Ecology and Diversity Open Access

Ecology and Diversity Editorial

Distribution Patterns of Tigers and Leopards in Thung Yai Naresuan (East) Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Thailand

Examining the distribution patterns of sympatric large carnivores provides critical insights into the roles of prey availability and human disturbances in shaping the landscape use of these key predators. The Thung Yai Naresuan (East) Wildlife sanctuary (TYNE) in western Thailand has been presumed to be a natural stronghold for tigers (Panthera tigris), leopards (Panthera pardus), and large ungulates, but little was known about their habitat relationships there. During April 2010–February 2012, camera trap surveys (n = 106 camera trap locations; n = 1817 trap nights) and sign surveys (n = 493 km of transects) were designed to systematically cover overlapping areas of 925 km² and 1421 km², respectively, to characterize and evaluate tiger and leopard distribution in TYNE. Occupancy modeling was used to estimate the potential environmental and anthropogenic factors that best explained habitats used by these large carnivores. The predictive model of tiger and leopard occupancy from surveys at the same sampling scale revealed similar relationships between limiting factors and space use. Camera surveys show that tigers are more likely than leopards to inhabit areas where gaur (Bos gaurus) and sambar (Cervus unicolor) are frequently found.. Sign surveys from across TYNE also indicated tiger distribution was characterized by the presence of large ungulates, as well by areas with high ranger patrol effort; leopard distribution was characterized by a higher occurrence of smaller barking deer (Muntiacus vaginalis) and wild boar (Sus scrofa), and by areas with low human disturbance. Our findings suggest that tigers and leopards have specific habitat preferences within the TYNE, with tigers showing a preference for areas with larger ungulates. In contrast, leopards are more likely to be found in areas with smaller prey. Human settlement areas and disturbance activities were identified as key factors influencing the distribution of both species, limiting their range to the central to the eastern part of the sanctuary.

Evolution in the Dinarids: Phylogeography, Diversity and Evolutionary History of the Endemic Genus Delminichthys (Actinopteri; Leuciscidae)

The origin of exceptionally rich fish communities harboured within the freshwater systems of southern Europe is usually explained by allopatric speciation due to a long isolation of water basins. On the other hand, hybridization events have been recorded in several fish species, but they role in the speciation of freshwater fishes in the Southern Europe has not received significant attention. Contrary to most species within the Leuciscidae family, the genus Delminichthys inhabits a geographically restricted area (middle and southern Dinarides) and consists of only four endemic species. This study analysed the population genetic structure and demographic history of each Delminichthys species as a contribution to the understanding of the evolutionary peculiarities in Dinaric water systems. The obtained results revealed pronounced mito-nuclear and nuclear-nuclear discordance, likely the result of incomplete lineage sorting, as well as nuclear introgression observed in the Ombla River population in southernmost Croatia. In addition to allopatric speciation, ancient hybridization might have played an important role in the evolutionary history of this genus. The origin of the genus Delminichthys can be dated back to the Oligocene/Miocene boundary, to a period of significant tectonic activity in the Mediterranean region, and its ancestor likely inhabited the region of the central Dinarides. Intrageneric divergences occurred in the lower Miocene and Pliocene. Similarly, as previously proposed for Delminichthys adspersus, traces of underground migrations were found among Delminichthys ghetaldii populations, implying adaptations to underground life to be characteristic for the genus. All Delminichthys species express high levels of genetic diversity, likely as a consequence of their old origin. Size of D. adspersus is currently decreasing, while the remaining three species appear stable.

Long-Term Change in Human Impact and Environmental Perceptions: A 40-Year Case Study of an Environment-Focused Non-Governmental Organization

Non-governmental environmental organizations are diverse in scope, goals and doctrine, ranging from natural history societies to green parties. It was from the 1960s that they became widespread worldwide. To characterize a French NGO and assess the changing trends in its objectives over time, we have qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed the journal it has published without interruption for 40 years: 140 issues, 4500 pages, and almost 250 keywords. The initial scope of the NGO was focused on ‘humans and nature’: we do not protect the environment against humans but with humans, i.e., at the same time as humans, which is the very definition of sustainable development, with its three-fold focus: nature, economy and social justice. The primary issues included recognizing water as a shared resource for all people, promoting sustainable agriculture and transportation (such as railways), advancing peace efforts, and protecting nature. This approach emphasizes a rigorous, evolving scientific perspective that goes beyond a focus on a few charismatic species (‘deluxe biodiversity’), embracing biodiversity in its entirety. Over time, the discourse has kept track of the shifting priorities of most Green parties: less and less focused on nature (e.g., forests, ecosystems) and more and more on social issues (e.g., health, housing, transport). However, it differs in not focusing on the idées fixes of the Greens (e.g., rejection of civil nuclear power, GMOs).

