Submitted by Lara Oliveira (lara@ufersa.edu.br) on 2017-03-23T20:53:27Z No. of bitstreams: 1 LianaMPC_DISSERT.pdf: 2474434 bytes, checksum: f2bb5ffb379f9469038f03a2e7fdd955 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Vanessa Christiane (referencia@ufersa.edu.br) on 2017-04-13T14:58:23Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 LianaMPC_DISSERT.pdf: 2474434 bytes, checksum: f2bb5ffb379f9469038f03a2e7fdd955 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Vanessa Christiane (referencia@ufersa.edu.br) on 2017-04-13T14:58:34Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 LianaMPC_DISSERT.pdf: 2474434 bytes, checksum: f2bb5ffb379f9469038f03a2e7fdd955 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-13T14:58:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LianaMPC_DISSERT.pdf: 2474434 bytes, checksum: f2bb5ffb379f9469038f03a2e7fdd955 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / In semiarid regions, as the Caatinga, the rains distribution can determine the food availability and the intensity of hydric stress. This, with frequency, affects breeding aspects of birds, as time, length and reproduction intensity. In this study we have tested the hypothesis: (1) The breeding of the sampled species is restricted to the rainy season characteristic of the region; (2) Intra-annual variations in the rains’ volume and frequency are correlated with the quantity of individuals and species reproducing; (3) the species of the community reproducing in a way temporally jointly, independent of the feeding guilds. The study was accomplished in Caatinga’s region, with assessments every 14 days of brood patch occurrence. Three reproductive cycles was studied between september-2012 and october-2015. It was utilized the Cross-Correlation Function – CCF to verify the relation existing between the rains and the breeding birds. Altogether, 46 species (377 records) were observed with patches. The reproduction occurred in a seasonal way between february and july, with 94% of the records of patches restricted to the period. The intensity and duration of the breeding (total of individuals and species) was significantly correlated with the rains, when considered the time lag of 14 days. The length (140, 168, and 154 days) and time (march/02 to july/20, February/01 to july/19, February/12 to july/18) of breeding differed between three reproductive cycles. The analysis by feeding guild (insectivore-restrictive, insectivore-frugivorous, insectivore-granivorous and omnivorous) resulted in a similar pattern to general, mainly when it’s considered the correlation and time lag with the rains. Our study indicates that the breeding birds in the Caatinga’s area studied it was not just, generally, related to rainy seasons, as it was break out via answer of short deadline to the rainfall intensity. Including having it period, length and intensity regulated by this climatic factor or by other factors correlated to rains (g.e. food availability) / Em regiões semiáridas, como a Caatinga, a distribuição das chuvas pode determinar a disponibilidade do alimento e a intensidade do estresse hídrico. Isso, com frequência, afeta aspectos reprodutivos das aves, tais como época, comprimento e intensidade da reprodução. Neste estudo, testamos as hipóteses: (1) A reprodução das espécies amostradas é restrita ao período chuvoso característico da região; (2) variações intra-anuais no volume e na frequência das chuvas estão correlacionadas com a quantidade de indivíduos e espécies se reproduzindo; (3) as espécies da comunidade se reproduzem de forma temporalmente conjunta, independentemente da guilda alimentar. O estudo foi realizado em uma região de Caatinga, com avaliações a cada 14 dias de ocorrência de placa de incubação. Três ciclos reprodutivos foram estudados entre set-2012 e out-2015. Foi utilizada a Função de Correlação Cruzada (Cross-correlation Function – CCF) para verificar a existência de relação entre as chuvas e a reprodução das aves. Ao todo, 46 espécies (377 registros) foram observadas com placas. A reprodução ocorreu de forma sazonal entre fevereiro e julho, com 94% dos registros de placas restritos ao período. A intensidade e a duração da reprodução (total de indivíduos e de espécies) foram significativamente correlacionadas com as chuvas, quando considerado o time lag de 14 dias. O comprimento (140, 168 e 154 dias) e a época (02/mar a 20/jul, 01/fev a 19/jul, 13/fev a 18/jul) da reprodução diferiram entre os três ciclos reprodutivos. As análises por guilda alimentar (insetívoro-restritivo, insetívoro-frugívoro, insetívoro-granívoros e onívoros) resultaram em padrão semelhante ao geral, principalmente quando considerada a correlação e time lag com as chuvas. Nosso estudo indica que a reprodução das aves na área de Caatinga estudada não só esteve, de modo geral, relacionada às épocas chuvosas, como foi deflagrada via resposta de curto prazo à intensidade da precipitação. Inclusive, tendo seus períodos, comprimentos e intensidades regulados por este fator climático ou por outros fatores correlacionados às chuvas (e.g. disponibilidade de alimento) / 2017-03-23

