泉州湾蟳埔潮间带大型底栖动物群落的时空分布

为了比较泉州湾蟳埔潮间带沙滩、互花米草滩和牡蛎石泥滩3种生境(3个潮层)的大型底栖动物群落,2011年4月至2012年1月对3种生境的大型底栖动物进行了季度定量取样。在3种生境共获得85种大型底栖动物,其中环节动物39种,软体动物20种,节肢动物21种,刺胞动物、扁形动物、纽虫动物、星虫动物和脊索动物各1种。多维标度排序(MDS)分析表明,春季和冬季泉州湾蟳埔潮间带3种生境的大型底栖动物群落相似性较低;夏季和秋季互花米草滩与牡蛎石泥滩的大型底栖动物群落相似性较高,而与沙滩的大型底栖动物群落相似性较低。沙滩大型底栖动物群落的季节变化较明显,其次是牡蛎石泥滩,而互花米草滩大型底栖动物群落的季节变化较不明显。大型底栖动物栖息密度和生物量随着潮层降低而增加。单变量双因素方差分析(Two-way ANOVA)表明,不同生境之间的大型底栖动物物种数、栖息密度、多样性指数、均匀度指数和丰度指数有显著差异,但生物量无显著差异,这是因为沙滩的物种数较少,栖息密度较低,但优势种弧边招潮蟹(Uca arcuata)个体较大,互花米草滩和牡蛎石泥滩的优势种为加州中蚓虫(Mediomastus californiensis),个体相对弧边招潮蟹小。不同季节之间大型底栖动物物种数、栖息密度、生物量和丰度指数有显著差异,但多样性指数和均匀度指数元显著差异,这是因为沙滩物种数少,但个体分布比较均匀,而互花米草滩和牡蛎石泥滩物种数较多,个体分布较不均匀。以上结果表明,潮汐、沉积物粒径和生境是影响潮间带大型底栖动物群落的主要因素。潮汐导致潮间带的空间异质性,空间异质性导致大型底栖动物群落的差异。     

长江干流宜昌-安庆段大型底栖动物群落结构及环境分析

为系统了解目前长江中下游干流大型底栖动物群落结构现状, 于2016年5—6月和10—12月对长江干流宜昌-安庆段进行2次调查。共记录大型底栖动物96种, 水生昆虫种类数最多, 占总数的49.0%。大部分物种(58.7%)的出现频率都较低(<1%), 且各江段种类组成差异较大。大型底栖动物密度为(213±58) ind./m2, 生物量为(0.202±0.066) g/m2。大型底栖动物群落结构汛前汛后差异显著, 汛后种类数和现存量均明显下降。与建坝前资料相比, 大型底栖动物群落结构发生较大改变, 种类数增加, 现存量下降。环境分析表明影响大型底栖动物分布的主要因素是流速, 底质和水质的影响不大。大型底栖动物现存量下降与建坝后干流冲刷加剧有关, 针对底栖动物保护, 建议开展水沙调节、营造缓流生境并加强洲滩保护。     

长江口盐沼湿地不同亚生境的大型底栖动物群落组成和多样性差异

2015年7月—2016年6月每月在长江口盐沼湿地采集潮沟、光滩和盐沼(以海三棱藨草为主)三种亚生境的大型底栖动物样本,分析其群落组成和多样性差异。结果表明:共采集到大型底栖动物21种,隶属4门、5纲、15科,以软甲纲(7种)和多毛纲(4种)种类较多;潮沟和盐沼亚生境的优势种无差异;盐沼底栖动物物种数最高,潮沟次之,光滩物种数最低;盐沼底栖动物的密度和生物量均高于其他2种亚生境;三种亚生境的大型底栖动物密度两两间差异显著(P0.05),而生物量无显著差异(P0.05);盐沼底栖动物群落的Shannon多样性指数最高(1.08),光滩次之(1.03),而潮沟最低(0.63);光滩底栖动物群落的Simpson物种丰富度指数、Pielou均匀度指数值均高于潮沟和盐沼,反映光滩底栖动物群落种类密度的分布相比其他2种亚生境较为均匀;通过群落聚类和非度量多维标度分析发现,盐沼和潮沟亚生境的大型底栖动物群落结构较为相似,而与光滩差异较大,引起两者差异的主要贡献种是谭氏泥蟹、河蚬、背蚓虫等。     