Stable Boundaries of Phragmites australis Marsh Development after Peat Mining in a Northern Japan Bog

Since Phragmites australis often develop marshes soon after human disturbances, such as peat mining in bogs, the establishment patterns should be clarified for restoration purposes. The inside and outside boundaries of P. australis marshes were investigated following peat mining in Sarobetsu mire, northern Japan, in 2016 and 2017. The boundaries of marshes did not move during the two years, due mostly to the slow expansion of shoots. Various vegetation types developed outside of the marsh. P. australis coexisted with neither ericaceous nor carnivorous plants, which favor Sphagnum bogs. The succession in the marsh did not progress the original bogs. P. australis dispersed seeds mostly within the marshes, suggesting limited dispersal, and developed transient seed bank. Therefore, seed dispersal (sexual reproduction) and rhizomes (vegetative reproduction) contributed to population maintenance rather than population enlargement during the studied period. Peat moisture was higher in the marsh, whereas photosynthetic active radiation was lower. Water levels did not differ between inside and outside the marshes. Chemical properties in peat water were not different between inside and outside the marshes. Therefore, water chemistry and levels did not adequately explain the marsh development. These results suggest that, for wetland restoration, environmental manipulation is ineffective in reducing P. australis and unpredictable or stochastic events alter the dynamics of P. australis marshes.

Production and Destruction of Plant Organic Matter in Bog Ecosystems in the South of Western Siberia

There are still many gaps in studies of the carbon cycle in northern ecosystems. It is challenging also in the context of climate change. This new study focuses on providing the state of the art data on the dynamics of plant organic matter, namely, the live plant biomass (phytomass), the dead biomass (mortmass), the Net Primary Production (NPP), as well as the rate of decomposition of plant organic matter of the major plant species, contributed to peat deposits. The study was conducted via direct in–situ measurements of different fractions of plant organic matter at a few test sites of oligotrophic pine–dwarf shrub–Sphagnum bogs at a wide geographic gradient (from the middle taiga to the forest-steppe regions in Western Siberia) based on an original methodology of measurements developed by the authors. In general, the five groups of plant species were distinguished in terms of productivity and decomposition rates. The study revealed a strong correlation between the net primary production (NPP) and the rate of decomposition of plant organic matter in pristine northern peatlands: an increase in productivity (NPPs) was basically leading to an increase in rates of decomposition in all plant materials collected in bog ecosystems. The study contributes to a global understanding of patterns and main drivers related to basic set of carbon cycle components in the northern wetland (peatland) ecosystems, their diversity and their spatial distribution.

Differential “Tree Attraction”—Epiphytic Growth of Umbilicus rupestris and Other Lithophytic Crassulaceae

Epiphytic species grow (almost) exclusively on a living substrate, typically a tree, but epiphytic growth is not restricted to them. Individuals of normally lithophytic or terrestrial species may occasionally be found on a tree as so-called accidental epiphytes. Species of the focal group of this study, Crassulaceae, are typically found on rocks and in rock fissures. While there is a small proportion of true epiphytes globally, the propensity of the other family members to occur as accidental epiphytes is largely unexplored. Here, I investigated this question for 29 European members of the family with the use of the participatory science data platform iNaturalist. Umbilicus rupestris stands out in regard to epiphytic occurrences, although the incidence of epiphytic growth is still rather low with c. 1% of c. 14,000 observations. For all other species, epiphytic growth has not been reported or was exceptional. As expected, epiphytic individuals of U. rupestris were limited to regions without frost, while a predicted limitation to the wettest parts of the species’ geographic range was not supported by the data. Arguably, Umbilicus rupestris could be a promising model to study the early steps of epiphyte evolution by comparing epiphytic and terrestrial individuals in regard to differential germination success, ease of establishment, differences in morphological and physiological traits and general population dynamics. The results of such studies should be highly instructive for our understanding of the challenges that terrestrial species face when conquering tree crowns.

