The epiphytic lichen species richness and community composition was compared for 600 living trees distributed within the interior of 60 Scots pine and Norway spruce monoculture stands in southern Sweden. A higher species richness, and more unique species, was found on trees of Scots pine than of Norway spruce, and distinctive communities were associated with the two tree species. Lichen species composition also shifted between the 30-, 55- and 80-year-old stands, although there was no significant difference in species richness between the different age classes. Tree species and age of the stand explained most of the variation in community composition (41%), with additional variance explained by lichen proximity to the ground (6%) and aspect (1%) (northern/southern side of trunk). Scots pine and Norway spruce share many attributes, such as both being conifers with acidic bark properties and having a similar geographical distribution in Fennoscandia. However, our study showed that species richness and community composition can nevertheless diverge in stands dominated by these two tree species. Since the occurrence of red-listed species was low in these stands, we suggest that 80-year rotations are not long enough for the occurrence of the many rare and specialized lichen species that require old forest structures and long forest continuity in this region.

The Barents Sea region of Arctic Norway preserves a thick succession of marine and deltaic Triassic strata that yield an abundant and diverse association of terrestrial and marine palynomorphs. Despite being the principal means for dating and correlation across this vast region, the Upper Triassic palynozonal resolution has remained relatively low. This is problematic due to the thickness of the Upper Triassic Series and since this corresponds to the longest of the three Triassic epochs. This paper presents a refined Middle–Upper Triassic palynozonation for the region, based on a detailed investigation of multiple localities ranging from the Svalbard Archipelago to the southern Barents Sea. The zonation comprises eleven spore-pollen zones: the Carnisporites spiniger, Triadispora obscura and Protodiploxypinus decus zones (Anisian), the Echinitosporites iliacoides Zone (Ladinian), the Semiretisporis hochulii, Podosporites vigraniae, Leschikisporis aduncus, and Protodiploxypinus spp. zones (Carnian), the Classopollis torosus, and Quadraeculina anellaeformis zones (Norian), and the Ricciisporites spp. Zone (Rhaetian). Additionally, two new dinoflagellate cyst zones are defined: the Rhaetogonyaulax arctica (upper Carnian – lower Norian) and Rhaetogonyaulax rhaetica (lower Norian) zones. Three new age-significant palynomorph taxa are described: Kyrtomisporis moerki sp. nov., Podosporites vigraniae sp. nov. and Semiretisporis hochulii sp. nov. The revised palynozonation is compared with previous palynozonal schemes for the Greater Barents Sea region, and its relationship to Triassic palaeoclimate, palaeoenvironments and sequence stratigraphy is discussed.

The Caatinga of north-eastern Brazil is the largest and most diverse seasonally dry tropical forest in the Americas and is home to numerous endemic species. However, only 1.2% of the area is under full protection, and given the ongoing decline of this biome there is an urgent need to expand the protected area network. The Endangered Caatinga howler monkey Alouatta ululata is almost endemic to the Caatinga, and is a potential umbrella species for the protection of its biodiversity. Using all available distribution data and our own surveys we applied Maxent and Zonation spatial modelling to identify the range of A. ululata, and priority conservation areas for the species, maximizing habitat quality and connectivity, and minimizing conservation constraints. The top 10% priority areas cover 34,400 km2 and mostly coincide with good remnants of Caatinga. Only priority areas in the northern part of the species’ range are protected, so it is essential to create new protected areas in the centre and south of the range. Maxent modelling indicates that the species depends on good tree cover, but even inside protected areas we observed recent deforestation, illustrating the urgency to improve management. Maxent also indicated that aridity limits the species' range, and therefore the ongoing aridification of the Caatinga is a threat to its future. The protection of A. ululata requires establishing new protected areas in priority locations and improving management of existing protected areas. Preservation of priority areas for the Caatinga howler monkey also represents an opportunity for the conservation of other important biodiversity in the region.

A three-fold zonation can be imaged within authigenic siderite from sandstones of the Brent Group using back-scatter SEM techniques. We interpret this zonation in terms of the biogeochemical zonation of shallow buried sediment. The innermost siderite crystal zone is very Fe rich (95.0±0.5 mol.% FeCO3), with high Mn levels relative to Ca and Mg. This is interpreted as forming within the Fe reduction zone, with Mn from the closely associated Mn reduction zone. The second siderite crystal zone is frequently represented either by an episode of dissolution, or is impure (80±1 mol.% FeCO3), and this corresponds to the sulphate reduction zone. The outer crystal zone is intermediate in composition, and is equated with the zone of methanogenesis (88±1 mol.% FeCO3). Isotopic values cannot be assigned to individual crystal zones. Bulk δ18O values (−2.7 to −13.0‰ V-PDB) are not consistent with precipitation from seawater at low temperatures, but suggest meteoric pore-waters. δ13C data (−4.3 to −15.7‰ V-PDB) are consistent with microbially-mediated precipitation.