灵昆岛围垦区内外滩涂大型底栖动物生物多样性

2006年2月至2006年11月在灵昆岛东滩湿地选择1997年围垦潮沟滩涂以及围垦区外的自然滩涂作为样地,开展了自然滩涂与围垦潮沟滩涂大型底栖动物群落生物多样性比较的调查研究.共发现大型底栖动物36种,隶属7门8纲22科,这些物种中软体动物、节肢动物和环节动物共占物种总数的83.33%.其中在围垦区内的4个样点共发现大型底栖动物27种,在自然滩涂上的4个样点共发现大型底栖动物32种.通过对定量取样获得的各群落大型底栖动物密度数据进行计算,得到了各种大型底栖动物的生态位宽度和围垦区内外不同生境中大型底栖动物群落生物多样性指数(Shannon-Weiner指数 H'、Pielou指数 J、Simpson指数 D),结果显示围垦滩涂潮沟上的光滩和边滩以及自然滩涂上的高潮带和中潮带滩涂的Shannon-Weiner多样性指数 H'较高,Simpson优势度指数D则相对较低,表明了这些位点的大型底栖动物的多样性程度较高,而长满互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)位点的Shannon-Weiner多样性指数 H'和Pielou均匀度指数 J都要小于受潮水作用相似的邻近滩涂,但Simpson优势度指数D却相对较高,这表明互花米草入侵已改变了原来的大型底栖动物群落结构.运用相似度指数Jc、成对t检验以及聚类和排序等多种统计学方法对围垦滩涂潮沟和自然滩涂上的各个位点进行了群落相似性分析,结果表明潮位是影响自然滩涂上大型底栖动物分布的一个重要因素,不同潮位之间的大型底栖动物群落差异比较明显.相对而言,围垦区内各生境之间的大型底栖动物群落分化程度较低,即围垦导致潮位因素对大型底栖动物的分布的影响降低.     

广州南沙十四涌潮间带三种生境的大型底栖动物群落比较

为了解广州南沙十四涌潮间带大型底栖动物的群落结构,于2007和2008年在十四涌潮间带选择光滩、海桑(Sonneratia)和茳芏(Cyperus malaccensis)3种生境进行大型底栖动物调查。对4个季度定量取样获得的大型底栖动物群落结构和差异进行比较分析,结果表明:从种数、平均生物量和丰度指数上看,茳芏生境最多,光滩第二,海桑生境最少;从大型底栖动物平均密度、种类多样性指数和均匀性指数上看,光滩最高,茳芏第二,海桑生境最低。ANOVA分析表明,3种生境间大型底栖动物的物种数、密度均呈显著差异,但生物量无显著差异。非度量多维标序(MDS)和聚类分析表明,冬季光滩和茳芏生境的大型底栖动物群落比较相似;3种生境的春季和夏季大型底栖动物群落比较相似。同时对3种生境间群落组成和数量差异的原因进行了探讨。     

互花米草入侵对大型底栖动物群落垂直结构的影响

2012年8月,在浙江省玉环县漩门湾国家湿地公园,利用自制分层采样器,以5 cm为单位对0—25 cm泥层进行分层取样,研究潮间带互花米草滩涂和自然滩涂两种生境中大型底栖动物的垂直分布情况,以及互花米草入侵对大型底栖动物垂直结构的影响。两种生境中共获得大型底栖动物40种,其中软体动物18种,甲壳动物13种,环节动物4种,其他类群5种。在自然滩涂生境中获得的物种数为30种,互花米草生境为31种,两种生境的共有种有21种。互花米草和自然滩涂生境平均栖息密度分别为222.6株/m2和1052.8株/m2。研究结果表明:(1)大型底栖动物主要栖息在0—10 cm泥层深度;(2)大型底栖动物群落沿泥层深度存在分层分布现象;(3)互花米草入侵缩短了底栖动物的垂直分布距离,但对其主要栖息深度影响不大;(4)互花米草入侵改变了原来生境特征,导致大型底栖动物的群落结构发生变化。     

