Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The knowledge of the role of physical and biological processes on animal community distribution is influenced by the spatial scale adopted in ecological studies. Due the scarcity of studies of distributional patterns of benthic macroinvertebrates in multiple scales in tropical and subtropical regions, this paper analyzes the structure of benthic macroinvertebrate communities in different spatial scales (among small watersheds and different river orders of each watershed) and the influence of certain environmental variables on these communities. The sampling was performed with Surber sampler in the small watersheds of the Vacacaí-Mirim River (August, 2008), and the Ibicuí-Mirim and Tororaipí rivers (August 2009). In each watershed were selected four sampling sites following the longitudinal gradient (stretches of 1st, 2nd, 3th and 4th orders. The environmental factors analyzed were: water temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, substrate granulometry and presence of aquatic and riparian vegetation. A total of 10.985 individuals, 42 families and 129 taxa were collected and, in general, the dominant taxa were Simuliidae (14%), Naididae (13%), Cricotopus sp. 1 (13%), Cricotopus sp. 2 (8%) (Chironomidae), Paragripopteryx (5%) (Gripopterygidae) and Americabaetis (5%) (Baetidae) representing 58% of the total specimens collected. There were no differences in macroinvertebrate richness among watersheds, however, the community structure showed differences among the three watersheds. The stretches of 3th and 4th orders showed higher richness than the stretches of 1st and 2nd orders. Additionally, there was recorded difference among communities structure of different orders stretches (56%). In general the environmental variables that influenced the distribution of the communities were granulometry, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity and aquatic vegetation. The macroinvertebrates characteristic of 1st and 2nd order stretches of the Vacacaí-Mirim River and of 1st order of the Tororaipí River watersheds where influenced mainly by bigger granulometry and dissolved oxygen, while the macroinvertebrates associated to the 3th and 4th order stretches were influenced by the higher electrical conductivity. The small watersheds of the Ibicuí-Mirim (except the 2nd order stretch) and Tororaipí rivers (except the 1st and 4th order stretches) did not show difference concerning the river orders, and were associated to the smaller electrical conductivity and absence of aquatic vegetation. The 4th order stretches of the Tororaipí River was segregated of the other stretches due to its smaller granulometry. The granulometry did not influence the small watershed of the Ibicuí-Mirim and Tororaipí rivers (except the 4th order stretches) due to the presence of fine substrate, while the Vacacaí-Mirim River watershed showed coarse substrate. This difference is probably determined by the fact that the Vacacaí-Mirim River represents a tributary of a different and bigger hydrographic watershed, the Jacuí River Basin, while the others small watersheds represents tributaries of the Ibicuí River Basin. Possibly, the Jacuí River Basin have higher electrical conductvity, since this factor was high in all the sampled stretches, being encreased by the proximity to urban areas with domestic sewage and agricultural activities near the river banks. In the small watersheds of the Ibicuí-Mirim and Tororaipí rivers, the difference between the community structures is possibly related to environmental features, such as finer substrate in both rivers and well developed riparian vegetation in the Tororaipí River. / As percepções dos processos físicos e biológicos dependem da escala em que as observações são feitas. Devido à escassez de estudos sobre os padrões de distribuição de macroinvertebrados bentônicos em múltiplas escalas em regiões tropicais e subtropicais, o objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a estruturação das comunidades de macroinvertebrados bentônicos em diferentes escalas espaciais (entre microbacias e entre trechos de diferentes ordens de cada riacho) e identificar a influência de variáveis ambientais sobre a estruturação dessas comunidades. A amostragem foi realizada com amostrador tipo Surber, nas microbacias dos rios Vacacaí-Mirim (agosto de 2008), Ibicuí-Mirim e Tororaipí (agosto de 2009). Em cada microbacia foram selecionados quatro pontos de coleta segundo gradiente longitudinal (trechos de 1ª, 2ª, 3ª e 4ª ordens). Em cada ponto de coleta foram amostradas as variáveis ambientais: temperatura da água, pH, condutividade elétrica, oxigênio dissolvido, granulometria do substrato e presença de vegetação aquática e ripária. Um total de 10.985 indivíduos, 42 famílias e 129 táxons foram coletados, sendo que os táxons dominantes foram Simuliidae (14%), Naididae (13%), Cricotopus sp. 1 (13%), Cricotopus sp. 2 (8%) (Chironomidae) e Paragripopteryx (5%) (Gripopterygidae) e Americabaetis (5%) (Baetidae), perfazendo 58% da abundância total. Não houve diferença na riqueza entre as microbacias, entretanto ocorreu diferença na estrutura das comunidades das três microbacias. As microbacias dos rios Tororaipí e Ibicuí-Mirim apresentaram menor diferença entre si, que em relação à microbacia do Rio Vacacaí-Mirim. Os trechos de 3ª e 4ª ordens apresentaram maior riqueza que os trechos de 1ª e 2ª ordens. Adicionalmente, ocorreu diferença na estrutura das comunidades entre os trechos amostrados (56%), sendo que apenas os trechos de 2ª e 3ª ordens não apresentaram diferença significativa entre si. De modo geral, as variáveis ambientais que influenciaram a distribuição da comunidade foram a granulometria, a concentração de oxigênio dissolvido, a condutividade elétrica e a vegetação aquática. Os macroinvertebrados típicos dos trechos de 1ª e 2ª ordens da microbacia do Rio Vacacaí-Mirim e de 1ª ordem do Rio Tororaipí foram influenciados principalmente pela maior granulometria e concentração de oxigênio dissolvido, enquanto os associados aos trechos de 3ª e 4ª ordens foram influenciados pela maior condutividade elétrica. As microbacias dos rios Ibicuí-Mirim (exceto o trecho de 2ª ordem) e Tororaipí (exceto os trechos de 1ª e 4ª ordens) não apresentaram diferença quanto às ordens, sendo associadas à menor condutividade elétrica e à ausência de vegetação aquática. A granulometria não influenciou a diferenciação das microbacias dos rios Ibicuí-Mirim e Tororaipí (exceto o trecho de 4ª ordem), pois ambos possuem substrato mais fino, enquanto a microbacia do Rio Vacacaí-Mirim apresenta substrato pedregoso. Isto provavelmente se deve ao fato do Rio Vacacaí-Mirim pertencer a uma bacia hidrográfica diferente (Bacia do Rio Jacuí) das demais microbacias (Bacia do Rio Ibicuí). Possivelmente a maior condutividade elétrica seja típica da primeira Bacia, visto que esta foi maior em todos os trechos amostrados, sendo aumentada ainda pela proximidade da área urbana, com despejo de efluentes domésticos, assim como pela presença de agricultura próxima às margens. Nas microbacias dos rios Ibicuí-Mirim e Tororaipí a diferenciação da estrutura da comunidade encontrada deve ocorrer devido às características ambientais, como presença de substrato mais fino em ambos os rios e maior quantidade de vegetação ripária no Rio Tororaipí

When analyzing ecological data, one considers traditional multivariate techniques to be unsuitable. The use of dissimilarity coefficients and distance matrices is a way, how to solve this problem. In this work we present some of these coefficients and distance-based tests: Mantel test, several versions of ANOSIM and MRPP tests and distance-based test for homogeneity of multivariate dispersions. We focus on relationships among these tests and illustrate the use with an example. We also discuss the difficulties of interpretation of the results of these tests.