Strata Use in a Canopy Beetle Community of a Lowland Neotropical Rainforest in Southern Venezuela

Stratification of tropical rainforests and their arthropods is highly pronounced. I hypothesize that the occurrence of rainforest canopy beetles in the understory is not random but related to the ecology of the taxa, such as feeding guilds and larval development. Therefore, the ecological characteristics of stratum generalists recorded in both the canopy and the lower understory were analyzed. Adult beetles were collected manually and with traps in the northern part of the Amazonian rainforest for a cumulative year. Seventy out of a total of 862 canopy beetle species from 45 families associated with 23 tree species were shared between both strata. The beetle families represented by most species in the canopy and ground samples were Curculionidae, Chrysomelidae, and Carabidae. For Elateridae and Scarabaeidae, the proportion of shared species between the strata was ≥20%. In contrast, the species-rich families (≥20 canopy species) Cerambycidae, Mordellidae, and Buprestidae did not comprise species sampled in both strata. Thus, beetle families comprising many stratum generalists are either largely predatory, or their larvae often develop in the soil.

Database of Ecological Indicators of Freshwater Algae and Cyanobacteria

Accumulation of ecological data on species of algae and cyanobacteria represents 9531 taxa-indicators from 18 taxonomic phyla. The most represented among the indicators is the taxonomic group of diatoms. The indicators are grouped into twelve ecological groups, which can be indicators of nine environmental parameters. The environmental characteristics for each of the indicator systems and the relationship between some of them are given. Individual abbreviations of ecological indicator groups that have been established as a result of long-term use are given. References are given to examples of the application of analysis of specific water bodies using bioindication methods, and prospects for use in monitoring and assessing water quality are shown. A specific example of using the database is given. The table of indicator taxa contains cumulative ecological data and is easy to use. This table is a living tool that can be supplemented and transformed when new information about indicator species comes.

Orthoptera Colonising the Urban Landscape and Urban Lawns: A Case of a Middle-Russian City

Orthoptera are often surveyed in research on urban environments, but results are ambiguous in different regions and cities. We studied the insects in a city located in the centre of the East-European plain, at the junction of the Continental and Boreal biogeoregions. We distinguished suburbs and the urban landscape and meadows and lawns within the urban landscape. To find orthopterans in grassland habitats, we used sweepnet, acoustic and visual observations, and pitfall traps. Urban habitats are colonised by 20 species of Orthoptera from 29 species observed in the suburbs. Only five species are as frequent in urban habitats as in suburban ones. The urban environment negatively affects both forest species, all three species of dry meadows and only one of ten grassland generalists. On lawns, we found 11 species. Total abundance and species numbers were lower in lawns than in meadows. Only three late-emerging and high-dispersing species were quite frequent in lawns. The occurrence of Conocephalus fuscus in lawns was positively influenced by the presence of uncut patches, Chorthippus dorsatus—by the density of the herb layer. Ch. mollis, which is native to dry meadows, preferred unshaded lawns. Chorthippus biguttulus is a single species inhabiting lawns of almost every quality.

Long-Term Change in Human Impact and Environmental Perceptions: A 40-Year Case Study of an Environment-Focused Non-Governmental Organization

Non-governmental environmental organizations are diverse in scope, goals and doctrine, ranging from natural history societies to green parties. It was from the 1960s that they became widespread worldwide. To characterize a French NGO and assess the changing trends in its objectives over time, we have qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed the journal it has published without interruption for 40 years: 140 issues, 4500 pages, and almost 250 keywords. The initial scope of the NGO was focused on ‘humans and nature’: we do not protect the environment against humans but with humans, i.e., at the same time as humans, which is the very definition of sustainable development, with its three-fold focus: nature, economy and social justice. The primary issues included recognizing water as a shared resource for all people, promoting sustainable agriculture and transportation (such as railways), advancing peace efforts, and protecting nature. This approach emphasizes a rigorous, evolving scientific perspective that goes beyond a focus on a few charismatic species (‘deluxe biodiversity’), embracing biodiversity in its entirety. Over time, the discourse has kept track of the shifting priorities of most Green parties: less and less focused on nature (e.g., forests, ecosystems) and more and more on social issues (e.g., health, housing, transport). However, it differs in not focusing on the idées fixes of the Greens (e.g., rejection of civil nuclear power, GMOs).utf-8

