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Conference Home Page | Session timetable Boards 1 - 11 | Boards 12 - 22 | Boards 23 - 33 (BLOCK CAPITALS indicate the presenting author)
35) PATTANAKAEW, PUNTIPA, J. F. Maxwell, Rebecca Scott and George Gale.
36) Valligny, Christopher D., and ROBERT L. CURRY. Dept. of Biology, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova, PA 19085 USA, <robert.curry@villanova.edu> EFFECTS OF AN INTENSE WINTER FIRE ON THE BEHAVIOR AND DIET OF THE FLORIDA SCRUB-JAY (APHELOCOMA COERULESCENS) Efforts to manage endangered species must consider the possibility that prescribed disturbance at different scales, intensities, or times may have varying effects. The Florida Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) is endemic to Florida scrub, a relict fire-maintained habitat. On 12 February 2001, an anthropogenically ignited fire burned portions of 21 territories at Archbold Biological Station. Effects of such fires on scrub-jays are not known and are important because the natural fire season is in summer, yet an increasing proportion of the statewide population is exposed to anthropogenic winter fires. We conducted focal observations on 6 color-banded jays in each of three territory categories (unburned, UB; partially burned, PB; completely burned, CB) from Feb. – Jun., in 2001 and 2002. Territories shifted away from burned areas with the onset of nesting, and jays stopped using burned habitat when acorns became available. UB jays disproportionately preferred, but PB and CB jays avoided, burned habitat in relation to availability. PB and CB jays foraged more and rested less, used fewer aerial foraging maneuvers, and consumed more arthropods than did UB birds. Availabilities of acorns and nesting sites appear to create greater post-fire pressures on Florida Scrub-Jays than do predation risk or overall food availability. 37) Batáry, Péter, and ANDRÁS BÁLDI. Animal Ecology Research Group, HAS, Hungarian Natural History Museum, Ludovika tér 2, Budapest, Hungary, 1083 (baldi@ludovika.nhmus.hu) EVIDENCE FOR NEST PREDATION EDGE EFFECT: A META-ANALYSIS Nest predation edge effect is responsible for the increased loss of open cup nesting birds along habitat edges and in small fragments. This is a key issue in conservation, due to the ongoing habitat fragmentation, and creation of new edges. The evidences are weak, however, former reviews lack large sample size, or appropriate statistical background. In this study we used 64 independent experiments from published and own studies. We recalculated all included studies, and used Fisher's z-transform effect sizes to avoid statistical problems of multiple significance tests. The cumulative weight effect size was used in the meta-analysis (MetaWin 2.0). Although study designs varied greatly, we found a significant positive cumulative effect size. This was the case for all subsets of the experiments according to study location (N-America, NW-Europe, C-Europe), landscape (open, forested), edge habitat (field, marsh, deciduous forest, coniferous forest, tropical forest), adjoining habitat (forest, field, water), type of nests (ground, elevated, and artificial, natural), type of eggs (chicken, quail), and exposure time (natural, less). Therefore, we supported the general view that nest predation is higher at habitat edges. 38) Clayton, David, DEDE OLSON, Steve Morey, John Guetterman, Brenda Devlin, Richard Nauman, Ed Reilly, and Hart Welsh. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, OR, USA (DC, SM), USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Corvallis, OR, USA <dedeolson@fw.fed.us> (DO, RN), USDI Bureau of Land Management, North Bend, OR, USA (JG), USDA Forest Service, Six Rivers National Forest, Gasquet, CA, USA (BD), USDA Forest Service, Rogue River National Forest, Jacksonville, OR, USA (ER), USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Arcata, CA, USA (HW) CONSERVATION PLAN FOR THE SISKIYOU MOUNTAINS SALAMANDER, PLETHODON STORMI , IN THE US PACIFIC NORTHWEST Conservation plans are developing for uncommon species under the Survey and Manage provision of the federal Northwest Forest Plan in the US Pacific Northwest. The goal is to maintain well-distributed populations throughout the species’ range on federal lands within the Northwest Forest Plan area. We present an overview of amphibians managed under this provision and the developing conservation plan for the