The thesis concerns the community structure of saproxylic insects with a heavy focus on beetles. It presents a review on change of insect assemblages along small-to-large scale gradients and the importance of saproxylic organisms in forest ecosystems. The fine-scale vertical stratification of saproxylic beetles assemblages and their differences between forests habitats of different latitude and altitude are investigated. Further, the importance of open-grown trees for saproxylic diversity is assessed.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:29:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2880.pdf: 4933136 bytes, checksum: 04da1395a352e195207e8a79539aeb19 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-02-26 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / The studies on the diversity and functional role of benthic macroinvertebrates in lake ecosystems can provide relevant informations regarding the functioning and the health of these freshwater ecosystems. The aim of this study was to analyze the Tropeiros Lake, located in the municipality of Capitólio (MG), performing a limnological evaluation of the ecosystem and ecological investigation on the diversity of the benthic macroinvertebrate community. Thus, changes in the taxonomical composition, abundance, diversity, biomass and the taxa participation in the trophic functional groups were analyzed. Water and sediment were sampled in October 2006 and 2007 (dry periods) and in March 2007 and 2008 (rainy periods). The results evidenced that Tropeiros Lake is a shallow environment with maximum depth of 3 m, densely colonized by macrophytes and with high water transparency. It has low concentration of nitrogen with predominance of the ammonium ion, low concentrations of phosphorus being organic phosphate the predominant compound, low pH values with water varying from neutral to slightly acid and moderate water electrical conductivity. The sediment has high clay and organic matter contents. The Discriminant Analysis separated the sampling periods, grouping the similar rainy periods but separating the dry ones. According to the trophic state index the lake was classified as oligotrophic during the rainy periods and mesotrophic during the dry periods. Benthic community was composed by 81 taxa, mainly represented by the members of the Order Diptera, especially those belonging to the families Chironomidae and Chaoboridae. The trophic guild of collectors was the most representative, with minimum abundance of 57.2%, with the taxa Chironomus sp, Goeldichironomus sp and Tanytarsus sp, followed by that of the predators, having Chaoborus and Ablabesmyia sp as the main taxa. The mean biomass determined for the macroinvertebrate community of Tropeiros Lake was 0.94 g. m-2. Except Chironomus sp, that was abundant, regarding both, numbers and biomass, a different condition was observed for the taxa as Pisidium pulchellum, Melanoides tuberculata and a Libellulidae nymph that were numerically less abundant but contributed significantly for the total biomass. Regarding the trophic guilds, predators was more representative in the periods of October 2006 and March 2007 than the collector guild, in terms of biomass. The same was observed regarding the macroinvertebrates contribution to the biomass in each trophic guild, where predators were more abundant than collectors in October 2006 and March 2007, evidencing the importance of this approach in ecological studies. The method based on K-dominance curves (ABC curves) indicated that Tropeiros Lake is under moderate perturbation according to the cumulative values of abundance and biomass. This results corroborates those obtained for lake trophic state index, based on the mean biomass when compared to environments of different trophic states and with the species composition, formed by both, group of tolerant species as well as those more sensible to adverse environmental conditions. / A diversidade e o papel funcional dos táxons que compõem a comunidade de macroinvertebrados bentônicos dos sistemas lacustres podem fornecer informações importantes sobre a saúde e funcionamento destes ecossistemas de água doce. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar limnologicamente a Lagoa dos Tropeiros, em Capitólio (MG), e realizar um estudo ecológico da diversidade dos macroinvertebrados bentônicos, avaliando a densidade, abundância, biomassa e participação dos táxons nas guildas tróficas funcionais. Para isso foram avaliadas as mudanças na composição taxonômica, na diversidade e na ocorrência sazonal da comunidade bentônica desse sistema. As amostras de água e de sedimento foram coletadas em outubro de 2006 e de 2007 (períodos secos) e em março de 2007 e de 2008 (períodos chuvosos). Os resultados indicaram que a lagoa caracterizou-se como sendo um ambiente raso, com profundidade máxima de 3m, grande quantidade de macrófitas aquáticas, elevada transparência da água, reduzidas concentrações de compostos de nitrogênio, com predominância do íon amônio, e baixas concentrações de fósforo com predomínio de fosfato orgânico, valores de pH variando de neutros a ligeiramente ácidos, condutividade moderada e elevados teores de argila e de matéria orgânica no sedimento. A Análise Discriminante evidenciou a separação dos períodos de amostragem, sendo que os períodos chuvosos foram muito semelhantes, diferentemente do observado para os períodos secos que se diferenciaram por diferentes características ambientais. De acordo com o Índice de Estado Trófico a lagoa foi classificada como um ambiente oligotrófico durante os períodos chuvosos e mesotrófico durante os períodos de seca. A comunidade bentônica foi composta por 81 táxons, sendo representada principalmente por organismos pertencentes à ordem Diptera, especialmente das famílias Chironomidae e Chaoboridae. A guilda trófica dos coletores foi a mais representativa, com abundância mínima de 57,2%, sendo os principais representantes os táxons Chironomus sp, Goeldichironomus sp e Tanytarsus sp, seguida pelos predadores com Chaoborus sp e Ablabesmyia sp como os principais táxons. A biomassa média calculada para a comunidade de invertebrados bentônicos na lagoa foi de 0,94 g. m-2. Com exceção de Chironomus sp, que foi abundante em termos de número de indivíduos e também de biomassa, observou-se uma condição diferente para táxons como Pisidium pulchellum, Melanoides tuberculata e uma ninfa de Libellulidae os quais foram pouco abundantes numericamente, mas apresentaram uma elevada participação na composição da biomassa total. O mesmo foi observado para a participação dos macroinvertebrados em biomassa nas guildas tróficas, onde os predadores foram mais abundantes que os coletores em outubro de 2006 e março de 2007, demonstrando a importância dessa abordagem em estudos ecológicos. O método baseado em curvas de k-dominância (curvas ABC) indicou que a Lagoa dos Tropeiros encontra-se moderadamente perturbada, de acordo com os valores cumulativos de abundância de indivíduos e biomassa. Tal resultado confirma aqueles obtidos para o índice de estado trófico, para os valores de biomassa média quando comparados com ambientes de diferentes graus de trofia e com a composição das espécies presentes, formada tanto por grupos tolerantes como também por aqueles mais sensíveis às condições ambientais adversas.

Submitted by Izabel Franco (izabel-franco@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-12T14:09:32Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DissADR.pdf: 3112844 bytes, checksum: 492cfa5d60047863addb66d26a0d90ef (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-12T18:53:53Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissADR.pdf: 3112844 bytes, checksum: 492cfa5d60047863addb66d26a0d90ef (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-12T18:54:00Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissADR.pdf: 3112844 bytes, checksum: 492cfa5d60047863addb66d26a0d90ef (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-12T18:54:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissADR.pdf: 3112844 bytes, checksum: 492cfa5d60047863addb66d26a0d90ef (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-04-29 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / The objective of the present study was to analyze the taxonomic composition and structure of a bat assemblage of Gruta do Riacho Subterrâneo, a granitic cave located the municipality of Itu, São Paulo State, Brazil, and to verify the influence of abiotic variables on its structure. The main hypotheses were: a) The cave studied is important to the regional diversity of bats functioning as a shelter to some important bat species. b) There are changes in the composition and abundance of the bat assemblages as a consequence of abiotics changes observed in the studied area. Five samplings were carried out along the twelve months.The captures were performed using mist nets and bats were measured and ringed. The catch effort, relative abundances, the species acumulation curve and the influence of abiotic variables on chiropterofauna were determined. The influence of abiotics variables were analysed by multiple regression and canonic correspondence analysis, performed in the R program. A total of 113 individuals were captured in the cave and its surrounding area, from which more than 80% belonged to the family Phyllostomidae and the remaining to the Vespertilionidae. The acumulation curve for the samples indicated that the assymptotic portion of the curve was not reached. The most abundant species were Carollia perspicillata (30,8%), Desmodus rotundus (29.