Savanna woodlands are vitally important in providing ecological services (e.g. erosion protection, micro-climate) and economic services (e.g. timber, food, fodder non-wood products, and wild-life habitats) that sustain local livelihoods and national economies. Increasing demands and the need for sustainable savanna woodland resource management requires that the ecological, economic, social and cultural values of these resources be explored and brought to the attention of decision makers and the general public. The identification and better understanding of the structure and dynamics of woodland community types, patterns of species distribution and quantitative properties of their diversity is important to the conservation and sustainable management of these woodlands. This study seeks to contribute to a better understanding of Nakasongola woodland community types, species diversity patterns and environment correlates, natural regeneration processes (i.e. sprouting and seedling establishment) and identifying livelihood strategies adopted by households, woody species utilised, and the contribution of charcoal production to household livelihoods. Data on vegetation and environmental variables were collected using 75 rectangular 20 x 50 m (0.1 ha) plots. Data on land use and land cover changes, and relevant associated socio-economic parameters were collected through the analysis of multi-temporal satellite imagery and field observations, as well as interviews of local households and key informants. The basic major livelihood activities for the rural households in this savanna dryland are charcoal production, subsistence crop cultivation and livestock grazing. However, it, sometimes, includes various combinations of activities, i.e. charcoal production and subsistence crop cultivation for both food and cash, and livestock keeping for income generation through selling the livestock products such as milk and, sometimes, the whole animal. At least 24 woody species, including fruit trees (Mangifera indica and Artocarpus heterophyllus), are frequently harvested, including 16 species that are considered the most utilized for charcoal production. Charcoal production, being the major source of income to the rural households, contributes on average US$ 259 ± 46 (S.E.) per household annually. There were significant differences in charcoal production (Kruskal-Wallis; H = 31.42, p < 0.0001), producer sale prices per bag of charcoal (H = 35.62, p < 0.0001), and annual incomes from charcoal production (H = 32.44, p < 0.0001) per households across the 8 sub-counties. Most of the youth (≤ 20 years old) derive their livelihoods from charcoal production, a small amount of trade, offering labour services, livestock keeping, fishing, bee keeping and earth brick making. Charcoal production, livestock keeping and hunting are carried out particularly by men, whereas, crop cultivation, and collection of fire wood, medicinal plants and fruits are carried out, mainly, by women. However, men are also engaged in cultivation only during the rainy seasons. There have been significant land cover changes in the area during the period 1984 to 2001, resulting in a 64% decrease in dense woodland cover, and an 80% increase in areas under cultivation/settlements. These changes are attributed to significant spatial expansion in agriculture increased commercialisation of charcoal production, grazing and human population growth. A total of 44,195 (5,893 plants/ha) woody plants representing 99 species in 67 genera and 31 families were recorded. The most species rich families were Mimosaceae (13), Rubiaceae (9), Moraceae (7), Euphorbiaceae (7), Anacardiaceae (6), Combretaceae (5) and Verbenaceae (5). Density of woody species differed significantly (F2, 72 = 6.3, P < 0.003) among land uses, being higher under charcoal production (7,131 ± 755 plants/ha) and cultivation (6,612 ± 665) areas and significantly lower under grazing lands (4,152 ± 525). Community species composition differed significantly (Global RANOSIM = 0.14, p = 0.001) among land use types. All measures of beta-diversity (spatial “turnover” in species composition) showed consistently higher beta-diversity in the grazing land use (βW = 3.1; βT = 3.1), followed by cultivation (βW = 2.8; βT = 3.0) and charcoal production (βW = 2.7; βT = 2.8), suggesting a more heterogeneous spatial distribution of species in the grazing lands. This suggests that variations in the composition and diversity of woody species are to a great extent influenced by land use type and anthropogenic disturbances in this region. Basal area of woody species differed significantly (F2, 72 = 12.0, P < 0.0001) among land uses, being highest under cultivation and charcoal production and significantly lower under