Pyrite and siderite are usually mutually exclusive within a single sample. Sedimentary conditions which favour the development of a strong sulphate reduction zone, and hence the formation of pyrite, do not favour the formation of a strong sub-oxic zone, where siderite is preferentially precipitated, and vice versa. There is a strong facies control upon siderite formation, with ripple cross-laminated sands being most strongly siderite cemented.

We examined the benthic fauna in four areas along a mangrove tidal channel in south-eastern Brazil, between October 2008 and August 2009. The tested hypothesis is that the most abundant groups avoid competition as they occupy different types of substrata and that the longitudinal distance from the sea also affects the occurrence of benthic fauna along the channel. We also examined the prop root epibiont fauna to describe this different community. Polychaeta was the dominant group in the sediment whereas Isopoda and Tanaidacea were the dominant groups on the prop roots. We found a tendency for higher infauna species richness and diversity in the innermost channel area during the summer. Higher abundance of epibiont fauna was also found in summer with tidal movements allowing the colonization of the prop roots of the mangrove forest by some taxa. The polychaetes Ceratocephale sp. and Laeonereis acuta had indication of habitat partitioning, with the first occurring mainly in very fine sand sediment whereas the latter preferred medium sand sediment. The microcrustaceans Chelorchestia darwini and Tanaidacea sp. 1 occurred in high abundance colonizing the prop roots. Exosphaeroma sp. was found in high abundance in infauna and epibiont fauna. The tested hypothesis of spatial partitioning of the mangrove channel by the benthic fauna was confirmed with the most abundant species occupying the substrata with different grain fractions and prop roots in different stations.

To assess the course and status of recovery of rocky intertidal zonation after massive subsidence caused by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, from 2011 to 2013 we censused the vertical distribution of 10 dominant macrobenthic species (six sessile and four mobile species) in the mid-shore zone of 23 sites along the Sanriku coastline, 150–160 km north-northwest of the earthquake epicentre, and compared the vertical distributions of each species with their vertical distributions in the pre-earthquake period. The dynamics of rocky intertidal zonation varied substantially among species. Among sessile species, one barnacle dramatically increased in abundance and expanded its vertical range in 2011, but then decreased and completely disappeared from all plots by 2013. Zonations of other sessile species shifted downward following the subsidence in 2011. With some species, there was no clear change in abundance immediately after the earthquake, but they then began to increase and move upward after a few years; with other species, abundance continuously decreased. There was no clear change in the vertical distribution of any of the mobile species immediately after the earthquake. Abundance of two mobile species was unchanged, but abundance of the others decreased from 2012 and had not recovered as of 2013.

Although sponges constitute the dominant animal group in marine caves globally, few studies have investigated quantitatively their diversity patterns in this habitat. Regarding Mediterranean marine caves, data describing the structure and diversity gradients of sponge assemblages are available for the north-western basin, while information for the eastern Mediterranean is almost inexistent. In this study, the sponge assemblages in two Aegean marine caves (eastern Mediterranean Sea) with different topography were examined using a non-destructive method. In each cave, three quadrats (25 × 25 cm) were photographed at 5 m intervals, along three transects: one along the ceiling and two along the opposite walls. Per cent coverage for each sponge species was calculated using advanced image processing software. Our analyses revealed a rich sponge assemblage, which consisted of 50 species assigned to eight growth forms. Resemblance analysis for the surveyed caves revealed two major groups of samples corresponding to the shadowy outer and the darker internal cave sectors. However, differences in species composition as well as divergent spatial patterns of species richness, Shannon–Wiener diversity and morphological diversity were found not only between the caves but also between different transects within each cave. Sponge morphological diversity presented significant positive correlation with species richness and Shannon–Wiener diversity in both caves, suggesting that it could possibly be used as a surrogate measure for describing sponge diversity gradients in Mediterranean caves. Cave topography was found to have a significant effect on the observed diversity patterns and assemblage structure, highlighting the high level of individuality in these unique habitats.