%) and Myotis sp. (23.4%) whereas some other species as Anoura geoffroyi, Micronycteris sp., Chiroderma doriae, Sturnira tildae and Eptesicus diminutus had single events of capture. There was no significant relationship between the abiotic variables measured and the community structure along the time, indicating that probably other factors might be influencing the population dynamics. The cave community has high species richness encompassing five important trophic guilds, particularly the frugivorous one, revealing the importance of the Gruta do Riacho Subterrâneo cave for the conservation opf local diversity. Based on the functional aspects of thisconservation and also restauration of the cave surrounding area will be essential to diversity conservation for this important group of mammals. / O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar a composição e a estrutura da assembleia de morcegos na Gruta do Riacho Subterrâneo uma caverna granítica localizada no município de Itu, SP, bem como a influência de variáveis abióticas (temperatura, umidade relativa e pluviosidade) sobre a mesma, As hipóteses foram: A caverna estudada possui grande importância como abrigo para as espécies de morcegos da fauna regional e b): Existem alterações na composição e na abundância das populações que compõem a assembleia de morcegos analisada decorrentes de mudanças abióticas observáveis na área de estudo. Foram realizadas cinco amostragens ao longo de doze meses. A captura foi feita por redes de neblina e os morcegos foram mensurados e anilhados. Foram calculados o esforço de captura, a curva de acumulação de espécies e a abundância relativa das espécies e analisada a influência das variáveis abióticas sobre a quiropterofauna. Para avaliar a influência das variáveis abióticas foram feitas uma regressão múltipla e uma correspondência canônica, no programa R. Foram coletados 113 indivíduos na caverna e em seu entorno, dos quais mais de 80% pertencem a família Phyllostomidae e o restante à família Vespertilionidae. A curva de acumulação não atingiu o valor assintótico, sugerindo que a riqueza de espécies deve ser maior. As espécies mais abundantes foram Carollia perspicillata (30,8%), Desmodus rotundus (29,6%) e Myotis sp. (23,4%), enquanto algumas outras espécies como Anoura geoffroyi, Micronycteris sp., Chiroderma doriae, Sturnira tildae e Eptesicus diminutus tiveram eventos únicos de captura. As variáveis abióticas não influenciaram significativamente a estrutura da comunidade ao longo dos meses, indicando que outros fatores influenciam a dinâmica dessas populações. A assembleia de morcegos analisada teve elevada riqueza de espécies, abrangeu cinco importantes guildas tróficas, com destaque para a de frugívoros revelando a importância da caverna Gruta do Riacho Subterrâneo para a conservação da diversidade local. Com base nos aspectos funcionais da assembleia de morcegos, a conservação e recuperação da área de entorno será essencial para a preservação da diversidade deste importante grupo de mamíferos.

Submitted by dayse paz (daysepaz@hotmail.com) on 2016-04-06T14:58:58Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Disserta_o_Vanessa_Correa.pdf: 9516390 bytes, checksum: be0bd59f07a366880594f1ccedf35cb0 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by cleuza maria medina dos santos (cleuzamai@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-04-07T22:41:59Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Disserta_o_Vanessa_Correa.pdf: 9516390 bytes, checksum: be0bd59f07a366880594f1ccedf35cb0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-07T22:42:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Disserta_o_Vanessa_Correa.pdf: 9516390 bytes, checksum: be0bd59f07a366880594f1ccedf35cb0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Este estudo teve o objetivo de conhecer a comunidade de diatomáceas epífitas nas macrófitas (Acrostichum danaefolium Langst. & Fisch, Schoenoplectus californicus (C.A. Mey) Soják, Myriophylum aquaticum (Vell) Verdc e Cabomba caroliniana A. Gray) em diferentes amostragens na Lagoa Pequena que compreende os ambientes (Arroio Pseudônimo, Praia da Lagoa Pequena, Entrada da Lagoa Pequena e Feitoria), de maio de 2011 a janeiro de 2012, totalizando 79 amostras coletadas. As amostras foram fixadas com formalina a 4%. Para estudo das formas de crescimento, em cada ponto foi coletada uma amostra (não fixada) para observação das diatomáceas. No ambiente foram medidas as variáveis físicas (temperatura, profundidade, transparência da água e vazão) e químicas (pH, condutividade elétrica, fósforo e nitrogênio). A flora em A. danaeifolium apresentou 157 spp, dentre os quais 26% de água doce, 50% estuarinos e 14% marinhos. Nitzschia apresentou maior diversidade (riqueza de espécies). Vinte e três espécies foram registradas pela primeira vez para o Rio Grande do Sul. Ocorreram