Tallgrass prairie restoration is an important conservation activity in rural areas. However, little is known about prairie restoration in urban environments. The overall objective of this study was to characterize and better understand urban prairie restoration. This was carried out through an examination of 29 restoration sites within Winnipeg, Manitoba. The results indicated that actively restored urban prairies were successful and high in diversity. Multiple attributes of the restorations were examined as indicators of success including vegetation, the propagule bank and insects. However, not all attributes delivered equivocal results. This suggests that multiple measures should be used to assess a restoration site. Anthropogenic and biophysical variables were found to influence vegetation of the restorations equally, highlighting the importance of incorporating a human component in urban ecological research. These urban restorations were seen to surpass larger rural restorations in quality; thus, efforts should be made to increase their prevalence.

In this study I investigated patterns of invertebrate diversity in Limpopo Province indigenous forests, in order to highlight forests and taxa of special conservation significance. Invertebrates from seven target taxa were sampled in 11 patches of indigenous forest in Limpopo Province from February 2001 to January 2002, including six forests in the Soutpansberg and five forests in the northern Drakensberg. Selected forests comprise three distinct vegetation subtypes and the target taxa selected were millipedes, centipedes, earthworms, terrestrial molluscs, spiders, scorpions and amphipods. Invertebrates were sampled by active searching of quadrats and line transects and pitfall traps. A total of 11 969 indigenous target group individuals were sampled, comprising 14 orders, 50 families, 86 genera and 142 species (including at least nine new). There was a significant difference in the total invertebrate species richness and diversity of forest patches but results varied considerably when different target group figures were analyzed. With the exception of spiders, the factors influencing total and individual target group richness in forests could not be determined. Introduced invertebrates comprised a large proportion of the species and individuals sampled, but were not shown to affect indigenous fauna. Invertebrate species assemblages were most similar between forests sharing the same vegetation subtype and between forests in the same mountain region. However, each forest patch had unique species and some even had unique families. Limpopo Province forests support high numbers of endemic invertebrates. A total of 47 endemic invertebrate species were sampled, including six site endemics, eight local endemics, nine regional endemics and 24 national endemics. The numbers and scales of endemism varied by target group. Invertebrate species’ distributions in Limpopo Province forests generally support the biogeographic theories of Pleistocene forest refugia and the Limpopo River valley as a radiation barrier, although some important contradictions were found. Local endemism in Limpopo Province forests is likely the product of historical processes. Although some significant relationships were found between surrogate and true measures, single taxon biodiversity indicators, the higher taxon method, morphospecies and land classes could not accurately predict patterns of target invertebrate species richness in Limpopo Province forests. Results show that formal species identification should be used if accurate richness estimates are desired; the use of surrogates is not supported by this study. Conservation of Limpopo Province forests is vital for the preservation of valuable invertebrate communities. No forest sampled in this study can be considered unimportant. Effective forest conservation and management is dependent upon the protection of forests of varying patch size, careful evaluation and control of utilization and the establishment and maintenance of corridors linking isolated forest patches. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.

Tallgrass prairie restoration is an important conservation activity in rural areas. However, little is known about prairie restoration in urban environments. The overall objective of this study was to characterize and better understand urban prairie restoration. This was carried out through an examination of 29 restoration sites within Winnipeg, Manitoba. The results indicated that actively restored urban prairies were successful and high in diversity. Multiple attributes of the restorations were examined as indicators of success including vegetation, the propagule bank and insects. However, not all attributes delivered equivocal results. This suggests that multiple measures should be used to assess a restoration site. Anthropogenic and biophysical variables were found to influence vegetation of the restorations equally, highlighting the importance of incorporating a human component in urban ecological research. These urban restorations were seen to surpass larger rural restorations in quality; thus, efforts should be made to increase their prevalence.