The distribution of mangrove forests is limited to the coastal zones of tropical and subtropical regions, and their total area is far smaller than that of upland forests (Spalding et al. 2010). Mangrove forests often show unique patterns of biomass allocation and carbon dynamics because they are periodically submerged by tides (Komiyama et al. 2008). Therefore, the contribution of mangrove forests to the global carbon fixation process should be carefully evaluated even though their distribution area is limited.

Phragmites australis is a stand forming emergent macrophyte that displays large phenotypic variation within Lake Balaton. The present study assesses morphological variations of P. australis within three transects of different reed stands of Lake Balaton which differ with respect to bathymetry, reed quality and geographic position in order to achieve a morphological typization. On average the southern stable stand produced the largest and thickest plants (295±9 cm and 7.5±0.2 mm), while plants of the northern die-back stand were approximately half this size (141±2 cm and 3.5±0.1 mm). The slow growth and development of Phragmites characterizing the northern die-back stand was the result of fewer and shorter internodes, which also resulted in the low number of green leaves. The most influential factor shaping the phenotypic properties of the plants was determined to be the reed quality (general condition), although site-specific differences, shore-specific differences, water depth and spatial position within reed stand transects were also found to be significant. Despite the differences in the studied stands and almost certain genetic dissimilarities, three morphological ecotypes of Phragmites were distinguished on the basis of stem height to basal diameter ratio, stem density and phenotypic plasticity of plants. These ecotypes were primarily correlated to water depth at their position within the reed stand. The similarity of the spatial distribution of stem heights to basal diameter ratios and phenotypic plasticity of plants along all studied reed stands suggests that morphological typization should be considered to provide additional information on ecological zonation of stands.

The invasion of marine species is a threat to local and global biodiversity and can have many ecological, economic and social impacts. The bivalve Isognomon bicolor has invaded the rocky shores of Brazil and spread along the coast, occurring from Rio Grande do Norte to the Santa Catarina State. The present study evaluated the distribution of I. bicolor on different rocky shores of Arvoredo Island (Santa Catarina State) and its relationship with other taxa. A high density of I. bicolor was found on the exposed shore, which was associated with the occurrence of articulated calcareous macroalgae. In addition, I. bicolor was also found in empty shells of the barnacles Tetraclita stalactifera and Megabalanus spp. The physical structure of these habitats probably plays an important role in the success of I. bicolor invasion. For these reasons, I. bicolor evidences an alteration on the benthic community of the rocky shores and its potential consequences become a threat to local species.

This paper examines the floristic changes that occur following human disturbance in mid-montane forest in the Wau area in Papua New Guinea. The study was restricted to a 1600–2400 m altitudinal range on Mt Kaindi, with disturbed forest, and Mt Missim, with undisturbed forest. Special attention was given to the status of Nothofagus pullei which is locally dominant on Mt Kaindi.

A major change in floristic composition was observed between 1800 and 2000 m. The abundance and species composition of ferns and mosses above 2000 m characterizes the floristic differences. Nothofagus pullei was found to be a pioneer species with a long life-span, one which does not regenerate under its own cover. There were no other important floristic differences between Notho-fagus-dominated forest and mixed mid-montane forest. Nothofagus pullei locally dominates the canopy and thereby suppresses the growth of other trees.

The present study describes the species composition and vertical distribution of chitons in tide pools and on exposed rock areas of the intertidal zone of Samara, Guanacaste, Pacific Costa Rica. Nine different species of chitons were recorded, and their densities and sizes were determined using quadrate sampling. Physical (period of emersion, temperature and salinity range) and biotic (presence and diversity of food resources) factors were examined to assess their influence on distribution and abundance of each species. Ischnochiton dispar was the predominant species with densities of up to 200 ind m−2, representing 85.4% of all sampled individuals (N = 4193). The size of I. dispar was positively correlated with the size of the inhabited boulders. Two species (I. dispar and Stenoplax limaciformis) showed segregation in size: I. dispar being negatively and S. limaciformis positively correlated to the distance from the shore. Two of the nine species (Chiton stokesii and Acanthochitona hirundiniformis) occurred mainly on rocky areas outside the tide pools with variable amounts of exposure to air during each tidal cycle. In both species the tide pool specimens were significantly smaller than those collected in the rocky areas. Distribution of all other species was restricted to the tide pools and species had their peak abundance in the zones with more moderate conditions and a higher diversity of algae, resulting in the highest chiton diversity in these areas.