diferentes formas de crescimento que formaram as guildas ecológicas de baixo perfil (formas adnatas), alto perfil (formas eretas, formadoras de cadeias, tubos, e pedúnculos de mucilagem) e guilda móvel (espécies móveis). Em S. californicus ocorreram 129 táxons distribuídos em 55 gêneros, e Nitzschia apresentou também maior número (25) de espécies. Em C. caroliniana ocorreram 38 táxons e formas de crescimento adnata, ereta, pedúnculo, cadeia tubo e móvel) e em M. aquaticum ocorreram 54 táxons e formas de crescimento adnata, pedúnculo, ereta, cadeia e tubo. Em ambas macrófitas foi encontrada guilda de alto perfil. A presença de diferentes formas de crescimento e guilda de alto perfil em todos locais estudados mostrou a complexidade da comunidade. A temperatura da água variou de 10-28,5º C, a profundidade 0,26-1,29 m, a transparência 0,20-0,76 m, a vazão 9,4-42,12 m³/s, o pH 7,0-8,8, a condutividade elétrica 0,62-16,96 mS.cm‾¹, o fósforo orgânico total 0,03-0,37 mg.L-1 , e o nitrogênio orgânico total entre 0,29 e 1,20 mg.L-1 . A maior temperatura e o baixo nível da água influenciaram a composição da guilda de alto perfil, que prevaleceu durante todo período. O maior valor de condutividade (verão) permitiu a presença de espécies marinhas no Arroio Pseudônimo e Feitoria. O Arroio Pseudônimo teve maior riqueza de espécies provavelmente por ser mais protegido, do que os outros locais. Em menor temperatura (10º C) e condutividade (0,65 mS.cm‾¹) também se observou a formação de tubos de mucilagem e a guilda de alto perfil no Arroio Pseudônimo. Espécies dulcícolas (Nitzschia spiculoides Hustedt, N. subacicularis Hustedt, N. fonticola var. pelagica Hustedt e S. martyi Hèribaud-Joseph) e marinha (C. peltoides Hustedt) foram tolerantes as variações de condutividade na Lagoa Pequena. A morfologia das macrófitas aquáticas influenciou a comunidade de diatomáceas que apresentou maior riqueza de espécies e gêneros em macrófitas de arquitetura complexa (C. caroliniana e M. aquaticum). / The study aimed know the diatom community epiphytic on macrophytes (Acrostichum danaefolium Langst. & Fisch, Schoenoplectus californicus (C.A. Mey) Soják, Myriophylum aquaticum (Vell) Verdc and Cabomba caroliniana A. Gray) at different samplings in Lagoa Pequena comprising enviroments (Arroio Pseudônimo, Lagoa Pequena beach, Lagoa Pequena entrance and Feitoria) from may 2011 to january 2012, totalizing 79 samples collected. All samples were fixed with 4% formalin. In order to study the crecimento forms, in each point was collected a sample (unfixed) for observation of diatoms. In the environment were measured physical variables (temperature, depth, water transparency and flow) and chemical (pH, electrical conductivity, phosphorus and nitrogen). The flora in A. danaeifolium presented 157 spp, among them 26% freshwater, 50% estuarine and 14% marine and Nitzschia presented the highest diversity (species richness). Twenty-three species were recorded for the first time to Rio Grande do Sul. There were different forms growth that formed guilds ecological of low profile (forms adnate), high profile (forms erect, chains, tube, and stalked of mucilage) and guild mobile (species mobile). In S. californicus occurred 129 taxa distributed in 55 genera and Nitzschia presented also the greatest number (25) of species. In C. caroliniana occurred 38 taxa and forms growth adnate, erect, stalked, chain, tube and mobile) and in M. aquaticum occurred 54 species and forms of growth adnate, stalked, erect, chain and tube. In both macrophytes were found guild of high profile. The presence of distinct growth forms and guild high profile in all study sites showing the complexity of the community. The water temperature varied from 10-28,5º C, the depth 0,26-1,29, the transparency 0,20-0,76 m, the flow 9,4-42,12 m³/s, the pH 7,0-8,8, electrical conductivity 0,62-16,96 mS.cm‾¹, the total organic phosphorus 0,03-0,37 mg.L-1 , and the total organic nitrogen 0,29-1,20 mg.L-1 . Highest temperature and low water level influenced the composition of guild high profile, which prevailed throughout the period. Higher conductivity values (summer) allowed the presence of marine species in the Arroio Pseudônimo and Feitoria. The Arroio Pseudônimo had greater species richness probably because is more protected than the other sites. In the lowest temperature (10º C) and conductivity (0,65 mS.cm‾¹) also observed the formation of mucilage tubes and guild high profile in the Arroio Pseudônimo. Freshwater species (Nitzschia spiculoides Hustedt, N. subacicularis Hustedt, N. fonticola var. pelagica Hustedt and S. martyi Hèribaud-Joseph) and marine (C. peltoides Hustedt) were tolerant to conductivity variations in Lagoa Pequena. The morphology of aquatic macrophytes influenced the diatom community that presented highest richness of species and genera in macrophytes of complex architecture (C. caroliniana and M. aquaticum).