广西北海西村港互花米草对红树林湿地大型底栖动物群落的影响

为了解互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)入侵红树林的生态影响, 作者对位于北海市西村港的红树林湿地以及周边互花米草盐沼的大型底栖动物群落多样性和群落结构进行了研究。2012年10月至2013年9月连续4次取样, 按照取样时间研究大型底栖动物的种类、物种组成、生物量和生物多样性等群落特征的差异, 探讨互花米草入侵红树林湿地对大型底栖动物的影响。本研究共采集底栖动物16种, 隶属于5门7纲15科, 其中互花米草群落10种, 红树林湿地12种。研究发现互花米草入侵后中国绿螂(Glauconome chinensis)个体数量剧增, 导致不同采样时间互花米草盐沼的大型底栖动物生物量均显著高于红树林湿地; 除个别月份外, 红树林湿地大型底栖动物的Margalef丰富度指数、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Simpson多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数均显著高于互花米草群落。基于生境-采样时间的双因素方差分析结果表明, Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和Simpson指数在两种生境间差异显著; 两种生境的Margalef丰富度和Pielou均匀度指数在不同采样时间差异显著; 大型底栖动物生物量和物种数量在两种生境间和不同采样时间差异均显著。基于多元回归分析的研究结果表明, 互花米草密度是影响大型底栖动物生物量的关键因子, 而互花米草株高可以解释物种个体数量、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和Simpson指数在两种生境的变化。对不同采样时间大型底栖动物群落结构的非度量多维度(non-metric multidimensional scaling, NMDS)分析结果表明, 红树林与互花米草群落的大型底栖动物群落相似性很低。总而言之, 在西村港地区, 互花米草入侵虽然增加了大型底栖动物的生物量, 但由于优势物种的凸显, 显著降低了大型底栖动物群落的多样性, 且种类组成与群落结构与红树林群落相比已有差异。由此可见, 互花米草入侵红树林对当地的大型底栖动物群落多样性造成影响。     

红树林植被对大型底栖动物群落的影响

大型底栖动物是红树林生态系统的重要组成部分,从红树林大型底栖动物种类、红树林与其周边生境大型底栖动物群落的比较,以及生境变化对动物群落的影响等方面阐述了红树林植被与大型底栖动物群落的关系.从物种数量上看,软体动物和甲壳类动物构成了红树林大型底栖动物的主要部分.影响大型底栖动物分布的环境因素包括海水盐度、潮位和土壤特性等,但在小范围区域,林内动物的分布更多地与红树林植被特性和潮位有关.因此,由于红树林植被破坏或者恢复引起的生境变化,将导致大型底栖动物群落和常见物种种群的变化,尤其对底上动物影响明显;随着人工恢复红树林的发育,林内底栖动物的多样性相应增加,优势种也发生变化.相比位于相同潮位的无植被滩涂,红树林可促进潮间带生物多样性.     

灵昆东滩围垦区内外大型底栖动物季节变化和功能群的比较

2006年2月至2006年11月在浙江的灵昆岛东滩湿地选择1997年围垦区以及围垦区外的自然滩涂作为样地,开展围垦区内、外大型底栖动物季节变化和功能群组成的研究,并探讨造成差异的原因.本次调查共发现大型底栖动物36种,隶属7门8纲22科,在围垦区外的中潮带发现的物种数最多,为26种.在这些物种中,绝大多数属于软体动物(12种)、节肢动物甲壳类(13种)以及环节动物门的沙蚕类(5种),分别为总物种数的33.3%、36.1%、13 .9%.定量调查共发现大型底栖动物24种,根据其食性类型划分为5个功能群.同时利用取样得到的数据,分别对围垦区内、外的密度、物种数以及各站点不同季节的物种多样性指数 Margalef S、Shannon-Weiner H′、Pielou J、Simpson D进行站点-季节间无重复双因素方差分析,并对大型底栖动物进行了功能群划分及多元统计分析.结果表明:围垦区内、外滩涂湿地大型底栖动物群落结构和功能群组成存在一定的差别;生境与大型底栖动物功能群的组成结构有一定的关系;围垦区内大型底栖动物的群落结构和功能群组成的季节变化大于围垦区外的自然滩涂[动物学报 54(3):416-427,2008].     