Classification of relevé data aims to present the best possible explanation of the vegetation within a specific study area. The variety of multivariate techniques available to classify vegetation into ecological communities has developed in recent years, which contributes to uncertainty among vegetation scientists as to which methods and computer software to select for optimum classification results. The wide application of the classical TWINSPAN algorithm along with the Braun-Blanquet approach of plant community descriptions and diagnostic species identification in southern Africa prompted a comparison of classification results between these classical approaches and a modern approach. The modern approach, as being referred to in this study, entails the recent improvement on the classical TWINSPAN algorithm, namely the Modified TWINSPAN algorithm in combination with statistical measures of species fidelity. Comparisons between classification end-results were undertaken at various spatial scales to test whether discrepancies between results obtained from the different approaches are similar when applied to a broad-scale synthesis, an intermediate synthesis and a local-scale classification within a similar vegetation type, the Mopaneveld. Such a comparative study is envisaged to present insight on the credibility of the use of classical approaches in phytosociology at various spatial scales. A modern approach was tested upon three previous vegetation classification studies which followed the classical approach. These vegetation classification studies were all undertaken at different spatial scales and are being referred to as the reference classifications. The data that were subjected to the modern approach were analogous to those used in the reference classifications. The computer package JUICE 7.0 was used in which the Modified TWINSPAN algorithm was applied in combination with statistical measures of species fidelity, which was obtained as a function directly in the JUICE program. Classification hierarchies were constructed for both the classical and modern approach results to compare and describe similarities and discrepancies between the different hierarchical dendrograms. Fidelity syntables were constructed to assist in the grouping of diagnostic species according to highest fidelity values. Such diagnostic species groups were compared with the lists of diagnostic species in the reference classifications. At the broadest spatial scale, comparisons revealed discrepancies between classification results from the classical and the modern approach. The modern approach presented a more robust synthesis of the Mopaneveld in southern Africa since the vegetation units and their associated diagnostic species are ecologically better expressed. The intermediate scale synthesis comparison revealed similar discrepancies, which again question the credibility of the classical approach at broader spatial scales. The application of the modern approach to the local scale classification, however, revealed little difference with the results obtained through the classical approach. Although more alternative classification techniques need to be applied to report on the most robust technique for vegetation classifications across spatial scales, it could be reported that the classical TWINSPAN algorithm is not favorable for vegetation classifications and syntheses beyond the local scale. The ecological reliability of the modern approach at the intermediate scale prompted its application in a synthesis of the riparian vegetation within the Mopane Bioregion of South Africa, which was not achieved in any previous study. Riparian vegetation plays an important role in maintaining good water quality and also provides habitat for many species. Riparian vegetation therefore needs to be classified and described. The synthesis of the riparian vegetation in the Mopane Bioregion of South Africa revealed six distinct plant communities which are described and discussed in terms of diagnostic, constant and dominant species along with variance in plant species diversity. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Botany))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

Biodiversity of epigeic beetles in urban and suburban areas was studied in the area of Český Krumlov (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Study confirmed the influence of urban-suburban gradient on the epigeic beetles. Every level of that gradient was characterized by indicator species.

Permanent grassland in agricultural landscapes represents an important position in terms of biodiversity. Becoming a habitat of endangered plant species, they are rich in flowering plants and also provide wintering territories to many animals. The aim of this study is to assess the biomass production of grassland for energy recovery, describe ways to use herbaceous biomass and impact of digestate on species composition and productivity of grassland. The experiment was conducted on the land in the village Dmýštice, located in the county of Písek. The site of fertilization by digestate is located near the village of Novosedly, county Strakonice. On these lands there were monitored ecological conditions of grasslands, dates and intensity of their use, botanical composition, species diversity and biomass production. Furthermore, this thesis uses methods of preservation of harvested biomass and comparing fertilized and unfertilized plots. The obtained data were used to calculate the Simpson index species diversity, nutrient and water mode positions. The values were statistically processed.

