work had as objective specific: A) To study the potential species for use of direct sowing of native species in degraded areas, how much to the emergency of seedlings and if the number of individuals established after one year of the sowing is enough for forest occupation of a degraded area; B) to determine different conditions (treatments) of the throwing sowing of native forest species to increase the emergency of seedlings. Two experiments in different periods had been carried through in this work. The experiment "A" was installed in February of 2003, in a randomized blocks design with 36 treatments and 3 repetitions, resulting in 108 parcels in factorial project (3x2x3x2) objectifying to test 20 species forest, being 10 fulfillment groups and 10 diversity groups. The experiment “B" was installed in February of 2003 with a randomized blocks design and 4 treatments with eight repetitions, resulting in 32 parcels in factorial project (2x2) objectifying to test 20 forest pioneer species. In this experiment the seeds of the native forest species (20 species) beyond sown in the field had also its germination tested in nursery, for posterior comparison with the germination of the species in field conditions. In accordance with the gotten results the methodology revealed viable obtaining in the “A" experiment, to the 360 days after the sowing up to 874 individuals ha -1 of fulfillment groups (4 species) and 1.902 individuals ha -1 of diversity groups (7 species). The Platypodium elegans and Pterogyne nitens of fulfillment groups and of the diversity groups Jacaranda cuspidifolia had been the more distinguished in the experiment "A" with 292, 318, 574 individuals ha -1 respectively. Although the species in experiment "B" have not germinated in field conditions, its germination data in nursery had demonstrated that the seeds were viable, except Cecropia pachystachya. The ambient factors in field conditions had been the causers of this ungermination seeds of the studied forest species, mainly competition with Brachiaria decumbens. This results demonstrates that the handling of this grassy after-sowing is basic for the success of this methodology.

Schifffahrt stellt weltweit eine der wichtigsten Nutzungen der Flüsse und Seen dar, die zukünftig weiter zu nimmt. Sie schädigt Ufer durch Wellenschlag erheblich. Die Effekte von Schiffswellen auf benthische Wirbellose sind aber bisher kaum bekannt, obwohl diese eine zentrale Rolle im litoralen Nahrungsnetz spielen. Daher untersuchte ich 1) die direkten Effekte von Schiffswellen auf benthische Wirbellose, 2) die resultierenden Auswirkungen auf trophische Interaktionen und 3) das Wachstum und die Fitness von Wirbellosen, sowie 4) die langfristigen Änderungen der litoralen Wirbellosenzönosen. Labor- und Feldversuche zeigten, dass mit zunehmender wellengenerierter Sohlschubspannung mehr Individuen verdriftet wurden. Die Verdriftung wurde jedoch durch eine hohe strukturelle Habitatkomplexität gemindert, da diese die Wellenenergie stärker dissipierte und den Wirbellosen bessere Festhaltemöglichkeiten bot. Die Verdriftung der Wirbellosen bewirkte ein höheres Prädationsrisiko durch spindelförmige Fische, während hochrückige Fische die Ingestion bei Wellenexposition reduzierten. Wellenschlag verringerte auch das Wachstum und die Fitness nativer Wirbellosenarten, indem die Ingestion verringert oder der Energieverbrauch erhöht wurde, wohingegen Neozoen nicht beeinträchtigt wurden. Der kumulative Effekt von Schiffswellen veränderte die Artenzusammensetzung benthischer Zönosen sehr. Die Abundanz nativer Wirbelloser und die Artenzahl waren an exponierten Ufern geringer, während die Abundanz invasiver Arten zunahm. Folglich beeinträchtigen Schiffswellen benthische Wirbellose auf der Ebene der Individuen, Arten, Zönosen, sowie tropischer Interaktionen, und können so die ökologische Struktur und Funktion des gesamten Litorals beeinflussen. Durch Schutz komplexer Habitate wie Wurzeln und dichte Schilfbestände, sowie durch Wellenschlagsreduzierung durch größere Mindestabstände zum Ufer und angepasste Fahrtgeschwindigkeit, können die Auswirkungen von Schiffswellen gemindert werden. / Inland navigation is a major human use of rivers and lakes worldwide which is expected to increase in the future. It significantly affects shore habitats by ship-induced waves. In contrast to the importance of such pressures, the effects of these hydrodynamic disturbances on benthic invertebrates in the littoral zones are poorly understood, even that invertebrates are a central element of littoral food webs. Hence, I investigated 1) the direct and immediate effects of ship-waves on benthic invertebrates, 2) their subsequent effects on trophic interactions and 3) on the growth and fitness of invertebrates, and finally 4) the long-term effects on the community composition. Laboratory and field experiments showed increasing detachment of invertebrates with higher wave-induced shear stress. Detachment was significantly mitigated by higher structural complexity of the habitats, as complex habitats dissipate wave energy and provide better fixing possibilities. Moreover dislodgement of invertebrates led to a higher risk of being preyed upon by fusiform fish, while deep bodied fish reduced feeding under waves. Waves also reduced growth and fitness of native invertebrates via reduced feeding or increased energy costs, while non-native invertebrates were not affected. The cumulative impact of ship-waves alters the community composition of benthic invertebrates. The abundance of native invertebrates and total species richness was lower at exposed sites, while non-native invertebrates increased in abundance. Thus, ship-waves affect benthic invertebrates on the individual, species, and community levels, as well as the interaction of trophic levels, and hence will alter the ecological structure and function of whole littoral zones. Adverse effects of ship-waves may be mitigated by protecting structural complex habitats such as tree roots and dense reed belts, and by minimizing wave generation by increasing minimum sailing distance to shore or by adjusting vessel speed.