漩门湾不同类型湿地大型底栖动物群落特征比较研究

为研究漩门湾围垦后自然滩涂湿地和不同利用方式人工湿地7种生境的大型底栖动物群落结构现状和受扰动情况,2010年10月至2012年7月在两个区域中进行了为期两周年8个季度的大型底栖动物调查,结果表明:两周年共获得大型底栖动物5门8纲41科63种;第一周年为47种,其中自然滩涂湿地41种,人工湿地14种;第二周年为58种,其中自然滩涂湿地50种,人工湿地10种,人工湿地的物种数明显少于自然滩涂湿地。采集到的物种以软体动物和节肢动物为主,分别为32种和23种,各占总物种数的50.00%和37.10%。两周年的年均栖息密度和年均生物量在生境间从高到低依次为,年均栖息密度第一周年HSGTHHRLSCNYSK,第二周年GTHSHHSCNYRLSK;年均生物量第一周为HSRLHHGTNYSKSC,第二周年是HSHHRLGTNYSCSK。3种大型底栖动物的生物多样性指数(Margalef丰富度指数(S)、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H')、Pielou均匀度指数(J))分析表明,两周年7种生境3种多样性指数均处在不断的变化之中,人工湿地的Margalef丰富度指数(S)和Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H')相对于自然滩涂湿地偏低,而Pielou均匀度指数(J)人工湿地大于自然滩涂湿地。聚类和排序的结果表明,围垦使大型底栖动物的群落结构发生明显的变化。ABC曲线分析结果表明,自然滩涂湿地受到的干扰程度较轻,而人工湿地受到的干扰程度较大。围垦改变了潮滩高程、水动力、盐度、沉积物特性,再加上人类活动的影响,这些因素是造成底栖动物群落结构及生物多样性变化的主要原因,围垦结束后的生态修复十分必要。     

Intertidal community structure differs significantly between substrates dominated by native eelgrass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zostera marina</Emphasis> L.) and adjacent to the introduced oyster <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crassostrea gigas</Emphasis> (Thunberg) in British Columbia,Canada

Eelgrass beds represent important habitats for marine organisms, but are in decline in many coastal areas around the world. On Cortes Island, British Columbia, Canada, oysters coexist regionally with native eelgrass (Zostera marina L.), but eelgrass is typically absent directly seaward of oyster beds (the “below-oyster cobble zone”). We compared assemblage structure of nekton (fish and swimming macroinvertebrates) and epibenthos (macroinvertebrates and macroalgae) between eelgrass bed and below-oyster habitats. We sampled the intertidal zone on Cortes Island at low tide using two methods: quadrats to enumerate epibenthic macroinvertebrates and macroalgae, and beach seines to enumerate fish and swimming macroinvertebrates. Using multivariate analysis of similarity (ANOSIM), we found that the structure of nektonic and epibenthic assemblages associated with below-oyster cobble zones were significantly different from those in eelgrass-beds. Univariate measures showed that nektonic species richness and abundance were significantly higher in eelgrass beds than in below-oyster cobble habitat, whereas epibenthic species richness and abundance were significantly higher in below-oyster habitat. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Handling editor: J. Trexler     

Differential influence of a monotypic and diverse native aquatic plant bed on a macroinvertebrate assemblage; an experimental implication of exotic plant induced habitat