Database of Ecological Indicators of Freshwater Algae and Cyanobacteria

Accumulation of ecological data on species of algae and cyanobacteria represents 9531 taxa-indicators from 18 taxonomic phyla. The most represented among the indicators is the taxonomic group of diatoms. The indicators are grouped into twelve ecological groups, which can be indicators of nine environmental parameters. The environmental characteristics for each of the indicator systems and the relationship between some of them are given. Individual abbreviations of ecological indicator groups that have been established as a result of long-term use are given. References are given to examples of the application of analysis of specific water bodies using bioindication methods, and prospects for use in monitoring and assessing water quality are shown. A specific example of using the database is given. The table of indicator taxa contains cumulative ecological data and is easy to use. This table is a living tool that can be supplemented and transformed when new information about indicator species comes.utf-8

Evolution in the Dinarids: Phylogeography, Diversity and Evolutionary History of the Endemic Genus Delminichthys (Actinopteri; Leuciscidae)

The origin of exceptionally rich fish communities harboured within the freshwater systems of southern Europe is usually explained by allopatric speciation due to a long isolation of water basins. On the other hand, hybridization events have been recorded in several fish species, but they role in the speciation of freshwater fishes in the Southern Europe has not received significant attention. Contrary to most species within the Leuciscidae family, the genus Delminichthys inhabits a geographically restricted area (middle and southern Dinarides) and consists of only four endemic species. This study analysed the population genetic structure and demographic history of each Delminichthys species as a contribution to the understanding of the evolutionary peculiarities in Dinaric water systems. The obtained results revealed pronounced mito-nuclear and nuclear-nuclear discordance, likely the result of incomplete lineage sorting, as well as nuclear introgression observed in the Ombla River population in southernmost Croatia. In addition to allopatric speciation, ancient hybridization might have played an important role in the evolutionary history of this genus. The origin of the genus Delminichthys can be dated back to the Oligocene/Miocene boundary, to a period of significant tectonic activity in the Mediterranean region, and its ancestor likely inhabited the region of the central Dinarides. Intrageneric divergences occurred in the lower Miocene and Pliocene. Similarly, as previously proposed for Delminichthys adspersus, traces of underground migrations were found among Delminichthys ghetaldii populations, implying adaptations to underground life to be characteristic for the genus. All Delminichthys species express high levels of genetic diversity, likely as a consequence of their old origin. Size of D. adspersus is currently decreasing, while the remaining three species appear stable.utf-8

Distribution Patterns of Tigers and Leopards in Thung Yai Naresuan (East) Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Thailand

Examining the distribution patterns of sympatric large carnivores provides critical insights into the roles of prey availability and human disturbances in shaping the landscape use of these key predators. The Thung Yai Naresuan (East) Wildlife sanctuary (TYNE) in western Thailand has been presumed to be a natural stronghold for tigers (Panthera tigris), leopards (Panthera pardus), and large ungulates, but little was known about their habitat relationships there. During April 2010–February 2012, camera trap surveys (n = 106 camera trap locations; n = 1817 trap nights) and sign surveys (n = 493 km of transects) were designed to systematically cover overlapping areas of 925 km² and 1421 km², respectively, to characterize and evaluate tiger and leopard distribution in TYNE. Occupancy modeling was used to estimate the potential environmental and anthropogenic factors that best explained habitats used by these large carnivores. The predictive model of tiger and leopard occupancy from surveys at the same sampling scale revealed similar relationships between limiting factors and space use. Camera surveys show that tigers are more likely than leopards to inhabit areas where gaur (Bos gaurus) and sambar (Cervus unicolor) are frequently found.. Sign surveys from across TYNE also indicated tiger distribution was characterized by the presence of large ungulates, as well by areas with high ranger patrol effort; leopard distribution was characterized by a higher occurrence of smaller barking deer (Muntiacus vaginalis) and wild boar (Sus scrofa), and by areas with low human disturbance. Our findings suggest that tigers and leopards have specific habitat preferences within the TYNE, with tigers showing a preference for areas with larger ungulates. In contrast, leopards are more likely to be found in areas with smaller prey. Human settlement areas and disturbance activities were identified as key factors influencing the distribution of both species, limiting their range to the central to the eastern part of the sanctuary.utf-8