grazing. Woody plant density differed (F2,72 = 6.3, P = 0.003) across landuses, being highest under charcoal production and cultivation and significantly lower under grazing. The species that contributed most to both basal area and density across all the land uses were Combretum collinum and Combretum molle. However, different species contributed the next most i.e. Piliostigma thonningii for grazing; Albizia zygia and Harrisonia abyssinica for cultivation and Vepris nobilis for charcoal production areas. For both basal area and abundance of all woody species, the total variance in species-environmental factor relations (for the combined first four canonical axes) was higher than 50%, suggesting a relatively strong influence of the measured environment variables on species composition and distributions. The CCA points to a significant influence of soil Ca2+ and Mg2+ in association with grazing on gradients in the composition and structure of woody species in the savanna woodland of Nakasongola. Resprouting was generally common among the woody species. A total of 2,595 stumps, representing 74 species in 31 families were recorded from all plots. Of these, 98.3% resprouted and were identified to species level. Density of both stumps and total resprout differed significantly (p < 0.05) among the land uses, being higher in charcoal production areas than in grazing and cultivation land uses. For the overall pooled data, resprouts per stump differed significantly among land uses (F2, 456 = 7.75, p = 0.0005), being highest in charcoal production (mean ± S.E.; 14 ± 1) and cultivation (13 ± 1) land uses and lowest under grazing areas (10 ± 1). Generally, the mean number of resprouts per stump increased with increasing stump basal diameter (BD), being highest for BD size class > 41 cm. In relation to stump height, the highest mean resprouts/stump was found on stumps with heights ranging from 0.31- 0.40 m. Based on pooled species data, regression analyses showed weakly significant negative relationships between BD of leading resprouts and number of resprouts/stump (r2 = 0.123, p < 0.0001) and between height of leading resprouts and number of resprouts/stump (r2 = 0.068, p < 0.0001). Density of seedlings of woody species differed significantly among land use types (ANOVA; F2, 72 =5.9, p = 0.004), being highest for cultivation (3,162 ± 440 individuals ha-1), followed by charcoal production (2,416 ± 295 ha-1) and lowest for grazing (1,629 ± 205 ha-1). Composition of seedlings differed significantly among land use types (Global RANOSIM = 0.119, p = 0.001). The distributions and densities of some seedlings were explained by gradients in environmental variables, with edaphic factors (i.e. Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and organic matter) and charcoal production being the most important. The first two axes of the Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) explained 41.9% of the variance in species – environmental relations and were a reflection of edaphic and charcoal production land use gradients. All of the 16 highly utilized species were well represented in both the juvenile and adult classes, with gradually declining number of individuals with increasing stem size-class. This indicates that most of these species have high regeneration potential. Juvenile:adult tree ratios >1 and negative DSCD slopes indicate good recruitment and probably successful regeneration for these species. The study revealed land cover changes mainly in the dense and medium dense woodlands, reflected by the increase in open woodland, grasslands and cultivation/settlements. These trends threaten the livelihoods of local communities who are entirely dependent on these natural resources. Sustainable management will require the establishment of suitable integrated community-based institutions and management practices, with support from all key stakeholders (i.e. National Forest Authority (NFA)) and local communities. Maintenance of savanna woodland resources and other ecosystem services essential for human well-being will require an effective legal framework to prevent over-exploitation and give incentives for the protection of the fragile savanna woodland vegetation. An appropriate savanna woodland management policy will be required to guide changes in land use that accommodate the requirements of land users, aided by targeted conservation efforts to all woody plants and particularly for the highly utilized species for charcoal production as well as the multipurpose species. In addition, there is urgent need to build local capacity for improved harvesting and utilization of these tree species. This can be achieved through equipping local users with up to date information as well as observing the existing skills.