Aquatic plants mediate ecological processes in aquatic habitats, specifically predator–prey (bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque)-macroinvertebrate) interactions. Macroinvertebrate colonization is directly and indirectly influenced by substrate heterogeneity, interstitial space, and surface complexity. Exotic invasive plant species, such as Hydrilla verticillata L.F. Royle, may alter the available structure in aquatic habitat by creating a shift to a homogeneous habitat, thus affecting the macroinvertebrate community. Since macroinvertebrates provide a food base for young phytophilic fishes, changes in their density and abundance may alter food webs. We investigated the hypothesis that macroinvertebrate community structure is influenced by differences in habitat heterogeneity by measuring difference between a heterogeneous native aquatic plant bed, homogenous hydrilla plant bed, and habitat with no plants. Studies were conducted in the field (pond) and the experimental treatments were: (1) no plants, (2) monotypic bed of hydrilla, and (3) diverse native plants. Aquatic plants, regardless of species, supported greater macroinvertebrate abundance, richness, and biomass. Macroinvertebrate abundance, richness, and biomass in a hydrilla-dominated habitat did not differ significantly from a diverse plant habitat, except for richness in October. Indicator taxa did differ significantly between respective treatments, suggesting a change in species composition. However, no significant effect of fish predation on macroinvertebrate populations and/or community structure was documented. The data suggest that a shift from a natural mosaic of vegetated habitat to a highly complex monotypic habitat (e.g., exotic hydrilla) may reduce spatial heterogeneity important to structuring a macroinvertebrate assemblage. Handling editor: S. M. Thomaz     

Effects of channelisation on stream habitat in relation to a spate and flow refugia for macroinvertebrates in northern Japan

1. The effects of channelisation on macroinvertebrates were examined in relation to a spate and flow refugia. Habitat components that can function as flow refugia were identified in a small, low‐gradient stream in northern Hokkaido, Japan. 2. Macroinvertebrates and their habitat characteristics (depth, current velocity and substratum) were sampled and measured in natural and channelised sections on three occasions: before, during and immediately after a spate. For macroinvertebrate sampling and habitat measurements, five (riffle, glide, pool, backwater and inundated habitats) and three (channelised‐mid, channelised‐edge and inundated habitats) habitat types were classified in the natural and channelised section, respectively. 3. The rate of velocity increase with discharge was compared among habitat types to determine which habitat types were less affected by increased discharge. The rate was the highest in riffles followed by glides and channelised‐mids. Backwaters maintained low current velocity even at high flow. In addition, current velocity in both natural and channelised inundated habitats was low relative to other habitat types during the spate. 4. Through the spate, total density of macroinvertebrates in channelised‐mids and taxon richness in both channelised‐mids and edges decreased. In the natural section, however, such a significant decrease was not found except for taxon richness in pools. This indicated that the spate had a greater impact on assemblages in the channelised section. Riffle assemblages exhibited a rapid recovery immediately after the spate, suggesting the existence of flow refugia in the natural section. Among the habitat types we examined, backwaters and inundated habitats appeared to have acted as flow refugia, because these habitats accumulated macroinvertebrates during the spate. 5. The lower persistence of the macroinvertebrate assemblage in the channelised section was attributable to the lower availability of flow refugia such as backwaters and inundated habitats. Our results emphasised the importance of considering flow fluctuations and refugia in assessing the effects of channelisation. In addition, the lateral heterogeneity of stream channels should be considered in stream restoration and management.     

Diversity and similarity of butterfly communities in five different habitat types at Tam Dao National Park, Vietnam

Diversity and similarity of butterfly communities were assessed in five different habitat types (from natural closed forest to agricultural lands) in the mountains of Tam Dao National Park, Vietnam for 3 years from 2002 to 2004. The line transect count was used to record species richness and abundance of butterfly communities in the different habitat types. For each habitat, the number of species and individuals, and indices of species richness, evenness and diversity of butterfly communities were calculated. The results indicated that species richness and abundance of butterfly communities were low in the natural closed forest, higher in the disturbed forest, highest in the forest edge, lower in the shrub habitat and lowest in the agricultural lands. The indices of species richness, evenness and diversity of butterfly communities were low in agricultural lands and natural closed forest but highest in the forest edge and shrub habitats. The families Satyridae and Amathusiidae have the greatest species richness and abundance in the natural closed forest, with a reduction in their species richness and abundance from the natural closed forest to the agricultural lands. Species composition of butterfly communities was different among five different habitat types (40%), was similar in habitats outside the forest (68%) and was similar in habitats inside the forest (63%). Diversity and abundance of butterfly communities are not different between the natural closed forest and the agriculture lands, but species composition changed greatly between these habitat types. A positive correlation between the size of species geographical distribution range and increasing habitat disturbance was found. The most characteristic natural closed forest species have the smallest geographical distribution range.     

