Análise fractal do padrão espacial de plantas em pastagem / Fractal analysis of plant spatial patterns in natural grasslands under different managements

Avaliou-se o uso da análise fractal como ferramenta na determinação de padrões na escala de pastejo em pastagens naturais submetidas a diferentes manejos. Os tratamentos testados em Santa Maria foram: pastejo com queima, pastejo sem queima, exclusão com queima, exclusão sem queima. Em Bagé, os tratamentos avaliados foram: pastagem natural e pastagem natural com introdução de azevém, trevo-branco e cornichão. A caracterização da composição florística da pastagem foi realizada pelo método Botanal. A diversidade da pastagem foi calculada pelos índices de Shannon (H') e equitabilidade. A informação da dimensão fractal foi calculada pela regressão entre H'(ε) e o logaritmo natural de ε, sendo a inclinação da linha a informação da dimensão fractal. Os índices de Shannon e equitabilidade demonstraram dependência em relação à área amostral, onde a maior diversidade florística e a homogeneidade da frequência de distribuição de plantas entre espécies foram observadas no intervalo amostral de 0,87 e 1,03m2. A dimensão fractal pode ser uma ferramenta na determinação de padrões na comunidade vegetal na escala reduzida de pastejo. A limitação do emprego dessa técnica para escalas reduzidas é a necessidade de um número maior de repetições.(AU)

The use of fractal analysis was evaluated as a tool in the determination of grazing patterns in natural grasslands submitted to different managements. The treatments tested in Santa Maria were grazing with burning, grazing without burning, exclusion with burning and exclusion without burning. In Bagé, the evaluated treatments were natural pasture and introduction of ryegrass, white clover and birdsfoot trefoil in a natural grassland. The characterization of the floristic composition of the pasture was performed by the BOTANAL method. The pasture diversity was calculated by Shannon (H') and Evenness (J) indexes. The fractal dimension information was calculated by regression between H'(ε) and ε natural algorithm, with the line's slope being the fractal dimension information. Shannon and Evenness indexes showed dependence on the sample area, where the highest floristic diversity and homogeneity of the distribution frequency of plants between species were observed in the sample range of 0.87 to 1.03m2. The fractal dimension can be a tool in determining patterns in the plant community on the reduced grazing scale. The limitation of the use of this technique for reduced scales is the need for a greater number of repetitions.(AU)

Diversity of Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in mountainous and plain areas of an endemic focus of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran

Objective: To determine the diversity of sand flies in different biotopes of mountainous and plain areas of Bam County as the most infected focus of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in southeast Iran, and synanthropic index of Phlebotomus sergenti Parrot, and Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli as the main vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran.Methods: Sand flies were captured once a month using sticky traps in domestic, peri-domestic, agricultural, and sylvatic biotopes in the plain and mountainous areas. Alpha diversity indices, including richness, evenness, Shannon-Wiener; beta diversity indices (Jaccard's and Sorensen's similarity indices) and synanthropic index were calculated. Results: A total of 2664 specimens of 9 sand fly species were collected from mountainous (47％) and plain (53％) areas. Species richness, species evenness, and Shannon-Wiener indices were obtained as 9, 0.637, and 1.399, respectively in the mountainous area. Phlebotomus sergenti and Phlebotomus papatasi were constant species with the synanthropic index of -18.463 and -29.412, respectively. In addition, species richness, species evenness, and Shannon-Wiener indices were 4, 0.690, and 0.956, respectively in the plain area. Phlebotomus sergenti and Phlebotomus papatasi were dominant species with the synanthropic index of +9.695 and +36.207, respectively. Similarity indices were low among different biotopes of plain and mountainous areas. Conclusions: A basic knowledge about the diversity of sand flies in various biotopes is essential to design sound control programs. Biodiversity and synanthropic indices of sand flies are different in plain and mountainous areas due to the difference in biotic and abiotic factors between the two areas.