Communities of epigeic beetles were studied on five forest habitats with the different age structure in the Novohradské foothills area (Český Krumlov district, South Bohemia, Czech Republic). All studied habitats were found in three managed forests. The method of pitfall trapping was used for beetle sampling. There were 2735 specimens trapped. 25 beetles species were divided into two groups by its ecological preferences to the degree of human impact. Index of antropogenic influence had better values in two oldest studied habitats. Species diversity was higher in the oldest habitats too. The results indicate less human impact in mature managed forests than clearings and young managed forest stands.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-23T13:51:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Joao Paulo Fernandes Zorzanelli.pdf: 1847176 bytes, checksum: 78cb79a7776f3d01fe02a7b8991b5b16 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-08-30 / Os objetivos deste estudo foram listar as espécies de um trecho de Floresta Ombrófila Montana Serra do Valentim, verificar a distribuição geográfica das mesmas e analisar a estrutura e similaridade florística. Foram coletados materiais botânicos férteis de árvores, arbustos, ervas, epífitas, trepadeiras e lianas ao longo de trilhas e picadas em 25 idas a campo entre os anos de 2011 e 2012. Foi registrado um total de 391 espécies, 220 gêneros e 99 famílias. Dentre estas, 27 foram consideradas ameaçadas de extinção, três endêmicas para o estado do Espírito Santo e três possíveis novas para a ciência. O padrão geográfico mais encontrado foi o neotropical, embora muitas espécies (cerca de 10%) estivessem restritas à vegetação de Mata Atlântica do sudeste do Brasil. A estrutura da vegetação foi analisada num total de 10 transectos de dimensões 50 x 2 metros, sendo registrados todos os indivíduos (vivos e mortos), entre árvores, arbustos e lianas, com DAP≥2,5 cm. Foi mensurado o diâmetro para todos os indivíduos e a altura total foi estimada apenas para os indivíduos vivos. A similaridade florística foi estimada através do índice de Bray-Curtis e o algoritmo WPGMA foi utilizado para agrupar as vegetações referentes a 12 listagens florísticas. Foram encontradas 146 espécies, 95 gêneros e 53 famílias, sendo a espécie com maior valor de importância Euterpe edulis Mart. O índice de Shanon (H =3,60 nats/ind.) foi próximo ao encontrado para florestas bem preservadas da Mata Atlântica e o índice de Pielou (J=0,72) foi considerado elevado. Os valores de similaridade foram baixos revelando pouca consistência na análise de agrupamento. Os resultados demonstraram a grande lacuna existente em termos de conhecimento florístico para as vegetações do estado do Espírito Santo, bem como para a região do entorno do Caparaó, sugerindo um processo de intensificação de coletas e estudos estruturais e florísticos, em face da grande riqueza encontrada. A distinção da vegetação da Serra do Valentim em relação às demais analisadas representa a heterogeneidade existente ao longo da Mata Atlântica em resposta a diversos fatores, entre fisiográficos, edáficos, climáticos e altimétricos. Estes fatores contribuem para a formação de centros de diversidade pontuais restritos a pequenas regiões. Diante da riqueza encontrada, da flora ameaçada, do nível de endemismo e das possíveis novas espécies, a Serra do Valentim é merecedora de políticas de conservação / The objectives of this study were to list the species a stretch montane rain forest Serra do Valentim, verify the geographical distribution of the same and analyze the structure and floristic similarity. F ertile botanical materials were collected from trees, shrubs, herbs, epiphytes, vines and lianas along tracks and trails on 25 field trips between the years 2011 and 2012. A total of 391 species, 220 genera and 99 families were registered. Among these, 27 were considered endangered, three endemic to the state of Espírito Santo, and three possible new to science. The most geographical pattern found was neotropical, although many species (about 10%) were restricted to Atlantic Forest vegetation in southeastern Brazil. The vegetation structure was analyzed in a total of 10 transects of dimensions 50 x 2 meters, and recorded all individuals (living and dead), among trees, shrubs and lianas with DBH ≥ 2.5 cm. Diameter was measured for all individuals and the overall height was estimated only for individuals alive. The floristic similarity was estimated using the Bray-Curtis index and WPGMA algorithm was used to group the vegetation related to 12 floristic listings. Were found 146 species, 95 genera and 53 families, and the species with the highest importance value was Euterpe edulis Mart. The Shanon index (H = 3.60 nats / ind.) was close to that found for the unspoilt forests of the Atlantic Forest and the Pielou index (J = 0.72) was considered high. The similarity values were low revealing lacking consistency in cluster analysis. The results showed the large gap in terms of floristic knowledge to the vegetation of the state of Espírito Santo, as well as the area surrounding the Caparaó, suggesting a process of intensification of collections and floristic and structural studies, due to the great wealth found. The distinction of the vegetation from Serra do Valentim in relation the others analyzed represents the heterogeneity along the Atlantic in response to several factors, among physiographic, edaphic, climatic and altimetric. These factors contribute to the formation of punctual centers of diversity restricted to small regions. Given the wealth found, threatened flora, level of endemism and possible new species, Serra do Valentim is worthy of conservation policies

The aim of this work is to assess the influence of mowing and grazing with different frequency and fertilization on species composition, fodder value and bimas production. The experiment was carried out at the village of Hrazany, district of Písek in 2017. The ecological conditions of grasslands, terms and intensity of use, biomass production, botanical composition and species diversity were monitored on these parcels. The data obtained was used to calculate the Hill's Diversity Index, calculate the pasture load, and calculate the yield in dry matter. Non-fertilized plots reach the lowest yields. Most grasses are located on the soil fertilized with urine. The smallest disturbance and shortcomings appear on the pasture with the finch pasture. The values were statistically processed.

Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / Neste estudo, procuramos avaliar a composição e abundância de espécies de anfíbios e répteis em uma paisagem fragmentada de Mata Atlântica, no município de Cachoeiras de Macacu, Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Amostramos a herpetofauna da região na área contínua de floresta da Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu (REGUA), em 12 fragmentos do entorno com tamanhos e graus de isolamento diferentes, e áreas de pasto (matriz). Utilizamos para amostragem destes animais as metodologias de buscas ativas visuais e armadilhas de interceptação e queda, além de encontros ocasionais. No total foram registradas 55 espécies de anfíbios anuros pertencentes a 12 famílias e entre os répteis foram registradas 26 espécies, sendo uma espécie de anfisbena, uma de jacaré, nove de lagartos e 15 de serpentes. Para os anfíbios, houve uma dominância de espécies da família Hylidae, que representaram mais da metade do total de espécies encontradas no estudo. Já entre os répteis, houve uma predominância de espécies de serpentes da família Dipsadidae. Considerando apenas os registros feitos pelas metodologias empregadas, a área contínua de floresta da REGUA possui uma riqueza de espécies de anfíbios (N = 30) e de lagartos (N = 4) menor do que o conjunto de fragmentos (N = 36 e N = 8), mas superior ao que foi encontrado na matriz (N = 25 e N = 1). Entretanto, para os anfíbios, mais de um terço das espécies (N = 11) que ocorreu na mata contínua não ocorreu nos fragmentos ou na matriz, o que sugere que estas espécies podem ser mais sensíveis a alterações do hábitat. A maior riqueza de espécies encontrada no conjunto de fragmentos pode ser parcialmente explicada pelo fato de muitas espécies tanto de anfíbios quanto de lagartos que são típicas de áreas abertas, terem sua ocorrência favorecida neste tipo de condição de ambiente relativamente menos fechado dos fragmentos. Quando avaliamos o efeito de métricas da paisagem, observamos diferentes respostas entre os anfíbios e os lagartos. Enquanto para os anfíbios houve uma tendência de fragmentos mais distantes terem uma menor riqueza de espécies e de modos reprodutivos associados a estas espécies, para os lagartos a área dos fragmentos parece ser uma importante variável na estruturação das comunidades. Entretanto, por particularidades das características fisiológicas e ecológicas de anfíbios e lagartos, é possível que outros fatores expliquem a distribuição diferenciada das espécies. De forma geral, as áreas de matriz amostradas pareceram ser hostis a espécies florestais tanto de anfíbios quanto de lagartos. Além disso, para anfíbios, a presença de ambientes reprodutivos pode ser fator crucial para a ocorrência de algumas espécies. De forma similar ao encontrado em outros estudos, para a manutenção da diversidade de anfíbios e lagartos na paisagem fragmentada tratada neste estudo é necessário preservar o grande bloco florestal e aumentar a conectividade deste com os fragmentos, o que poderia permitir a área contínua servir de área-fonte de dispersores para os remanescentes florestais. / In this study, we evaluated the composition and abundance of species of reptiles and amphibians in a fragmented landscape of Atlantic Forest in the municipality of Cachoeiras de Macacu, Rio de Janeiro State. We sampled the herpetofauna of the region in continuous forest area of Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu (REGUA) in 12 fragments with different sizes and degrees of isolation, and pasture areas (matrix). For sampling amphibians and reptiles we used visual encounter surveys and pitfall traps, supplemented with records obtained in occasional encounters. In total we recorded 55 amphibians species belonging to 12 families and 26 reptiles species, being one amphisbenian, an alligator, nine lizards and 15 snakes. For the amphibians, there was a dominance of species of the family Hylidae, which accounted for over half the total species found in the study. Among reptiles, there was a predominance of species of snakes family Dipsadidae. Considering only the records made by the methodologies employed, the area of continuous forest of REGUA has a species richness of amphibians (N = 30) and lizards (N = 4) lower than the set of fragments conjunctly (N = 36 and N = 8), but higher than that found in the matrix (N = 25 and N = 1). However, for the amphibians, more than a third of species (N = 11) that occurred in the continuous forest did not occur in fragments or in the matrix, suggesting that these species may be more sensitive to changes in habitat. The highest species richness found in the set of fragments can be partly explained by the fact that many species both amphibians and lizards that are typical of open areas, have favored the occurrence of this type of condition relatively less closed environment of the fragments. When we evaluated the effect of landscape metrics, we found different responses between amphibians and lizards. While there was a trend for more distant fragments to keep a lower amphibian species richness and reproductive modes associated with these species, for the lizards, the size of the remnant area seemed to be an important variable in structuring communities. However, by peculiarities of the physiological and ecological characteristics of amphibians and lizards, it is possible that other factors explain the differential distribution of species. In general, the matrix areas sampled appeared to be hostile to both forest species of amphibians and lizards. In addition to amphibians, the presence of reproductive environments can be a crucial factor for the occurrence of some species. As found in other studies, to keep the species diversity of amphibians and lizards in fragmented landscape studied here it is necessary to preserve the large forest block and to increase its connectivity with the surrounding fragments, which could allow the continuous forest area to serve as area-source to dispersers for the smaller remnants.