Production and Destruction of Plant Organic Matter in Bog Ecosystems in the South of Western Siberia

There are still many gaps in studies of the carbon cycle in northern ecosystems. It is challenging also in the context of climate change. This new study focuses on providing the state of the art data on the dynamics of plant organic matter, namely, the live plant biomass (phytomass), the dead biomass (mortmass), the Net Primary Production (NPP), as well as the rate of decomposition of plant organic matter of the major plant species, contributed to peat deposits. The study was conducted via direct in–situ measurements of different fractions of plant organic matter at a few test sites of oligotrophic pine–dwarf shrub–Sphagnum bogs at a wide geographic gradient (from the middle taiga to the forest-steppe regions in Western Siberia) based on an original methodology of measurements developed by the authors. In general, the five groups of plant species were distinguished in terms of productivity and decomposition rates. The study revealed a strong correlation between the net primary production (NPP) and the rate of decomposition of plant organic matter in pristine northern peatlands: an increase in productivity (NPPs) was basically leading to an increase in rates of decomposition in all plant materials collected in bog ecosystems. The study contributes to a global understanding of patterns and main drivers related to basic set of carbon cycle components in the northern wetland (peatland) ecosystems, their diversity and their spatial distribution.utf-8

Stable Boundaries of Phragmites australis Marsh Development after Peat Mining in a Northern Japan Bog

Since Phragmites australis often develop marshes soon after human disturbances, such as peat mining in bogs, the establishment patterns should be clarified for restoration purposes. The inside and outside boundaries of P. australis marshes were investigated following peat mining in Sarobetsu mire, northern Japan, in 2016 and 2017. The boundaries of marshes did not move during the two years, due mostly to the slow expansion of shoots. Various vegetation types developed outside of the marsh. P. australis coexisted with neither ericaceous nor carnivorous plants, which favor Sphagnum bogs. The succession in the marsh did not progress the original bogs. P. australis dispersed seeds mostly within the marshes, suggesting limited dispersal, and developed transient seed bank. Therefore, seed dispersal (sexual reproduction) and rhizomes (vegetative reproduction) contributed to population maintenance rather than population enlargement during the studied period. Peat moisture was higher in the marsh, whereas photosynthetic active radiation was lower. Water levels did not differ between inside and outside the marshes. Chemical properties in peat water were not different between inside and outside the marshes. Therefore, water chemistry and levels did not adequately explain the marsh development. These results suggest that, for wetland restoration, environmental manipulation is ineffective in reducing P. australis and unpredictable or stochastic events alter the dynamics of P. australis marshes.utf-8

Orthoptera Colonising the Urban Landscape and Urban Lawns: A Case of a Middle-Russian City

Orthoptera are often surveyed in research on urban environments, but results are ambiguous in different regions and cities. We studied the insects in a city located in the centre of the East-European plain, at the junction of the Continental and Boreal biogeoregions. We distinguished suburbs and the urban landscape and meadows and lawns within the urban landscape. To find orthopterans in grassland habitats, we used sweepnet, acoustic and visual observations, and pitfall traps. Urban habitats are colonised by 20 species of Orthoptera from 29 species observed in the suburbs. Only five species are as frequent in urban habitats as in suburban ones. The urban environment negatively affects both forest species, all three species of dry meadows and only one of ten grassland generalists. On lawns, we found 11 species. Total abundance and species numbers were lower in lawns than in meadows. Only three late-emerging and high-dispersing species were quite frequent in lawns. The occurrence of Conocephalus fuscus in lawns was positively influenced by the presence of uncut patches, Chorthippus dorsatus—by the density of the herb layer. Ch. mollis, which is native to dry meadows, preferred unshaded lawns. Chorthippus biguttulus is a single species inhabiting lawns of almost every quality.utf-8

Testing Photogrammetry in Assessing Health of Houston Toads (Bufo [=Anaxyrus] houstonensis)