Diversity of Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in mountainous and plain areas of an endemic focus of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran

Objective: To determine the diversity of sand flies in different biotopes of mountainous and plain areas of Bam County as the most infected focus of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in southeast Iran, and synanthropic index of Phlebotomus sergenti Parrot, and Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli as the main vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran. Methods: Sand flies were captured once a month using sticky traps in domestic, peri-domestic, agricultural, and sylvatic biotopes in the plain and mountainous areas. Alpha diversity indices, including richness, evenness, Shannon-Wiener; beta diversity indices (Jaccard's and Sorensen's similarity indices) and synanthropic index were calculated. Results: A total of 2 664 specimens of 9 sand fly species were collected from mountainous (47%) and plain (53%) areas. Species richness, species evenness, and Shannon-Wiener indices were obtained as 9, 0.637, and 1.399, respectively in the mountainous area. Phlebotomus sergenti and Phlebotomus papatasi were constant species with the synanthropic index of-18.463 and-29.412, respectively. In addition, species richness, species evenness, and Shannon-Wiener indices were 4, 0.690, and 0.956, respectively in the plain area. Phlebotomus sergenti and Phlebotomus papatasi were dominant species with the synanthropic index of +9.695 and +36.207, respectively. Similarity indices were low among different biotopes of plain and mountainous areas. Conclusions: A basic knowledge about the diversity of sand flies in various biotopes is essential to design sound control programs. Biodiversity and synanthropic indices of sand flies are different in plain and mountainous areas due to the difference in biotic and abiotic factors between the two areas.

Influence of Fishing Activity on Total Species Richness and Abundance Unevenness in Reef Fish Communities: A Case Study in a Brazilian Tropical Coral Complex

The internal organization of reef-fish communities, particularly the species richness and the hierarchical structuring of species abundances, depends on many environmental factors, including fishing intensity and proportion of macroalgal cover which are expected to have determinant influences. However, reported studies on this topic are generally based on incomplete samplings (almost unavoidable in practice when dealing with highly uneven and species-rich communities), so that the derived results can be appreciably skewed. To overcome this difficulty, the incomplete samplings involved in this study were completed numerically through a reliable extrapolation procedure. This precaution provided a safe confirmation that reduced fishing activity and increased macroalgae cover both contribute to enhance the total species richness and to reduce the abundance unevenness in these reef fish communities. Yet, it is shown that this reduction of abundance unevenness is almost entirely attributable to the increase in species richness.

Gap edge attributes in Neotropical rainforest, Ecuador / Atributos de los bordes de los fragmentos en un bosque húmedo neotropical, en Ecuador

Abstract The application of gap dynamics theory appears to be a promising option for tropical forest management and conservation. In the present study of a tree species-rich and old-growth Ecuadorian Neotropical forest, we assessed the spatial distribution of gaps and gap size in relation to: i) tree number at the gap edge, ii) number of tree species at the gap edge, iii) number of tree species per stem at the gap edge, iv) species similarity, v) species evenness at the gap edge, vi) size differentiation at the gap edge, vii) gap isolation and viii) species mingling at the gap edge. Our results demonstrated that the spatial distribution of gaps was random. Various gap attributes were strongly associated with gap size. The number of tree species per stem at the gap edge was negatively correlated to the gap size. Gap sizes up to 50 m2were mostly sufficient to generate tree species-rich forest stands. Assuming that our results were representative for an old-growth neotropical rainforest in Ecuador, our study remarks the following management recommendations: 1) Rainforests have a very complex spatial and diversity structure and logging activities should preferably be omitted because of adverse effects. 2) If logging is inevitable, this should mimic a random choice of trees and tree species, to prevent special selection of tree dimension and species; and a random distribution of trees to be logged, to produce gaps smaller than 50 m2and never larger than 400 m2. Additionally, we suggest cutting not more than 5 % of the tree biomass per 10-20 years period, to preclude stronger alterations of ecosystem processes, and the reduction of existing dead wood from the ecosystem. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(1): 149-163. Epub 2018 March 01.