Spatial and temporal variability of macroinvertebrates in spawning and non-spawning habitats during a salmon run in Southeast Alaska

Spawning salmon create patches of disturbance through redd digging which can reduce macroinvertebrate abundance and biomass in spawning habitat. We asked whether displaced invertebrates use non-spawning habitats as refugia in streams. Our study explored how the spatial and temporal distribution of macroinvertebrates changed during a pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) spawning run and compared macroinvertebrates in spawning (riffle) and non-spawning (refugia) habitats in an Alaskan stream. Potential refugia included: pools, stream margins and the hyporheic zone, and we also sampled invertebrate drift. We predicted that macroinvertebrates would decline in riffles and increase in drift and refugia habitats during salmon spawning. We observed a reduction in the density, biomass and taxonomic richness of macroinvertebrates in riffles during spawning. There was no change in pool and margin invertebrate communities, except insect biomass declined in pools during the spawning period. Macroinvertebrate density was greater in the hyporheic zone and macroinvertebrate density and richness increased in the drift during spawning. We observed significant invertebrate declines within spawning habitat; however in non-spawning habitat, there were less pronounced changes in invertebrate density and richness. The results observed may be due to spawning-related disturbances, insect phenology, or other variables. We propose that certain in-stream habitats could be important for the persistence of macroinvertebrates during salmon spawning in a Southeast Alaskan stream.     

How,and how much,natural cover loss increases species richness

Aim The species–area relationship has been applied in the conservation context to predict monotonic species richness declines as natural area is converted to human‐dominated land covers. However, some conversion of natural cover could introduce new habitat types and allow new open habitat species to occur. Moreover, decelerating richness–area relationships suggest that, as natural area is converted to human‐dominated covers, more species will be added to the rare habitat than are lost from the common one. Area effects and increased habitat diversity could each lead to a peaked relationship between species richness and the relative amount of natural area. The purpose of this study is to quantify the effect on avian species richness of conversion of natural area to human‐dominated land cover. Location Ontario, Canada. Methods We evaluated the responses of total avian richness, forest bird richness and open habitat bird richness to remaining natural area within 993 quadrats, each of 100 km². We quantified the amount of natural land cover and land‐cover heterogeneity using remote sensing data. We used structural equation modelling (SEM) to disentangle the relationships among avian richness, natural area and land‐cover heterogeneity. Results Spatial variation in avian richness was a peaked function of remaining natural area, such that losses of up to 44% of the natural area increased avian richness. This partly reflects increased variety of land cover; however, SEM suggests that much of the increase in richness is due to pure area effects. Richness of forest species declined by two species over this range of natural cover loss while open habitat bird richness increased by approximately 20 species. The effect of natural area on species richness is consistent with the sum of species–area curves for natural habitat species and human‐dominated habitat species. Main conclusions At least in northern temperate forests, almost half of the natural land cover can be converted to human‐dominated forms before avian richness declines. Conversion of < 50% of regional natural area to human‐dominated land cover can benefit open‐area species richness with relatively few losses of forest obligate species. However, with > 50% natural area conversion, species begin to drop out of regional assemblages.     

The effects of habitat complexity on the macroinvertebrates colonising wood substrates in a lowland stream

Summary Woody debris is a major structural component of south-eastern Australian lowland streams, and the decayed wood substrates provide a structurally complex habitat for macroinvertebrate colonization. I tested for the presence of a species richness-habitat complexity relationship for macroinvertebrate species inhabiting the surfaces of decayed submerged logs (snags) in a lowland stream in northern Victoria. The species-habitat complexity relationship is defined as the increase in species richness due to increased structural complexity of a habitat when area is held constant. The response of macroinvertebrates to seven treatments of artificial and natural substrates of differing levels and types of structural complexity were examined using cluster analyses and MANOVAs. These analyses revealed a significant species-habitat complexity relationship. In addition, a comparison of species evenness between simple and complex habitats supported the hypothesis that more complex habitats contained more species because they possessed more resources. Analysis of species richness, though informative, masked the complexity of species responses revealed by multivariate analyses of species abundances. These analyses showed that different species groups selected different microhabitats on snags, particularly in response to the level of sediment deposition, which was greater on more structurally complex snags. In comparison with the benthos, snags were significantly richer in species abundances, possibly related to low levels of dissolved oxygen in benthic habitats.     