No description available.

Oak habitats are rich in saproxylic species, but the habitat is declining with loss of diversity due to encroachment which decrease the vitality of oaks. The present explorative study compared results from a study conducted in 1994, with present species communities to observe if there has been change in species composition and what factors that can explain species diversity and composition. The results revealed that the overall species composition between 1994 and 2018 has changed. There were 130 species recorded in 2018 compared to 108 species in 1994 (31 new species were recorded in 2018, and 9 species lost from the study in 1994). There was a high species turnover recorded per individual tree, and the species composition between the living and encountered dead trees did not differ. Species composition was affected by canopy cover, and trunk circumference (CCA P-value 0.001 and 0.014 respectively). Unlike 1994, there were no variables in 2018 that could explain the association with species numbers. Warmer conditions recorded during the sampling period have probably led to increased flight activity of beetles and therefore increasing chances of capturing more species and individuals. The warmer conditions possibly shadowed the effects of the explanatory variables in explaining the changes in species numbers. Perhaps the change in species composition could also be attributed to existing management interventions that may be supporting an increasing species number of saproxylic beetles, however no strong conclusions could be drawn. Management interventions such as the recruitment of new oaks should be encouraged and intensified in order to provide habitats and support stable populations as the loss of oaks may lead to increased risk of extinction of the saproxylic beetles in the study area.

Although protected areas have been used as principal conservation tools, most of them are suffering from human-induced threats. Consequently, a good understanding of such human-driven threats on biodiversity and identifying early warning systems for habitat change in protected areas is necessary for effective conservation of natural resources. To examine the impact of human disturbance on avifaunal assemblages and to assess the potential application of birds as bioindicators of forest health monitoring in the Afromontane forest of the Bale Mountains of Ethiopia, I recorded birds and habitat variables in three protected and three unprotected forests using a point transect method in 2009 and 2012. The two land use types differ in disturbance levels (higher in the unprotected areas), vegetation structure and bird assemblages. Species richness of entire bird guild, open woodland and open land habitat guilds, granivore and insectivore feeding guilds, and shrub layer and ground layer foraging substrate guilds of birds were significantly higher in the unprotected areas than the protected areas. Abundances of guilds of birds mostly followed a similar trend with species richness. However, densities of overall and forest-specialist bird guilds were higher in the protected area and vice versa for the other guilds. In general, the protected area assemblages were dominated by forest-specialist species, while those of the unprotected areas were dominated by openland and shrubland species. The implication is that disturbance had caused encroachment of non-native species (openland, open woodland and shrub land species) while negatively affecting native species (forest species, particularly tree canopy foragers). These assemblage differences are linked to changes in vegetation structure caused by disturbance. Thus, further forest degradation in the protected area should be avoided in order to maintain native/forest-specialist species. Given the differences in bird assemblages between the two land use types, there is a high likelihood that bioindicator species (i.e. indicator species - those 'characteristic' of a particular habitat - and detector species - those occurring in the different habitats considered but with moderate indication value) can be identified, therefore providing a useful tool to monitor ecosystem health of the forests. Four and nine species were identified as appropriate indicator species (i.e. species with indicator values > 60% and fulfilling biological and niche history criteria used in selection) in the protected and unprotected areas, respectively. In addition, nine species were identified as detectors of habitat change in the protected areas. These bioindicators provide a useful tool for managers of Afromontane forest in the Bale Mountains, as well as similar habitats elsewhere, for long term monitoring of ecosystem health of the forests. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / DST/NRF Centre of Excellence / Zoology and Entomology / MSc / Unrestricted