Resumen Aplicar la teoría de la dinámica de parches parece ser una opción prometedora para el manejo y conservación de los bosques tropicales. En el presente estudio se analizó la distribución espacial y el tamaño de los parches en relación con: i) el número de árboles en el borde del parche, ii) el número de especies arbóreas en el parche iii) número de especies arbóreas por tronco en el borde del parche, iv) similitud de las especies, v) uniformidad de las especies en el borde del parche, vi) separación del tamaño en el borde del parche, vii) aislamiento del parche y viii) borde del parche. Nuestros resultados demostraron que la distribución espacial de los parches fue aleatoria. Varios atributos de la vegetación se asociaron fuertemente con el tamaño del parche. El número de especies de árboles por fuste en el borde del parche se correlacionó negativamente con el tamaño del parche. Asumiendo que, nuestros resultados fueron representativos de un bosque neotropical en el Ecuador, nuestro estudio respalda las siguientes recomendaciones: 1) Este tipo de bosque húmedo tiene una diversidad espacial y estructural muy compleja; por lo tanto, las actividades de explotación forestal deberían omitirse, ya que afectarán negativamente sus estructuras. 2) Si la tala es inevitable, entonces deberían imitarse las estructuras naturales descritas en este estudio. Es decir, i) una selección aleatoria de especies de árboles a cosechar, con el fin de evitar la selección específica por dimensiones del arbolado o por especies, ii) en la distribución aleatoria de árboles debe tomarse en cuenta que los parches sean menores a 50 m2y jamás mayores a 400 m2. Adicionalmente, se recomienda no cortar más del 5 % de la biomasa arbórea en cada período de corta de entre 10 a 20 años, para evitar alteraciones mayores en los procesos del ecosistema y la reducción de madera muerta existente en estos ecosistemas.

Composição florística e estrutural de um cerrado sentido restrito na área de proteção de Manancial Mestre D'Armas, Distrito Federal / Floristic composition and structural of the cerrado sensu stricto in Mestre D'armas watershed protection area, Distrito Federal, Brazil

O objetivo do trabalho foi realizar o levantamento fitossociológico da comunidade arbustivo-arbórea em área de Cerrado sentido restrito na Área de Proteção de Manancial Mestre D'Armas, em Planaltina, Distrito Federal. Para isso foram instaladas 10 parcelas aleatórias de 1.000 m2 (20 x 50 m) e identificados e medidos todos os indivíduos lenhosos (Db30 cm) 5 cm. Os valores de riqueza (75 espécies/51 gêneros/34 famílias), de diversidade de Shannon (3,39) e de equabilidade (0,85) estão na faixa de variação encontrados em outros estudos realizados no Brasil Central e refletem alta diversidade na área estudada. Foram registrados 960 indivíduos/ha e uma área basal total de 8,61 m2/ha. As dez espécies mais importantes (Miconia burchellii, Qualea parviflora, Roupala montana, Kielmeyera coriaceae, Annona crassiflora, Miconia ferruginea, Vochysia thyrsoidea, Miconia albicans, Erythoxylum suberosum e Rapanea guianensis) corresponderam 59% da densidade total, 50% do IVI total e 61% da área basal da comunidade. Assim, essas são as espécies que representam a estrutura principal do Cerrado sentido restrito no presente trabalho. Miconia burchellii ocorreu com a maior densidade (180 ind.ha-1) já registrada para a espécie no Brasil Central. Os resultados contribuem para aumentar o conhecimento sobre a fisionomia Cerrado sentido restrito e indicam que o fragmento está em bom estado de conservação, de acordo com o índice de diversidade. Essa área é importante no contexto do Distrito Federal, uma vez que forma elos entre os fragmentos remanescentes, o Parque Nacional de Brasília e a Estação Ecológica de Águas Emendadas.

This study aimed to describe the floristic composition, diversity and community structure of woody community in Cerrado sensu stricto in the Área de Proteção de Manancial Mestre D'Armas, Distrito Federal, Brazil. Ten random plots (20 x 50 m) were installed and identified and measured all the individuals with diameter (Dh30 cm) 5 cm. The results showed richness (75 species/51 genus/34 family), Shannon diversity (3.39 nats. nats.ind-1) and evenness (0.85) reflect high diversity in the studied area and similar to the range of variation found in other studies in Central Brazil. In this study were registered 960 individuals/ha and 8.61 m2/ha of basal area. The ten most important species (Miconia burchellii, Qualea parviflora, Roupala montana, Kielmeyera coriaceae, Annona crassiflora, Miconia ferruginea, Vochysia thyrsoidea, Miconia albicans, Erythoxylum suberosum and Rapanea guianensis) accounted for 59% of the total density, 50% of the IVI and 61% of the basal area of the community. So, these are the species that represent the main structure of Cerrado stricto sensu in that area. Miconia burchellii occurred with the highest density (180 ind.ha-1) ever recorded for the species in Central Brazil. The results contribute to increase the knowledge about the physiognomy Cerrado stricto sensu and indicate that the fragment is in good condition, and it is important in the context of the Federal District, once that form links between the remaining fragments, the Parque Nacional de Brasília and the Estação Ecológica de Águas Emendadas.