The maintenance of a positive spatial correlation between South African bird species richness and human population density

Aim To investigate explanations for the maintenance of a positive spatial species richness–human population density correlation at broad scales, despite the negative impact of humans on species richness. These are (hypotheses 1–4): (1) human activities that create a habitat mosaic and (2) a more favourable climate, and (3) adequate conservation measures (e.g. sufficient natural habitat), maintain the positive species richness–human density correlation; or (4) the full range of human densities decrease the slope of the correlation without changing its form. Location South Africa. Methods Avian species richness data from atlas distribution maps and human population density data derived from 2001 census results were converted to a quarter‐degree resolution. We investigated the number of land transformation types (anthropogenic habitat heterogeneity), irrigated area (increasing productivity), and other covarying factors (e.g. primary productivity) as predictors of species richness. We compared species richness–human density relationships among regions with different amounts of natural habitat, and investigated whether the full range of human densities decrease species richness in relation to primary productivity. Results Hypotheses 1, 2 and 3 were supported. Human densities and activities that increase habitat heterogeneity and productivity are important beneficial factors to common species, but not to rare species. The species richness–human density relationship persists only at low land transformation levels, and no significant relationship exists at higher levels. For common species, the relationship becomes non‐significant at lower land transformation levels than for rare species. Main conclusions The persistence of the species richness–human density relationship depends mostly on the amount of remaining natural habitat. In addition, certain human activities benefit especially common species. Common species seem to be more flexible than rare species in response to human activity and habitat loss.     

Searching for biodiversity indicators in running waters: do bryophytes, macroinvertebrates, and fish show congruent diversity patterns?

The degree to which different taxonomic groups show congruence in diversity patterns has attracted increased attention, yet such studies on stream biota are lacking. We examined environmental correlates of and congruence in the species richness patterns of bryophytes, macroinvertebrates, and fish in 101 boreal streams in Finland. Congruence in species richness among the taxonomic groups was generally low, mainly because of their differing responses to major environmental gradients. Bryophytes and macroinvertebrates showed the strongest degree of congruence, but even this relationship had a relatively weak predictive power. Bryophyte diversity showed the strongest relationship with water colour, followed by habitat stability, and stream size. Macroinvertebrate diversity increased with stream size, and further variation was accounted for by water colour and acidity. Fish species richness showed a weak and complex relationship with geographical location, stream size, and in-stream habitat characteristics. The regression models explained 23, 45, and 26% of the variation in species richness of bryophytes, macroinvertebrates, and fish, respectively. Our results suggest that indicator taxa may be of limited value in stream biodiversity inventories. Habitat-based approaches are suggested as an alternative surrogate measure in the conservation evaluation of lotic biodiversity.     

Two Newly Recorded Species of tribe Eucosmini (Lepidoptera,Tortricidae) from North Korea

Stream restoration affects stream biodiversity by improving water quality and habitat environments. Benthic macroinvertebrates are used as indicators of changes in stream environment, and, therefore, the effects of restoration can be evaluated by a long‐term monitoring of benthic macroinvertebrates. Cheonggye stream is an urban stream in Seoul, Korea, and a restoration project was conducted from July 2003 to September 2005. The purpose of this study was to investigate the long‐term changes in the benthic macroinvertebrate communities in Cheonggye stream after the restoration project in 2005. A 6‐year field study was seasonally conducted at five study sites in Cheonggye stream from November 2005 to October 2011. Benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled quantitatively using a Surber sampler (50 × 50 cm; mesh 0.25 mm, two replications per site). As a result, species richness of benthic macroinvertebrates rapidly increased after the restoration project and peaked (35 species per sample) in 2006 but gradually dropped to approximately 20 species up to the recent year. As a consequence, community indices changed gradually according to species richness and abundance: Dominance indices peaked in 2010 and species diversity indices (H') peaked in 2007. According to a functional feeding group analysis, the composition of collector–filterers increased at first, but the decreased gradually to the recent year. In contrast, collector–gatherers showed an opposite tendency. The composition of clingers increased during the initial 4 years (2005–2008), whereas burrowers rapidly increased after 2008.