Quantitative and semi-quantitative samples of phyto- and zoobenthic organisms were collected by SCUBA diving at five stations along a depth transect from 0.5–16 m on the shallow hard bottoms off Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea, Antarctica. The benthic associations were dominated by two macroalgal species (Iridaea cordata and Phyllophora antarctica) and by few animal taxa (mainly polychaetes, molluscs and peracarid crustaceans). Distribution at the community and species levels revealed a well-defined zonation pattern as a function of depth, governed mainly by sea ice scouring and melting. Zonation of vagile fauna was also affected by the effects of covering and architecture of the two dominant macroalgae. Species richness and diversity were higher in the Phyllophora-associated community, where habitat complexity and sheltering were higher. The highest faunal abundance (over 82 000 ind.m−2) and biomass (macroalgae and fauna wet weight 2392 g m−2) were recorded at 2 m depth in association with the Iridaea covering, where the harsher environmental conditions select a few taxa. The biomass values, even if underestimates of the whole community standing crop, are among the highest recorded in shallow austral biotopes. An autoecological and demographic analysis of the most abundant animal species revealed for some species (e.g. Laevilitorina antarctica and Paramoera walkeri) a quite complex population structure with up to three size classes, including juveniles. In some species, the cohort of juveniles showed a well-defined depth preference probably related to sheltering by the macroalgae. As a whole, the species analyzed showed various and contrasting reproductive strategies, despite the fact that the environmental conditions along the transect were relatively similar and quite selective.

Temporal and spatial distribution of the chiton Acanthopleura japonica and associated molluscs were recorded on a semi-exposed tropical rocky shore in Hong Kong over 24 months. Most molluscs showed a clear vertical distribution pattern which varied with season. Many mobile gastropods, e.g. Monodonta labio, Cellana toreuma, Nerita albicilla and Thais clavigera, were found lower on the shore in summer (June–September), presumably as a response to the hot, desiccating conditions, but extended their range during winter (December–March). Acanthopleura, was distributed throughout the eulittoral and did not show such strong seasonal patterns, possibly due to the ability to use spatial refuges (specifically crevices) as a result of its flexible body-plan. Chitons exposed on horizontal rocks lost more body water during periods of emersion as compared to those in vertical or crevice habitats and, in summer, all animals on horizontal surfaces died. It is suggested that A. japonica uses cracks and crevices, which are not available to hard-shelled molluscs, throughout the year to reduce the impact of heat and desiccation stress during periods of emersion. This ability may explain the slight seasonal changes seen in Acanthopleura as compared to other species, and the dominance of chitons as herbivores on tropical shores.

Nous avons analysé la distribution régionale de 147 espèces appartenant aux 4 ordres d'insectes aquatiques les mieux connusdans le Sud-Ouest de la France - Ephéméroptères, Plécoptères, Trichoptères, Coléoptères Elmidae et Hydraeniidae -, afin d'établirune classification des cours d'eau basée sur des associations spécifiques au sein du réseau hydrographique Adour-Garonne(116 000 km2). La distribution spatiale des espèces a été précisée par des Analyses Factorielles des Correspondances (AFC), etles noyaux d'affinité entre espèces et/ou stations ont été recherchés par la Méthode des Nuées Dynamiques. Six zones ont étédéfinies, ainsi que leurs peuplements théoriques. Un intérêt majeur de telles classifications est que la stabilité spatio-temporelledes associations spécifiques peut être utilisée pour définir des sites ou des stations de référence, pour une surveillance biologiquedes rivières au sein d'une région ou d'une section longitudinale identifiée par un peuplement référentiel.