Structural diversity, its components and regenerating capacity of lesser Himalayan forests vegetation of Nikyal valley District Kotli (A.K), Pakistan

OBJECTIVE@#To report the patterns of species diversity, and regenerating capacity in the forest of Nikyal valley in relation to environmental variables and underlying anthropogenic influence.@*METHODS@#A study area was selected in a traditionally managed mountain woody pasture during July 2012 to June 2013. The area was sampled by quadrat method. The quadrats were laid down at regular intervals of 150 m. The size of quadrats was kept 10×10, 5×5 and 1×1 m(2) for trees, shrubs and herbs respectively. Density, frequency and cover were recorded. Importance value index of each plant species was calculated and plant communities were named after the plant species having the highest IV. Then diversity, its components and regenerating capacity were calculated with their formulas.@*RESULTS@#Shannon's diversity ranged from 2.75 to 3.31, Simpson's diversity, 0.90 to 0.95; Menhinick's diversity, 0.83 to 1.19; evenness, 0.41 to 0.65; species richness, 4.89 to 6.08 and maturity index, 30 to 44 species distribution pattern. Diversity values were similar to the other Himalayan forests. Pinus roxburghaii was the only regenerating species whereas the remaining four tree species including Qurecus dilatata regenerate up to 100 cm; they are at extreme risk of elimination due to anthropogenic factors.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Nikyal valley is under severe deforestation pressure for fuel and timber value. There is an urgent need to promote the ethics among the people that improvement and conservation of natural resources are critical for land and soil management.

Structural diversity, its components and regenerating capacity of lesser Himalayan forests vegetation of Nikyal valley District Kotli (A.K), Pakistan

Objective: To report the patterns of species diversity, and regenerating capacity in the forest of Nikyal valley in relation to environmental variables and underlying anthropogenic influence. Methods: A study area was selected in a traditionally managed mountain woody pasture during July 2012 to June 2013. The area was sampled by quadrat method. The quadrats were laid down at regular intervals of 150 m. The size of quadrats was kept 10×10, 5×5 and 1×1 m

Community composition of aquatic birds in lakes of Bangalore, India.

Observations were made on the occurrence, abundance, richness, and diversity of waterbirds in 15 major lakes in Bangalore city during 2008 - 2009. During the study period 35 species of aquatic birds were recorded. The number of aquatic bird species recorded at various lakes ranged from 23 to 35. The percent abundance of waterbirds recorded in the study lakes ranged from 2.46 to 21.49 and it was significantly different (p<0.05). The diversity and species evenness of waterbirds in the lakes ranged from 2.07 to 3.16 and 0.32 to 0.76, respectively. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the diversity and species evenness of waterbirds among different lakes. Species richness of the bird population ranged from 2.89 to 4.01 in the different study lakes and it was not significantly different (p>0.05). There was a variation in number of waterbird species recorded during summer, monsoon and winter seasons. Of the 35 waterbird species, Bubulcus ibis showed cent percent frequency, whereas less frequently (4.44%) observed species was Anas platyrhynchos. Among various waterbird species, Bubulcus ibis, Fulica atra, Tringa hypoleucos, Motacilla maderaspatensis, Phalacrocorax niger, Egretta garzetta, Charadrius dubius, Ardeola grayji, Halcyon smyrnensis and Motacilla alba were frequently encountered in most of the study lakes.