Siskiyou Mountains salamander (Plethodon stormi) in southern Oregon and northern California. Management is addressed at multiple spatial scales, including local sites, contiguous habitat areas, sixth-field watersheds, and geographic boundaries of distinct population segments. Emerging data on genetic variability across the range is integrated into the adaptive management of this species conservation plan. 39) ERIN MUTHS, USGS-Biological Resources Division, 4512 McMurry Ave. Fort Collins, CO 80525, USA (erin_muths@usgs.gov) USE OF HABITAT BY BOREAL TOADS (BUFO BOREAS) I sampled movements and the amount of area used by boreal toads (Bufo boreas, endangered in the State of Colorado) during the post-breeding season for 3 years (1998–2000) in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Females were found farther away from the breeding site than were males and mean homeranges, as calculated by adaptive kernel method, were 4 times larger for females than for males. Weather conditions and snow accumulation were comparable over the 3 yr study but data collection was hampered by heavy mortality in animals due to an outbreak of amphibian chytidiomycosis in year 2. There is little information on homeranges of boreal toads and these data provide information useful in planning within national parks and on private or forest service lands where sites within typical toad habitat may be slated for recreational development (e.g. ski areas). 40) DALTRY, JENNY, John Hartley, Carole McCauley, and Sarah McIntyre. Fauna & Flora International, Great Eastern House, Tenison Road, Cambridge CB1 2TT, UK <americas@fauna-flora.org> (JD, SM); Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Trinity Manor, Jersey, Channel Islands, UK (JH); Environmental Awareness Group, National Museum of Antigua & Barbuda, Long Street, St Johns, Antigua (CM). ANTIGUAN RACER CONSERVATION PROJECT – A SUCCESS STORY. In 1995 the Antiguan Racer Conservation Project (ARCP) was initiated in response to the imminent risk of extinction facing one of the world’s rarest snakes (Alsophis antiguae). The ARCP provides a model for the complexity of successful conservation projects – a wide range of conservation approaches have been brought together within this project, and after seven years of work the population of the snake has now doubled. All conservation interventions were based on a full understanding of the threats facing the species, based on seven years of intensive study of the Antiguan racer. From this, a long-term plan was developed for the management of the species, and the islands on which it is found. Recovery of the species has been facilitated through an extensive invasive species eradication programme, and translocation of snakes to cleared islands. A locally led and innovative education campaign raised awareness of the racer in Antigua, mobilising substantial local support – and political will – for the protection of this species. The project has succeeded as a result of thorough research, the ability to intervene across a range of levels, and opportunities for invasive control on small islands. 41) FERNÁNDEZ CAMPÓN, Florencia, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (campito@utk.edu) EDGE EFFECT ON ABUNDANCE AND BIOMASS OF TWO DIFFERENT SPIDER GUILDS In this study, the edge effect on abundance of two spider guilds was examined. These guilds involved "sit and wait" (Thomisidae, n=51) and "ambush" (Salticidae, n=78) spiders. The edge effect was produced by a road crossing continuous forest in Central Amazon, 80 km north from Manaus, Brazil. Four transects with sampling bands (2m x 20m) at 0, 15, 30, 70, 150, and 300 m from the edge of the road were sampled using the beating method to catch the spiders found in the vegetation. Each band had five quadrats every 4 m that consisted of a circular area of 1,5m in diameter within which vegetation was sampled. The edge effect was noticeable for total abundance as well as for each individual guild. However, the pattern showed by each guild was different, presenting abundance peaks at 15m for thomisids and at 15m and 70m for salticids. In the latter case, the second peak was much more important. Even when both guilds are affected by the edge, they responded idiosyncratically possibly due to differences in requirements such as prey distribution, microhabitat characteristics. 