The Houston toad (Bufo [=Anaxyrus] houstonensis) is an endangered amphibian species that occupies a small range in Texas, USA. Despite recent increases in juvenile detections, obtaining data is limited by a narrow temporal window of juvenile emergence. This necessitates the rapid collection of ecological data. Because of this, we seek to test the quality of image-based measurements as an alternative to assessing the body condition of Houston toads. We used caliper- and image-based measurements of wild-caught adult toads and captive-bred juveniles, while recording handling time for each method with the juveniles. We compared scaled mass indices (SMI) and residuals from ordinary least squares regressions (OLS) between methods and life stages. Handling time of juvenile toads was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) for the image-based trial than the caliper-based trial. While SMI values violated key assumptions for a valid Condition index (CI), OLS condition index values did not. OLS condition values from the image-based trial were also not statistically significantly different to those from the caliper-based trial. These observations suggest that our image-based measurement technique is a valuable alternative to gaining morphometric data, and that applying this data to an OLS residual index is a more appropriate approach to monitoring individual- and population-level health in Houston toads.utf-8

Review of Cyprinodontiform Fishes in the Upper Congo Drainage with Descriptions of Four New Species of Seasonal Nothobranchius (Nothobranchiidae) and a New Species of ‘Lacustricola’ Lampeye (Procatopodidae) in South-Eastern DR Congo

The cyprinodontiform fish fauna of the Bangweulu–Mweru and Upper Lualaba freshwater ecoregions, situated in the uppermost Congo River drainage, has been reviewed. This study introduces four newly described species of seasonal Nothobranchius killifish and a novel species of lampeye belonging to the genus ‘Lacustricola’. Nothobranchius iridescens, new species, from the Kafila system in the Lufira drainage, is characterized in male colouration by anal fin with irregular red-brown spots and stripes, creating two irregular submedial and medial bands and with broad yellow subdistal band; and a caudal fin with a slender light blue subdistal band, densely marked with irregular red spots, and narrow dark brown distinct distal margin. Nothobranchius katemomandai, new species, from the Kay system in the upper Lualaba drainage, is characterized in male colouration by an anal fin with narrow brown submedial band, followed by a slender yellow band, a slender red-brown band and a slender dark brown distal band; and a caudal fin with brown spots proximally and medially, and with slender white to light blue subdistal band and a narrow dark grey distal band. Nothobranchius marmoreus, new species, from the Lufukwe system in the Lake Mweru basin, is characterized in male colouration by a body with irregular red-brown patches and stripes, forming a marble-like mottled pattern; and anal and caudal fins with slender yellow to amber subdistal band and broad dark brown distal band. Nothobranchius dubieensis, new species, from the Lubule system in the Luvua drainage, is characterized in male colouration by an anal fin with narrow dark brown submedial band, narrow yellow and orange medial bands, narrow white subdistal band, and slender dark brown distal band; and a caudal fin with irregular red-brown spots and stripes proximally and medially, followed by an irregular narrow red-brown subdistal band and slender white distal band, and with interrupted red-brown fin tips. ‘Lacustricola’ gemma, new species, from the Kay system in the upper Lualaba drainage, is characterized by a pattern of iridescent, diamond-shaped, light blue spots in scale centres below mid-longitudinal series on posteroventral portion of flank; median fins yellow to hyaline, with dark grey stripes perpendicular to fin rays; dorsal fin with light blue distinct margin; anal fin with dark grey margin. Analysis of mitochondrial COI gene sequences revealed that the five new species represent phylogenetically distinct lineages. These findings not only underscore their genetic uniqueness but also confirm their placement within the Nothobranchius brieni species group and the genus ‘Lacustricola’. Species of the genus Nothobranchius complete their seasonal life cycle in ephemeral natural habitats within freshwater wetlands, while ‘Lacustricola’ species migrate to breed in flooded areas of shallow, typically seasonal wetland habitats at the onset of the rainy season. These wetlands are highly vulnerable to a variety of human-induced stressors and threats, including agricultural cultivation, water extraction, urban expansion resulting in land-use pressure, and increased pollution, particularly from industrial activities such as mining. Therefore, it is essential to protect the integrity of these unique aquatic habitats throughout all the seasons of the year to maintain healthy wetland ecosystems and safeguard the distinctive seasonal freshwater biodiversity they support.utf-8

Ecology and Diversity Editorial