Effects of Dietary Habits and Nutrient Intakes on Skin Condition of Female University Students

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary habits and nutrient intakes on skin condition of female university students. The subjects were 95 female university students in Daegu. This study examined anthropometric measurements, dietary intake, food intake habits and skin condition (moisture, elasticity, sebum (U-zone, T-zone), pores, evenness and melanin pigmentation. The subjects in this study had an average age of 21.4, an average height and weight of 161.2 cm and 52.9 kg, respectively, and the average body mass index (BMI) was 20.3 kg/m2. The means of skin elasticity, pores, evenness, and melanin pigmentation were within the normal range of women in their 20s and the skin moisture state was slightly lower than the normal range, which showed a dry tendency. The sebum in the U-zone and the T-zone was lower than the standard values, which showed less secretion in both areas. The subjects with high nut intake showed a better skin pore state (p < 0.05). Those with a high intake of instant foods showed a sig-nificantly low skin moisture and a significantly higher sebum rate (p < 0.05). The group with high skin elasticity and the group with less melanin pigmentation showed a significantly low animal protein intake (p < 0.05). The group with high skin elasticity also showed a significantly higher vitamin A and niacin intakes as well (p < 0.05). The group with high skin evenness showed a significantly lower animal lipid intake and a significantly higher vitamin E intake (p < 0.05). In addition, those with high skin elasticity and evenness as well as low melanin pigmentation showed a tendency of high intake of antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin A, carotene, vitamin C or vitamin E. In summary, a moderate intake of plant-based products and also the antioxidant vitamins within such products seems to have a beneficial effect on maintaining a healthy and good skin condition.

Análise faunística de Calliphoridae (Diptera) da Reserva Biológica do Tinguá, Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro / Analysis of Calliphoridae (Diptera) fauna in Reserva Biológica do Tinguá, Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro

O presente estudo investiga a fauna de califorídeos na Reserva Biológica do Tinguá usando como meios os índices faunísticos. Realizaram-se coletas mensais com armadilhas contendo sardinha expostas por 48 horas, nos pontos: A- borda da mata; B- 1000 metros para interior da mata; C- 500 metros para interior da mata. Objetivou-se estudar a entomofauna califorídica em ambiente florestal através de índices faunísticos. Foram coletadas 26 espécies de califorídeos ao longo do experimento. Definiram-se espécies Singletons, Doubletons, Uniques e Duplicates, intermediárias e comuns; calcularam-se riqueza e projeção da riqueza (estimadores Chao 1 e 2, Jackknife 1 e 2, Ace, Ice e Bootstrap); diversidade (Índice Shannon-Wiener); equidade (Índice Pielou) e similaridade dos pontos (quociente Sorensen e porcentagem de similaridade Southwood). Os pontos A e B mostraram o mesmo número de espécies de califorídeos (23), maior que C (16), diferindo apenas nas espécies raras, intermediárias e comuns. Em A foi registrado grande número de espécies consideradas intermediárias. Em B o número de espécies raras, intermediárias e comuns foi similar. Em C, o número de espécies raras foi menor que de intermediárias e comuns. Jackknife 2 no ponto B gerou a maior riqueza, indicando possibilidade de serem coletadas mais cinco espécies na reserva além das coletadas neste estudo, e em A e C mais três espécies. Ace e Bootstrap apresentaram-se seguros para estimativa de riqueza de Calliphoridae. A diversidade foi maior em B. A equidade foi semelhante nos pontos. B e C foram mais semelhantes em relação às espécies (dendograma): Laneela nigripes e Mesembrinella bellardiana, principais destes dois pontos aparecem agrupadas; Chrysomya albiceps, Chrysomya megacephala e Hemilucilia semidiaphana, principais espécies em A aparecem unidas.