This research tested the ability of fish morphology to predict membership of fishes in habitat guilds, their swimming performance, and habitat preference. Further, it considered methods for choosing a surrogate species to identify habitat of target species. Morphological discriminant functions were developed using morphological traits of fishes from one river to identify membership in two habitat guild systems (mesohabitat and microhabitat). Functions were then used to test factors influencing classification success of holdout tests and validated using fishes of a second river. Morphology was only partly successful (50%) at predicting membership in habitat guilds. Morphology identified species by shape, i.e., classifying test species into guilds with members of their genus, but not habitat use, because morphology and habitat were not strongly linked through function. By improving guild definition, relationships between morphology and habitat (Froude number) were identified for all fish groups examined (darters, benthic minnows, pelagic minnows, and suckers). Relationships were not transferable among groups. Further, morphology of eight minnows was linked to swimming performance, a key task for using habitat, in lab measurements of critical swimming speeds. In turn, swimming performance was related to habitat (Froude number). Morphology will be most successful at predicting habitat use of fishes when (1) more, discrete guilds are used, (2) guilds are identified within families, (3) variation in lifestyles (benthic vs. pelagic) is considered, and (4) key tasks related to using habitat are strongly associated with morphology. Finally, I examined a phylogenetic approach to identifying useable habitat. Closely related surrogate species were not more accurate in identifying habitat of target species than surrogates chosen by other methods. When a target species used only one mesohabitat, the highest overlap in habitat use occurred with other fishes of the same family using that mesohabitat (within a physiographic province). For target species using several mesohabitat types, surrogates from the next highest taxonomic unit, e.g., genus or subgenus, provided the most accurate information. Ecomorphology offers a mechanistic and defensible method for identifying habitat preferences of fishes and should be more widely considered as a tool for establishing habitat relationships of stream fishes. / Ph. D.

The diversity of fish species found in warmwater stream systems provides a perplexing challenge when selecting species for Instream Flow Incremental Methodology (IFIM) studies. An often-suggested approach has been to use habitat guilds to incorporate the diversity found in these systems. My goal is to determine the feasibility of developing habitat suitability criteria (HSC) for the entire fish assemblage in the North and South Fork Shenandoah River, Virginia, using habitat guilds. I examined the strengths and weaknesses of direct underwater observation via snorkeling and throwable anode electrofishing to sample fish habitat use (e.g., depth, velocity, distance to cover, dominant and subdominant substrate, cover, and embeddedness) indicates that using the data collected from both techniques may produce better criteria than using just one of the two sampling techniques. To develop habitat suitability criteria using habitat guilds I placed each species a priori into a guild based on a hypothesized guild structure. Transitional life stages with significantly different habitat use were placed separately into the guild structure. The four guilds (riffle, fast generalist, pool-run, and pool-cover) were found to be significantly different from each other using the data collected for the species assigned to the guilds. Criteria were then developed for representative species from each guild and the entire guilds. Criteria developed for depth, velocity, Froude number, cover, distance to cover, substrate, and embeddedness were used to estimate a habitat response function (i.e., the relations between usable habitat and stream flow) for a representative species from each guild, the guild itself, and for a second species from each guild for comparisons. Both the representative species and guild criteria showed similar habitat response functions for the riffle guild, fast generalist guild, and pool-run guild. However, neither set of criteria performed well for the pool-cover guild. For guilds, other than pool-cover, either the guild or the representative species approach may be a viable option to developing habitat suitability criteria. The transferability tests were performed to determine if criteria developed in the North Fork Shenandoah River, Virginia would transfer to the South Fork Shenandoah River, Virginia. Only criteria for the margined madtom (Noturus insignis) and the juvenile smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) transferred for both suitable and optimal habitat. Criteria for mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdi), Cyprinella sp. (spotfin and satinfin shiners), river chub (Nocomis micropogon), adult and juvenile redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus), and adult smallmouth bass did not transfer. Only the pool-cover guild criteria transferred for both suitable and optimal habitat, while riffle guild, fast generalist guild, and pool-run guild criteria did not transfer. I recommend the use of site-specific criteria for the South Fork Shenandoah or different variable combinations. / Master of Science