Des simulies ont été récoltées entre 1985 et 1991 dans les principaux réseaux hydrographiques du Haut Atlas. Les stades préimaginauxdes simulies représentent un élément important de la faune benthique de ces cours d'eau. Des larves et des nymphesont été récoltées dans 54 stations (entre 450 m et 3800 m d'altitude) qui regroupent une grande variété d'eaux courantes, depuisles ruisselets jusqu'aux grandes rivières.La communauté des simulies du Haut Atlas compte 24 espèces ; six sont nouvelles pour la science. Cinq espèces ont été décritesprécédemment. La description de Simulium (Eusimulium) mellah Giudicelli & Bouzidi n. sp. est donnée dans le présent travail.Le nombre d'espèces de simulies connues actuellement du Haut Atlas est remarquablement élevé, comparé à celui d'autres régionsd'Europe et du bassin méditerranéen ; à l'inverse, on note une relative pauvreté en espèces dans les autres groupes d'invertébrésvivant dans les eaux courantes de ce massif.Beaucoup d'espèces sont communes avec la faune des simulies de l'Europe occidentale et surtout de l'Europe méditerranéenne.La faune des simulies du Haut Atlas est nettement paléarctique, dominée par des éléments à distribution ouest-méditerranéenneet circumméditerranéenne ; elle comprend aussi quelques éléments africains. Quatre espèces sont endémiques, cantonnéesdans les torrents et les sources de haute altitude.Des informations sur la biogéographie, l'écologie et la répartition des espèces sont fournies.Les affinités et les relations écologiques entre 23 espèces et 50 stations ont été déterminées par une analyse factorielle des correspondances.Cinq groupements d'espèces et de stations ont été reconnus : un premier groupement caractérise les cours d'eaufroids (torrents et sources) aux altitudes supérieures (entre 2660 et 3200 m) ; les deuxième et troisième groupements correspondentau crénal et aux secteurs initiaux du rhithral (entre 1600 et 2700 m) et à une communauté d'espèces sténothermes d'eau froide; le quatrième groupement réunit les espèces eurythermes à large répartition dans les réseaux hydrographiques et il correspondaux rivières de montagne (hypo-métarhithral) entre 1200 et 2600 m d'altitude ; le cinquième groupement contient les espècesthermophiles et potamophiles qui habitent le cours inférieur des rivières (entre 600 et 1600 m).Une analyse factorielle des correspondances a été réalisée sur des prélèvements mensuels d'invertébrés récoltés de déc. 1985à déc. 1986 dans les différents microhabitats, définis par la combinaison courant-substrat, de deux secteurs épipotamiques. Lepremier axe factoriel (F1) représente une échelle de vitesse de courant. Les stades aquatiques des 7 espèces de Simulies présentesse disposent le long de cet axe en fonction de leur rhéopréférendum.

In shallow flooded parts of rich fens Mentha aquatica might thrive in deeper water than Epilobium hirsutum but previous experiments have provided no clear indication that the flooding tolerance of these species differs. In this study we investigated, by measuring growth, biomass allocation and vegetative reproduction, whether the impact of water level on vegetative reproduction might produce different lower boundaries on water level gradients. There was a striking contrast between biomass production at high water levels and the field distribution of both species. After 18 wk, the mean biomass of E. hirsutum grown in waterlogged and flooded conditions was 82% and 54%, respectively, of the mean biomass production of drained plants. Biomass of waterlogged and flooded M. aquatica was reduced to 57% and 37% in drained conditions. Waterlogged and flooded E. hirsutum had swollen stem bases and invested a high proportion of biomass in adventitious roots. Stems of M. aquatica did not swell, formed few adventitious roots and maintained an equal proportion of below-ground roots at all water levels. The effect of water level on vegetative reproduction corresponded well with the lower hydrological boundaries of both species. When waterlogged and flooded, most rhizomes of E. hirsutum emerged from above-ground parts of the stem base and were oriented in an upward direction. Plants in flooded soil allocated less biomass to rhizomes and also reduced the number and size of rhizomes. Rhizome formation of M. aquatica on the other hand was not directly affected by water level and only depended on plant size. These differences in vegetative reproduction are discussed in relation to the different abilities of both species to oxygenate their below-ground roots. It was concluded that the mode of adaptation to soil flooding might also affect vegetative reproduction and, therefore, a species' ability for long-term persistence in soil-flooded habitats.

Plusieurs études réalisées dans l'ouest du Burkina, sur les hauts cours du Kou, du Mouhoun (bassin des Voltas) et de la Léraba (bassin de la Comoé), ont permis la mise en évidence d'une région faunistique originale. Ces travaux ont notablement accru notre connaissance de la faune des Trichoptères de ce pays. Les recherches antérieures menées soit au Burkina sur le Nazinon et la Comoé, soit dans des écosystèmes similaires en Côte d'Ivoire, indiquaient une remarquable homogénéité faunistique des cours d'eau situés dans la zone des savanes. Par contre, nous observons, dans cette zone refuge, la présence d'espèces dont les affinités sont forestières ou montagnardes (Fouta Djalon). Ce phénomène est lié à une altitude supérieure, à la permanence de l'écoulement et à la présence de forêts classés. Huit espèces nouvelles sont décrites, elles appartiennent aux genres Cheumatopsyche, Ecnomus, Hydroptila, Oxyethira et Ugandatrichia.