MSc (Zoology) / Department of Zoology / See the attached abstract below

Soil microbial communities are affected extensively by addition of amendments to their environment. Of particular concern is the addition of poultry litter, which contains a substantial C, energy, and nutrient supply, but also antibiotic resistance genes (ARG), antimicrobials, and a multitude of microbial species. This project seeks to primarily assess if there is a change in bacterial community structure in response to poultry litter amendments to pasture land across geographically independent land across northern Georgia. It may be that changes in the relative abundance of bacterial communities also result in alteration in ARGs, and the community resistance to antibiotics (“resistome”) which in turn increases the potential threat of antibiotic resistance genes. While another part of this study will determine changes in integrons and specific ARGs, this project will focus on changes in bacterial communities and the potential functional changes in the community, which in turn have consequences for ARG levels and its horizontal transfer to various members of the soil community. Addition of waste from livestock is a historical method for increasing nutrients needed in the soil for the cultivation of crops, and in turn causes pronounced shifts in soil microbial communities due to the addition of large amounts of carbon, nutrients, foreign microbes, and other material. This study is unique because it utilizes a novel and relatively large landscape-scale to determine if there are discernable and repeatable patterns of bacterial community structure change in response to amendment regardless of exact soil type or source of chicken litter amendment. In the future, these data can also provide insight into the changes in the relative abundance antibiotic related genes associated with community change. / M.S. / Soil is complicated, both in terms of its physical makeup and the organisms that live inside of it. Predicting changes in soil based on the addition of foreign material such as chemicals or biological waste is not an easy process, and whether or not it is even possible to reliably predict those changes is a matter of some dispute. This study is designed to illustrate that such changes can in fact be reliably and consistently predicted even with regard to the addition of complicated materials to the soil. In this study, specifically, the material in question is chicken litter. A mix of the bedding and waste produced by chickens, litter is commonly handled by composting and is added to soil in farms as a fertilizer rich in organic matter. It is possible to point at specific elements of the soil such as the chemistry and bacteria and see how it is changed with the addition of chicken litter, which allows us to determine the nature and extent of the change that chicken litter has on soil. This study is conducted on a larger scale than similar experiments conducted in the past, making it apparent that these relationships exist on a repeated basis. It is the object of this study to pave the way and make it easier for scientists in the future to determine these relationships in other unique contexts.

Budongo Forest Reserve (BFR) is a flagship reserve for primate conservation due to its abundant chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) population, and its current management policy for multiple economic, conservation and environmental benefits. The identification and better understanding of the structure and dynamics of the forest/plant community types, patterns of species distribution and quantitative properties of their diversity is important to the conservation and sustainable management of tropical rainforests. This study seeks to contribute to a better understanding of the BFR forest community types, species diversity patterns and environmental correlates, as well as natural regeneration processes (i.e. seedling establishment and sprouting). Data on vegetation and environmental variables were collected using rectangular 50 x 100m (0.5 ha) plots, sub-divided into five equal contiguous (20 x 50 m) 0.1 ha sub-plots. Data on land-use/cover changes, and relevant associated socio-economic parameters were collected through the analysis of multi-temporal satellite imagery and field observations, as well as interviews of local households and key informants. The study revealed significant land-use/cover changes, with the area under sugarcane cultivation increasing over 17-fold, from 690 ha in 1988 to 12729 ha in 2002, with a concomitant loss of about 4680 ha (8.2% loss) of forest/woodland, mainly in the southern part of BFR. These changes are attributed to agricultural expansion, a rapidly increasing human population, exacerbated by large influxes of refugees, lack of alternative sources of income, conflicts of interest and political interference in the management of BFR, and an unclear land tenure system. The need for more land for agricultural expansion and the loss of woodlands (a source of building materials and fuelwood for the local communities) is leading to the invasion of and encroachment on BFR, which threatens plant and wild animal conservation. The study revealed that the vegetation of BFR is formed by a mosaic of plant communities, with the major forest types being; Pseudospondias microcarpa Swamp Forest, Funtumia elastica - Pouteria altissima, Lasiodiscus mildbraedi - Khaya anthotheca and Cynometra alexandri - Rinorea ilicifolia forest communities. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicated that soil nutrients (Si, Ca, N, Fe and Li) and anthropogenic disturbances are the main factors controlling forest community patterns. The variances explained as a proportion of total inertia were relatively high (0.53 and 0.56 for basal area and abundance, respectively), showing how well the measured variables explained species composition. These plant communities differed significantly in terms of woody species diversity and richness; being highest in the Pseudospondias microcarpa swamp and lowest in the Cynometra alexandri-Rinorea ilicifolia forest. However, about 48 species were shared between the forest community types. A total of 269 species representing 171 genera and 51 families was recorded. Fisher’s alpha-diversity ranged 4.45-30.59 and 3.07-29.7 for stem diameters ≥2.0 cm and ≥10 cm, respectively, being significantly higher for stem diameters ≥2.0 cm. The use of stem diameters ≥2.0 cm unveiled 53 more species (19.7%), with only 216 species recorded for the standard ≥10 cm dbh minimum size usually applied in tropical forests. A SHE analysis also showed greater richness (ln(S)) and H diversity for the >2.0 cm than the ≥10cm stem diameters. Hence, the study reaffirmed that the use of 10 cm as a minimum dbh in woody plant diversity studies in forests, where many tree species rarely exceed 10 cm stem diameter, is highly likely to underestimate diversity and richness, potentially biasing the understanding of diversity patterns. The most speciose families were Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Rubiaceae, Moraceae, Meliaceae, Rutaceae, Annonaceae, and Flacourtiaceae, accounting for 147 species. Families with the highest Familial Importance values (FIV) were; Fabaceae (17.5), followed by Euphorbiaceae (16.3), and Ulmaceae (8.35). The BFR exhibits characteristics intermediate between log-normal and log-series species-abundance distributions, indicating a community with a small number of abundant species and a relatively large proportion of rare species. Both Whittaker’s (βw) and the Morisita-Horn Index measures of β-diversity consistently showed higher β-diversity for logged and arboricide treated areas, followed by logged only, and then nature reserve historical management practice types. β-diversity was relatively high at the total forest community scale, but lower for stem diameter ≥2.0 cm than ≥10.0 cm data. Environmental variables significantly explained 66.5% and 61.9% of the variance in species composition for stem diameter ≥2.0 cm and ≥10.0 cm data, respectively. Hence, the variation in species composition of BFR is characterised by significant spatial patterns, and the patterns in β-diversity are to a great extent associated with environmental heterogeneity (i.e. soil nutrients, topographic and light gradients) and anthropogenic disturbances. Investigation of natural regeneration showed that sprouting is generally common among the woody species, with both canopy and sub-canopy trees sprouting prolifically. Of the 122 species affected by ii harvesting, and tree and branch fall disturbances, 199 (97.5%) from 31 families sprouted from the cut stumps, with only Caloncoba crepiniana (De Wild. & Th.Dur.) Gilg exhibiting both stem and root sprouting. Stump basal diameter, height, bark-thickness, and height of stump above the ground at which the first sprout emerged, were significant predictors of sprouting ability among individuals. Number of sprouts/stump differed significantly among families, species, and stump size-classes. Of the 241 seedling species, representing 46 families, about 30.3% were rare (only 2-10 individuals); while 12% were very rare (only 1 individual each). Cynometra alexandri C.H. Wright and Lasiodiscus mildbraedii Engl. were the most abundant seedlings and also among the most widely distributed species in the forest. Analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) revealed significant differences in seedling composition between transects, but not between topographic positions or historical management practice types. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) showed that the measured environmental variables significantly explained 59.4% of the variance in seedling species distributions, with the three most important variables being organic matter, titanium and leaf area index (LAI; an indicator of light availability below the canopy). Hence, the important mechanisms influencing regeneration via seedlings in BFR operate through the soil system, and the ground and canopy vegetation characteristics. Nine of the 15 intensively studied multiple-use species, namely L. mildbraedii, Celtis Mildbraedii Engl., Pouteria altissima (A. Chiev.) Aubrev. & Pellegr., Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don., C. alexandri, Diospyros abyssinica (Hiern) F. White, Funtumia elastica (Preuss) Stapf., Chrysophyllum perpulchrum Hutch. & Dalz, and Antiaris toxicaria (Pers.) Lesch. had highly negative size-class distribution (SCD) slopes and substantial seedling regeneration. While Alstonia boonei De Wild. and Cordia millenii Bak. had weakly negative SCD slopes and pulsed or sporadic regeneration patterns. The wide distribution of seedlings for a variety of species, and with most of the intensively studied species having population structures showing healthy regeneration patterns, suggests that BFR is currently experiencing a continuous regeneration phase. In conclusion, the gradients in the vegetation of BFR are a reflection not only of site conditions as shown by the edaphic and abiotic factors, but also the history of human interventions.