42) GARCÍA, DANIEL and J. Ramón Obeso. Unidad de Ecología, Departamento de Biología de Organismos y Sistemas, Universidad de Oviedo, C/ Rodrigo Uría s/n, Oviedo 33071, Asturias, Spain, <dgarcia@correo.uniovi.es> YEW CONSERVATION AGREES OVERBROWSING THROUGH SHRUB FACILITATION IN CANTABRIAN MOUNTAINS Yew Taxus baccata is a relictic species in the Cantabrian Mountains (N Spain) under legal protection. We analysed the abundance, spatial distribution and survival of yew regeneration stages (seedlings and saplings) in relation to herbivory by browsing ungulates and protection by spiny shrubs. In open-mixed forests, seedling establishment was strongly associated to the presence of trees acting as perches for avian seed dispersers. No seedling established on forest gaps. In microhabitats without shelter only 20% of first year seedlings survived until winter. However, mortality and herbivore damage was significantly lower under the protection of spiny shrubs, mainly holly Ilex aquifolium and hawthorn Crataegus monogyna. Effective protection appeared mainly in highly-browsed, cone-shaped shrubs with crowns at the ground level. Sapling abundance was higher for populations with higher shrub coverage. In a beech forest population, cattle exclusion significantly increased the density of seedlings and saplings and the frequency of saplings. Yew regeneration in Cantabrian Mountains is constrained by browsing ungulates. However, periods of heavy browsing seem to be necessary to develop cone-shaped spiny shrubs which subsequently promote yew establishment. Yew conservation and herbivore presence are compatible through shrub facilitation. 43) KURAMOTO NOBORU. School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, 214-8571, JPN, <kura@isc.meiji.ac.jp>. DECLINE OF ASTER KANTOENSIS ON TAMA RIVER FLOODPLAIN AND SEEDLINGS IN ARTIFICIAL GRAVEL RIVER BED Gravel river beds along swiftly running rivers in Japan have sharply diminished, turning into thickets and woods because of construction of dams and gravel exploitation. Species endemic to gravel river beds are in danger of extinction. According to my annual survey, the number of the flowering plants of Aster kantoensis Kitamura on the Tame River floodplain declined from 45,000 in 1991 to 175 in 2001. Experiments were made in 2001 to create habitats for A. kantoensis. After cutting down trees, mostly Robinia Pseudo-acacia L., and taking the surface sand away, five types of gravel river bed were prepared; Type A: no treatment, Type B: covered with one layer of large stones (D>10cm), Type C: one layer of stones of different sizes (D>7cm), Type D: fine sand deposits and Type E: three layers of large stones. The rate of emergence 35 days after the sowing was the highest in Type B (17.2%+2.5%(Mean+S.E.)), followed by Types C, E, A and D in the order. As fine particle deposits under stones had higher moisture contents than uncovered deposits, the favorable emergence rates in Types B and C are attributable to the covering effects of stones. 44) O’NEIL, SUSAN, V. Thomas Parker. San Francisco State University, Biology Department, 1600 Holloway Ave., San Francisco, CA 94132, USA, <susano84@hotmail.com> SOIL SEED BANKS, FIRE AND PREDATORS: A CASE STUDY OF CEANOTHUS JEPSONII VAR. ALBIFLORUS, A SERPENTINE ENDEMIC For many plant species, the ability to store viable seed in the soil over time is essential for survival. The period between seed production and germination is also the most vulnerable stage in a plant’s life. Ceanothus jepsonii is a chaparral shrub endemic to serpentine soils that relies on a persistent soil seed bank following a wildfire. The seed bank is the single most important life stage for this and other species with a fire-stimulated seed bank. Soil analysis, greenhouse experiments and field predation experiments were conducted to assess the extent of seed removal mechanisms from the soil seed bank. We found significant removal of seeds from the soil by rodents, as well as a significant attack to developing seeds by a beetle in the family Bruchidae. Shrubs were not able to escape pre-dispersal predation through variations in flowering time. Seeds that escape both types of predation show a loss in viability over time. Available seed may be a limiting factor for seedling recruitment post-fire. Loss of seed from the soil may be shaping the distribution and abundance of C. jepsonii within its restricted range. Knowing the ecology of a cryptic and vital life stage is important for conservation efforts. Last updated: 07.07.02 |