The present study investigates the calliphorid fauna in the Biological Reserve of Tinguá using faunistic indices. Monthly samplings were carried out using traps containing sardines that were exposed for 48 hours at the sites: A, at the border of the forest; B, 1,000 m towards the interior of the forest; and C, 500 m towards the interior of the forest. The objective was to study the Calliphoridae fauna in forest environments using faunal indices. During the course of the experiment, 26 calliphorid species were collected. The species Singletons, Doubletons, Uniques, Duplicates, intermediate and common were defined. Richness and richness estimation (estimators Chao 1 and 2, Jackknife 1 and 2, Ace, Ice and Bootstrap), diversity (Shannon-Wiener index), evenness (Pielou's index), and similarity of the sites (using the Sorensen coefficient and the Southwood percent similarity) were calculated. Sites A and B had the same number of species of Calliphoridae (23), representing a greater richness than site C (16). The sites differed only in their rare, intermediate and common species composition. The greatest number of intermediate species was found at A. At B, the numbers of rare, intermediate and common species were similar. At C, there were fewer rare species than intermediate and common ones. Jackknife 2 at site B produced a higher value, however, indicating that it was possible to collect five other species in the reserve and three more species at A and C. Diversity was greatest at B, but evenness was similar at the sites. B and C showed a greater level of similarity in species composition (dendogram); L. nigripes and Mesembrinella bellardiana, which are the most important species at these two sites, appeared grouped together. Chrysomya albiceps, Chrysomya megacephala and Hemilucilia semidiaphana, the main species at Site A, also appear together.

Distribution and abundance of fish populations in Harike wetland-A Ramsar site in India.

Harike wetland was declared a Ramsar site in 1990. It is located at the confluence of two major rivers of Indus rivers system, the Beas and the Sutlej, but was never explored extensively for its existing fish biodiversity. Earlier only 27 fish species of commercial value were reported from the wetland. Acknowledging its importance for rich diversity, fish assemblages in seven different reaches of Harike wetland were studied to determine their abundance and distribution. 61 fish species of 35 genera were recorded from Harike wetland during the present study. Cirrihinus mrigala and Cyprinus carpio belonging to family Cyprinidae were the dominant fish species. Lake and Riyasat having many microhabitats supported highest diversity of fishes (60 and 56 respectively) followed by Beas (20) Sutlej (14), Confluence (12), Reservoir (9) and Downstream (8). Among the IUCN designated threatened species, 1 Critically Endangered, 4 Endangered and 13 Vulnerable fish species of India are found in Harike wetland. Species diversity index, dominance, evenness and catch per unit effort were calculated to ascertain the fish distribution in Harike wetland.

Diversity and abundance of the benthic macrofauna in lotic environments from the central region of Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil / Diversidade e abundância da macrofauna bentônica em ambientes lóticos da região central do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

The benthic fauna plays an important role in the trophic web and the nutrient flow of limnetic environments. This work aimed to study the diversity and abundance of the benthic invertebrates in four watercourses in the central region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Sampling was done seasonally at each site, with a long-handled net at the margins (banks) and streambed, from November 2001 through September 2002. Margalef richness, Shannon diversity and Pielou evenness indices were applied to the data analysis. A total of 58 families and three other major taxa (Hirudinea, Oligochaeta and Copepoda) of invertebrates were identified. The highest values of diversity and abundance were recorded at the margins of the rivers, in the same pattern found in other tropical and subtropical regions. This is the first inventory of benthic invertebrates from central region of Rio Grande do Sul, which will be important for future studies of the diversity and conservation of this fauna, because human alterations of the environment have already begun.

A fauna bentônica tem um importante papel nos ambientes límnicos, fazendo parte da cadeia trófica e participando do fluxo de nutrientes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a diversidade e a abundância dos invertebrados bentônicos em quatro cursos de água da região central do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Amostragens foram realizadas sazonalmente com uma rede de mão (puçá) nas margens e nos leitos dos arroios em cada local de coleta, entre Novembro de 2001 e Setembro de 2002. Para analisar os dados foram aplicados os índices de riqueza de Margalef, diversidade de Shannon e uniformidade de Pielou. Um total de 58 famílias e três outros grandes taxa (Hirudinea, Oligochaeta e Copepoda) de invertebrados foram identificados. Os maiores valores de diversidade e abundância foram encontrados nas margens dos arroios, seguindo um padrão verificado para regiões tropicais e subtropicais. Este é o primeiro inventário de invertebrados bentônicos da região central do Estado Rio Grande do Sul, e servirá de base para futuros estudos sobre a diversidade e a conservação dessa fauna frente às alterações antrópicas no ambiente.